Just for fuck's sake, let's say Val is originally from London.

Got a girl with California eyes...

"You look beautiful." Star beamed at me from the door. God did she look gorgeous. Red always was her color, and that tight dress had me almost wanting to pull her back into the bedroom. We had certainly come a long way. It had been hard to adjust at first. Not to the fact that she's a girl, but more to the fact that she and I were once enemies in high school.

"So do you." My heels clinked against the wood floor as I finally made it to her. Her red lipstick probably mixed with my black, but who cares. She was just so damn irresistible. "Remind me why we have to go to this party."

"Networking," she giggled as she pulled me through the door.

The quiet cab ride was radically different from the loud music of the large house we entered. Almost immediately Star left my side to go say hi to a producer from the last show she was an extra in. That's okay. A year with her and these parties taught me not to care too much. She would eventually find me and introduce me to some DJ that could use an up and coming singer to feature in a song. But one hour turned into two, and the worry started getting to me.

I found myself ascending the stairs where a different kind of party was being held in a sitting room. The moment I stepped through the doorway, Star's head popped up with wide eyes. It didn't take a genius to know what she was doing, especially with the rehab bill on the kitchen table back home.

"Home," I scoffed as I hailed a cab. I would never go back there. Screw the belongings, bed, and little black box hidden in my dresser I was leaving behind.

-He's a Phantom-

7 am and I am beyond exhausted. It wasn't exactly a red eye flight, but damn near close enough. My eyes were killing me, and God knows if it's from the lack of sleep or hours worth of crying I had done.

I was sure I had no more tears as I got off the plane and waltzed through the small airport of Amity Park. The only belongings I had in my hands were the stupid black high heels with a purple bow she had convinced me to buy. I trailed down the stairs behind the other passengers.

Before I had a chance to look up from the bottom step, strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me into the air. I broke again, hoping one day there wouldn't be anymore tears on Danny's shirt with Star's name on them.

London girl with an attitude

"You really have to leave, don't you?" Val asked again, her British accented voice was as smooth as the skin of her hands on my back. Part of me really wanted to say no.

"Yes, I do." I sighed, leaning my head back to rest on her collarbone. "You could come with me, you know." I lifted my head and looked at her in the mirror against the back of the door, showing all of her bare glory wrapped up around me. That's a sight anyone would kill to see. "I know Danny and Danielle would love to have you back on the team."

"I told you, not until I find Vlad." Her eyes grew dark as she spaced out. I knew all she could see in that moment was the vampire-wannabe freak that has tormented our group for years. We all would like to get our hands on that guy. "I know he's got everyone else convinced that he's dead, but I'm not letting go that easily. I need some proof."

"I believe you, Val." I rolled over and placed a soft kiss to her lips. "But, I guess this is goodbye."

-He's a Phantom-

"So, where to first?" Danny asked as we stepped out of the airport.

"I don't know," Tuck replied. "Sam's the London expert."

"I say food first." I rolled my eyes as Tuck nearly started drooling. We found the driver sent for us instantly and started down the road. Not too long later, I saw that small condo village I had spent two weeks at not even a year before. "Hey, do you think Val is still around here?"

"Dani said she left not long after the last time you were here." Danny said, not even looking up from his handheld game device.

"Did you guys ever meet up here?" Tuck asked, leaning forward to look at me."

"No, that's why I was wondering." It would always be our little secret. Now that she and Danielle were engaged, we saw no reason to tell anyone about our few days together.

Danny's leg slightly nudged mine. I looked up to see a mischievous smile on his face. Tuck was engrossed in his PDA, completely oblivious.

I smiled and nudged him back. We hadn't told Tuck about us quite yet, but maybe it'll come out soon. It was my idea to keep it a secret, after everything that's happened in my history. But this time, I'm not lying when I tell him he's the one for me, and he knows it.

Maybe I'm not so bad at love after all. Or maybe I just needed the right person all along.