Part 2!

"Hey Nobel!" Kari and Kate walked into their English class with a smile. He smiled back at them as they sat next to him.

"Hey guys." He mumbled. They had a half a hour till class started. Kari instantly pulled a book out of her backpack. Kate pulled out a notebook she drew comics in. Nobel had nothing to do but watch them.

He really only watched Kari. He found her fascinating. She was really smart and a huge bookworm. Even though she was nice to everyone, she had made a large attempt to befriend him. He couldn't be more grateful to anyone. Well, besides James.

He watched as she tucked a piece of black hair behind her ear, her eyes never stopping their back and forth movement on the page. A few seconds later the hair fell back out. She sighed quietly and moved her hand, but Nobel beat her to it. His finger grazed her temple as he slipped the hair behind her ear. She glanced over at him quickly and the hair popped back out.

"Jerking your head like that makes my actions worthless." He smiled. She frowned at him. He once again reached to tuck the hair behind her ear, but she moved her head away.

"I can do it." As if to prove her words, she tucked her hair back. Then she turned in her seat and looked back down at her book. Nobel could tell she wasn't reading. Her eyes were still. She swallowed hard and Nobel frowned.

"Kari, what's wrong?"

"Why do you ask...?" She looked over.

"You weren't reading." He shrugged.

"Oh. I like this part of the book."

"Ah." He nodded slowly. Next the Kari, Kate laughed and looked at him, muttering "stupid" under her breath. He watched as Kari reached over and pinched her arm. He frowned at the two of them.

A knock rang out through the class room door and everyone turned to look at it. Today was the day they would met James' replacement. A tall man with short blond hair and brown eyes walked in, a smile on his face.

"Hello class." He shut the door and walked over to the teacher's desk. "I'm Mr. Townsend and I am going to be your new English teacher." The class rang out a greeting. They all were hoping for a good first impression. Kari had shut her book and was staring at the man, a small glare in her eyes. Her hands were in tight fists on the top of the table.

Nobel knew that Kari missed James almost as much as he did. In the two days he had been gone they hadn't talked about him leaving, but he knew how much Kari had respected James, almost as much as he had. But hating this new teacher wouldn't help anything. He knew it. He just had to make Kari see.

He quickly pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled on it for her to calm down. She glanced at it then back to him and relaxed only slightly in her seat. Her fist stayed clenched.

"-note on the desk says that Mr. Peterson was doing section 23. That's correct I suppose?" Mr. Townsend spoke French brilliantly. Nobel sighed and blocked out his voice. He looked over at Kari who was simply watching the man. He reached over and placed his hand on top of her fist. He felt her body jump but her hand stayed where it was. She looked down at the table. Noble flipped her hand over and unclenched it.

He really wasn't ready for the feelings that shot through him while he held her hand. Kari obviously felt the same thing, because she couldn't look at him while their hands were together.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Kate eying their hands with a smile and, still holding Kari's, pulled his hand under the table. Kari swallowed again and reopened her book.

Like before, Nobel watched Kari read. This time, her hair stayed behind her ear and Nobel really started to see how pretty Kari was.

-

Her name was Darcy Ladd. She was slightly shorter than his 5'11, blond and big chested, and anything but his type. But he couldn't be rude. An hour and a half ago, Jenny had told him he had reservations at a fancy Italian restaurant and that Darcy would meet him there. Now he was sitting across the table from Darcy, candlelight shining on them.

Darcy smiled brightly, showing her big white teeth. James smiled slightly and sighed quietly. She scooted her chair closer and reached across the table, placing her palm against the back of his hand.

"James..." She fluttered her eyelashes. "It is wonderful being here tonight!"

"Yea..." He mumbled.

"I was so excited when Jenny asked me to go out with you. Even though it's only a night..." She sighed, as if in a dream like state. "I have always wanted to meet you and-"

"Yea, you and five billion others..." He murmured under his breath.

"-you're bloody hot." She batted her lashes again.

"Er..." He frowned. "Thanks?"

"Anytime, darling!" Darcy said enthusiastically only she said it like it was pronounced 'dah-ling'.

James almost cheered from happiness when the food arrived. They waiter sat down the food, checked if it was okay, then left. James was terribly sad to see him go. He took his first bite and instantly brightened. The food was great... if only he could say the same about his date.

A half an hour later, James had finished his food and eaten dessert. Darcy, instead of getting dessert, had talked the whole time he was enjoy his banana cream pie. Very hard to savor something while she was babbling, even something so good. James pushed his plate away and sighed. He glanced up at Darcy, who had grown quiet, and found her staring at him.

"You know..." She twirled her hair. "Jenny has been telling me about you all day today. And she has said things before." Darcy sighed. James attention had turned to her the moment Jenny's name had been mentioned. "She said you were funny, nice, wonderful...she just about said you were bloody perfect. But, after going out with you tonight, I realize you're nothing like she said. You're not funny, you're more polite than nice and I am missing what is so wonderful about you."

"I..." James didn't know what to say.

"She really does think a lot of you. You're brilliant in her eyes." Darcy smiled. James stared at her blankly. "I just... kind of wish you could have gave me a chance to see the side you show her."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I am no different around Jenny than anyone." He frowned. "And you have taken her all wrong. She doesn't..." He thought for a second. "'think a lot of me'...as you put it."

Darcy stared at him oddly for a few seconds. Then she shook her head.

"You don't even know..."

"Know? Know what?" James said suspiciously. She held her manicured hands up in front of her face in an innocent gesture.

"I am not telling you!" She smiled at him. "Sorry I acted so...flirty to night. I was just really excited about meeting you. Your dad is one of my idols..." She smiled sheepishly.

"It's okay." For the first time tonight, he really smiled in her direction. "I am sorry for...not being like Jen described me." He felt a heavy sense of needing to explain himself. "I just..."

"Like someone else...?" Darcy guessed. Her smile had faded and she frowned at him.

"I...yea."

"I thought so." She pulled her jacket from behind her and slipped her arms in. Standing, she grabbed her purse. This time, when she smiled, James could have sworn it held sympathy. She leaned down and hugged him. "Goodbye and thanks for...the food?" Darcy laughed.

She got two steps away before walking back quickly and bending down.

"Sorry, I can't help it." she pressed her lips to his. "Wait till I tell the girls I kissed James Peterson!" Then she turned on her heel and walked away. James laughed slightly as he watched her leave, the comment she made about Jenny burning in his mind.

It wasn't until he had paid the bill and was getting in the car that he noticed what had been missing. Jenny had never sent the press. Now, the rumors would still be floating around. He cursed. What a waste.

He looked at the clock radio on the dashboard of the car. 11:30. By the time he reached home, Jenny would be in bed. He would have to wait until the morning to ask her what had happened.

-

The clinging and clashing of the plates to the silverware was the only thing that could be heard in the kitchen the next night. James had woken up and Jenny had been gone already, a note saying she had gone to work and would be back later in the night.

She hadn't said anything about the date he was supposed to be on tonight. So, he figured there wasn't one. He was right. Jenny had arrived home a few minutes after he had begun eating. She had said nothing, but moved to the stove to grab a plate and fill it.

They had both yet to break the silence. James kept shooting her glances, but her head never looked up. James finally finished, pushing his plate away with a satisfied sigh. With an annoyed shake of his head, he decided he'd enough of the silence.

"That was bloody good!" Okay, maybe too much enthusiasm, but what could it hurt? Jenny looked up and nodded.

"It's excellent." She went back to eating. James rolled his eyes.

"Something bothering you?"

"Oh..." She looked up again. This time she pushed away her plate and sat down her fork. "Work." She shrugged.

"Oh." He nodded knowing how it could be. "I have been meaning to ask you..."

"Ask me what?"

"Why you didn't send the press last night? I mean, I only went on the date to get the attention off of you and without the press, my attempt was worthless."

"Don't worry..." She pulled something out of her bag. "The attention is off."

"What's this?" He took the folded paper from her.

"The article that is going in Saturday's paper." She muttered as he unfolded it.

James Peterson's REAL Romance

In last week’s paper, we wrote about how James and Jenny Walters were madly in love. Well, it is untrue. An eyewitness has reported that they seen him last night at a Little Italy with Darcy Ladd.
Darcy has been taken in for questioning and she says that she and James were having a 'fling'. But she reports it is now over.
As for the relationship with Miss. Walters, it never happened. How do we know? She told us. She refers to her and Mr. Peterson's relationship as a platonic one. Says they think of each other as 'brother and sister', even though they are not blood related.
Read next week to find out more on James' love life!

-Laney Andrews

James finished reading and stared at the paper. Then he glanced up at Jenny and back to the paper. With one last glare towards the paper, he sat it down.

"You told them we had a platonic relationship? That we thought of each other as brother and sister?" James really couldn't believe she had said that. There was no way she thought he was her...brother. Jenny turned away from the fridge, which she was replacing the ketchup, and shrugged.

"You said just about the same thing to mum and everybody last night..."

"Oh..." James could almost feel the color seep from his skin. How could he have forgotten? He must seem like a dolt. What if she added it all together and knew that he liked her...

"I only really said that to make the family shut up. Really, annoying that lot can get." James said trying to recover. "I forgot I said it...."

"Oh. It's okay." She smiled and turned back to the sink.

"But...what about the other two dates?"

"You said it yourself. There is not really any use for them. Unless..." She looked at him over her shoulder. "you wanna go on them."

"Not really..." Then something came to him. "I already reserved those bloody tickets for that play."

"Take Remmington." She smiled and threw her rag in the sink.

"Eh...It's more of a date kind of thing."

"Oh. Want me to get Darcy to go?" Jenny asked. James grimaced.

"No."

"One of my other friends?"

"That’s..." He thought of Darcy. "No thanks."

"Fine then." She shrugged. "The only other person I can think of is Harmony."

"Well..." He started and then sighed. She stared at him. "I can think of one other person."

"Who?"

"You."

"But..." She frowned. "Doesn't that kind of take away from the point of the date with Darcy?"

"I have an idea."

"You do?"

"Yea."

"What's that?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Remember a while back you told me that no one wants to write real stories. They only like the mysterious stuff?"

"Yea..." she spoke slowly not sure where this was going.

"Then, let's make them think it's real." James shrugged. Jenny stared at him blankly.

"What?"

"Let's pretend to date. We can tell the press that we have begun dating. Once they know, they will stop stalking us...right?"

"Hmm...maybe." She smiled. "So, you want to pretend to date...Then what do we do? Date forever?"

James could hear his mind screaming yes over and over again. But he frowned.

"No. We could break it off in a...mutual agreement." He shrugged questioningly.

"Mr. Peterson...I think this just might work."

"Good." He smiled and helped her finish the dishes.

-

The next night, Jenny could barely contain her excitement. But contain it she did. There was no way she was going to let James see how excited she was about their first date...even if it was pretend. She was dressed in a long gown and James in a simple tuxedo. But he looked anything but simple.

He looked rich. They were sitting in a top box watching a play. It was like back in the old days when men put on a play for the king and queen. Well tonight, she felt like a queen.

She had come out of her room in the dark red gown and James had stared at her. Like he couldn't take his eyes way. He told her she was beautiful and kissed her hand. James had even rented a limo. It was wonderful and fairy tale like.

And Jenny was wondering how it would end.

She knew that the reason he was sitting closer than necessary on the benches in the top box was so the press would get the picture. He had her fingers intertwined in his. Sometimes he would rub his thumb up and down the side of her hand, sending shivers through her.

When he unhooked their hands, she almost protested but James reached around and placed his arm across her shoulders, dragging her impossibly closer. She leaned her head on his shoulder staring down at the stage, wishing she knew what was going on down there. Wishing she could block him and all the emotions from her mind.

But she couldn't.

-

James had no idea what he was doing. It had taken him at least twenty minutes to convince himself to put his arm on her shoulders. Once he had, it had worked out just as he wanted. She had been moved closer and placed her head on his shoulder.

Her actions might all be for show (for the press that was sitting the top box with them. They were here to take pictures of the play. But they were most likely taking more of James and Jenny) but they were fantastic.

He leaned his head down and kissed the top of her head.

"I think it's working." He whispered as the photographer behind them took pictures rapidly.

"Me too." Her voice sounded breathless.

"You okay?"

"Yes, of course." She muttered. He let it fall silent again as he focused on the play. A man in a knight's costume was running across the stage to a woman. She clucked her tongue at him and the room broke into laughter. James stared on confused. He saw nothing funny. But then again, every other person in the room had been watching the play. His attention had been too focused on Jenny.

-

Jenny and James waited until most people had cleared out to leave. They held hands as they walked down the long hallway and as they expected, the press was waiting outside when they got there.

The cameras went nuts, clicking away madly. James and Jenny smiled brightly.

"Mr. Peterson! Mr. Peterson!" One of the reporters to the front yelled. "Are you and Miss Walters dating?" The rest of the reporters quieted down as he answered.

"Yes." Cheers and murmurs ran out.

"When did you first get together?"

"Well, we realized we had feelings for each other after the ridiculous article from Saturday England Times came out." Jenny said hoping her boss wouldn't get mad.

"Are you two planning to marry?"

"I don't think-" Jenny began but James cut in.

"Yes." James said in complete confidence. Jenny stared at him.

"Mr. Peterson! Can you give Jenny a kiss? For our cameras?" Both of their heads turned to see Darcy Ladd standing there, a large smile on her face.

"Sure." He turned towards Jenny and slipped his arms around her waist. She felt his breath on her cheek and heard all the reporters muttering to each other. Her hands slipped to his shoulders. The next moment, his lips meet hers.

-

The paper hit the stands on Saturday. Their faces were plastered on the cover. Harry was leaning down to kiss her and she was staring up at him. She looked in love...

But honestly, Jenny had no idea what had happened two nights ago. One moment they were having a full snog session in front of tons of reporters and then James pulled away so abruptly she stumbled. James caught her around the waist and smiled. Then he had made their way through the press and into the limo.

Once the limo had taken off, he had refused to look at her, talk to her and if she was right, think about her. She had stared out the window the entire ride, wondering what had happened.

It had been the same for the past two days. James was either not at home or locked in the guest room. He had eaten both nights before she returned from work and breakfast before she awoke. He was avoiding her like the plague and she had no idea what she had done.

She had definitely not asked him to kiss her... not that she didn't want it to happen. But...if he was going to act like an asshole after he did it, then forget him.

In her misery, Jenny walked up the corner store and bought a pint of mint chocolate ice cream. Sitting on her couch the T.V. blaring, she ate it. She had skipped work that day, hoping to catch James at home. Only, he was gone before she woke and had yet to return. Well, she would be waiting for him when he returned.

-

"What's your problem mate?" Remmington asked glaring at James. The sat in the living room of Marley's house talking.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, let's see. I asked you how things where going and you snapped my neck in two!" He joked sarcastically.

"Sorry." He sighed.

"What's wrong?" Remmington took a drink of his soda.

"I..." He ran a hand through his black hair. "I kissed your sister."

"I know. Mum reads the paper..."

"Right."

"Tell me, James, how is kissing my sister a problem?" Remmington asked remembering that James was upset about something.

"It's a really big problem."

"Why?" Remmington repeated.

"Because it made me realize how bloody in love with her I am."

"Ah..." said Remmington shaking his head. “I am still missing the problem."

"It's a problem to be in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way!" James stormed getting mad.

"You're blind as a bat..."

"What?"

"Nothing. What are you going to do about this?"

“I don't really know. I am moving out though. I found a place today. I'm moving in soon."

"You tell Jen?"

James shook his head. "No. I...I haven't talked to your sister since before I kissed her."

"What?!?"

"I've been avoiding her." He looked at his hands sheepishly. "I couldn't deal with her reaction."

"Her reaction..." Remmington shook his head again. "Her reaction would have been positive."

"What?" James looked up at him quickly.

"Mate, Jenny has been in love with you since she was about sixteen."

James could do nothing but sit there staring blankly. Jenny...in love with him? No possible way. She didn't act like...

Or...maybe she did. All the looks she gave him that he could never figure out. The things she did for him. The way she acted towards him...

"So, tell me Jamesie. How big is that house you're buying?"

"Big enough for both of us and then some." He smiled and stood up. "I call you later."

-

When James reached Jenny's apartment an hour later, the door was locked. He knocked twice and Jenny opened the door. He walked in and kicked his shoes off. She stood in front of him a determined look on her face.

"Why was the door locked?"

"So you couldn't avoid me again."

"Well...that was a waste of your time. I had no further plans to avoid you." He smiled and she glared at him.

"Right. Why have you been avoiding me?" She asked cutting to the chase.

"Well, I guess it's because I was of things." Jenny frowned at him.

"That makes no sense."

"It will."

"Oh really? How?" She folded her arms across her chest.

"Well, I will start by telling you I have bought a house." James pulled his jacket off and walked over to the couch. He took a seat and patted the spot next to him in invitation. Instead she sat in the chair across form him.

"So then I guess you're moving out..."

"Yep."

"Gosh, don't sound so happy to be leaving." She spat out bitterly.

"Why not?" He shrugged. "I only had to reason for staying. One, because I didn't have an apartment. Two...well, let's just say it's up to you if this reason is gone."

"How's it up to me?" Jenny raised her eyebrow in confusion.

"You see, my second reason for staying at your apartment was because you were in it." James stared at her. Her eyes got wide and she looked to the floor.

"What does that mean? Because I was in it?"

"Don't you think I could have stayed at Mum's if I really needed a place? It was just my luck that Remmington was staying there."

"Your...luck..." She muttered almost in a daze.

"So Jen." He smiled. "Don't you wanna know how to help me get rid of my second reason?"

Jenny nodded a soft smile on her face.

"It's simple really. You just have to pack up your life, furniture, clothes and all that bloody stuff and come with me. What do you say?"

Jenny stared at him not sure if he was really saying what he was. He wanted her to live with him. But...what would people say? Two adults don't just buy a house together. They usually got...

"Married." He said as if voicing her thoughts. "We will of course. Maybe not today but...you get the point."

She laughed slightly and nodded, still unable to speak. This is what she had always wanted...so why wasn't she jumping on the chance? James must have begun to think the same thing because the smile on his face faded and he stared at her.

"Remmington said..." He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. "He said you loved me..." He paused. "This bloody sucks."

"Remmington said that?" Jenny asked finally gaining the will to speak.

"Yea. Said you had been since you were like 16."

"Why did he tell you that?" she asked him. "How did he even know?" She mumbled under her breath.

"Well...I guess he told me because I told him that after kissing you I realized how much in love with you I am." He stared at her and then smiled sadly. At his words something inside her lifted. "But, I guess that doesn't matter now." He stood up. "I am going to go pack my stuff up."

Jenny watched him step away from the couch. He walked passed her and things seemed to click in her mind. He wanted her to move with him...said they would get married and...and he had told her he loved her...

Then why was she letting him go?

"Hey!" She just about yelled. James turned around.

"Yea?"

"Remmington. He...he was right. About me." She stared at him. James looked down on the floor and then laughed slightly.

"Really?" James looked up again and she nodded. He took the two steps back to her and touched her cheek. "This time, I promise not to avoid you." He said with a laugh before kissing her.

-

On Saturday headlines across the world were all mentioning James.

Saturday England Times:

JAMES PERTSON IS GETTING HITCHED!!!

London Reader:

JAMES PETERSON AND HIS BRIDE TO BE!

New Yorker:

FAMOUS ROCKER’S SON: JAMES PETERSON IS MARRYING!

And then...in France the article read...

France Weekly Reader:

JAMES PETERSON: HIS WEDDING AND HIS JOB

As it is being told all over the world, James Peterson (son of Tommy Peterson) is getting married next month. They have been engaged for five days and just can't seem to wait. The wedding date is on the 30th and it is not open the public or the press.
His bride to be, Jenny Walters, is the sister of his best friend Remmington Walters. She is 24, red haired and works for the Saturday England Times.
Or, at least she did.
A week after their honeymoon, they will be moving to France. James is said to be returning to his job of teaching the kids at Acadamy d'étude de Toulouse to speak British. We have spoken to students there and they say that they can't wait for his return.
We all here at France Weekly Reader wish Mr. Peterson and his bride to be a happy life.

-Jane Moore

-

Kari wasn't prepared for Nobel’s enthusiastic entrance to their English class, nor for his yelling and jumping around. But she really wasn't prepared for him to yank her up and kiss her. In the three years she had known Nobel, she had known him to impulsive things, but kissing her was crazy.

Once he had pulled away from her, he stared at her briefly and then let out another happy yell. He pulled her in for a hug and she laughed shyly.

"Nobel! What is it?" She asked anxiously. He pulled away form her and thrust the latest edition of the France Weekly Reader in her face. She saw the headline and looked at him quickly.

"Read it!" He urged. She read over it quickly and then smiled big.

"Oh!" She laughed and hugged Nobel again. "This is bloody brilliant!" She used the British phrase she had heard James use so much. Nobel laughed and then sat back on the table.

"Can you believe he is coming back?" He asked excited.

"Nope! But I am so happy he is." She smiled up at him and he stared at her. Then it came rushing back to both of them. She stepped closer to the table and Nobel leaned down a small ways.

"Hey!" Kate came rushing into the room and the two sprang apart. "Did you guys see the..." Her voice faded as she noticed what had been happening. She laughed. "You two finally realize it?"

"Realize what?" Nobel muttered rudely, his face blood red.

"That you like Kari." Se said it with a nonchalant tone as she walked back to her seat. Nobel looked at Kari quickly. She was staring at him wide eyed. She looked away when their gazes meet and pushed her glasses up her nose.

"I..."

"Don't deny it." Kate said with a laugh. "Besides you have nothing to worry about. Kari likes you too." Kate sat down and watched the two. Kari and Nobel both looked at each other and smiled. After a few moments, Kate began to get annoyed and pulled a paper from her bag.

"So, you guys hear that James is coming back?"

THE END

That's it!

Hope you enjoyed.
Later!
Ash