Still haven't written chapter four. Not enough positive review to feed my motivation, and I've found a new project to work on to busy my time. So if you want this story continued let me know; otherwise….

James had met Blake for the first time back when he was in the eighth grade, before he’d even entered high school or even knew what it meant to be valedictorian—though arguably so, even now James didn’t really care about the valedictorian title, and though he was in the running he couldn’t care less if he ended out on top.

It had been a Tuesday afternoon, and James had just gotten home from school. Back then, none of the Brione siblings could drive, and so he’d depended on taking the bus home—and it always made him mad because it always made him miss his favorite television program; occasionally, if he was lucky, James would be able to catch the ending of the show, but otherwise he was forced to let his obsession go… with excessive whining, of course.

That afternoon though, as James raced to the living room to see if the show was still on, he was surprised to find a boy he didn’t recognize. He didn’t look like a long lost relative, judging by the different hair color and style, and so James was forced to come to the only possible solution:

“Lily!” he yelled at the top of his lungs, unsure of his sister’s whereabouts in the house. “Why is there a stranger in our house?”

“She’s in the garage,” Sam mumbled as he climbed through the door, slamming it shut as he trudged up the stairs. James paused for a moment, looking between the kitchen and the… stranger, and he couldn’t decide whether to fetch his sister and get information out of her or to watch the stranger to make sure he did nothing suspicious.

Before he could make that decision, the boy had stood up from his seat on the floor and made his way over to James. “The name’s Blake,” he said with a smile, stepping forward. He was about two inches taller than James then, and at the time James wasn’t aware they were only a year apart.

“James,” he said quietly, recoiling slowly. “You’re… here with Lily, right? Or are you… a…?”

“Stranger?” Blake offered, and James nodded. “To you, perhaps. I’m here because Lily and I have to finish a poster project for English.”

“I see.” At this point Lily chose to make her entrance, whacking her brother in the head with the rolled-up poster as she passed.

Lily scoffed. “You’d make a terrible host, you know that?”

“She’s so mean!” James yelled suddenly, looking at Blake as he pointed to his sister. “She’s surely Satan’s sister, and I just used alliteration!”

“Smart kid,” Blake said with a laugh, shaking his head as he turned to Lily. “I only learned that term this year in class.”

“He’s smart, but he’s way too immature,” Lily scoffed.

“He’s not even in high school yet,” said Blake, turning to James. “How old are you, anyway?”

“Fourteen, I think,” was James’s reply. Then, after spotting Lily’s disbelieving look, he added, “But thirteen, I am.”

“So you’re only a year younger than me?” Blake’s eyes widened in shock. “Well maybe two years, I’m almost fifteen.”

“And I’m turning fourteen next week,” James replied excitedly. “Hence why I used Descartes’ quote incorrectly.”

“Why aren’t you in high school yet,” Blake laughed, shaking his head. “I didn’t even know what person that came from.”

“Maybe you’re just dumb,” said Lily, setting her things down on the living room table. “Now about this project—”

“I told you she’s mean!” James yelled, pointing at his sister. “She even called you dumb!”

“You wanna help us with the project?” offered Blake suddenly, which resulted in blank stares from Lily. “I’m sure if it’s okay with your sister—”

“It’s not okay!” she suddenly roared, causing Blake and James to cower in shock.

“Definitely your sister,” Blake mumbled to James, but the younger boy was already doing his best to convince his sister otherwise. Her squinted glare met puffy eyes and pouty lips, and within ten seconds she couldn’t help but to soften her mood.

“He can watch,” she relented, and the younger boy cheered. Blake smiled at the young boy’s eagerness, and throughout his time at their house he found himself liking James more and more.

Blake returned every day that week, and each time he had found himself more intrigued by Lily’s brother, and even after their project had ended he’d come over on occasion to talk to him. When James entered high school, Blake began offering James a place to do his homework, especially when he had learned James’s siblings hated his habitual yelling as he did his homework. And slowly, with each passing moment with the boy, Blake began to see James as a friend, perhaps even more than what he saw in Lily.

-.-.-.-

“James?” The boy shook his head violently, snapping out of his train of thought. Waving in front of him was Emma’s hand, which ceased its oscillating movements as James’s gaze turned to its owner.

“Sorry, just thinking about stuff.”

“That’s no good,” said Emma, and James frowned; he did not know whether to take that as an insult or cautioning advice. “I’m surprised you’re not whining about Friday to come sooner.”

“Ice skating isn’t exactly on my list of things I absolutely want to do,” James replied, shrugging. “Plus, now that Lily’s gone and invited Blake’s sister, I’m not really looking forward to it.”

“Blake’s sister?”

“Bridgette Anderson?”

“…the slut?”

“That one.” Emma laughed, raising her elbow in an attempt to discreetly disguise it as coughing. “My brother wanted her to come—in more than one way too, Emma!—and so she relented.”

“You don’t have to spend time with her, you know,” said Emma. “Just ignore her. Besides you’re on ice skates; unless you’re not on ice, you’ve always got an escape route.”

“If you say so.” James sighed, resuming his attempt to get his materials for his first class. As much as he hated Literature, it always seemed to pass quickly for him; in fact, every class seemed to pass quickly.

“But that’s not the point,” said Emma, and suddenly she entered a fit of giggles. “I made a curious observation yesterday during lunch!”

“Like what?” asked James, rolling his eyes as he tried to recall what had happened the day before. And then, when it came to him, he heaved a sigh. “Please don’t say something witty like I discovered you’re gay!”

“Kinda not really,” Emma said in a singsong voice. “If you give me permission, mind if I try out a few things during lunch? To see if I’m right?”

“Depends what you plan on doing,” James replied simply.

“But that’d ruin the fun,” said Emma. “Besides, it won’t work if it looks planned. It’ll work much better if it looks candid.”

“Why me?” asked James, frowning. “Is this an observation of something I do?”

“Nope. But it involves you.”

“I won’t allow it!” yelled James, and Emma smiled; there was the whining James she was used to. “I thought you were supposed to be my friend, Emma! And now you’re just using me to find out about some observation! You won’t even tell me what the observation is, or who it concerns, or who—!”

“I’ll give you my muffin if you give me permission,” said Emma, seriousness written across her face.

James’s mouth dropped. “Seriously? Your muffin?”

“Yes, my muffin. I’ll even buy your lunch.”

“Deal.” To solidify the deal the two shook hands, and after a two-second handshake they let go. James had to admit he was curious what she was planning on doing, but he knew he’d have to wait until lunchtime. Consequently….

“I can’t wait until lunch!” he whined as they approached the courtyard almost two minutes later. “Tell me now!”

“You’ll see.”

“Tell me now, Emma!”

“Patience, James.”

“Emma, why not?”

“Why not what?” asked Blake, sticking his face in the gap between the two of them. “And good morning to both of you, might I add.”

“Blake!” James yelled, pulling on his sleeve. “Emma won’t tell me—”

“It isn’t important,” interjected Emma, giving dangerous looks to her friend. “Except that I won’t tell him why… I love muffins so much!”

“I see.” Blake looked suspiciously at her, who in turn gave a meek smile. Then Blake turned to James, who was clearly trying to keep his mouth shut. “I’ll ask James about it later, I guess.”

“See you later!” James yelled as Blake gave his farewell, and with that the two were alone once more.

“You’re not telling him,” Emma sneered once he was out of sight. “Nor anyone for that matter. It has to be between us only, or it won’t work. Understood?”

“…fine. But just tell me about it now and I won’t be so curious!”

“But if you’re so willing to tell other people like you are now, I don’t think telling you anything more will benefit any. So be a good boy and prove to me you’re capable of keeping this hushed, all right?”

James pouted. “Fine.”

-.-.-.-

“Hey Emma, have I proven myself yet?”

“No, James. And don’t talk about it so openly too, especially once we’re at the lunch table.”

“But, but…!” He placed his head on his desk. “Fine.”

-.-.-.-

Emma sighed, opening the crunched piece of paper that had been tossed at her.

How about now?

She didn’t even bother responding.

-.-.-.-

Four hours later James found himself side by side with Blake, and as they made their way to the cafeteria James continued in his ranting.

“She won’t tell me why!” James whined, shaking his head and burying his head into his hands.

“Careful, you won’t be able to see where you’re going that way.”

“What way?”

“Never mind.” Blake chuckled. “As you were saying?”

“She won’t tell me!” James wailed. He was indeed careful with what he was complaining to Blake about, as he wanted to make sure to go by her wishes. Yet the fact that she hadn’t told him yet drove James mad, and it was so tempting…. The only reason he hadn’t was because by telling Blake more he wouldn’t actually gain anything more for himself.

“About the muffins?” Blake asked, tilting his head in confusion. “People just like things, James, like I like hamburgers. Do you have a reason why you like hot dogs with no mustard?”

“Mustard tastes bad and is unhealthy,” James replied. “So why does she like muffins?”

“Maybe because they melt in your mouth? I’m just taking guesses.”

“Well they do melt in your mouth!” James exclaimed, completely losing himself in the moment; to think, he hadn’t really been whining about muffins initially. “And they taste so good too, but I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like… soft goodness! But the wrapper-thingy always gets in the way, but that minor obstacle aside—”

“James, you think maybe she likes muffins for those same reasons?” Blake asked, laughing at the sudden enthusiasm. “See, you figured it out.”

“No,” corrected James, “I think I’ve figured it out.”

“But you’re a smart kid,” said Blake, “and so I’m sure that’s the right reason. By the way, did you do the Physics homework?”

“Of course,” James replied, and he pushed open the doors to the cafeteria. As always, everyone was already at the table waiting for them. “It wasn’t too bad or too long, which was good since Literature homework last night was evil. Why?”

“I forgot to do it.”

“Again?” James exclaimed, looking at his friend disbelievingly. Blake laughed to himself; the joke never seemed to get old. “Blake, how are you still passing that class anyway? You’re always forgetting!”

“I get it done before seventh period,” Blake pseudo-explained. “No biggie. Just curious how hard it is, which you already told me.”

“Yeah,” muttered James, and at that the two arrived at the lunch table. James took his usual seat between Blake and Emma, receiving threatening glares from the latter.

“You didn’t—?”

“Of course not,” James responded, and as they met eyes a pleading ‘Now will you tell me?’ was written across his face.

“That’s good,” she replied, leaning her head on his shoulder. James stiffened at her touch, looking down at her head confusion. “Hey Jamie, do you want me to wait for you at the lockers this afternoon?”

“That’s what I’ve been saying all this time!” James exclaimed, grinning. “Do you need me to bring anything?”

“Flowers.”

“Flowers?”

“James,” Lily began, taking a breath as her eyes glinted daggers. “You better not be any later than you were yesterday, or I’m leaving you.”

“Oh,” said James, looking up at his sister—only to realize that the entire table was watching him and Emma. And it was only then did he become aware of the arm she had snaked around his waist….

“It’s okay, I can take him home,” Emma said sweetly.

“Really?” James asked in disbelief; he knew well the reason she never brought him home was that, aside from it being impractical with Lily driving already, it was also out of Emma’s way to bring James home.

“Anything for you, Jamie,” she replied, smiling.

“Uh….”

“James?” interrupted Blake, clearing his throat. “Do you wanna buy lunch now?”

“Now?” James asked, nudging Emma slightly as he moved his arm to check the time. “It’s a little early isn’t it?”

“I’m going now,” he said simply and pointedly. “You coming or not?”

“Oh, I said I was going to pay for his lunch today,” Emma cut in. “Mind if I tag along?” James noticed a distinct irritation coming from Blake, and though he didn’t quite know the reason it was enough to surprise him when Blake agreed.

“You sure?” James asked, brow furrowing.

“You can stay,” said Blake. “She’s the one buying; you don’t need to come really.”

“But, but!”—but Blake nodded weakly and turned his back to him, and James merely watched as Blake and Emma’s forms retreated into the crowd of students. He wasn’t sure what exactly had just happened, what Blake’s problem just now had been, or even why Blake changed his mind hardly within a five second span. But there was no point in whining or complaining about what he didn’t know now, for neither his sister nor Ryan would have any idea anyway; instead, he made a mental note to ask Blake about it later.

“You going out with her?” asked Ryan suddenly, curiosity written upon his face. “If so, you’re a terrible boyfriend.”

“Of course not,” he mumbles, “and why would I be a terrible boyfriend?”

“Because you don’t react to a girl’s advances, and you left her hanging?” offered Lily. “I feel like we had a similar yesterday about having a girl’s hand down your pants.”

“She wasn’t advancing on me!” James yelled, folding his arms across his chest. “Besides, she doesn’t mean any of that anyway! There’s no way she’d like me anyway! Why me, anyway? She’s just doing something so she can find out something, but she won’t even tell me what it is! She’s just a friend, nothing more, and I’m hungry.”

“Then eat.”

“But Emma’s still buying my food!”

“Then wait.”

“But Lily!”

“You whine too much,” muttered Ryan, shaking his head. “What the hell is it about you that…?”

James blinked “That what?” he asked curiously. That… made him so annoying? That… people actually liked about him?

Ryan heaved a sigh. “Nothing, forget it.”

“Lily, he won’t tell me what he was going to say!”

“James, seriously, act like you’re sixteen.”

“Where’s Blake when you need him?” James mumbled, sinking into his chair. The truth was it seemed only Blake understood his complaints and only Blake knew what to say when James had something to say; everyone else seemed to either ignore him or reprimand him….

“By the way,” began Lily, and for a moment James straightened himself in his chair in hopes she might be talking to him. “Do you want to go ice skating this Friday? I’m taking people there for some sort of birthday celebration; my mom’s paying.”

“Oh, him,” James sighed, nudging his head to Ryan.

“Do I have to go?”

“Of course not, it’s just an invitation.”

“That’s not fair!” interjected James, shaking his head in disbelief. “Why does he get a choice but I don’t?”

“Ask mom,” Lily replied with a shrug.

“Mom? It’s mom that’s forcing me to go?”

“Is Blake going?” asked Ryan, ignoring James’s remarks.

“Yeah, I’m making him come.”

“Then I’ll go.”

“Perfect!” Lily cried, and she pulled out a notebook to scribble something down. James sighed, peering over his chair to see where Emma and Blake were—and to his relief he found them walking towards their table, food in hand.

Moments later a hot dog with no mustard was placed in front of James.

“My hero!” he exclaimed, hugging Emma as she returned to her seat next to him.

“Thanks… I guess.”

“And you too,” James added, turning to Blake. “Blake, these people hate me! I’m so glad you’re back,”

“A-All right,” Blake said quietly, all before stuffing the hamburger into his mouth. Conversations continued once more at their table, Lily beginning to talk to Blake and Ryan about things only senior students would know about; and as Emma handed James her muffin curiosity struck the boy.

“Did you ever learn more about that observation?” he asked, looking at his friend.

“Yep. I was right.”

“Really?” James cried, though immediately softened his voice upon seeing Emma’s facial expression. “So what was it?”

“Not important. I’m sure you can notice it on your own, if you choose to become a little more observant.”

“That’s not fair, Emma.”

“But you still get my muffin,” she replied with a smile, “and I’m not gonna go in your pants just to get it back. Isn’t that enough for you?”

“I guess,” James muttered, and even though it was a blatant lie Emma grinned and return to her own lunchbox. But the only thing James really wanted to do was to whine about Emma’s evilness, to complain about how unfair she was being for not sharing what she knew. He would… no, he’d start recording his daily life with a video recorder, if it meant figuring out what Emma had noticed.

Because… he just had to know!

Posted: August 5th, 2009.

I like the ending to this one. It reminds me of a little kid determined to make his mom buy candy. But the situations are very comparable, yes?

Reviews make the best presents. :)

- Zak