Chapter 9

"Whenever you kiss him, I'm breaking"

"Feeling better?" Scarlett asked as she sat at their desk, 5th period barely starting. It had been a few weeks after James had found out Emma and Carter were dating; he had himself in a depression.

James nodded, smiling, "Yeah, much better. Thanks for letting me use your ipod, and for that I won't say anything about the music I saw in there," He chuckled when she blushed, but still smiled gratefully.

"Thanks jerk." James grinned widely, he would always be grateful to Scarlett; she knew how to comfort him without asking what was wrong. Then again, she knew what was wrong with him, but she didn't pry. She knew what to do without really doing it.

"You're welcome," He replied, ignoring her glare, "Oh that reminds me." He reached into his back pack, bringing out his anatomy folder. He opened it, bringing out several papers, "That's yours," He said to her confused look, "Thank you for that by the way. I wouldn't have known what was going on if it wasn't for those."

Scarlett smiled, "You're welcome." She took the papers from him.

"Are those James' papers?" They both jumped at Dr. Anderson's almost accusing question.

They blushed guiltily, "No, ma'am. They're my papers," Scarlett replied quickly. James nodded vigorously in agreement.

Dr. Anderson stared at them, scrutinizing before smiling, "I was kidding, you two. I know you're not cheating, you're just working together, even if you have the same answers."

Scarlett and James exchanged glances, "Sometimes we share the same brain."

Scarlett nodded in agreement, "Yeah, 80/20."

James began to nod as well before the sentence dawned on him, "Hey!" He glared at her as she stuck out her tongue childishly.

Dr. Anderson laughed, "Oh yes, you do share a brain," She smiled at them before walking away, "No cheating."

James and Scarlett nodded at her retreating back, "My god," James exhaled quickly, his heart beating just a little faster. His body was embarrassingly flushed, "I was legitimately scared right there. She's been talking to Principal Hanks for too long." He pulled at his collar shakily.

Scarlett nodded quickly, "I know, I only get that scared with Principal Hanks. Right now, I felt like she was going to punch me or something."

Despite feeling like he just stared down a lion, James snorted in amusement, "I don't think she would've done that. I think she would've just done-," He snorted again, his chuckles rising from his throat. Soon he was throwing out a full belly laugh.

He noticed the confused and slightly disgusted glances thrown his way, but he didn't care, he just found the whole thing funny. "Oh, oh," He said breathlessly as he came down from his laughter's high, "Me gusta." He wiped his watery eyes.

Scarlett started at him strangely before chuckling amusedly, "What the heck was that?"

James still chuckled a bit, grinning, "I'll tell you later."

"What the heck was that about?" Scarlett repeated once again after school.

James shrugged, not really knowing why he had just busted a gut, but not really caring since he felt very light, still grinning like a fool, "Don't know, guess everyone just needs a good laugh sometimes."

Though Scarlett still seemed skeptical, she nodded her consent, "True, laughter is the best medicine."

James nodded as well. They fell into a comfortable silence. James closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. He really didn't feel like anything could bring him down right now.

"What's the story between you and Emma?" That was debatable now.

"Why would you ask that?" He shifted his arms back, putting his laced hands behind his head.

Scarlett shrugged, "You seemed like you were in a good mood."

James was still in too much of a good mood to snap at her, instead, he shrugged, "Now much to tell, really; just another story of unrequited love. Another story for the books," He added sarcastically.

Scarlett stared at him sympathetically. It was obvious that even though he felt better at the moment, he still hurt over Emma. Laughter wasn't the only best medicine, time was as well. The only thing about time was that it took so long to heal something.

"Hey," She spoke up, gaining his attention, "It'll get better, just wait."

James smiled appreciatively, "Yeah, I know. I just wish it would get better now."