James walked into the small house getting to work on his 'chores'. It wasn't long till the door opened again "JAMES" a voice bellowed from the hall.
James sighed slowly turning towards the big, 40 something man that had entered "yeah?" he answered calmly.
The man came towards the teen hands raised "why isn't diner on the table yet?" he spat.
James shrugged "cause it isn't done yet, it needs another minute or two" he replied unfazed by the mans fury.
John looked at the blond in front of him smacking him on that smug face of his "get in that kitchen boy, now" he hissed shoving him forcefully towards the kitchen door.
James just did as he was told heading towards the pans on the stove. He wiped the blood from his now split lip. James took the diner to the table and cleaned up when the 'happy' family was done. When finally he was alone in his room he grabbed his book again... it was not like there was anything else he could do. The blond stared out the window. He then put away the book and headed outside walking around for a while when he strolled passed by the local club. The boy entered and sat at the bar flirting with one of the female bartenders who handed him a beer. He smiled and took a swig when the group of friends from school entered.
"Shut up Boone" the blond beauty laughed at the older boy who just shook his head as they sat at their usual table.
A few beers and shots later the Arabic of the group headed over to the bar ordering a few drinks he turned to the boy beside him recognising him from his class "hello" he greeted.
James turned towards the voice now recognising the other as well "hey" he replied not really in the mood for small-talk.
"I'm Sayid" the boy introduced himself.
"James" the blond returned the introduction smiling at the bartender again who smiled, slightly shaking her head handing him a new shot.
Sayid looked at the glasses in front of the southerner frowning.
James looked at the boy raising an eyebrow "what?"
Sayid just shook his head "nothing" he sighed "guess I'll see you tomorrow" he said taking his drinks and headed back to his group.
The next morning James awoke with one hell of a headache. The teen groaned shielding his eyes from the light that came through his curtain-less window. He sighed forcing himself to get out of bed. The blond went into the kitchen fixing breakfast when the older man entered "hurry up you useless piece of shit" he hissed raising his balled fists threateningly.
James fought the urge to just rolled his eyes and tried his best to look submissive and scared. That way the beating was gonna be less severe and long.
When the wounded boy finally got out of the house he sighed leaning against the door for a second closing his eyes gathering himself before making his way to school. He lit a cigarette and put on his mask hiding everything behind those seacollered eyes.
Kate walked to school sighing after another fight with her mother. The teen shook her head almost walking into the new blond "watch it" she hissed annoyed.
James frowned "morning to you to freckles" he smiled.
Kate looked up at the familiar southern accent "I'm sorry…" she said softly blushing a little.
"Don't sweat it sweetcheeks" the boy smirked shrugging "everything alright?" he then asked.
The brunette frowned "yeah, sure, why wouldn't it be?"
James shrugged "just a question sweetheart."
Kate smiled "I'm good, you?" she then returned the question.
"I'm alright" the blond simply replied as the two entered the school where they were joined by the arab boy.
"Hey Kate" the darkhaird boy greeted.
"Hey Sayid" Kate replied "this is James" she introduced the two others.
"We met" Sayid smiled "hey" he greeted the other boy "how's you're head?" the Iraqi smiled remembering all the drinks he saw the other have the night before.
James chuckled slightly "I'll live…" he said getting a bottle of aspirins out of his bag popping a few in his mouth swallowing them.
Kate and Sayid exchanged an amused glance shaking their heads.
James smirked shaking his head as well heading to his locker putting some things away. When they were in class Kate sat next to James who seemed more interested in the book he'd been reading during class. The teacher stood before him "and why did the first world war lead to the second?" he asked the reading boy.
"The Versailles treaty was very hard on Germany and they had to pay huge war-reparations. During the depression of the 30ties America was unable to help Germany and things went from bad to worse. Hitler took advantage of that, as did the communistic party. When a government building was set on fire, Hitler convinced the president to suspend all civil rights which opened the way for Hitler to take the power" the blond replied carelessly without looking up from his book.
The teacher frowned slightly surprised but quickly composed himself "put the book away mr. Ford" he warned before continuing. The rest of the class chuckled.
James simply shrugged "sure teach" he replied with a mock salute putting the book away more chuckles from the class.
Kate looked over at the boy impressed by his boldness laughing along with the rest of the class.
James sent her a wink before leaning his head on his arm pretending to pay attention.
When lunch came Kate walked up to the blond "hey" she greeted "want to come sit with us at lunch?" she asked.
James smiled "sure freckles" he replied thankful.
The two headed to the school-canteen and Kate lead him to her usual table "hey guys" she greeted "this is James, James, you've met Sayid already and this is Jack, Shannon, Boone, Hurley, Anna-Lucia, Charly, Claire and Ecko" she introduced the group who all smiled at the new boy.
James smiled back "hi guys" he said as he sat down in a chair as the group chatted amongst themselves.
"You really got that teacher this morning" Shannon smiled.
James shrugged and smiled "own fault…" he smirked.
Kate sniggered "yeah, that look on his face… priceless…"
James smiled and shrugged "it's a gift"
The group laughed and ate their lunches until it was time for their next class.
James settle in nicely with the group of friends even though there was some rivalry between him and Jack.
James sat in his room staring at a piece of paper. Tonight… 6 years ago his life had taken a dramatic change. He stared out of his open dirty window "thanks dad…" he muttered. He knew this Sawyer guy was responsible but his father had pulled the trigger. The blond reached in his jeans-pocket pulling out a bag with a few little white sticks. He put one in his mouth lighting it taking a deep drag feeling the sharp taste of the penetrating tobacco making it's way to his lungs. He closed his eyes leaning against the wall as he lounged on the bed taking a few more deep puffs starting to feel the calming effect. A few hours later he heard footstep on the stares and he quickly put out his joint stashing it away before his door slowly opened showing a woman in the door-opening her eyes greedily on the pretty blond. James turned towards her as she inched her way to the bed and moved next to him. James sighed silently but he offered no resistance his hazed mind simply going through the motions. When the woman was satisfied she left as quietly as she had come. James watched her leave, then got up to take a shower after which he sneaked out the window and headed towards the local club… he just needed to get out of this house.
The blond walked in. The southerner headed straight for the bar getting himself a shot. He stared of into the distance downing another shot lighting his joint taking a few deep drags.
Kate watched him walk in and then went over to the bar to get drinks for her group. The brunette stood beside her classmate the penetrating smell of the joint catching her attention. She eyed him in shock "hi.." she greeted.
James looked up "hey freckles" he grumbled not in a particularly good mood.
"Everything alright?" she frowned eying him with concern.
"Fine" James answered curtly.
"Well… excuse me" the girl huffed ordering her drinks.
James muttered something inaudible downing another shot.
Kate sighed "should you be doing that?" she asked. Drugs and booze weren't really a good combination.
James frowned "it's fine MOM" he smirked taking a deep drag.
Kate rolled her eyes "suit yourself" she shrugged grabbing her drinks heading back to her table.
James watched her leave before turning back staring of into space.
Jack turned to the brunette as she returned "everything alright?" he asked.
The girl shook her head "I don't know…" she sighed.
A few days later James didn't show up for school. Before the teacher began his class he told them he had fallen down the stairs and had been taken to the hospital.
"We should go visit him…" Claire's soft Australian accent came in concern. She liked their new friend and maybe they could cheer him up a little.
Kate nodded "yeah…" she smiled.
After school the friends headed down to the hospital. They walked into the boys room where the blond laid with his eyes closed.
The group walked to the bed as the blond slowly opened his eyes… his head was pounding and he squinted against the light. He then noticed his visitors and smiled.
"Hey" they greeted "how are you feeling?" Kate asked.
"Fine freckles" he forced a smile "just a killer headache"
"What happened?" Claire asked.
"Damn stairs got in the way" James smiled.
The group smiled sitting around the wounded boy. Something wasn't right.. and they all felt it….