Wassup guys? I just want to say to all the people following this story and the lovely people who have all reviewed the story thus far, a big thank you! This story is for you guys and your positive comments make writing this so worth it - Anyhoo, here is chapter four, where Kendall, Carlos and Logan get some bigger roles. Also expect to see Jo and Stephanie make an appearance.
Disclaimer: I do not own BTR, just my own twisted little versions of them. ENJOY!
XoxoxoxoX
The next three weeks were hell enough and I was left wondering constantly after I left James' house how and why I hadn't slapped him stupid. We met at least twice a week at his house where he proceeded to come out of his bathroom in various states of undress and had become more brazen in his flirting. If it could be called flirting. I'd heard similar dialogues on the porn channel on cable.
What was more disturbing, I felt myself caving a little some days. Just a few days ago I freaked out and had made an excuse to leave early because I had been flirting back with James about what would happen if he tried to kiss me. I didn't realise until then how much of Camille's dirty mind I had inherited. Worse still, I found I couldn't really hate or dislike James anymore. In a month I had gotten to see a side of him that probably none of the other girls had; the guy who loved his friends and would do anything for them, the guy who was secretly worried about his grades because failing meant losing one of the few things that meant so much to him, and the guy who was so much more than 'The Face' but was too afraid to show it because of his popularity. I was sad to say, I could almost imagine myself with this James. I liked James. But I was still wary; I had seen the results of James' relationships after all.
It was Thursday and I was looking forward to having the night off from James to go to work. Yeah, that's right; I was so desperate to escape James' intoxicating presence that I would rather suffer through a six hour shift at the diner in the middle of town. I was too afraid to be alone with him now, anything could happen. Anything.
"So have you told him you're working tonight?" Camille asked as we took our seats in the cafeteria.
"Hell no! That bastard is more persuasive than I thought; it's not like I owe him an explanation. Besides, it's coming up to Christmas and I need the money."
"To get me an awesome present?"
"Please, you have a man to buy you presents now, you don't need me. So, when are you and Logan going on your first official date?"
Camille blushed and smiled shyly. Just over a week ago Logan had finally sucked up the courage to ask Camille out. He had stuttered the whole time, so nervous he would be rejected, only to be tackled by Camille on the floor and smothered with kisses. Turns out for the quiet studious type, Logan was an animal when he got going. Believe me, I had been there to pull them apart before they could get too in to it. I was really happy for Camille, Lord knows she had been pining after Logan for long enough, but at the same time I felt that ache of loneliness. I had dated on and off in high school but none had stuck or ever meant much. They usually ended after a few months. I saw the way Camille and Logan looked at each other and I wish I had that too.
You could if you stopped being so stubborn and just kiss the hottie with a body that you're tutoring. I'm starting to hate the voices in my head.
"We're going to the movies tonight and then going out to dinner afterward. Logan has it all planned." Camille sighed dreamily.
"You're so in love." I teased her, nudging her side. Camille blushed deeply.
"Shut up, here he comes!"
Since that faithful day of the school hall mauling, Logan had been sitting with us at our table. Sure enough, he walked over with his bag slung over one shoulder, sending me a small friendly grin and a hello before turning his dimpled smile on Camille. He threw an arm over her shoulder and pulled her close.
"Aw, you two are so cute." I cooed, making them both blush violently.
"Yeah, ain't young love grand?"
I whirled around in my seat to find Kendall and Carlos sliding into the seats next to me and glanced across the table to see James sitting down directly across from me. These three had also started sitting with Camille and I, not wanting to be without their friend much like myself. Kendall, Carlos and I got along quite well and I was glad to have some new friends; Kendall because he and my brother were both music nuts and Carlos because I was the only girl to eat him under the table. Unfortunately, it just meant that I had to spend more time with James which was far too dangerous since the flirting incident. James sent me a flirty little wink that I ignored along with the heat creeping up my neck. I instead focused on conversation with Kendall and Carlos.
"Seeing as Logan and Camille will be busy getting their freak on," Carlos said, disregarding Logan's disapproving stare. Camille just smiled knowingly in my direction. "I suggest that the rest of us dateless wonders hang out tonight. You know one big party of video games, movies and junk food to show the couples what they're missing!"
"Sounds like a plan to me, I'm in." Kendall said. "You in James?"
James smirked at me before turning to Kendall to reply. "Sorry but Emily and I have plans this afternoon."
Carlos almost did a spit take on his soda and Camille's eyes narrowed. "You little hussy you told me nothing was going on!"
I glared at James who looked way too pleased with himself. "Nothing is!" I nearly shouted. "And I can't make it this afternoon anyway."
"Why not?" James pouted.
"Because I have to work tonight and no," I saw him open his mouth to argue. "There is no way I can change shifts or get the night off so save it."
James glared at me from across the table moodily but thankfully did not try to argue. Carlos and Kendall let out identical snickers.
"Damn, I have never seen a girl put you in your place before dude!" Kendall smirked.
"Yeah, I can totally see why you're in –"
"Hey Carlos, look, they're serving corndogs!" James interrupted loudly.
"Corndogs!" Carlos squealed in delight and took off towards the line for food.
I stared after Carlos in amazement as he pushed some freshman kids out of the way before staring at James. "What was that all about?" I asked curiously.
James didn't respond. Instead he just stared at the table and…blushed. What the hell is wrong with you James Diamond?
XoxoxoX
"Order up!" Mr. Bitters yelled obnoxiously from the kitchen. I groaned. The guy may run the best diner in Sherwood but he seriously lacked social skills. "Come on Emily, I'm not paying you to stand around!"
"Barely paying me anything anyway." I muttered angrily as I grabbed the plate of burgers and chicken fried steak from the window.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" I called sweetly over my shoulder as I walked back out into the dining area and served the customers their food. One of the other waitresses, Jo, giggled from her spot behind the coffee machine. Stephanie, the other waitress on shift tonight just rolled her eyes at me as if to say 'yeah, I know' as she shot past, arms laden with plates. Jo and Stephanie both attended Duluth East High and were also in their last year in high school. They were the only reason I had stuck it out in this lousy job. Tonight was ridiculously busy, Thursday being the only night that the mall and diner stayed open until 10 pm so most of the teens were out in force and with only the three of us working we were run off our feet.
There was a brief lull and I slumped next to Jo behind the counter. "It's gonna be one of those nights tonight, I can feel it." My complaint was muffled by my head in my arms.
"Oh come on now, it's not that bad." I gave Jo a look of disbelief. "Okay so it's bad but normally you just brush it off with a laugh. What's got you so tired?"
"I'll bet it's that Sapphire guy you've been complaining about." Stephanie smirked, parking herself on the stool in front of me.
"It's Diamond!" I glared at her. "And yeah, he's been testing my nerves lately."
Jo tucked a stray blond hair behind her ear with a soft smile. "Oh, you're just mad because he's breaking down that big wall you keep up in front of you, especially after –"
"Jo, don't." I warned. Stephanie, Jo and Camille knew the reason for this wall and why I kept it up with men, men like James, but I was certainly not about to reopen old wounds while serving food and coffee.
Jo was still smiling softly, calm despite my snappy attitude. "Okay, but you know I'm right."
"Whatever." I muttered bitterly. "Oh thank God some customers have left."
I quickly walked over to the newly vacated table, piled up the plates and wiped it down before moving the dishes out the back.
I went back out and found the table I had just cleared was now filled with waiting customers. I took out my little notepad and began my usual spiel. "Hi, welcome to the Palmwoods diner, what can I get –?"
"Oh, hey Emily!"
"Logan, Camille!" I exclaimed, surprised. They were cuddled up on the double, looking so sweet they were giving the rest of us diabetes. "Guys, what are you doing here?"
"We just got out of the movies and Camille insisted that this was the best place to get a bite to eat." Logan said sheepishly. He'd obviously just experience his first dose of Camille's puppy dog eyes. I sighed and gave them a small smile.
"Well, you're some of the friendliest faces I've seen all night." We made some small talk as I took their orders and then ran around to the kitchen window to pass the order to Mr. Bitters. I went back to get their drinks when I noticed that Kendall and Carlos had appeared out of nowhere and were now seated at the same table as the lovebirds.
"Are you all ganging up on me tonight? I thought you were my friends." I laughed, setting down Logan and Camille's drinks.
"Aw, we are your friends," Carlos stood up to give me a brief hug. "But you guys make the best burgers in town and I was starving!"
"Sure, one burger coming up. Anything for you Kendall?" I asked but I noticed that he wasn't looking at me or even paying attention to anyone else at the table. I followed his intense gaze to Jo, who was still manning the coffee machine.
"Um…yeah, I could go for a coffee." He said hoarsely and I stifled a smirk. "Oh!" he called as I walked away. "And make sure the angel behind the machine brings it over."
"Whatever you want." Tonight was going from weird to weirder.
I deposited another order at the window and walked over to Jo. "One coffee for table 2J. Oh, and tall, blond and eyebrows has specifically requested that you bring it over for him."
Jo frowned in confusion and lent past me to get a good look at Kendall. She gasped. "No way! That's Kendall Knight from the Sherwood hockey team! The man is a god, I just can't I'll embarrass myself."
"Just go over there! He's a friend of mine so I don't want to have to hear about how disappointed he is that the 'angel' behind the coffee machine didn't bring him his coffee."
"He really said that?"
"Yes! Now go over there and get your hockey god." I gave her a light shove in the direction of the table. As soon as Kendall saw Jo approaching his face went all dopey and love-struck. Jo didn't look much better. I was getting a sense for what Cupid did and I kind of liked it. Stephanie appeared beside me.
"Hey why does Jo look like she's ready to – WHOA! Okay, who's the little Latin hottie?"
"If you close your jaw and quit drooling on the counter first, I'll tell you." Stephanie quickly shut her mouth, eyes trained on Carlos. "That's Carlos, one of my friends from school. You should take their food over when it's ready."
"Oh, I'll be taking more than food over don't you worry." She smirked and sauntered off to get the food that appeared at the kitchen window. I watched in awe as she strutted up to the table and gave Camille and Logan their plates before turning to Carlos. I had to laugh because one look from Stephanie and Carlos looked like he'd forgotten who to use all cognitive function. In fact, he just sat there, smiling and nodding like a fool.
"Emily! Quit standing around and go and serve the customer at the table in the corner. He's been there for ten minutes without service!"
"Alright, I'm going!"
I hadn't even noticed someone walk in and occupy one of the smaller tables towards the back. Their back was towards me and it looked like they'd bought some books and were reading intently. I walked over and began my spiel for what felt like the millionth time tonight.
"Hi, welcome to the Palmwoods diner, what can I get you?"
"A picture of you in that little uniform would be nice." Came the flirty response.
My head snapped up and low and behold, there sat James with our goddamn history textbooks stacked up next to him. He wasn't smirking but his smile held a seductive promise. Is he seriously wearing a dress shirt? Wow…Wait, what the fuck is he doing here?
"What are you doing here James? I'm trying to work here, do you know how much trouble I could get in?" I hissed, hand on hip.
"Aw don't be like that! You said you were too busy to study at my house tonight so I thought I'd bring the study to you." He said all of this as if it was the simplest thing in the world.
Are you fucking serious? "Are you fucking serious? James, I really don't have time for this! I already told you I couldn't help you tonight and I certainly can't while I'm working. If my boss catches me slacking he'll – "
"Emily!" Mr. Bitters bellowed from the service window. "Quit making googly eyes with the customers and get to work!"
I flushed with embarrassment as most of the diner turned to stare at us including Logan, Camille, Kendall and Carlos who looked torn between amusement and coming over to kick James' ass. Stephanie and Jo weren't helping either. They simply gave me a quick thumbs up, I'm guessing to say that they approved of James. At this moment, I didn't' approve of James' existence. I turned back to James who smiled innocently at me. I desperately tried to control the shaking in my hands lest I gave in to my urge to strangle him. I didn't need witnesses.
"What can I get for you tonight?" I said shakily.
James licked his lips seductively. "Just a strawberry milkshake please." I jotted down the order violently and stomped off towards the milkshake maker behind the counter. "Don't take too long!"
You're pushing it Diamond, seriously just give it the hell up, I'm this close to snapping!
I made the milkshake as quickly as I could, splattering the ingredients all over the place in my rage. I walked back over to his table and practically slammed the shake down in front of him. I leant down near his ear as discreetly as I could without Mr. Bitters screaming at me again.
"Here's your shake. Finish it and get the fuck out James, you are really pushing your luck here." I whispered harshly and turned to walk away again before I felt two massive arms quickly snake around my waist and pull me down. Onto his lap. His motherfucking lap! To make matters worse, he had leant up to my ear and purred.
"Don't act like you're not happy to see me here. I know you want me."
"EMILY!"
Oh, shit! Mr. Bitters had stormed out of the kitchen, obviously having been watching our interaction. His double chin wobbled indignantly.
"I told you, stop flirting with customers! This is a place of business, not a place for you and your boyfriend here to play snuggle bunnies. Now get out of here, I'm sending you home early and docking your pay. Come back when you've learned to act more professionally!" And with that he stormed off back to the kitchen.
The entire diner was now silent, everyone unsure of how to act. I sat, still on James' lap in shock and disbelief. Not only had James got me sent home early for something that I wasn't even a willing participant in but had also cost me much need money; money that I would not be able to get back. I felt the familiar pricking of heat behind my eyes that came with the tears when I was this angry. I can't remember this last time I had been this angry.
"Emily? Hey, are you okay? What's wrong?" James asked softly, attempting to rub soothing circles on my hands. When had he linked our fingers?
"Let – me – go." I grounded out, teeth grinding.
I didn't wait for him to let me go; I simply pushed his arms away with all the strength I had and without looking back dashed into the back room where I had stored my bag and ripped off my stupid apron. I grabbed my jacket and rushed back out into the still eerily silent diner and left quickly before my tears overran. I had never taken any pride in crying in public and I wasn't about to change that. I didn't stop when my friends called my name, nor when I felt their hands trying to still me. I didn't even bother to see where James was. I just kept pushing past them all, through the door of the diner and out into the cold night air towards the parking lot. When I finally reached it, I leant against my car, burying my face in my hands. Those hot, stinging tears finally fell freely as I breathed heavily, hardly able to believe that James would do something so reckless, so stupid, so incredibly selfish. For someone who claimed to like me so much, he was doing an awful good job of ruining my life.
I hate you James Diamond, I hate you so fucking much!
"Emily!" I heard him shout, feet pounding the ground. "Hey, about what happened in there, that guy was way out of line and I'm gonna go back in there and talk with him and sort it out. Don't worry, I got you."
My fury flared at his self-righteous statement and I looked up and glared at him, not even caring that he saw the tears running down my face or that he looked so genuinely concerned for me that I wanted him to wrap me – FUCK!
"No James, you don't 'got' me and after this, you'll be lucky if I speak to you again!" I screamed in his face. The bastard had the audacity to look confused.
"No, really, I want to help you. I really like you Emily, I care about you."
That brought another fresh sob wracking through my body. He didn't get it, he just didn't fucking get it!
"Why are you punishing me like this?" I asked feebly.
"What do you mean?"
"I've told you again and again that I don't want to be in a relationship with you and yet you've pushed and pushed to the point where I'm going insane! I can't take it anymore James!"
He smirked. You better wipe that smirk off your face before I – "So the idea of being with me drives you insane huh? I kinda like that."
"Stop it! You're treating this like a joke, just like everything else! You claim you like me and care but you haven't listened to a single fucking word I've said since we started to hang out together. You wanting to be with me is just this big fucking game and you know what James? I don't want to play anymore; I'm done with this and with you!"
The smirk vanished into oblivion and a hard, furious mask. His eyes were cold and flashing dangerously. Normally this would have scared me but I didn't care right now; hell, I was crying and screaming like a banshee in the middle of a parking lot in the middle of the night.
"After almost two months and you still think that little of me? Fine, be a stuck up bitch! I'm sick of trying to impress you. This is probably why you've hardly dated, you're just a fucking tease and a frigid prude!"
I looked at him, feeling my fragile heart break. Out of all the things he could have said, this cut me the deepest to the point where I felt as though I would stop breathing, cease to exist. It was too raw to something I had heard before, so long ago and the reason why I knew it was stupid to trust men like James. I knew it; James was exactly what I had always thought him to be, a player and a jerk who cared little for those he hurt. With an woeful wail, I reeled back my hand and –
SMACK!
A large red imprint of my hand was quickly forming on James' flawless face. He was stunned, almost like he'd been slapped out of a trance, like he realised what he'd said, what he'd done. He gaped wide eyed, lost for words. I, however, was not lost.
"Don't you dare assume anything about me James, you know nothing so shut your fucking mouth and just do me a favour and stay the hell away from me!"
I turned and wrenched open my car door, throwing in my bag and then myself, slamming the door behind me. I started the car and revved the engine menacingly; James only just stepping out of the way before I backed it out of the space. Just as I turned to leave the parking lot I stopped the car and stuck my head out the window, needing the last word, some small victory to make all this hurt a little less.
"You wanna know what makes tonight so fuck up James?" He stared, still speechless, still lost. "I was actually starting to like you, because I thought I was getting to know the real you. But I'm glad I woke up to the fact you were just acting for my benefit. Save the dramatics for the rest of your skanks."
And with one more tearful, angry glare in his direction I tore out of the parking lot and headed home, barely able to see through the blur of tears and grief. In a way, it was a relief; I didn't have to deal with the pressure of being wanted by James anymore. We were nothing before we were even considered something.
And that hurt more than words or I could and wanted to say…
Boy, do I know how to write drama or what? What will happen in the next chapter? I know but you don't ;-) I've got a rough draft of the next chapter ready to go but it may take a few days. Remember to review and subscribe. Until next time guys, much love xxoo
