James the Red Engine, everyone knows who he is. Everyday James is seen as a hardworking, proud, boastful, very vain guy. Most people aren't a fan of his boastful attitude and his massive ego, but some are able to take it. Mainly James's sweet love Percy and his trusty driver Jake.
Jake is someone who is compared to James a lot. While Jake can be vain just like James, he's usually very cheerful and is respectful with most people. He does boast sometimes, but he doesn't get that much of a reaction.
Jake and James are a pretty proud team, they never really banter with each other unless it's something personal. Jake also helps James and does whatever James' wants, although sometimes he's refuses.
Today, the two had the day off after a very strong day yesterday. Jake was inside putting on an outfit to show James, while James was at Tidmouth, humming to himself. He does that a lot.
As he was waiting, Jake was in his room writing in a journal of some sorts. In it, he writes about his friendship with James and how each of their days goes. He hasn't shown it to him yet, cause he wants to fill up the whole thing.
On the cover was a photo of the two from when they first met.
" I must say James, you've looked a lot better, and cleaner. " - Jake
He laughed and left the room and soon went outside to the sheds.
Jake saw James sitting there, with a very glum look on his face.
" Hey James. What's wrong buddy? " - Jake
James saw his driver come near him, he also saw his new outfit, and thought it looked very weird, but still told what's wrong.
" I just heard that Percy is gonna be gone for a few days. He's gonna be working with Thomas in Italy. " - James
" Wow. That's amazing. " - Jake
James then looked at him confused.
" Oh no, I mean it's a great opportunity for him and he should have fun. But for you, I understand why you're sad. I'm sorry buddy, but he'll be home soon and he'll tell you all about his visit. " - Jake
" Yeah. I'll be ready for that. Thanks. " - James
" Sure thing. " - Jake
Then James's attention went back to Jake's outfit.
" Um, what in the world are you wearing? " - James
Jake looked down at his clothes.
" This? I made this outfit myself. " - Jake
" Why does it look like it's made of squirrel fur? " - James
Jake then crossed his arms.
" I made this from scratch, and it took me a long time. You should give me some praise. " - Jake
" Hey, good job with that. But is that the best you can do? " - James
" Yes. I think it suits me. " - Jake
" Well trust me, if I was a human. I would never wear that. " - James
Jake was frustrated now.
" OK smartass. Do you need to be this offensive? " - Jake
" I'm not being offensive. I'm just saying that I'm not a fan of that outfit. " - James
" Well, then you should keep your points to yourself. I know you're sad that Percy isn't here, but you don't need to let your anger out on me. " - Jake
" I never said I was angry. I actually said to him he should go. " - James
" Good for you then. " - Jake
" Yeah. Someone like me shouldn't be getting this. " - James
" I don't care. You have a such a big ego, but I will still talk to you like this. " - Jake
" Don't bring my ego into this. " - James
" Hey, you actually admit you have one. " - Jake
" I have my reasons for it. " - James
" I know, but it won't help anything. " - Jake
" OK. I'm not gonna take this. My boyfriend is in a different country and I don't need my driver being nosy at me. " - James
Jake now has had it.
" Then you don't get to talk to me now. " - Jake
He starts to walk away.
" Fine. I have better friends to talk to than you. " - James
Jake didn't like what he said and continued to walk away. He was sad, him and James never argue, and this, this went pretty hot.
Jake went back inside and to his room and ripped off the outfit he made and threw it in the trash and put some "normal" clothes back on.
" Why James? " - Jake
He picked up his journal and thought about writing this argument in there, but chose not to, as most of everything in there was all positive.
" Maybe I can make something he'll like. " - Jake
He went to his writing table and grabbed some utensils. Perhaps maybe he can make a picture, painting, or something that James will like. But Jake wasn't that great of a drawer. But he did it anyways.
James was still boiled up about Jake, and so he tried to talk to Emily, Ellie, and Nia about it. But he still was a bit upset. So now, he decided to get a wash. That always made him calm down.
He went to the nearest washdown. But with Jake not there, the workers had to clean him. James much more preferred Jake washing him as he was the better one and made James nice and shiny. But he's not getting that today.
" Just wash slow and don't mess up. " - James
The washdown workers didn't take kindly to that, but started to clean James.
James looked in front of him and got depressed, so he imagined Percy was in front of him also being watched. He them smiled believing his oak was there, except he wasn't and James's smile went away.
Another thing that made James feel better was singing. And with Jake mentioning James' ego earlier, he decided to sing a song that he made himself. It was literally called Ego.
He started singing.
" I go back everyday. To tell myself. Don't give me up on life. Just let yourself go and be free. But in this world. Their are people who look past each other. They judge you about everything, especially yourself. There's no ifs, buts, or maybes. They'll call you out. But nothing will change me, I'll lock it up in my brain. How much do you love me? How much do you enjoy me? You better say yes, or just go away. " - James
James's singing was praised by the workers. In fact, James had a little bit of rapping skill to him. Jake was seen as the best rapper on the band, so James decided to take that role too.
" Yeah, I don't care what they say. They should just accept me as i'm here. Look ahead, the sun is shining. Keep going now. Ready, set, and begin. " - James
He started to bounce around and hum a tune that he thought would go well with this song. That messed up the workers, but they didn't care and keep listening to the red engine.
" It's that way, way, way. Wherever I go. My ego, ego, ego. Just brace yourself. This is my soul, this is my life. That's my ego. That's my ego. This is my life, this is my soul. That's my ego. That's my ego. " - James
He ended it there. He had more lyrics, but thought that was enough. The workers cheered, they didn't finish washing James, but James was fine with it.
" Thank you all. " - James
" That was really good. " - Jake
James was shocked and looked behind him and saw Jake, and he was holding a book of some sorts.
" Oh, uh, thanks. " - James
Jake got a little closer.
" It's ok. I'll take it from here. " - Jake
The workers were sad and happy at the same time. Sad they can't hear more of James's song, but happy they don't have to wash him anymore. They went away, leaving the pair.
" Hi Jake. Are you still? " - James
" I'm fine James. I'm sorry for being a bit of a jerk to you. " - Jake
" You weren't. And i'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, I know you worked hard on that outfit. " - James
" It's fine. I decided it was bad anyways. But I have something for you. " - Jake
" Really? Show me. " - James
" Slow down there buddy. " - Jake
Jake then showed the book he was holding.
" I was waiting to finish this, but I'd thought i'd show you now. " - Jake
He showed him the journal he was writing. James saw the picture of the two on the cover.
" Out of all pictures, you had to pick that one of me. " - James
" Sorry, it was the best one. " - Jake
He opened up the journal and showed James all the moments he wrote in there.
" You wrote all of this? " - James
" Yeah. I did it to show you how much you mean to me. " - Jake
James started to get a little emotional.
" Wow, thanks man. " - James
" Their's something else too. " - Jake
He grabbed from his pocket. A little figurine of some sorts, that looked like James, it was made of paper, glitter, clay, all kinds of stuff.
" I did the best I could. " - Jake
He expected James to say something bad about like the outfit, but he didn't.
" Thanks Jake. I love it. " - James
" You do? " - Jake
" Yeah. I mean, my eyes are a little wonky and my wheels are very wrong, but you did a good job. " - James
Jake was very flattered and squeezed James's cheek. It was a soft friendly though. James didn't like it, but he giggled at it.
" I'm glad to have you James. And you have me to be with since Percy's gone. " - Jake
" Yes I do. Thanks for being my driver Jake. " - James
" Enough my vainy buddy. " - Jake
James giggled again.
" By the way, you should sing me that song again. I could get it out on our next album. " - Jake
" Please. People need to hear my voice. " - James
" You got it. " - Jake
He patted his cab and the two continued to talk about their fun adventures. Despite their beef earlier, these two still are very close and will have this bond for many more years.
The end.
Next- Patrick and Percy.
Hi all. I'm sorry this was a few days after the last one. Like I said before, it's hard for me to think what to write for these. This one took me a while. Also of course, online school. So the next chapter could be 2 or 3 days later. But I know you can take that.
I'll see you guys next time. Bye. Love, Ethan. Stay safe inside your house.
