All James is looking for is someone to play with him. But unfortunately, everyone is too busy doing other things. Little does James know, everything's going to work out for him, and he's going to get a brilliant surprise! James' memory of his fiftieth consecutive gold medal is from my story The Enchancian Canine Caper. For a variation on the Beatles song, see chapter 8 of my story The Missing Memory Mystery. Sesame Street and the Beatles are not mine.

James was walking down the hall when he saw Sofia coming toward him. "Sof, do you want to play Dazzleball?" he asked, holding up a Dazzleballl.

"I'd love to, James, but I'm going to Dunwiddie with the girls to help the Buttercups with some of their projects," Sofia said as they saw Dorrie, Candice, Lucinda, and Amber waiting for her. "But if you want to, you know you're welcome to come with us."

"I know," James tried to smile. "But I don't know how they'd react to having a Junior Groundhog Aide with them."

"They'd be very welcoming; you know that," Sofia smirked, "Just like we are when we have Buttercup Friends and Family Day."

"Sofia!" they heard Amber's voice call out.

"I'd better go, James, but we'll be back as soon as we can," Sofia said as she walked toward the girls.

"Oh…okay," James nodded. "I don't want you to keep them waiting, so have fun, Sof…"

James sighed as he watched the girls go off together again. It seemed like every time he turned around, they were off doing something together having sleepovers, or doing things with the Buttercups, or having adventures. He knew he was always welcome to go with the girls, but sometimes he wanted to do something different than what they wanted to.

When James walked away, Sofia came up to the girls. "He doesn't suspect a thing," she reported. "I hate to just leave him like this, but we want this to be a surprise."

"Don't worry, Sofia, he's going to love it," Amber assured her.

"We had to distract him somehow, right?" Candice agreed.

At the same time, as James headed back to his room, he saw Violet going into Amber's room. "Violet, do you need any help with anything?" he asked.

"That's all right, Prince James, I've got everything under control here," Violet smiled. "I know you like helping us around the castle, but you should take some time for yourself and do what you want to do as well."

"Well, okay, if you're sure," James said as he left her to her work.

James had just turned and was about to walk away when he heard Roland and Miranda come up, and he heard Roland talking about a meeting with King Magnus. He knew that Roland would need peace and quiet after the king of Rudistan's visit, so as soon as he got to his room, he closed the door a crack so he wouldn't disturb him when he put on some music.

As he put the dazzleball away and got his new story out, James sighed as he looked around at his 'writing consultants'. "I'm glad you guys are here," he murmured, even though he knew they couldn't reply. "I really need some friendly faces right now."

Before he started writing, he gave the tiger, dog, cat-like creature, dragon, and Jaquin each a hug, but he still sighed as he began singing to himself.

I got this pain that I just can't deal with
How I wish I had somebody to go and play word games with
Oh gee, I really need a friend to play with me

He smiled a little when he saw the door slowly open a little more, and his Irish Red and White Setter Jagger came in.

I'd give him friendship and affection
I'd even let him read my Andrew Harmon story collection
Oh gee, I sure could use a friend to play with me

"If you need a friend to play with you, I'm right here, James," Jagger said as he jumped on the bed.

"I know," James smiled a little, "Thanks, Jag."

He continued singing as he wrote down one of Cammo Kitty's 'ideas', With me he'd gladly stand
To play in the school band
Or play word games with me

"How brilliant would that be!" James smiled.

He looked at Prince Blizzard and Zebra for their ideas as he continued, He'd ride a flying derby horse, we'd have a race, of course
He'd help me chase these blues
My style would please him, more than a smidgeon
He'd say, "It's really brilliant, James, watching Jagger chase the pigeons"

"Can we chase the pigeons, James?" Jagger asked, licking his cheek.

"Maybe after the song, Jag," James smiled a little.

However, he sighed as he finished the song, Oh gee, I gotta find a friend to play with me
Won't somebody hear my plea?
Wanna end this misery
I wish I had a friend to play with me

As the song was ending, James heard a knock on the door. "Come in," he invited.

Baileywick opened the door. "I've been instructed to bring you to the ballroom," he announced.

"What's going on?" James asked. "My music wasn't on too loudly…I don't think…"

"Your music was just fine," Baileywick smiled. "But there is a surprise for you." He led James out, and he saw Jagger jump off the bed and follow him. "Very well, Jagger, you can come too."

Baileywick led James and Jagger to the ballroom. As they entered, they heard, "Here he is!"

James looked around and was surprised to see Roland, Miranda, Amber, Sofia, Lucinda, Dorrie, and Candice there with all their friends from Royal Prep. "What's going on?" he asked as he heard a round of applause.

He looked up at a new voice. "Just a little celebration in honor of your one hundredth consecutive gold star in Creative Writing!" He watched as Miss Flora, along with Miss Fauna, Miss Merryweather, Lucinda, Dorrie, and Candice raised their wands and made streamers and balloons appear, as well as a large banner which read 'Congratulations, James!'

James blushed as everyone cheered and some of his friends hugged him and patted him on the back. "What's going on?" he asked at last.

"Do you remember what happened when you got your fiftieth gold star in Creative Writing?" Miss Flora asked.

"Yes, I hid the medal inside my shirt and wondered what would happen if I ever got a hundred gold stars," James smirked at the memory.

"Well, this answers that question!" Miss Fauna smiled.

"Now let's see you try to hide this!" Sofia giggled, since she had seen the fairies give James his gold medal.

"Well played, Sof, but aren't you and the others supposed to be in Dunwiddie helping the Buttercups?" James asked.

"We finished the new projects yesterday," Dorrie explained. "We just said that to throw you off."

"Well, okay, but what about Dad's meeting with King Magnus?" James asked.

"That's not until next week," Roland said as he came over and put an arm around him. "But it was still considerate of you to keep your door open a crack while Miranda and I worked on the schedule for when he's here."

"Okay, but what about me helping Violet?" James persisted.

"You don't need to worry about helping us, Prince James," Violet smiled as she came over from where she, Suzette, and Marcy were putting out snacks on some tables. "We appreciate the help you give us, but like I said before, you should have some time for yourself too, and do something you enjoy."

"That's right," Miranda agreed. "James, today you're going to have some fun with your friends, rather than worry about helping everyone around the castle today."

"Consider that a command," Roland added, "And again, I can't believe it's come to that!"

"Okay, but at least let me know if you need help with anything," James said at last.

"We will, James, but for now, it's time for you to have some fun with us!" Lucinda said as she waved her wand and made music start playing.

Paperback writer (paperback writer)

Seeing James' grin as he heard one of his favorite songs, Lucinda smiled herself. "Do I know your favorite song, or do I know your favorite song!"

"Yes, Lucy, you know my favorite song!" James grinned as he went over to Vivian for a dance and started singing.

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
It's based on a novel by a man named Lear
And I need a job
So I wanna be a paperback writer
Paperback writer

"Oh, and James, we found another spell you'll like!" Candice said as she, Dorrie, and Lucinda waved their wands and made a huge shower of sparkles appear.

"You can't go wrong with Cedric's old sparkle spell!" James grinned as he tried to catch some.

"Lucy and I found that when we were cleaning out his workshop when we became the new Royal Sorceresses," Sofia explained. "Amber told us how much you two used to love that spell when you were little."

"That was always one of my favorite spells of his," Amber smiled as James intercepted her for a dance.

As he spun her around, James sang, It's a dirty story of a dirty man
And his clinging wife doesn't understand
His son is working for the Daily Mail
It's a steady job
But he wants to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer

Amber smiled as she sang with him, Paperback writer (paperback writer)

"And you're one of our favorite writers, James!" Vivian smiled.

"That's right," Zandar agreed, "We love your stories, and you always give us a copy of the magazine they're in if you find one of your stories in there!"

James smiled as he remembered that and continued the song, It's a thousand pages, give or take a few
I'll be writing more in a week or two
I could make it longer if you like the style
I can change it 'round
And I wanna be a paperback writer
Paperback writer

"You always wrote stories for all of us on our birthdays at school or for holidays," Hildegarde remembered, "We always loved the unique ideas you came up with!"

"You even wrote that one story for me that was based on Hello Polly, where your characters helped Polly find Lolly," Cleo smiled. "Even Miss Elodie loved it! I had to ask Miss Flora to make a copy of it so she could have one as well!"

"Well, technically, my writing helpers were the ones who helped Polly find Lolly," James admitted, "I used to put Amber's dolls and our plush friends in my stories when I was younger."

"And that's such a charming idea," Miss Flora smiled. "You always had the finest inspiration for your stories!"

"Thanks, Miss Flora!" James smiled as he continued the song, If you really like it you can have the rights
It could make a million for you overnight
If you must return it you can send it here
But I need a break
And I wanna be a paperback writer
Paperback writer

By now, everyone was singing with James.

Paperback writer (paperback writer)
Paperback writer (paperback writer)
Paperback writer (paperback writer)
Paperback writer (paperback writer)
Paperback writer (paperback writer)

As everyone clapped as the song was ending, James was grinning broadly. "Thanks, everyone! If this wasn't a brilliant surprise, I don't know what was!"

"Nothing but the best for one of our favorite writers!" Amber smiled.