[center][h2][color=firebrick] James and Nathan [/color][/h2][/center]

[center] Collab with [@Saint Girralo][/center]

James kept working on the various pancakes as guests began to filter in already. Officer Richman as well their other neighbor, Catherine, were at the front door when Sophi went to let them in. Wasn't Riley right there just a few moments ago when he had asked? [color=FF3030] “Hi, Jerry. Hi, Catherine. I'm working on pancakes right now, help yourselves.”[/color] He said, waving as he peeked his head around the corner. He turned to his sisters, Kylie and Georgina, the latter of whom seems to have latched onto the other as though she would disappear if let go. [color=FF3030] “Georgina, let Kylie get settled back in before you [i]completely[/i] smother her with all the love you have. I'm sure she could use it after being away for so long.” [/color] James sighed. He pulled the current batch off of the griddle and got started on the last batch. After pouring the batter for the last batch onto the griddle, he pulled out his phone and shot a text over to Nathan. [color=FF3030] ‘Hey, are you going to stop by for Sophi's birthday party tonight?’ [/color] 
~

Nathan was on his break at last. He went to his locker to check his phone for any notifications. There was one from Vanessa, probably wanting to talk about James, and there was one from James himself. He didn’t bother to reply to Vanessa for now. His break wasn’t long enough for one of her long “heart to heart” conversations. He wrote back to James, [color=firebrick] “After I’m done with work. Oh, by the way, what do I get your sister as a present? Or can I just add my name to yours? Just kidding...maybe.”[/color] 

He took off his ridiculous looking hat and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He grabbed his water bottle from his locker and gulped it down. It was so hot and he was so thirsty. He was also tired though he was getting used to working almost every day again. It’s just how it was when you worked at an amusement park. The pay was good though and they had nice benefits. He wouldn’t have been very good at retail or customer service anyway. All he had to do was smile and press a few buttons. 
~ 

James smiled when Sophi offered to take over and shook his head. No way his sister was doing much on her birthday, not if he had anything to say about it. He stayed right where he was, and kept working on the pancakes, only taking a moment to grab one and roll it up so he could eat while at the griddle. [color=FF3030]”No chance, Sophi. Eat, come on everyone, come grab some pancakes!”[/color] James hollered at the end so he was sure everyone could hear him. Since Riley didn't answer the door like he was asked, James assumed he had gone back upstairs, possibly to sleep. [color=FF3030]”Georgina, could you go up and check on Riley? Make sure that idiot is okay?” [/color] He asked his youngest sister. He had just pulled the current batch of pancakes off the griddle when he received a text back from Nathan, asking what he should get for Sophi's Birthday. James turned around so his back was to the empty griddle and turned his attention to the phone. 

[color=FF3030]’I would say either get her a necklace or a bracelet. Doesn't have to be too expensive. It would work well with the earrings I got for her. I'll see you when you get here.’[/color] he responded, slipping the phone back into his pocket. He really couldn't wait to see his friend. The truth was eating him up, and while he wasn't about to ruin Sophi's birthday, he knew he needed to tell the truth soon. The truth about herself, about Jessica. [color=F08080][i]Relax, you'll be fine. They won't push you away.’[/i][/color] 
~

Nathan soon got a reply from James. [color=firebrick][i] “A necklace or bracelet, huh? I guess a bracelet would be less awkward. I should ask James for what his earrings look like so it would match,”[/i][/color] he thought to himself.

He then texted James back, [color=firebrick] “A bracelet works. Can you send a pic of the earrings? So I know what kind of bracelet to get? Thanks buddy!”[/color]

He had to get back to work soon, much to his dismay. He readjusted his uniform and put his ugly back on. Then he took one last look in the mirror to make sure he was up to code. He finished the rest of the water in his water bottle and stuffed his things back into his locker. If his phone goes off, he wouldn’t know. 

He began to head back towards the ride that he was supposed to operate for the rest of the day.  He gave the guy who was working before him a wave and a nod to let him know his shift was over. The guy smiled and set up the last ride of his shift. Nathan walked over to the operating booth and said, [color=firebrick]”You are free now, run while you can. I’ll take it from here.”[/color]

The guy mockingly punch Nathan in the guts. [color=gray] “Do you have what it takes, soldier?”[/color] he asked. [color=gray] “Oh fuck it, I’m tired. Good luck. See you later, man.”[/color]

The guy wasted no time leaving Nathan with the ride. But that’s how it always is. Who stays even a minute longer than they’re supposed to? Anyhow, the cycle of work restarts again for Nathan. And that is how his day will be until he gets off work.
~
When Nathan asked for a picture of Sophi's earrings so he could find something to match, he turned the griddle off and unplugged it. He knew that there was more than enough pancakes in the pile for the family and the few others who already showed up. He went downstairs and went into his closet, where Jessica’s outfits as well as his sister’s gift was stored. He pulled them out of the hiding place and set them on his end table so he could take the picture. He quickly sent it over to Nathan so he would have an idea of what might go well with them. [color=FF3030]’Not real diamonds or emeralds because that would have been way too expensive for my budget.[/color] He didn't want to risk Sophi coming down and seeing them or anything else in the closet. [color=F08080][i]’Can’t wait till I get the opportunity to wear something this beautiful.’[/i][/color] She thought as she sighed. She sat down on the edge of her bed and felt a tear in the corner of her eye. [color=F08080][i]’No, not today. Don't do this today.’[/i][/color] she thought to herself as she wiped the tear away.
[Hider=Earrings][img]http://foreignchic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/newbabi-5.jpg[/img][/hider]