Count Down discussion

Jamie beamed, hearin his stomach growl in agreement. "Oh good. I'll put this back now," he murmured, fiddling withy he buttons again and ducking his head while the roof closed slowly as they drove. The cheescake factory soon came into view, the Parkin lot startin to fill up as the sun began to set. Jamie felt his heart flutter a few beats as he saw young couples walking towards the restaurant, hand in hand. Couples. No, he couldn't let things go that far. He and Emily were just friend- besides, it wasn't like she felt anything towards him. Jamie blinked, snapping out of his revere as they parked in a spot near the back of the filled lot.

Emily felt a rush of air as Jamie put the roof back up and her hair flew in front of her face. She parked before she ran her fingers through her tangled mass of hair and put it up in a loose bun. She didn't look fancy enough for a dinner here but she didn't care at the moment. She caught herself staring at all the couples holding hands and felt a pang in her heart. She wanted that. She glanced down at her covered arm and wished, not for the first time, that she could allow herself to look at it, but she didn't want it to rule her life. She snapped out of her thoughts and exited the car, waiting for Jamie on the sidewalk.

Jamie stretched again getting out of the car, chuckling at Paul's text message. he felt bad for Paul, looking scary and big all the time, but he couldn't help but think that it was Paul's problem he couldn't make friends like Jamie could. He never smiled, never talked- a silent giant. "A little casual here, but I think well he okay," Jamie nudged Emily, grinning as he touched Emily's bun softly. He was espeacially careful with how he messed around with girls, terrified they'd shoot him if he put a single hair out of place. But Emily was different. "I'm so hungry," he whined, ushering Emily hurriedly in to the restaurant. The clatter of plates and the chattering of te other customers echoed around the restaurant.
((Sorry I got distracted))

((It's okay :) ))
Emily glanced over at Jamie when he touched her bun and shrugged. "It's better than having messy wind blown hair." She said entering the restaurant. "Okay okay calm down! We're here!" She said rolling her eyes. She bit her lip. She hoped they would be able to get a table even though hey didn't have a reservation. It's was already crowded inside. Waiters bustling in and out of the kitchen and people's plates clattering as they ate.

Jamie held up two fingers for the waiter at the counter, allowing him to lead then to a table near the back. "It's the only table we've got left, but I'm sure you two will be comfortable,"the waiter winked at Emily, setting the menus down on the table. Jamie sat in his seat, poring through the menu excitedly as his leg bounced obnoxiously. He had a bit of ADHD, he had to admit. "What are you ordering?" He asked, thoughtfully contemplating two choices on different pages.

Emily's cheeks slightly reddened when the waiter winked at her. She didn't know if he thought that her and Jamie were on a date or if he was winking at her just because he wanted to. She shook her head clearing her thoughts and sat down at the table he led them too. She scanned the menu looking for something that was different. She always liked to try new things whenever she went to a restaurant. "I don't know. Something unusual." She murmured.

A different waitress came by, twirling her hair while giggling nervously as she talked. "Hi, I'm Claire, I'll be your waitress...!" She squealed in a high pitched tone, holding a memo pad in her hand. Jamie exchanged glances with Emily, biting his bottom lip furiously to not laugh. She was blonde and had too much makeup, which added to the silliness. "Anything to drink?" She chirped, glancing at the two excitedly. "Just a water, please," Jamie nodded, nudging Emily's foot gently. "There's plenty on here, well find something," he murmured.

Emily glanced up from her menu at the waitress and had to do a double take. She was wearing too much make-up and had way to much enthusiasm. Emily looked back down at her menu so she wouldn't see that she was silently laughing. She heard Jamie order them waters but didn't glance up until he nudged her foot. "Do you have any suggestions?" She asked trying to keep the laughter out of her voice.

Emily's voice was tight with restrain, and Jamie could see the struggle on her face not to laugh. "I'll have the pulle pork sand which, with fries on the side..." He murmured, breathing in deeply. "How about... The chicken masalas? Those are good," he recommended, staring incredulous at this Claire figure. It was GOIN to be quite the dinner. He took a piece of the mini bread loads that was on the table in a little basket, and he ripped the crust off slowly, waiting for Emily's order.
((Idk f that's even a real order I forgot the name of what it's called!!!))

((Haha it's okay))

Emily closed her menu and handed it to Claire. "I've never had it before so I guess chicken maslasas it is." She said with a smile to Jamie. She still couldn't look at Claire without wanting to laugh so she kept her eyes locked on Jamie's. Once Claire was gone with their orders Emily let a small giggle slip. She clapped a hand over her mouth. "I didn't laugh! That's mean." She shook her head. "Please tell me I didn't really laugh."

Jamie smiled and handed his menu over to Claire good naturedly. "Thank you," he grinned, as the waitress whirled around and practically skipped to the kitchen to put in their orders. As soon as she was gone, Jamie put his head on his arm on too of the table, his shoulders shaking with laughter. "Oh man! Did you see her!" He laughed hysterically, earning a few states. "Phew, thought I'd start laughing midsentence! It's not mean..." Jamie chuckled, "it's just... NEVERMIND," he grinned, popping the bread he'd been holding into his mouth. She was quite the character. "So Emily... Since we're gonna be best friends forever, why don't you tell me about yourself?" He suggested.

Jamie's uncontrolled laughter made Emily giggle even more. "She was pretty out there." She said between giggles. Once she calmed down she looked up at Jamie to find him watching her. "Best friends forever?" She asked raising an eyebrow. She shrugged. "There's not much to know." She said evasively. "I was born and raised in Sacramento by my mom. My father was never in the picture but it doesn't matter to me. I think it bothered my mom though."

Jamie bobbed his head in agreement. "Pretty out there," he repeated, his laughter calming down. Jamie listened intently, prepared for a big story, but was surprised when emy cut it short. "No siblings?" He asked cautiously. "Sounds pretty peaceful," he said a bit envious, wincing as he remembered his life when he was still home with his "family". Oh, he hated bailey and Carla. Hated them. Why had his dad had the thought to even marry that crazy woman? Yet bring her demonic daughter too?? "I've got two, and three step siblings. Not so much of the peace aspect there," he groaned. He was fine with his own siblings, Neil and Paul, but it was the others.

Emily shook her head. "Nope no siblings." She said. "It's not that peaceful. Kinda lonely. I mean I love my mom don't get me wrong but when you don't have many friends you can go stir crazy." She said tracing designs on the table. "That's a lot of siblings. It must have been pretty crowded." She commented a little jealous. Even if people said she would hate to have other kids running around the house, Emily couldn't help but disagree. It would add life to her house.

Jamie nodded in understanding, befor he had an idea. "Emily! Since I have so many you could have my step siblings! All of them, free of charge!" He pleaded, cramming a piece of bread into his mouth. "Only two are real. Well one, since Neil's a half sibling," he murmured, wishin the little boy he loved so dearly didnt come from that... Woman. "It wasn't exactly crowded, it actually filled out our house," he joked dryly. "Not that it was a good thing," he pointed out. "I'm so glad I'm moved out, just me and Paul," he grinned, grateful for his mute giant of a brother. So what of he scared people away? Jamie could always bring them back. "Any pets or anything like that?"

Emily laughed and shook her head. "I don't really live at home anymore now do I?" She asked reaching for a piece of bread. "No no pets either. My mom was allergic to cats and dogs so we never got one." Emily propped her head in her hands. "When I was younger though my bet friend was like my sister. We did everything together. Then in junior year everything changed." She said looking down. She hated thinking about that day.

"No pets?" Jamie raised an eyebrow. They only had two dogs, five fish, two horses, and two cats... Not to mention Neil's guinea pig... That wasn't alot of pets, right? "Do you like cats or dogs?" He asked casually. That might come in handy later down the line. Jamie raised his eyebrows, nodding as he agreed with Emily. He had had that friend too, and they were nearly inseparable. Until he had to transfer to New York, where his father lived. They lost contact, and now Jamie was still left curious where his best friend had gone. "Junior year, eh?" Jamie asked softly, becoming sympathetic. "Wanna talk about it?" He suggested, careful not to press any of Emily's buttons. Jamie peeled a piece of bread of the brown loaf, handing a chunk to Emily as he chewed on his.

Emily shrugged. "I like either of them. My favorite cat is a calico and my favorite dog is a Pomeranian. I just find small dogs cute even if they can be a little annoying." She said remembering Karlie's little chihuahua that she always brought everywhere. Emily looked down. She had only told one person what had happened and now Adrianna was mad at her. She took a deep breath and began her story. "My friend Karlie had this boyfriend. Everyone loved him. Everyone but me. I didn't like him and she knew that but it didn't stop her from being with him. Then one night at a party she dragged me to he approached me and started talking to me. I tried to get rid of him but he kept following me." She swallowed. This was more than she ever told Adrianna. She didn't know why it was so easy to talk to Jamie. But it was.

Calico. What kind of cat was that? It was strane, how he knew quite a few names of dog breeds but every cat was just 'cat'. "Pomeranians?" Jamie wrinkled his nose, laughing. Jamie's expression softened as her tone changed, and he hunched forward to listen. His expression changed as she went along, curiosity turnin to concern. What could of possibly happened? It sounded like she was going to murder him or something. Jamie shook the thought from his head, saying to himself that Emily would never do such thing. "And...?" Jamie prompted softly, his voice barely above a whisper as he watched Emily carefully. She still looked emotionally stable, and he had to hear the rest of the story. The steady chatter and clanking of dishes were frowned out to the back of Jamie's head, and he said listening intently to Emily.

Emily swallowed before continuing. "He cornered me where no one saw us. I was young. I didn't know what was going to happen. I thought he was being his usual douchey self when it turned out to be something completely different. He kissed me and I pushed him away but not before Karlie walked by and saw. She didn't realize that I didn't do anything wrong." She stopped to get a reign on her emotions before continuing. "That weekend she didn't return any of my calls or texts so I thought I would be able to talk to her at school. On that next Monday she embarrassed me in front of the whole school by calling me a bitch and a whore."

Jamie's jaw dropped, and he felt a pang of awfulness for Emily. The poor girl! He would hve beat the guys ass up if he had been there. By the end of her story, Jamie couldn't imagine what it was like to be called something like that, to be in tht situation. "Aww, em," he frowned, reaching an arm out to give her a comforting squeeze. "I'm sorry bout that," he murmured, noticing Emily's wave of emotions. "She was just angry, she should of been a better friend," he encouraged, trying to boost Emily's spirits. Why oh why did he have to bring Emily back to her sas self? Now shed be miserable the whole night, and it'd be his fault. Especially about something this big. "You know you're not any of those things, right?" He said in more of a statement than a question. Girls could be so harsh, sometimes.

Emily blinked back tears and smiled at Jamie to show him that she was okay. "She didn't even give me a chance to tell her my side of the story." She whispered. That was the only thing Emily wished Karlie would have allowed her to do. If she still hated her after that then it Emily would have accepted it. But she never got the chance. "I know I'm not." She lied. Sometimes when she was alone without anything to do she thought that maybe she was those things. No one ever wanted to be her friend and that's the only reason she could think of as to why.

Jamie tsked and shook his head, appalled by this karlie girl. "If she was a true friend, she would have listened," Jamie almost whispered. It wasn't what Emily needed to hear at this moment, but it was the truth. It would save her alot more heartache if she knew that. "Good," Jamie nodded in approval, loosening his body language to relax the atmosphere of it all. "Don't let that one friends dedications get you down, Emily...!" His face cracked, and his eyes twinkled in amusement. "Here comes... Barbie," he snorted, leaning back to stretch his long arms in his seat, smiling politely at the blonde peppy lady. Oh boy. Jamie nudged Emily's got and smiled at her, hoping that she'd feel better about that situation and forget it with ease.

Emily nodded in agreement and dried her eyes before anyone saw. It felt good to have gotten everything out. To be able to finally talk about what had happened all those years ago. Emily glanced up when Jamie commented that Claire was coming towards them. She glanced away from her eccentric make-up and peppy attitude and shared a smile with Jamie. Who knew she could trust someone like this again. It almost felt as if nothing had happened. Like she had never felt like she didn't belong.

Jamie resisted a smile, his lip nearly cutting open from biting down on it for so long. "Thank you," Jamie said in a shaky voice, rubbing his hands excitedly over his plate. Once the waitress left, Jamie snorted with laughter. "Oh boy, that'll never get old!" He cried, wiping imaginary tears from laughing. "Should I ask to take a picture with her?" He challenged, moving the items on the table around so that Emily could have easy access to both dishes. Two plain plates had also been provided for them, without asking. Jamie made a mental note to tip this odd waitress, maybe she could get more makeup. Or gum to smack on. "Ready to eat?" Jamie handed er her plate, carefully wrapping his fingertips around the edges of the sand which before scooping the chicken and rice onto his plate.

Emily giggled at the image she got. "I bet it would make her day if you asked for a picture." She said. Her stomach rumbled at the sight of all the food. She took the plate that Jamie offered her and scooped some of the chicken and rice on to the it. She took a bite. "Mmm this is good!" She said before swallowing. "So Jamie, you know some stuff about me. What about you? Do you have any deep dark secrets?" She joked lightly.

Jamie took a bite off of his sandwich, licking barbecue sauce off the side of his lips. "See?" He grinned after swallowing his food. Jamie nearly choked on his next bite off his sandwich, swallowing painfully. He wasn't too sure how much he'd tell Emily. He could trust her, right? Trust her not to freak out, trust her not to tell? Jamie took anther bye of his sandwich, leaving an empty silence. "You won't be mad? Or freaked out?" He asked slowly. When he told some people about his night job as an under cover cop/spy, some people got afraid. His job required some violence, some drug busting, some chasing... He didnt see what the fuss was. Maybe they were afraid that he'd hurt them.

Emily propped her chin in her hand. "I promise not to freak out." She was curious now. What could possibly be so bad about him that he was nervous to tell people. "I mean look what I just told you. I've never told anyone the whole story before." She said. She was a little worried about what she was going to hear but her curiosity overrode her worry. She set down her fork and gave Jamie her full attention.

Jamie set his sandwich down, sighing. He couldn't let Emily leave him, not after their newfound friendship. "I uh... Well... I am kind of a, well how do you put it..." He murmured, trailing off thoughtfully. "An agent?" He tried, shaking his head. "I operate secretively, trying to find the bad guys," he put it blatantly. He didnt feel like going into the details, going into the specifics of how many people es had to hurt, to stalk, to pry information out of. It was almost like those Tom Cruise movies, just worse. The movies didnt know half of what went on. They knew nothing. Jamie hated that job, but he had to do it. Nobody knew how to do the things he did, taught by his father and Paul. That was why they trained so much, with water polo as their cover up. Jamie picked up his sandwich again, biting into it waiting for Emily's reaction.

Emily's mouth dropped open and she stared at Jamie in shock. An agent? Is that was he said? She was having a hard time grasping the thought but she quickly tried to hide her shock so he wouldn't think she was freaking out. "So...you're like James Bond?" She asked trying to keep the conversation light. "Is Paul an agent too? Who else knows? Do you kill people?" That last question slipped out of her mouth unchecked and she slapped a hand over her mouth. "Forget that I asked that." Her voice muffled by her hand.

Jamie's eyes widened as her tone became louder, and he clapped a strong hand over her mouth. "Sh...!" He hissed in alarm, siting back down on his seat slowly. "Like James Bond," he said incredulously, taking another bite of his sandwich. "Sure," he hid a smiled, biting his lip. "Paul, and my dad," he confirmed in a low voice, his eyes darting around the restaurant cautiously. Jamie took a deep breath, his eyes looking up into Emily's. "yes. But only the bad!" He promised quickly, slurping at his water. "You can't tell anyone," he warned, leaning across the table with the most serious look he could muster. Bad things could happen. Worse than what the movies portrayed.

Emily was hurt that he thought she would tell anyone. Not counting the fact that she didn't have anyone to tell. "Of course I wouldn't tell anyone. I trusted you with a secret of mine and I wouldn't betray your trust by telling your secret." She said. She was still having trouble wrapping her mind around the concept but if that's what he said he was she was going to believe him. "So what's it like? Is it as cool as everyone thinks?" She asked careful to keep her voice down.

Jamie shook his head, sighing loudly. "You can't tell anyone," he repeated with more force and volume. "Police, your mom, men in black suits- anybody," he said again, with emphasis. She had to understand that nobody could be trusted, in any circumstance. Jamie chewed his sandwich, leaning over his plate for a few shreds ofte barbecue to drop onto the plate. "No. Hell no," he disagreed, "it's dangerous. And a bit nerve racking. I'm not on any tasks at the moment, but there's a serious drug problem at the high school, and it's my job to catch the supplier," he cringed, slurping his water again from the straw. Emily had taken it quite well, but he hoped shed stay stron in resisting the temptation to tell anyone.

Now Emily was starting to get angry. "I said I wouldn't tell anyone and I meant it Jamie!" She said. "I don't know how many other people you've told but I'm not like them. I don't go around telling everyone's secrets because I feel like it." She picked up her fork again and stabbed at a piece of chicken. "Then why do you do it if it's so dangerous?" She asked her heart beating faster at the thought of him in any type of danger. She may have only know Jamie for a short amount of time but she had come to care for him. He was one of her only friends and she didn't want him to get hurt.

Jamie grimaced, putting his food down. "I know Emily, I trust you. It's just if..." He trailed off softly, swallowing. He decided not to continue. "It's because I'm one f the few that know things... Things that my dads trained me, told me..." He said slowly, not wanting to go into specifics. The less Emily knew, the better. He'd have to watch her closely. "It's dangerous, but someone's got to do it. I'd rather it be me than someone else," he said truthfully, smiling reassuringly towards Emily. She seemed so concerned, so confused... "Don't worry about it. I just wanted you to know about that part of me."

She noticed that he stopped himself from saying something. "If what?" She asked. She needed to know what he was going to say. "But what if you get hurt Jamie?" She said chewing on her lip. "How can you tell me not to worry? You're my friend of course I'm going to worry!" She didn't know how his family could let him do this. If Emily had wanted to do something this dangerous her mother would freak out. She focused on her food so she didn't start thinking about all the things that could go wrong.

Jamie opened his mouth, grimacing. "If you get ... Captured," he said softly, his eyes holding onto hers. "There are some bad people out there, people who might ask about me. You've gotta deny everything," he said seriously, his meal forgotten. He had to make sure Emily had an idea of what could happen, but not too much. "Emily...!" He chuckled, taking nth on her hands across the table and holding on to them tightly. "I'm all right, okay? I've been okay, and I always will be. Nothing bad can happen to me," he promised through his teeth, lies forming rapidly in his head o get Emily to calm down, to quite herself, to not make a scene.

Emily swallowed. "Why would they go after me? We just met each other. Not much motive for taking me." She said unconvincingly. She continued to chew on her lip not convicted by his words. She stared down at their hands. She didn't know if she could handle something happening to him. Jamie had become one of her best friends in just a short amount of time and she couldn't lose another one. She glanced up meeting his eyes. "You have to promise to be extra careful Jamie." She said softly.

Jamie looked around worriedly, releasing emits hands. "You'd be surprised," he whispered gently. "I will, Emily. I promise. I'm always careful," he assured her, offering a small grin. He felt so odd being serious, as it wasn't something he showed very often to others. Only when he meant business. "Are you okay with that? With... Everything I just told you?" He asked in a small voice. He didnt want Emily to leave him, but would be comforted if she did what she felt was the right thig to do. If she left. This was the thing that he hated telling people, if he had told people. Only a few knew. Very few. Friends, and foes. It would be disastrous if Emily offered any information, or was captured and used as bait. He'd have to be careful where he was seen with Emily. "Don't be sad about it, or scared... Treat me normal," he begged gently, hoping his plea didnt sound odd.

Emily took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them again her gaze was determined. "I'm not like other people. It doesn't bother me that this is what you choose to do as your career or what ever this is. The only thing that bothers me is that you'll be in danger." She said truthfully. She didn't like it but she wouldn't stop him from doing. She would just have to make sure he was being careful because she didn't want to lose another friend.

Jamie felt a smile tug at his lips, his big brown eyes looking greatfully up into Emily's eyes. He still couldn't believe how Emily was taking everything but he was entirely grateful. "Thank you, em," he breathed, letting loose a n excited chuckle. "My middle name is danger," Jamie said seriously, standing abruptly and putting on his best dare devil face. "I'll be okay, Emily," he rolled his eyes, sitting back down and running a hand through his hair. He resumed eating his sandwich, his appetite back and his atmosphere relaxed. He could now tell Emily everything, without having to lie his way around. "But that's just my secret side," he assured her.

Emily's smile matched Jamie's. She could practically see him relax. She wondered how many people he told just to have them freak out and reject him. "Really? What's your other side?" She asked intrigued. Now that they both shared their secrets she couldn't help but feel connected to Jamie in some way. It felt like she finally got all of the worry and trepidation she always felt to disappear by sharing her past with him.

"This. This crazy, wild side," he flashed a grin, relaxing into his seat as he finished his meal, sipping his water noisily. This was the side he lied, the one he wished he could be all day, every day. Not o have a single care in the world. "I hate the secret side of me," he inhaled sharply, images flashing back into his mind. "I wish it never existed," he murmured, swallowing trying to wet his dry lips with his water. "Anyway... Lets talk about something else. What else Would you like to know about me?" He asked thoughtfully, playing with her foot under the table.

Emily's smile softened. "You could stop doing it." She said even though she knew he would never consider that as an option. She wondered what that was like. Always having to lie to people and never being able to get that close to people. She shrugged. "I don't know. What was your childhood like?" She asked. Now that she knew his secret life she wanted to know everything he was willing to tell her. She found Jamie interesting, funny, and sweet. She had never had this connection with a guy before and it was nice.

Jamie paused as if considering it, shaking his head quickly. "Nah, it's too late to stop now," he murmured softly, stacking the empty dishes neatly and areanging things on the table. "My childhood...?" Jamie froze, his mothers face surfacing in his mind. "I grew up with Paul and my parents, and then... My mom died, and my dad remarried this... Crazy blonde lady, and along came her demon children," he rolled his eyes. "I have three step siblings now, plus a little half brother. And Paul," he laughed, shaking his head. He had an interesting family. The Greyson's were known to be quite crazy.

Emily's eyes widened. "Oh gosh Jamie I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked." She chewed on her lip. She didn't know her dad but she couldn't imagine losing her mom. If that happened she would be heartbroken. But she couldn't help asking, "how long ago?" She wouldn't blame him for avoiding the question but she wanted to know all he was willing to share and if he was willing then she would keep asking.

Jamie shook his head, smiling weakly. "It's okay. No more secrets, remember? I've never had anyone to share it with," he said truthfully, squirming in his seat. "Fourteen years ago," he confirmed, counting on his fingers as he played with his clean napkin, folding and unfolding it over and over. Jamie never knew what had happened exactly to his mom at that time, being told that it was an 'accident'- but when Jamie grew older, on his thirteenth birthday- that was when Liam had dropped eveything on him. His fathers real job, his mothers real cause of death, the reason he was being drilled so hard in martial arts and military type science- everything. Jamie surprisingly felt comfortable talking to Emily, and he knew he could trust her. He had made the right decision to talk to her, to give her a ride to the shelter. "Finished?" He inquired, raising his hand for the check to be brought around. Barbie handed them the little booklet with their receipt, and he tucked away the credit card. She quickly took it back, balancing dishes on every limb.

Emily bit her lip. "You were so young. I couldn't imagine that happening. I'm so sorry Jamie." She said reaching across the table to squeeze his hand lightly. She nodded. "Yeah I'm finished." She shook her head slightly when he paid with his credit card. "You know I can pay for things right?" She asked smiling faintly. "I do have money you know." Jamie had paid for everything today and it made her feel a little guilty.

Jamie shook his head, looking to their hands joined together. "Nah, don't worry bout it," he murmured sadly, returning her hand squeeze. He had Lon forgotten his promise to himself of not getting involved with girls, since they tended to be trouble for him. Jamie signees the receipt and tucked his credit ard back into his wallet. "I know, Emily, but I'm paying today. You should spend money on yourself, or something. Besides, I kind of pressured you into going to dinner," he winked, standing from his chair and stretching. It felt so good to move. His thoughts kept bouncing around, the feel of Emily's hand in his sill fresh in his mind.