Twenty Seven: Old Friends

It had been two days since they'd arrived home. It was a scene she'd come all to use to by now, empty halls, closed doors with not a soul in sight. As she wandered in through the human doors, having been dropped off by Darrick who now met at Austin's car every morning since they'd arrived home to pick her up. She felt a smile come across her lips as she strolled down the hall thinking of Darrick, finding herself turning warm from head to toe. The day was warm and the sky was clear, finding today particularly perfect. She wore a pink skirt and white shirt that hugged at her chest, along with a pair of white sneakers with her strawberry blonde hair flowing down the length of her back. She wore her glasses which sat upon her nose, not wanting to deal with her itchy contacts.

She was thinking of the camping trip, still able to feel him, smell him. In her mind she could feel him all over, it made her insides knot and her legs ache. Sighing to herself she couldn't wait to see him again, lunch seeming so far away. She was snapped out of her day dream when she was greeted with a large, excited smile running toward her that she'd come to know as cherry's "Tess! There's a boy! Come on! He's here. Hurry. Cute!" Grabbing at Tess's arms she began to try and tug her down the hall

"What ? Explain" Tess looked to the bubbling girl who practically was dragging Tess down the hallway by her hands, jumping on the spot and making her hair bounce with her.

"There's a new kid!" Tess eyes widened and she found herself speeding up along side cherry, a new boy? So soon? "and he's really cute. He just arrived today randomly. I spotted him in the office getting his time table, hurry so we can introduce him!"

She didn't argue, hurrying alongside Cherry with a large smile and laughter in a rush to see this new kid. They stumbled around a corner together as they came toward the office where she had collected her own timetable not so long ago. The office was eerily quiet, soft voices being interrupted with the laughter and excited chatter of the two girls. Tess eyes came to rest upon a the backside of a body, curly black locks framed the head of a tanned boy with broad shoulders which was hugged by a black shirt. Only able to see the muscles of his back and twisting cords in his legs

"There he is.." cherry whispered where she stood hidden in the doorway, gripping onto the other girls arm as if trying to hide behind her small frame. Having to bend down with their height difference "I've never seen an Asian boy before.."

"Seriously? You really don't get out much huh" Tess laughed under her breath as cherry shook her head, peering further around the corner of the doorway herself to spy on the boy. Brows furrowing she couldn't help but feel the inner workings of her brain begin to click, grinding the more she stared. He was stood with the paper timetable grasped in his two hands in a way so familiar to her, the old office lady was no where to be seen. Her plant looking more dead than the last time she'd been there. The girls kept hidden, spying on this strange new boy. She began to think of her old school. The thoughts popping randomly into her mind the longer she looked..

"Jamie.." she whispered to herself, not realising she had spoken until the boy turned in their direction as if recognising the name, dark eyes wide and full of confusion "Jamie!?" She gasped again. This time Being much louder, her hands coming up instinctively to cover her mouth in shock and she found herself pulling away out of Cherrys grasp. Who looked utterly confused at what was happening Tess couldn't believe her eyes, it was as if she had stepped back in time to when she use to attend a normal human school, when she didn't have to deal with giants and living with them. When there was no Austin, no Darrick or camping trip. When she was normal sized

It was Jamie, with his handsome Korean features and sweet smile. The boy she'd spent so many lunches with. The one who had figured out who she was when she'd lost the weight. The one who'd taken care of her when she'd gotten too drunk and been with her through Chris.

Jamie didn't seem to register what was happening at first, lightly brushing back a strand of his hair that sat in his eyes, as if trying to get a better look before he too gasped and a smile brighter then the sun itself appeared upon his face "t-Tess.. Tess! no way!" He laughed out loud in disbelief and without warning she found herself wrapped in his embrace in two quick steps, her world being enveloped in the familiarity of an old friend. Wrapping her arms back around him, squeezing him tight while feeling as if tears were about to prickle at her eyes

"Wh-what are you doing here? Why are you here! I've missed you so much and everyone back home." She pulled away, her hands unable to let go of the boy as she held his shirt in both of her fists as if clinging onto him, scared he'd disappear again

"I-I had to move because my father has business here like two days ago, I didn't think you'd be at this school. What the hell. Tess how are you? Are you okay, this school is insane I can't believe you've been here for so long" Jamie laughed a little breathless as he looked down on her, his hands holding onto her shoulders as he looked her up and down as if trying to get a grasp of what she looked like again after so long. His hair was parted and dark against his features, jawline strong and his mouth turned up in a sweet smile

"Two days ago.. oh my~ I'm good, really good, it's been crazy but good" she laughed in return, looking up into his dark eyes that stared back to her with a glow upon his face. Tess startled a little as cherry appeared beside the two embracing friends, making Tess blush and carefully pull away out of Jamie's hands

"I believe we've never met.. I'm Cheyenne but everyone calls me Cherry. I'm guessing your names Jamie." Cherry gave a soft smile as she reaches out to lightly take Jamie's hand and give it a soft shake,

"That'd be correct, it's a pleasure to meet you.. Cherry?" Jamie replied with a light smile seeming confused by her name as he said it, his soft eyes turning to Tess while Cherrys rosy lips twisted into a pucker as she looked also to Tess with a curious look, a smirk slowly growing across her features as she looked between them

"how do you two know each other?" Cherry spoke again m, pulling her hand away and crossing them over her chest. Tess hasn't yet told the other humans much about Darrick.. it had become a dirty little secret of hers so she could understand why cherry was looking to Tess and Jamie In that way. She could never with Jamie.. she just couldn't, he was a friend. Just a friend.

"Oh~" Tess laughed lightly and rested a hand upon Jamie's shoulder, a warmth spreading throughout her chest at the sight of the boy. Friend. "we use to go to school together, back in the human quarters" Jamie and Tess reflected the same smile, making cherry nod but didn't wipe the curiosity off her face. Jamie nodded also and brought his arm around Tess's hip to drag her into his side for a warm hug

"We were in the same friend group, best buds we are" Jamie chuckled, making cherry nod and give a laugh in return and large smile, eyeing Jamie for a second before looking back to Tess with raised brows. Tess found herself blushing in her position by Jamie's side, her eyes turning down to his hand that rested on her hip with a sturdy grip. His fingers lightly squeezing made her gasp softly, holding her tight in a way that made her inside flip upside down and inside out. Her heart fluttered and she had to pull away, smiling up at the boy who she'd missed so dearly along with Melissa, Nick, Taylor and even Chris.. who she'd forgotten over the past week as her mind had become entertained by Darrick.

"Y-yeah aha. What class do you have first for role call?" Tess spoke trying to ignore the warmth of her cheeks and instead reached for Jamie's time table, reading it quickly to find they were in the same role call "we're together first" she grinned and her heart felt as if it leapt into her throat with excitement, she'd been scared of her role call ever since her first day, not knowing when that intimidating stranger she'd seen may return. She'd been dreading the day, maybe he wouldn't return. But now she had a friend she found herself calming almost immediately

"Show me the way" Jamie gave a low chuckle and offered his hand, which Tess took into her small one with a smile to guide him out of the dreary old office and down the long hallways to the role call she'd come so use to arriving to every morning on her lonesome. Together they parted ways with cherry who went to her own class, excited to see her friend in first period of art knowing they're conversation would be exciting today.

~~~

"This feels wrong.."

"Don't be stupid why would it feel wrong? They're just people."

"Uh~ very very big people. I've haven't met a giant yet Tess. This is very very wrong. I can't believe your even friends with them.."

"Hey, they're not bad okay. I want you to meet them."

Jamie groaned low, the sound rumbling in his chest. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet, bouncing a bit on his heels as he looked to the roof of the elevator "this is fucked up.. I don't think I'm ready.." he whined "I think I'm gonna vomit" he said as he held his stomach, bending over dramatically and hugging his gut

Tess rolled her eyes toward Jamie who looked anxious to be meeting giants. She had told him all about her giant friends and managed to convince him to join her for lunch to meet them, as it has become normal for her to meet up with her giant friends one day and then the humans the next. She wasn't sure who'd be at the table that day. But she was sure to see Darrick, excited to see his large smile and feel the comfort of his soft hands around her body.

"Shit shit shit" Jamie whimpered as the elevator came to a sudden stop, his eyes wide as he looked to Tess and quickly, like a scared child he grabbed onto her arm and pulled her close. Squeezing until she felt like her arm would break off "don't let them eat me" he whined, looking to her, his face twisted with nerves in a way she'd never seen before. He was usually so confident and bright.

Letting out a soft laugh she lightly pat his arm that held hers trying to comfort him. Knowing the fear he must of felt, "you'll be okay. Just~just don't faint.. "

"Faint?" Jamie looked to her confused, not knowing the story of when she first met Austin then startled as the doors opened suddenly, his body tensing almost immediately at the sight before them. In order sat, Jace the closest, then Darrick, Katy and at the end was Ava. Cole and Austin no where to be seen. She'd come use to never seeing Austin. Smiling she stepped out onto the giant table which was the ground for the two humans, walking out and having to practically drag a terrified Jamie behind herself

"Oh my god.." she heard Jace first, Jamie nearly collapsing to the ground In her arms at the sound of Jace's voice. She had to hold him up on his shaky knees, squeezing Jamie's heavy arm in order to keep him up

"Hey guys! Jace calm yourself first, this is Jamie he's new. I use to know him from the human quarters" Tess smiled happily up toward her friends who all smiled back, intrigued by the sight and excited to see another human. Tess Came to a stop in the middle of the table, Jamie still holding onto her for dear life while the giants looked from above "be nice" she hummed and looked to Darrick who seemed to be eyeing her cautiously. She smiled to him happily before looking to Jamie again, trying to comfort him best she could under the circumstances. Jamie was pale, he looked as if he'd seen a ghost and she could feel him tremble a little in her grasp. He looked like a scared pup as he shyly smiled up at the giants

"Hi Jamie!" Jace grinned largely. Looking as if he were about to burst in his seat, making Jamie flinch and making Tess send a stern glance to the giant child to put him in his place. Jace flashed an apologising look, sinking back into his chair trying to remain calm with all the excitement he had zapping through his entire being

"Where's Cole?" Tess hums, her hand lightly grazing over Jamie's arm trying to comfort him, trying to make this meeting as normal as possible. As if four giants weren't staring down at them where they stood on the table

"Oh he's busy with drama." Ava spoke for the first time since they'd arrived and rolled her eyes while Jace grinned, Tess looking to Ava curiously while Jamie clinged onto her side like a monkey

"Ava and Cole had a fight!" Jace smirks. Seeming amused by the idea of Ava and Cole not liking each other, looking down the row of giants toward Ava who looked rather glum hearing the words

"Why ,what happened?" Tess looked to Ava with a concerned look, Jamie looking horrified by her side as she talked so easily to the giants as if this were so normal. In a way it had become her norm, life had changed so much since she moved..

"We're just very different people.. we're over" Ava murmured. Sounding slightly annoyed as she looked away "I don't wanna talk about it.." she grumbled, making Jace chuckle quietly to himself while Katy purses her lips, trying to comfort her friend by lightly rubbing her back

Tess shook her head and turned her attention to Darrick then, sending him a smile only to freeze when her eyes fell on his face. Her grip tightened on Jamie and she suddenly felt like collapsing too

The look she saw upon Darricks face wasn't anything she'd seen before, his features were stone cold, jaw clenched into a hard line and eyes burning with an intensity so hot she could feel it burn her cheeks. His eyes didn't appear to be on her, instead focused on the air between herself and Jamie where she held onto his arm lightly in what was simply a friendly hold. Her heart fell into the pit of her stomach as she slowly turned to look at Jamie, carefully unravelling her arm from within his, but instead blushed darker as he quickly grabbed her hand, clearly terrified by the sheer sight of the four giants that towered before them.

Darrick let out a noticeably long, slow breath through his nose and he shifted where he sat at the table. Tess had never felt more uncomfortable, Darrick radiating anger while Jamie shook terrified beside her. Jace appeared to not notice, instead leaning down closer to the two until his chin rested in his hand, large eyes sitting before the two humans that stood upon the table. Jamie let out a soft whimper which Jace probably didn't even hear,seeing as he simply smiled at the new human seeming intrigued by the sight. Looking like a kid with a new toy. Jamie's palm was clammy inside hers and he squeezed tightly until she felt as if he hand may break, wincing a little but trying to ignore the pain if it meant Jamie felt better

"Jace back up would you. Hey don't worry, the boys are a bit much. Hello I'm Katy, nice to meet you. We're friends of Tess you don't need to worry about us hurting you, any friend of Tess is a friend of ours" Katy smiles, her eyes flicking toward Darrick then turned back to the humans. Katy had a wig on today, tied into a loose braid that rested over her shoulder. She wore a small yellow top with a pink flower on the front, paired with blue shorts and a necklace.

"N-nice to.. to meet you too..." Jamie smiled, finally speaking and nodded a little up toward the giant girl, seeming intimidated at the large gaze's that looked down upon them. Especially by Ava who eyed him like a hawk, his eyes flickering up in her direction when he wasn't looking to the ground

Ava was smiling largely, her arm resting upon the table with her hand gently cupped in her palm. She was looking toward Jamie with dough eyes and lightly biting the corner of her lip. She wore a small black top which showed off a bit too much of her cleavage and collar bones. Her brown hair was tied into a small ponytail behind her head, her cheeks and nose a rosy pink as she looked at them. Her annoyance from earlier when speaking of Cole seeming to fade away~

"I'm Ava~ it's a pleasure to meet you, Jamie~" she hummed softly seeming to taste his name on her tongue, while bringing her fingers up to curl at a loose lock of hair. Jamie smiled and he shifted beside Tess as he looked to Ava, his eyes wandering evidentially toward her chest and hovering, making Tess roll her eyes and gently nudge him out of it. Making him jump and his ears turned a shade of red as he looked up to Ava's eyes, swallowing tightly as they made eye contact

"Y-you too.. Ava" Jamie spoke softly, being the most quiet and uncomfortable she'd ever seen him. Ava seemed delighted by Jamie saying her name and she leant forward toward them, her eyes admiring Jamie like he was an adorable puppy. Tess couldn't help but chuckle softly as she looked between the two, Jamie trying to look to his feet to avoid Ava eyes but Tess noticed him look up every few seconds, trying to hide a smile and blush on his cheeks

Darrick hadn't spoken a word, he was similar to a wall then the loving boy she'd come to know. Darrick sat in a dead silence, his arms crossed staring to a spot on the table before him away from Tess now and Jamie. He seemed to be bubbling from within, as if he were about to burst. Pursing her lips as she looked to Katy curiously, who shrugged in return seeming uncomfortable being so close to him while also trying to hold back Ava who leant around her on the table to look at Jamie more .

"So! We were thinking of going to the diner tonight, you in Tess? You can come too, Jamie." Jace says with a large grin, seeming too eager to hang out with Jamie and not noticing the tense air between Darrick

"Yeah that sounds fun, we'll come" Tess smiles, looking to Jamie who looked to her with an uneasiness in his eyes but she simply nodded trying to comfort him. She jumped though when she heard a grunt, looking to Darrick who's features twisted to the side and his hands come together in his lap, seeming annoyed by the idea of Jamie coming. Tess's brows furrowed and in that moment she felt an anger boiling at her chest, gently squeezing Jamie's hand as he appeared frightened by Darricks presence while a glare reflected upon her face for a brief second up toward the dark haired giant. Was he jealous ? Angry she was hanging out with a boy that was human? Jamie was her friend and Darrick could be a little understanding as Jamie was clearly terrified of the giants. Darrick not making it any better with the intimidating look he had upon his face

"Yay!, Jamie can meet Austin and Cole too. It'll be fun!" Jace grinned, oblivious to Darricks presence "Darrick will pick you up after school and we'll meet at Austin's car"

"I'll come Darrick" Ava spoke up. Lifting her hand before her in the air as she looked at the others "since you'll have your hands full with Tess" she hummed happily while Jamie instinctively flinched against the idea

"Sounds like a plan.."Tess spoke while looking directly toward darrick for a long tense minute, hoping he'd say anything.. something. Nothing. She grabbed onto Jamie and pulled lightly on his arm "we better go, some people actually want to meet Jamie. See you this afternoon" she huffed, clearly annoyed as she pulled a nervous Jamie back toward the elevator and swiftly pressed the button to close the doors, disappearing behind closing doors out of view from the giants and especially Darrick. Not waiting for a reply from any of them

It was a tense minute, Jamie standing in silence before turning to Tess with wide eyes, his cheeks red and ears redder looking flushed

"Avas hot" Jamie grinned as the elevator lifted.

FINALLY UPDATED! I hope you enjoyed would love to hear what you thought in the comments I love reading them!

What do you think? Jamie aye? I thought to be more inclusive of races and make Jamie Korean! Wonder if you guys remember him- (hint: 6) What's everyone's thoughts on that situation

And Darrick!

Any ideas on face claims for Jamie!

Leave a comment would love to hear thoughts! Will update soon hopefully