Far, Far Away (open)

[Jared Park]

Indeed, Emma was right. While Jared liked the quaint countryside and its scenic views, he’d get bored quite easily. Ever since he was little, Jared was the active and loud kid. He could never sit on the same spot for a few minutes without twitching or stretching or yawning. And while age did help in lengthening his attention span, sitting through one whole period of English still meant hell for him. “I think I’ll like it,” he said, chuckling at the notion, “Once I get older that is. I’m a little too jiggy at the moment. And with my powers affecting my bio-electric structure, I have a strange feeling that I’ll be more noisy and restless than normal.” Just a week ago Jared was suffering from immense restlessness. He couldn’t sleep, he couldn’t stay still – he was just up and about. And he didn’t get tired. Caused a huge amount of worry on his part.

“I should join you when you come home then,” he joked. Jared was a bit on the adventurous side of things, always eager to try out something new. And the fact that Emma seemed to enjoy riding ATVs only made him want to ride one even more. “Cool. I like parties too. Dancing and going wild all night. Hah. Used to drive Jasper insane whenever I went home late.” As one would’ve guessed, Jared belonged to the wild group. While he didn’t drink (Jasper would kill him if he does), he usually acts like he’s drunk, mindlessly grooving on the dance floor. And while he hasn’t been on that many parties before (he’s only 15, and his curfew’s around 8pm, 10 the latest), he’d surely be the life of it. Which made meeting Emma a nice move: Jared can leave being responsible behind as Emma’s sure to look after him (not that he’d purposely do that of course).

Jared grabbed both of Emma’s hands and shook them cheerfully when he heard that she doesn’t participate in cow tipping. “Yey! For a second there I thought you liked doing that. You certainly don’t look the part.” Truly, Emma is a responsible kid, so Jared feels a bit bad for thinking that about her.

“Meh, do I really have to do that?” he smiled, acting cutesy like a little kid who doesn’t want to do his homework. Figuring out that it won’t do him any good, he simply laughed and stood up, stretching his arms and legs as he went to the table. “You know, you really remind me of my brother. You know, having this motherly aura around you,” he chuckled. Calling Jasper a mom was never a good idea. He then picked the book up and turned back to Emma. “Thanks a whole lot. I enjoyed this nice chat so much, Mama Emma. See you soon,” he winked, finding the nickname he gave funny yet somehow true.

He was already a few paces away when he suddenly remembered something important. “Emma!” he laughed, “We haven’t decided where and when we’ll met yet! You know, for our Saturday morning/afternoon excursion.”

[Emma Hayes]

Emma nodded, most of the folks moving into her small town were elderly looking for a peaceful retirement. All the young moved out to find excitement. She couldn't blame them; she had wanted then same thing.

Emma gave Jared a nervous smile, relieved that he seemed to be joking. It's not that she wouldn't like Jared to see her hometown, but that it could easily turn into a disaster. She lived in a very closed minded place. Metas weren't really welcome there. She herself dreaded going back. If she were found out, she knew the result would get violent. Emma couldn't justify bringing back a friend from Hammel under those conditions. Besides, she didn't want anyone here to hear the rumors around town. She'd hate to have Jared think less of her. Maybe someday, when the scandal had passed. "I'm sure there's someplace around here to rent ATV's. I could take you sometime, if you'd like." She suggested, keeping her tone light.

Emma laughed when Jared grabbed her in his excitement. "No, no. It's not at all something I would do." She assured, smiling.

"Well, I suppose there's nothing to make you do your work." She trailed off, faintly grinning. She watched him stand and move towards the table, getting up herself. "It was a pleasure to meet you as well." She grinned more fully at the nickname. "Adios." She waved, deciding she would have to think up a good nickname in return.

She was pushing the chairs back under the table when Jared called back to her. She turned to him, leaning against the back of a chair. "How about 10?" She asked, it seemed early enough to get some time in town but late enough to get to sleep in a little. "We can meet in the courtyard then got to town." She suggested, not having a good enough feel for the place to know anywhere better.

[Jared Park]

“10? On a Saturday?” Jared crinkled his nose for a while, worried that he might not wake up that early come Saturday but too embarrassed to tell Emma that he wakes up so late. After all, he’s the one who invited her over. “I think I’ll manage,” he smiled, making a mental note to sleep early Friday evening and set his alarm as early as 6am. Sorry roomies, you’d have to suffer for a bit. “I’ll be there by 11,” he chuckled, adding that one as a joke but inwardly worrying that it would be the case. He sincerely hopes it won’t be.

“Meh, I don’t think they have ATVs or something around here,” he added, “But if we find one, you’re going to take me, ok? Promise!” He took Emma’s hand and made her do a pinky swear with him. Childish, true, but that’s just the way Jared is. He gave Emma a light squeeze before heading out the library again. “See you Saturday!” he waved, a huge smile plastered across his face.

[Emma Hayes]

"11 then." She agreed. Jared looked at little worried at 10, so Emma was happy to relent to a later time. She reminded herself that not everyone was an early bird. She'd be up at the crack of dawn anyway, so another hour of waiting wouldn't hurt.

Emma had to bite back a grin at the childish gesture. She couldn't remember the last time someone had made her pinky swear. The second grade, maybe? "I promise." She said, holding a hand to her chest as though making a solemn vow.

Emma waved again as Jared scampered out of the library. "Bye!" She called out, a smile firmly planted onto her face. She went about her way out, ready to head to the cafeteria. If you knew her well enough, you may swear that Emma had a bit of spring to her step as she left. For once, since attending Hammel, Emma was excited for the rest of the week.