[@Sakurasan] and [@Saint Girralo]
Nathan took a moment to stop his whistling when a girl got on the bus. She looked a bit younger than him, but nonetheless was very, very cute. She even took the time to smile at everyone on the bus before taking the seat all the way in the back. However, as she walked past him, he noticed that her eyes were slightly watering which didn’t seem to match the rest of her smiling face. Perhaps it was allergies? It didn’t seem like it to him though. It probably was none of his business and she had already sat down and was reading a book, but he still got out of his seat to go talk to her. 

[color=firebrick]”Excuse me, gorgeous,”[/color] he said while sporting his goofy smile. [color=firebrick] “Is this seat taken?”[/color]

 [Color=pink]”Ughh.”[/color] Ami groans and covers her mouth a bit in slight disgust. Her favorite character had just been killed gruesomely. Her head now being dragged along the sidewalk. I really thought that she was going to live.

 She then heard that someone had begun speaking to her and turned her head rather quickly [color=firebrick][i]“-orgeous, is this seat taken?”[/i][/color] hmm… I suppose he had just said gorgeous? He didn't look like the perverts that usually came by her she thought as  she smiled sweetly at him “Ah, no. Of course you may have a seat. Good morning~” 

[color=firebrick][i]”Ah… what a sweet girl,”[/i][/color] Nathan couldn’t help but think to himself. He gratefully took the seat next to her and wondered what to do next. He honestly has never gotten this far before. 

[color=firebrick] “Thank you, kind stranger. My name’s Nathaniel, but I usually go by Nathan. What’s your name?”[/color] he asked, while extending his hand for a handshake.

He was honestly relieved that she seemed okay, but was somewhat disappointed. He didn’t want something bad to have happened to her, but at the same time, he wouldn’t have mind having to play her knight in shining armor. 

 I suppose he is simply an outgoing person that likes to meet new people.
 
[color=pink]“Very nice to meet you Nathaniel.”[/color] She shook his hand and resumed to say her name. [color=pink]“Ami.”[/color] smiling at him while she scooted over a bit, allowing him to have more room. Not that she barely took up her own seat.

 She didn't have a name she went by instead of her actual name. She was usually just called whatever and paid no mind to it.

[color=firebrick] “Nice to meet you too, Ami,”[/color] he returned. Damn it. He really should have thought this through. He glanced over at James who was still asleep, somewhat hoping that his friend would wake up and save him. This was starting to feel awkward. He had to keep the conversation going somehow…

[color=firebrick] “Oh, so you’re probably a student at Millington University too, right? If so, uh, what’s your major? I’m a kinesiology major, myself. Thought about going pre-med, but decided against it.”[/color] Was he talking too much? She doesn’t seem like she would mind though. This girl could actually be the one! The one who finally lets him take her out on a date! 

Okay, so he has had girlfriends before… like in high school. But college girls are apparently a lot harder to impress. He’s been striking out for so long, he forgot that girls could even say the word, “yes”. But he figured he was bound to get a girl to go out with him eventually… maybe it could be today! He was having a really good day so far. Anything seemed possible.

 Smiling brightly, she replied [color=pink]“Yup! I recently moved here and haven't really met anyone though, haha. My major is electrical engineering and computer science.”[/color] People often got the idea that she was an airhead and an idiot when they first met her but that wasn't the case at all. Naïve? A bit. 

 He seemed to be a pretty excitable person as she glanced out the window quickly, realizing that they were almost at the university. Turning back to him, she added. [color=pink]“Do you have classes in the morning?”[/color] 

[color=firebrick] “Wow, that seems like a heavy load,”[/color] he whistled, definitely impressed. [color=firebrick] “So you must be a first year then?”[/color] 

To answer her question, he replied, [color=firebrick] “Yeah, I have biology first then statistics in the afternoon. What about you?”[/color]

He was a bit intimidated by her implied intelligence that came with her major. So not only was she really pretty and nice, but she was apparently smart too? She was definitely [i]way[/i] out of his league. [color=firebrick][i]Maybe she would still accept a date out of pity…”[/i][/color] he thought wistfully. 

Today just wasn't going to be one of James’ days, he could feel it as he woke up well before his alarm would go off. Looking around the bus, James saw his old friend, Nathan, talking to some girl, and knowing his luck, he was going to strike out. [color=FF3030][i]Better go save my hopeless friend before he embarrasses himself.[/i][/color]

Tossing his backpack over his shoulder, he carefully made his way to the two. [color=FF3030] “Nathan, harassing some poor girl? Have you no shame?” [/color] He asks jokingly. [color=FF3030] “I'm James, James Reese, by the way.” [/color] he added, offering his hand to the girl his friend was talking to. 

 Nathan frowned as his friend accused him of harassing Ami and poked James in the sides. [color=firebrick] “Just so you know, we were having a nice conversation! Right, Ami?”[/color] he turned to the girl to help defend his case. 

 Ami was about to respond when she noticed a man coming over to him. She then noticed that they both appeared to be older than her. Once he mentioned harassment, her eyes went a bit wider. She knew what “harassment” was and this wasn’t even close. She smiled at the man kindly as she took his hand, shaking it gently as she chuckled a bit. [color=pink]“Haha, of course not. It’s just as he says. We were simply talking, would you like to join in? As he says, my name is Ami Miyasaki. It’s nice to meet you.”[/color] Her voice was as gentle as always as she let go of his hand. Harassment, huh. How funny, as if he was harassing her.
  
James reacted with a light yelp as he jumped back after Nathan poked him in the side unexpectedly. But he stepped back toward the two, knowing Nathan very well and Ami seemed friendly enough. As Ami let go of his hand, he let it drop to his side, and grabbed onto one of the hand holds on the bus. He smiled a tired, but genuine smile.
[color=FF3030] “It's nice to meet you Ami, the two of you should stop by the diner sometime, it'll give us a chance to catch up, Nathan, and give the two of you a chance to get to know each other better. So what were you talking about before I came back here?”[/color] James yawned. 

 Ami thought about this offer. Did he know that I was hungry? Oh! This must be one of those friendship making dinners! [color=pink]“That would be wonderful! So all three of us? I would be delighted~”[/color] Looking at James and back to Nathan. She smiled chipperly. Happy that she would be able to make 2 new friends. However, it might have appeared to be that she was happy to receive the invite from James… Oblivious to what he was attempting to do. She had zero experience with dating and love. Zero. Nein. No. The only romance books she read were where the heroine either got killed or killed the lover. 
 
Nathan’s face lit up with delight. If he could communicate telepathically with James, he would say, [color=firebrick][i]”Thanks bro! I owe you big time! You are the best! I will name my first-born son after you!”[/i][/color] or something along those lines. 

But unfortunately, she didn’t seem to get the idea. [color=firebrick]”Uh… yeah… the three of us… but James has to work… so...hm…”[/color] he stammered, trying to keep the dinner to just the two of them. He looked at James with wide eyes, begging him to help out once again. [color=firebrick][i]”My first two sons will be named after you…”[/i][/color]

James felt instantly bad about the confusion the Ami had with his statement. [color=FF3030] “Yeah, usually when I'm not at home or the university, you can find me working at the family restaurant, the Queen’s Orchid. I'm usually there from right after class straight through to closing time.” [/color] he sighed, then thinking of something. [color=FF3030] “Just ask for me. It's not quite like I'm sitting down to dinner with the two of you, but you'll get guaranteed good service, and my brother, Riley is a great cook. That's really the best I can offer.”[/color] James yawned again, he was run down and barely scraping by with how much energy he's been burning. 

 Ami frowned a bit at hearing the name. She had just been there and may have been seen as extremely rude to the workers there but what got to her more was his lack of energy. [color=pink]“That’s nice, thank you… Are you alright? Not enough sleep, eh?”[/color] She then took out a pouch and shuffled through it until she found a pack of peppermints. Smiling at him she handed him two pieces. [color=pink]“Here! Not much but they always wake me up a bit when i’m tired and I always get the extra minty ones! Oh! We’ve arrived!”[/color] Ami stood up, beginning to walk towards the exit. She turned back around before she left [color=pink]“Make sure to sleep a bit, hehe.”[/color] She chuckled [color=pink]“See you  around Nathan, James!”[/color] With that she waved to them and went towards the university.

 She was pretty happy. She was able to meet two new people that seemed very nice.

 Nathan sighed as Ami walked away. He sunk into his seat for a moment before remembering that he had to get off at this stop for school. [color=firebrick] “Well… that’s definitely not a girl I’m going to win over,”[/color] he said and placed an arm around James. [color=firebrick]”But you, my friend seem to have a better chance.” [/color] He chuckled, somewhat disappointed but amused at the turn of events. [color=firebrick] “Even without the girl, I’m still invited to drop by the diner right?”[/color]

James grinned, [color=FF3030] “Yeah of course, but don't count yourself out yet. You know I'm too busy to go around dating at the moment, and she'll figure that out herself.” [/color] He sighed as he looked at the mint Ami dropped into his hand. He opened the wrapper and popped the mint into his mouth, and stood up. [color=FF3030] “Come on or we'll be late for class.” [/color]

[color=firebrick] “Well, she seems like a really nice girl, you might find yourself reconsidering that policy,”[/color] Nathan said before getting up as well. [color=firebrick] “I’ll walk you to class, princess,”[/color] he teased. He allowed James to get off the bus before him.

James felt his face grow red at Nathan calling him princess, but didn't react otherwise. It was just Nathan being Nathan. But nevertheless he didn't argue his friend as he walked to his class room, room 219. [color=FF3030] “If I had the time, and the energy, I probably would reconsider the policy, but the diner needs me right now, just as it needs Sophia and Riley. But I'm flattered that you think I have a chance anyway.” [/color]

Nathan smirked at his friend’s blushing face. [color=firebrick] “You really need to take a break once in a while. We’re young. we’re in our prime. If you’re not looking for a serious relationship, at least come out with me to meet cute girls,”[/color] Soon enough they had arrived at James’ class. [color=firebrick] “See you later, man!”[/color] he said, waving bye to his friend before heading towards his own class.

The teacher was already in the classroom at her desk. [color=FF00FF] "Mr. Reese, can I talk to you for a moment?" [/color]

James set his backpack down at his seat and continued to the teacher's desk, nervous about whatever it was the teacher was about to ask him about. Was there an issue with his homework from last time?

[color=FF3030] "Was there an issue with my classwork or homework, Professor?" [/color]

[color=FF00FF] "No, Mr. Reese, there wasn't. I want to talk because I'm concerned about you. I know things have been rough since your parents passed..." [/color]

[color=FF3030] "I'm fine, Professor, don't worry about me, just my classwork and homework. I know I look tired and worn out, and I'll take less courses. I want to thank you for your concern." [/color] James cut the professor off, a slight edge to his voice. He had an idea where the conversation would head and it was not something he was quite ready for, especially not from someone else. [color=FF3030] "Is that all?" [/color]

[color=FF00FF] "Yes, Mr. Reese, you may return to your seat.” [/color]