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James was running late because he had been caught up in writing his lesson plans for the English classes he would be helping teach at Meadowview when school began. It showed in the way he skidded through the door, bag hastily slung over his shoulder and stuffed with folders and papers. He was panting and his hair was sticking to his face from sweat, clearly he rushed over when he realized how late he was running.

"Ruthie!" He exclaimed when he found her. He hurried over, plopping his bag on the seat with a big grin on his face. "Sorry about getting here late, working on stuff in preparation for the new semester," he apologized, gesturing to the bag. "Gimme a sec to grab a drink and we can start catching up?" He didn't wait for an answer though before he disappeared to the barista counter.

A quick coffee order and drink making later he was scurrying back over to the table his classmate resided at. He set his drink on the table, pulled out a chair and sat himself down. "So, Ruthie. It's been ages. What have you been up to?"

He hadn't seen her since summer break started. It was his own fault really, having spent several months as a recluse and even before then he'd be sparse. He was finally recovering from the missing civilian space fiasco two years prior. He hadn't mentioned it to her, nor had would he.

"Writers block blows," he commented with a sigh. He'd been dealing with his own for close to two years. It was hard to write when you were convinced that nobody would believe what you wanted to write and you were convinced that the backlash would be life threatening. "Haven't written anything creative in ages. Mostly just lesson plans," he admitted.

He laughed at the enthusiasm she showed when asking about his life. "Nah, nothing exciting. Not recently." He shrugged. "Been a bit of a shut in." James kept to himself most of the time. "But I did recently pick photography again. Did a photoshoot for the humane society. Might have some photography work with them and their wildlife department."

He shook his head when she mentioned 'girlfriend'. "Hard to have a significant other when you don't really go out."

James offered Ruthie a forced smile at her insistence on him needing a girl in his life. "I dunno Ruthie," he shook his head, playing with the cup in his hands. "I don't really want a girlfriend. I've got too much going on, I mean I should be starting grad school soon and get my teaching degree," he explained. "Plus I've got a lot to reflect on. I've lost track of how much has happened in the last two years.

I don't think I want the stress of a relationship, too complicated with everything going on right now. The city is in chaos and I haven't got the slightest idea who is even dateable." He began to feel as though he was rambling.

When photography became the focus of their conversation, he was thankful. "Sure, I could do that." He offered a more genuine smile this time. "Be good for my portfolio."

He shrugged, "If it happens, then it happens Ruthie." He was in no rush to get involved with someone. Besides, he was picky and it required meeting and interacting with new people which wouldn't be bad but he didn't have time for it. "I'm not going to rush into anything for the sake of being in a relationship."

James could be a fairly rational person, in the right circumstances.

He laughed at her as her enthusiasm was overwhelming, nearly embarrassing. "Okay, okay. Don't tell Yahya," he told her finishing off his latte. He had said the name reflexively. He knew she likely wouldn't know the boy. He was more of a hermit than James had been! "He's, uh, the guy I was working with at the humane society," he added quickly. "Wildlife are his thing I guess." He shrugged glancing over to the coffee bar.

"I think I want another drink. Want one?" Quick! Topic diversion!

"He's mostly just an acquaintance," James said quickly. Oh, he really shouldn't have brought the dude up in conversation. "He's the guy I worked with when doing the charity shoots for the adoption page. I told him I'd come back and do a shoot with the wildlife sometime." He shrugged because really, it wasn't a big deal. "He get's really caught up in his work so we haven't talked recently."

He pushed his chair in and took a few steps away. "Do you want it hot again?" He asked tilting his head slightly. He only waited a second for her answer before he was skittering off to the counter. He ordered quickly, glad to have escaped the conversation for a moment.

It wasn't that he didn't like Ruthie, because they were friends, but sometimes her prying could be tiring. He returned with their drinks and settled into his seat. "So Ruthie, do you have a love interest I need to know about?"

Now it was James' turn to reveal in Ruthie's embarrassment. "Oh come on Ruthie! No boy's caught your eye?" He laughed, teasing her playfully. "It's okay, we can be awkwardly single together. I hear we have more fun," he paused, winking at her. "Single people that is. No obligations, no ties just whatever we want."

Being single was exhausting though, but he figured being in a relationship was just as exhausting just a little less lonely.

"I figure the right person will come along sometime," he shrugged sipping from his straw. "Why waste your time chasing people you're only half-interested in?" He didn't see much adventure in that.

"You can date and not commit," he retorted swirling his drink with his straw. "You shouldn't have to worry about courage Ruthie," James assured her, baffled by the idea that she needed to try and catch someone's eye. "You're gorgeous and if anyone tells you otherwise, well they're a filthy liar." He liked to compliment people and he'd be damned if he let anyone wallow in self-pity because someone with low self-esteem lashed out at them.

James knew how to flirt too, but it didn't mean he was good at it.

"Life's an adventure and you should live it to the fullest." He'd begun to babble. "If you don't take advantage of it now, you won't have the chance later. If you see an opportunity worth taking then you take it. Don't wait." He'd slammed his hands on the table at this point. "Don't wait Ruthie."