Prompt | Centred Around A Side-Character

Ninjago OC's

Features Kat from Project Artificial Love

💞 -🍁 - 💞

Meeting Mina was a result of peer pressure. Sorry, that sounds bad but it's true. Gwen had told me very aggressively that I needed more than one friend. I then pointed out that I had been friends with Jason since grade school. Gwen then informed me of how much she hated Jason so I needed to make a new friend other than Jason.

"I don't need to," I said as firmly as I could even though I knew it would never work on Gwen. "I met you, I don't need anyone else."

"You're only friends with me because I refused to let you walk away without my phone number." Gwen rolled her eyes. "And even then you thought I was coming onto you."

"No one asks that insistently for someone's contact information unless they have a crush!"

Unfortunately for me things rarely go my way. Gwen was pushy and I was never very good at putting my foot down. So, two days later I found myself going to lunch with Gwen and a girl she had harassed in her physics class.

"Kit-Kat this is Mina, Mina this is Kit-Kat." Gwen motioned to the two of us with an exaggerated arm movement. Mina smiled kindly at me. She was of average height with a stockier body than long-legged Gwen, deep brown eyes, and a charming dimple on the side of her mouth.

"Hi," She said sweetly.

I coughed. "Uh- it's actually Kat." I quickly told her so she didn't think my parents named me after a candy bar.

"That makes more sense." Mina laughed.

Now, it wasn't love at first sight or anything. Mina and I were just friends for a while. We hung out, I was comfortable enough to burp around her, and eventually, we all decided to be housemates. Everything was casual, no crushing on her from afar or anything. We've both dated before. She had been with Ali for four months and I went out for a few weeks with a girl named Elena. (Elena had ended up being a little obsessive about it everything so Gwen helped chase her away)

Then one day, I don't know, I guess I just started paying more attention to the little things. Like how pretty she looked in soft pink and how her love for  Ghibli films was kind of adorable. All these tiny things began to stack up and suddenly I saw her through a whole new lens.

And that was one of the scariest things I had ever felt.

Now, my enraged mother is the first thing on that list but that's unimportant.

"Hey Kat," Mina greeted me when she walked into the living area. She always made sure to say hi even if she was in a rush. "How was your exam?"

"It was okay," I tried to ignore my thudding heart and focused on glaring at my cup. "Uh... would you like some tea?"

Mina thought for a moment before nodding. "Sure."

I forced a smile and rushed away to quickly get the flush off my face before she noticed. Mina preferred berry tea which is freaking disgusting but I put some in any way because I loved the little smile she always wore whenever she drank it. My green tea glared at me from the basket in betrayal but I quickly shoved it back in the cupboard before I could feel any more stupid. The water boiled and I poured it in, waiting for the teabag to soak before handing the cup to her.

"Here," I grunted, sinking onto the couch and taking a long sip. I hid a grimace behind the rim as she breathed in the scent, the steam rising in her face.

She hummed and closed her eyes, her body relaxing into the cushions. "Mm! Thank you, Kat."

"No problem." I hope I didn't sound too strangled.

Thankfully, Gwen came to my rescue by entering the house and tripping over her shoes that she left out. I had never been more appreciative of her messy habits.

"Ow!"

Mina and I snickered, snorting even louder when Gwen raised her head to glare at us. She huffed and shucked off her sweater. I'm not sure how she can wear stuff like that. It was thick and covered in multicoloured Pompoms.

"Oh! You're having tea!" Gwen's eyes brightened when she walked in. "What kind?"

"I think it's that wild berry flavour we got last week." Mina looked at me for confirmation. I nodded.

Gwen raised an eyebrow. Oh, shoot- I shrunk under her calculating look. She doesn't notice I got glasses but she notices this!??

"I thought you didn't like the berry tea, Kat," Gwen said, feigning disinterest as she sat down slowly.

"I-I don't," I muttered.

"You yelled at me last time when I gave you some!"

Mina looked at me. "Oh, I forgot that you didn't like it. I'm sorry-"

"It's fine." I interrupted, glaring at Gwen. She smirked. I really do hate her. I glowered behind my cup, having tiny sips of my drink.

Mina was unaware of our silent staring contest and got up to do her assignment. She adjusted her hijab carefully and checked with Gwen that it wasn't askew before moving upstairs without another word. As soon as Mina was gone Gwen leaped across the living space and crashed onto the seat beside me, making the whole couch jostle.

"Quit it!" I hissed, the tea in my mug swayed dangerously.

"Oh my gosh!" Gwen prodded me with her finger. "You have a crush!"

"I don't!" I squeaked.

Gwen gave me a look.

"Okay fine!" I rented. Because I'm weak- "I have a crush but you can't say anything to her-"

"Who is it?" Gwen interrupted excitedly.

Wait.

What?

"Don't you know?" I asked carefully.

Gwen shook her head. "I can see you've been extra nice lately. It's very unusual. People are only really nice when they're in love. Or when they're genuinely nice people but that's a rare thing." Gwen rambled absently. "But I don't know who yet."

Oh, thank FSM! She doesn't know! She looked at me expectantly. Crud. I'll have to throw her off my scent.

"Well, I can't tell you," I sniffed, turning my nose away from her.

Gwen pouted. "Why not? I'm your best friend!"

I scoffed but then she looked genuinely hurt so I quickly smothered the noise with a hacking noise. "Sorry, went down the wrong pipe." I rasped. She nodded in understanding.

Man, my acting skills are on point!

"I just..." I looked down at my tea and chewed on my lip. "I'm embarrassed."

Gwen's eyes rounded. "But you told me about Elena."

"Look where that went," I muttered. Gosh, she had been crazy. There was so much screaming.

Two hands slapped themselves onto my cheeks and I jumped when I found myself nose-to-nose with Gwen. "You." She said very insistently. "Are amazing. Elena was horrible. You deserve the best of the best and you have no reason to be embarrassed unless it's the normal embarrassment that comes with a crush because if you're embarrassed because you think you're unworthy then I won't stand for it because you're awesome sauce and you've always been there for me and you make me happy every single day!"

Most of that went through one ear and then out the other but I got the gist of it.

"Thanks, Gweny," I said softly.

Gwen beamed at me, patting me lightly on the cheek and finally releasing my face. "Now," she stood. "I need to have a shower because I stink so I hope your self-esteem has been boosted by today's daily positivity."

"It has," I told her very seriously.

"Good." She looked satisfied. Gwen planted one last kiss on my forehead to annoy me before running chaotically up the stairs, tripping on the steps as she went.

I shook my head and traced the rim of my cup with my finger. I may not be able to tell Mina about my feelings today. I may not ever. But at least I have Gwen.

NOTE***
Kat needs some love so I gave him lots. 😂

Lucky🐞