~Part 16.5 ~ | 15K Bonus Scene

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** Get This Right (Frozen II Outtakes) **
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"I wanna get this right, baby
Wanna thrill you in the way deserve.
Wanna blow your mind, darling
I'm just having trouble getting up the nerve."

~ Jonathan Groff and Kristen Bell

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This chapter is dedicated to my amazing readers! Thank you for getting me to my goal of 15K reads!

I had decided not to put this part in the actual book because I didn't know how to fit it in nicely at the time. There are a few scenes I had left out of Fractured that I wish I had added in so I decided to write one of them here!

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Asking someone on a date is hard enough as it is. Asking someone on a date when your overprotective older brother was standing over your shoulder was even harder.

Nya watched Jay over her textbook, subtlety flicking her gaze up to watch him as he sketched out a new invention in his notebook. Nya loved how his nose wrinkled, how his little freckles become more prominent when he did, and how he stuck his tongue out of the corner of his mouth when he drew a particularly big line, his lightning blue eyes narrowed with focus. He was adorable and handsome and so different from the roguish, obnoxious, young men she knew from her hometown. There was something so freeing about Jay, it was like he gave her the breeze she needed to take flight. While the other people in her life had been the weights that pulled her down.

Life in Ignacia had always been about what she couldn't do. Whereas Wu's school represented what she could. Nya hadn't been allowed to join the Ignacia football team because they thought she'd only get in the way. She sat out during the dragon cart races because they needed someone to "cheer on the sidelines." She was forced out of her first school dance because she showed up in a tuxedo and the teacher's believed it just "wasn't done." Time and time again Nya was told she couldn't do this or couldn't do that but she kept pushing.

Kai would try his best to help and understand but it wasn't the same. He was the ladies' man, the kid every student loved and every adult hated. Sure, he got detention and was often picked on by the teacher's but he was also first chosen for every game and every sport. First invited to every party and first to try a million different things that were then deemed 'cool.' While Kai was taking short-cuts and pressing buttons, Nya pushed to ace every test, nail every assignment, and win every competition she could get her hands on. But matter what she did Kai always came on top and Nya always hit rock bottom.

When they got invited to Wu's school Nya didn't have high hopes that anything would change. But then Jay stumbled in with his goofy laughs and shy smiles. He broke down the walls she put around herself and healed the scars she wore like armour. He made her laugh in ways she never had before, feel emotions she thought had been lost forever and spread a warm tingly feeling that she had chained up inside because, "Nya, you deserve happiness too."

Suddenly, winning seemed less important. Nya's competitive streak remained but it was numbed by a new yearning. The wish to be liked. Liked in ways that Nya had never even considered before, cared for as if she was the most precious thing in the world and loved so deeply that someone must have been struck by Cupid's arrow.

These were words pulled out of fairytales, childish stories that Nya's practical mind had given up long ago. Yet, here she was hiding behind a book like a lovesick teenager, trying to work up the courage to ask Jay out.

He's just a boy, Nya scolded herself. Just a stupid, sweet boy. Nya exhaled loudly, scowling a little as she glared at the words on the page.

This is so dumb.

Nya was about to throw the book on the ground and march over when an arm looped its way over her shoulders and a familiar voice spoke into her ear.

"What are you doing, sis?"

Nya snapped the book shut with a slam, making Kai jumped beside her. "Sheesh! I was just asking!" He held his hands up in surrender. The dark-haired girl was well aware that the rest of their friends were looking at them curiously now. Well, Cole wasn't. He was more focused on getting the last crumbs out of his chip bag.

Well, this is just perfect. Nya thought sarcastically to herself. Now I can just ask Jay on a date with everyone staring at us.

"Shouldn't you be doing your essay?" Nya said smoothly, looking stubbornly at Kai instead of a certain blue gaze.

"Ugh, I am! I'm just taking a break!" Kai huffed, slouching down in the seat.

"Maybe you should relax a little too," Cole suggested. Nya curled her lip at him and Cole flinched a little. "Uh- I didn't mean that in an offensive way- I just mean- I guess I thought-"

"It's good for everyone to take a mental break every once in and while. You work hard every day, Nya, Cole was simply saying that you deserve to treat yourself with some self-love." Zane said with a gentle smile. He always had a way with words, talking calmly but not in a condescending way.

Nya found her shoulders fall and she became less tense, a sheepish smile on her face. Maybe this whole 'asking out' thing was more stressful than she anticipated. Zane was probably right about taking a break. If Nya unwound and relaxed she may gain some more confidence.

"I think I'm going to turn in early," Nya told them, gathering her things and shoving her binder into her bag.

"Are you okay?" Jay asked her, his eyes wide with concern. Nya's heart fluttered a little and she had to stamp down a blush.

"I'm good, thank you." Nya forced herself to reply casually. "I think I need some sleep."

"Night, sis." Kai barely glanced up from where he was watching Cole play a game on his phone.

Nya placed her hands on her hips and wagged a finger at him. "Make sure you get that essay done, mister." She looked at the rest of the group. "And don't distract him!"

"Yes ma'am!" Jay saluted at her.

She waved goodbye before walking to the dorms. The hall light was usually left on so she had no problem getting there, despite how dark it was outside. Nya turned the handle and pushed inside. Lloyd was startled from where he was on the bed, a caught expression on his face as he tried to shove the Princess Cupcake graphic novel under his pillow.

"Don't embarrass yourself further, I already know you read those." Nya rolled her eyes, dropping her bag on the floor by her bed and flopping onto the mattress with a thump.

Lloyd awkwardly took it back out but didn't resume reading it. He looked curiously at her, head tilting like a confused puppy. He was wearing faded pyjamas with his green hoodie overtop, the green hood pulled over his head, tufts of blonde hair sticking out over his forehead.

"Lloyd," Nya said softly. She pulled at the hem of her blanket absently. Her roommate hummed in response. "Have you ever...." She swallowed. "Asked anyone out?"

The blonde boy snorted. "I lived in a homophobic all-boys boarding school. Of course not."

"Have you ever considered asking someone out?"

Lloyd was quiet for a moment. "Nya-"

"Humour me for a moment?" She pleaded.

Lloyd groaned. "I don't think-"

"Did you think about asking Mark out?" Nya cut in.

He blew a raspberry in annoyance, shoulders slouching. "Sometimes. I guess when I told him I liked him I thought I could maybe ask him out. I dunno."

Nya shifted, placing her head on her hand thoughtfully. "Has anyone asked you out? Other than Jerk-Name."

Lloyd sputtered. "Why are you interrogating me on my love life? Is this about Jay?"

Nya promptly ignored his questions, pressing him with a look.

"Ugh. Fine. There was this one girl, Dylan. We used to hang out with a few other kids in our free time and she liked me or something so she asked me out." Lloyd scowled like he couldn't believe he was saying this to her. He shouldn't be so surprised considering Nya was very good at persuading people to talk.

"Was it a good asking out or was it awkward?" Nya pressed.

"She was kind of violent and I ended up getting a massive bruise, so I wouldn't say it was good." He winced and rolled his shoulder with a shiver.

Nya pouted. "Oh."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "You never answered my question."

Nya played dumb. "You asked a question?"

"Nya."

"Oh right. Well, I wasn't interrogating you per se-"

"Nya."

"Alright! It's about Jay!" Nya admitted begrudgingly.

There was an uncomfortable silence as they tried to work out what to say next.

"It's very modern of you." Lloyd offered you. "Asking him out instead of waiting for him to ask you out? And considering how awkward he is I think you'd have to wait a long time."

Nya gave a dramatic sigh. "I just don't know how!"

"Oh." Lloyd's eyes flicked around. "Uh. To be honest, I don't know how either."

Nya glared at him. "You're a terrible wingman."

"Ouch," Lloyd said but he didn't sound like he cared that much.

Nya groaned again, rolling over so she was facedown in the bed again. It had become a common occurrence in their dorm. "Best friends are supposed to be helpful."

"Well, I came free so you're getting what you paid for. Besides, I guarantee I'm at least slightly better than Kai." Lloyd joked.

Nya slowly raised her right hand. At first, she just shook her fist at him but then a certain finger was raised.

"Hey!" Lloyd gasped, offended.

There was another pause before Lloyd talked again, this time his voice was quiet.

"Look, I know you're nervous but I can promise you that Jay is a thousand times more. Not because your scary- even though you are but for some reason, he can ignore that- but because he really likes you. He's completely head over heels and if you asked him out, awkward or not, he would say yes." Nya turned her head to look at him. Lloyd looked at her, his expression was soft and his eyes genuine.

Nya smiled. "Thanks, Lloyd."

"You're welcome." Lloyd leaned back against his pillows. "Now, helpful advice is an added cost so-" There was a loud shriek as Nya lunged at him to poke at his sides.

******

Jay muttered under his breath as he struggled to straighten out his notes, the papers went flying everywhere each time he tried to reorganize them. The rest of the class had left, leaving Jay alone in the classroom or at least he thought everyone had left. Jay had been picking up a page from the ground when a pair of blue sneakers appeared in his vision. Jay looked up in surprise.

"Oh," he tried not to gape like a fish. "Hey, Nya."

She looked a little anxious. "Hi, Jay." She swallowed. "Need some help?"

"Um- sure." Jay stood, placing the page on his desk.

Nya gathered the pages together then tapped them gently against the desktop, holding them loosely in her hands so they turned. When she was done the papers were perfectly in place.

"Thank you." Jay smiled at her. Then he quickly stopped, looking away and hiding his face behind his binder. Cole told Jay he always had a dreamy expression when he looked at her. He didn't want Nya to be creeped out.

"Uh, so Jay I was wondering about something for a little while," Nya said suddenly, her finger tracing over the edge of the desk nervously.

"Oh? Okay." Jay looked at her expectantly.

It was hard to imagine Nya wondering about anything. She always seemed to have the answers. Maybe she was hoping he'd help with dishes again. If she asked he definitely would just so he could hang out with her alone. Cole thought it was really obvious but hopefully, the rest of them assumed Jay liked cleaning. Though, the state of his room went against that idea-

"Would you like to go out with me?"

Holy first spinjitzu master-

Jay sort of stared at her. Oh no, he was fish gaping again and he was pretty sure his eyes were doing the bugged-out thing as well. Jay tried to say something but all that came out was an embarrassing squeak. Nya giggled a little, shyly tucking a stray hair behind her ear and- was she blushing???

"We could always take the truck out to Ninjago City, get away from the others for a little bit and get some ice cream or something. Nothing to fancy, just a casual date." Nya continued, her gaze settled somewhere behind Jay as she talked as if she couldn't look at him.

"A- a date?" Jay stuttered.

Yes, a date! That's what she just said, idiot!

"Yeah," she closed her eyes then opened them again, standing a little straighter. "Yes." She repeated more confidently, making eye contact.

Ohmygohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod-

"Yes!" Jay blurted out a little too enthusiastically. He mentally facepalmed and then actually facepalmed.

Nya laughed her perfect laugh, taking his wrist to stop him from hitting himself in the forehead again and gently pulling it away from his face. Jay was frozen, staring at her in awe as she looked at him fondly.

"Yes to the date?" She teased lightly.

Jay nodded jerkily.

"Great." Nya, let go of his wrist and Jay did a double-take before he let it drop by his side. She sent him a little wink, making his heart stutter and his breath stop. "Is tomorrow good? We'll go after dinner."

Jay did another over-aggressive nod before she began to leave. That's what he had assumed she was going to do but then Nya did something that he never would've ever expected.

She kissed him.

On the cheek.

The touch was soft and hesitant and it disappeared just as quick as it came but it was sweet and purposeful and perfect in every way.

Jay suddenly felt very light-headed.

Nya's eyes widened as well as if she had surprised herself as well. Her cheeks reddened and she rushed out quickly. "See you later, Jay!" Her voice was a little strangled as she disappeared around the corner.

Jay stared at where she had been, a land slowly moving to his cheek.

"Oh my god." He said breathlessly, his hands flew to the sides of his face.

Another pause.

"Oh my god."

NOTE*****
Wow! I had a lot of fun doing this bonus scene! I love cute Jaya moments and always felt disappointed I wasn't able to include this scene before!

Another bonus scene I plan on doing is Zane revealing that he has amnesia to the rest of the group. I had also left out that scene in the book so adding it in will help people be less confused.

Thank you for helping me reach my goal! I never imagined I'd get to 15K reads on a book! Heck, I got so excited when I got to 100 on my first book.

I'm currently travelling for the afternoon so I have to get going. Thank you for reading!

LuckyBugBooks 🐞