(Jay's POV; song for this chapter: "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys)

This was a stupid idea. I don't know that I can do a fake relationship with Nya; it just makes me realize what we might have. Then again, this might be my only chance to ever show her what a great boyfriend I could be. It's times like this I really wish my mom was around. She'd know what to do. Then again, maybe I do have her around...just through music.

"Yeah, oh yeah,

You are my fire,

The one desire.

Believe me when I say,

'I want it that way.'

But we are two worlds apart.

Can't reach to your heart

When you say

That I want it that way."

I mean, at least the song describes my feelings.

Right now, I'm waiting for Nya to get out of class so we can walk to lunch together. Cole is giving me an odd look.

"So, you and Nya, huh?" he asks.

I swallow. I've never been good at lying, especially to my best friend. "Yup."

"How'd you finally get the guts to ask her out?"

"I didn't," I say, glad for a chance to finally tell the truth. "She asked me."

He raises his eyebrows. "Hasn't she always been into Lloyd?"

I shrug nervously. "They're best friends. It doesn't mean she likes him." I cough. "I mean, she obviously doesn't like him. She's dating me."

"Uh-huh. Spill."

I sigh. "Fine. Nya needs me to be her fake boyfriend so Kai will let her hang out with Lloyd."

He blinks. "Okay. That's a lot to take in."

"I know," I moan. "Imagine me this morning, when out of the blue she says we're dating."

"Tell me why

Ain't nothing but a heartache.

Tell me why

Ain't nothing but a mistake.

Tell me why

I never wanna hear you say

'I want it that way.'"

"But you really like Nya," Cole frowns. "What if you get really hurt when she's done with you?"

"What if this is my only chance?"

"Look, Jay, I just want you to be happy. You should be with someone who really likes you."

"Hey!" I scold him. "Maybe she does really like me."

Cole rolls his eyes.

"Wow, buddy, feeling the love," I grouch.

Just as I'm about to chew him out, the door to the classroom opens. Nya pours out the door, smiling when she sees me. "Hey, Jay. Glad to see you're waiting for me." Then, suddenly noticing Cole's presence, she presses her lips to my cheek in a baby-soft kiss. I will never get used to that.

"You don't have to pretend, Nya," Cole groans. "I already know."

"Know what?"

"Oh, please. No one's really going to believe you and Jay are dating."

"And why is that?" she asks defensively.

"Seriously? I'm the guy's best friend. I know he's a loser."

"Jay's not a loser," she rolls her eyes.

Wait...is she sticking up for me?

"He's super funny and cute, and I think it's really sweet he's doing this for me." She shoots me a wink, causing me to blush.

And...she thinks I'm cute!

"Whatever," Cole chuckles. "Just be careful with the guy. Sometimes, he gets too wrapped up in fantasies to know what's real."

"Jay'll be just fine," she smiles. "I'm going to help him get the girl of his dreams to go out with him. There won't be any heartbreaking here, don't worry!"

"The girl of his dreams?" Cole questions.

"Yep. You think I'd really fake date him if I thought I might break his heart?"

"I guess not." Cole starts walking toward the cafeteria. As Nya grabs my hand and pulls me along, Cole mouths over his shoulder, "Clueless."

I sigh. Yup, she really thinks I'm not into her, and she's certainly not into me.

"Am I your fire,

The one, yeah, desire?

Yes, I know that it's too late,

But I want it that way.

Tell me why

Ain't nothing but a heartache.

Tell me why

Ain't nothing but a mistake.

Tell me why

'Cause I never wanna hear you say,

'I want it that way.'"

Oh, this could get really bad, really fast.

***(Nya's POV)***

I don't know why Cole's upset about Jay and me fake dating. This benefits us both...I think. Taking my seat at a cafeteria table, I see Lloyd cast a questioning glance at me. Then, when I look up at him, he frowns and furiously eats his noodles.

Ugh, I still haven't gotten the chance to tell him about the arrangement Jay and I made. Something tells me he's not going to be happy about it.

"So, Lloyd," I try, "how was class?"

He shrugs. "Meh. I wasn't paying much attention."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I can read between the lines of what he says. He couldn't focus because he was upset about what happened earlier.

"Now I can see that we've fallen apart

From the way that it used to be, yeah.

No matter the distance, I want you to know

That deep down inside of me,

You are my fire,

The one desire.

You are..."

You know, sometimes, it's really hard to have friends. I feel guilty, knowing I'm hurting Lloyd.

"Do you have a minute to talk?" I ask him.

"I'm eating noodles."

"That's never stopped you before."

He thinks. "Well, actually, when we went full-commando on Master Chen – "

"You know what I mean, Lloyd."

He sighs. "Why don't you talk to Jay about it? You seem pretty close to him lately."

Um, wow. That sounded pretty bitter. I look over at Jay to see him pretending to ignore us. He's doing a horrible job, though.

"Lloyd, I'll pull out the big guns."

"Like what?" he challenges.

"I have cherry licorice with me."

He scoots back his chair. "Five minutes. Let's get this over with."

I follow him out into the hall. Once we're safely out of earshot, I say, "You can blow up now."

And that, he does. "What on earth is going on, Nya Smith? Last night, when I checked, you said nothing was going on between you and Jay. Nothing! But I've seen the way he's been looking at you all day, and you up and told Kai you two were dating. Don't you think your best friend deserves to know that kind of thing? And I would've totally freaked out about you being outside with me all night, if I were in his place."

"We didn't do anything," I cut in.

"No, but we totally could've! If Jay isn't man enough to call you out for that, you shouldn't be dating him. I don't care if he looks at you like you're his world!" He throws his arms in the air and heaves a sigh.

"Can I talk now?" I ask.

"Yes."

"We're not actually dating," I start. However, Lloyd takes that one phrase and runs with it.

"Oh, so you weren't dating last night, you were this morning, and you're not now, even though you just held hands with the guy through the lunch line? You really think I buy that?"

"Calm down! You're starting to sound like Kai."

"That's another thing," Lloyd frowns. "There has to be something up! There's no way Kai would let you date, especially if it's a nerd like Jay who's definitely not your type!"

"Um, that's exactly the kind of guy he would theoretically want me to date. He doesn't want me to get attached. And who said Jay isn't my type?" I retort, swatting Lloyd's hand.

His mouth opens and closes.

"Now, will you let me get my story out? Jay and I are just pretending to date so you and I can still hang out."
"That's just plain selfish!" Lloyd moans, facepalming. "Jay's always had a huge crush on you. If you fake date, he might fall head over heels. Then what happens when you drop him without a care?"

"Lloyd!" I gasp, wounded. Like I would do that to Jay! "Don't you see what I'm doing for us? Kai would've had your head on a platter. He would've sent me off to a nunnery."

"And now, Jay's going to have a broken heart, too?" Lloyd spits, disgusted.

"Jay doesn't have feelings for me!"

"Have you ever asked him?"

"Well, n-no," I stammer. "But I promised him I'd set him up with his dream girl in return for helping me. That has to mean there's someone else."

"Does it?" Lloyd asks. We stare each other down.

"Don't wanna hear you say

Ain't nothing but a heartache (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah).

Don't wanna hear you say

Ain't nothing but a mistake (don't wanna hear you say).

Tell me why

I never wanna hear you say,

'I want it that way,'

'Cause I want it that way."

Lloyd finally cracks, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Look, Nya, I know you think this is an innocent plan. I won't blame you anymore for what has happened. However, it's your fault if someone gets hurt because of this. Don't do that to Jay." Pulling me to him, he plants a tiny kiss on top of my head. "And don't do that to yourself."

Must...process. Best friend...may be...more? "Oh, um...okay."

He releases me. "Think about what I said."
I nod numbly. "Sure. Talk to you later." And my stupid legs walk in the opposite direction of the cafeteria.

***Well, there's chapter 5! This story's writing itself. I honestly never expected Lloya to even make an entrance in this fanfiction...but I thought it might add an interesting angle. Don't hate me, Jaya is still my OTP ;) ***