Jay's POV

Is it bad to freak out over a sweatshirt? In my case, yes.

I mean, I made the suggestion as a joke. I didn't expect her to actually buy it and wear it outside!

I mean, it looked really cute on the mannequin... Who am I kidding of, of course it looked cute, I have the same freaking design on my hoodie!

I checked my old photos where I actually wore the darn thing and there it was! An electric blue sweatshirt (or hoodie, don't really know the difference) with a thunder cloud on it.

I bought it because of the lightning (since that's become my trademark thing, according to Cole), but she said she liked the rain cloud. I mean, opposites attract, right?

It didn't matter anyway. She left with Skylor immediately afterward to 'catch up on her homework', apparently.

Sure, Nya used to be an A- student in high school, only being surpassed by me (not that she ever noticed), but no one goes home from 6PM to study. I don't even do that!

Then again, that meant I would have to be alone with Kai. We're on pretty good terms compared to the past. Well, at least compared to when we first met.

He was the only one who could tell I had a crush on Nya. He told me it was obvious, but nobody else seemed to notice (not even her, for that matter). He was obviously very overprotective of his sister back then (and still is now, really) and apparently I was the only person he trusted around her. You'd assume he'd prefer the others (who actually dated her), but no.

He always told me it was because I was the responsible one, but then again, where does Zane fit in here? He's a lot more mature than I am, I can tell you that. I guess it was because he already had a girlfriend?

Doesn't matter now. I know our whole friendship could be ruined in the blink of an eye, especially now that Nya's living with us. See, he still doesn't know about...that night.

I was going to tell him at some point, I was going to apologize and tell him how much regretted my actions, but...it just never came up, I guess. The others don't know either. It's just Nya and me. And Morro, I'm assuming.

I mean, it's my fault they even met in the first place. "She was going there anyway," blah blah blah... I don't care. She wouldn't have spared him a glance if I hadn't hurt her. Maybe I need a therapist more than she does!

No, Jay, Nya first.

"Walker?"

I blinked, pushing Kai's hand away from my face. "Huh? Sorry, I wasn't listening."

He extended his open hand towards me. "The keys," he said and I did as I was told. "And...I need to tell you something."

Me? Something? Alone? With Kai? In an empty corridor where no one can hear me being murdered?

Did he find out about that night?

"Sure," I stammered. "What's it about?"

"My sister."

I gulped. This is gonna be great. "Your sister, you say?"

He nodded, opening the door and leading me up the creaky stairs. "Look, Jay, I trust you and all that, but please take it slow."

I lifted an eyebrow. "Take what slow?"

"You know, the whole thing with Nya. I know it's tempting to be together, but tone down the flirting a bit. She just came out of a relationship with that...nevermind."

Luckily, he bit his tongue before he could let out that common profanity of his. I couldn't help but smile to myself; he really does know me.

But then my mind turns back to the question. "Flirting?"

"Yes, Jay, flirting. I've seen how you two look at each other," his lips curved into a smirk as we got to the door.

"Kai, you know I would never do something like that. And besides, that crush thing happened a long time ago."

"Uh-huh, yeah."

"I'm serious!"

"Jay, you know how to use chopsticks."

Oh.

My face became as red as his shirt.

It wasn't like I didn't know how to use them. But then again, I couldn't focus at all!

I mean, I was literally sitting right next to Nya with our knees touching! And then our hands were touching! How could I have possibly stayed focused when something like that was happening?

"Okay, so I may have a small crush on her," I finally admitted. Gosh, that felt good.

"I know that. That's why I want you not to do anything for the time being, okay? And no being alone in a bedroom together. Or a couch, for that matter..." His voice trailed off as he opened the apartment's door.

I peeked inside and my eyes widened.

Nya was sleeping peacefully on the couch next to Skylor, who was watching a horror movie while eating our popcorn from a large bowl.

"Where were you guys?" Sky almost yelled, shoving another handful of popcorn into her mouth before pausing the movie.

"Can you keep quiet? She's sleeping!" I told her in a whisper, gesturing at Nya. The nerve of some people!

"Oh, please, she sleeps like a rock," she said, squishing and pulling her cheek, only to get no response. "She said she would sleep here for the night."

Here as in, here? On the couch? Heck to the no!

"Uh, no she isn't. She's sleeping in Jay's room, we've already made that clear," Kai protested for me.

Sky got up from the couch, dusting herself off. She grabbed her bag, toying with her spare keys around her finger. "Well, you had better tell her that," she told us before giving Kai a peck on the lips. "See ya tomorrow, babe," she waved at him as she left, closing the door behind her.

"Babe..." I said to myself. I never understood that word.

After a few attempts that ranged from shaking her shoulders, to trying to take away her blanket, nothing worked. I resented coming close to her myself, but then again...

"Pick her up."

It was time to blush yet again. "What?"

"I said pick her up. I'm too tired to carry her all the way to the bedroom."

"I...I don't know if I'm strong enough to do that." If I couldn't do it a year ago, how could I possibly do it now?

"Then try, Walker. I'm not letting her sleep on the couch."

"Alright, fine." I looked at her one last time. She would hate me if I did that.

I thought for a bit. "Can I do it in a few minutes? I wanna eat something before I go to bed." Well, couch.

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'm going to sleep," he yawned, throwing his shoes across the room as he walked to his bedroom. I just gave him a thumbs-up and sighed.

I sat next to Nya, making sure to keep my distance as I turned on the TV, switching the channel to that Starfarer cartoon I've always wanted to see. Honestly, Cliff Gordon and I could definitely be related. The only thing we don't have in common is that I'm not rich. Well, that and the 'being good with ladies' part.

Suddenly, Nya's phone turned on.

Don't do it don't do it don't do it...

I picked it up, frowning upon seeing the notification. I tapped on it and Chirp immediately opened.

How come she doesn't have a password?

Anyway, I finally started to read the messages and...they were not very nice, to say the least.

The name-calling on them was just so...barbaric. My ma would totally put soap in their mouth for saying these things.

Who is this person, anyway? And why is Nya responding to them?

I clicked on their profile and...

Morro.

I thought I had already blocked that...not so good person! Why did Nya unblock him? Why is she even talking to him?

Nope, nope, nope, nope. I will not let him get in touch with her again. He left Nya with bruises, he left Kai with a huge scar over his eye... What can he possibly do to me? Put me in a coma, probably.

I blocked him immediately, ignoring all the not-so appropriate pictures on his profile.

Now, I'll just have to wait and see.

♡♡♡

I slowly opened my eyes, groaning. What year is it?

Oh, right.

I could just barely spot the kitchen from here. There was a strange light beaming from it.

When the fridge's door finally closed, I remembered. Nya!

I quickly got up and walked to wards the kitchen, grabbing her shoulder.

She jumped, almost dropping her glass of water.

Okay, so now just get her into your room, Jay. Gosh, that sounded weird.

"Sorry," I told her with my sleeping voice. "Hey, um, Nya?"

She was already moving towards the couch, but stopped to face me.

Okay, Jay, try to come up with an excuse that doesn't involve you picking her up by force.

I took a few steps back, grabbing my keys behind my back. "Um, you have kind of left your...underwear on my bed. Can you go and pick it up?"

Okay, maybe not that kind of excuse. I didn't have to outright lie to her! Can I make this any more awkward?

Even though it was dark, I could still see the redness on her face. She nodded. "Um, of course. Sorry."

"No, no, it's okay," I said, leading her to the bedroom, "I just didn't know where to put it. We don't really have a closet for you yet."

I rushed to get her inside, fiddling with my keys behind my back.

She turned on the light before taking a look at the bed, but as expected, nothing was there.

"Jay? I don't see anything."

I took a few steps back, closing the light. I ran out of the room, quickly slamming the door shut and locking it.

"What the heck, Walker!" she shouted from the other side.

"It's for your own good, Nya! Kai's orders!"

"I swear to the FSM, when I get out of here..."

I gulped, but still stood my ground. "I'm not letting you sleep on the couch."

She punched the door again, her voice raising. "It's on."

Oh, I am so gonna regret this.