CHAPTER FIVE | my relationship with my car is on a break

RANDOM SONG OF THE CHAPTER:

Life In Colour - Barbie Princess Adventure

*****

"Mismatch your socks. Feet don't need to be the same and neither do you."

******

"That is a very colourful jacket you are wearing, Gwendolyn." Was the first thing Zane said to me when I walked into the restaurant.

The android had texted me at the malicious time of eight o'clock (because he doesn't understand the concept of sleeping in on weekends) and asked me to meet him at a little restaurant. Apparently even in the future when everyone becomes robots we'll still need to have minimum wage jobs.

I looked down at my oversized jacket. It had big billowy sleeves and was made of patches of various aggressively coloured fabric but I really loved the coat. When I glanced back at Zane he was smiling warmly at me as he wiped down the bar. It was weird to have someone say that to me in such a non-sarcastic tone. Though, I'm unsure if Zane is capable of making mean, snide comments about people's multi-coloured clothes.

"This is a nice place," I said, observing the tidy little booths and cute cream barstools. My home town just had a rough-looking bar that occasionally serves undercooked pancakes.

Zane placed a menu at one of the spots and I climbed on. "What are you interested in consuming?"

I blinked a few times at his odd way of saying it. "I am totally using that line."

His brow furrowed and I opened the menu to look at the options. When I placed it back down I noticed him scribbling away at something.

"What are you doing?" I asked curiously.

Zane raised it to show me. "It is my dream journal. I am writing down my goals as you told me to."

"Wow." I squinted at the writing. "Learn what 'I'm totally using that line' means.'" 

One of Zane's coworkers paused while walking by with a load of dishes. "Zane, stop flirting with the customers and get these orders done!"

My eyebrows flew up. Um....awkward. "Uh..."

"Coffee, orange juice, orange juice, specialty soup, drowned noodles, water, coffee, coffee, coffee." Zane listed off easily, a finger moved to point out each individual.

The coworker's mouth opened and closed a few times before he just continued walking, muttering to himself.

I nodded with approval. "Nice, people like a guy who has a good memory."

Zane looked embarrassed and he hastily picked up a glass to clean. "What would you like to eat?" He repeated.

"Oh right- uh..." My indecisiveness caused me to panic. "Surprise me."

Zane scrunched up his face. "I am not always the best when it comes to spontaneity."

"It's good to wing it sometimes," I leaned back in my chair and gave him a grin. "Don't worry too much about it. I'll literally eat anything. Except for strawberries because I'm allergic."

Zane hesitated but after a pointed look from me, he moved to do whatever his job was while I took out my phone. When he returned I didn't hear him until he had plonked a bowl in front of me.

"What do you want in your bio?" I questioned without looking up.

"A...bio?"

"You're biography." I flipped the screen to show him. "For your dating profile."

He sputtered. "Why are you using an online match-making app?"

I turned it back to me and began filling in a few basic things like pronouns and such. "It helps me get to know you more and allows more people to find you. I'll help go through your matches so you don't end up with too many weirdos."

Zane still looked dubious but I was more focused on the next thing. "What's your sexuality?"

"I do not believe it's socially acceptable to ask personal questions to someone you've only recently acquainted with," Zane replied.

"I've never been socially acceptable. While all the other girls were out being princesses I was brewing evil witch potions in my playhouse." I shrugged. "What's your job?"

"What exactly are they specifying about my career?" Zane watched as I dragged the meal he gave me closer.

After giving it a sniff I plopped my spoon into the soup and popped it in my mouth. My family isn't much of a soup-for-breakfast kind of family but I'm an anything-goes kinda girl.

"Mmmm. This is good!" I said enthusiastically. Or at least tried to say. It sounded more like: "fis dis goof." It was like all the flavours of some ancient soup goddess were exploding in my mouth. I quickly ditched the spoon and opted to do it Beauty and The Beast style by tipping the dish toward my mouth.

Zane looked amused and he gently took my phone. He read over the questions and carefully typed some of the answers in. "What do they mean by hobbies exactly?"

"Y'know, the stuff you like to do for fun." I wiped the broth off the side of my mouth with my sleeve. "Drawing, singing, and if you're anything different from me then any source of physical activity."

"Ah." Zane nodded slowly. He narrowed his eyes at the profile. "Must I insert my image into this?"

"Yup." I popped the 'p' and made soup spray out of my mouth. Whoops. I pointed at the box at the bottom. "And that's where you can put your type."

"Do you mean....what type of person I'm attracted to?" Zane said uncertainly.

I nodded. "I'm not certain I have this...type." Zane echoed, the words appearing foreign on his tongue.

"That's fine." I shrugged.

Zane looked at me with interest. "Do you have a type?"

I snorted. "Weirdly hot animated characters."

I got a curious look from the lady beside me but I ignored it while Zane awkwardly sent me a picture of himself for me to insert. I smiled at the cute image of him standing in the snow. Who I recognized was Jay photobombed in the corner but I could easily crop him out.

"Alright," I raised my finger for the save button. "In just a few seconds you are going to be available to the savages of the dating world. Are you ready?"

Zane looked startled. "I beg your pardon?"

My finger pressed it. "Too late."

He gave me an annoyed look as he took some of the tips left on the counter.

Oh crap, I have to tip him.

I patted my pockets frantically for any loose change. My fingers found something papery in my pocket and I presented it to him.

"Would you accept a..." I examined the item. "Folded up study note with doodles all over it as a tip?"

Zane shook his head with a smile and tugged it from my fingers. "Thank you, Gwendolyn." He admired my sketches. "These are very beautiful." His head tilted at the flowers, coffee cups, and ninja that were scribbled over it.

"Thank you, Mr. Bachelor." I dipped into a bow and scanned my card over the little machine.

Zane smiled tentatively at me. "Thank you for agreeing to help me, Gwendolyn. Though I am unsure if anyone would be interested. I am...unusual." His expression turned wry. It was the understatement of the century.

"Au contraire mon ami!" I waved my device as a notification appeared. "Someone has already messaged you!"

If an android could go pale that's what he would be doing right now. "Maybe we should cancel this experiment-"

"No." I jabbed a finger at him. Zane went cross-eyed as he zeroed in on the digit poking his nose. "We are doing this! This is not only for science but for you as well! A sweet guy like you deserves true love more than any of the human jerks in the world. Be brave, C-3PO!"

Zane's head tilted as he tried to decipher what I was saying while I grabbed the receipt. "Download the dating app and I'll text you what you should say to the person, okay?"

Zane sighed but nodded anyway.

"Sweet. Coolio. Awesome sauce. Brilliant." I gave him some awkward finger guns before I quickly left the building. Damn my bad social skills.

I spotted my mustard yellow car easily among the other average vehicles and climbed on in. Sure, the colour may be viewed as ugly which was why I got it half off but this car was my baby! I loved it so much and it was one of my first big purchases when I moved to Ninjago City. Walking was my usual form of transportation since traffic was absolute trash potatoes but I didn't plan on running for half an hour to get to my next class.

I hummed to myself and flicked through the radio. When I reached a red light I got out my phone and dialled in the familiar numbers before plopping the device into my cup holder.

It rang for a while and I drummed my fingers in my steering wheel while I waited for someone to pick up. To my surprise, it went to voice mail. I frowned but waited for the beep anyways.

"Hey, Nana! It's Gwen! Sorry, I haven't called you in a while... I guess I'm still a little peeved at Dad." I sighed, flicking on the turn signal. "Uh, I'm working on a new sunflower painting for you to put up in your room for the spring. Maybe it'll help brighten the place up."

I cringed at my fake positivity. "Anyways, I promise I'll be back for thanksgiving. I'll bring some of those weird baby crackers you like. Please call back soon! Love you!"

I reached over and ended the message. I frowned to myself as I contemplated what just happened. I have never had to leave a message for my grandmother. Maybe she was at lunch or something. I sighed as I remembered the last time I'd talked to her in person. Well, she was more or less just there while I yelled at my dad.

I remember feeling so drained after that argument... and guilty. Nana had just given me a tight smile before she sent me back home with some banana bread.

"Do I still have some of that banana bread in the freezer?" I muttered to myself. It was probably bad by now. It's been a couple of years.

Maybe I'll have to make some.

I typed in a new number as I thought.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Kat. Do we have any bananas?"

"Gwen, you don't even have a bowl. You eat soup on a plate." I could practically hear him rolling his eyes.

"Sheesh. No need to get so personal." I muttered. My brow furrowed as a suspicious noise erupted from my car. "Uh...Kat?"

"Yes?"

"Do we have any engineering students that actually know how to fix an engine?"

*****

A white-clad figure crouched on the very edge of an office building. His eyes swept across the city was a careful stare as the cool wind of the night settled in. Zane smiled to himself as he enjoyed the peaceful sounds of a danger-free patrol. Though Kai often complained about the uneventful moments, Zane was much more patient and much more in tune with the beauty of calm.

He was glad Nya was his partner this time. They often split up for the patrols and she tended to badger him less through the comm, unlike Jay. Zane shook his head with amusement, knowing his roommate was most likely attempting to set up a romantic movie night for when his girlfriend returned.

The nindroid's musings were interpreted by the soft sounds of someone walking along the empty street below. His blue gaze narrowed, scanners zeroing in on whoever was muttering curses under their breath late at night. Facial recognition came into his view and his eyes widened when Gwendolyn's name appeared in pixelated writing.

His head tilted in curiosity as he watched her tromp through the puddles on the sidewalk. Her hands stuffed deep into her pockets and a frown upon her face.

What has had her so chagrined?

Zane did a quick scan of the street, ensuring that there weren't any muggers or gangs hanging around the alleys before he hopped off of the roof. The ninja landed on a street lamp before he flipped down in front of the girl.

Of course, Gwendolyn wasn't expecting a figure in white to appear in front of her. She screamed and stumbled back, a fist swinging on instinct. Red flashed in Zane's gaze in a warning and he easily dodged the swing before staring wide-eyed at her.

She gaped at the ninja, mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Oh, my first spinjitzu master."

"Hello," Zane replied pleasantly, choosing to ignore the fact that she almost hit him with her fist. "I apologize for startling you."

Gwendolyn began smacking herself in the forehead with her knuckles as she thought. "Uh... you're the... the frosty one? Right?" She guessed.

Zane nodded. "I am the master of ice."

"Yes, yes, that dude." She swallowed awkwardly and glanced around. "Whatcha doing exactly?"

"It is late at night," Zane stated the obvious. "I wanted to ensure that you are healthy and safe."

"Aw." She blinked rapidly as if surprised by his concern. "I'm fine, Mr. Ice Ninja sir. Just annoyed."

"Why are you in a state of irritation?"

Gwendolyn sighed and jerked a thumb behind her. "My car broke down. I thought I had fixed it but apparently, my 'fixing' sucks because now I have to walk home."

"Do you have anyone who can transport you home?" Zane spoke as she began walking again.

Gwendolyn shook her head, the hair she had tied up in a messy bun, falling from its knot and wafting into her face. "My roommates are busy. They have classes, work, and stuff and I don't want to bother them." She said sheepishly. Then she proceeded to make spitting noises when some strands of her hair got in her mouth.

"I could call my vehicle and drive you to your destination if you are comfortable with it." Zane offered with a smile. Though it was hard to see with the mask she could see how his mask lifted slightly and his eyes became more squinted.

"Don't you have robberies and things you need to deal with?" Gwendolyn raised an eyebrow.

Zane shook his head. "I get an alert whenever there is trouble but the city is fairly quiet tonight."

"How do I know you're the real deal and not some guy trying to kidnap me? Or girl. Or whatever." Gwendolyn waved a hand.

Zane tilted his head in thought. He took off his glove to reveal the pale hand, it began to glow with light blue power as snowflakes swirled in his palm. Gwendolyn's eyebrows shot up as the snow wafted towards her and fell gently around her. The tiny crystal-like snowflakes falling in her hair.

"Does that confirm my identity?" Zane slipped his glove back on.

"Alright," Gwendolyn said with an uncertain smile. Her eyes narrowed at him as if she just thought of something. Zane ignored her suspicious stare and connected to the computer in his vehicle. He smiled when he heard the rumble of the engine as it came speeding through the street. Gwendolyn spun around in surprise when the electronically controlled ice bike came skidding beside the curb.

It was white with light blue and black detailing, ice-shaped graphics were decorating the sleek metal. Gwendolyn whistled under her breath with an impressed expression.

"Revived model? Mixing together a bit of all the fancy stuff then repainting and design?" She crouched to get a better look at it.

"Please take a seat behind me, wear your head protection, and wrap your arms around my abdomen so that you may keep your balance," Zane instructed, popping a button to open the compartment at the back.

Gwendolyn peered in and took out the helmet inside. She raised an eyebrow at the giant ice ninja graphic on the side along with the cheesy line: Be Cool.

"Very stylish." She said dryly as Zane mounted the bike.

"That was the workings of the lightning ninja," Zane said in amusement. Gwendolyn stood there for a moment as she tried to figure out how to get onto the bike. With a grunt she just went for it, pretty much falling onto the seat before heaving herself into position.

The master of ice started up the motorcycle, Gwen let it a squeak of excitement as they went speeding off. "Where is your home located?" Zane questioned. He knew of course but if he said that Gwen would either find out his identity or assume he was a stalker.

Gwendolyn relayed her address as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the ride. Zane felt her shift when she noticed something.

"Look how the speed makes the city lights blend." Gwendolyn breathed with a smile. Zane followed her gaze, indeed the bright and colourful lights of Ninjago City were becoming streaks to the eye.

"It is beautiful," Zane replied, glancing back at the girl. The light bounced off her face, the colours made a reflection in her eyes, a giant grin of wonder was on her face as she stared at the city.

They made it towards the smaller area where the student housing was and Zane slowed to a stop outside of her house.

"Thank you, Ice Ninja." Gwendolyn took off the helmet and handed it back to him.

"It was my pleasure."

There was flashing in the corner of his vision as live footage appeared on his feed. The sound of police sirens roared overhead.

"They're heading of Andreason Road." Nya appeared on the commlink. "Armed robbery. I'm stopping them at the bend. Meet me there in case they have backup."

Zane quickly replied and logged in the coordinated in the bike.

"Well, then you should get going..." Gwendolyn turned awkwardly with a small smile towards her building. "Good luck, Frosty!"

"Thank you." He waved and waited until she went inside before he started up to return to the main area. The wind picked up and he smiled as the lights seemed to fly around him like a tunnel of colour.

His mind couldn't help but stray to the smile on Gwendolyn's face as she stared at the city.