***(Jay's POV)***

I spread a little peanut butter on my bread. Cole and I started training before breakfast this morning, so we need a quick power up.

I hate waking up early, but at least we're done for the day now.

Honestly, I have nothing else to do, so I might as well hang around the monastery and spend time with the guys. And Nya.

Oh, my, she's just amazing.

I've known her for around a year now, but as soon as I met her...

"Jay, come look at this!" Cole yells from the living room.

I frown. Wasn't he just heading to the bathroom? What's he doing in there?

I set down my butter knife and wander down the hall.

"No!" Kai's voice says. "There will be no looking. Everyone, close your eyes and leave the room while I – "

I finally reach the entrance. "What's up, Cole?" My eyes survey the room. "Is – "

I finally see her.

Oh, my stars.

She's an angel.

I gape, unable to form words. Nya – I've always known she was beautiful. Her eyes are such a pure blue, and you can tell she's strong and passionate just by looking into them.

But today...she looks like a model. No, better than a model.

I just have no words.

"Nya?" I gasp, my mouth hanging open in awe.

"Hey, Jay," she blushes.

Kai's shout fills the room. "Stop! Avert your eyes! There will be no 'hey Jay's' anymore!" He gives me a wild look. "I suppose you think Nya is adorable, too?"

I'm floored. "That's...not the word I would use to describe it." More like stunningly gorgeous.

I honestly don't know what happens next. I can't take my eyes off her. I didn't know it was possible to be any more in love with her, but seeing this adventurous, confident, artistic side takes my breath away.

Okay, yes, I am in love with her. We don't know each other all that well, but I know what love is. I'd do anything for her. I'd spend every spare moment with her, if I could. I can't get her out of my head, and when I'm around her...I just feel so happy. And nervous, but that's because I'm so scared about what she'll think of me if I do something wrong. Or weird. Or stupid. I'm known for that.

Lloyd suddenly grabs my arm. "Jay, shock me."

"Wait – what? For real?" What in Ninjago happened while I was lost in my thoughts?

"Just do it."

I swallow. "Um, o-okay. If you're sure." I summon a spark in my hand, then direct it at Lloyd.

It collides with his arm, and he jumps. After getting his bearings, he nods to me. "Thank you."

Why would he thank me for shocking him, of all things? Why would he ask in the first place?

"What the heck do you think you're wearing?" he exclaims, turning to Nya.

There's...anger in his voice.

"Um...clothes?" she responds, confused.

"Are you kidding me?" He throws his arms in the air. "I can see, like, ninety-eight percent of your legs!"

Kai slaps a hand over his eyes. "That's exactly what I said, but nobody listens to me!"

I take another look at Nya. Her outfit isn't that revealing. I mean, it's nothing she wouldn't be allowed to wear to school. I guess maybe Lloyd's just astonished that she's wearing anything other than jeans.

That doesn't give him an excuse to be angry, though.

A ginger-haired girl steps forward. "Lots of girls are wearing shorts that length. There's nothing inappropriate about them."

I recognize her from the mall yesterday. She and Nya were apparently shopping, but Nya isn't good with escalators, I guess. She almost fell down one, but...I happened to be standing behind her.

I caught her in my arms, and the feeling of having her so close...it made my heart beat faster than ever before.

Lloyd, however, doesn't recognize the redhead. "Who in Ninjago City are you?"

He suddenly pulls off his jacket and tosses it at Nya. She catches it, looking mad. "What's this for?"

"Tie it around your waist! And go wash your face off, would you? It's plastered in...well, who knows what!"

"Seriously?" she cries. The fury in her eyes is real, but so is the pain. I can tell she's almost to her breaking point.

My heart constricts. I've never seen her so sad before.

Lloyd crosses his arms. "You look...like...some ho!"

Nya's mouth opens, then closes. No sound comes out.

Tears gather in her eyes, and I can't take it anymore. I walk straight to her side and rub gently at her back. She looks up at me, then back at Lloyd.

"You idiot!" the redhead screams. "You take that back right now! You're just mad because other guys have stopped to notice your best friend is hot!"

I'd say she's pretty much spot-on.

Lloyd scoffs. "Who even are you?"

"She's right," Kai seethes, getting right up in Lloyd's face. "Sure, I may not like Nya wearing clothes that short, but you can't just insult her like that!"

Nya gives a shaky inhale next to me, and she wipes under her eye with a finger.

Oh, no. Lloyd made her cry. I could punch him right now.

What did she do to deserve this?

Kai gives his sister a panicked look. "Aww, Nya, don't cry. Please. I don't know what to do with tears."

Lloyd's still roving. "I'm not taking it back, Kai! You're just supporting whatever your new girlfriend says. I actually care about my best friend's reputation!"

The redhead makes a choking noise. "Kai knows more about caring for his sister than you'll ever know about...about eating breakfast cereal!"

A single tear escapes Nya's eye, and I just can't take it anymore. I drape an arm around her shoulders.

"Wanna get out of here?" I say softly, my face just inches from her ear.

She nods, saying nothing.

I guide her out into the hallway, then down to the game room. I mean, when I'm sad, I always find a distraction nice.

When we get to the doorway, I pull her into my arms for a hug. I typically wouldn't have the nerve, but she's upset. Somehow, my nervousness doesn't matter anymore.

"I'm sorry Lloyd said those things," I sigh. "You know none of it's true, right?"

She pulls back a little to look at me. "What does it matter? The person in my life whose opinion matters most hates what I'm wearing. With a passion, apparently."

"D-do you like it?" I ask timidly. Her face is so close to mine.

Okay, I have to bend over a lot to get close, but whatever.

She shrugs. "Yeah, I guess. I mean, I never realized how comfortable shorts are."

I smile. "Then you shouldn't change a thing." I turn bright red. "Y-you look beautiful, Nya."

She studies my face for a moment, and I'd give anything to know what she's thinking.

"Thanks, Jay," she finally says. "At least I'm not going to cry now. That'd put my reputation to shame, for sure."
"It's okay to cry. It means you're human."

She curls her arms around her stomach and steps out of my embrace. "I don't do it, but thanks." She looks at her shoes.

Deciding not to argue with her, I point inside the game room. "Wanna play a videogame?" I've seen her go at one with Kai before, so I assume she enjoys them.

She glances up, smiling a little. "Okay."

She takes a seat on the sofa as I set up our game. I honestly have no idea what she'll like, and I have a slight panic moment. What if I choose wrong, and she thinks I'm –

Suddenly, I can smell her conditioner, and my mind is clouded. She's right next to me.

"I've never tried Fist to Face 3 before."

"Oh, okay," I sigh, relieved. "It's a lot of fun. There's a new version coming out in October."

"Coolio. I know you're more into videogames than I am, but I'll give you a run for your money." She winks.

My heart flips. "I-I have no doubts about that."

I put the game in while she sets up our controllers. Then, I cautiously watch her, making sure she sits down first. If she wants a spot on the couch, I'm not going to take it from her.

She chooses the very end, and I sit down at the other one.

She giggles. "You can sit closer to me. I don't bite."

"O-okay." I move so I'm about a foot away.

She smiles. "Why are you being so shy? You're never like this around the guys."

"U-um, I just don't know you as well, so I'm not sure what you're comfortable with." That's partially true.

A sigh escapes her throat. "Well, if you're interested, it looks like I'm going to be in the market for a new best friend. Lloyd hates me now." She chooses a virtual character.

"Aww, Nya, don't say that. I-I mean, don't get me wrong. Being closer friends with you sounds great. Er, um..."

"It's okay," she says miserably. "I get it. You and Cole are already best friends."

"Well, that's not what it's about, but...anyway, Lloyd will cool down. Don't feel bad." I mean, he doesn't deserve her, but she loves him. I can't hope that she'll just lose that relationship.

She scoots a little closer and lays her head on my shoulder. "You're sweet."
My heart goes into overdrive. Like, even more than the escalator event, overdrive. We're so close.

"Um, th-thanks," I manage.

"I get that this is Kai's team and all, but I feel like all of you adopted me, too. I'm like the team's little sister."

I laugh nervously. Yeah...I certainly don't see her that way.

She chuckles. "You find a lot of stuff funny."

"I know, I know. It gets annoying." I run a hand through my curly hair before beginning the game.

"It's not annoying, Jay. It's contagious. Kai can be pretty serious, and when he does laugh, it's because he's making fun of me. Or making a pervy comment. And Lloyd..."

I feel her deflate and take my eyes off the game screen. "Nya, don't worry about him. He'll come around. And – "

My eyes jerk back to the screen just as the enemy comes running at me.

"And...what?" Nya frowns.

I look back down at her, gathering my courage. "And...um...if you're interested at all, I'd be happy to...uh...hang out with you whenever you – "

Footsteps resound from the hall, and for some reason, we both leap apart.

Kai's girlfriend – or whoever she is – pokes her head in. "Hey, Sis."

Nya pauses the game. "Can I go home?"

I feel my spirits dissolve. I guess she must not want to spend time with me. It's okay, though. I really wouldn't be interested in spending time with me, either.

"Sorry," the redhead replies. "But I have to be headed home, myself, and I'm pretty sure Kai doesn't want you at the blacksmith's shop alone."

"I could go to your house," Nya suggests.

The ginger clears her throat. "Sorry, but my dad would kill me for having anyone over after last night."

"What happened last night?" she asks. Then, she waves the question off and turns to me. "Can you take me?"

I'm astounded she even considered me, but unfortunately, I can't just give in to her. Kai would have my hide, and she wouldn't be safe.

I clear my throat. "I, um, don't know, Nya. I mean, if Kai lets me, then sure, but I don't think he likes you being home alone."

She moans and lets her head drop back against the couch. "I'm so stupid. I never should've tried to change. My best friend hates it. My brother hates it. I'm not fooling anyone."

It kills me that she thinks her worth is found in other people.

"I-I think it's good you're trying to climb out of your shell," I try. "You have more guts than I do."

Kai's girlfriend sits down on the arm of the sofa. "Look, Nya, you don't listen to people like Lloyd. He's jealous and overcontrolling. He's not worth the plan we made."

"What plan?" I frown, confused. I mean, my dad always told me that women like scheming, but I didn't think he meant it literally.

Nya doesn't answer me. "But I love Lloyd. He's my best friend. Oh, I really just want to go home."

The redhead pats her on the shoulder. "Let me talk to Kai."

That's when Lloyd walks in, and the older girl's expression changes to that of a bear.

"Nya..." Lloyd trails off. His face has repentance written all over it.

Her friend growls, "Lloyd, get. Out."

"It's okay, Skylor," Nya says, her voice small. "Let him in. You go find Kai."

The girl – Skylor – plants her hands on her hips. "You think I'm going to leave you alone so he can insult you without reason? Fat chance."

I start to raise my hand and remind Skylor that I'm still here, but Lloyd cuts in.

"Hey, I'm not here to insult anybody. I just want to apologize. I...I got a little overdramatic back there."

Nya thinks for a moment. "I forgive you," she eventually smiles.

My heart screams that this isn't fair, but I know it's not right to hold a grudge. It's better that she forgives Lloyd, but...what if he keeps her from being her best self?

Skylor, unlike me, is hopping mad. Her fists clench at her sides.

"You forgive him, just like that?" she demands.

"It's okay. He admitted he was wrong."

Lloyd scuffs his toe along the floor. "If it makes you feel any better, Sensei Wu sentenced me to training the rest of the day after lunch."

Nya laughs a little, and the move relaxes her body enough that she moves nearer to me.

"That certainly helps," she says.

Skylor schools her features. "I'm going to go find Kai." The words are hard.

Lloyd approaches the couch and eyes me. "Hey, would you moving down a bit?"

His eyes tell me to steer clear of his best friend, and I want to argue with him, but...Nya just seems so happy to have him back. I slide over so he can sit down next to her.

"What are you playing?" Lloyd asks Nya, draping an arm over her shoulders.

"Fist to Face 3. Do you want to play in my place? I'm not very good, anyway." She happily snuggles into his side.

I feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest.

"No, it's okay. Um, Jay...I hate to ask, buddy, but would you mind letting me play in your place? Nya and I really need some together time right now."

I'm dying. I'm literally dying.

Nya looks at me with concerned eyes. "It's okay, Jay. Lloyd and I can do something else. It's not fair to tear you from something you wanted to do."

But...I wanted to spend time with her.

"It's fine," I smile. The words are forced. "I'll just watch."

"You're so sweet," she simpers. "We can play together next, if you want. Lloyd's going to be training to the death with Kai today."

Hope builds in me. So...she does still want to hang out.

"Th-that sounds fun."

While she and Lloyd laugh and play the game, all I can do is watch her. I'm glad we'll get to hang out, but...who am I kidding? Nya doesn't like me, and she never will. I'm in love with her, but she'll grow up and marry some billionaire who never comes to his kids' soccer games, and she'll be so unhappy, and we'll both be old by the time her husband is dead, and she'll probably have some terminal disease, and her ungrateful children won't be around to take care of her, and I'll step in and do it, and then right as we confess our feelings for each other, she'll die in my arms.

I'm about to think of ten other scenarios in which we don't get together, but Skylor's voice stops me.

"Kai, how would you feel about Nya and Jay running some errands while you and Lloyd train?"

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

"So my brother actually let me hang out with you two? Alone?" I ask Cole as he comes around the side of the earth drill.

Apparently, Kai thinks I'm distraught over what Lloyd said. But we made up, so...I'm trying not to think of it. He even said he liked how I looked, once he calmed down.

Cole shrugs. "Yeah. Don't ask me why he had the sudden change of heart."

"It probably has something to do with Skylor," Jay suggests. "Are she and Kai a thing?"

"I have no idea," I sigh. "They've kept me out of the loop, if they are." I mean, come on! She's my only friend who's a girl, and Kai's the brother who raised me! You'd think they would inform me of their relationship status!

Cole climbs in the front seat, and Jay stares at the ground.

"Do y-you want the front seat?" he asks.

I shrug. "Not really. Cole forgot to wear deodorant." I pinch my nose and wink.

He smiles at me, turning a little red. "I realized. Do you mind if I sit in the back with you?"

I frown. "Why would I mind?"

"Oh, um, well..."

I giggle. "Golly, you're having trouble with words today. Yes, we can sit in the back together."

He beams, then opens the back door.

"So, what are we going to do?" I ask them. "We have the whole day to ourselves."

"I'm starving," Cole immediately answers. "We're going out to lunch. Do you want anything, in particular?"

"Oh, believe me: Anything's better than Kai's cooking." I scrunch up my nose. "Well, except maybe yours, Cole. No offense."

He scoffs. "I am an artist, Nya, and I am deeply troubled that you would say I am anything but one."

I roll my eyes. "Right. Jay, any food preferences?"

"Um, n-not really." He plays with the collar of his shirt.

"I'm feeling burgers," Cole says. "Anyone up for burgers?"

I nod emphatically. "Please."

"I am confident you can't eat a whole burger, Nya," Cole taunts me. "You're...what? Four foot nine?"

"I'm five-three!" I fume, causing him to break into laughter. "And I am confident I can eat more than both of you combined!"

Jay laughs, turning red. "Um, no offense, but..."

"But what?" I grouch.

"N-nothing."

"That's what I thought. Now, Cole, you wanna bet on my eating abilities?"

"I would, but you don't exactly have money."
"I actually just got hired on at a nearby autobody shop," I announce. "And my paycheck will be coming in two weeks. But that's beside the point, since I will be winning."

"You're on."

Two hours later, Jay and Cole are staring at me, open-mouthed.

"Where did you put it?" Cole asks, handing over a wad of bills.

I smirk. "Are you kidding me? I can't eat what Kai makes, so I live off of reheat noodles. Whenever I get some real food, I go a little crazy."

Jay looks really concerned. "Yeah, but...you literally ate a burger and double fries, plus a triple-thick shake and the leftovers Cole and I had. Does Kai really not feed you?"

"Not well. Believe me, I'll take you guys up whenever you feel the urge to go out to eat."

Cole chuckles. "I think we should make this a standing date. Well, once you get money, that is."

"Really?" I exclaim. "That'd be awesome!" I feel a belch coming on, and I just let it out for the world to hear.

Both boys crack up, and I can't help but join them.

"You are hilarious," Cole finally says.

Jay nods. "I literally had no idea a person of your...um...stature could make that much noise."

"I am a girl of many talents," I sigh, crossing my legs. "Where to next?"

"The antacid store?" Jay asks.

I roll my eyes. "No need. Let's do something fun."

"Ooh!" Jay says, his eyes widening. "We should hit the arcade!"

His enthusiasm makes me laugh, just a little. "You have a problem, Jay."

Cole shrugs. "I'm game."

They both look to me, and I debate.

"You promise you won't just leave me there?" I finally sigh. "I'm going to be bored out of my mind without you two."

Cole nods emphatically. "You bet. Kai would kill me if I let you out of my sight."

I moan. "He thinks I need a babysitter."

"I think you c-can take care of yourself," Jay says quietly.

"I used to babysit," Cole pipes up. "Wow, that was...four years ago?"

"You got to babysit at thirteen?" I cry. "I can't stay home alone, and I'm turning sixteen next week!"

Cole smiles, as though recalling a fond memory. "I mostly babysat kids who were about my age. I remember there was this one girl, Seliel. She was...ten, I think? Maybe eleven. But she'd always get so mad when I was the one watching her."

"Probably because you literally acted her age," I deadpan.

"We became good friends, though. Her dad was...less than stellar, and she ended up staying at my house a lot."

"And you lived happily ever after. The end." I take a huge sip of my straw-less shake, then swipe the back of my hand over my mouth.

"Not exactly," Cole frowns. "She moved my first year of high school, and we kind of lost touch." He shakes his head. "Well, that's that."

"Uh...Nya..." Jay trails off.

"What?"

"You have, um, chocolate on your face. From the milkshake."

I run a finger over my upper lip, but come up clean. "Where?"

"It's – here." He scoots his chair a little closer to mine, then gently uses a finger to brush at my chin.

I feel...strange. Maybe I ate too much, but it's not a bad feeling. More like some sort of tight tingling sensation in the pit of my stomach. It's different than anything I've encountered before.

My eyes study Jay's face, and my voice comes out hushed. "Thanks."

"Yeah, uh...my pleasure." His face is red.

Cole coughs. "Anyway, we should all get going. You want anything for the road, Nya?" He winks.

I raise a brow. "Less attitude, please." I stand, stretching my shoulder.

That's when I get the most brilliant idea.

"Hey, Cole...you know how I'm almost sixteen?"

He nods slowly. "Yeah?"

"Well, Kai hasn't taken me driving once yet, and since he's not around..."

He shakes his head. "No. No, way. You forget that I used to babysit. I'm accustomed to crazy requests like that, and my answer is no."

I bat my eyelashes, a new move Skylor taught me. "Please? It'll be fun. Plus, I like to work on cars, so I'm sure I'll be fantastic at driving."

Cole looks like he might relent, then steels his face. "Nope. Not falling for it."

I sigh miserably, turning to Jay. "What do you think? Should Cole let me drive?"

"I...uh..."

I try the eyelash-batting at him, and he clears his throat. "That doesn't sound like a...horrible idea."

I smirk. "That's two against one, Cole."

"Still not happening!" He turns and begins to exit the diner.

I run at him, hopping on his back and throwing my arms around his neck. He instinctively reaches up to catch me.

"I'm going to sing obnoxiously in your ear until you let me drive," I taunt him.

"That's coercion, Nya."

"Hey, I do what I must." I prepare my voice, then begin singing at the top of my lungs.

"You're just too good to be true,

Can't take my eyes off of you.

You'd be like heaven to touch.

I wanna hold you so – "

"Good grief, Nya, you're going to get us kicked out!" He thrusts some money on our table, then goes running out with me on his back.

"Wow, you really need to wear deodorant!" I laugh hysterically, then continue singing in the worst way possible.

"At long last, love has arrived,

And I thank God I'm alive.

You're just too good to be true,

Can't take my eyes off of you."

He groans. "Stop, please!"

"Not until you let me drive!"

"Fine, fine!" He pulls open the driver's door on the earth drill, then drops my legs.

I slide off. "Thanks, Cole! You're the bomb!"

My eyes drift upward, and I see Jay following us at a distance, a dejected look in his eyes.

I frown, coming up to him. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, n-nothing."

"I don't believe that. Wanna talk about it?"

He shakes his head. "No, but thanks."

"Are you sure?" I wrap my arms around him, hoping I can offer some comfort.

He stiffens at the gesture, but then he immediately hugs me back. "I'm good. Uh, thanks for the h-hug, though."

"Any time." I pull back, smiling. "Now, let's go. It's about time I get my first driving lesson." I run back to the driver's seat and hop in.

Cole's sitting beside me. "Okay. So, the first thing we're going to do is make sure Jay gets in here. He's my best friend, so I can't have you backing over him."
"Believe me, I have no intent of doing so." I wait impatiently for him to get in.

"Does everyone have their seatbelts on?" Cole asks.

Jay gives a sullen nod, and I double-check my own safety restraint.

"All right," Cole instructs. "Now, you're going to put your foot on the brake."

"Okay!" I do as he says.

"Next, you're going to change the gear from 'park' to 'reverse'. Don't take your foot off the brake."

"Cool!" I perform the motions perfectly.

"Good. Now, ease your foot off the brake. You don't need to give it any gas to – "

Whoops.

We lurch backward, and my foot slams on the brake. Cole launches forward, his body colliding with the dashboard.

"Ow!" he cries.

"Hey, you should've made sure you put on your seatbelt," I grouch at him.

"Put the vehicle back in park, please. You are not driving anymore today."

"Aww, please?"
"No!"

"Fine, fine." I put the earth drill in park, then join Jay in the back.

I look to him. "Was I that bad?"

He laughs a little, and that's all the answer I need.

I sigh. "You two are no fun. At least I didn't hit anybody."

"We're not taking our chances," Cole informs me, backing the car out like a pro.

It turns out, the arcade is only a few streets away, so we get there in no time. Cole immediately heads for the restroom, saying that my driving scared the life out of him.

I think he might have peed his pants.

Jay, on the other hand, is right at my side.

"Have you ever been here?" he asks quietly.

"Nope. Would you mind showing me some of the best games?"

He nods, offering me a small smile. "Yeah. For sure." He motions for me to follow.

He leads the way into the building. As soon as I enter, game music and computerized voices fill my ears. The scent of fake butter and burnt pizza tingles my nose.

He rubs the back of his neck. "Okay, um...are you up to a game that involves movement? I know you just ate."

I shrug. "I should be fine. What game do you have in mind?"

He points to a machine with colorful flashing tiles in a platform on the ground.

"That's a dance game they've had for years," he explains. "I...uh, I've played it a few times. Would you like to try?"

"I've always wanted to learn to dance," I smile. "Wanna show me how it's done?"

"I...uh, sure. Here, you can go ahead and play, and I'll coach you." He digs in his pocket for change, but comes up with none.

I can't help but smile at his embarrassed expression. "You know, Cole did give me money for winning our bet today. I can take care of it."

Jay blushes. "Thanks. I'm sorry."

"It's fine." I insert a bill into the machine, then step on the platform.

"Okay, so we should probably start with the lowest setting," Jay suggests.

I select it, then turn back to him.

"Just watch the screen and copy the moves the avatar does. It's all in the footwork."

I sloppily repeat the motions of the character, then bust into laughter and look back at him.

"I think I'm hopeless, Jay."

"Nah. You just need a little improvement here and there." His eyes meet mine for a moment, then he softly places his hands on my shoulders. He runs his hands across them.

For some reason, I inhale a little more sharply than usual.

"Your shoulders are way too tight," he whispers. "You can't gain any sort of speed if you're so tense." He releases his hold on me.

"Next, don't keep your hips in one place. You have to move with your legs."

"Okay." I watch as he demonstrates what he said.

"You'll find things a lot easier now," he smiles.

"Thanks," I wink.

He blushes again, and I burst into laughter. It's weird that I find his expressions funny, but I can't help it.

"Why do you keep on doing that?" I ask.

"Doing what?"

"Blushing."

"Oh, um...I'm...nervous?"

I notice his blue eyes look a lot brighter when his face is red.

"Don't be nervous. It's just me. We're friends, right?"

"Yeah," he chuckles. "Fr-friends."

I take a moment to really look at him. Where Lloyd and Cole have defined features, Jay just looks...cute. His appearance doesn't depend on bone structure, but rather on the shape of his eyes or the amount of freckles dotting across his nose.

"Why are you staring at me?" he whispers.

I shake my head, realizing I look like a creep. "I...no reason. Just...nothing. Hey, would you mind buying me a soda? I'm suddenly really thirsty."

He smiles a little. "Sure, Nya."

I hand over some money, then try the game over again. I concentrate hard, trying to remember what Jay told me, but for some reason...I'm really distracted.

"That was a lot better," Jay says, coming up behind me.

I jump. "Oh, thanks." I notice the root beer in his hand. "How did you know my favorite?"

"I...have a good memory."

"Well, thank you." I pop the tab. "What's your favorite soda pop, just so I know?"

"Oh, uh, it's – "

"Okay, I'm back," Cole announces, walking right up to us. "What'd I miss?"

"Nothing," I say quickly. I don't know why, but I feel like I've been caught for doing something wrong.

Cole doesn't notice the strangeness of my tone. "Okay, well, if you don't mind, I'm going to steal Jay for a moment, all right? He's been telling me how to beat..."

I zone out and don't really catch what he says.

Why do I feel so disappointed?