Friday morning

Wow, what a difference to a 'normal' Friday this is! This place is nothing like our little Ignacia High School or the cosy comic book store...

This morning, Sky and I are at the Ninjago Institute of Technology. I still haven't decided on what I am going to study, but I have always enjoyed the more technical subjects, so we are attending the NIT Open Day for prospect students that is taking place today. Sky isn't really interested in any of the programmes here, she is going to do an MBA at Ninjago City University (NCU). But as my amazing best friend (and girlfriend to my protective older brother who wouldn't let me go on my own), she has offered to accompany – and drive – me here.

Despite the early hours, the impressive campus is already buzzing, and we are struggling to find our way. I am glad to have someone with me. And I see that it was the right decision to take the afternoon off, as it might take us a while to get around and to see everything on my list. But I can't say that I haven't been feeling bad about not telling Jay about it. I am wondering whether I should ask him for his number next time I see him. And why can't I just stop thinking about him?

Right now I really need to focus on the task ahead, I am here to...

"Nya?"

As usual, my friend's scarlet hair and overall appearance have already caught a lot of attention. So, I am very surprised when I hear somebody call my name. And I know only two people who would use this name...

Yes, when I turn around, I find myself looking into those captivating blue eyes I have missed all week. "What are you doing here?" He asks.

"Jay?" I say back. "I could ask you the same..."

"Wha-Wait a minute." Skylor interferes, before either of us can reply. She pulls me aside and gives me a questioning look. "Toni. Before we go any deeper into this conversation. Who is this guy? He looks kinds familiar but I can't really put a name to him... How do you know him? And, who is Nya?"

I blush. "Uhm, long or short version?"

"Short version should do for now."

"This guy is Jason Gordon. He's the son of Cliff Gordon so you might have seen pictures of him in the newspaper. I know him from my job at the comic book. And, I am Nya, that's what he calls me."

"You mean this is the Jason you were complaining about a few weeks ago? What happened to 'I hate that arrogant prick'? I mean, he seems to be quite nice anyway. And not too ugly either - don't tell your brother I said this. Antonia Smith, I cannot believe you." Skylor shakes her head in disbelief. "Okay. I think I want to hear the very long version on the way home. Unless you want Kai to find out about your secret boyfriend..."

"He's not my boyfriend, just a good friend." I tell her, just as I keep telling myself. "But okay." I accept. We turn back to Jay and I give him a little smile. "Jay, this is Skylor, my best friend - and she's dating my brother." I add, before he gets any ideas. Because that's how it usually goes. "We are here for the Open Day." I explain.

"Hi Skylor. I am very happy to finally meet a friend of Nya's." Jay politely greets her. He then directs his attention back to me, completely ignoring my beautiful friend. "And it's great to see you here. I study here, you know. Tell me, where are you going? I can show you the way if you want..."

"We're on our way to the School of Engineering, I want to do the introduction and lab tour. Do you know where it is?"

"Really?" His face breaks into a bright smile, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is so amazing, I am a student at the engineering department as well. Hey, what about I'll tell you about the courses and show you around the labs? Saves you a lot of time in the queue."

"Sounds great." I smile back. "Let's go. Are you coming with us?" I ask my friend.

But Skylor shakes her head. "Oh, you know. I am not that into engineering. But there is going to be a super interesting lecture at the School of Chemistry. On... uhm, organic stereochemistry. Or something like that. So, why don't you two do the tour and I'll see you later?" She winks at me, before she storms off in the opposite direction.

"Sorry about that. Skylor, she just... loves organic chemistry..." I struggle to keep a straight face. If there's one subject at school my friend really hates, it's chemistry.

"Okay, fine with me." Jay doesn't seem to mind her absence. "Now, let's go." He takes my hand and pulls me with him, before I even get a chance to answer. When we arrive at the School of Engineering, he shows me absolutely everything and even explains it in every little detail. I have to admit that his enthusiasm is both cute and contagious.

It is almost lunch time when we are back at the main door of the institute. "Wow, that was very interesting, thank you so much." I tell my 'tour guide'. "It really helped me to realise that this is exactly what I want to do as well."

"I am so happy that you liked it. Believe me, it's the best thing ever. And... I would love to see you around here next year, you know?"

I feel a slight blush creep on my face and look down, only to notice that our hands are still entwined, which then causes me to blush even more.

"Thanks. That would be nice, I guess." I let go of his hand and try not to sound too excited. No matter what Skylor or anyone else might think, he is just being nice to a friend. Why should someone like him be interested in me?

"I think it would be awesome." Jay corrects me. "And if you want to study here, you also need to know the really important places here. Do you want to go for lunch?" He suggests.

I agree and follow him to the 'most important location at NIT', as he calls it. To my surprise, he doesn't take me to the main restaurant, but to a small coffee shop located in one of the parks on campus. We each get a bowl of homemade soup and a freshly prepared panini, before we take a table outside.

"Jay Gordon. I've been trying to call you all morning." I am just about to take a bit of my delicious smelling sandwich, when we hear a booming male voice shout out my friend's name. A tall black-haired male appears next to our table, furrowing his bushy dark eyebrows. "What's the point of having the latest phone on the market, when you don't know how to use it?" He complains to the auburn-haired young man sitting next to me.

Jay blushes, checking his pockets. "Uhm, I think I forgot it at the apartment." He replies, his cheeks beet red in embarrassment.

"That's a great place to leave it. Luckily, I know exactly where to find you at this time of the day. You accidentally took my keys this morning. Sel and I are going to Nom for the weekend and we have to set off soon." He places a key set with a little LEGO Yoda on the table, while Jay rummages through his pockets and finally takes out another set of keys, this one guarded by a Darth Vader minifigure. "Sorry." He mumbles, returning them to Cole.

"And I am sorry to interrupt your lunch date." He grins at me, offering his hand. "Hi, I am Cole, Jay's flatmate and best friend since primary school."

"Super annoying best friend in the whole world." Jay confirms, with a happy smile on his face.

"Nice to meet you Cole." I shake his hand. "I am Antonia, you can call me To-ahem... you can call me Nya."

Cole stares at me, his eyes wide open. "You are Nya? For the past seven weeks, Jay has been talking about you, but I didn't know... Seriously, I have to take a picture and send it to Sel, otherwise she won't believe that you actually exist."

And I cannot believe that he has told his friends about me.

"Cole, I hate you." Jay hisses, having taken a huge interest in the appearance of his chicken club sandwich.

But his friend is either oblivious to or, more likely, unimpressed by Jay's obvious annoyance. He takes out his phone and snaps a picture of us, before he leaves as abruptly as he has appeared. "I'll see you on Monday." He yells.

"I am sooo sorry." Jay tells me, vigorously stirring his carrot and coriander soup. "Cole the most amazing friend one could wish for, but he can sometimes be a real pain in the arse. And Seliel, his girlfriend, is even worse..."

"Isn't that what best friends are supposed to be like?" I laugh, before I suddenly realise that I have completely forgotten about my best friend

"Damn it, I should have called Skylor after the tour." I exclaim. "I bet she's either worried or angry at me. Or both." I take my phone from my bag and see that I have three missed calls and 26 messages. I call my friend.

"Skylor? I am so, so, so sorry that I didn't answer earlier. The tour took so long, and it was so interesting. And then Jay took me for lunch and... please, don't be mad at me!" I break out in a long monologue of excuses, as soon as she answers her phone.

"Hey, don't worry, it's fine." She replies calmly. "I got a blanket and my ebook reader from the car as well as a coffee from the coffee shop, so I am just in one of the parks and really enjoying having a day off school. And you can just take this as your payback for all these times you had to go clothes shopping for my dates with your brother."

"Thanks, Sky. You're the best."

"I know." I can practically see the smirk on her face, Kai is totally rubbing off on her. "Hope you've had a good time."

"Oh, absolutely. And I have finally managed to decide what I'm going to do."

"Well, that's the main thing." Sky sounds very happy. Or maybe she's just relieved that she won't have to deal with my undecidedness anymore. "And did you spend a nice morning with Jay? You two are sooo cute together, I wanna hear everything." She squeals. Phew, I am so glad that I didn't put my phone on speaker.

"There isn't much to hear, but I will tell you anyway. Do you want to meet now? We're almost finished with our lunch."

"No problem, take your time. I won't go anywhere. I know there were a few more places you wanted to see, so just call me when you're done."

"Okay, love ya, Sky."

"You too, Toni. Have fun."

I end the call and put my phone back in my bag. "Skylor is fine, and she's not mad at me." I sigh in relief.

"Did she enjoy her lecture?" Jay enquires.

"Uhm, she didn't actually go to any lecture." I don't want to lie. "She isn't really interested in any science or technical stuff at all. She just came here with me, because she's a great friend. And because we could get a day off school."

"Yeah, I kinda figured that much, when she stormed off in the wrong direction earlier. But, I was actually quite happy to spend the morning with you." He smiles.

"Me too." I smile back. "I hope you didn't miss anything important because of me."

"On no, I didn't miss anything important. We had no classes this morning, because of the Open Day. And most of the courses are already finished for the summer anyway. When I spotted you, I was on my way to the library to study, but this was a lot more fun." Jay checks his watch. "I'll just have to leave in about an hour for a practical class this afternoon."

"That means you still have time for a coffee?" I ask. "I could get one for you this time. What would you like?"

Please don't make me guess.

Jay blushes. "Oh, I don't like coffee at all." He tells me. "But if it's fine with you, I would love a hot chocolate, please."

"And you have called me strange..." I smirk. "What kind of college student doesn't drink coffee?"

I go inside to get one hot chocolate for Jay and a coffee with milk for me. When he sees that I have added some mini marshmallows to his drink, Jay looks as happy as a child on Christmas Morning. Ugh, how can anyone drink this stuff, it is way too sweet for my likings.

"I was surprised to find that the son of a famous movie star is just an ordinary student..." I remark, stirring my coffee.

"Oh, but I am not just an ordinary student." Jay protests with a smile. "I am an excellent student." He jokes, making both of us laugh.

"My apologies, it would never dare to doubt your amazing skills, Mr Gordon." I tease him. "But, why did you choose to do this?"

"I've always loved to build stuff, even as a young child." Jay explains. "Whenever Ed – Mr Walker, I've told you about him, haven't I?" I nod. "Well, whenever he had to fix things in the house, he would let me help. And then, when I was a bit older, I got my own little workshop in the basement. My dad wasn't too happy about my passion for inventing, he would have preferred to see me follow his career path. When I was younger, I had some small parts in his films and did a couple of commercials, but I didn't really enjoy it. And eventually my dad had to accept my decision." He then gives me a serious look. "Nya, I am still not a normal student. As you already know, I don't drink coffee. I don't even need it. But there's more. I didn't have to take a students' loan, I don't have to work part-time, and I don't live in the students' residence. Right before I started here, Cliff bought an apartment close to the campus. And the only reason I share the place with my best bro is because I find living on my own too boring. Pretty much the same goes for Cole. His father is a famous singer; he even went through almost the same thing with his dad as me."

"Wow." I whisper, not really knowing what else to say, so I take a sip of my coffee.

It's not that I didn't know where he comes from, but he has never really talked about his father's money before. Why does he bring it up now?

"I-I hope you don't think I told you this, because I wanted to show off or make you uncomfortable, Nya." Jay answers those unspoken questions. "It's just, that's part of who I am. For me, this is my normal life, and I don't want it to ever come between us in the future. Because... the more I get to know you, the more I like you."

Jay's face has turned the shade of lobster, but I don't think mine looks much different... "I-I like you, too." I mumble.

"So, are you going to visit any more schools, either here today or at other universities?" Jay asks to break the moment of awkward silence.

I look up and shake my head. "No, I don't need to see any more places. Thanks to you, I have found exactly what I've been looking for." My eyes lock with his, as I lean closer to him. It's not just the tour and the courses I am talking about now.

"Me too." Jay replies, cupping my face with his soft hands.

And at the same moment that our lips meet, I change my opinion about hot chocolate.