I'm sorry if it feels like I'm not writing Jay as much in this story. I want to write someone else as the main character for once. I'm sorry if I got lazy toward the end...

The moment Cole stepped out of the classroom, he heard the teacher bitterly screech out his name. Cole wanted to scuffle back like a dog with its tail between its legs, but he ignored the urge and carried on.

He hastily investigated the empty passage for any sign of his friend. The silence was almost deafening. The only sounds were the rain falling out of the heavens and the giant lights flashing through the sky with loud claps.

His logic told him that if Jay was feeling sick, he would go to the nearest restroom. Cole obeyed his instincts and made his way to the nearest restroom, making sure that the bundles of bags lining the walls weren't Jay.

Jay was a small kid, or rather adult. (only legally, though. Jay still hasn't grown up. Whether it would be mentally or physically, he would always be a kid at heart.) Cole wouldn't be surprised if Jay curled up and tried to blend in with school bags like a ninja.

Most of the school bags were a shade of navy blue, just like the blazer that hung over Jay's small body. He knew that Jay would do that because Jay was Jay. There was nothing more to it.

Jay would most likely already be locked in one of the tiny stalls because he was incredibly fast. For his body structure, Jay had long, lean legs. And boy could he run. He was part of the athletic team and competed in short and long distances. A person could barely see his legs carrying him along the track. It was all a blur until he reached the finish line.

Cole's leather school shoes made a high-pitched squeak on the tiled floor as he turned the corner to the restroom. He made sure to enter the men's room. (He didn't feel like repeating what happened the previous week)

He knew that Jay wouldn't be able to hear him come in, so he didn't even try to call out for him.

Out of the five stalls, only two were occupied. Cole wasn't even sure if Jay was in here, but he decided to patiently wait for him to come out if he indeed was in there.

The small bathroom had charcoal coloured tile floors and pearly sinks. Decades worth of words were still engraved on the bathroom doors with ink. Some were faint and illegible, while others were still newly written.

Cole kept his gaze on the water dripping from the copper tap. Another drop fell from the tap into the white bowl, joining the previous ones which suffered the same fate.

Time was going by very slowly.

Cole pulled his phone from his pocket and broke another rule. No cell phones may be used during school. He knew that he could talk to Kai about this.

Kai also had classes with Jay and also noticed the wierd occurrences. When Kai asked Jay if he was okay, he would get the same answer that he would give Cole.

"I'm fine, don't worry."

Cole decided to not whatsapp Jay. Jay would probably get scared and would never come out of his stall.

Cole : Hey, man

Kai : Woah, good boy Cole is breaking the school rules?

Cole : Yeah, very funny, Kai. How u doing? Heard u got an attack this morning.

Kai : lol I'm good. I just had 2 concentrate on my breathing and I got it under control. What's up? Why did our good son Cole break the rules?

Cole : your words harm me.

Kai : Just get 2 the point

Cole : Ok, ok. Jay ran off again and I left the class to look for him. Without permission, mind you. I feel filthy.

Kai : COLE! WE RAISED U BETTER THAN THIS. but seriously, is he ok?

Cole : idk he hasn't come out of there yet. I'll keep you updated

Just as his last message earned two grey ticks he heard one of the locks unhitch. He nervously waited for someone to come out - hopefully, Jay-. He slipped his phone back into his pocket. Just as he thought, it was Jay. His hand made its way through his hair that clinged to his forehead. Why would he be sweating when it's cold?

Jay looked up at him, surprised to see him standing there.

"Oh, um, what are you doing here?" Jay asked Cole as he readjusted his blazer.

"I was worried about you," Cole signed. Jay smiled, just like he did every time when someone signed to him.

"Thank you for thinking of me, Cole," Jay thanked him, giving his head a slight nod.

"Will you tell me what's wrong this time?" Cole signed. He made sure to wear a soft face expression. He didn't want to scare Jay off.

"I'm okay, I swear," Jay said and put his hands into the pockets of his blazer. Cole's eyebrow raised. He kept his attention on Jay's face. His eyes were moving around, wanting to escape any contact they had to make with Cole's.

"Sure?"

"Yeah. The, um, lightning scared me. Yeah, that's it," He drifted off, muttering the last part as if he wanted to convince himself, although it was obvious that Jay was lying. Jay was the worst liar to ever be born.

Cole did nothing more than nod. Why call him out for lying when Cole himself was lying to him as well? Jay kept a lot to himself. He was an easy book to read, but Cole knew that there was so much more to Jay's story.

It was easy to see exactly what Jay was thinking or what he was feeling. Whether he was happy, sad or nervous, it was all visible through his eyes. At that moment, Cole knew that Jay was scared and nervous.

Cole had much more to his story and he was never going to tell anyone outside of Kai, Nya and Zane. Maybe Jay had his own secrets to keep? Maybe he had a secret just as deep as his that could never come out of its hiding place?

Maybe Jay's secret was just as disgusting as his own and if people found out, he would be a social outcast. Maybe that's why he was home schooled all of his life.

Cole closed the bathroom door behind him and followed Jay back to the class. Jay was always in front of him and kept his distance. It seemed like Jay wanted to get away from him. His arms were wrapped around himself, his steps were fast and he was quick on his feet.

The bell rang and it wasn't much later that crowds of learners started stampeding out of their classrooms.

Their class was close to being empty when Jay and Cole returned to their class. Before the teacher got the chance to yell at him, Cole slipped out of the class.

Jay, however, had already left. He was nowhere to be seen.

Cole made plans to go to Kai and Nya's house directly after school to check up on his poor friend. He was a bit upset that Jay didn't say goodbye to him. Cole had been so used to it, that this part of his day being left out made him feel incomplete.

His bag was slung over his shoulder while he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He sent Jay a message, knowing that he would see it when he got home and hopefully would respond to. He then hit the road to his friend's house.

Nya had already left, so he had no one to walk with. He would usually walk with Jay and part ways, but his day didn't plan out as he wanted it to. He stopped by the coffee shop, per Kai's request.

He let himself into the tiny red brick house. He was there more than he was at his own home. If Cole was honest with himself, he would agree that he felt more at home at the Smith's house than at his own. He even had a spare key that he always had on him.

Kai and Nya were sprawled across the Yellow Wood table. Nya was doing her homework while Kai was laying on his arms. Nya was consumed by her homework. She didn't even notice Cole walking in.

Cole slid the Hazelnut ice tea across the table.

"As you asked, sir," Cole joked. He seated himself next to Kai and took a sip of his own ice coffee.

"Thank you, kind sir," Kai said and sat up straight, "How's the bluejay?" He asked curiously.

"I have no idea. He didn't want to tell me. When I wanted to say goodbye, he was already gone," Cole grumbled.

"Awww, poor Cole. Don't worry, man. You'll get your kiss tomorrow," Kai smirked.

Nya piped up for the first time since Cole came in.

"Kai, seriously. I'm worried about him. There is something he's keeping from us. You would've thought that he would've spilt the beans to at least Cole by now."

"Pff, we all know he sweeps Jay off of his feet with his crazy strength powers," Kai continued, a sly smirk on his lips.

"Show me your powers then, Kai," Cole said and returned the smirk.

Kai's smirk fell and he scratched the back of his neck.

"I don't really have them yet."

Cole huffed and stuck his chest out boastfully.

After an hour, the gang found themselves sitting outside in the small back area that the Smith's had. The weather had calmed down a bit and they sat on the stone steps outside of the door. It turns out that Zane was in the library looking for books about their elemental powers. Their curiosity had grown, and they wanted to know if there were more of them out there. People just like them.

Jay messaged him not long after.

Jay : Yeah, srry abt that :/ I just rly had 2 get home

Cole : oh... r u ok now?

Jay : I'm fine :) thank u for caring. it's been a while since I've had a friend who cares

Kai wanted to see if Cole could tap into his powers yet. After declining, Kai still begged him to at least try. Cole reluctantly agreed and swooped up some dirt from the ground next to them, which housed a bush of red roses. The fresh droplets still shimmed like diamonds after the morning's showers.

Cole stared the dirt. It was still damp and lay still in his palm.

"You gonna do it?"

"I think he's gonna do it."

Cole glared at the twins and stared down at his hands. He pinched his eyes closed and concentrated on moving it. He relaxed his body and took slow breathes. His eyes shot open when he felt a tickling sensation in his hands. He was in control.

"Holy sweet balogne!" Kai shouted.

Cole watched in awe as he moved the grains from one hand to the other. Nya cheered as she swirled her own water in her hand. It wasn't until Nya splashed Cole that he snapped out of his trance. Cole wiped the water from his face with his hand and smiled the biggest smile he had ever smiled in a long time.

"Did you see what I just did!" He laughed. Kai's mouth was agape and nodded his head. He looked at his own hands and muttered to himself.

"Yeah, I did. I have questions," A voice said.

Their jaws dropped when they saw a very shocked Lloyd standing in the doorway. Lloyd's eyes were wide and he stared at Cole and Nya. He didn't move, but rather stayed and stared, waiting for an answer.