Chapter 6- The Consequences Of Endless Babbling

"Whoa, check it!"

Lloyd slid down from the mountain of junk, a rusted gun in his hands. It was old, resembling something out of a western. Lloyd tipped an imaginary hat, before speaking in a horribly embarrassing accent.

"This town here ain't big'nugh for da' both of us."

Jay burst into laughter. Nya rolled her eyes. "I thought you were helping us, Lloyd."

"I am," Lloyd said, tossing the broken gun back into the pile. "It's just hard to find anything made of copper. Everything is so rusted! It all looks the same."

"You're just not trying hard enough," Nya said, pointing at her growing pile of copper objects. "The sooner we're done, the sooner Jay's parents will give us some sweet, sweet cash."

"Wish they gave me cash." Jay pouted. His own copper pile was larger than Nya's. He was an expert when it came to sorting, due to years of experience. But it all came with no reward.

"They feed you, and they give you clothes." Lloyd pointed out. "I'm pretty sure raising you cost a lot more money than you'd think."

"Yeah but. . ." Jay shrugged. "Nevermind. Let's just get this over with so we can go inside. I'm melting."

They continued, until Jay's mom finally approached and herded them inside. She gave both Nya and Lloyd a nice and crisp twenty dollar bill each, then poured glasses of ice cold lemonade.

Jay finished his in three long gulps. "Best."

Nya did the same with her own drink. "Lemonade."

Lloyd shook his head, sipping the drink slowly. "Ever heard of making things last?"

"Ever heard of I was dying of dehydration?" Jay snapped back, wiping beads of sweat from his forehead.

"You weren't dying."

"You don't know my body!" Jay shook his head. "I was dying. I could feel it. But I didn't want to say anything. Since we were almost done."

"Oh please." Nya snickered. "If you were actually dying, we wouldn't ever hear the end of it. You'd complain and whine right up to your very last breath."

Jay squinted his eyes, getting ready to formulate a clever response. Before he could do so, a synchronized buzzing rippled through the room, as all three of their phones went off at the same time. Lloyd reached his first.

"It's Cole!"

Jay tried to keep his cool, but he was sure both Nya and Lloyd could see his fingers shaking. He opened the message.

How about the mall, after school? We could eat something. When does it work for you guys?

"Eating something," Lloyd smirked, exchanging glances with Nya.

"Together." She responded.

"It's a date!" They both said together, before elbowing Jay and bursting into fits of laughter.

Jay rolled his eyes, but acting like he didn't care did not calm his wild heartbeat. "It's not a date. Date means two people. He just wants to hang out! To thank us, and whatever."

"I don't know, he seemed pretty determined to make it happen." Nya batted her eyelashes. " What did you two talk about when he drove you home? You got him head over heels for you!"

"I don't! We didn't talk about anything. Not really. He's just a nice guy. Like you guys said." Jay shook his head. "That's all."

"That's. . . All." He repeated forcefully to himself.

Things were settled for Wednesday after school.

Since they couldn't all fit in Cole's pickup truck, they'd agreed to meet at the mall. Jay's feelings were a constant, perfect balance between excitement and anxiety, the later sparking up to the extreme as school drew to a close.

And Cole? He was so relaxed. So nonchalantly pleased about the upcoming plans. It made Jay more jealous than he'd ever admit. He would give anything to have such a handle on his own emotions.

Lloyd's mom had agreed to give them a ride to the mall. Which was another contributing factor to the rising anxiety. Teachers were. . . Teachers. Sure, of course he knew they were people with lives and families, but it still felt weird and out of place to see them live such lives.

Jay had no idea how he was supposed to act.

"Thank you for the ride," Nya was the first to break the silence. Always knowing what to do in any situation, as per usual.

"It's no problem! I'm really happy to meet you two. I'm glad you're sticking with my kiddo. He's always had a hard time with making friends."

Lloyd groaned from the passenger seat. Jay could easily picture his friend's grimace. "I'm okay at making friends."

"I just . . sometimes you aren't terribly good at keeping them."

"Thanks, mom."

"Well, I mean, what happened to Brad? He was a nice kid."

Jay and Nya exchanged glances. They'd never heard that name before. Which wasn't too odd, with Lloyd being as reserved as he was. But it sparked curiosity nonetheless. Nya leaned forward in her seat, poking at Lloyd's shoulder. "Who's that?"

"He. . ." Lloyd shook his head. "He just wasn't as nice as I thought he was, that's all. We haven't talked in years."

"And what about Gene?" Lloyd's mom continued.

"Gene!?" Lloyd scowled at this. Jay made a mental note to question his friend about these two later. "Mom, Gene was never my friend. He was the worst! Pigeon-brained teacher's pet is all he was."

"Well, he came over once. I thought you two were close."

"It was a school project."

"Hmm." Lloyd's mom shrugged. "Either way, thank you for being friends with Lloyd. He's just not good with people. Takes after his father on that aspect."

Lloyd shook his head, but provided no argument.

They arrived at the mall soon after. Jay and Nya exited together, after showering Misako with a wave of thank-you's. Lloyd opened his own door, scrambling to exit the seat.

"Aren't you going to kiss your mother good-bye?" She teased with a knowing glint.

"Bye, mom." Lloyd shook his head, shutting the door and trotting towards his friends. "So. Are the others here yet?"

"Yup. Kai just texted me." Nya smirked at Lloyd as they walked, barely concealed chuckles slipping from her lips every so often. "Your mom is so incredibly nice Lloyd, we should totally go over to your house sometime."

"Ha-ha, yeah you wish." Lloyd rolled his eyes. "No. My house is off limits."

"Oh c'mon." Jay, glad to not be the object of teasing, joined Nya. "Brad got to go. And Gene."

"Exactly!" Nya shouted.

"By the way who are-"

Luckily for Lloyd, Jay's question was never finished. It was abruptly cut off as he spotted Cole, waving at them from one of the tables at the food court. Jay waved back sheepishly, and Nya lead them forward.

"You guys already got food!" She scowled. "No manners."

"Well, you were taking a long time! And Cole was hungry." Kai shrugged.

"Right. Sorry. Mom had to do a couple of things before she could bring us. So. . . Sorry." Lloyd explained, his fingers tapping against the table's surface. A nervous habit that was all too familiar to Jay.

So maybe Lloyd wasn't all that comfortable around people. Huh. Jay hadn't ever paid much attention.

"There is no need for an apology. It was truly not that long. " Zane spoke up. There was only empty space on the table before him. So either he hadn't bought anything, or he was an amazingly fast eater. "And Cole is always hungry."

"Amm mmot." Cole protested, with a mouthful of food.

Kai grimaced, shoving his friend to the side. "Gross dude."

Cole swallowed. "I'm not always hungry."

"You are always hungry in the morning." Zane pointed out.

"And in between periods." Kai added.

"During lunch."

"After lunch."

"Okay, okay. So I like eating. No big deal." Cole shrugged. He looked away from his friends and towards the others, briefly making eye-contact with Jay. "You guys going to get anything?"

"I got us." Lloyd said, hopping up eagerly. "You guys stay here."

The green-eyed boy exchanged a quick look with Nya, before scampering off. Jay looked from Nya to Lloyd, hoping they weren't planning anything. Yet knowing they most certanly were.

"How long you gonna have your nose bandaged up?" Nya asked.

"Just a week." Cole shrugged. "As I expected, dad wasn't too happy about it but, eh, he isn't too happy about anything."

"Which is why I've told you, you need to talk to him!" Kai said. "Say 'Hey, dad, I would really appreciate it if you didn't try to write a script for the rest of my life. Cool, thanks.' Then you two hug it out, and bamm! Problem solved."

"It's fine." Cole said, but Jay caught the flash of emotions in his eyes that hinted at the opposite. The glimpse was gone as soon as it had come, swiftly replaced by the charming kindness that they usually radiated. "He means well. He's just a little overbearing sometimes."

"Sometimes, he says." Kai scoffed.

"I do believe if something is not sitting right with you, you should talk about it." Zane turned to face Cole as he spoke. "Communication is a very important part of a good relationship."

Cole cleared his throat. "Anyway, school is a thing. Anyone got anything to share about school?"

"I'm glad it's our last year." Nya whooped.

Lloyd returned as she did so, setting down the food he'd bought for him and his friends. "I wish it was my last year."

Wish, huh? Jay smiled to himself. You want to try and say that again? I have a magic Djinn in my backpack

He refocused on the present moment, realizing that Cole's eyes were now on his. The smile on Jay's lips quickly turned into an awkward line. Cole either didn't notice the change or pretended not to. Instead, he gave Jay a smile of his own. "You're awfully quiet."

"Me?" Jay gulped, holding back the urge to smash his head against the table. Yes, of course, you, who else would he be talking to with his eyes on yours? "I'm just-. . . I'm hungry. That's, that's all."

He quickly began shoving food into his mouth, eager to have something to do, other than sit and stare blankly at his crush. "Thanks, Lloyd."

"A friend that buys their friends food is literally a saint." Nya held up her hand for Lloyd to high-five. "Thank you, indeed."

Lloyd accepted Nya's gesture. "You guys owe me next time."

They ate in silence for the most part, too focused on enjoying the tasty calories to worry about much else. Once the food had gone, Nya was the first to speak again. "Oh! Kai? Lloyd was wondering if you would show him what you use for your hair and stuff."

"Right, right." Lloyd nodded, and Jay saw him and Nya exchange glances again. Knowing, mischievous, and terrifying glances. "I really like how it looks. I'd like to try some new things!"

"Oh?" Kai blinked, looking from his sister to Lloyd, as if expecting them to burst out laughing and say it was all a big joke. When they didn't, he allowed himself to beam. "Sure, dude!"

"Awesome," Lloyd smiled, guiding Kai away from the group. Their voices soon faded away in the crowd. Jay opened his mouth to suggest an activity that would involve the four of them left, but Nya was quicker.

"Zane, I really need to know where you buy your shirts. There's something about that style that I just love." She stood. "Could you show me?"

"Of course. " Zane, polite as ever, stood. They drifted away.

And then there were two.

Jay shrunk further into the seat, fingers fidgeting with one another. "Well then. . . They sure had. . . things to ask. . ."

"Is this the part where you ask me random advice on a random subject?" Cole raised an eyebrow. "That all seemed pretty rehearsed."

"It probably was," Jay muttered under his breath.

"Huh?"

"I said, I don't have questions." Jay lied. "I guess we could. . . wait for them?"

"Pft." Cole shook his head, pushing back his chair to stand. "Nah. We can find something to do too. Who knows, maybe you can give me advice on something."

"Me?" This time, it was Jay's turn to shake his head. "Give you advice? Haaa. . . that's funny."

"Why's it funny?"

"Because. . ." Jay's nerves grew with each step. It was one thing to talk to his crush in a car, with space between them and the safety of a reflection to keep himself nice and detached. But now, they walked side by side. It would take no more than a misstep for their hands to brush against one another. "Because you're Cole Brookstone."

"And?"

"And. . . you know. . . you're. . . the guy who can do anything. You know?" Jay shook his head. "I don't think there's anything you'd need help with. Most of all not from someone who barely has his life together."

There was that self-deprecating tone again. Jay wanted to bang his head against the nearest wall.

"You seem to think you know an awful lot about me," Cole said. "Considering we met a couple of days ago."

"Correction. We met in fourth grade. Technically. So maybe I know you pretty well." Jay couldn't believe he'd said that. But he didn't get any time to regret it. Cole was laughing softly, and Jay realized he was willing to say anything to hear him do that again.

"Touché." Cole's laughter dwindled.

"So why, um, why'd you want to start a band?"

Cole thought for a couple of minutes, before responding. "If I tell you, you've got to answer a question of mine. We've been talking about me an awful lot. I'm going to start thinking you're just a spy trying to milk me for personal information."

"Oh I just don't- I mean, there isn't much to say about me."

"C'mon, Jay."

"O-okay." Jay blushed. "But don't say I didn't warn you. I'm as boring as they come."

"I started a band because I wanted to be able to sing things that didn't involve a lot of rules. I wanted to just. . . have fun. And I do! Well, I did." At the shift in Cole's voice, Jay risked glancing away from the floor and towards him. "But now that my dad has gotten wind of our performance, It'll be another thing for him to take charge of."

"Why does he-"

"Ah, Ah, ah!" Cole waggled his finger before Jay. "It's my turn."

"Okay." Jay tugged at the sleeves of his blue jacket. "Shoot?"

"Do you-"

"There you are!" Nya popped in between Cole and Jay, putting her arms around each of them and pulling them close. For a moment, Jay felt the warmth of Cole's hand against his own. It sent a rattling shock through him.

"Done so soon? I'm guessing Zane was pretty straight-forward. As usual." Cole chuckled. They stopped walking, and Nya let go of them both.

"Well of course. She had a simple request." Zane joined the small group. "It did not take long."

"So what did you guys do?" Nya said, and Jay squinted his eyes at her.

"We walked a lap around the mall with no actual purpose," Cole said. "We were talking."

"Sounds nice." Nya's teasing smile was too much. Jay elbowed her side.

It only caused her to laugh. "Well, we'd better find my brother. He could talk for hours about hair products. Lloyd's most likely in need for a rescue."

"The sad part is you're not even kidding." Cole laughed. Jay was momentarily jealous at the way his eyes lingered on Nya's. "Let's save that poor kid."

The moment Jay was alone in his room, he fumbled for the lamp.

Nadakhan emerged, both pairs of arms crossed over his chest. "Oh, let me guess. You are not going to make a wish."

"Not yet." Jay plopped himself back against the bed. "I just. . . gah! I saw Cole today. We all hung out together. And I guess I did okay? I didn't embarrass myself too much. But that's probably because I barely talked. Unlike Nya."

"You know, why not wish for a friend?" Nadakhan sighed in annoyance. "I do not enjoy being a teenager's living diary. Djinn's are for wishes."

"She's just so confident. So sure of herself! Gah!" Jay ignored Nadakhan's words, too enraptured in his own self-pity. "And me? The literal opposite."

"We have been through this before." The Djinn sighed. "A wish for confidence. . ."

"I've only got two wishes. I've got to think them through. No more panic-wishing. I'm going to make these count." Jay nodded to himself. "Yeah. I need a plan. A good plan.

"But what, you know? Like what's my end goal?" Jay's words didn't leave enough of a pause in between to allow Nadakhan to answer. "Dating? I don't. . . That seems too surreal. I mean sure, That would be great but. . . the possibilities? Low, low, low.

"I mean, being friends would be cool. Good friends. So I could. . . just spend time with him. But friends. . . he's got so much more to offer than I do. He's calm, and smart, and reliable, and fun, and kind, and perfect. Not even kidding! Not even exaggerating.

"And I'm over here, being a mess all the time. I have absolutely nothing to give! Heck, I probably wouldn't want to be my friend. So it's just. . . Really intimidating, the way he's . . . The way he's just so. . .

"All in all, I just, I wish everything about his life wasn't so utterly perfect, you know?" Jay shut his eyes, rubbing his forehead. "Why did I have to end up liking the one guy that'll be perpetually out of my reach?"

"Your wish, is yours to keep."

Jay jolted up, his eyes snapping open in an instant. He replayed his own words in his head. "No, no, no. That wasn't a wish! I mean I said wish but I meant it like. . . I was just talking! I don't actually want-"

"Oh, well I do not make the rules." The Djinn smiled menacingly. "I am merely bound to follow them. You wished. I granted."

Jay let himself fall back on the bed again, putting an arm over his face. "Crap."

So much for a good plan.