Jaya Appreciation Club!

Ready, Player 2?

{Yeah the pic doesn't go with the title but 😂 whatever— it has the number on it so I think it's cute!}

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"Strike!" Kai cheered again as the ball went straight through the center of the stack of pins down the alley. His score clicked up on the monitor above them and he plopped down with a satisfied smirk next to Skylor. He snatched one of her fries and she swatted at him playfully. "Hey!" He laughed and kissed her quickly to keep her from smacking him again, to which she just smiled and rolled her eyes.

"My turn!" Jay hopped up from his seat and almost spilled his Icee in the process. He saved it and sighed in relief. He looked up and saw something he never expected.

The most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Sleek black locks pulled into a ponytail. Dark, copper-tinted skin and full, red lips. She was quickly approaching their group with an easy smile resting on her lips. "Kai!" She waved and Kai's head whipped around.

He broke into a grin and shoved himself up from the chair. "Nya!" He ran over to the smaller girl and swooped her up in a bear hug, which she returned with equal intensity. "Guys! This is Nya, my sister. She's been abroad in Japan for what, 9 months now?" She nodded.

"Yep! I'm going with an exchange program during the school year but they let me come home for the summer. I'm so excited to meet all of you! I've heard so much!" She made eye contact with Jay and a zing ran through his whole body. "You must be Jay. Your curls are so big and bright! Like your scarf." She stepped closer and brushed his red scarf with the back of her hand.

"Oh... really? Um, thanks! D-do you like blue?" Jay cringed at his stutter. He only got it whenever he got incredibly nervous. She was so pretty, why was she getting this close? Wow, her hair smelled really good... she looked so beautiful in her leather jacket. She grinned and nodded eagerly.

"It's my favorite color!" He grinned too at her response. "And you must be Cole." Nya went around the circle and introduced herself to the rest of the team. Jay was too busy floating through a haze of "!!!" to notice anything said, though.

"So are you gonna go or will I just get Cole to toss you down the alley?" Kai's voice broke the trance Jay was in and he shook himself out of it.

"That's not possible, Kai," Zane added from where he and Pixal kept score on the monitor, just in case something went wrong they could fix it. They had their human disguises on right now. It was something Cyrus Bord had helped them make so they could go out without being recognized. It worked like a charm!

"I concur. Although with Cole's abilities and Jay's abnormally light weight, perhaps-" Pixal was interrupted by Jay. She pinched her lips together and raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, I get it! Yeah, yeah I can go now." Jay grabbed the bowling ball and tried not to think about the gorgeous, wonderful girl sitting right behind him. What if she thought he was weird for wearing a scarf indoors? It might get caught in his grip. Should he take it off? But she said she liked it. Maybe he should keep it, just in case. He shook his head again and tossed the ball.

His hand slipped at the last second and it went flying the opposite direction he wanted. "GUTTER BALL" flashed across the screen. What?! He never got gutter balls! He always scored! He furrowed his brows and ignored the teasing from Lloyd and Kai behind him. He'd get it this time, he was sure!

He prepped again and was about to release it when he heard from behind, "Whoo! Yeah, Jay!" He peeked over his shoulder and the ball went flying wild again. But wait--Nya was cheering for him! He grinned when he saw her smile, but it dropped when he realized she saw him miss too. He groaned and let Cole take his spot at the lane. He turned back and saw Nya cheering him on, which made his self-esteem soar.