Hidden in Plain Sight

Update

A/N It's done. It was a headache to write and I don't know if it's any good, but it's done! Because it's impossible for me to be succinct, Hidden in Plain Sight is sitting at 97 000 words. 

I'll start releasing chapters on April 29th. I hope you like the story. It feels like a mess to me, but hopefully editing will make it good. Thank you for reading! See you all on the 29th!

Here's a sneak peek of what's to come: 

Jay POV

"Pixal is not a mere girl. She is an advanced AI-" Zane said.

"No. She's a Nindroid. She's just like you. She's self-aware and has free will and emotions," I said, "Trust me, I don't know much but I do know how to recognize an AI. She's real. And you like her."

"I do like her," Zane said, "However, I fail to see why that is relevant. I cannot think of anyone I dislike."

"No, you like her in a way that makes you want to smush your face against hers and take her on picnics," I said.

"I- what?"

"She's your Nya! And you're not going to fight for her!? All is fair in love and war!"

"Jay, this conversation is confusing. I don't understand," Zane said.

"Love! Come on, Zane! Haven't you ever watched a romantic movie before!?"

"No."

"You're missing out," I said, "Don't tell Cole and Kai that I watch romance movies."

"I promise," Zane said, "Regardless of my feelings towards Pixal, she is not interested in me outside of a professional setting. We are co-workers, nothing more." Aha! Zane does like Pixal. I knew it.

"Co-workers who have shared intimate memories with each other. Co-workers who revealed the secret of humanity in their code. Pixal admitted it herself, she's got feelings. And with a little plotting and careful execution, she'll have feelings for you."

We got into my truck. Nya and I worked together to fix up an old pickup truck, lovingly named Jay by my parents. (Long story... I'm not self-absorbed!) But renamed Jaya after Nya and I got together.

It worked perfectly and it was all thanks to Nya. I'd been trying to get that piece of junk going for years. It took her one month. And I knew she was fixing slower than usual, just so she could spend more time with me (or because I was too stupid to go any faster. Either way, more Nya. I considered that a win).

"Jay, I admit," Zane said, "I am unfamiliar with romantic love." His voice was slightly wistful. I wondered if I sounded like that when I talked about Nya.

"Aren't you lucky you have a friend like me?" I said.

"I am." I sat up straight with pride at Zane's compliment. All that confidence deflated as Zane continued: "However, in terms of the matters of love, I do not think your advice is beneficial. Due to your failures in your past pursuit of girls, your unhealthy ex-girlfriends, as well as your unstable relationship with Nya."

"It's not unstable," I insisted.

"Thank you. I will think of what you said," Zane said, "Perhaps Pixal is in my future."

"I'm sure she is," I said, patting Zane's back. My leg bounced up and down in anticipation. My phone buzzed. I paused to gaze at my lock screen. Surprisingly no one, it was a picture of Nya. The text I got was from her asking when she can call me that night. Nya was in my future too.