Rivals {Ninjago AU}

Chapter 16

***A/N: Y'all, I just finished up the last finals week of my undergrad. It's been a wild ride, college :)

How are you all doing?***

***(PIXAL's POV)***

"And then my father asked, 'So what's the name of the play Romeo and Juliet are in again?'" I manage between chuckles, one hand clutching my stomach in levity.

Zane guffaws beside me. "Really?"

After an entire lunch period spent discussing classic literature, Zane offered to walk with me to class while I finished telling him about my father's lack of interest in the arts. My dad always pays rapt attention when I mention the books I'm reading, but I think it's hard for him to follow those conversations.

"Yes!" I laugh. "In his defense, though, I can't say he has much time for the classics. He's usually busy at work or spending time with me."

Zane smiles, his icy blue eyes twinkling. "My own father isn't much for classic works, so I understand it." He shakes his head. "I think he knows how Romeo and Juliet is titled, though, so perhaps he's one step ahead of your father."

"Maybe," I grin. "Do you spend a lot of time with your dad?"

He nods. "I typically spend my evenings with him. We work on projects together – woodworking, building, and the like."

"My dad and I do the same!" I exclaim. "But usually, we work together on a programming project. Or we'll go see a movie or something."

"You like to program?" Zane asks, curious.

"It's something I've worked on since I was a child," I shrug. "It's more a way to connect with my father than anything. I prefer reading and writing, if I'm being honest."

"What do you write?"

I shove my hands in my pockets. "Not much, really. Especially lately – I feel like I have writer's block whenever I sit down to work on something, and I end up writing a few words only to delete them moments later." It's not that what I write is bad; it's just not good, either.

"I understand." Zane clears his throat. "So I assume your name is PIXAL because your dad is the technology type? With what you said about programming and all."

I laugh. "You'd be surprised how few people ask about my name. I mean, it's already an unusual word, and it's spelled with all capital letters."

Zane chuckles. "Wow, all capital letters?"

I nod, my cheeks flushed and my spirit soaring. "But to answer your question, yes, that's why I'm named PIXAL. I used to hate it, but now, I think it's actually kind of cute."

"I like it," Zane offers. Then he stops abruptly. "Um, is this your classroom?"

I look up and blush when I realize we're standing at the door. "Oh, yeah. Thank you for walking with me."

He smiles. "It was truly a pleasure, PIXAL. I enjoyed our conversation today." And he tosses me a wave before heading down the hall back the way we came.

I try to hide the stupid grin on my face and open the door to my classroom, spotting a free seat by Skylor to my left. The two of us have partnered together for physics labs since getting settled into classes here at Ridgewood, so I immediately gravitate toward her.

"How was your lunch?" I ask, sitting down beside her.

She quirks an eyebrow. "I was sitting at your table, you know."

I blink. "Oh, I" – had no idea – "guess you were."

But then she smiles a little. "The food was fine. I had to deal with Kai Smith for the first half of the lunch period, but other than that, I guess it was okay." She rolls her eyes. "I cannot stand that boy."