I Never Knew

Chapter 6

***I decided not to post the song's full lyrics. I think it makes chapters a little more confusing!***

***(Jay's POV; song for this chapter: "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls)***

"Jay, you seem to enjoy music," Nya observes as she walks along beside me on the way back to the monastery.

"Yeah, my mom was really into it."

"You don't...talk about her much."

I nod. "Yeah, she left me with a foster family when I was five. Music is kind of my go-to advice column now."

"I'm sorry," she murmurs. Then, a little more upbeat, she says, "I think I know what your next song should be."

"Oh, uh, okay." I have no idea where this is going.

"'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls!" she exclaims.

I sputter. "W-what?"

"Lloyd got me thinking when we talked earlier. We need to set down some rules for this relationship, even if it is fake."

"Oh, okay. Um, hey, would you like to listen to the song with me?"

She shrugs. "Sure."

I quickly pull it up on my Borgpod and hand her an earbud.

"Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want,

So tell me what you want, what you really, really want.

I'll tell me what I want, what I really, really want,

So tell me what you want, what you really, really want.

I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna,

I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig, ah."

I pause the song. "These lyrics aren't helpful at all. I can't understand what they're even trying to say."

Nya rolls her eyes. "Keep playing the song. It gets better."

"You're bossy."

She smirks. "One of my many fine qualities."

"If you want my future, forget my past,

If you wanna get with me, better make it fast.

Now don't go wasting my precious time,

Get your act together. We could be just fine."

"I think these words really apply to people who are actually pursuing a romantic relationship. I thought you only wanted to fake date me."

She gives me an exasperated glare. "Of course, I only want to fake date you."

Ouch.

"You could at least act like you want this relationship," she groans.

"I do," I blurt out before I can stop it. I inhale sharply as soon as I realize what I said.

Way to blow it, Jay!

But Nya just laughs. "That's more like it! See, I knew you were good at this acting business. It's almost like you have it in your blood."

"Oh, acting business," I laugh nervously. "Uh-huh."

"What's your favorite food?" she asks out of the blue.

"Cotton candy. Why?"

"I always carry gummy worms, licorice, or chocolate on me for Lloyd. I might as well make sure you have something sweet, too."