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The doorknob rattled, interrupting Nya’s sleep and disturbing the peace. She expects her visitor to be the same person who has arrived at her bedroom for three nights in a row. Four, if she’s faced with Jay Walker, who now stubbornly goes by Rogue. She misses the nights before the Merge where Jay snuck in her bed at night just to remind himself that Nya is alive and in his arms.
Nya slips on a shirt and her slippers before opening the door. Her mind prepares to take the emotional beating that often accompanies an interaction with her former husband. She cracks open the door, staring back at Jay’s face. He isn’t quite her Jay, no matter how many nights she hopes he would remember his past in a stroke of a miracle.
Jay wears a fitted tank top with baggy, tan pajamas. His hair is out of its usual horrendous ponytail, opting to lay along his exposed collarbones and frame his eyes. This night, his late-time adventure was quenching his thirst, as Nya spots a glass of ice water in his hand. His other hand scratches his scalp.
“Sorry,” Rogue starts, his voice not touched by exhaustion. “Wrong door.” He continues to stare at Nya, unmoving. He’s looking for a reaction.
Nya has played his little game a few times, pretending that he really did reach for the wrong door. Who could blame him? The monastery has identical halls and identical doors, and there’s no light to illuminate the walls. He has only stayed here for two weeks, passing time until his leg heals. Lloyd insisted that he should find asylum at the monastery, regardless of who he was or who anybody thinks he should be.
But Nya knows better than to assume Rogue has “accidentally” stumbled upon her door, regardless of how many times it has happened until now. Jay may have lost his memories, but his heart and body still exhibit the same habits he had before the Merge. She sees the crinkle in the corner of his eyes that tells her that he expects to be amused. His mouth quirks up in the way he does when he cracks a joke. Worst of all, his shoulders tense because he knows he is lying. She hates it.
Rogue has noticed that Nya has not responded to his lame excuse. She refuses to give him satisfaction so she starts to close the door. His facade slips as Jay now scrambles, subtly but not too subtle for her to read him, to pull a response. He fails and begins to walk away.
Something in Nya snaps. She can’t even begin to fathom what caused Jay to act so immaturely. No one has corrected his bratty behavior, but she will. For his own good.
“‘Sorry’ doesn’t cut it!” She walks after him, shouting. “You don’t get to walk away again!”
Jay turns and reveals a wicked smirk smeared on his face. He has no remorse.
“You’re doing this on purpose, to hurt me,” She stops in front of him, restraining her urge to smack the water glass out of his hands. “And it hurts.” Nya feels her chest rising and falling, too fast for her heart to catch up.
“It’s not my fault you get so worked up.” Her heart shatters. He doesn’t care, and she thinks he never will. Nya will never get her husband back. That man who proposed will never come back. Her brother’s best friend will never come back. Her eyes sting and her throat feels hot and choked. Rogue stands, like a cold statue, and judges her in the dim hallway.
“I’m not your plaything. Leave me alone. Leave the monastery for all I care!” She throws her hands in his face, barely managing to not slap him. “I’ve stopped clinging to you, like you asked, so what is your problem?”
“And I thought ninjas were supposed to be composed. This is embarrassing, even for you.” Jay rolls his eyes like Nya is the most boring person he’s ever met. His feet tap and his eyes dart around her, like he wants to go away. A taste of his own medicine, and he tucks his tail? He’s so shallow. Nya scoffs and crosses her arms. “Besides, I thought you wanted to get close to me, yeah? Don’t get all twisted when I accidentally come across your door. Stop making it such a big deal.”
Nya growls, frustrated. She clenches her fists. What is she doing? Nya can’t let this idiot have the upper hand. He’s so obviously toying with her emotions. She needs to walk away.
“Leave me alone,” She turns away because she can’t stand to be faced with the man she lost. “Better yet, just forget me again.” Tears pool in her eyes. “I wish we never found you.”
“Whatever.” Rogue scoffs, and Nya hears him turn and walk back where he came from. She begins the short walk back to her bedroom, where she can curl up in the comfort of silence and isolation.