Character Interview: Jay
Voices drift from the sitting room as I near. And they don’t sound happy.
“I don’t understand why they get to leave and I don’t,” Alexis says.
I pause in the open doorway. Alexis sits with her arms crossed and a sour look on her face.
“Pynn and Aven already had their interviews. There’s no reason for them to stay,” Maddie explains.
“Then why don’t you leave?” Alexis glares at her.
“I’m staying for my friends.” Maddie motions to Jay and Eryna sitting on either side of her on the couch.
“Whatever.” Alexis leans back in her chair, but her scowl deepens. “I still don’t want to be here.”
Jay huffs. “Really, I don’t know why you’re complaining. You’ll have an interview. You’ll get to talk about yourself. You should like that.”
Alexis turns her glare on him. “Are you—”
“Children,” Lyren tries to interrupt, but Alexis ignores him.
“Are you saying I’m self-centered?” she asks.
“Alexis, at this point, I’m about ready to say whatever will get you to shut up,” Jay says.
Lyren rubs his eyes. “Arguing gets us nowhere.”
“You want me to shut up?” Alexis leans forward again and jabs a finger at Jay. “You’re the one who needs to be quiet. You’re the one who is completely—”
“Delightful to talk to.” Jay smiles, his tone teasing.
Alexis groans. “And you say I’m self-centered.”
“It was a joke!”
I clear my throat. The arguing stops as they notice I’m here.
“We’re in trouble, aren’t we?” Jay asks.
“No. But your interview is next.”
“Oh. So only I’m in trouble.” He grins and stands. “Okay. Where to?”
“The library.”
I lead the way to the king’s private library and take my seat behind the desk. Jay sits across from me, glancing around.
“This is a lot of books,” he says. “I guess only someone with an elf’s lifespan could read them all.”
“Probably. You like reading?”
Jay nods. “Yeah. It’s not my favorite thing, but growing up with Maddie turned me into a book nerd. Not as much as she is. But she’s always made sure to recommend books. She used to badger me into reading her favorites so we could discuss them.”
“Sounds about right,” I say. “You and Maddie grew up together?”
He nods again. “We lived next door to each other our entire lives until I moved into a dorm at school. She’s almost exactly a year younger than me, but she was born a week after my birthday. Our parents have even taken us on trips together for our birthdays. She’s always been there. I don’t care what DNA says—Maddie is my little sister.”
“And that’s why you’re so protective of her.”
“That’s why. It’s a brother’s job to protect his sister. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure Maddie is safe.” He blows out a breath. “Too bad I can’t protect her from Alexis.”
“Maddie said Alexis is a narcissist and takes every opportunity to bully Maddie.”
“It’s true. Alexis only cares about herself. She’s terrible to Maddie. She insults her all the time. I think Alexis may be one reason Maddie’s confidence is so low. You know Maddie thinks she’s fat? She thinks her hair is unruly. She can’t see herself the way the rest of us do, and I think bullies are partially to blame for that.”
“At least she has true friends to remind her of the truth.”
“Yeah. We try.”
“I bet you’re just as protective of your real sister.”
Jay smiles. “Actually, Mashari is the protective one. She’s older by nine years, and has never let me forget it.”
“Since you’re a brother to Maddie, does that mean Mashari is like her sister?”
“No. They’re good friends, but Mashari didn’t grow up with Maddie like I did. She’s my dad’s daughter from his first marriage and lived with her mom. Mashari and her husband have moved to town, though.” He sits up straighter, his voice brightening. “And she has a son. I’m an uncle!”
I laugh. “A crazy uncle, no doubt.”
“You know it.”
I shake my head. “Let’s move on. How do you feel about all of this—Exterrah, the elves, everything?”
Jay is quiet for a moment. “It’s… weird. I don’t know what to think about it. I never thought other worlds existed. Elves are fairy tales. But…” He shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll get used to it all.”
“You will.” I smile.
“You… are planning something.” He flashes a teasing grin. “Don’t tell me. I’m going to become an honorary elf.”
He runs a hand over his braids. “I already have great hair, so I’m practically an elf already.”
I laugh. “You can’t be serious for long, can you?”
“Nope. ‘Serious’ is not in my vocabulary.”
“What about when you’re playing music?”
“Okay, so I take some things seriously.”
“That’s your major, isn’t it? Music?”
“Yeah. But I still have to study math and everything, which makes no sense. Why study things that have nothing to do with our major? It’s crazy.”
“I agree. But let’s go back to music. What do you play?”
“Genre wise? I love rock and CCM. Instruments? I play guitar and piano, and I sing. I lead worship at church sometimes. I think that may be what I want to do, but I’m not completely sure. I’m still praying about it.”
“That’s the best way to make a decision—through prayer.”
“Exactly.”
“So you want to do something with music. Is there anything else you’ve thought of?”
“Actually, the more I see of the elves, the more I admire swordsmanship. These people are amazing fighters. Sword fighting looks… fun? I’m not sure that’s the word for it. But I’d love to try it.”
“Maybe you will.” I give him a knowing smile.
“I like the sound of that ‘maybe.’” He grins. “It sounds almost like a definitely.”
“I can’t say exactly what will happen, but I’ll tell you this: you’ll get to try your hand at swords.”
His smile widens. “That sounds awesome.”
I glance at my paper. “Looks like we’ve covered everything. But I forgot something when we first started.”
“What?”
“Everyone else introduced themselves at the beginning of their interview. We started talking about books, and I never asked you to introduce yourself.”
“Oh.” He laughs. “Right. Well, I’m Jaylend Russels, and I’ll be your favorite character.” He winks.
“Sorry, but you’re losing that battle.”
“What?” He puts a hand to his chest, his teasing growing to full force. “I am hurt. Do no readers love me?”
“I’m sure some will.”
“Yeah, some will. It’s impossible not to love me.”
I roll my eyes. If I didn’t know he was joking, he’d be insufferable. “Your interview is over. Go be weird somewhere else. And send in Eryna?”
“Will do.”
Check back Friday for Eryna’s interview. If there is anything you want to know about the Elven princess, or any of the characters, drop your questions in the comments.
