Chapter Three - Promises

Jay arrived home, not hoping for anything or anyone to be there when he opened the door.

Stepping inside of the house, it seemed quiet. He wandered into the kitchen, where his father would usually be making a coffee when Jay got home from school.

I knew he wouldn't be here.

Jay set his backpack down on the kitchen counter and headed into the living room where he nearly jumped out of his skin. There, on the large modern sofa, was none other than Cliff Gordon himself.

"Dad?!" Jay exclaimed, a huge smile upon his face.

"Jay?" Cliff looked up to see his son.

Cliff got up and headed towards Jay, pulling him into a hug.

"I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, dad." Jay hugged back.

"I am really really sorry that I couldn't be here for your birthday but I have good news." Cliff smiled.

"What is it?" Jay asked.

"The movie went great. I got an email this morning asking me to appear as a main character on some Broadway shows." Cliff announced.

"Broadway?! That's your dream!! Oh my gosh! Congrats, dad! I'm so proud of you!!" Jay hugged him.

"Thanks, Jay. But I don't know whether to go or not." Cliff rubbed the side of his neck awkwardly.

"Of course you should! You've been dreaming this ever since you were my age! You can't give up!" Jay told him.

"I wanted to get your permission first." Cliff said.

"Why would you need my permission?" Jay frowned.

"You see, I'm going to be gone for six months." Cliff explained, "I know you were really disappointed about my leaving for a month to work on that movie. I didn't want to upset you again."

"Six months?!" Jay shouted.

"I don't have to go if you don't want me to. We could spend some quality time together instead. You know, father and son bonding time." Cliff suggested, "But it's up to you."

Six months?! That's a really long time. I don't know what to do. This is his dream but then again, I really want to spend some time with him. He's always working on movies and barely ever at home anymore. I only just got him back.

"No, dad, you have to go. Don't worry about me. This is your dream. I'm not letting you give up on it because of me. I'll be fine." Jay told his father.

"Are you sure?" Cliff asked.

"Yes. Now quickly accept the invitation before I change my mind." Jay smiled.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Cliff pulled his son into a tight hug. That made Jay feel good.

"I'm gonna miss you, dad." Jay told him.

"I'm gonna miss you too. I'll call you every day, I promise." Cliff replied, "I love you, Jay."

"I love you too, dad." Jay smiled.

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It was the beginning of school and everyone was crowded outside, ready to go in. Off in the distance, Nya and Skylor were waiting by the gates. Cole was also waiting for his buddy.

At that moment, a blue sports car pulled up just outside the front gates.

"Who on earth could afford a car like that?" Nya asked Skylor, who smiled.

The door to the driver's seat opened and out stepped Cliff Gordon wearing his sunglasses.

"We finally get to find out who Cliff Gordon's son is!!" Skylor exclaimed.

The passenger door opened and the most unexpected person stepped out.

"No way..." Nya glared.

"This is huge news! I could write about this on my blog!!" Skylor took out her phone and began taking pictures.

"Have fun today, son." Cliff hugged Jay.

"Thanks, dad."

Jay headed towards Cole whilst Cliff got back in his car and drove off.

"I cannot believe it." Nya growled.

"You can't believe that Jay is the son of Cliff Gordon?" Skylor frowned as she put her phone away.

"No. Jay is the guy I was telling you about yesterday. The guy that called me rude." Nya told her.

"Really?! Wow." Skylor smiled, "You're practically friends!"

"We are NOT friends!" She yelled.

"Whatever you say." Skylor smirked.

Jay and Cole began to head inside. Jay was happier than usual, which Cole was worried about. Sure, Jay was a positive guy but what could have put him in such a good mood?

"What's up with you?" Cole frowned.

"My dad got an invitation to go on broadway." Jay replied.

"Broadway? Isn't that is dream?" Cole wondered.

"He's dreamt of appearing on Broadway since he was little." Jay told him.

"That's huge!" Cole exclaimed.

"But he'd be gone for six months." Jay added.

"Six months?!" Cole shouted.

"He let me decide whether he should go or not." Jay said.

"And you said no, right?" Cole wondered.

"Why would I say no?" Jay questioned.

"Because he's going to be gone for SIX MONTHS!!" Cole repeated, "And I remember you complaining about him having to stay another week on his last movie."

"He missed my birthday. That was different." Jay rolled his eyes.

"You said yes?" Cole frowned.

Jay nodded, "I'm not going to get in the way of his dreams. Plus, we've made a deal. He's going to call me every night."

Cole groaned, "Jay, we both know that he won't call you. He's a busy man. He'll be working his butt off, he won't have enough time to even sleep, I bet."

"But he promised—" Jay tried to argue.

"And what happened last time he promised you something?" Cole asked.

Jay fell silent.

"Look, I just don't want you getting hurt again." Cole sighed.

"I can wait six months. He needs this." Jay told his best friend.

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"And the last pair is..." The History teacher began.

Jay, Cole, Nya and Skylor were in history class and just received the news that the students had to work on a new project. But they didn't get to pick their partners. The teacher did.

"Jay and Nya."

Jay sighed and Nya rolled her eyes. They were sat on different sides of the classroom but they already knew the other's reaction.

"I have to work with him?!" Nya complained to Skylor.

"Good luck." Skylor giggled.

"I don't want to work with some snobby movie star's son. He's probably worse than his dad." Nya moaned.

"You'll figure it out." Skylor smiled.

After class, Jay approached Nya. She had her arms crossed and didn't make eye contact.

"So..." Jay started, "We should probably decide what to do the project on."

Nya shrugged her shoulders, "I'll leave that up to you."

"But we're supposed to pick together." Jay rolled his eyes.

"Oh well."

"We can study at my place after school I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind." Jay suggested.

"Whatever."