Java is a complex programming language, and I don't recommend it as a place to start programming. (In the world of programming, HTML and JavaScript don't count as programming languages :P)
I think that perhaps taking the same path as your friend and learning Visual Basic might be a good route, in your shoes. It's a little difficult to obtain (sans illegal methods that I don't endorse) since it's not supported by Microsoft anymore, but there are
tons of resources on it on the internet, and it's a fairly simple language to learn/use. Not only that, but you'd be able to get a hand from your friend if s/he's also learning it at the same time, if they are willing.
Of course that's simply my two cents, and there are countless other ways to tackle your venture into the world of programming. Be sure to ask if you need more insight/advice; we've got a pretty good number of people with wise heads on their shoulders around here!