(Jay's POV; song for this chapter: "Love Story" by Taylor Swift)

*I promise you, I will only use one other Taylor Swift song for this story! I just couldn't find anything else to accurately portray this chapter!*

"We were both young when I first saw you.

I close my eyes, and the flashback starts.

You're standing there,

On a balcony in summer air..."

The sun is barely topping the horizon, but I'm already up. And I hate getting up early, but this is just the way it is. I can't let my team see me dancing. At the same time, I can't not do it. It's in honor of my mom, wherever she is.

"...See the lights, see the party, the ballgowns,

See you make your way through the crowd

And say, 'Hello'.

Little did I know..."

I'm so pumped after last night. Nya and I almost kissed! And she didn't feel repulsed at the touch of my hand! That's definitely progress. I think hanging out at school today is going to be even better.

"That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles.

And my daddy said, 'Stay away from Juliet!'

And I was crying on the staircase,

Begging you, 'Please don't go!' And I said,

'Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.

I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run.

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess.'

It's a love story, baby, just say 'yes!'"

From my spot near the back porch, I hear the door creak open. I quietly scamper away to avoid getting caught. I decide to hide behind a huge potted plant. Apparently, Sensei likes his shrubberies. Or maybe he uses them to make tea. Who knows?

From my spot, I see Kai yawn and survey the area. Then, he practically jumps out of his skin.

"Nya Smith! What on earth do you think you're doing?"

Wait...Nya's out here? I peek over the top of the plant to see her slowly sit up on a throw blanket. She rubs her eyes as though tired.

"Kai?" she asks.

"Why on earth are you out here with Lloyd?" Kai demands. He's on his way to waking up the whole monastery.

Nya shrugs. "We fell asleep looking at the stars, I guess."

Wait...are Nya and Lloyd a thing?

Apparently, Kai thinks so. "I told you that you aren't allowed to have a boyfriend. You're how old? Thirteen?"

She rolls her eyes, channeling the sass. "I'm sixteen and a half, Kai. Plus, Lloyd's not my boyfriend. He's dating Harumi. I told you that."

"That must not mean squat to him! I left you alone for one night, and you're already...well...you know!"

I turn bright red. So does Nya.

"I am not!" she screams. By this time, Lloyd is awake and looking around. His face says he doesn't like what he sees.

Nya continues, "We fell asleep next to each other. Look, Lloyd has gummy worms plastered to his face!" She pulls one off. "You seriously think he was doing anything more than eating candy?"

Kai begins pacing. "I knew you shouldn't be best friends with a boy! This is all that ever comes of it!"

I can still hear the music playing from my BorgPod.

"So I sneak out to the garden to see you.

We keep quiet, 'cause we're dead if they knew,

So close your eyes,

Escape this town for a little while.

"'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter

And my daddy said, 'Stay away from Juliet!'

But you were everything to me

I was begging you, 'Please don't go!' And I said,

"'Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone.

I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run.

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess.'

It's a love story, baby, just say 'yes'!

Romeo, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel.

This love is difficult, but it's real!

Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess.

It's a love story, baby, just say 'yes'!"

Nya is fuming. "Kai, we're not best friends because we want to fall in love! We're best friends because we have similar interests and pasts!"

"Oh? And how is your past like his? He's the prophesied green ninja! He was supposed to defeat his father, the dark lord, and bring peace to – "

"Don't you get it, Kai?" she yells, tears beginning to trickle down her flushed face. "He's the prophesied green ninja, and I'm the prophesied Nya Smith!"

"What?" Kai asks in shock.

I'm pretty shocked, too. And I think Lloyd is, although his face reflects more fear than anything. I can tell this fallout is going to hurt.

"I'm the prophesied Nya Smith," she says, "because you dictate my life! You tell me where I can go and what I can do. I have to run every class I take past you. You wonder why all my friends are guys? It's because you've never let me go to anyone else's house to hang out! I've been invited to slumber parties, but I've never been allowed to go. I could've shopped at the mall or cheered at a football game, but you never let me!"

Kai's face is white. "But...you never were interested in those things, Nya."

"Maybe I just wanted a choice," she says, her voice cracking slightly on the last word. However, she wipes the tears from her face and pulls her countenance together. "And now you're trying to decide my future. I have to go to college, when you clearly need my help at the blacksmith's shop! Well, you know what? I'm done, Kai! You don't have to control me to ensure I make the right decisions. And I'm going to prove that to you."

Kai opens and closes his mouth as Nya storms off. Finally, he shouts, "You're grounded! And you and Lloyd will not be spending time together anymore!"

This causes her to freeze in her steps. Her tense shoulders are the only sign she's keyed up about what he just said.

Suddenly, she swivels around. "No." The word is spoken, not cried out at an unusually high decibel.

"What was that?" Kai asks.

She shrugs. "No. I'm not giving up my friendship with Lloyd. You want to know why?"

I know I do.

"Not really," Kai gulps.

Looking toward the potted plant, Nya calls, "Jay, you can come out now."

Wait – how did she...

I slowly rise and shuffle forward, an ashamed look on my face.

"I don't really care if you're too frightened to know why I'm not forfeiting my best friend. Here's why," she smirks.

She rises up and plants a small kiss on my cheek. I gasp in shock...and because it feels magical.

She leans into my side and smiles at her brother. "Kai, Jay and I are dating."

(Nya's POV)

Okay, I probably should not have done that. But it's the only way I'm going to get to hang out with Lloyd. And with the sound of Jay's dance song playing in my head, I couldn't help but give in to the crazy idea.

"I got tired of waiting,

Wondering if you were ever coming around.

My faith in you was fading

When I met you on the outskirts of town, and said,

"'Romeo, save me. I've been feeling so alone,

I keep waiting for you, but you never come.

Is this in my head? I don't know what to think.'

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring.

"And said, 'Marry me, Juliet,

You'll never have to be alone.

I love you, and that's all I really know.

I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress.

It's a love story, baby, just say 'yes'.

"Oh, oh, 'cause we were both young when I first saw you."

Kai blinks, his face neutral. He turns to Jay. "Are you dating my sister?"

Jay looks down at me, obviously frightened. I don't blame him. He's probably scared of Kai, and I think I'd be a little concerned if he randomly said I was his girlfriend.

"Y-yes," he stammers.

Oh, I totally owe him one.

"And you didn't think to tell me?" Kai asks me.

"I knew you'd freak out about it," I sigh.

He ponders this for a moment. "Wow, Jay. I didn't think you had it in you to keep a secret like that from me. Of course, it's going to end in some serious payback." He grins wickedly.

I raise a brow. "You'd better not do anything to hurt him, or I'll tell the whole team about the time you first met Skylor."

Kai laughs nervously. "Okay, well, we'll have to keep Jay's punishment legal."

"I'm surprised you're not freaking out about this," I frown. "What's the catch?"

He pats me on the head like I'm a dog or something. "I'm just glad to know you and Lloyd weren't up to any funny business."

I blush. "Kai, no. Go read some Jane Austen or something."

"Who's Jane Austen?" Kai asks. Then, ignoring his own question, he continues, "And you've done a pretty good job of keeping your PDA with Jay to a minimum. I never would've know you two were dating. And honestly, he's not man enough to hurt you and risk crossing me." He shrugs. Then, in a rare moment of humility, he mumbles, "And you may have made a good point about me controlling your life."

Now this is more like it. "Aww, thanks, Kai." Then, the true meaning of his words sinks in.
Wait. So you're really letting Jay and me date?"

He cringes. "Okay, slow things down, Sis. I'll consider it."

"Uh-huh." I plant a huge kiss on his cheek. "Remember what I said about the first time you met Skylor!" I smile, leaving Kai and Lloyd. I drag Jay behind me, though. We need to talk.

Once we're out of earshot, I say, "Where would you like me to start?"

"Um. How about the part where you knew I was behind that pot?"

"Okay," I nod. "Well, that's simple. Lloyd and I came out here to watch the stars last night, since Kai wouldn't let us hang out in the movie room. We apparently fell asleep while we were talking, so I was there when you snuck out this morning. You're a very good dancer, by the way."

"I...I wasn't dancing," he stutters.

I shoot him a look. "Okay. Well, anyway, when Kai came out, I saw you run and hide through the corner of my eye."

"Okay, that makes sense. Here's something that doesn't: Why tell Kai that we're dating?"

"He thought me hanging around Lloyd was a bad influence. He was going to take away my best friend. But I totally understand if you don't want to go through with this. I just needed to make sure he didn't think Lloyd and I were...you know."

He says nothing about whether he'll help me or not. Instead, he questions, "Do you like Lloyd?"

I roll my eyes. "Of course, I like Lloyd. He's my best friend."

Jay shakes his head. "No, I mean, do you like, like Lloyd?"

"That's an off-topic question."

"I need to know, Nya."

I sigh. "Okay. Maybe I do, just a little. But promise me you'll never tell a soul, or I'll let everyone know I found Breakfast at Tiffany's in your bag."

"How do you know that?" he blanches.

I roll my eyes. "A girl's gotta have her secrets. Now, are you in for fake dating me, or not?"

He ponders this. "What would the rules be for this fake relationship?"

"We hold hands sometimes. We hang out, watch movies, play board games, and braid each other's hair."

"Those are all things you do with Lloyd. And my hair isn't long enough to braid."

I think for a moment. "Okay. To make it more convincing, maybe we could watch some romances together. You could teach me how to slow dance. I've always wanted to learn to dance, you know. And maybe...maybe we could kiss one time? Just for the sake of appearances." I giggle at his embarrassed face.

"I don't know, Nya," he sighs. "It'll all be fake."

"Of course, it will," I reassure him. "And it'll only last until we're sure I'm in the clear with Kai. And I'd be happy to do something for you in return."

"Like what?" he frowns.

"I don't know, pretty much anything. I could be your date to the upcoming dance at Ninjago High. Oh! Or, I could set you up with the girl of your dreams!"

Jay laughs, but it sounds tortured. Poor guy. He must really not want to do this.

"The girl of my dreams, huh?" he asks.

I nod vigorously. "Anything you want, Jay. All I know is that I can't lose Lloyd. He's the only real friend I've got."

Jay places a hand on mine. "I'll be a real friend, Nya," Jay says quietly. "I'll do it."

"Thanks," I smile up at him. "Now, let's get out of here. We're going to be late for school."

*Okay! Well, that took a turn I honestly wasn't expecting! However, I really like how this story is coming together so far! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I love writing it!*