Well, it took a while, but here we are.

I can't tell you how much it bothers me that I stopped on Chapter nineteen instead of twenty, but the story called for it.

After this story, I'll be moving exclusively to oneshots for a while, since I need to focus on my original books.

If you want more info about them, feel free to either follow the link in my bio or read the latest chapters on my second blog book.

Anyway, enjoy :).

P.S. you might get an epilogue sometime later, but no promises.

Jay's POV

As much as I wanted to fall asleep, I couldn't even blink.

Morro was there. What was I supposed to do?

Well, not make a scene, first of all. At least he wasn't near us.

Instead of touring around the campus like I had planned, I was left waiting outside the examination room just in case he found her afterward.

I literally ran to the cafeteria, grabbed her some coffee for good measure (and a hot chocolate for me, of course) and then... I started waiting.

She would normally be out in a few minutes, but...

"Hey," I heard a voice.

I looked in front of me, seeing a girl with purple hair stare straight into my eyes. She looked older than me, but maybe it was her heavy makeup that gave me the wrong impression.

"Can I... help you?"

"You're not supposed to be here, pretty boy."

Rude, but thanks.

"I'm waiting for someone."

She tapped on the paper in her hand with her long nails. "Only students of the University of Stiix are allowed in here. You can go wait in the lobby."

"Come on, just a few more minutes."

"Get out before I call security."

Haha, great.

"Chamille?" I heard another voice behind me.

Thank the FSM, it was Nya.

That girl was Chamille? She looked really different.

"Is this yours, Smith?" she pointed at me.

Alright, now that was just plain rude.

Nya chuckled. "Yeah."

"Well, tell him that trespassing is illegal."

"Will do..." she said. "Give my regards to Tox."

"Don't remind me," she groaned. "Are you moving in with us again?"

She looked down, but still smiled. "We'll see. We've got to get going now anyway," she said a bit too quickly, dragging me with one hand and waving at Chamille with the other.

"See ya, I guess," Chamille said, raising an eyebrow at me.

As we got out of her sight (and anyone's sight, in fact), we hurried a tad too quickly towards the exit.

The faster we got out of there, the better.

Seeing as she was in high alert, I waited until we got outside to ask.

"So, how did you do?" I finally said, walking her towards my motorcycle.

She paused before flashing me a grin. "I did great!"

As much as I wanted to jump up and down with joy alongside her, we also had to be somewhere.

That didn't mean she didn't deserve a hug, though.

"I'm so proud of you!" I wrapped my arms around her, spinning her a little while tightening my hug.

And the best thing was, we never ran into him.

As we got to my motorcycle, I opened the back storage, grabbing the helmets that were next to the three gifts.

"Come on, let's get going," I said, letting her climb behind me.

We were lucky that the party was rather close, even if its location was painfully obvious; a karaoke bar right by the docks, one owned by either a gang or a sketchy mercenary, as Nya told me. It didn't seem safe, but it got the job done, I guess.

I took the presents once we arrived, storing our helmets in the back before heading inside.

Right at the entrance, Seliel was there to greet us.

"Hey, glad you could make it," she told us, putting her drink down to take our gifts.

The place was... well, it looked like an abandoned warehouse. It was quite wild to me and Nya both that she would have her party here, especially considering her and Vania's wealth. Not that we complained, the ambiance was quite nice for what it was. If only the music wasn't so loud...

"Vania is over there, by the way," she said, pointing at the buffet.

As expected, my best friend was there, chatting with the girl in question.

Compared to Seliel, who was wearing black, leather, and in some cases ripped clothes, Vania was dressed in a short, white dress, which, admittedly, complimented her blond hair quite well.

"You still up for the offer?" I heard Seliel asking Nya, slowly returning to the conversation at hand.

She just shrugged, not elaborating further.

Huh.

A small ball came to hit my arm as I let out an embarrassingly loud yelp.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch," I said over and over, running my hand over my bicep.

"Sorry, dude!" I heard a voice all too familiar saying behind me. "Jay?"

We turned to look at Kai's direction, seeing he was in the middle of an intense beer pong game with Lloyd and another buff guy I didn't know.

Soon enough, Lloyd and the other dude joined Kai, all three of whom were wearing leather clothes.

Was there a dress code I didn't know about?

Lloyd introduced us. "Jay, Nya, this is Ted. He owns the place."

The surprisingly strong guy wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "You up for some beer pong?"

I could just barely hear Nya whisper to the other two in the back. "You're playing beer pong with a gang member?"

Nope, nope, nope.

I pulled on my collarbone awkwardly. "No thanks."

"You're the one who'll be missing out, then."

I certainly wouldn't miss it.

Right, I had to go to Nya to give her gift to Vania so I can give her her gift.

The music suddenly stopped and the spotlight flashed at... an almost shirtless Cole in a cowboy hat.

Then, he began singing on the old karaoke machine. "Shiny little glow worm, glimmer, glimmer..."

Vania, meanwhile, was laughing her butt off on the side, the rest of us joining soon after.

"At least he's doing better," I heard another voice behind me. I once again screamed (albeit not as loudly), seeing Zane and Pixal staring at me with a smile.

Well, at least I wasn't the only one that was formally-dressed.

"Oh, hey, I didn't notice the two of you coming in," Seliel popped up behind them, shaking each of their hands.

"It is our pleasure to be here," said Pixal, the two coming to stand next to me as they handed her the gift.

Pixal was already tall, but Pixal in high heels? Man, did I feel short.

"You know what, just leave the gifts there," Seliel told us, gesturing at an empty table in the corner of the room.

I took Vania's gifts and placed them there, focusing my attention back to Nya.

When I finally found her in the middle of the dance floor, I quickly approached her.

"Wanna get away from Cole's singing?" I whispered in her ear, since she didn't seem to listen to my regular voice.

She nodded, taking my hand and dragging me outside.

The smell of fresh air (and rotten fish, considering we were in Stiix) was rather refreshing. But I had more important things to think about.

"You still haven't given your gift," she pointed out.

"Oh, this? That's for someone else," I handed her the bag.

She smiled shyly. "Oh, um, thanks."

She went to open it, but I stopped her. "We need to talk first."

I really didn't know how she would respond.

To my surprise, she smiled, albeit rather nervously.

"I'm listening..."

"Well..."

You can do this, Jay.

"So, we've been through some stuff. Primarily you..." I admitted, both of us knowing I was right. "And... I totally get it if you don't want to do anything with me, but... I'd like to try."

"Try what?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Now you're just messing with me."

She laughed. "Yeah, I am."

"So... is that a yes? Will you be my girlfriend?"

Was a cheetah stuck in my chest? My heart was about to explode.

Our hands intertwined, she finally looked at me in the eyes.

"I'd love to," she said, sending fireworks off in my heart.

She then continued.

"But..."

But? What but? Why but? Oh my FSM!

"... Maybe not now."

I stared at her, dumbfounded at her words. "What...?"

"It's all just a bit too... sudden? I just want some time to finish the next trimester and... think."

"I thought you were doing that online?"

"I am, but... it's not working that well. I just miss actually attending classes in Stiix..." she sighed. "Besides, you have college to worry about as well."

She was right, but... I still didn't understand.

"Look, once this trimester is over, I promise you that we'll find a way. You always find a solution," she squeezed my hand, smiling.

"But what about..."

"Seliel offered to let me stay with her and Vania for the time being. I mean, the girl owns a bat. I'll be safe... I hope."

"You will be," I pulled her into yet another hug, "and you'll be even safer when I'm here."

She buried her head in my chest, making me pray she didn't hear my heartbeat. "Thanks," she told me. "And thanks for being patient with me. I just need to feel more... ready."

I smiled. "I'll be waiting."

"You sure?"

"I mean, waiting a few more months to be with the most amazing girl in all of Ninjago doesn't sound that bad."

Her signature blush appeared, causing mine to make its presence known as well.

She moved closer to me, looking at the ground shyly. "You know... I wouldn't like to keep you waiting like... this," she told me.

"Like what?"

"You know," she looked down at the ground. "Leaving like that without a proper goodbye kiss."

"I mean, we'll still have video calls and messaging..."

The look on her face made me realise.

"Oh, you meant it as in, like, literally."

She giggled at my obliviousness. "Maybe."

I placed my hands on her burning cheeks, her doing the same. "Well, in that case..."

As our lips connected, it was like my thoughts were sealed and my doubts were washed away.

I was willing to wait. That was going to be worth it.

And that time, I would make sure I would never lose her again.