A/N

Lovely fanart by chocoqueen29 involving Edna chasing journalists away with a broom ^^^.

Sooo I should probably already say that for this AU I'm using a combination of Greece's college system (AKA you have to take certain exams whenever you want and your grade decides your college options) as well as America's AWFUL student loan system (because Greece doesn't have student loans).

State Universities are public and funded by the state, I know, but that doesn't stop America from charging their youth with an endless amount of loans, so... What's stopping Ninjago's government from doing the same?

Anyway, onto the story!

🕹🕹🕹

🎮ℕ𝕪𝕒🎮

I sigh and look at myself in the mirror, not knowing how to feel about my reflection.

I don't even know when the last time I dressed up like this was. I remember going to Freshman homecoming with Sky, but never with a date of course.

Then again, it's not like I'll be able to show off my date unless I want the media to know. I don't want to end up on the Gayle Gossip Show on my last year of high school.

My dress isn't all that great either. Although I'm still surprised that my old homecoming dress still kinda fits me (emphasis on kinda), I'm worried of appearing too flashy by wearing a literal sequin dress to prom.

It's not provocative or that flashy or anything... just not your usual prom gown, I guess.

Then again, Jay will probably wear something more expensive than the entire prom budget, so...

As I hear footsteps approach the door, I hastily make an effort to text Lloyd, hoping that everything goes according to plan.

Once the door opens, I let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, Sky. It's you."

To say that she is dressed well would be an understatement. Her long hair goes perfectly with her orange gown, which compliments her eyes all the more.

"And I thought Kai took long to get ready, FSM," she said, almost frustrated with me. "Me and Jay have been waiting for an eternity now."

"Sorry, sorry," I say, grabbing my purse from my bed. "I'm coming in a sec."

As she leaves, I pull out my phone again, making sure to text Kai in order to get the second plan going.

I tell him the proper spot (good thing I tried gardening in my sophomore year) but don't wait for his response, leaving as soon as I possibly can.

I run to the living room (thank the FSM Skylor didn't bring me heels), stopping in my tracks as I lock eyes with the rest.

Maybe it's because I haven't had
someone pay that close attention to me before, but Jay's surprised (and kinda vacant) gaze on me almost makes my knees buckle.

Contrary to what I predicted, though, his suit is very similar to Kai's, both wearing black ones, making them look almost identical if it weren't for the blue bowtie on Jay's.

Sky has to keep from laughing at Jay's gelled hair, which isn't necessarily overdone, just different to what I'm used to.

Still, she's one to talk, dating my gel-obsessed brother.

He gives me an awkward wave and stood up, awkwardly putting his arm up for me to hold.

I chuckle at the cheesiness and take it, but of course, I can't have a nice moment in this house.

"Gross," Kai says, half-teasing us and half not.

Instead of my usual witty comeback, I roll my eyes, pretending I didn't hear that.

"Um, I brought the motorcycle if you want to ride it," Jay tells me, his gaze constantly taking glimpses of a very angry Kai.

"Nope," he says. "We have a very nice, safe, and functional car for a reason."

"Don't you think that being on your own will lend you more opportunities, though?" I butt in, discreetly gesturing at my brother's pocket.

"Ew, no, we're not doing it in the car during prom night for FSM's sake," Skylor looks at me disgruntled, making my brother's face turn as red as his tie.

I can't help but burst out laughing, and Jay gets a few good chuckles in there as well.

"Fine, fine... Motorcycle it is," Kai gives in. "But no driving for you."

"It's a deal," I shrug, enjoying my temporary victory.

🕹🕹🕹

The sounds and vibrations from the loud music are far gone now, and honestly, I can't be more glad that we didn't even enter in the first place.

However, as we approach the back of the school, Jay's confusion grows all the more.

"Uh... Isn't the prom like... inside?" he says, debating whether to let go of my hand.

My heart skips a beat as I give his own hand a squeeze, followed by giving him a small smile.

"I know what I'm doing," I proudly say, puffing out my chest a little. "Lloyd should be right..." I spot the blond boy by the back door. "...There."

I wave over to him and start practically running towards him, Jay trying to catch up behind me in the process.

"Nice outfits," he tells us, but I don't have time for that.

"Can we go in?"

He looks behind his shoulder inside the empty school, nodding. "Yep. Is the deal still up?" he says, looking at Jay and trying to contain his excitement.

"Yes, now come on."

"Alright," he sighs, looking left and right inside the building. "Enjoy your time..."

As he leaves for the gymnasium, I drag Jay inside the empty building, the dim lights being the only thing worth admiring inside the hallways.

Still, Jay's never been to a school before, so every single detail, from the cracked floors to the broken lockers, seems mesmerising to him.

"Your school seems nice," he says as we start walking up the stairs.

Once we reach the second floor, his gaze becomes to glued to the trophy stand. I feel my face heat up as he looks at the pictured students and the medals beneath the frames.

"Is that you?" he says, pointing at (unfortunately) my Freshman yearbook picture.

"Swimming nationals?" he reads aloud and I feel my face heating up
even more.

"I tried a lot of things..." And won that specific one, for the record.

He turns to me and smiles, trying not to chuckle. "You look cute with braces."

I look at my picture again.

I really don't.

"Let's just go," I say.

"Right... Where?"

"It's a surprise," I say, finding the courage to wink at him.

His vacant gaze makes a return as he starts following me closely behind.

Is it normal to feel so tingly?

I don't know, the line between my Jay and the spoiled brat I'm used to is starting to blur a lot.

I mean, he's still spoiled, but at least he's sweet.

And after seeing how his father spoke to him... I felt bitter. Not that I would ever wish I'll upon another person... but why would his dad get to live? Why do the bad ones get to live while the good ones don't?

What are you thinking of, Nya? Just enjoy the moment.

As we approach the empty room that is our so-called 'Gaming Club', I smile.

I pray to the FSM that everything's gonna work out.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door.

The room's still empty, of course, but that didn't mean we couldn't decorate it.

Those cheap fairy lights in my room really came in handy in the end, giving the room a nice, cold atmosphere with their blue colour.

I bite my lip, knowing that this is nothing compared to whatever rich premiere parties he's been to.

Still, his reaction says otherwise.

"I figured that you wouldn't want people mauling you for an autograph down there... So I sort of made a deal with Lloyd to let us sneak in here..." I admitted sheepishly.

"What was the deal?"

"Well... if you could just sign his Starfarer comics..."

His face lights up. "Oh, I can do that!" he says. "How many issues?"

I look away from him. "456."

Instead, he lets out a sigh of relief. "And here I thought he had all 1632..."

I... I don't even bother to question him on that one.

I take out my phone and look through a list of songs (mainly slow ones, which I hope he doesn't notice), then look at him and smirk.

"So, are you as good at dancing as your PE avatar is?"

The fact that there even is a dancing skill in that game is beyond me, but Jay is notoriously good at rhythm games (at least Cole said so on one of the streams).

He chuckles as I put the song on, putting his arms forward and waiting for me to come.

"I know one or two things."

I blink for a second, processing the moment and realising that I didn't actually practice dancing beforehand.

Though I can't go back now, so I put my hand on his shoulder while his gently goes to my waist, our remaining hands intertwined in the air.

"Don't blame me if I step on you," I say, my gaze locked down as I try to follow the steps.

"I won't," he says, clearly amused.

But when I look back up, his face falls.

"Everything okay?"

"Well, I have plenty of news..."

I don't know whether to be sacred or not.

Still, I try to keep my composure.

"What is it?"

He takes a deep breath, but somehow keeps control of our steps either way.

"I think I'm gonna try out the exams this year," he admits to me.

"That's great!"

"Yeah... I was hoping we could revise the material together and all. You're applying for the NSU too, right?"

I nod, wiggling my eyebrows. "We're gonna be classmates, huh?"

"Yeah, about that..."

'I don't like you anymore.'

No, Nya, stay focused. He wouldn't say that.

"Yeah?"

"I went by my dad's yesterday to have a talk..." he says. "We agreed to go low contact from now on."

"That's... nice. Why is that bad, though?"

"No, no, it's not bad... But we did agree that I could keep the money my mum gave me."

I'm caught off-guard as he spins me around, either as a distraction or a romantic gesture.

Still giggling from the sudden spin, my smile is bright as day as I speak. "Okay... and? It doesn't hurt."

He seems happy to see me smile despite the answer that followed.

"I just feel weird keeping it now that I'm practically disowned. I tried to give them to Ed n' Edna, but they wouldn't accept it..." he says. "So, I gave them a portion and wanted to do something else with the rest."

"Your tuition fees seem like a good idea now that you'll be a college kid," I say, half teasing him and half consoling him.

"I was thinking more like your tuition fees?"

I stop, and his sheepish smile doesn't stop my frown.

"Jay..."

"I mean, you clearly need it more than me. Heck, even Kai told me about Saunders, wouldn't it be better if you didn't have to rely on him?"

"You know that I can't accept all that."

"Yeah, but if it weren't for you then I'd still be locked in my room all day. I owe you a lot, Nya, and you not having to work your butt off for some stupid debts is the best I can give you now."

I open my mouth to speak, but he gets to it before me.

"I still have streaming, so it's not like I'll be dirt broke... I just need a fresh start."

I grab his shoulders and look him the eye, our faces oddly close.

"It wasn't your choice to be born into all that lavish stuff," I say. "But what you do with it is."

"I want to give it to you, though."

"How about... you store it away somewhere for now. And if you need to give something away so badly... charity still exists."

His face turned a deep red as he tried to cover his freckled face. "I should've thought of charity first, huh?"

I chuckle. "Yeah..."

I walk towards the closed window as the music continues playing, looking down at the school's garden.

"Still, money isn't the best thing you can give me."

He raises an eyebrow.

I chuckle. "A first boyfriend would be a bit better, don't you think?"

This is either the first time I'll face rejection or the greatest day of my life.

For once, I know it's going to be the latter.

He steps closer to me, finally noticing the pattern and playing along.

"Would a first kiss be even better?" he says ever so innocently.

"I don't see why not."

As we both lean in, I feel butterflies in my stomach.

Please don't let me kiss like a fish.

His breath hitches as our lips touch, so it's good to know that I'm not the only desperate one here.

We lean a bit closer to each other, knowing that even if the kiss doesn't last long, we'll be in each others' embrace.

We slowly break apart, our hearts both fluttering at the speed of sound.

"Yeah, this is better than money," I say as I hug him, taking in the sweet scent of rich people clothes detergent.

He hugs me back, staying wrapped around me until he notices something out the window.

We are only on the second floor, after all, so it's not hard to spot the two figures in the garden below us.

"Is that your brother?" he says, making me jump.

I completely forgot!

I drag him closer to the window, spotting the two immediately.

"Watch," I say to him, and the moment I see my brother get down to one knee, I squeal.

What follows next is Skylor tackling him in a tight hug as they both fall onto the ground, their laughter loud enough even for us to hear.

"And that's plan two completed," I say proudly. "The wedding's in two years if you're interested, by the way.

"Can I fund it?"

"No."

"Thought so," he says and gives me a peck on the cheek. "Wanna go congratulate them?"

I think it through for a bit.

Then, I turn around and sheepishly smile. As I put my hands on his shoulders again, my lips stretch into a grin.

"One more dance?"

He leans in too, his grip on me more of a hug than a dance. "Of course."