Kai's POV

6 : 4 0 A M

Slamming my hand on the alarm, I rub my eyes and sit up. New week, new day, same schedule.

Fun.

Peering out of my window, I see the house opposite ours, aka Misako Garmadon's house. She and her husband divorced a while ago, and she moved just opposite us. I chuckle when I see Lloyd's bedroom curtains shut. He's gonna be late today.

Looking through my wardrobe, I pull on a pair of jeans, and match it with a red top. I do my business in the bathroom and go back to my room. Spiking my hair up a bit more, I stare at the black backpack. Sighing, I grab it and sling it over my back. I had another...'appointment' tonight.

Grabbing my phone, I leave my room, before knocking on Nya's door, "Hey, Dork! Up and at em'!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm up..."

I run downstairs and slip on my shoes, grabbing an orange on the way out. It was gonna be a long walk, since I lived right in the middle of Ignacia, but once I reached the border, I could snag a seat on the bus. I had to be quick; my shift at the blacksmith's shop started soon.

Nya's POV

Hey, beautiful, you up yet?

Almost. Just drowsy.

XD I'll meet you after your shift?

You know it!

I smile. Jay Walker-Gordon and I have been dating since I was 14. I was now 17, and we were still going strong. My bare feet touch the cold floorboards and I shiver, as I hurry to the bathroom.

"Cold, cold, cold!" I mumble, drying myself. Pulling on the uniform, I tie my hair up into its usual messy ponytail before messaging Lloyd.

Yo, Blondie. You up yet?

CRAP!

I snicker.

Wait for me please! I'll be out in five minutes!

I'll be counting!

I shove my phone into my bag and stumble down the stairs. Grabbing a breakfast bar off the table, I pull on my shoes and walk out the door, before knocking on the one opposite. Lloyd opens the door and he's still in his pyjamas, brushing his teeth, "You said you'd be out in five minutes!"

"I have...45 seconds left!" He raced up the stairs and I burst out laughing. A few minutes later he rushes down. "Let's go?"

"Sure. If I'm late for my shift I'm blaming you."

"Midget, you hate that job. Why don't you quit?"

"Because it's my only source of income. I told you, I wanna get involved with helping my family out."

"What about Kai?"

"He has...an appointment tonight."

Lloyd sighed, "I wish he wouldn't do this."

"It's not like he has a choice. If they deem you valuable, they sell you off, you get 15%. They get the rest."

"At least let me help. My dad got me off the hook for that business, I'm sure he'd let Kai off too. I could help you find a better job-"

"I couldn't! It's too much!"

Lloyd stops me, "Not at all! You guys have done so much for me, let me return the favour. Think of it as...friends with benefits!"

I snort, and burst out laughing, "You do realise that's not what 'friends with benefits' means, right?"

"Wait...what?"

"Oh look! The bus!" I ran forward, not wanting to discuss this any further. We grab a seat each, as the bus leaves the station.

Cole's POV

"Dad! I gotta go, I'll be late!"

"Yes, stay safe." He gives me a swift hug, and I'm outta there. I live in Jamanakai Village. Out of all the villages, Jamanakai's the richest, as its the closest to the Capitol. My dad's a Royal Blacksmith. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps, and I declined, as I already had a job; running a gym with Morro. My girlfriend Seliel works as a stylist, and the place she works at is just nearby the gym. As I walk (I had no use for the bus since I live really close) to the Capitol, I bump into Mrs Smith. I smile.

"Morning, Maya!"

"Morning, Cole. Off for your shift?"

"You know it!"

I was good friends with Kai and Nya, so I also developed a good relationship with their parents.

"Well, I gotta get home. My shift just ended. I'll see you around."

"You too!"

I head off, before bumping into Jay, "Motormouth."

"What did I say about calling me that, Twinkle Toes?"

"And what did I say about calling me that?"

We burst out laughing, "You waiting for your girl?"

"Yup. She should be here soon. Paps are driving me crazy. Cameras in my face every 5 seconds are more annoying than you think."

"That's why you should go around in disguises. How do you think Seliel avoids the cameras?"

Jay and Seliel were Cliff Gordon's kids. They lived in the Capitol and Nom, so they basically travelled from one place to the other alot. Their mom, Libber, had a good friendship with Ed and Edna, the twins' babysitters when they were younger. Ed and Edna lived in Nom. To this day it still baffles me why they got sent such a long distance away for babysitting.

"I gotta go. Morro's probably waiting,"

"I'll talk to you soon!"

"You too."

Skylor's POV

I groan as I flop onto my bed. I'd just finished up an appointment and all I wanted to do was sleep but NO! Father insisted I follow him around for the day. I wanted to see Kai, but apparently that wouldn't be happening today either.

What can I say, welcome to the life of the Daughter of the President.

Sometimes I wish I was born in a village like Ignacia, or Nom. They had it easy. As the President's daughter, everything about me had to be in public. I had no privacy whatsoever.

Sitting up, I head to my walk-in wardrobe and pull out some clothes. Maybe I could pay a visit to Seliel and Nya. Pixal too, if I could make it in time.

Seliel worked as a stylist in the Capitol, and Nya worked as a waitress. Pixal was a co-personal assistant alongside her boyfriend, Zane, to Cyrus Borg, who was famous for his technologically modern creations. 

8 : 3 5 A M

"There she is!" I cheer. I grin as I embrace Nya tightly over the counter, "How are you?" she asks, tucking a strand of hair out of my face.

"I'm good. You? How's the job?" 

"Ronin looks out for me. Unlike my last job, the guy was a jerk,"

"You did get fired for sucker-punching him in the face."

"Yeah. At least I got someone looking out for me."

Ronin was also working at this diner. He was the only other person working here, and I'll admit, he's a nice guy. Sarcastic, but funny.

"Kai's at an appointment." she murmured, "Lloyd's coming over soon."

"You see Jay?"

She nodded, "Wasn't for long. He got ushered away since there was a photoshoot. He's swinging by later though."

One of the customers, a burly looking man cat calls me, "Hey! Nice ass, redhead!"

Nya looks over my shoulder, "Say that again and you'll be eating out through a straw!"

He grumbled something inaudible, and I smiled at the girl, "Are you literally asking to get fired?"

"Hmm. Maybe. I'll keep this job, I wanna help out as much as I can."

"I can get my dad to help-"

"Your dad isn't the biggest fan of me...or Kai either. He thinks we're a bad influence on you. I personally think he's rude, toxic, and doesn't give a rat's ass-"

"Whoa! That's your President you're going after!" I laugh.

"Well, someone's gotta say it."

Jay's POV

"Perfect! Just look over here!"

Sighing, I flash a fake smile, as I look directly into the lens of the cameras. Maybe I should disguise myself like Seliel. Then at least I wouldn't be interrupted every 5 seconds.

I was supposed to spend my morning with Nya. Until I got rushed away for this.

"Alright, let's take 5!" A woman called out. I pull out my phone immediately and text her.

I am so, so sorry! Wanna go to the shooting range tonight?

Sure! My parents are working late, and Kai's got a night shift. <3

Perfect, I'll pick you up! :)

Sometimes I wish I wasn't famous.