***Why am I here early? Because I have two tests to study for this weekend, and I want to make sure I get at least some of this book material out ;)

I briefly considered splitting this chapter into two - it's over 4500 words - but it's an important first step in the story, so it's all lumped together here.

AND it's JAYA! And team antics, and some plot ;)***

***(Nya's POV; song for this chapter: "Jealous" by Labrinth)***

One week later

I press my back against the side of the edifice, breathing silently. Just around the corner lurks an intruder, and he has no idea I'm here waiting for him.

My eyes angle to Jay Walker, who's almost snuck up on our quarry. He hasn't been doing well with stealth lately – well, actually, he hasn't been doing well with much at all when it comes to missions – but he may have his game back today. I just hope this doesn't go like last time, when –

He cries out in pain as the intruder lurches for him, then he flails backwards. I hear the buzzing electrical sound. My heart jumps.

I run for him. "Your machine's malfunctioning again, Zane!" I yell, falling on top of a yelping Jay. I tug the electrodes off his head as fast as I can, my fingers trembling. Then I come down to unbuckle his vest, wincing in muted pain when I accidentally touch a metal wire. Shock ripples through my veins.

As soon as I have the garment unbuckled, I'm forcing it off his shoulders. He helps me, trying to wriggle out of it as fast as he can, and I chuck it across the patio.

Jay heaves a sigh of relief, letting his head drop to the ground. I lay there on top of him and steady my breathing.

My blue eyes lock on his, making sure he's okay, and that's when I realize how close we are.

"Hey," I murmur, a smile pulling at my lips.

"Hey." He reaches up one hand to touch my face, to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, when –

I pull back. Nope. Jay and I don't have that kind of relationship anymore.

Cole throws down his vest, moaning. "Jay, come on! You're the reason we've lost in the last four trial matches!"

I'm quick to come to his defense. "It was your fault the second time, Cole." I put an arm around Jay's shoulders, helping him to sit up.

"Whatever! We all know he's off, Nya. This is getting dangerous for the whole team!"

"Go away, Cole," Jay mutters, massaging his temple. "We need to get ready for school, anyway."

I pat his back. "It's Sunday, remember?"

He shakes his head. "Not really. The days all run together. I've got senior-itis, and I've got it bad."

"Same," Cole grouches, "but that's no excuse for your lack of technique lately. You know it's a complication to bring you on missions anymore, right?"

My arm tightens around Jay. I'm about to defend him again when Lloyd walks up, sporting a wet towel around his neck.

"I guess it's a good thing we haven't had any missions lately," he declares. "Now, I say we go get some breakfast."

Ever since we lost Wu, Lloyd's been our leader. I would have loved it just a few months ago: we were best friends. But now...well, a few months ago, he sort of...ruined me for relationships?

Oh, come on. The only person I can blame is myself.

I look back to Jay. "You'll be all right?"

"Yeah." He smiles a little. "Thanks, Nya."

"No problem." I rise to my feet right as we hear a familiar bicycle bell.

"Sounds like the mail's here," Cole muses. "Wanna get it, Jay? After all, you did lose us this practice mission." He punches Jay's arm playfully, but I can tell he's still frustrated and worried about him.

Jay falls back against the ground. "I want to lay here until I can think coherently."

I pat his arm. "I'll get it." I launch myself off the ground, jogging toward the gate.

The purple-garbed mailman clears his throat. "Took you long enough. On the bright side, you guys haven't been too hard to find lately. Staying in one place for a reason?"

"Don't have anywhere else to go," I shrug. "Thanks."

I close the gate, sorting through the mail as I make my trek back to the others. Zane has a new part in from Borg Industries, Cole's got a letter from his dad, Jay has a postcard of his birth father on some tropical island –

And then, I see five wedding invitations from Kai and Skylor.

I swallow. I'm happy for them, really, but...

After they're married, I have nothing keeping me here. I'm going to run away.

Not that I haven't already tried that once – let's just say that last month, Cole may have accidentally told the whole team that I was running away, and I was furious. I needed a few days to calm down and decide my next course of action, so I struck a deal with Cole's friend Seliel and, unbeknownst to the team, went to stay with her. And it worked out – turns out, the two of us were able to take down her evil dad together.

But then Kai grounded me for a month, and he thinks I always need a babysitter now. He's probably right – I really do deserve that kind of punishment, under normal circumstances – but he doesn't understand all the drama about why I have to run away in the first place.

I killed my parents. And if I told him, he'd never forgive me.

"Any mail for me?" Jay asks hopefully.

My eyes shoot upward. "Um...well...yes. Cliff Gordon sent you a postcard. And...we each have something from Kai and Skylor."

We all share a look. Yes, the two barely-adults fell in love last June, got engaged seven months later, and are in the process of sending out invitations this early May. Is it quick? Yes. Does it look weird that Kai pretends to be twenty-three, while Skylor's just now graduating high school? You bet. Do we support them in their decision?

Most definitely.

Jay finally gets the strength to pull himself up off the ground. "May I see?"

I smile a little, just to myself. Jay's such a romantic. He watches Breakfast at Tiffany's every Saturday night and...well...for the few days we dated...

Let's just say the experience was amazing, and I'd give anything if we could go back to that. But we can't – not without him living through more hurt than he already has.

Jay gently pulls his invitation out of my hands, his fingers brushing my skin. I shiver.

Doggone it! Stupid body. Given the longing in his eyes when he looks down at me, there's no way he didn't notice my reaction.

I have got to get some space between us.

I take a few steps away, handing out mail to each member of the team. We all go straight for the invitations.

"Whoa!" Jay exclaims. "Guys, you'll never believe this, but...wow!"

Cole rolls his eyes. He's in a mood today. It probably has something to do with his grumpy girlfriend Seliel, who's been an absolute pest ever since she had her leg reset a month ago. But then, if I couldn't walk, I probably wouldn't be too happy, either.

"We're not mind readers," Cole grouches. "Just tell us, Jay."

"Hey! I was just surprised, is all," Jay frowns. His expression immediately changes to one of excitement, and I find myself smiling all over again.

I think some people find it annoying how quickly his emotions can fluctuate. Me? Nah. Every moment's a new experience with him.

"Kai asked me to be his best man!" he grins.

We all blink. Well, except Jay.

That...was unexpected. Why wouldn't Kai pick literally anyone else on the team? He is not Jay's biggest fan. I mean, sure, he loves him as a brother, but Jay is his competition for me, his "little" sister.

"Huh," I say, not wanting to disappoint Jay. "I wouldn't have thought Kai would...do that."

"I know, right?" he asks, beaming. "This is so cool! I've always wanted to be in a wedding!"

"Um, yeah." I slowly tear open the flap on my own envelope.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Kai Smith and Skylor Chen. It will occur at 6 p.m. on June the 20th.

"June?" I shout. "They're getting married next month?"

Lloyd's eyes bulge. "How...why...but..."

Cole frowns. "Did he get her pregnant or something?"

I blush. "Cole!" But this is my brother we're talking about, and anything could happen. "No, they're not pregnant. I don't think. I mean, if they are, they haven't told me yet, and Skylor hasn't mentioned not feeling well or anything." I rub my forehead, then scan over the rest of the invitation.

It has location information, attire suggestions, a cutesie photo I'm almost sure Kai put in there, and...a handwritten message from Skye.

P.S. Sis, you'd better be my maid of honor, or I will personally put your history notes through a noodle slicer – and this is finals week. Love, Skye <3

The pieces begin to click in my head. "Jay, did you happen to receive any threats along with Kai's offer to make you his best man?"

"I don't know," he shrugs, looking back down at the card. "I kind of lost focus once I realized I was going to be in a wedding. Um, let's see...oh, I found something! 'From Skylor – if you aren't Kai's best man, I will crawl through your window while you're asleep and steal your diary'." He looks up, blushing. "Um, not that I have a diary. Anyway...'If you don't want your team to know your deepest secrets, you'd better agree to do this for Kai. All with good intent, of course – Skylor.'" He bites his lip. "That...doesn't sound fun."

"Uh-huh," I huff. "I thought so." I snatch the invitation out of Jay's hand. "She's matchmaking, that's what."

"Huh?"

I sigh. Boys! "She's matchmaking. She wants us to help them plan the wedding so we spend more time together! And..." I growl. "And to dance! The maid of honor and best man always share a dance at the wedding! Skylor knows that I fell..." I stop, seeing the curious looks of the other boys.

Oh, for the joy of an audience.

"Never mind," I grumble, giving Jay both our invitations. "See you at lunch." I stomp into the monastery and slam the door behind me, heading straight for my bedroom.

Seliel eyes me from the couch in the TV room. "Hold up."

I stop in the doorway. "Yes, your highness?" I snap.

"Mind handing me the remote? I've watched enough Oprah to have me breaking out into inspirational speeches, myself." She yawns.

I grab the remote off the side table and chuck it at her. "Take your speeches somewhere where they're wanted, please." She catches the remote with ease.

Seliel hisses through her teeth, smirking. "Somebody's on edge today."

"And for once, it's not because of you. Later." I toss her a wave and continue toward my room.

Seliel and I have a unique relationship. We pretend not to like each other, but we're actually pretty good friends. Okay, not pretty good friends, but given that we couldn't tolerate each other at all a month ago, we're making some serious progress.

When I finally get to my room, I do a huge belly flop on my bed and release a moan fit for the Guinness Book of Ninjago Records. Is that a thing? I think it's the Borg Book of Ninjago Records. No idea where the "Guiness" came from.

"My life is falling apart," I moan, my voice muffled by a pillow.

I feel a gentle rubbing at my back before I know he's there, and the move immediately relaxes my body.

"What's wrong?" Jay asks. His voice has innocence written all over it.

I readjust my head so I can look at him, my cheek resting against the cushion. "Do you really need to ask that?"

"Yeah. I'm concerned about you."

"Jay...everyone knows the maid of honor and best man share a slow dance at wedding banquets."

"Uh-huh. And?"

"And do you remember how Skylor spent the night at the monastery that night we fell down the stairs? The one where we had that talk about...us?" Oh, how I hate discussing our former relationship with him.

He sits on the edge of my bed, still massaging my back. "Of course, I remember that night. I probably think about it too much, if we're being honest. What about it?"

"Well, I spilled everything to Skylor that night," I mumble, the backrub helping dissolve my anxiety. "She knows that when I realized I had serious feelings for you, we were slow dancing behind the school."

"Oh," he nods. "Okay. And she believes we'll...um...rekindle our relationship if we do it again?"

"In a weird way, I think so." I close my eyes, enjoying these few moments of bliss.

"You know I wouldn't mind that, right?" he whispers. "I would love to date you. I'm still in love with you. I always will be."

I hate myself for it, but I roll away from his touch. All the happy tingles and warmth I felt seconds earlier...gone.

"I know, you don't want to hear it," he sighs miserably.

I feel remorse travel through me, and I reposition myself so I'm sitting beside him. We're not touching, of course, but...we're next to each other.

I speak gently. "Jay...you know I care about you."

"Right. In a 'you're my closest friend, let's do everything together, you're the only one I can be vulnerable with' kind of way."

"I can't be vulnerable with anyone." And I'm not about to tell him, but...I don't just want to be friends.

He sniffs. "You always can be vulnerable with me. Nya, this is killing me."

"I wish it wasn't." I fall back against my mattress, extending my hands under my head. "We can't be together because I hurt people, remember? And we did take things pretty fast when we were dating – what with the 'I love you's' and 'I want to spend the rest of my life with you's'. That's probably not healthy." But I liked it.

"I didn't think it was too fast," he sniffles. "And you don't hurt anyone more than the average person. How many times will I have to say that for you to believe it?"

"You don't have the ability to convince me, Jay. That's the evidence's job." I bite my lip. "Besides, I want you to be happy and find someone else." Not really, but it sounds nice.

"Nya, there is no one else. You're it for me – end of story. I will love you throughout all eternity, even when we're reunited in the Departed Realm, and – "

I crack up. "That's so cheesy!"

He seems to brighten a little at the fact that I found him funny. "It's true, though."

"Hmm." I'm so tempted to roll over, just a little, and rest my head on his chest. To look up at the ceiling and talk about the future and all the stupid stuff we want to do together someday. I'd like to plan our lives out, each and every moment: How I'll massage his muscles when he's sore after a mission and drive him to see a comedy when he's sad and have a secret cotton candy stash just for him.

But that's not going to work.

I roll off my bed, unable to resist running my hand through his curls. "I'm going to go for a walk. See you in a bit, buddy."

His fingers grasp mine as I leave.

"Do you want company?" he smiles softly.

I shake my head. "Nah. Go hang out with the guys. I know you and Cole were battling it out over some videogame the other night." And I need some time alone.

"Please let me come with you. I don't want you walking outside alone. It's not safe."

"Neither am I," I wink, creating a small spurt of water with my hand.

Was that too flirty?

Not wanting to see his reaction, I bustle out of my room.

***(Jay's POV)***

Why did she walk away? She always walks away.

I feel panic rise in my throat. Pretty soon, she's going to run away. I know she is. She never talks about it, but I can just tell.

Seeing as she's going on a walk, I know her room will be a safe place to have a fit of anxiety. I haven't told her, but ever since she left last month...

Well, it's kind of embarrassing, but I have small panic attacks. I'm usually able to get somewhere safe and quiet before they happen, and as long as I focus on my breathing, I'm okay. But it scares me so much that she's going to leave me. What if I never see her again? What if she needs me?

But the truth is, I need her.

I crawl under her blankets. It seems childish, but I like to be somewhere dark and small when I'm having my attacks. And when that place also smells like Nya, it helps calm me down a lot faster.

I do the one thing my birth mom always said made life better: I sing. It distracts me.

"I'm jealous of the rain

That falls upon your skin.

It's closer than my hands have been.

Oh, I'm jealous of the rain."

I inhale shakily. "Nya...I thought you loved me." But she can't have those feelings for me – at least, not romantic ones. I've given her every chance to choose me, and she just...doesn't. I get that she's afraid of relationships and all, but I've more than showed her I can take the pain.

I'm just going to have to reconcile myself to it: I'm going to die alone and desperately lonely.

"I'm jealous of the wind

That ripples through your clothes.

It's closer than your shadow.

Oh, I'm jealous of the wind."

"I wish you'd give 'us' another chance," I mumble. Yes, that's the wish I've been mulling over recently. Nya gave me three wishes – three favors or requests – to make of her before she leaves. I've only used one: I wished that she wouldn't run away until after Kai and Skylor's wedding.

I could wish us into a relationship, heal my heart. But if she doesn't love me, it would probably hurt more than it helped me.

Too bad I can't wish for love. If there were actually something behind these wishes – magic – then maybe I could make it work, but sadly, it's only Nya's word backing each wish up. If I want to be with her, she'll have to choose me.

She's not going to do it.

"'Cause I wished you the best of

All this world could give,

And I told you when you left me,

'There's nothing to forgive'.

But I always thought you'd come back, tell me all

You found was

Heartbreak and misery.

It's hard for me to say

I'm jealous of the way

You're happy without me."

"Are you still in here, Jay?" asks an all-too-familiar voice.

I'm utterly silent.

"I forgot to put on sunblock before I went outside." Nya flops down beside me, pulling the blankets off my head.

She winces at my tear-stained eyes. "Jay, what's wrong?"

I bury my face in the bed. "I need you."

"Jay," she sighs. She squeezes my shoulders. "Are you feeling okay?"

"No. I'm broken, Nya."

She rests my head in her lap, then cringes. "You're pretty warm, buddy. I think you have a fever. I'm going to get the thermometer, okay?" She rearranges the blankets around me.

In reality, it's just a temperature spike from my mini panic attack and crying fest. However, I'm not about to tell her that. She'll think I'm weak.

"Thanks, Nya," I sniffle. "You always know how to m-make things better."

She kisses my forehead. "Stay here, okay?"

She...kissed me.

As soon as she's gone, I release a long breath. She really believes I'm sick, so I got off easy this time.

And she kissed me.

Maybe there are benefits to not feeling well...or, at least, to panic attacks that make it look like you're not feeling well.

When she returns, I'm in the exact position I was in when she left. When Nya tucks you in, you don't just undo her work. There's something special about the way she does it.

I'm such a baby, but I don't even care. It means more attention from her.

"Sit still, okay?" she requests. She holds out the thermometer and runs it over my forehead.

She's so close, I can't help but gaze into her eyes. She's trying hard not to pay attention, but a small smile teases her lips.

Maybe...she does still want me?

"Yup, you've got a fever," she says, fixing my hair. "Why don't you take a nap in here? My room's a lot comfier than the bunkroom."

"Okay," I agree, making my voice sound as exhausted as possible. "But...I'm not tired."

She rearranges the pillows at her headboard. "At least try to get some rest, Jay. And don't worry, I'll bring my notes in so we can study together. Gee, I hope you don't have a stomach bug. I don't want you to be sick for finals week." Which is this week, thank the First Spinjitzu Master. I'm done with school.

"I don't want to be sick, either." I limply flop against the cushions.

She tugs the blankets up around my neck. "Are you warm enough?"

My mind scrambles for all the ways I can use this situation to my advantage.

"I'm kind of cold," I admit. "Um, but you could...climb in next to me? I know we're broken up and all, but – "

She rubs my arm, and it's obvious she knows I'm milking the situation. However, she says, "Sure. Let me grab my notes, okay? Would you like a snack?"

"No. I can't eat right now." Sneaking out for food later on will so be worth the attention I get from Nya.

"Aww, Jay, I'm sorry. I'll get you some medicine."

Medicine? I don't want to take medicine!

But then, I'm not about to put a stop to this crazy idea of mine. "Th-that sounds nice." I close my eyes and whimper.

"I'll be right back, Jay." She squeezes my hand, then walks away.

My eyes snap open. This could be my chance – my chance to get Nya back! She just needs to see how much she actually cares for me, and that her feelings far outweigh any harm she could accidentally do me. She's not going to kill me like she thinks she killed her parents.

Plus, being sick means Nya dotes on me. She used to do that a lot back when I was struggling with my mom's death, but now...well, now, she won't even get close to me.

I smile. Unless I'm sick. It worked when I got my tonsils out, right? This could go very well.

I can probably pull this off for a few days and still be fine making up finals. Besides, I'll have extra time to study. Who doesn't need extra time to study?

"I brought you some pain relievers, okay?" Nya says, reentering her bedroom. She holds out a bottle of water to me.

I twist off the cap, then shakily hold it to my lips. I purposefully spill a little out of the top.

She engulfs my hands in hers. "Here." She helps me steady the bottle.

I take a sip. "Thanks."

"No problem. Open your mouth again."

I do as she says, and she carefully slips two pills in. Then, she gives me another drink of water, and I swallow down the bitter-tasting medicine.

But hey, I still get Nya out of this. It's worth it.

She snuggles in next to me, draping her patterned comforter over us. "Where do you hurt?"

"Um..." She makes me feel so good. "My head hurts really bad. And, um, my stomach." Lies. All I can feel are butterflies.

She threads her fingers through my hair, massaging my scalp. "Is this better?"

I sigh, relaxing into the nest of pillows she made for me. "Much." I love it when she touches me.

"Good. Hey, why were you crying when I came in?"

"Just missing you," I sniff.

"I'm right here, buddy." She pulls me close.

"I know. I – um, I was missing you as my girlfriend." I swallow, unsure of how she'll take that.

"It's okay," she reassures me. "Sometimes, I miss you, too."

My eyes widen. She does? I'm about to say something when...I remember that I'm supposed to be sick.

"I would love to be your boyfriend," I croak.

She just shakes her head and kisses my cheek, and I'm a little disappointed.

But I'm on overload of Nya kisses. Two in one day?!

Unfortunately, she missed my lips both times.

"Do me a favor and drink a little more water," she instructs, grabbing the bottle from where I laid it. "I don't want you getting dehydrated."

"Don't feel like drinking," I mumble.

What? It makes things more realistic.

She screws off the cap, then uses her elemental power to swirl water out of the bottle and toward my mouth. "Will you have just a little?" she pleads.

Well...if she insists.

I open my mouth, and she swishes the water in.

"Thanks, Jay," she smiles. "Now, let's study for chemistry, shall we?"

I squint my eyes at her homework. "I can't focus on the page," I groan, taking my eyes off the paper. "It hurts my head."

"That's okay. We can study later, then." She sets her books aside. "What would you rather do?"

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her to my chest. "You were right: I think I should get some rest. I'm tired." Actually, I'm in heaven. I don't know if I can sleep, since I want to remember what every moment of this feels like. But if she thinks I'm resting, I get an excuse to be close to her, and I also can secretly watch her studying. Nya's so cute when she's focused: She scrunches up her nose and chews the tip of her pencil and highlights everything in a different color.

"Will you sleep better if I leave you alone?" she asks, tracing my freckles.

My eyes close in pleasure at the touch. "N-no, Nya. What if I wake up and get scared because I can't remember where I'm at? Or what if I have one of those horrible nightmares you can get with fevers? Or – "

"Okay, okay," she smiles. "I'll be here when you wake up. But be forewarned that I'm going to feed you something when you're not so tired. You put in a full hour and a half of training this morning."

She's going to feed me? Like, make me soup and spoon it into my mouth?

Why didn't I think of pretending to be sick earlier?

I yawn and burrow my face into her hair. "Good night. I love you."

"Good morning, you mean. And sweet dreams."

Part of me feels guilty – Nya's actually worried about me, and me lying to her is wrong.

But the rest of me – the part that can hold her close and breathe her scent and enjoy her care – that part feels no remorse at all.

Just warm, fuzzy tingles.

***So, what'd you all think? Would you prefer more short chapters, or fewer long ones? Feelings on the song choice? The team chemistry?

My favorite part: PREDICTIONS?!

Hope ya liked it! <3

Blessings,

Beep, Beep!***