***Guys! I DID manage to get a chapter out!

Fun fact: Before I even wrote "That One Girl", I wrote Cole's POV for this chapter. This is the first interaction I technically ever wrote between him and Seliel ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Also, I totally picked the clean version of "Savage Love", no worries! I wonder what song THAT ship applies to?***

***(Cole's POV)***

"Jay, get up." I knock on Nya's door. "It's time for school."

I hear a grumble in response.

I roll my eyes. Jay's already a slow mover in the morning. And if he's sick, things are even worse.

I push open the door to see him sitting up in bed, rubbing his eyes. "Cole?" he groggily asks.

"It's me, buddy." I sit down on the edge of Nya's bed. "Are you feeling better?"

The guilty look that enters his eyes makes me frown. "Jay, what did you do?"

"I didn't do anything." He tucks the blankets up to his neck. "Why are you here?"

"To...see if you're ready for school?" I raise an eyebrow. "It's finals week, remember?"

He makes a pitiful coughing noise. "I can't go. I'm sick."

"How sick are you? Like, I may not care about my grades and stuff, but I still know I can't miss finals week. And you're an 'A' student, right? You certainly wouldn't want to be absent."

"I can't go," he repeats. "I'm sick." He buries his head under Nya's pillow.

"Did someone take your temperature yet to see if you have a fever? If you're just achy, I imagine you'll be fine going in. Finals are important, bud."

Nya pokes her head in right at that moment. "Jay?"

My best friend slowly uncovers his head, turning around with a sheepish look. "Hey, Nya."

"Are you feeling better?" she asks. "Do you think you can come to school today?"

"N-no." His voice comes out a lot raspier than it did just moments before.

"Aww. Let me go grab you some medicine, okay?"

As soon as she's gone, Jay jumps out of bed and rushes into Nya's bathroom. I follow him, a little concerned.

"Are you going to throw up?" I ask.

He throws open the cabinet under Nya's vanity and snatches out her hair dryer. Then, he plugs it into the wall and turns it on the hottest setting, holding it right up to his forehead.

I frown. "Jay, what the heck are you doing?!"

"I'm not really sick, okay?" he exclaims. "I'm just doing this to get Nya's attention."

"What? Why?"

"Because I need to show her that she still cares about me! That's the only way we're getting back together!"

"That's not right, Jay," I sigh.

"I know," he whines, "but you can't tell her! I'll get 'better' by tomorrow, okay? I just...I need this." He shuts off the hair dryer and runs back to Nya's bed, messing up the blankets and crawling under them.

"No, you don't. You just want it really badly." I run a hand through my hair. "Jay, what's with you? You did so well with the breakup back in February, but a few weeks later, you got into such a bad cycle. You're clingy, obsessed, and – no offense – annoying the heck out of Nya, what with your always following her around."

He tears up. "I-I thought I could convince her I was enough, Cole. I thought she would get over the whole 'I-only-hurt-people' thing within a few weeks of our breakup, and then we would get back together. But that's not what happened, okay? And now she – " Jay freezes as he hears Nya walking down the hall.

She enters the room with two pills. "I brought you some different medicine this time," she says softly. "This kind won't make you tired; it's just for pain relief.

Jay mumbles something incoherent, and I stifle an eye roll. "He doesn't need medicine, Nya."

"What makes you think that?" She brushes the hair from his eyes. "He's running a fever, Cole. Anyone can tell that."

"He's faking the fever."

She gives me a skeptical look. "He was running one yesterday, and he has one today. Cut him some slack, okay?" She helps him down a drink of water and take his medicine, and I sigh.

There's no use arguing with her. She's not going to believe me.

"I'm going to go see if Seliel's ready," I inform her, getting up and leaving her bedroom. I head down the hallway to Wu's old rooms.

Seliel recognizes my footsteps before I come in. I guess being holed up with nothing to do makes you pay attention to that kind of thing.

"Hey, Cole," she greets from down the hall.

I smile, poking my head in when I finally reach the door. "Hi, Sel. Are you ready?"

She rolls her eyes, hobbling forward on her crutches. "Do you mean to ask if I'm ready for another day of relentless teasing at school, plus tripping at least twice on my way around the place and making an absolute fool of myself?"

I wince. "Okay. Um, I guess you're not ready, ready. Let me rephrase. Do you have all your schoolwork packed up, do you smell reasonable, and have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"Yes, Cole. I'm not a baby." She readjusts her backpack on her shoulders, then slowly makes her way toward the door. I'd offer to help her carry her things, but Seliel just isn't that girl. She's kind of proud.

"You're especially grumpy this morning," I point out.

She gives me an unamused glare. "And why should I be grumpy, Cole?"

"I'm not saying you don't have reasons for your grouchiness," I'm quick to reassure her. "It's just...well, I'm here, should you want to talk things out."

She gives me her first real smile of the day – well, not a smile, but a smirk. "I get free ranting privileges? Yes, please." She gives me an awkward side hug, somehow managing not to lose her crutches. "How are you?"

"Not bad." I kiss her forehead, enjoying the smell of her conditioner. "I'd ask how you are, but something tells me I already know."

She snorts. "Smart boy. Did you study for finals last night?"

"No." I've never had test anxiety. But then, I've never cared much about my grades. I'm happy with a 'C' average, if that's what it takes to graduate. I plan on spending my life defending others, not sitting in a college classroom.

I guess that kind of thing works for Lloyd and Nya and Zane, though. And Jay, but he apparently considers attention from Nya more important than coming into school.

"Why the long face?" asks my girlfriend's silky voice.

I snap back to reality. "Uh, I'm just concerned about Jay, is all."

"Ah, yes. Your sulky best friend."

Seliel isn't afraid to say what she thinks about people.

"He's not always like that," I defend him. "He's been through a lot lately." I change the subject. "Did you study for your finals?"

Eyes the color of a gooey chocolate brownie twinkle at me. "Heck, no."

Seliel is smart without trying. She has a photographic memory. She retains most of what she sees for several weeks at a time, and even if she even reviews her notes twice, she can ace a test.

"Good for you." I snag her hand, studying her fingers. "I like your nails."

She sighs. "They're about to be messed up by a week of finals. I wish our teachers would get with the times and let us do tests on the computer. Pencil and paper? It ruins my paint job."

I smile. "You'll have them redone in no time, I'm sure." Since moving into the monastery last month, she's taken over the team's finances. We suddenly have a lot more money to spare – this girl is good with figures – and Seliel has a whole portion of our income dedicated to buying herself makeup and nail polish. Her room is basically a salon. She's tried desperately to get Nya in on it, but she's just not interested.

Nya's makeup phase lasted for a few months when she turned sixteen last year. She went back to total tomboy after some idiot got pictures of her in her underwear and posted them around the school cafeteria. I honestly don't blame her.

Seliel taps my shoulder. "Hey, earth to Cole?" She chuckles. "That's actually a good pun."

"Huh?" I look back down at her. Man, I'm stuck in my head today.

She studies me sympathetically. "I was telling you about the recent news from Nom."

"You mean...that town you lived in before you moved back here?"

She nods. "There was a huge electrical explosion at the local factory. Apparently, three workers were injured, and one was killed. There was no known cause for the explosion."

"Huh. And knowing you, you suspect the worst."

She hitches a shoulder. "What can I say? You know me too well. So...any idea what all that could've been about?"

"Are you itching to be an honorary ninja?"

"Oh, come on. You know for a fact I deserve to be much more than an honorary ninja. Remember when Nya and I kicked my evil dad's butt last month?"

"Remember when Nya saved you before your dad could force you to overdose on a variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs?"

"Okay, okay." She waves a hand in the air. "Ignore the particulars. Anyway...any theories about what could've happened?"

I smile. Seliel, even though she's one of the smartest people I know, has never discounted my intelligence. All my teammates have at some point – well, besides maybe Zane – but not Sel.

"It seems there was also a break-in at the power plant here in Ninjago City," I explain. "Maybe the two are connected somehow? An engineer here thinks some plans were stolen from the facility in Ninjago City. What about in Nom?"

She chews a maroon-tinted lip. "I'll check it out in the computer lab at school today when I get the chance."

"Good thinking." I kiss her cheek. "Wanna hang out after school today?"

"Trust me, I'd love to do anything besides lay around." She begins her slow trek toward the door, and I smile softly, loving her perseverance and determination.

***(Lloyd's POV)***

"Finals. I hate finals," I mumble, seating myself on my bike. After hours of review in some classes and tests in others, I'm finally done for the day. I can't wait to have the same struggle tomorrow. Not.

Nya runs out of the school, waving at me, and I freeze.

She wants...my attention?

"Lloyd!" she calls.

Yep, she's talking to me.

She finally reaches me. "Will you drive me back to the monastery? We need to talk."

"I...okay." She never asks me to do anything anymore. "Is something wrong?"

"As I said, I need to talk to you." She grabs another helmet from under my seat.

My mind races to process what's happening. Is she finally willing to talk out our friendship? Or...lack of friendship?

"I'm worried about Jay," she says, curling her arms around me.

Oh.

I start my motorcycle. "What about him?"

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed how unfocused he's been recently during training. He's depressed. I think he needs some time off."

I begin our route back from school. "I...had noticed that, yes. I think him being unfocused has to do with...um...his obsession with you."

"It's partially because of our breakup, but I think it mostly has to do with his mom's death. He did great with healing at first – I thought he'd be fine – but then...well, you know how clingy he's been recently."

"Yeah. What about it?"

"He's made me some idol who can take away his pain," she says, her voice full of hurt. "And he thinks if only he can get me to be his girlfriend, everything will be better. That's just not the case, though."

"You're right." She's matured a lot in the few months we've been estranged.

But not enough to keep her from trying to run away. She scared me to death when she did that last month. It's all my fault, though, isn't it? I messed up bad – told her it was her fault her parents died, that it was her fault I was dying inside.

"I'm hoping time away from me will be good for him," she continues, unaware of my internal dilemma. "Time off the team, too. I mean, he needs you all as friends, but...it's dangerous to have him fighting when he's not paying attention."

I bite my lip. "You may be right. However, he won't be happy about this, Nya." And Jay already hates me enough. Not that I blame him.

"I know," she sighs. "But I think he'll forgive me once he realizes that I'm not doing this in spite. I really am concerned about him."

She thinks that he'll hate her for this? She's the last person he could dislike. He's going to put all the blame on me, and with good reason.

I clear my throat. "Do, um, you need time off?"

"What? Why?"

"You seem to be fine with fighting and all. It's just...I'm worried about you. How are you dealing with the breakup? With what happened with the Sons of Garmadon?" With how I betrayed you?

She stiffens. "I'm fine. Stop pretending to be worried about me, Lloyd."

"I am worried," I argue. "You're still my closest friend, even if you don't want that title anymore."

"I'm not the one who got drunk and decided to rub my parents' death in my face."

I cringe. "Nya...Nya, I really am sorry. I messed up bad with you."

"Yep." She says nothing else.

"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" I say softly. "Not to write off your feelings or what you've gone through – nothing could atone for that – but...if there's any way I can help you – "

"I don't need anything from you," she snaps. Then, in a calmer tone, she goes on, "I'm working on...um...forgiving you, Lloyd. I really am. But that doesn't mean we can ever be friends again, and it certainly doesn't mean we're on track to be best friends."

Her words break my heart. "I...okay. Thank you. And...I'll keep in mind what you said about Jay. I'm not pulling you from the team, though, unless you tell me to. We need you, and I trust you if you say you're okay. You'll let me know if that changes?"

"No, but that's all right. I don't let emotions cloud my thinking in fights. I don't let emotions cloud my thinking, period."

I realize the implication – that I did give emotions the spotlight in my life, just for a little while.

And it ruined everything.

I let my mind stray to the stress of life, of leadership, of exams.

Nya lets out a humorless laugh. "I know you well enough to tell when you're anxious."

"Yeah." Why are we talking about this? "I still hate tests."

"Don't think this proves anything," she grumbles, "but I brought you some gummi worms. No, that doesn't mean we're friends. It just means...that I thank you for the ride."

Hope sparks in me.

She still cares.

"Thank you," I say, clearing my throat. "It...I..."

She ignores my gratitude. "We're back. Thanks for the drive."

"I...you're welcome." Her purpose for me is officially over.

Right as I stop the bike, I feel her slip a pack of candy into the pocket of my green jacket.

"Thanks," I swallow.

She's gone without another word.

I sigh heavily, peering down at my watch. It's only a quarter past three in the afternoon. I have a few hours before dinner and our evening training session.

I know exactly where I'm going.

I set off on the route I've taken so many times since March. It takes me half an hour to get there, but the miles fly by as memories assault my mind. Of sunny afternoon picnics, evenings staying up chatting on the phone, drives on backroads just to get away from parental authority.

***Music Cue***

In each and every memory, I see flashes of white-blonde hair and giddy brown eyes.

I find myself pulling into visitor parking for Kryptarium Prison. I shove my hands in the pockets of my jeans, strolling up to the doors on this side of the building. I get a quick security check by one of the guards, then I walk in to see Warden Noble at the front desk.

He glances up from his newspaper and smiles. "Ah, Lloyd! You're here for your usual visit, I assume?"

"You know me," I smile. The expression is...painful to form.

The warden buzzes me in, and I head back to solitary confinement. It's not that Harumi Jade is dangerous to the other prisoners, it's just...she's smart enough to plot a way to get out, as long as she has help.

Once I'm buzzed into the final door, I take a deep breath and straighten my shoulders, walking right inside. Rumi sees me as soon as I enter.

"Lloyd!" she coos. "You're here to see me?"

She sounds so happy. I know it's fake.

"Hey, Rumi." I sound tired, even to my own ears. "How are you?"

"Amazing!"

"Stop it with the games, Rumi." I pull a plastic folding chair from the nearby rack and seat myself in front of her glass prison.

"What games?" she asks innocently, giggling.

"You know very well what games." I massage the bridge of my nose. "Did you finish your online classes yet?"

"Yup. Not much to do around here." She keeps her tone jovial. "Did you miss me?"

"Yes," I sigh. "I always do, Harumi."

"Aww! You're the best boyfriend."

"We're not together anymore, remember?" I shake my head. "I left you some new books with the warden. You should get them within a few hours." Once they've been checked to ensure there's nothing inside she could use to escape with.

"Thanks, Lloyd." She presses her face up against the glass, pouting her bottom lip. "You know, it's been a long time since anyone's given me a hug."

"Harumi, I'd come in there if I didn't know this was some ploy to get me to open the doors. You just want to escape."

"Of course, I do. Then I could be with you."

I clench my eyes shut. "Please, just stop. Don't tell me you care for me when it's obviously not true."

"But I do care about you. I love you, Lloyd. You're the only one I love."

"People who love each other don't try to hurt each other's friends. People who love each other don't get each other drunk and ruin each other's lives!" Tears gather in my eyes. "Harumi...why?"

"'Why', what?"

"Why did you do this to me? I hate myself for what I did to my team!" Anger and pain rise in my chest.

"Aww. Don't hate yourself, Lloyd." She traces her finger down the glass of her prison. "You know, if you let me out, I could make it all better for you."

I stand up abruptly. "Stop it, Rumi! Just – just stop!" I rest my fist against my side of her cell, leaning against it. "You don't want to make anything better."

"Lloyd," she sniffles. "How could you say that about me?"

"Because it's true."

"What's true?" She blinks innocently.

My breath hitches as I feel tears slide from my eyes. "What's true, Rumi, is that I'm still in love with you, and you never cared one whit about me."

She says nothing. I open my eyes to see her place her palm where my fist is on the glass.

It's the closest I'll ever let her get again, whether during her ten-year prison sentence or any time after that.

"For the record, Lloyd," she whispers, "I really do still love you."

I push off the glass, turning my back on her. "No. No, you don't, and you never have." I stalk off down the walkway.

"Come back soon!" she calls, her happy mask back in place.

"We'll see," I reply.

But we both know in a few days, we'll have this same conversation all over again.

***Thoughts on this chapter?

As long as everything goes well and I have a spare hour tomorrow, you should get an update then. I have the next chapter written, it just needs editing <3 But we'll have to see how studying goes!***