Ninjago The Next Generation

Chapter 21

Jade

"Jade? Lunch is ready!" Reese called, sticking his head into her room, " Come on down!" He said, walking up to her. She didn't move. Reese sighed, coming to sit at her side, "come on, you have to eat."

"I'm not hungry." She stated. "Are you sure? Or do you just not want to face anyone?" He questioned. Jade looked at him, "is it that obvious?" Reese snickered, standing up, holding out his hand to her, "you can sit with me! I won't leave your side, you don't have to talk much." He went on, "just come eat."

To be honest, Reese was the only one that Jade trusted right now. Not even her dad or Adrian, just Reese. And by the looks of it, Reese understood. "Fine." She gave him a thin smile. He smiled back, "thanks."

Jade got up with Reese and had him lead her to the kitchen where everyone was enjoying food. They made it to the kitchen, Jade still behind Reese, not making any eye contact with anyone.

"Hey, Jade!" She heard Maya spike up. Reese held his hand to where his heart is, "what am I? Chop liver?"

She chuckled, "sorry," she looked over at Jade again, "how are you doing?" She questioned. Jade looked at Reese, who looked back, "j-just tired." She stuttered. Maya shrugged, going back to her sandwich.

She scooted closer to Reese, keeping her head down. "Hey, Jade." She heard again, but this time it was from Adrian. "O-oh, hey." She still didn't make any eye contact. "It's good to see you out of your room," he smiled, "wanna go hang out? I just found out that Axel has a pool, how did we not notice?"

"I don't know," Axel shrugged, "you never asked." Adrian rolled his bright blue eyes and looked back at the fragile girl, "so wanna swim?" Jade looked at Reese, who gave her a look that spoke for him, "I-I'm sorry I have an uh- headache, m-maybe another day." She lied. Adrian seemed disappointed, "oh, ok. It's fine! We can do it later." He smiled, heading to the fridge. Jade then whispered to Reese, "this place is a danger zone."

He nodded in agreement to her current state, quickly grabbing a couple of pre-made sandwiches and had them leave. They went to the backyard, sitting on a bench. Jade started to slowly eat the ham and cheese sandwich as Reese started to build up a conversation. "So, I know you aren't big on doing anything," he started, "but maybe we could go on a walk, not too far, just to clear your head." He suggested. That made Jade smile, "Thanks Reese, I would love that."

They both quickly ate the food, then stood up heading out for their walk. About a few minutes out, a thought hit Jade's mind, "Stop," she said, "what if somebody sees me? They will think I'm.." Reese shook his head, "it doesn't matter what they think, it only matters what we think. So let's forget about them and only focus on us." He smiled. Jade started to feel a bit emotional, "Thanks Reese."

While walking, Reese had managed to glance down at her chainless cuffs around her wrists, "You don't like having them on. Do you?" He asked. Jade sighed, shaking her head, "No, they are a bit tight and hurt." She admitted. They walked a little further, staying quiet, "I want you to take them off." Reese said, "The only reason you have them on in the first place was to turn you back to good, and we did that." He pointed out, "now it's just not fair, you can't even use your powers." Jade nodded, "I know."

"Give me your wrist," he instructed. Jade did as he said, and pried open the cuffs. Jade jumped back, "What are you doing? I can't have them off!" She pointed out. "So? No one will know. We will go on walks every day and I will take them off," he offered, "See, no one will know."

Jade gave him a smile, "Thank you Reese." He took off the other one, keeping them in his pocket as Jade flexed her wrists. She then held her hand out, letting a bit of green glow, sprout from her hand. A small smile started to grow from the edges of her mouth. Reese glanced at her, and smiled himself, enjoying her happiness.