Best Kept Secret

First Days, Bulletin Boards, and Jay

My reflection looked braver than I felt. Having given up sleeping in till my alarm, I'd already begun getting ready for school. I'd never worn anything close to formal wear before, but I was a student at a private school now. I had to wear the uniform. Everything about my outfit - the stockings, navy blazer, pleated skirt, tie, and blouse- made me uncomfortable.

I'm not a coward. It's just school. Telling myself that didn't make the nervousness swirling in my stomach disappear.

I stepped out of the washroom and found myself overwhelmed by the wide hall with a seemingly endless amount of doors. I struggled to navigate to the kitchen. My new home was too big for my liking.

Misako was in the kitchen. She leaned up against the counter, phone in one hand and a mug of tea in the other. I heard the cheery voice of Gale Gossip from her phone. I didn't blame anyone from Ninjago City to watch the news obsessively. Gale Gossip was giving an update on how Ninjago City was recuperating after The Great Devourer surged through its streets.

I remembered the fear I felt when I saw the news reports about The Great Devourer. And I was far away in Ignacia. I was alone at the time, finishing packing up my belongings. Kai and I had planned to move to Ninjago City the day prior to the giant snake's appearance. But Kai insisted that we stay in Ignacia a few days longer. Something about wanting to say goodbye to the town.

At the time, I thought Kai's sentimentality towards leaving Ignacia was foolish. Staying behind meant missing the first few days in our new school. (Especially because Kai left town shortly after convincing me to stay a few days longer. Hypocrite...)

In hindsight, I was thankful. Both me and Kai were far away from Ninjago City when disaster struck. Kai's weird sentiment towards our childhood home might've saved both of our lives.

"Looks like things are returning to normal in Ninjago City," Gale Gossip said, "Thanks to Lord Garmadon."

Misako sipped her tea. Her worry lines became visible.

"Must feel good to be married to a hero," I said as I stood in the kitchen awkwardly. I would've made myself breakfast, except I didn't know where anything was.

Kai and I moved in with our new Foster Family the day prior. It took longer than expected to move to Ninjago City due to the Great Devourer's appearance.

Misako tore her eyes from the screen.

"Oh, good morning, Nya," she said, "Cereal's in the cupboard. Unless you want something else?"

Misako gestured towards the cupboard she hid her food in.

"Cereal's fine," I said. I help myself to food. Misako pulled out a bowl and spoon for me.

"Are you excited for your first day of school?" Misako said as she pulled milk out of the fridge.

"Yeah," I said halfheartedly. No one could know that I was drowning in first-day anxiety. I missed the first week of school; that was the most stressful part. I got into Ninjago Prep on a full-ride academic scholarship! I had to keep my grades up to maintain that scholarship.

Kai didn't have any problem asking the Garmadons to pay for him to go to private school, but I did.

Plus, there was the factor that I was a homeschooled kid. Since I got expelled from Ignacia Elementary in the second grade, I've done all my schooling online. I'd never had friends my age (I got in a lot of fights, hence my expelling). My closest friends were my previous Foster Parents. We used to play cribbage every day after supper and then never speak to each other. That was the extent of my social life.

I squashed my worries and smiled for Misako.

Kai dragged himself into the kitchen. His usually spiky hair was flat as he hadn't started his morning routine yet. I rolled my eyes as he leaned against the refrigerator and dramatically sighed.