Cole x reader -| A Lemon Into Lemonade |

Close Quarters

I traveled through the hallways, following the sound of laughter and commotion. I approached the door of what seemed to be some sort of game room. The ninja were sprawled over and around the singular couch that faced a flashing T.V. screen. Kai and Jay were bashing video game controllers as they tried to beat each other in a street fighting game.

"I gotcha this time Kai! You're gonna be doing my laundry for a week!"

"That's what you think, Bluebell. You're goin' down!"

"Yeah, down in history for being the best player in all Ninjago!"

I watched as Kai blasted Jay with a fireball, knocking his health down to almost nothing.

"Ha! Take that, Zaptrap!"

Jay wailed in agony as Kai laid the fatal punch and ended the match. Kai leapt up from the couch in victory, laughing at Jay as he sulked. I couldn't help but giggle at the spectacle. As I did, the Ninja turned around to look at me.

"Hey, (Y/n), what's up?" Nya asked.

"Oh, uh, dinner's ready." I felt a little uneasy with all their eyes on me.

"Oh yesss, dinner!" Kai hurdled over the back of the couch and started to sprint towards the kitchen, socks slipping on the hardwood. Jay followed closely behind and I had to quickly slide sideways so as to not be trampled. Nya and Lloyd laughed as they stood and swiftly trailed the boys. Which now left Cole. He rose from the arm of the couch slowly and silently, certainly not in any rush. He glanced at me coldly, hands in his pockets, before passing me in the doorway. So much for my heart feeling light and airy. Having to see Cole sunk it like a rock. Way to go, Master of Earth.

At the dinner table, everyone watched with bright eyes as Zane brought out the soup we had made.

"Zane, it smells so good! I can't wait!" Jay eagerly filled his bowl to the brim. The others followed suit and crammed the hearty soup into their mouths.

"Wow, Zane, this is incredible!" Kai blurted through mouthfuls. The other ninja agreed.

"Yeah, this is the tastiest soup I've had in a while," Cole added.

Zane beamed. "Well, I'm pleased you all like it so much because (Y/n) helped me with it."

I became bombarded with praise even though all I did was follow Zane's instruction, and I almost didn't even do that properly. However, it was nice to feel like I had done well, especially at something other than school. Those giddy feelings didn't last long, though, because I happened to glance at Cole. His smile had fallen and he now chewed in silence. Oh, so he finds out I helped with dinner and it ruins it? What's his deal? I know I was a jerk but this was getting childish. I decided to ignore him as I ate my food and engaged with the more pleasant ninja. I was really starting to warm up to them. Maybe living here wouldn't be so bad.

—--------------

After dinner, the ninja all returned to the game room, now taking Zane and I with them. We all decided to watch a movie. Nya, Lloyd, and Cole took the couch this time while Jay and Kai were banished to the floor. Zane also sat on the floor but he didn't mind, he had sat there by choice. I stood, not knowing where to place myself. I was certainly out of my element and felt anxious and awkward. Nya noticed and called me over.

"Come sit by me!" She said as she yanked me down on the couch between her and Cole. Crap. The couch was more suited for three so I was faced with the unpleasantness of being pressed against that stupid idiot... again. I mumbled a thanks to Nya even though this was the worst thing she could have done. He was so close. Our shoulders squished against each other's and so did our thighs. I tried to angle my knees towards Nya in attempts to lessen the contact but it didn't really work. I didn't dare look at Cole's face. I knew he'd be just as displeased as I was, except he wasn't afraid to show it. I tried not to look uncomfortable, I didn't want Nya thinking it was her making me uneasy. I knew I'd be stuck like this for the next two-ish hours so I better get used to it.

The boys decided on some action movie I had never heard of. It was only an hour and a half. I could do that. I watched the screen stiffly as I tried to pay attention. I couldn't really though, because I was hyper focused on not looking at Cole. I desperately tried to block out my peripheral vision in which I was, of course, unsuccessful. I could still see the light illuminating his ripped jeans and his tanned hands that were resting so closely to my own. What's worse, I became aware that I could smell him again. That sweet, earthy scent eliminated any chance I had at focusing on the movie. Agony- agony I tell you.

Suddenly, Nya shifted to lean more against Lloyd and extended her legs over mine. These people sure do warm up quick, don't they? This at least gave me a bit more room. I scooted slightly away from Cole hoping to ease the tension. His shoulders relaxed as he put a swift hand through his thick hair. I didn't know if that made me feel better or worse. To be honest, I wasn't sure what I was feeling right now. I just knew I wanted the movie to be over all ready. I hated this. I hated him.