Rivals {Ninjago AU}

Chapter 17

***A/N: Welcome back! I'm trying to pump out a few chapters before I get swept away in summer lol

I realized it's been a long time since we heard from Kai. Looking back, I found that I didn't accomplish as much characterization with him as I wanted. If I'd given him some POVs over the past two weeks of book-time, maybe it would've helped things seem more realistic. But let me know what you guys think in the comments! Maybe I'll go back and edit in some in-between chapters with more of his characterization.***

***(Skylor's POV)***

I zoom in on the flowered sandals on my computer screen. One of my favorite brands just released these babies, and they have the cutest little red posies printed on the straps. They'd look so fun with a little white sundress I have in my closet.

My dad gives me an allowance for clothes shopping each month, and to be honest, I've found shopping kind of boring lately. Nothing's catching my eye. But these could be the end of my fashion block.

I zoom out to check the price one more time. If I buy these, I'll have just enough for the blush pink bag from the same line, and that would pair super well with –

"What are you doing?"

My eyebrows furrow in annoyance. I'd forgotten I was stuck in detention with Kai Smith when he just had to remind me.

"Shopping," I quip, not bothering to elaborate. I turn haughty eyes on him. "And why are you all up in my business?"

He looms over my shoulder, that arrogant face mere inches from mine. "I'm trying to accomplish stuff on the Graceton bombing here. Heaven knows we don't need Wu finding a reason to stick us together for another week."

I sigh and swivel in my seat, taking care not to knock him over with my sudden action. Not that I don't think about it.

"What else is there to find on the bombing?" I ask, crossing one leg over the other. It makes my knee-length pattern skirt inch just above my knee. Gotta keep things school-appropriate so I don't land myself in even more trouble with Misako.

"Look," Kai groans, falling into the chair beside me, "I don't really find searching for the Graceton bombing interesting either. But we both agree that we don't want Wu to keep sticking us together." He rubs a hand over his forehead. "Just one more week, Skylor. Work with me for one week, and we're free."

On one hand, I'm glad it's Friday. That means I don't have to see Nya's brother anymore over the weekend. On the other, I leave for Yvonne or Yvette's or whoever's with my dad right after school, and I do not want to meet that woman. She's uprooting my life. She's the plague of my high school existence.

"Please, Skylor?" Kai eyes me honestly, and I see in those depths a broken man who's exhausted from spending time with his sworn enemy.

It kind of makes me feel triumphant.

In all seriousness, though, he's stretched me to my limits as well. Without the weekend off, I'd probably be screaming and pulling out his hair come Monday. Not that the screaming part hasn't already happened.

I release a long breath. "Okay." I can be mature about this. "Let's review what Jay and Nya found in their interviews on Wednesday. I think she sent us a writeup today, right?"

"Maybe. Though my sister would never email me, so it's probably in your inbox." He rises and grabs his laptop from his spot across the room.

I stifle an eyeroll. "Yeah, it's your fault she won't talk to you." Bad words. I want to call him bad words, but I'm not getting us stuck in detention together any longer.