Explosion; the not-so long story of the orange ninja

"Hello there." "GENERAL KENOBI!!"

I woke up with a start, almost falling off my small bed.

Where was I again? I looked around, and remembered where I've been staying for the past month. An even smaller apartment.

It sucked, but it was home. I pushed off my blanket, causing my diary to flop onto the floor. I forgot I fell asleep reading it.

Every single night I did this. I needed something to remember my father by, so I read everything I wrote about him.

I didn't write anymore, because I'm not five anymore, but reading it gave me some sense of comfort. It made me feel like he was still there.

But he wasn't.

With a sigh, I picked up the book and went to place it on my wobbly bedside table. I hesitated. Would Father approve of this? He wouldn't want me thinking of the past every single day. He told me to move on, and so if that's what makes him happy, I will do that. Besides, it's already been two months.

So, with shaky hands, I dropped the book into the trash can. I'm not sure if it made me feel any better, but at least I was making Father happy.

I pulled on my clothes hurriedly, knowing I was probably late for work already.

Then I remembered, I was fired last Friday. Right.

I slumped back into my bed. What was I going to do? I'm already behind on rent. I was told to pay rent today or leave by midnight.

Well this was just great. I wonder if Drew is faring better. I could ask him for help...

No way. There's no way I would give him the satisfaction of me asking for help. That would be just... embarrassing.

You know what? To hell with it. I'm gonna go out to eat today and... I don't know what I'll do after that, since I'll be all out of money.

Maybe if I'm super desperate I'll go find Drew. I still have his number, so hopefully he'll take pity on me.. probably not. I've been a jerk to him.

Whatever.

I grabbed all of my things and put them into my tote bag. Everything fit because I didn't have a lot of stuff in the first place.

My hand made its way onto my necklace that was around my neck, and I held the jade dragon for a second, and let go.

With one last look at my cramped apartment, I turned on my heel and left, setting the key just in front of the door. I was done with that place anyways.

***

I finished eating the remains of my noodles and walked out the door of Chen's Noodle House. It was Father's favorite place to eat, so I went there a lot.

I cast my eyes around Ninjago City. It was still being rebuilt, but it just didn't look the same. It looked more futuristic then before. I'm not sure if that's a good thing.

My hands gripped the leather straps of my bag and I started to walk. I wasn't sure where I would go, but I wanted to walk.

Maybe I should call Drew. Ask him for money, maybe. But I had a feeling that wouldn't go very well.

There was nobody I knew in Ninjago. I had nobody else to go to. But there was no way I want to see the smug look on his stupid face when I come knocking at his door.

What if I just steal from him?

I shake my head and start to walk even faster. How could I think of such a thing? My father would be ashamed.

But what else was I supposed to do? I couldn't just live in the streets forever. I could try to get another job, but every one I've had fired me. I just can't do anything.