Ninjago: The Purple Ninja - Book 2

Adjusting is Hard, I Wish It Were Easier

Scott has been back in Ninjago City for less than a week, and he already felt out of place. 

How is it that Racer 7, Okino and Unagami adjusted to Ninjago City better than him? They were in the game just as long as he was, and yet, they easily adjusted to Ninjago City like it had been their home all their lives. 

Scott had only been in Ninjago City for three days, maybe four, and he was already having a hard time adjusting. Being stuck in a videogame for thirty years and looking like you haven't aged a bit - Because he hadn't aged a bit, why did he expect to look thirty years older after coming out of a video game? - can make that especially difficult. 

He has to live with his parents for now until he can get a new apartment. His old one got destroyed during the attack of the Great Devourer - Katarina told him the information the day he and the others got out through the portal - and he didn't have the money to get a new apartment, until he applied for a job. 

Speaking of parents, his parents were overjoyed to see their son again. They had a long talk that lasted until the crack of dawn, and he had to fill his parents in on how he got stuck in Prime Empire and had to spend the past thirty years running and hiding from Unagami - Who was apparently reformed, thanks to Milton Dyer. 

His younger sister was older than him now. Thirty years older. And here he was, looking like a teenager who looked like he could be her son. She moved out of their parents' place after college, and got a job that pays well. She said if he was interested, she could get him an internship there. He thanked her for the opportunity, and said he would think about it. 

Now here he was, in his old room, staring up at the ceiling with his back on the bed. He groaned and put his hands to his face. 

This was going to be the most painful and the most stressful adjustment period of his life. 

Scott's phone buzzed with a notification, and with a lazy hand, he picks it up. He was trying to get used to the new and modern technology. Katarina and Jay had caught him up with it, and he was trying to get used to this overwhelming information. 

In fact, he had missed all the stuff  for the last 30 years and Katarina had caught him up with everything up until now. She was even the one who bought him his phone, which was the latest model, and of course, while he said she didn't have to use her money to buy it for him, she said it was no big deal and if he ever needed to talk or anything, he could use this to contact her. 

Hey Scott, how are you doing right now? Still getting used to everything? The notification from Katarina read. With a steady motion, he swipes the screen and types his response on the message app. 

Scott:Yep.

Kat: Don't worry about having to get to things right away, it took me a long time to get used to things too. It was hard for me to adjust, so I know how you feel.

Scott: Did anyone help you adjust? I know I need it. 

Kat: ...No. I had to do it myself. That's why it took me a long time, because I had no one to help me. But I'm happy to help you. I don't want you to have to do this on your own.

Kat: So...how are you doing with your parents? I'm sure you guys caught up on a lot of stuff. Did you manage to come out to them yet?

Right, the coming out part. He had yet to come out to his parents about being gay, and if he were honest with himself, he didn't think he would ever have the courage to not come out to them. 

"You don't have to tell them if it makes you that anxious and uncomfortable, but if you ever feel like you want to, then remember my advice. I can't tell you if they'll react well, but I can tell you that they love you and they really care about you a lot. That's enough reassurance to last you a lifetime, hopefully. At least until you decide to come out. If they do react well, that's all the more reason to love every part of you."

Scott: No, I didn't. I don't think I'll ever be able to come out to them.

Kat: That's okay. Remember, you don't have to if it makes you anxious and uncomfortable.

Kat: You wanna go to the arcade with me, Jay, Okino and Racer 7? I'm taking some space from Lloyd right now, and I need the distraction. I think you need it, too. I bet you can beat Jay's ass at one of your favourite games.

Scott smiles a little. He definitely needed the distraction, and maybe spending some time at the arcade with his friends will help take his mind off things. 

Scott: Count me in.