The Butterfly Effect (2020)

seven

Before we knew it, a week had passed.

Apparently, I still had to train on Christmas Eve, which I thought was total bologna.
But, on the plus side, this was a special kind of training - fighting against powers.
Even though most of Lloyd's powers were the same as the teams, with the exception of Morro.
"Can we take a break?" I asked, puffing. We'd been endlessly at it for over an hour and my body was about to give out on me. A break was long overdue - plus, I had something that I really needed to do.
"Another ten minutes," Lloyd grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. It was the only time we'd been at the same level of exhaustion. His new powers still took a lot out of him. He was panting in exertion.
"You're going to train us into a grave, Lloyd," I groaned. I was answered by a glare. "Sorry - sensei Lloyd."

"That's not why-" he broke off to sigh, giving up. "One more round."
I stared at him blandly as a ball of fire was shot towards me. I was supposed to dodge out of the way, but I was stubborn and making a point. Besides, it's not as if Lloyd's powers could actually harm me.
The fire hit my shoulder harmlessly. I was glad for packing the fireproof shirt that was handed down from Kai. I may be immune, but clothing wasn't.
"Y/n, please," Lloyd tried, wiping his forehead. He shot a bolt of lightning and it tickled against the skin of my arm. I continued to stand completely still, daring him to continue. Lloyd groaned.
"You're so stubborn," he grumbled to himself. "Fine, we can take a break."

My face brightened.
"Thank you!" I gushed, darting over the sand to kiss him. Lloyd pretended that he didn't love it.
I darted back to the Bounty and ignored the suspicious look Lloyd sent at my sudden burst of energy.
I slipped inside the ship, grabbing the tools I needed and returning them to the dojo. I had just come from a hunt for some sellotape (who on earth puts sellotape in the cupboard where you keep the cereal?) when Lloyd caught me red handed.

"What are you doing?"

"eeeEE," I shrieked from the back of my throat and threw myself around to hide the sellotape behind me. Lloyd watched, eyebrow raised. "Nothing!"
"Are you seriously trying to sneak around a ninja?" Lloyd asked dryly, lips curled in amusement. I scoffed, blew a raspberry and shook my head in the span of a second, which made me pull some unattractive faces.
"No!" I denied, staring sheepishly to the side. "I just need to go, uh- um... check on the, uh. The sand."
I turned my head away from him and pulled a truly ugly expression. Check on the sand? What did that even mean?
"Let me start over;" Lloyd offered as he ducked to find my eyes again, fully enjoying the game. "Are you lying to your boyfriend?"

"Absolutely not!" I squalled, attempting to stuff the sellotape down the back of my pants after abruptly straightening. It was a struggle. Lloyd's red eyes dropped to where my hands were causing a commotion as the plastic hooked onto the hem. I sweat dropped. "I never lie! Anymore!"
"Uh-huh," Lloyd nodded, eyes lidded in doubt. "What's in your hand?"
I blinked, transferred the sellotape to one hand and then held out the free palm before him.
"Nothing," I replied innocently.
"What's in the other?" Lloyd goaded, unable to hide the playful grin. I swiftly transferred the tape between hands behind me and held up the free one.
"At the same time," he ordered. I swallowed, hooked the metal teeth into the inside of my shorts, prayed, and then held both hands before me.

Lloyd's grin grew.
"Alllllright," he drawled, eyes narrowed as he appraised my nervously sweating face. "I guess you really are telling the truth. Carry on."
He stared at me. I stared back. I knew what he was waiting for me to do.
I sighed shortly through my nose before turning around and continuing down the hall.
"What's in the back of your pants?" Lloyd called, catching me. Or so he thought.
"That's called my ass, Lloyd," I said without looking back. "Have some decency."
He couldn't hold back the snort. He struggled to breathe correctly for a second.
"My mistake," Lloyd said after coughing. "Carry on, sunshine."
I sent a smile over my shoulder.
"That's what I intend to do," I said with a closed-eyed smile before darting into the dojo and slamming the door after me.