NINJAGO: Amateurs of Adulthood .2

W2

"He was talking all sorts of shit. Sorry- uh...for the language...but yeah...He was saying how...I was happy that he got CJ 'cause it meant I wasn't weak..." Kane spoke awkwardly, squirming occasionally under Mr. Greene's careful gaze

"And...are you? Happy, I mean." Mr. Greene asked softly

"What? No. That's crazy." Kane snapped back, immediately breaking eye contact with the man across from him.

Mr. Greene watched Kane quietly for a few seconds before speaking once more.

"Well, that's not an outrageous conclusion to come to. Some people really do think like that, but that's not always a bad thing. Typically, those kinds of emotions just come out of wanting to feel some solidarity, and it's not wrong to want that. Do you often find yourself wanting that? Solidarity with others?" Mr. Greene asked, his glasses falling down the bridge of his nose slightly as he leaned forward

"I mean...I guess. But doesn't everyone? I mean, nobody wants to be alone." Kane replied as he leaned back against the dark brown, leather couch

"I suppose that's true. It can be scary being alone. Right?"

"...Yeah..." The teenager answered softly

"What do you do when you feel that fear? How do you help yourself to get out of that slump?" The brunette man asked

"Um...I like music. It helps...um...I play the drums, too." Kane blushed with embarrassment as he spoke

"Hm. Well it's good that you have something to turn to when you feel this way, but can I ask you something?" Mr. Greene asked, to which Kane nodded

"What if there was no music around? No drums to play? No nothing? I'd like to hear the way you'd cope with loneliness if those things weren't readily at your disposal." The brunette spoke again in the same soft and cool tone he had been using since Kane met him

Kane thought to himself for a minute before frowning and furrowing his eyebrows.

"I...don't really know what I'd do..." Kane said slowly as he looked down at his lap

"Is going to your family not considered a safe option for you?" Mr. Greene asked quietly

"What? No! No! They're great! I love my family. It's just...they wouldn't really get it. Ya know?" Kane smiled awkwardly as he scratched the back of his neck

The therapist hummed in thought before leaning back in his chair some

"Hm, alright. How about for this week, try to find something new that will help you cope with the loneliness you feel at times. Okay?"

"Okay..."

"Alright. See you next week, Kane." Mr. Greene smiled sweetly

"See you next week." Kane grinned as he stood up before exiting the therapist's office

It was a quiet ride back to the school since the teen had taken second period off to visit his therapist, but Kane had to ready himself for when he reentered the school. When he walked through the halls of Darkly's High School, was no longer space for soft, sad Kane. He had to be big and loud. Tall, blonde, and boisterous. The blonde breathed out slowly before pushing the big, dark double-doors open and walking into the school with a dashing smile.

"Yo, Kane!" A deep voice called out

Kane perked up and his eyes landed on the face of his close friend, Asahi.

"Asa-hi! What's up man?" Kane smiled genuinely, dabbing up his black haired friend

"Nothing much. You?" The boy replied, his monolid eyes squinting up as he smiled at the blonde