Ninjago: Ripped World 2

Humble Pie

Kai rounded the corner. He saw Chens Noodle Restaurant across the street. He kinda thought that Skylor should change the name now. Perhaps if she accepted his apology and deigned to talk to him again, he might mention it. But that really wasn't important now. He walked up to the main door and hesitated. The door was thrown open from the inside and a couple of dock workers who practically knocked him over on their way out. One managed to stop him from falling and held the door open for him. He stood hesitant to go in. Skylor was behind the counter; bowls rotating around the conveyor belt, looking straight at him.

'Oh crap' Kai thought 'she does not look happy to see me'.

The dock worker let the door swing shut 'Wake up, chump!' he barked at Kai as he left.

Kai was still frozen to the spot. Now he had to present himself all over again. She knew he was here. How lame did it look that he lacked the courage to enter 'Huh, that'll be one of those dimension things she was talking about' he said to himself, remembering her words the last time he saw her 'Courage' he said aloud and entered the restaurant.

She was gone!

He approached the bar and sat at one of the stools. He would wait and ordered some coffee from the waitress.

10 minutes later Skylor appeared from the back of house and approached Kai, only after replacing the napkins on several tables, clearing the plates from two others, wiping them down and re-laying the cutlery 'Welcome' she said, though her tone and expression was anything but.

'Skylor' Kai began 'I want to apologise'.

'Ok, continue' she replied.

'Can we go to a booth?' Kai asked.

'We're good here, I'm working, so you'd better get on with it' The customer one stool over looked sheepish and moved to a table. Kai felt a little less exposed and continued.

'Again, I am sorry. Sorry for what I said. Sorry for how I treated you, when I saw you last and also... before' He looked at his hands, his fingers fiddling nervously.

'Ok. What do you mean by that exactly?'

'You made a lot of sense to me when I saw you last. I was acting out and you set me straight. I really appreciate that Skylor. I mean that. I wished you hadn't seen me like that, but I'm also glad you did because until you came I was in a continuous spiral. You snapped me out of it. I mean I'm still an idiot, but I can see a way forward and I want you around Skylor, more than anything'

Skylor was still silent, but was nodding slightly.

'I also want to apologise for, um, taking advantage of you' to this she raised a questioning eyebrow. Kai continued 'I've not really treated you like a real girlfriend and you don't deserve that. I want you so badly, but not just for, well... you know'

At this, Skylor did manage to crack a smile.

'Thank you Kai. I'm glad you came and glad you have said your peace, but what about Nya? You have a lot of issues that if you don't sort them out are going to consume you, they have already tried'

Kai nodded in agreement 'This is it isn't it? This is why I'm going to pieces. I can't let things lie or let things take their course. I just have to control everything. But I'll never be able to. It's not that Nya's leaving Jay, she's leaving me'

Skylor was silent as Kai let his own words sink in. 'She's left me already'.

'For Cole' Skylor added and instantly saw his face tense 'there we have it. You need to make peace with Nya's decision if you are going to get through this'

He closed his eyes and nodded. He felt Skylor take his hand. He opened his eyes and she leaned in to kiss him, signalling he was forgiven and he felt a the weight of of his sorrow release.

'Bring yourself back into the fold Kai and all will be right'

'Thank you' he replied and felt hopeful.

'Do you mind if I just hang out here?'

'Not at all' she replied as she continued to wipe the counter. She set a fresh cup in front of him 'so you want to tell me about it all?' She asked as she poured him some coffee 'want some pie with that?'