Wonderstruck- A College!Ninjago AU

Cold Showers

        I groan softly, my head pounding from lack of sleep. I know it's early in the morning but my vision is still bleak from waking up. I push back the covers and swing my legs over the bed, rubbing sleep out of my eyes. I pull a raven black sweater over my shoulders and walk to Lloyd's room, the oak door shut and still.

        "Lloyd," I call softly, rapping my knuckles on the door. "It's time to get up."

        When he doesn't answer, I open the door quietly. He's sprawled across his bed, limbs askew, snoring heavily. For a small student, he certainly has a hefty snore. Jesus. I grab a throw pillow from the floor and chuck it at his face. His blankets, which had barely remained on the bed by his legs, fall to the floor as he becomes a mess of flailing limbs.

        "HOLY SHIT WHAT'S HAPPENING?!" He screeches, and I grimace slightly, fingers moving slightly for my head. But they don't reach it. My pain is a secret to everyone nowadays. I even lie to doctors and psychiatrists. I force a smile and pick the blankets off the floor.

        "It's just me," I say as the young boy sits up, running his hands through his shaggy blonde hair. I fold the blankets and place the on the edge of the bed. "You should honestly start setting your alarm clock up again. You keep sleeping in. I even slept in today."

        "Really?" Lloyd says, pulling a green Hulk t-shirt on. He frowns suddenly as he examines my face. "You look really tired."

        I swallow. I hadn't been sleeping, either the constant night terrors or the insomia disorder kept me up and wide awake. I take medication every morning and every night to hopefully cure or prevent something, or to at least make me drowsy at night, but it just isn't usually enough anymore. So I drag on. Then the lack of sleep leads to migraines--and I take medicine for those, too. Luckily the migraine pills aren't always necessary, but I've come to carrying every type of medication around all day, no matter where I go. Even if I'm going on a run, they sit in my pocket ready for any kind of use.

        But as I said, I keep this all to myself. To worry others about my condition seems to be--in my own perspective--too much. They usually don't become worried about me anyways, and if they do I calmly brush it away, like dust on an old book.

        "Um, yes," I say, blinking more than normal. "I got cold last night--spent some time looking for the extra blankets." That's wasn't a bad lie, it was actually partially true. I often get very cold, but that's just genetics.

        "Zane," Lloyd says, sounding rather concerned. I know he won't let the topic off easy. He grips my shoulder to keep me from walking away. "You've been really tired ever since we came back to the university. Maybe this has lasted before we even arrived. You're not as happy as you used to be, and it's fucking worrying. Do you know what's going on?"

        I take a deep breath. It's now or never. I don't really have a choice, eventually my secrets will spill like blood and the truth will seep into them all. They'll grab my hands, stroking my hair and telling me everything will be alright. They'll coax me into bed and make me fall asleep, even though I won't. Then friends will cry and curse, and teachers will send me to a counselor. They'll have tests done and my pain will be discovered.

        "No." I lie, keeping a straight face. "It'll be fine, I'll just see someone if it gets very bad."

        Lloyd reluctantly releases his grip, sighing with a bleak nod. He soons regains his cheerful self. "You want breakfast? I'll make it this time."

        "Are you sure? Last time you tried, you nearly singed your eyebrows off." I laugh slightly.

        "Shut up, you dick," Lloyd jokes, weakly punching my arm. "I'll be fine."

        "Well, in that case I think I'll go shower. Don't burn the complex down."

        "I'll try not to," Lloyd teases, a sarcastic tone in his voice. I walk past our cat, Linus. His grey coat gleams in the early sunlight, his snoozing chest rising and falling slowly. I run a hand down his body. He feels me and doesn't enjoy the stroke, whirling back and scratching me, cuts slitted into my arm. I inhale sharply, but try not to gain attention of Lloyd. The crimson blood has already welled up, making the skin around the cuts go paler than normal. If my skin can even get any paler. I shrug to myself. Oh well. It'll get washed in the shower.

        I escape to my room and pick up a fresh polo, cardigan and a pair of black jeans. It's getting a little cooler nowadays. My eyes dart to the calendar, and my heart sinks. Written in tiny red letters, reads 'Party at Jay's tonight @ 8:00 p.m.'. I completely forgot. I had met Jay about three years ago when I was watching him run at one of our high school's track meets.

Wow, you're a really fast runner, sir.

Me? Heh, thanks, man. Aren't you that guy who leads the choir?

Uh, yeah, that is me...but I'm not the official leader, Mr. Blanchard is just looking for a co-leader.

You don't have to be so modest, dude. That's fucking sweet. Your voice makes all the girls, like, love you instantly.

Yes, sadly, I've noticed.

Sadly? That's awesome! Girls practically flock to you.

I'm not very interested in romance right now.

Whatever, I'll take those girls off you. I'm Jay, if you haven't figured out. Jay Walker.

Oh, I'm Zane. Ah--Zane Julien.

Neat to meet ya. Hey, by the way, I kinda forgot the homework in Ms. Chani's class...do you remember what it was?

Ah, yes, this was it...

        I helped Jay with homework and in return he helped me become fit and stronger. We became good friends and helped each other out. As we grew older, I became quieter, and Jay became more energetic. However, as time wore on, athletics became more important to Jay than studying and education. He went off to run cross country and track, competing in everything he thought necessary. Coming to help with homework and practice every week turned to every month, then every other month, and eventually it turned to whenever Jay felt like it. I was always below him, and that was fine.

        It had completely crossed my mind that I was to go meet up with him again tonight. He had greeted us with the same cocky grin I always knew, as if nothing changed since the day we met.

        It's harder to take my shirt off as I stand in the personless bathroom, save for me. I turn the shower on and just walk in, not even caring about the temperature until I'm in. I wait for the warmth to rush over my aching skin and soothe me for at least ten minutes. I wait for the embrace of the water to wrap me up and keep me safe. But the water doesn't change. And I'm so, so cold.