I Never Knew

Epilogue

***Now before you side with my Ninjago brain cells and plot to murder me because this story DEFINITELY ISN'T FINISHED, just read this part. I will talk about the future of this story later  <3***

***(Jay's POV; song for this chapter: "You Can Make It If You Try" by Gene Allison)***

"You can make it if you try,

You can make it if you try,

You can make it if you try,

Whoa, yeah,

You can make it if you try."

The music from my BorgPod fills my mind as I lean over the monastery deck. The sun peeks over the horizon, lighting the world with brilliant color.

I'm usually not an early riser, but these past two weeks have taught me there are some things in life you make time to see.

After that horrible showdown with the Sons of Garmadon, the police questioned Nya and I relentlessly. Even Edna's famous pancakes weren't enough to sustain us through the next day. Nya fell asleep in her spaghetti when Kai took her out to dinner that evening.

I decided I needed some time to heal, so I asked my parents if I could stay at the monastery for a while. They reluctantly agreed after I promised to visit consistently.

Of course, catching up at school was a ball. More like a rolling snowball of destruction, that is. Is it just me, or does it take way longer than it should to make up a week of classes?

But if I've learned anything, it's that healing is possible. I'm just trying to be thankful for the time I did have with my mom, rather than the time we could've had. It's easier to think positively some days than others.

"Sometimes, you'll have to cry,

Sometimes, you'll have to lie,

You're gonna live until you die,

Whoa, yeah,

You can make it if you try."

I can't say Nya's been doing better since everything went down. She's determined to hate herself, and I don't understand it. But I will try. I'm not giving up on her.

I wonder if it'd help her to see a sunrise, too?

She still hasn't left the monastery, either. She begged Kai to let her stay. I think it's because she needs to find herself and make peace with her parents' death.

She hasn't told Kai the truth about that night, and I don't know how much longer he's going to let her stay here without good reason.

I knock quietly on her door. "Nya?" I call.

I hope she's not still asleep. I wouldn't want to wake her if –

Her door suddenly cracks open. "What's up?" she asks, concerned.

I smile at the care in her eyes. Even if she isn't too keen on getting back together, she's still been a great friend through this time with my mom.

"Um, the sun, actually," I grin, scratching the back of my head. "It's rising. Wanna watch it with me?"

She rubs her nose guiltily, her newly bobbed hair swinging as she does so. "Oh, um, I'm actually a little busy."