Moving In

Chapter1: Beginings

It was a nice day in Ninjago City. The sun was shining bright, clouds floating in the sky while the birds chirped away their own happy songs.

Jay's POV

Ahh. The new apartment looks great. I was moving in with Cole, my best friend, at Ninjago Heights apartments. Apparently all our friends lived here, studying, socializing, and having the usual ups and downs of life. But, I guess, life will still be a bit dull here...

Earlier when I was accepted into Ninjago High School as an engineering student, I had considered moving to some place closer to my school, but thought against it and studied long distance from home at Ed and Edna's(my parents) home in my village. Though now, having moved up to 'necessary grades', I had to attend school real time.

And that's hard, because I have a secret that no one other than my sister Seliel and my cousin Morro knows. I'm an elemental master. Of lightning. I didn't tell anyone this because I felt like I would put them in danger as I'm also a Ninja. I was basically the protector of my village.
And now I'm leaving it all behind. Though I guess the village isn't too vulnerable thanks to me for inspiring them to set up their own police force.

And then there's my sister Seliel, who found out about me when I had to save her from getting mugged. She recognised my voice immediately. Wow. Of course, she agreed to keep it a secret. Then she moved out because of some changes in the education system requiring new students to attend school in person, while letting older students continue till necessary grades.

Then there's Cousin Morro. He's basically only a month older than me, but started school early too. So he's a grade up to me and moved out of our village last year. He's basically here to help me get settled in, saying that I should get comfortable in the pre semester break. And then, he's also an elemental master. Of wind. So we both have a special bond. Both as family and as partners in crime fighting.

I called Zane first for help to find a residence of course, and he told me he would look for possible options to live at. Then I asked Cole, him being able to get good with anyone thanks to his dad who was a famous professional singer. He told me the same answer. I waited back at the junkyard. After a few days, Zane called to let me know that no other options were available for a single occupation, though his and Cole's landlord had agreed to let me live with them after increasing their rent.

So I packed my bags, waited for Cole to arrive to pick me up and, fast forward to a few hours of travel in Cole's car with Seliel and Morro, here we are unpacking my bags.

It seems kinda obvious now that I notice it, Cole and Seliel are acting weird around each other. Ahhh.... Found a crush, eh Seliel? Guess I'll have to have some fun.... Hehe... And I cannot ignore the grin Morro is giving me. He knows about Sel too. Well, this got interesting.

"So, Jay, how was it in the village?" I hear Cole's voice ring out in curiosity. "Well, it was nice. I just studied at home through online classes and all, and played video games or roamed the city looking for scrap for an invention in my free time." And read some stuff. But I'm not going to tell him that or he might start teasing me. And work on my Ninja suit but again, not telling.

"Yikes, it must be a bit boring doing the same thing everyday, right?" Cole asks. Of course, normally I would get mad and start yelling, but Cole doesn't understand or know what living in a village is about.
Especially when you're it's protector. Sheesh, explaining things like these to your best friend is hard.

"Uhh yeah. It does get kinda boring and lonely without friends, I guess." I hastily mumble. And, to be fair, it kinda does get boring without anyone to be friends with. Especially when you're missing your primary and middle school best friends.

"No friends?! Walker, that's crazy! Are you okay and sure you're not friend-deprieved or something?" He asks incredulously, not believing me. Even Morro and Sel are surprised. And then again, my younger middle school self wouldn't believe it either. But I'm not the same me as I was years ago. Not since I discovered these powers.

"Uh-huh. Cole, I'm not the same since these years. Sure we did keep contact, but that doesn't mean I didn't change at all. And... I guess I do miss you all a bit......" I reply. Truth be told, I was incredibly lonely at first, but after becoming the lightning ninja, I started distracting myself by building my gear, speaking of which.. OH NO. MY GEAR BAG.

"NO! DON'T TOUCH THAT BAG!" I quickly shout as Cole slides his hand to open it. And stop.

"Uhhh ok, Jay. Geez, don't shout at least. What's in it anyway?" He asks.

"Uhhh something very very private." I reply.

"Ok and we're done, not counting your private bag. And now I guess I should leave now. See you around bro!" Seliel replies, much to my relief.

"Hey, Jay, meet me around at the borgstore sometime, k?" Morro said, as he too went away. Oh, right, he got a part-time job there.

"You leaving too? In that case, I can show you around the city, or if you want to, we can catch up with the rest of the guys, and look! Hello Zane!" Cole says. Sheesh, and he said I talk a lot.

"Hey there Zane! Nice meeting you after a long time!" I also greet him. And looking at him, he's changed. Now sporting a new titanium body.

"Hello Cole. It's been a long time, Jay. Nice to see you here with us." Zane replies ever so coolly. And I don't know what, but there's something about his voice that calms me.

"Nice to be here, buddy. So, Cole, what was that you said about catching up? I'd like that." I reply. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else. I did keep contact with everyone, but there's something different about face to face interactions.

"Cool. I'll lead you there. Oh, look, there's Kai's sister, Nya. Hey Nya! Remember Jay?" He asks.

Ahh.... Nya. I remember her. Kai's little sister. And my childhood crush, but I don't talk about that anymore. And as I turn to see her, my brain stops.

Oh my...

She's....

Breathtaking.......

"Hey Nya." Is all I'm able to muster as I just stand there, put into a trance by her beauty....

"Hey Jay. I'll see you around here." She says and leaves as I snap out of my trance.

"Ooohhh, got eyes for her, eh?" Cole says in his infamous teasing tone.

"What?! No! Anyway, what about you and Seliel?" I ask, embarrassed that he caught on to me so easily.

"Uhhh... Let's just go...." Cole says, obviously embarrassed how easily I got back at him.

Hmmm.....

Life might not be dull here, afterall....