Broken and Mended
Kai walked into the monastery followed by Cole, Morro, Lloyd, and Nya. They had just completed a skill-building mission in the Caves of Despair.
"Hey Morro, That was really cool when you and Lloyd were dueling and you used each other's memories as an advantage." Cole pat Morro on the shoulder. He smiled in reply. The two exghosts were later joined by Kai, Lloyd, and Nya.
"We should train like that again sometime." Kai suggested. "Yeah, and maybe next time Jay and Zane can join us." Lloyd added. "Hey, who's up for dinner?" Nya suggested. "All in favor say I!" Kai smiled. "I!" Said everyone. They all headed to the dining room.
Jaylynn Garmadon was already in there. She slumped down in her seat and her hair was a mess. She was eating a bowl of chocolate ice cream. "Hiya, Lynney!" Lloyd waved at his older sister. She smiled at him, but it immediately faded when her eyes fell upon Cole. Coles enthusiasm seemed to vanish as well.
"Uhh... I'm actually not that hungry..." Morro slowly backed out of the room and dragged Cole along with him. "I'll... I'll just take this as my cue to leave." Lloyd ran off in the direction of the front entryway. Nya and Kai sat at the table.
"Jaylynn, are you stress eating again?" Nya asked, noticing the two empty bowls stacked next to her full one. "No." Jaylynn hesitantly Replied. "Uh huh, sure," Kai smirked. "I bet you haven't even had dinner yet." "I have too! This is dessert." Jaylynn stated. "Then what were those two other bowls?" Nya asked. She obviously thought she had outsmarted Jaylynn. "Pre dessert snack and pre pre dessert snack. My dinner has been eaten already," she looked at her companions then added, "And before you ask, yes it was ice cream..."
Kai and Nya both sighed. "Jaylynn, is it Cole?" Kai asked. "No." Jaylynn lied. "Jaylynn, you can talk to us. We're here for you." Nya smiled sympathetically at the blue-haired ninja. Jaylynn sighed and left to the laundry room. Nya signaled for Kai to follow.
Jaylynn had a heap of clean laundry in her arms. "Jaylynn, if I may-" "No, Kai. Please just go." Jaylynn walked up the stairs, but tripped and dropped all the laundry. Kai could tell she was on the verge of tears as she picked up her cargo. Kai picked up some stuff too. "I'm sorry, I just haven't been myself since-" she sighed. "Since you broke up with Cole?" Kai whispered. "Yeah..."
Kai helped her carry the laundry to her room. She began to fold the laundry, and Kai decided to stay. "Jaylynn, please let me talk to you." Kai begged. "Fine," she sighed. "What do you want?" "I wanna know how you're feeling. I care." Kai smiled knowingly at Jaylynn. "It's just... I've been feeling pressured about so many things. First of all, I'm still getting used to being on your side, the good side. Then everyone was forcing me to choose between you and Cole. It's my life! I should choose at my own pace," she began to put laundry on hangers, but broke a few in the process. "And now I've ruined your life, my life, and Coles!" She forcefully put the hangers in the closet.
"Jaylynn, sure our hearts were broken, but we're almost mended now. You and I have gotten over it. We'll be ok." Kai stated. "Well, yeah we've almost healed... but now I've crushed the heart of another guy; Cole. Now I've been shattered all over again, and I've dragged Cole down with me too." Jaylynn muttered. Kai put his hand on Jaylynn's shoulder. "It's ok, Jaylynn. He'll get better eventually. Besides, he has Sakura." Kai smiled. "That's another thing. Not only did I break his hearts, but he broke mine by cheating on me for Sakura. He said he still loves me, but... but I feel played." Jaylynn choked back her tears.
Kai hugged her. "It's ok, let it all out." He whispered. She cried into his shoulder. "I'm sorry... k..Kai." She whispered. "It's ok. Wanna talk about it?" He asked. She nodded. They both sat on her bed. "When I met Morro, I was in love. It was love at first sight, even though I was two. I always called him mine. Then, he met Winnifrenn. After I killed her by accident, he was torn. He died a few months later. After that chaos, evil corrupted me and I took over Ninjago. I didn't know he'd come back, so I was fine dating you. Then I dated Cole. Then I struggled between you two. Everyone was pressuring me to choose but I couldn't... after breaking up with you, I was broken. Completely shattered. You and Cole fighting over me didn't help." She explained. Kai was silent for a moment as he processed this.
"So, it was our fault you're depressed?" Kai asked. "I point no fingers, Kai," Jaylynn responded. "But it made me feel like it was kindergarten all over again, and I was the shiny new toy everyone was fighting over."
"I'm sorry, Lynn. I had no idea." Kai whispered. "It's ok, Kai. I'm just broken and under pressure." Jaylynn sighed. "Don't feel obligated to choose just because they tell you to. It's your life. Do what you wanna do." Kai said. "Thanks, Kai. But I dunno if I'm ready for another relationship. It seems so soon." Jaylynn whispered. "I understand. Like I said, so whatever you wanna do with your life." He smiled. "Thanks. You're the best." "Well, Lynn, that's what friends are for."
As Kai exited Jaylynn's room, he thought about all she had told him. He felt a wave of sympathy. She was completely shattered. Love had bruised, cut, scarred, broken, and completely shattered the poor ninja. It was worse for Kai, knowing he was a part of it. Jaylynn Lynn Walker Garmadon... broken. All because of Kai. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that if he hadn't turned down her marriage proposal, she wouldn't have broke up with him and she wouldn't be broken. At least she was alright for now... for now, she had been mended.
