AN: Hello everybody! I'm back, and this time it's Jay's turn. Just so you know, Jay suffers from anxiety, and I tried to represent that to the best of my ability.

I don't own Ninjago ya'll. (No matter how hard I wish I did)

Jay

I've got all my stuff, right? Right? My heart hammered in my chest. What if I forget something? I bet I forgot something. I always forget something.

I ripped through my backpack, and counted each and every one off. Phew. It's all there. And you've got your lunch money? Is it there? Did I even grab it? Uggg! I can't remember! I dug through my pockets. It wasn't there. I knew I had forgotten something.

"Jay? What's wrong, kiddo?" Pa asked.

"I forgot my lunch money, for lunch," I replied. And it was even worse because my parents had finally earned enough money to get off the school's reduced meal program and now I was going around losing our money.

"Ya check your back pocket?"

I stuck my hands in my back pockets and drew out a wad of bills. Of course they were there. Of all places, it's always where I always least expect it. I firmly shoved the bills in my front right pocket, where I wouldn't forget it this time.

"You okay, sweetie?" Ma asked.

I shook my head, fiddling with my orange scarf. "It's my first day of high school, and I know something's going to go wrong, it always does, and what if you guys need me here at the junkyard and I'm not here—"

"Oh, Jay!" she said and she wrapped me so tight she could probably feel my pounding heart. And that would make her feel even more worried, and it's all my fault. I'm a wreck and I'm worthless and—

"We'll text ya if we need ya," Pa reassured me. I took a deep breath. And another. And another. Alright. They'll text me. That's what we bought the phone for right? Just in case of emergencies? They'll text and it'll be okay. It'll be okay. I nodded and tried to smile.

"You'll do great, son!" Ma said.

"You got this!' Pa added.

I nodded again and took a deep breath. Alright. I forced myself to walk toward the door. I'm doing this. I had almost reached the handle. I'm going to school. I swung the door open. I can do this—

"Don't forget your backpack!" Ma cried.

Knew I'd forget something. I turned around, walked all the way back, swung my backpack over my shoulder and walked out. I closed the trailer door and let out a pent up breath. Okay, Jay, time to go to school, or you're going to be late.

I made my way past the piles of junk and stepped out on the busy street. I glanced back at the trailer one last time. Stop stalling and get it over with. I turned, when something flickered. The lights on Ed and Edna's Scrap had gone out again. I was going to have to fix that… Nope. Nope. Not going to worry about it. Have to go to school.

The school courtyard was so… big. And loud. Why is it so loud? Is that kid looking at me? Why do they all look so mean? Why did my middle school have to combine with Ninjago High, the largest high school in the whole city? It's not fair.

I hid in the entrance way until the bell rang. Everyone hurried inside, and I trailed behind them. What's my first class? Correction. Where is my first class? I shoved my hands and pulled out my crumpled schedule. Math. Room 128. Now, I've just got to find the class in five minutes or else I'm going to be late and I'll get a tardy and get sent to the Dean's Office on the first day, and then— I shook my head, and pulled out the map of the school. It actually wasn't too far from here. I snuck into the class and almost all the seats were already filled. The only one available was one in the very front.

I inched to my seat and dropped my backpack. They're staring at me. Oh no. Did I get grease on my clothes? Fixing that engine after breakfast was a bad idea. I definitely got grease on my shirt. The whispers grew louder and louder. They were all talking about me. I was going to be cornered after class, and spit wads and kick me signs would be plastered on my back, just like in the movies, and then they'll post and whisper things behind my back, and everyone will hate me and my life will be miserable.

My heart raced and I gasped. There wasn't enough air. Why wasn't there enough air? Did I take my anxiety meds? Oh please tell me I took my meds. I can't have a panic attack. Not here.

I squeezed my scarf and tried to take some deep breaths. My chest squeezed tighter and there still wasn't enough air. My body shook and I clenched my scarf.

"Count to five, son," Pa's voice echoed.

"Breathe, honey, breathe," Ma added.

"Hey. Hey, are you okay?" Someone called.

I blinked and there was kid standing next to me. Oh no. Here we go again. I nodded, not trusting my voice. I took one more deep breath and let go of my scarf. "Yeah," I gasped. Yeah, and he's totally going to buy that.

The kid frowned, and I suddenly realized he looked familiar. He's… Lloyd Garmadon! What's he doing? He's going to make fun of me isn't he? Look at the poor kid from the junkyard with anxiety—

"You looked like you were having a heart attack," Lloyd said.

He's… not making fun of me? He sounds kinda… concerned. I shook my head. "N-no. Just a panic attack."

"Oh," Lloyd said, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, glad you're okay."

"No thanks to you," the boy next to me sneered. I blinked. Was that a cheerleading outfit? I didn't know boys could be cheerleaders. And was he carrying pom-poms?

"Yeah, Lloyd Garmadon, you've scared the kid enough," another cheerleader added.

Lloyd stared at his feet. Did he actually think it was his fault I was panicking? "N-no, that's not, I was just—"

"Alright, everyone, sit down. Class is starting," the teacher said. Lloyd went back to seat, far, far away from me. My stomach churned. He thinks I was scared of him? I mean, yeah, he's the son of the worst guy ever, and yeah, those memes and graffiti are really creepy, but he's just a kid. A kid who was… actually trying to help. And he blames himself for something he didn't even do. I was the one panicking for no reason. I was the one who was making a fool of himself in front of the class. I was the one who should be made fun of. Not him.

"Now, we are going to begin by solving algebraic equations. Can anyone tell me what x equals here?"

It's all my fault. If I hadn't had that stupid panic attack over absolutely nothing— I squeezed my scarf and took a deep breath. I'll talk to him after class. I'll apologize and it'll be okay. It'll be okay.

I glanced at the clock. It it had only been 10 minutes. Great. Just great. I have to wait for another forty minutes. I squeezed my scarf again. It's fine. It'll be okay. I can do this.

I was the first out of the classroom, so I had to wait for Lloyd to get out of class. Kids glanced at me as they passed. I probably look crazy, standing here. Waiting. Completely out of place. Should I even be doing this? I mean, this is Lloyd Garmadon we're talking about. Son of the worst guy ever. Although, if it wasn't for him, my parents wouldn't really have a business. But what if he attacks me?

I glanced at the wall and a poster with a red-eyed Lloyd jumped out at me. BEWARE! I shivered and squeezed my scarf. No. Just because his dad's evil doesn't mean he is. Right? Anyways, he seemed nice enough. He was trying to help me. And he blamed himself for my panic attack. I have to do this.

Lloyd walked out of the door. Okay. Here we go. "Hey, um, Lloyd? I-I just wanted to say—" And he's gone. Probably didn't even hear me. I sighed. It was time for me to go to the next class.

And I missed him in the rest of my classes. But it's lunch time, so this time for sure I'll see him.

I glanced around the cafeteria. Nope. I have absolutely no luck.

My pocket buzzed. Someone texted. Was it Mom? Did something happen? Do they need me back the junkyard. Did they get another order? Did Dad throw his back out?

I fumbled with my phone and quickly pressed the home button.

Ma: Hope u r having a gr8 day :)

Oh. Jeez. Really, Ma? I sank to the ground and my phone buzzed again. I glanced down.

Mom: Look my nu seashell!

Underneath it was a pixelated spiral shell. I smiled in spite of myself. Typical Ma. When she wasn't working, she was at the beach looking for new shells. She'll probably keep texting till I reply.

Me: That's great! XD

Ma: School going well

Me: Sure

Ma: Jay . . .

I sighed. What should I say? I don't want to scare her. If she knew how I really felt...

Me: I'm fine. Really.

Ma: K then. See you 2nt

Me: See you.

I leaned my head against the wall and sighed.

"Are you alright?" a girl asked.

I jerked forward. Oh man. A girl. A girl is talking to me. And she's... absolutely gorgeous. Oh man, what do I say?

"Uh, ye-yeah. Totally fine," I stammered. Seriously, Jay? That was pathetic.

"Oh," she said. "You're just sitting here? All by yourself?"

She was worried about me? "A-actually, I was waiting for Lloyd," I replied, trying to smile but utterly failing.

She frowned. "Lloyd… Garmadon? Why do you want to meet him?"

Oh. Right. Lloyd is the most hated kid in all Ninjago. Great way to introduce yourself, Jay. But maybe if I explain what happened, she'll understand?

"Well, I… I kinda had a panic attack. A-and then Lloyd came up to me, and tried to help, but then he got blamed for my panic attack, so yeah. I wanna fix it." That made absolutely zero sense. What in Ninjago is wrong with me?

The girl blinked. Man, she had beautiful eyes. "He tried to help you?"

I nodded quickly. I can't believe it. She actually understood me. Nobody understands me.

She hesitated, before finally saying, "I've seen him around the courtyard, up on the roof."

That's weird. I swallowed. "T-thanks. I'll go check."

She smiled. "No problem. I'll come with you. Just in case."

Just in case? Just in case? I thought about the Beware poster. But it's not like he's going to attack me, right? He's just kid. A freshman. Like me. I took a deep breath and pushed myself up to my feet.

We walked down the hallway in silence. I glanced at her. She looks so confident. How does she do it? I wonder… Wait. I don't even know this girl's name.

"Um, I don't want be rude, but, uh, wha-w—What's your name?" That sounded really bad.

But she laughed. "My name's Nya. You?"

"J-jay," I stammered.

Nya grinned. "Nice to meet you, Jay."

Suddenly, the courtyard door loomed in front of us. I squeezed my scarf. It'll be okay. It'll be fine. He tried to help me.

"Come on," Nya called, already opening the door. I quickly jogged after and we were in the courtyard.

I scanned the roof, and there he was just sitting there. Not eating. Not cackling, or plotting something evil. Just sitting. He looks lonely.

I edged up to him. "H-hey!" My voice cracked. I swallowed and tried again. "Lloyd!"

He jerked, and for a moment I thought he was going to fall off. Oh man, if I had made him fall…

"What do you want?" he called. Is he… afraid?

Nya glanced at me. I tugged at my scarf and took another deep breath. "You didn't cause my panic attack."

"What?" Lloyd asked.

Oh. He didn't even remember. I spent half the day worrying about this for nothing. I sighed. "This morning? First period? You asked if I was having a heart attack?"

Lloyd slowly drew himself back to the edge of the roof. "I… I didn't scare you?"

"N-no," I said. Stupid stutter. I tried again. "It was nothing. Really."

"He's been looking for you," Nya added.

Lloyd leaned forward, his green eyes sparkling. "Really?"

Everyone is wrong about Lloyd. I smiled. "Yeah. I just wanted you to know it wasn't your fault. I-I panic a lot."

"Thanks—for coming," Lloyd quickly added. "I made someone faint in middle school, and I thought…"

I shook my head. "Nope."

Now what? I don't wanna leave him here on the roof, but what do I say?

"You know, Lloyd," Nya began. "You're not a bad guy. You're actually pretty sweet."

"Thanks?" he replied.

"I mean," Nya corrected, "You shouldn't be by yourself. You want to come eat lunch with us?"

I glanced at Nya. Us? Really? Like… friends?

Lloyd grinned and jumped off the roof. "Yeah!" He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, if you're okay with that?" he said, turning to me.

"Of course!" I said. Who wouldn't want a place to belong?

We sat down and started talking. I mostly listened, but still. I wasn't alone. I grinned. School wasn't so bad after all.

AN: I know I said future chapters wouldn't be as depressing, so I hope this one was a little lighter. Thanks for all the people who have sent a review and followed/favorited my story. I really appreciate it! Next up is Nya, and I'll try to post again on Tuesday.