"It was Cole that broke the light-"
"It was faulty, Kai. I'll sort it out when we get back." Jay insisted grumpily, shoving past his brother and into the restaurant. The main hall was practically empty, the only people being those seated at the same table Lloyd, Kai, Jay and Cole had sat when meeting up after Zane's death. Skylar and Ronin grinned at the visitors as they shuffled over and into the nearby seats, exchanging a quiet round of handshakes and reluctant greetings. Once everyone was comfortable, Ronin coughed lightly into his fist, making stern eye contact with the Lightning Master.
"So, about your, uh, lost friend…" He pursed his lips dryly. "I didn't really get to meet him for very long, but I assume that he was kind and all, even though in all the photos he looks quite tough-"
The Green Ninja groaned loudly, running his hands through his hair irritably. "Can we leave Cole out of this, please Ronin?" He asked harshly, narrowing his gaze. "Skylar can just read our minds and know what happened to him, seeing as you're that curious. Jay and Nya are here to tell you what happened with Nadakahn, not the departed. It's a sensitive issue that we are all dealing with," He glanced over at Kai, who was focused on Skylar as she stared back at him, both of them ignoring the current conversation. "And if you want answers you're going to have to wait until the end. Is that clear?"
Ronin simply smirked cockily back at the blond, before laughing lowly and straightening his posture. "You're really snappy, aren't you Green Machine? Let me guess, you're gonna do a 'Zane' and look for new members?" The said Nindroid raised an eyebrow in confusion, unsure whether to question the sharp comment. Nya sighed to herself miserably, annoyed by how childish the two were acting. At least they weren't having a lovey-dovey moment like her brother, though. Skylar purposely bit her lip as Kai winked cheekily back at her, both of them lost in the depths of each other's twinkling eyes. Despite how sweet and cliché the scene was, the Water Master felt that it was right to intervene.
"Kai." She hissed stubbornly into his ear, irritated by how he didn't move a muscle. "Kai, you're gay."
"Bisexual, dumbass." He muttered under his breath calmly, leaning smoothly into his palm. Nya growled angrily and was tempted to throw her arms in the air at how casual Kai was being; it wasn't normal, especially when the others were reluctantly discussing Cole's departure from the world. She didn't know whether it was her instinct or her hormones that got her suddenly so pissed off, but something randomly ticked her last, very, very thin nerve.
Quietly she fought the urge to rip out her hair there and then, deciding that clenching her fists firmly by her sides would be a more practical option. "If you children will excuse me, I'm going to go and question my life decisions in the ladies bathroom." And with that the female Ninja stiffly removed herself from her seat and stormed across the hall and into the specific room, gladly slamming the door behind her.
"Bet you its her period." Skylar stated loudly, amused by the horrified expressions on the boys' faces. She suddenly let out a contagious laugh and held her chest dramatically. "Oh you lads crack me up! I'm joking alright?!"
Once my hands were washed for the fifth time in a row, I finally felt that the disgusting attitude of my friends had been diminished successfully. I braced my hands on the counter on either side of the sink, my fingers drumming on the damp tile as I tried to think. We came here to talk about my death, not Cole's. I was saved, so it would be a more lighthearted topic, possibly.
I hated this feeling.
That sickening feeling of frustration mixed with hopelessness? Yeah. When you plan something so perfect that nothing can ruin it, and then the opposite just happens right before your eyes. I never got this stressed, even in moments of danger and vulnerability. This unexplainable grudge against bringing up the dead… it doesn't sound right. Casually chatting with your friends about someone who is now not with you? Laugh it off and then cry yourself to sleep when you return home.
I stared at myself hopelessly in the mirror, ignoring the small smudge of my mascara as a tear fell silently. I guess I was just emotional. But then I guess that Cole was ten times worse than me for every second until his last breath.
You need to save me, Nya! I don't like it here and I just want to leave!
I pursed my lips dryly as his terrified begs for mercy rang through my mind, as if he were still with me. I hated seeing him weak. He acted as if it were illegal to show his weakness and fearful side, because apparently the Master of Earth was as solid as rock and didn't need emotion when it came to battle. Sure, physical battle against villains… but what about mental battles? An ongoing conflict on how, when, where and why to try and kill yourself, just to feel freedom and acceptance. I had offered to take him out for a late night walk once, when we all thought that he was recovering smoothly, but he claimed that he didn't want to lose the "crumbs of dignity and pride" he barely kept, worried that he would be attacked again.
It crushed my heart to think that I was the only one he would be open to most, and yet not trust me enough to protect him if the worst did happen.
Thank you, Nya… Thank you so, so much for cheering me up and trying to help me…
I sniffed pathetically and rubbed my eyes, not bothering to fix my makeup, before coughing hastily into my shaking fist. "D-Don't mention it…"
