Disclaimer: I do not own Ninjago, the characters of Ninjago, nor do I own Catching Fire.

Chapter 2: Birthday

Acciala's POV

Today, I woke up to Lloyd in my room again. Except this time, he wasn't next to me in my arms from a bad dream. He was standing right next to my bed, smiling happily. Inches from my face. I jumped back and gasped in shock. He was still smiling, as if I had never moved.

"Good morning, Lloyd." I said, still half-asleep. Then I remembered what he was so happy about. "And happy sixth birthday."

"Thanks, Acciala. Dad invited Uncle Wu, Kai, Nya, Jay, Zane, and Cole!" He said excitedly. My eyes flew open when he mentioned Cole. "You should get dressed! Come on Acciala! Hurry up!" With that, he ran out of my room and I heard him thundering down the stairs. I got up, not wanting to disappoint little Lloyd, and got dressed in a cream-colored tank top and jeans. I went into the kitchen, and sure enough, standing there were Zane, Kai, Nya, Jay, Sensei Wu, Lord Garmadon, and Cole. I walked over to the excited little Lloyd as he eyed his presents as if he dare look away for one second, they would disappear or run away from him. I smiled at his little self, and it seemed as if, for once in my entire life, all was good. Lloyd opened his presents and got a few board games, a puzzle, a few smooth stones, and a few action-figures. He opened my present last, and found a hand-carved wooden cup-and-ball game. I chose it so he would be focused on it instead of his nightmares. Then we all ate some cake I made, chocolate. Lloyd's all-time favorite. In his world, if it has or is chocolate, than it has to be good. After his little party, it was almost sunset and everyone had left. Everyone except those who lived in the house. And Cole. He helped Lord Garmadon and I put Lloyd to bed. After that, Lord Garmadon went to bed, so it was only Cole and I.

"So, how have you been? I haven't seen you in a while." Cole started the conversation.

"Good, I've been fine. How about you?" I asked him. I felt so awkward talking to him after such a long time. It was as if the awkwardness was filling the air as we spoke.

"Same, same." He replied, voice dwindling slightly. Then he realized the time. "Oh, I have to go, it's getting late."

"Oh, um. Uh, okay. Bye Cole." I said. After he left, I realized how stupid I sounded. I sighed. How can life get any worse? I thought as I trudged up the long, spiral staircase to my room, stopping to check on Lloyd. In his sleep, Lloyd seemed as if nothing bad had ever nor would ever happen. As if his worse fear was being told 'no'. As if he had just escaped to a landscape all his own. I envied him for his optimism and child-like mind of the world. No child deserves to be put through all this. I thought bitterly as I crawled into my bed. No one deserves this! If only I could do something about it! Then maybe Lloyd might have a brighter future. Not one clouded in fear, despair, darkness, and sorrow. A future with light, happiness, kindness, and joy. Then I thought about the Winner's Tour. I sighed. How can I get Lloyd to speak as a young child, not as a dictator to Pythor's command? Let alone face the world standing next to Cole! And pretending to be in love with him! At least I don't have to go back in the Snake Games. And neither does Lloyd! Or Cole! My thoughts began to brighten. At least we have a roof over our heads while so many people of Ninjago suffer homelessness. And starvation. The only reason I didn't starve to death was because of Faolan. Had he not taught me how to hunt and what is good to eat and what will kill within seconds, I would have died at age seven! Suddenly, I found myself counting the days until the Winner's Tour. Ten. Just ten. Ten days and it will be back to pretending to be someone I'm not. Ten days until going back to having and falling in 'mad, crazy, desperately love' for Cole. Ten days until I'm the center of attention for all of Ninjago, and the inhabitants, including all the Serpentine. Even though I think that most of the female Serpentine are falling head over heels for Ian. Who knows why? Serpentine are just plain weird sometimes. Some are weird all the time. Some just don't know what life is, what they are doing, and some don't even think. They just follow what everyone else is doing and hope for the best. Serpentine very are weird. I thought as I drifted into the world of sleep.

A/N How is the story going? For those of you who don't know what a cup and ball game is, just look up on Google images 'colonial cup and ball game' it should come up with some good images. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I cannot stress enough how reviews make me write/update more.