Chapter 13

The end of November is coming near, and not only does it mean the cold weather's sweeping in, but so is Ninjago Independence Day. On the last day of November, Ninjago and East Ninjago celebrate declaring independence from China and Japan, and this year will mark the 421st birthday of the land ever since the document was signed by the five elders of Nin, which was the name Ninjago had before the time of the First Spinjitzu Master. It was back in 1950 when the name changed from Nin to Ninjago and five years later, East Nin became East Ninjago. People celebrated with a feast and the city would have it's yearly parade, even though it's cold and snowy by now. At least the first snowfall would be holding off until Friday.

But for Cole, that would mean three whole days out of school since the last day of November was on Wednesday. But he would still be stuck studying for finals. He couldn't really concentrate considering it marked a couple of weeks since Carol invited him to go to her mom's boring business party. He still regrets not getting her out of there when he had the chance and leaving her all alone to speak with her mom's business colleagues.

It was Tuesday, the day before fall break. Cole finally made the decision to ask Carol out and this time he would make damn well sure he did. He best be lucky she decided to be a part of the theatre tech club again this year. They were having a meeting after school today to discuss designs for the upcoming winter play the week before Christmas. The best opportunity for Cole to approach Carol.

Before the meeting began, Cole walked over to Carol, preparing himself to ask the question he's been waiting to ask for about a year now, but he stopped himself when he noticed Carol looking a bit blue. He sat down next to her. "Hey, Carol. You okay?"

Carol sighed. "Not really. I'll be spending tomorrow all alone."

"What do you mean?"

"My mom is spending all day at work tomorrow even though it's a holiday, but said she had too much paperwork to finish. My aunt is going to visit some family back in East Ninjago for the next few days and won't be able to take me with her. So it looks like I'll be spending our country's independence day sitting in my bedroom eating takeout with my stuffed animals as my only companions."

Now that's just plain sad. Cole couldn't stand the thought of anyone celebrating the holiday vacation alone and decided to help Carol out with that. "Say, how would you like to come spend tomorrow with me and my family? My parents won't mind an extra guest. All my dad's quartet members are heading off to visit their own relatives and my mom cooks way too much food for three people. My grandparents live too far to come visit and my mom's brother travels a lot so he doesn't come around much. They won't mind at all."

Carol smiled. "That would be wonderful. Besides, I've been hoping to meet your parents for a while. It's only fair since you got to meet my mom, even though she still doesn't know what your first name is."

"She still calls me by the wrong first name?"

Carol nodded. "As if she would call anyone by their actual first name, but she usually only does it to people she doesn't like. So I'll see you tomorrow?"

"You bet. Make it by ten in the morning?"

"Sure thing."

The next morning finally arrived. Cole couldn't keep his excitement down as he repeatedly looked out the window. Even though it wasn't ten yet, he was eagerly waiting impatiently as if he were a child expecting their favorite relative to arrive. Lilly couldn't help but laugh at her son's rushing from the window and returning to what he had been previously doing.

"Cole, give her some time," his mother said, "Have patience."

"I'm sorry," Cole said, "I'm just really excited is all."

"I know you are, honey. So do you think you'll finally ask her out today?"

Cole groaned. "Mom, please. Can we not mention that?"

"Well, at least allow me to give you some advice." Lilly began helping Cole put on his tie. "It's either now or never. You either spring into action or wait until the last minute to where it'll never happen. Don't ever wait until it's too late. Your father almost made that mistake with me."

"Really?"

Lilly nodded. "When I had to leave to go on a trip outside of Ninjago, I didn't know when I would be back or if I decided to even return home at all. But when your father and I finally went out on our first date right before I left, I came home three months later and took the same job at a different company where I was getting paid twice as much as I did out of the country. But I mainly came back because I cared about your father and…I fell in love with him." She finished straightening out Cole's tie, kissing his cheek. "Love can be a strange and difficult emotion to understand. But it's also one of the best. Please at least try to ask her out on a date before it's too late."

"I'll try, but it just hasn't been easy."

"Nothing ever is."

Cole heard a ding go off on his phone. Looking at his messages, he saw the one he's been waiting on all morning.

'On my way to your place. See you in a few.'

"She's on her way!" Cole exclaimed, grabbing his jacket and rushing out of his room, "I'm heading downstairs! I'll bring her right up!"

Cole stood outside in the cold and waited in front of the theatre. He finally saw Carol walking down the sidewalk, wearing the same outfit she wore at her mom's business party, except this time she wore a hat, trying to hide her signature purple highlight.

"Glad you could make it," Cole said, "What's up with the hat?"

"I'm just sort of concerned your parents may not approve of crazy hair colors," Carol said.

Cole chuckled, removing the hat from her head, letting her hair flow. "I already told them about it and why you have it. They said it's fine since its hereditary. Let me take you inside. I'm sure you remember this place."

"Of course. This is where we preformed your play at."

"It wasn't just my play. That script would've never existed without the participation and involvement of all the actors and actresses. That includes you."

Carol smiled. "I love spending time with people like you, Cole. You never take all the credit for yourself. All credit should be shared equally."

"You bet."

Once they arrived upstairs in the apartment section, before Cole could open the door, it swung open to reveal his parents, welcoming Carol inside.

Lou and Lilly didn't hesitate to shower Carol with hugs and attention, treating her as if she's the daughter they never had. Cole couldn't help but place his head in his hands, embarrassment spreading through his insides. Carol enjoyed herself, though. She didn't mind all the attention. It made her feel loved.

They spent the day watching the Ninjago Independence Day parade on television and feasting on roasted duck and sushi rolls. Some parts of the day they did nothing but talk, Carol getting to know about Cole's parents more and Lilly not being able to help herself by showing off Cole's baby photos. The master of earth only wished she skipped over the ones where he was taking a bath in the sink.

The day passed by quicker than Cole hoped, causing him to look outside, watching as the sun was beginning to set. Lilly noticed the same.

"Looks like it's starting to get late," Lilly said, "Cole, why don't you go ahead and take Carol home before it starts getting dark."

Nodding, Cole took Carol by the arm. "You ready to go?"

"I suppose," Carol said, "I really don't want to leave. You all are a lot of fun to be around with."

"Oh, aren't you a sweetie!" Lilly exclaimed, wrapping Carol in a hug, "You come back and see us whenever you want."

"I'll be sure to do so."

Cole and Carol began walking down the block to Carol's apartment building, conversing to hopefully make it go slower.

"So, uh, did you have a good time?" Cole asked.

Carol nodded. "I did. I had a great time. By the way, I love your bedroom posters."

Cole chuckled. "What can I say? Even rock music gets to me sometimes. Uh, sorry if my parents were a little too…over welcoming." He rubbed the back of his neck.

Carol smiled. "Actually, they're a lot of fun to be around with. You're lucky to have such amazing parents."

Cole nodded. "I am, aren't I? I guess I should be glad they embarrassed me today."

"Sometimes embarrassment is a good thing. That's one of the things that makes a family."

I strongly hope one day to make you a part of my family, Cole mentally told himself. That is if I can gather up the nerve to ask you out. And I plan to do that now. No more waiting around. It's time to be a man and take this girl out to dinner.

When they made it up to Carol's door, Cole took a breath in and released it, looking Carol in the eye. "Carol, there's something I've been meaning to ask you for a while now."

"Yes, Cole? What is it?"

"Well, uh, I was…I was wondering maybe if you'd like to-"

But Cole never got the chance to finish when Carol's mom swung open the door, hands on her hips and an angry expression painted on her face. "Caroline Rosita Dominez, where on earth have you been? I've been running around the house the past three hours calling everyone trying to find you. I was just about to call the police when I heard your voice out here in the hallway."

"Mom, I was over at Cole's place," Carol said, "Didn't you read my note I left on the kitchen table?"

"I didn't know who this Cold person was. That's the reason why I was calling around. You know better than to leave the house unattended on days like this. And you're not allowed to go anywhere without permission."

"How am I supposed to gain your permission when you're never home? You're always spending more time at your stupid job than with me."

"That stupid job is my way of making enough money to send you off to college to ensure you become a successful businesswoman."

"Well maybe that's not what I want to do."

Rachel gasped. Then she placed her eyes on Cole before staring at her daughter again with stern eyes. "I should've known this boy was nothing but trouble." She grabbed Carol's arm and yanked her inside. "Carter, I no longer want you anywhere near my daughter. Now leave this building before I call the cops."

"His name is Cole, Mom!" Carol yelled.

"That's what I said, Carol! Stop correcting me!" Rachel slammed the door in Cole's face, the conversation growing stronger inside the apartment room.

Sighing and knowing there was nothing else he could do, Cole made his way back outside, placing his hands in his pockets to keep off the chill. The day had turned out so great and the moment where he gained enough confidence to finally ask Carol out, her mother came along and ruined everything. It's like she's purposely trying to ruin her own daughter's life. Or it could also be the world was conspiring against Cole. Either way, Cole lost the one opportunity he had.

And now he's made enemies with the mother of the girl he cares about.

Fat chance he'll ever get to date her now.

He shouldn't have waited until it was too late. He should've listened to his mom. Mothers are always right.

OH, MAN. COLE, YOU'RE A TEENAGER. AND YOU'RE IN LOVE! STOP DENYING IT! BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING. STAND UP FOR THE LOVE YOU HAVE FOR THE GIRL OF YOUR DREAMS AND GO TO HER. GO TO HER!

NO REVIEWERS TO TALK TO, UNFORTUNATELY. MAYBE NEXT CHAPTER. I NEED TO GO, ANYWAY. I HAVE ANOTHER CHAPTER FOR ANOTHER STORY TO PROOFREAD AND POST.

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