Chapter 3: A Troubled Friend

Lloyd remained distant for the next couple of weeks. He didn't totally withdraw from our circle, but he wasn't talking about things that mattered either. He'd talk about classes with us, but he wouldn't say anything about Garmadon. I wished Lloyd would trust us a little more. But if he didn't want to talk, there was nothing I could do about it.

The Spring Festival came and went. Jay and Nya disappeared during part of it, but I found them under a Sakura tree before anything weird happened. Nya was upset at me, but it was worth it. She's my little sister, and no one—not even one of my friends—would ever be good enough for her. It was my job as her older brother to protect Nya, even if it made her angry. Anyways, she was thirteen, way too young to be thinking about love in my mind.

I came into the library hot and exhausted after a long class with Master Wu. Everyone was already there. Jay and Nya were sitting next to each other again. I frowned. What was with them?

There was a space right in between Nya and Jay. At least they had the decency to set up boundaries, something that I was going to take advantage of. I plopped down on the ground. It was a little cramped, but I wasn't going to let that stop me.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," I said to Nya.

"Hey! I was sitting there!" Jay complained.

I gave him an apologetic shrug. "I want to sit next to my sister. Is that a problem?"

Jay huffed, but said nothing. My argument was sound, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"You didn't have to do that," Nya whispered to me.

I raised my eyebrows, pretending not to know what she was talking about. She glared in response. I took a bite of my lunch so I wouldn't have to reply. I kept on eating until Nya finally looked away.

I looked up from my plate and noticed something strange. Cole wasn't eating. He was looking at something, his face pale.

"What is it, Cole?" I asked.

He looked up to find that everyone was staring at him. Cole sighed. "My dad wants to visit the school over break."

"Seriously?" Jay asked. "After all that work we did to get those pictures?" Technically, Jay didn't do much of anything, except keep Nya busy, but that didn't keep him from complaining about it.

"Seriously," Cole replied. "He mailed a letter to the school and everything."

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

"I don't know," he replied. "I'll come up with something. You guys have done enough already."

"Maybe you should tell him the truth," Nya suggested.

"I concur," Zane agreed. "Lying only worsens the situation." He spoke from experience, as Zane's father lied to him for most of his life.

Cole shook his head. "No way. My father would kill me. Trust me."

"If he's coming to the school, you won't have much of a choice," Nya said.

"Leave Cole alone," Lloyd snapped. "If he doesn't want to, then you can't force him into it." That shocked us into silence. Even Cole looked surprised. Lloyd usually kept quiet when we were talking about personal things.

"Well, whatever you decide, we'll support you," I said at last.

Everyone nodded. "We're your friends, and we just want to help you," Nya added.

I looked at Lloyd to let him know that those words applied to him too. He sighed in response, but of course, the bell rang, so that was the end of that.

The rest of the day, I read and practiced spells, but my mind was firmly fixed on Lloyd and Cole.

Fortunately, the second year was still staying in the Fire Dorm, even though he could do all the elements. So instead of getting dinner, I sat in common room and waited for Lloyd to come back.

I spotted my little friend slip in through the door. I jumped to my feet and dashed after him.

"Lloyd, wait!" I called.

He slowed down to a stop, but didn't look at me. "What is it, Kai?" he asked.

I thought it was best to start generic. I didn't want to stir up a bees' nest if I didn't have to. "I was wondering how you've been doing?"

"Fine." His tone told me to back off, and leave him alone. I guess he figured the conversation was over, since he started walking again, but I wasn't giving up yet.

"That's good," I said. "So classes are going okay?"

"Yep." He picked up the pace, but I matched his stride.

"None of the teachers bothering you?" The stair to the boy's dormitory was coming up fast. If I didn't hurry this up, Lloyd was going get away.

"Why would they be bothering me?" Lloyd snapped, looking at me for the first time. I hit a nerve.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. Professor Yang can be a real pain sometimes. It's like he's trying to torture us."

Lloyd breathed a sigh of relief. He thought I was talking about Garmadon, which I was, in a round-a-bout way, but I didn't want to upset him just yet. I had learned from Nya that sometimes a tactful approach worked better.

"So…" I said, reminding Lloyd of my original question.

He shook his head. "No, not really." Was that a hint of hesitation in his tone I detected?

I raised my eyebrows to let the second year know I didn't believe him. "I'm only asking because I care," I said, taking a slightly different tact.

Lloyd sighed, and looked around at the common room. It was seven o'clock. People were sitting at tables, working on last minute essays, talking with their friends, or even eating a late dinner. I understood. This was not a good place to have a private conversation. I took my friend by the shoulder, and led him up the stairs.

He didn't resist as I took him to my dorm room. It was empty, and I knew my fellow roommates well enough to know they would see us talking and walk the other way.

I let him sit on my bed, while I remained standing. I gave him a moment before asking, "So are you alright? You've been kind of distant."

Lloyd sighed, and leaned back against the wall. "I know, I know. It's just- you wouldn't understand."

I gritted my teeth. Being patient and loving was hard. Part of me wanted to demand what was wrong and stop tip-toeing around, but Nya's voice held me back.

I took a deep breath, and said as nicely as I could, "Try me."

Lloyd tilted his forward to look me in the eyes. "It's Garmadon," he admitted painfully.

I figured that. "What did he do?" I asked.

"Before school started, he just showed up out of nowhere and expected me to welcome him back like nothing was wrong. And then he tries to make me an active participant in class and embarrassed me in front of everyone. He's just so annoying!"

"I'm sorry, Lloyd." I didn't know what to say, but I wanted to make Lloyd feel better so badly, it hurt. "If there's anything I can do…"

He nodded. I hoped that meant he understood what I was trying to say. "I'll let you know."

Lloyd forced a smile and pushed himself off the bed. He walked passed me to the door, as debated whether or not to say one last thing. A creak groaned in my ears. It was now or never.

"And Lloyd," I called, "You can trust us. There's a reason we all went to meet Garmadon with you. You don't have to face this alone." I paused.

Lloyd turned. "Thanks, Kai. I appreciate it." I could tell he really meant it.

I smiled and nodded. Now I could let him go. I collapsed on my bed and let out a huge pent up breath. That was a lot harder than it needed to be. But it all worked out in the end.

A few days later, I came in to lunch like normal, only to find myself walking into a conversation. Lloyd was asking for advice about how to deal with someone who wouldn't leave him alone. Everyone was very eager to help.

Jay was still talking when the bell rang. Nya threw in her two cents worth as she hurried out the door, and even Zane gave Lloyd a word of encouragement as he left. I smiled knowingly at Lloyd, silently telling him, "I told you so."

He shook his head, and walked away from me. Still, I caught a ghost of a smile on his face. Summer break was coming in a week, and I had a feeling it was going to be a good one.

But one day, I went up to my dorm and an owl was sitting in my window, a letter on its leg. I glanced at it. A gasp escaped my throat. It was an emergency letter from Cole. His dad was here.

AN: Oh snap! How is Cole going to get out of this one? Stay tuned next week! Thanks for your support! Merry Christmas!