Lloyd was still processing what the girl had just said. "You want me to what?"
"Remember what happened yesterday with Vince?" Lyn continued. "Well there's a dinner party next week and my parents want security around me. But I find it too much for me to be followed around by someone in a suit looking like some hitman. So I was thinking, if it's alright for you to act as my bodyguard for just one night?" Lyn looked up at Lloyd seeing he was still confused. "At least if it's you, you would blend right in. They wouldn't suspect a thing."
"But isn't the bodyguard suppose to stand out?" Lloyd countered. "I mean, if you want Vince to back off, he should know you've got security behind you."
"I know, I know!" Lyn stood up shaking her hands before fidgeting with her fingers. She ran her hands through her hair in frustration. "I just… I really don't want to be there by myself. I thought, maybe, if you'd come with me, it would be easier for me to get through the night."
Lloyd thought for a moment. "I don't know…"
"Please? My parents told me if I couldn't find anyone I would be comfortable with, I would really have to go with a man in black."
"Can't you skip attending?" Lloyd asked. Lyn snorted.
"Trust me I tried that, but my Mom went all, 'Absolutely not! Its is inappropriate for the family to be incomplete in such events!'" Lyn did an impression of her mom, adding some posh gestures and a weirdly sophisticated accent for the fun of it. Lloyd held back a laugh.
"So this dinner party must be really important, huh?"
"You could say that. It's a dinner with all the prominent businessmen in Ninjago along with their families. But honestly, I hate those events. All they do is talk about how big their companies have grown and they try to reel in new deals with other company owners."
"And their kids?"
"They mostly brag about who's got the latest stuff or who's been where, or which celebrity they've recently met. It's more like a popularity contest than a decent conversation." Lyn brought her knees to her chest. "I really hate these events. It's no fun at all. Every one's either judging you or using you for their own benefit."
Lloyd thought for a moment. "So let me get this straight. You want me to go to that formal event with you, as your bodyguard, just because you don't want to be followed by a big guy in a suit and shades and so that you'd have company of someone other than Ninjago's elite?" Lyn nodded. Lloyd leaned back and looked up at the dimming sky. He sighed. He isn't one for sophisticated events either, but something inside him was telling him not to refuse. After a long pause, he finally sighed.
"Okay."
Lyn's face lit up. "You'll do it?"
Lloyd looked away from her, attempting to hide the fact that he was blushing. "Well, bottom line is, you need my help, right?" he said awkwardly. "As a ninja, I can't turn you down."
"Yes! Thank you!" Lyn clapped her hands and attacked Lloyd with a big hug. "You don't know how much this means to me." Lloyd heat began racing again and he hoped Lyn wouldn't hear it. The brunette finally pulled away and stood up. "And don't worry; I'll make sure you won't get bored. Now come on." She started walking away while putting her hands in her pocket. Lloyd stood up.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"To get you a suit."
Lloyd snuck back into the bounty, holding a brand new suit and tie - still inside its chic container- over his shoulder. 'Where the heck am I gonna hide this thing?' Everyone was in the dining room eating dinner. He tiptoed his way to Nya's room and took out his phone.
Nya please I need a favor. Meet me in your room. Please don't tell the others.
After a few minutes, Nya appeared. She found Lloyd sitting down, his back leaning against the side of her cabinet.
"Okay, what's this all about?" Nya asked, putting her hands in her hips.
Lloyd gestured her to come over. The water ninja approached with an amused look on her face. She bent down to meet Lloyd's eye level and gave him a "Well?-I'm-waiting" kind of look. Lloyd took a deep breathe.
"I need you to hide something for me." Nya raised a brow. Lloyd took said thing from behind him.
"Is that what I think it is?" Nya reached out and took the black container from Lloyd's hands. She unzipped it and pulled out the attire within. Her eyes widened as she examined the clothing.
"Why in the world would you have this? And how'd you even afford it? Judging by how it looks this is way beyond than your typical budget."
"Yeah," Lloyd replied sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck. "Way beyond."
"So what do you need it for?" Nya continued. She then opened her closet and carefully placed the suit at the far end of the rack before closing its doors.
"There's a dinner party next Friday, and I'm going as someone's bodyguard." Lloyd shut his eyes as he said this. He was waiting for Nya to laugh about it. But no laugh came.
"And how did you end up being someone's bodyguard?" Nya simply asked. She didn't sound annoyed or amused. She seemed to be analyzing the situation before coming up with a conclusion.
"Well…" Lloyd told her his story about meeting Lyn, how he rescued her from Vince, and how Lyn asked him to be her bodyguard."…and that's how I ended up in this situation." Nya then cupped her chin and paced around her room. She finally turned to face Lloyd.
"Okay. I'll help you sneak out on Friday."
"Seriously?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I?" Lloyd wanted to jump around the room in victory but decided against it for fear of causing a commotion. He wanted to hug Nya too but Nya beat him to it saying, "Come here, you."
"Thanks, Nya."
After Lloyd pulled away from the hug, he headed for the door. He stopped midway and turned to the water ninja. "You know, Kai's really lucky to have a sister like you."
Nya just smiled. "And you're lucky to have a sister like me."
Friday arrived at last. The ninja were only training for that day so no one left the bounty. By four o clock, everyone was finally released to do their own thing. Lloyd took a quick shower before heading to Nya's room and found her preparing her dresser with some hair products.
"What's that for?" Lloyd asked as he went to retrieve his evening attire.
"You can't exactly go to a formal event without looking good, can you?" Nya said, pointing at Lloyd's hair which was gently sticking out in different angles. Lloyd waved it off.
"I can fix myself just fine, thanks."
"And let everybody recognize you?"
"I'll figure something out."
Nya face palmed. "Don't tell me. Fedora?"
"Y-yes?"
"Ugghh get over here!" Nya grabbed Lloyd by his shirt and put him on the chair. Nya began combing Lloyd's blonde hair, while Lloyd silently puts his hands over his face, too embarrassed to do anything.
After an agonizing fifteen minutes, Nya says, "There, all done." Lloyd looked at his reflection in the mirror. His hair basically looks the same, but it was combed more neatly and his wild locks were carefully put in place.
"So?" Nya asked triumphantly. "Am I good, or am I good?"
"It's basically the same." Lloyd replied, simply annoyed. "People will still notice."
"Oh please. If they couldn't easily notice us when we were on the run with hats, a simple hairdo is all it takes."
"Riiiight."
"Anyway, you better get changed." Nya handed Lloyd his suit. "Better you change here. I'll stay outside to keep the guys away." She then went out the door. Lloyd put on his suit and left the bounty on his dragon. He wore the green hood from his ninja gi, hoping that the wind won't wreck Nya's work on his hair.
Lloyd gracefully landed on the penthouse's main balcony and straightened himself up. He knocked on the glass sliding door. The door opened and a pair of brown eyes greeted him.
"Oh hey, you're right on time," Lyn greeted.
"Hey," Lloyd greeted in return. He felt his face grow warm at the sight of her. Lyn was in a mint and black colored cocktail dress and her hair had been intricately curled and pulled to one side. She wore silver sequined stilettos with a cute mint clutch purse in her hand. Lyn then took notice of Lloyd's hairdo. "What's with your hair?"
"Don't ask," Lloyd replied. Lyn showed him in and led him to the living room where Lyn's parents were waiting.
"So this is the famous green ninja," Lyn's father stated, shaking Lloyd's hand. "It is an honor to finally meet you."
"The honor's mine, Sir," Lloyd replied. The man then introduced himself.
"I am Geoffrey, and this is my wife Olivia," Geoffrey gestured to his wife. Olivia shook Lloyd's hand.
"I'm very confident that my daughter is in good hands," Olivia said.
"I assure you, nothing will happen to her on my watch," Lloyd replied. At this Lyn felt herself blush in embarrassment.
"Shall we?" Geoffrey led them out the penthouse and to the ground floor, where a black limousine was waiting outside. Lloyd opened the door for them and Godfrey nodded in approval.
"Such a gentleman!" Olivia exclaimed as she entered the car with her husband and Lyn following suit.
"Since when were you a gentleman?" she whispered to Lloyd.
"Get in, your majesty," Lloyd whispered back with sarcasm to match.
They finally arrived at the venue. It was Ninjago's most prestigious and expensive hotels. The party was held at the building's largest ballroom. Lyn's parents immediately went to their crowd, leaving their daughter with her bodyguard.
"Okay, what should we do first?" Lyn said while glancing at her watch. "Dinner doesn't start until seven. We still have forty minutes."
"I don't know," Lloyd answered, shrugging his shoulders. "I've never been to things like this."
"Jacquelyn!" a voice called. Lyn forced a smile before turning to see who called her. It was a girl with blonde curly hair wearing beige cocktail dress. She was followed by several other girls, who were waving at Lyn.
"Hi, uhm Caroline!" Lyn greeted the blonde. "It's been a while." Caroline and her entourage zoomed past Lloyd, not caring that they stepped on his feet. Soon all the girls began crowding Lyn, asking her how she's been, how much they love her dress, who's her stylist, and so on.
"Anyways," Caroline continued. "Have you seen the recent episode of Go Ninja Go? Like, seriously, the ninja are so hot."
"I know right," spoke a girl with black hair tied to a side braid. "I actually had lunch with Kai the other day."
"No you didn't," said a red head. "You went shopping with me that day Bianca."
"Whatev, Selene!" retorted Bianca. "But it would be awesome to go out with them. What do you think Jacquelyn?" All the girls then huddled close to Lyn, waiting for her to answer.
"Uh, what do I think about what?" Lyn asked.
"Duh, the ninja! Don't you think it's awesome to hang out with them?" replied Bianca.
"Yeah, I guess," Lyn responded. She really wanted to get away. She then thought up of an excuse. "You know what, I think I'm gonna go powder my cheeks. I'll see you later." She left the crowd of girls and headed for the balcony garden with Lloyd following behind. Noticing a nearby bench, she plopped on it, sitting in a very relaxed manner.
"That could have gone better," Lloyd said.
Ya think?" Lyn replied. "Sorry the girls ran you over."
"Yeah, that was embarrassing," Lloyd replied, putting his hands on his pockets. "You still okay?" Lyn nodded.
"Let's just stay out here until they serve dinner. I don't want to endure Caroline and the others again." Lloyd chuckled.
"So this Caroline. Is she one of those who, how do I say it?"
"Use me?" Lyn finished for him.
"Uhh, yeah?"
"Uh-huh. She may be quite bubbly on the outside, but that's cuz she's buttering you up for favors. Once she gets what she wants, she doesn't remember you after. OnceI asked her to help me with a personal project some time ago, she refused immediately saying that it was beneath her."
"Whoa, that is harsh."
See? This is why I don't like going to these events. I don't belong here. I just want to go home." Lloyd felt himself giggling at what the girl said. Lyn gave him a pointed look.
"What?"
"Nothing. It's just that you sound like a kid ready to throw a tantrum." With that, Lyn too started laughing and Lloyd soon joined in. Once the laughter died down, Lyn spoke up.
"I knew bringing you rather than a man in black was a good idea."
"Technically, I'm still a man in black," Lloyd responded gesturing at his suit and tie.
"Not in my eyes."
"Ahem." The two jolted up to see a waiter at the doorway. "Dinner is served."
"M'lady?" Lloyd waved his hands toward the door. Lyn just rolled her eyes and proceeded inside.
I finally did chapter 2! Phew! Honestly this one was a "going-where-the-wind -takes-me" kind of chapter. If you see any errors or anything that needs correcting, don't hesitate to tell me. Also, yay for Lloyd and Nya interaction! I don't see Lloyd really talking with Nya unless necessary so I thought of putting something where there would be some sibling stuff between them. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Reviews are very much appreciated! If you have any ideas on what kind of adventures or situations Lyn and Lloyd should wind up in, feel free to tell me about them! Till next time! ~ Snowflakeshard :D