Everyone looked at Kai in a mixture of disbelief and confusion.

"Say that again?" Nya told her brother. She heard him alright, but she wanted to make sure he wasn't joking.

"I said," Kai responded, facing his friends. "We need to get those two together."

"What?!" Cole commented, obviously not on board with the Red Ninja's plan. "You heard Lloyd. He's not even sure if he really likes her. We wouldn't want to get his hopes up."

"You know he's in denial," Kai continued pointing his finger up. "It's too obvious he likes her. If he doesn't come face to face with his feelings, he'll regret it forever. We have to help him realize it before it's too late."

"Wow" was all Jay could say. "I didn't think you'd care about Lloyd's love life so much, Kai."

"I do now," Kai replied.

"Since when?! " Nya asked, getting impatient.

"When I hurled that controller at Lyn."

"Anyone in their right minds would catch or dodge a controller thrown in that manner, Kai," Zane pointed out.

"Yeah, that was a bit overboard," Jay added.

"Probably, but regardless, we have to find a way to get them beyond the 'just friends' stage." Kai looked at his teammates, his resolve plastered on his face. "Just think about it: Lloyd's been giving his all to his ninja training and not once had he been given the chance at a normal life." He then remembered when Lloyd was still a child, he and the others would push him to prepare himself to face his father. "He lost his childhood already. He's of age, and fate brings him a pretty girl right to his doorstep. Shouldn't we at least give him this opportunity to find happiness?"

The others fell silent. They weren't sure if it was really Kai talking, or they're just hallucinating. Whenever it came between their duty as ninja or following their hearts, Kai always chose the former, even if it hurt. So this was indeed new for them. Finally, it was Nya who first broke the silence.

"Kai, look. I know we're all concerned for Lloyd's welfare, but this, especially this, we need to let him figure it out on his own. And if he wants our advice, then we're all more than willing to give it. But forcing him into the dating game might be to much for him and we may end up doing more harm than good."

"I'm with Nya on this," Cole spoke up. "If we pressure him into having a love life, won't their romantic relationship feel, I dunno, forced?"

"Seconded," Jay added. "Zane?"

"I'm afraid I agree with Kai," the nindroid said. All looked at him slack-jawed, even Kai. Since when did Zane disagree with the most logical choice?

"Yes!" Kai fist-pumped into the air. "But why, Zane? I was pretty sure you'd be on board with the others." Zane looked at the rest of the ninja as he spoke. Everyone was eager to hear his answer as to why he would agree with the fire ninja's idea.

"I would first like to clarify that, I do agree with Cole's statement of forcing Lloyd to enter into such a relationship. But I agree that we should help and support Lloyd in his journey with this Lyn. We can all sense that there is indeed a connection between them, and neither seem confident to show how they feel for the other. I believe we should simply help Lloyd acknowledge his feelings without forcing him out of his comfort zone too much."

"Precisely," Kai commended. "Thank you, Zane. All I'm saying is, Lloyd has been through so much and he deserves to have a normal life like any normal person. We've all lived a normal life before becoming ninjas, and all Lloyd's known before meeting us was…"

"Darkley's Boarding School for Bad Boys," Jay finished for him.

"That wasn't even a proper school, as far as I'm concerned," Nya added.

"Okay, I see your point," Cole told Kai. "But how exactly are we going to help him realize he likes Lyn?"

"Okay, here's the plan…" Everyone huddled up.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the sky, Lyn and Lloyd were chatting as they neared the city.

"I'm sorry your visit got cut short," Lloyd said to her. Lyn shook her head.

"No, I'm the one who should be sorry. You guys missed a whole day of training because of me. Then my visit got cut short because of my dad's call. So obviously the ones who were inconvenienced were you guys."

"It's alright," Lloyd reassured her. "Things happen, and you gotta prioritize family. I'm sure that call was really urgent if you're dad wanted you home right away."

"Yeah, I'm really sorry. But I promise I'll make it up to you and the others. I don't know yet how, but I will."

"So, what was that call about?"

"I'm really not sure. He just told me that he needed to talk to me immediately. I didn't want to tell him that I was at the Bounty either or he might have flipped."

"Why's that?"

"I dunno, you guys being celebrities and all, I didn't want to make a fuss about it."

Lloyd nodded. "I see. So, how did you find everyone?" Lyn pursed her lips to think.

"Everyone was really nice. I got scared for a moment when Kai threw that controller."

"Yeah, sorry about him, though."

But it's all good. Sensei kinda intimidates me though." Lloyd turned to look at her.

"Really, why?" Lyn shrugged.

"I dunno. Maybe being a powerful, wise and skilled master, I got the impression that he would be serious and have that air of authority, you know?" Lloyd chuckled as he resumed looking straight ahead.

"Not always. Sensei really cares a lot about everyone. He just sounds serious because he had to be strict with us when we train. But outside of that, he's really gentle and had a good sense of humor. You just need to get to know him."

"I hope so." Suddenly, a thought came to the girl's head. "Oh."

"What?"

"I just realized something: It's almost finals. I gotta prepare."

Lloyd raised a brow. "Finals?"

"Exams, Lloyd," the brunette told him. "We take tests with the coverage from the beginning of the semester till the end. Or if we're lucky, only the final term. Didn't you have exams at Darkley's?"

"Nah. Not much writing. More on hands on stuff on how to be a villain. After all, that school was suppose to make you treat breaking the rules like an art."

Lyn let out a laugh. "What a school! Who even decided to put up a school like that?"

"I have no idea," Lloyd cheerfully replied. "After the defeat of the Overlord a few years back, the school's been closed and reformed to a proper academy. The ninja actually taught there for a while, but after Zane's death, we handed it over to more experienced teachers."

"Oh, yeah. Zane died saving Ninjago by sacrificing himself. I'm sorry. I'm glad you got reunited. But, how did he come back?"

"Using Cyrus' Borg's technology, he built himself a new body out of titanium, the same one you saw earlier."

"Wow. That's really neat," Lyn continued. "Your adventures are so awesome. You have such amazing stories to tell. Me, I'm stuck in university with mounds of homework."

Lloyd chuckled. He then paused for a moment, not sure what to talk about next. He decided to ask more about the girl's college life. "Hey, I'm curious. Schools have a huge number of students. Do you have friends in college, since the population is so big?" Lyn shook her head.

"Not really. Every class I take don't contain the same number of students, let alone the same people. So we're all loners, except for those who have been friends since high school."

"Do Caroline and Vince go to NCU too?" Lyn scoffed.

"Of course they do. Caroline's into interior design while Vince took up entrepreneurship. Since our courses are different, I don't see them often. And I do a good job avoiding them anyway."

"I see. But have you tried making friends with the others?"

Lyn thought for a moment, tapping her chin. "Hmmm, no, I don't think I did. I enter and leave the classroom like the wind. I guess I'm a little worried that they'll be like Caroline and the others. I don't think I can stand another set of plastic faces."

"You never know if you don't try," Lloyd replied. He could hear Lyn heaving a sigh, signaling him that he seemed to have touched a delicate subject. As the city came into view, the energy dragon glided smoothly across the sky and landed in the alley before disappearing into thin air. After getting off, both walked until the entrance of the building.

Lyn kept walking, not saying a word. Her arms were crossed and her face had become stoic and serious. She was obviously upset. She obviously wasn't keen on the idea, but she was definitely giving it much consideration. Should she give it a shot? She didn't want to go through that again. Her memories with Caroline were enough.

"Lyn?" The girl turned around, seeing that the Green Ninja had stopped walking.

"I think I may have brought up a touchy subject. I'm sorry. I know that you're cautious when it comes to friends. But I think that you should try to make friends with your fellow college people."

"The term's 'colleagues', Lloyd," the girl corrected. Her voice had turned somewhat cold, but Lloyd decided to press his luck.

"Colleagues. I'm sure not everyone is like Caroline and the others. Just give them a simple 'hello' or 'hi' when you walk in. You told me before you're good at reading people. Observe them for a while. See how they move, how they react. And if you think at least one of them is worth approaching, try to talk to them."

"I can't Lloyd," Lyn hung her head. "I just can't. I'm not sure if I can take the hurt if it all goes down the drain."

"Hey," Lloyd moved closer. "Hurt is a part of life. Even in friendships. But we have to keep trying. I may have been out of school for some time, but I know that school can't be all about studies. It's also about building relationships. Meaningful ones. Let some friendships bloom here and there."

The brunette looked up at her friend, still hesitant. "But is it really worth the risk?"

Lloyd smiled gently. "A wise sensei once told me: 'Without risks, you'll never know how far you'll go.'"

Lyn's lips creased into a thin line. She looked at the pavement of the sidewalk and leaned her head on the nearby building, still thinking about the Green Ninja's words. 'Without risks, you'll never know how far you'll go.' After a while, she finally straightened herself and looked at Lloyd in the eye.

"Alright."

Lloyd's grin grew wider. "Great!"

"But," Lyn held up a finger. "Don't expect me to do it right away. It may take time, as I'll be busy with finals."

The blonde nodded. "I know, but it's a start. Trust me, Lyn. It won't be all that bad. I'm sure you'll find great friends in NCU. Just give it a shot."

"Alright, alright, alright," Lyn replied, slightly annoyed, but her mood had definitely lightened. "But if it all goes south…"

"It won't."

"But-"

"It. Won't. Buuuuut if it does…"

"I'll get you for this."

"I doubt it."

Lyn pushed open the doors to her pent house and found her father talking rapidly on his phone while pacing the carpet in the living room. Her mother was there was well, sitting patiently and waiting for her husband to finish. Lyn took a seat across them and waited silently. 'Make friends, huh?' There were some cheerful people in her classes and some actually greeted her when they walk in, but she never talked back and only replied with a rehearsed smile.

"Lyn, sweetie?" her mom's voice rang. Lyn snapped to reality.

"Yes?" Lyn shot up. "Sorry, I spaced out." She readjusted herself on the couch. "So, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

Geoffrey sighed and sat down. He put his phone in his coat pocket and rubbed his temple. "My assistant, Mrs. Holley, is resigning."

"Well, she is of retiring age, so it's understandable," Lyn replied. "What seems to be the problem?"

"There's too many things to do," her father continued. "Too many papers, too many meetings, I'll need a replacement immediately. Which brings me to this notion, and to why I asked you here, Lyn."

The girl raised a brow. "Which is?" Though she had a good idea what it was going to be.

"Will you be my temporary assistant? After your classes, come to the office and help me around the place. You'll receive salary."

'I knew it,' Lyn thought. She sighed. "I don't know Dad. It's almost finals. Can I really handle it?" She was fine helping out in the office, but she knew how tough and rigid her father's schedule was.

"Of course you can," Geoffrey assured her. "You just need to follow me around, hand me things, call some people and so on. And as for finals, don't worry, hopefully your mother will find a replacement by then."

His daughter thought for a moment. "Why me though? Not that I'm complaining, Dad. I was just curious why you'd ask me, someone with zero experience to fill in for Mrs. Holley."

"Because looking for a new assistant takes time. Your mother will make sure that the new assistant has enough work experience, a credible background and a workable attitude. For now, I need someone I can trust. Mrs. Holley resigns within three weeks, which means you'll train under her to know the ropes. Just consider it as an advanced internship."

Lyn rested her chin on her fingers, weighing her options. If she accepted, she will have more work to do, adding up to incoming homework and future class projects and exams. But on the bright side, she'd have an excuse not to hang out after class, especially with certain persons she'd definitely not want to be with. Not only that, she was going to be with more people in the workplace. She enjoyed the trips to the office. All the employees were so nice and friendly. This was one reason she preferred older people as friends rather than those her age. But she knew she couldn't exactly spend time with them outside the workplace. They had their own personal lives to deal with, leaving Lyn back to square one.

"Lyn? Are you alright?" Geoffrey snapped his fingers, awaking the girl from her trance. "What'll it be?"

Lyn bit her lip. "Okay."

"Perfect!" Olivia clapped her hands. "Oh do understand, darling. You must wear the appropriate attire. Which means no denim wear whatsoever." She gestured her hand around her daughter's clothes. "Only skirts or slacks. As for your top-"

"Blouses, I know," Lyn interrupted with a roll of her eyes.

"Or blazers and vests."

"Fine."

After dinner, Lyn retired to her room. Fishing her phone from her pocket, she looked for Lloyd's number and typed a message.

Hey. Apparently, I've got two challenges to complete now.

Oh yeah?

My dad wants me to be his assistant. So that, plus school, plus your challenge, I can do this. Yay! :(

Come on, you can do it. I believe in you.

Well, thanks for the vote of confidence anyway.

Anytime XP

Thanks again for today. Please tell the ninja I said thanks again.

Will do.

By the way, just a heads up: Please don't text me during finals next month. I'll be too busy with exams and projects.

No problem. Don't forget to tour me around NCU though.

I wouldn't dream of it. ;)

Night.

Night.

So here's Chapter 9. Took longer than expected though. I hope you guys liked it!

I would like to thank lightning0ninja, StoryMaker7, and Guest MMM for your reviews in chapter 8.

@Guest MMM: I can tell you this: Vince is definitely coming back.

From now on, I want to be more appreciative of you, my lovely readers. So, I'll do my best to give you recognition for your reviews. And even to those who didn't leave a review, I still thank you for continuing to read this story. Till the next chapter ~ Snowflakeshard