Best Kept Secret

Flirting, Dojos, and Video Games

Lloyd beat me home after school. That used to be strange, but it was becoming a common occurrence. I suspected he stopped waiting for Jay to walk him home.

I arrived at the penthouse to find him sitting on the massive living room floor, his backpack sprayed out beside him in a messy pile. He laid on his stomach, pencil crayons surrounding him. His green eye focused on his paper, careful to not mess up his line work. Lloyd had started writing a comic book. He spent every spare second he had drawing panels.

"Hey," I said as I dropped my bag on the floor. Lloyd grunted in response. I grabbed my homework and sat down next to him on the floor. He sat up and leaned on me. I stroked his hair as I studied. Lloyd and I worked silently (me on my homework, and Lloyd on his chapter) until Lloyd's stomach growled.

"Chen's, little man?" I said.

"Big man," Lloyd corrected, "And no. I just reached the climax!"

"Well, you can finish it at Chen's," I said. Lloyd sighed as he picked up his pencil crayons, put them in his pencil box, and tossed the box into his backpack. Then he carefully stacked the papers of his comic book and tucked them under his arm.

"After Chen's, can I go to my Secret Spot?" He stood up, then helped me to my feet. I wrapped my arm around Lloyd as we walked to the elevator.

"Sure. I'll text Seliel and see if she wants to hang out tonight," I said.

Since Lloyd's kidnapping, Misako agreed to let me watch Lloyd most evenings instead of having her boys' club do so. I proved I was capable of watching Lloyd after I took on some Serpentine for him. Lloyd would rather spend time with me than the boys' club anyways. They still stepped up when I was busy. But for the most part, I was the designated babysitter. It made Lloyd happy and I didn't mind. I spent most evenings with Lloyd anyways. The only times I wasn't with Lloyd were when I was at school, volleyball practice, or training with Lord Garmadon.

As Lloyd's official primary caretaker, I made sure to be the opposite of Kai. Which meant I allowed Lloyd to have independence. He could go places by himself if he wanted to, as long as I knew where he was. If Misako knew I let Lloyd go to Doomsday Comix by himself, she'd throw me out of the house. So I always made sure I'm out whenever Lloyd wanted to be alone. Again, no complaints as I got to spend more time with Seliel, who was quickly becoming my best friend.

I knew that I could save Lloyd if he was ever kidnapped again. And I understood his desire for independence. I fought Kai for so long to gain my own independence. He used to be so overbearing. And when it comes to Jay, he still is.

When we arrived at Chen's, it was no surprise that Zane was our server. He made the usual banter with Lloyd, then went to get his plain noodles. I wished I knew how to cook, so Lloyd wasn't stuck eating the same food every day (and for my own sake, as eating Chen's every day was getting tiring).

Lloyd began to draw the next panel of his comic as soon as he sat down.

"What are you working on?" I asked while we waited for our food.

"My dad's birthday is next week," Lloyd said, "I'm making him a comic book. In it, Dad teams up with the ninja to destroy the Serpentine and save all of Ninjago. Just like he did with the Great Devourer!"

It was an ironic idea: Lord Garmadon teaming up with the ninja.

"That sounds exciting," I said.

"Do you think he'll like it?"

"Yeah, I think he will," I said. I wished I could take Lloyd to give it to Garmadon in person. But Lord Garmadon would not want that. He believed he'd hurt Lloyd if they saw each other. I guess I'll be the middleman.