https://youtu.be/jbLW2FtCliA

***Heya! Make sure you read this chapter to the end. There's some important material there. Also, this cover of "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Alyssa Baker is absolutely amazing, so I decided to link to it. I included the original song, too - I know a lot of Elvis fans :) ***

***(Jay's POV; song for this chapter: "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley; cover by Alyssa Baker)***

"Jay? Nya?" someone calls from far away.

I shake my head. I'm in the middle of the most wonderful dream, with the most wonderful girl in my arms, when –

"Jay! Are you here?" shouts the voice again.

I crack open my eyes, but all I see is darkness. And...

Pain throbs my arm, and I moan. I must still be down in the basement with Nya. I guess we both fell asleep at some point.

"We're down here," I yell back sleepily.

Nya stirs in my arms. I hear her yawn. "Jay?"

"Yup, still me. I guess the others must've gotten back."

She suddenly latches onto my shoulders. "You can't tell Lloyd we're really together yet," she begs me.

"Why? He deserves to know, since he so obviously has a crush on you."

"Yes, but – he just figured out about Harumi's wicked side. He needs someone to lean on right now, and he'll be really upset if he figures out about us."

"But won't he be upset if he finds out we lied to him?"

"It's not lying," she promises. "We're just withholding the truth. And I won't cross any friendship boundaries with Lloyd, since you and I really are together. Um, we are official, right?"

I laugh. "I'd like us to be." We talked for an hour last night about how long I'd liked her and how quickly she'd developed feelings for me. I'm more than ready to date her for real.

"Then of course, we are."

Someone opens the basement door. "Are you guys down here?" The voice sounds like Kai's.

"Yes," I answer, a little more awake now.

Feet come rushing down the stairs. "What on earth are you two doing stuck down here?"

I inhale and launch into the story. "Well, we were watching a movie when the power went out, so we both came to check the generator. The problem is, I fell down the stairs and probably dislocated my arm, then it turns out somebody had broken into the monastery, and – "

"Wait, you lost me at the power outage," says Kai. "You can tell the story later. Have either of you heard from Wu? And – where on earth are you?"

I hear Kai pushing boxes around and can't contain a small chuckle.

"We're over here, Kai," Nya informs him. "And be careful. Jay hurt his arm pretty bad when we fell down."

"What about Wu?" her brother questions, finally locating us.

"I haven't heard from him, but then again, does he even have a cordless phone? Oh, and master of fire, would you mind giving us a little light?"

"Sorry. I guess not all of us got rest tonight." A small flame appears from his hand, illuminating his tired eyes and haunted expression.

"What time is it?" Nya asks.

"Around four. We were out for hours searching for Neuro, not able to get hold of Sensei or Misako. Eventually, we did get through to Lloyd's mom. Cole and Lloyd are on their way to pick her up now. She said she took cover at some local tea shop when the storm hit."

"So...any sign of the master of mind?" I try.

He shakes his head. "None at all. He's gone."

"Great," Nya sighs. "Who all is here with you? Is it just Zane and us?"

"Skylor's here, too. Wait – how come you never shocked the generator, Jay?"

"Um, if you don't recall, we already told you twice that we fell down the stairs. It was pitch black, and Nya bossed me around until I finally stopped searching for it."

"Okay, well, can you get the power back on now? Everything needs to be in running order before I get any shut-eye. And believe me, you won't like me without sleep."

"Not like we enjoy his company anyway," Nya whispers.

"I can hear you," Kai growls.

She coughs. "Okay, well, now that we have light, I can see it's a good thing I made you stay put, Jay. You were probably on your way to tripping over all these boxes. I didn't think Wu was this disorganized."
"He isn't," I frown. "Maybe whoever broke into the monastery riffled through these, looking for something."

"Someone broke into the monastery?" Kai exclaims.

I know Nya's rolling her eyes.

"We already told you, Kai," she sighs. "However, he broke the window and escaped outside before I could catch him."

"What was he wearing?" my brother asks.

"Well, it was pitch black in here, but given that I got one momentary glimpse of him during a lightning strike..." She pauses. "His clothes were caked in mud. I have no idea what color they were. And his hair was really stringy and dirty. And don't even ask me about his face, since it was completely turned away from me."

While she describes the intruder's appearance to Kai, I muster my strength and shock the generator with my good arm. It roars to life, and the lights flicker on.

That's when I see it.

"Um, guys?"

Kai looks over from his conversation with Nya, then does a double take.

There's a giant, fried spot in the monastery's wooden flooring.

"What the – Jay, did you do that?" he accuses.

"No! I don't know how it got there!"

"Well, I can't think of a better way to explain it, unless we had a small electrical explosion when the power went out!" Kai deadpans.

"Boys!" Nya cries, pressing her fingers to her temples. "You're making this impossible to think about. Can we all go upstairs and worry about this when the sun comes up? Some of us have school in the morning!"

"Aww, not school," I groan. "I can't take that on a normal night of sleep."

"Relax," Kai says dismissively. "You can call in sick or something."

"Oh, all of us?" Nya challenges. "And by the way, someone should be around to back up Skylor when she reads Harumi's mind. I do not trust that freaky, rich princess."

"Whatever. We'll talk about this in the morning. I'm telling you in advance that you're not going to school, though. Remember how you almost died last night?" Kai argues.

Nya moans. "Someone discreet needs to help Skylor, and that person will be me! And for your information, overprotective big brother, I feel fine!" She stomps away, leaving the two of us to process her blowup.

"You know, I've never understood girls," Kai frowns. "One moment, they're all over you, and the next...they blow up."

"Tell me about it."

Kai and I trudge up the stairs, where we find Zane looking perfectly alert. It seems like that guy could go nights without sleeping, if he needed to. What I wouldn't give for some of that energy.

While her brother gets ready for bed, Nya plants a peck on my cheek. I wrap my good arm around her and smile. She's at least five inches shorter than me.

"Good night," I whisper.

"Or morning, in this case. I hope Wu doesn't expect us to train when he gets back. I'm pretty sure we have a good excuse."

"Why would Sensei go somewhere and not tell us?" I wonder. Then, I smack my forehead. "Man! I forgot about his stupid nonsense riddle. That's going to keep me up."

Nya laughs. "Another reason for me to be the one going to school tomorrow." She adds on quietly, "I kind of maybe love you, I think."

I press my lips to her forehead. "Same for you, except I know."

"Get away from my sister, Jay," Kai warns.

I take a huge step back. "I thought you knew I wasn't up to any funny business."

"There's only so much I can take of you...and Nya...as an item." He makes a retching noise. "Now go to bed, or I'll make sure you never – "

I raise my hands in surrender. "I'm going, I'm going."

I turn on my heel, sneaking in a wink for Nya. She giggles, and I fall in love all over again.

***(Nya's POV)***

Typically, I hate listening to my alarm. That should be especially true this morning, since I'm surviving on two hours of sleep and a nap in the basement. Last night, however, I changed my alarm tone to Jay's singing. I managed to get a good recording when he wasn't paying attention at school yesterday. I'm glad I have my own room, or I would never live this down with the guys.

"Wise men say only fools rush in,

But I can't help falling in love with you.

Shall I stay? Would it be a sin

If I can't help falling in love with you?"

I feel crazy for falling in love in two days. Half of me says I need to slow things way down, but the other half doesn't seem to have the strength. I don't think I really want to have the strength to feel differently. Jay somehow crushes all my defenses.

"Like a river flows

Surely to the sea,

Darling, so it goes:

Some things are meant to be.

Take my hand, take my whole life too,

For I can't help falling in love with you."

By this time, Skylor is awake. She groans. "Some alarm you got there."

I don't respond, listening to Jay's warm voice pour out of my speaker. It's not quite as good as when he sings in person, but I'll take what I can get. There's no way Kai would let Jay come in here to wake me up every morning. I've thought about it, though.

"Like a river flows

Surely to the sea,

Darling, so it goes:

Some things are meant to be.

Take my hand, take my whole life too,

For I can't help falling in love with you,

For I can't help falling in love with you."

Then I look down at the time.

I leap out of bed. "Skylor, we have to get moving. It's after seven o'clock!"

She jumps, too, but slips on the edge of my blanket and topples to the floor. I can't help but laugh. Life is so much sweeter when you're in love.

"I don't see how this is funny," she grumps, rubbing her side.

"It all depends on how you look at it."

"Lovebird."

"Says the creep who's into my brother." I visibly shudder.

Skylor blushes bright red. "Okay, you got me."

We rush to get ready. Because I'm not that mean, I let Skylor use my bathroom and make a mad dash for the boys' room. I knock on the door until I hear Kai yell.

"Somebody'd better be dying out there," he seethes. I can't help but smirk.

Jay, however, is the one to open the door. His chestnut hair curls and falls into his face, making me giggle. His eyes, though, show pain and tiredness.

"You need to get back to bed," I gasp.

"It's fine," he yawns. "We were all up late, since Zane had to pop my arm back in place. Plus, Cole and Lloyd didn't get in until about an hour ago."

Against his will, I shove him toward his bunk. "Go back to bed. Kai's a jerk for making you open the door."

Jay shrugs, then winces. "He didn't make me. I wanted to."

I smile at his sweetness, but I point a finger at his sloppily made bed. "Go to sleep. I'll see you after school." It looks like Zane and I will be keeping an eye on each other, since both of my "partners" aren't going to make it today.

I stop by Lloyd's bunk to see him sleeping peacefully. I soften at his gentle expression and slip a mini-pack of gummi worms in his pillowcase.

Then, of course, I remember what time it is and race for the guys' bathroom.

"You better not make it smell like flowers!" Kai shouts as I shut the door. I can't resist just one spritz of air freshener, just to spite him. Plus, it's like a combination of pine trees, too much Old Spice, and Cole's chili in here. I might die without a little reprieve.

When I emerge fifteen minutes later, I take a running leap for Kai's top bunk. I latch on to the top and flip my feet over the side.

"Nya! What the – "

"Stop the foul language already!" Jay moans. "Don't you know there are children in the audience? You're being totally inappropriate!"

"Jay, go back to bed. You clearly haven't had enough rest," Kai retorts. Then, to me, he growls, "Get off."

"Kai, Skylor and I have to get to school, remember? It's already 7:30! We're going to be late!"

Kai sighs and drapes an arm over his forehead. "Skylor can drive you."

"She can't make a guardian-approved excuse for me being late."

"You don't need one."

"I've been late so many times this year, though!"

"Saving Ninjago is tough business, Sis."

"Don't you want me to graduate early and go to college and make you proud?" I bat my eyelashes.

"Fine!" he huffs, sitting up. "I'll be out in a minute. Why are girls so whiney?"

"Why can't you keep a schedule?" I smile in triumph and slide off his bed. Before leaving, though, I cross to Jay's bunk and give him a kiss on the nose. "Feel better, okay?"

"You always make me feel better," he answers softly.

Before the guys can pick on me, I hustle out of their room and find my backpack. I think Jay brought it back yesterday, since I was too much of a spaz after Spanish tutoring. And – there it is! It's setting on the couch.

I grab it, and a sheet of folded notebook paper falls out. I open it and smile.

You are oh-so-special, beautiful, and unstoppable. You light up my world and make me want to be a better person. Have a wonderful day, and I can't wait to see you later. – Jay

Aww! He must've written this last night. My heart does happy things.

I wander into the kitchen. Skylor's already perched on the counter, munching on an apple. Zane's already left for the day. No one makes him late, I guess.

"So, I'm thinking the sooner you read Rumi's mind, the better," I start. "That way, we can let the others know and they can find Neuro."

Skylor nods. "That's probably a good idea. I'll try to do it during first period...if your brother gets out here, anyway." She rolls her eyes but smiles lovingly.

"I heard that," he grouches, entering the kitchen.

"Great!" I exclaim. "Let's get out of here! I call shotgun!"

"Nuh-uh. Skylor's my go-to shotgun." He drapes an arm around her shoulders and walks cockily outside.

"I still don't know what you see in him," I call after her. "He has two brain cells and relies entirely on his looks."

She throws her head back and laughs. "You forget that I have the power of mind. I already know."

When we get to school, it's already 8:10. I sling my backpack over my shoulder and dash to the building. I would say I was hot on Skylor's trail, but that's not entirely true. She has the power of speed. Yay.

Kai's the slowest of all, though. He acts so mature, but in reality, he's just a normal teenager.

Skylor and I have first period English together, so she waits for me at the entrance to our class. I give her a hopeful smile and walk in.

The teacher for our English class is super strict. He makes us call him "Master Writer" and gives us a quiz at the start of every session. Unfortunately, he also has a hefty punishment policy for latecomers. Skylor and I are toast.

However, a laidback voice greets us as we enter.

"Glad you girls could join us," says a man in a brown sweatshirt and jeans. He does not look like a teacher. "You can call me the Grand Sensei Darreth. Sensei D also works. Actually, you can call me pretty much anything, and I'll answer. Brown Ninja is one of my favorites."

Wait – we get a substitute? If Lloyd were here, he'd be thanking the destiny writers.

"Sorry we're late," I smile prettily.

"No problem. I was just teaching the class all about talking to sea animals."

I furrow a brow. "This is Advanced English, right?"

He nods. "Yup, but since your teacher is out with the flu, I decided to skip his lesson plan and lecture you on my own. That thing was impossible to understand."

Oh, we are so lucky.

I spend the next forty-five minutes barely listening to the instructor. I'm too busy worrying about Skylor and Neuro. What does Lloyd's loser girlfriend have up her sleeve?

Finally, when I know Rumi will be out of class, Skylor raises her hand. "May I have a hall pass?" she asks.

"That's 'can I' to you, little lady."

I furrow my brow. "No, it's – "

But Darreth's already waving her out. I tap my pencil against my desk, wondering how I can leave, too, without looking suspicious. "Um...Brown Ninja?" He said he liked that name, right? "May I be excused to go out into the hallway and blow my nose?"

"What did I say about the 'may's' and the 'can's'?" he frowns. "Go ahead. I don't have much more wisdom to impart, anyway."

I rush out of the classroom and head for Rumi's locker. I can just see it around the corner when –

"Nya Smith, please report to the principal's office," says a bored voice over the intercom.

But – no! I stand for a moment, torn, then decide to make a quick run for the office.

I smile at the secretary. "Hi, I'm – "

"Go on back," she says flatly.

"Okay," I smile, neglecting a few choice words to describe her attitude. I crack open the principal's door.

"Nya," a woman greets. "So good to see you. How was your Spanish tutoring yesterday?"

I force my teeth into a grin. "Oh, it wasn't that bad." I make eye contact with Kai. I can't leave Skylor alone for long! Who knows what might happen to her? I guess a number of classes will be letting out soon, so at least Harumi won't be able to kidnap her or anything, but still!

"Good to hear. Your brother was just telling me about why you're late for school. I understand you had quite the scary accident last night."

What did he tell her? "Oh, yeah," I laugh slowly. "That. I'm sorry it caused me to be late today."

"It's fine," she smiles. "I'd just like to hear your version of the tale."

I shoot Kai a look, and he shrugs.

"Which tale would you be referring to?"

She gives me a blank look. "The one where you fell into ice cold water while on a boat ride?"
"Oh, that one. Sorry, I'm a little short on brain power this morning. Yeah, um, I was looking over the edge – " why am I getting Titanic vibes? – "when the boat suddenly lurched. I went flying over and fell in the water. Let me tell you, don't ever try that. It's a good thing I'm a killer swimmer, or I might not have made it."

She nods sympathetically. "I'm sure. And I know you're very thankful to your brother for pulling you out of there. Please go straight to the nurse if you need anything at all. And today, I won't count your tardiness against you."

"Thank you so much." I have to get out of here.

Kai clears his throat. "If you'll excuse me, I really need to go. But I'll leave Nya to finish talking this over with you."

My principal smiles. "Thank you for visiting, Mr. Smith. You're a wonderful older brother."

He shoots her a charming smile and strides out. Show off.

"Now, about that Spanish tutoring..." She trails off.

"Um, yeah. Nadakurfew – or whatever his name is – is totally a pervert. I think I need a new tutor."

She laughs. "I understand. You're not the first student to complain about him. I'll set you up with someone new when I get a chance."

"Thank you. Um, any way you could talk to my Spanish teacher about the whole issue? I'm already a little lost. Maybe we could work out something so I don't fail any assignments?"

"Of course, Nya. And remember, you can always come to me with your problems. I'm free any time."

"Thanks, Mistaké." I wave and speed-walk out of her office.

Shooting a smile at her stoic secretary, I rush out into the halls. I wonder if Skylor found out anything. Kai can probably go after Neuro with Lloyd and Cole, even if they got in –

My world freezes. "Skylor!" I cry. Overcoming the shock, I run toward the gathering of students.

"Get back!" my brother shouts, bending beside my friend's form.

For there on the floor lies Skylor in a heap, twitching, moaning, and entirely helpless.