Things had been... challenging, to say the least. I held the secret to my best friend's complicated feelings that she was keeping to herself while her brother and boyfriend drove themselves crazy trying to help her be herself again and I had returned home to see my mother who held me in her arms for what felt like an eternity while sobbing into my jacket. 

I had been calling Zane every night and he asked constantly how I was and while I was completely honest with him, I could not help but be terrified every night as I laid in bed with the realization that the person who will forever haunt my dreams is still out there. However, on the night that I returned home, Zane and Jay came with me to drop me off and they installed a new security system in my home that was completely automatic and would send alerts to my phone, my mother's, and Zane's in case of anyone entering the house without the code or authorization.

It helped me feel a little better, but my fears still existed.

I had gotten a call from Zane earlier asking to come to the monastery to calm Y/N down so of course, I agreed. Apparently she hasn't been eating or leaving her room in days, only leaving to shower and get snacks, but since she had talked a little while I stayed at the monastery, Lloyd had begged for me to return and try to make her feel more comfortable.

The ninja hadn't caught on but apparently she had only been comfortable with Nya and Sensei Wu. Nya because she was a girl, and Sensei because he understood more than anything else. But  I'm not sure that would help her in this case, but at least it was something.

I knocked on the large door to the monastery and within seconds it was open with Lloyd smiling wide in front of me. "Y/N! Thank you for coming!" he called out while giving me a hug and ushering me in. I smiled, "Of course, Lloyd. This is my future roommate we are talking about," I grinned, referencing the fact that L/G/N and I had planned to room together at college since my plans with B/F/N fell through and I already like L/G/N so much.

He smiled, walking with me to the kitchen where the ninja were playing a game and Zane was cooking with his pink apron on, even though I had tried to get him a different one and he insisted this was more practical. "Y/N! You're here!" Jay smiled. I grinned, "Everyone seems so happy to see me," I chuckled. "Have things really been that bad with L/G/N?"

Cole sighed and placed a card in the middle of the table, "She won't even look at us. You're the only one that knows what happened."

I took a deep breath and stood next to my boyfriend, smiling as he kissed my cheek and continued to stir the pot on the stove. "Yes, but it is not for me to share with you. I am sure L/G/N will talk to you all when she is ready."

Zane nodded, "Indeed, Y/N."

"I know, but I just want to be there for her and she won't let me," Lloyd complained, joining in the game with reluctancy. I placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled, "You assuring her that you are there is enough, Lloyd. Believe me, she just needs space."

"And that's why your Lloyd's favorite of all our girlfriends," Kai mumbled to himself, clearly annoyed with the topic. "Well, Lloyd isn't even the favorite of all of us right now, so let's move on," Jay responded with a fake smile, tossing a card into the pile that caused Lloyd to draw four cards. "I already apologized about making J/G/N stress out, Jay. Can we move past it?" the green ninja asked.

"Nope, it's not good enough. You hurt her feelings and scared her."

Lloyd rolled his eyes, "She's moved past it, Jay. It's time for you to."

Zane narrowed his eyes at the group, "Must you be bickering with company among us? And when L/G/N is not in the state of mind to handle this?" he questioned, making the room go silent. I held his elbow in reassurance and he slightly relaxed. "She needs all of us right now. People we care for are going through difficult times right now and we need to be understanding and attentive. I suggest you all give your girlfriends a call to reassure them you are there for them, even if it has been weeks or days since their ordeal has passed."

I smiled, laying my head on Zane's shoulder and standing on my tip-toes to kiss his cheek. He blushed and continued to stir the pot while I watched in admiration. As Kai got up to go call his girlfriend, footsteps were heard outside the kitchen and we all looked up. Standing in the doorway was none other than L/G/N. 

She stared at me. 

"I didn't know you were coming over," she said softly, ignoring the looks from everyone in the room. She looked dishelved. Her hair was tossed into a ponytail and she was wearing one of Lloyd's hoodies over a pair of sweatpants, but it was evident she had not slept well in weeks. "Lloyd asked me to," I said kindly, watching as her lips twitched. She stared at the ground, "Can I talk to you?"

I smiled and nodded, patting Zane on the shoulder before walking toward the hallway where L/G/N had already disappeared. I turned back around before leaving and Lloyd was staring at the table in shame and Cole was rubbing his forehead. "She will be fine in time," I told them. "She is haunted by what happened."

"But you were there, too," Lloyd complained. I shook my head, "Physically, sure. But like I mentioned before, both you and Cole are close to L/G/N. He wanted to push her farther, and he did. She took everything that should have come to me because she could handle it. Her healing process will take longer than mine, but I will be there for her just as you will."

"I can't thank you enough for giving your time to her," Cole said, his strong eyes now showing weakness. His fear for his sister. His overwhelming love. "I'm glad she has you as a best friend. I can't imagine what she would do if you weren't here all the time."

I smiled, thanking him. L/G/N lived with the ninja, and though I was here less than the other girlfriends, I connected with her. We were all close, but certainly I was closest with L/G/N and vice versa. 

"I should go talk to her. Continue to play the game and try not to worry too much," I advised while walking away to go have a conversation with my best friend. 

I knew what she went through, and though I also endured hard times, I was able to comfort my friend while talking about something only us two would understand. We had each other. And though these weren't "normal" conversations, I'm glad I was able to still converse with her like I used to before.