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Alora's POV

I watched the cars go by as I walked to school. Love was everywhere but it just wasn't meant for me. I mean my parents love me but I'll never be in a relationship with anyone. I'd be terrible at it. Darla and Zeke were waiting for me at the entrance. I rolled my eyes at them and we headed inside. "You guys are dorks," I informed them.

Zeke grinned. "That means you are too."

I shoved him playfully. "Nah, I'm the cool one in the group."

Darla snorted. "If any of us is cool it's me."

I shook my head. "Nope. Zeke's a dork and you're the dorkette."

She pinched me. "Take that back."

I giggled. "Nope," I said as I dodged her. We all put our stuff in our lockers and grabbed the books we needed. After school, I looked at the others. "Alright. I'm headed home."

Darla smiled. "Good. Zeke and I are going to have some romance time."

Zeke flushed. "R-right."

I snickered. "Who planned it? You or him?"

"I did," Darla said happily and tugged Zeke away.

I laughed and started walking home. When I got there my parents were waiting. I blinked. "m I in trouble?"

Mom shook her head. "Al, we need to tell you something."

My parents were the only ones who called me Al. "Okay," I said looking between them nervously.

Dad sighed. "We're freaking her out, dear."

"I know. Al, some people want to get you here," Mom said.

I blinked again. "Who? Why?"

"You have powers, Alora," Dad said.

I shook my head. "No, I don't."

"Do you remember how you calmed Mom down when she was having a panic attack?"

I nodded slowly. "I hugged her."

"Your power is that you can control emotions. You can also say stuff that would make them feel guilty and stuff. You have the power to heal too," Mom said.

"And whoever is after me wants that power?" I asked.

"Yes. We're sending you to Ninjago City. I know there are villain's there but the Ninja keeps everyone safe. Will you go?" Dad asked. "To make us feel better?"

I hesitated. "Can I go to school tomorrow and tell my friends?"

"Yes," Mom said. "But you'll have to leave right after school."

I nodded. "Okay. I'll go." I frowned. "Where will I be staying?"

"With the ninja. Master Wu is an old friend and we asked if he would keep an eye on you," Dad said. "We told him everything and he agreed."

"Okay. I'll go pack now and...then I'll tell Darla and Zeke." I went upstairs and forced myself not to cry. Dammit! Powers suck. I paused. Can I use my power on myself? I closed my eyes and warmth spread through me. It chased my sadness away. I opened my eyes. Okay, I can use it on myself and I'll use it on Darla and Zeke to make this easier on them. I can do this.

The next day my friends were at the entrance again. My eyes tried to fill with tears but I used my power again and they were gone. I smirked at them. "Again? Seriously?"

Darla snickered. "Aw, do you not like that you have friends?"

I snorted. "Why did I become friends with you?"

"Because you like us."

"How was your 'romance time'?"

Zeke turned red. "I-it was f-fine."

I giggled and then sobered. "Guys, I have some bad news."

"What?" Darla asked concerned.

I inhaled and exhaled slowly. Yeah, my powers weren't going to help on this one. "There are people who want to...hurt me. Mom and Dad are sending me to Ninjago where I'll be safe." Ish. "I leave after school."

Darla's eyes filled with tears. "You have to leave?"

I hugged her and used my power to calm her. "Yeah, but I'll still call you guys when I can. We'll do a long-distance friendship."

Darla wiped her eyes and then rolled them. "Long distance relationships don't always work out, Alora."

I nodded. "I know but ours will. We're all strong. We can do this."

"You suck," Darla said smiling.

Zeke nodded. "I agree."

We started walking to our lockers. I smiled. "Think of it like this. You'll be the cool one now."

Darla burst into laughter. "What will Zeke be?"

I grinned. "Oh, he'll still be the dork."

"Hey!" Zeke said. "I'm dating Darla! So I should get something better than a dork."

I thought for a minute as we got our books. "Okay, you can be the nerd."

Zeke rolled his eyes. "Thanks."

I smiled. "Hey, you wanted something different." We went to class and at the end of the day, I could stop Darla's or my tears. We hugged and drew Zeke in too. "I'm going to miss you guys," I murmured.

"We'll miss you too," Darla whimpered.

I ground my teeth. This is not helping my friends. I forced a smile onto my face. "I'll want my cool spot back when I come back."

She snorted through her tears. "You'll have to take it from my dead body."

I snickered weakly. "I can do that. The question is, will Zeke let me?"

"No," Zeke said.

My parents pulled up. I kept my breathing even. "It will be fine. I'll call you when I get where I'm staying," I told them firmly.

"Zeke's spending the night so we'll both be waiting," Darla said.

I raised an eyebrow at her," How did you pull that off?"

She blushed. "MY parents don't know we're dating."

I smiled and got in the back of the car. I waved and kept my eyes on them until I couldn't anymore. I sat correctly in my seat and closed my eyes. That had been a lot harder than I thought. Maybe I can feel some love. At the airport, Mom hugged me and Dad joined in. They both looked like they were about to cry. "Mom, Dad, please don't," I moaned fighting my tears.

Mom quickly wiped her eyes as she saw me struggle with my emotions. "Calm down, Al. The Ninja will take good care of you."

"I've never met them."

"You'll get to know them so well that you'd be surprised that you said that," Dad said smiling.

I sighed and nodded. "That's how it worked with Darla and Zeke." I smiled. "Mom, would you do me a favor?"

"What?" Mom asked.

I giggled. "Darla isn't going to be happy but this is what I would normally do anyway. Can you tell Darla's parents that she's dating Zeke? They don't know apparently."

Dad laughed. "Evil to the end, huh?"

I laughed too. "Oh, definitely."

Mom smiled and nodded. "I'll do it and I'll tell Darla it was your idea if she asks."

I snorted. "She'll know that already and will call me." My flight number was called. "I love you," I whispered.

Mom hugged me again. "We love you too."

I took several steps back and ran toward my flight. I turned around quickly and waved then disappeared inside. The beginning of a sort of new life begins.