***Congratulations, everyone. We are somehow a third of the way through this book. It also is 20,000 words so far. Well, there go my plans for a novella...***

***(Kai's POV)***

I feel the overprotectiveness usually reserved for Nya rise up inside. I march right up to Skylor where she stands at her window.

"What did he do to you?" I seethe. I could beat this guy to a pulp right about now, then run him over with my junk car afterwards.

Skylor's voice is hard in contrast with the gently blowing breeze. "He used my heart, Kai." She straightens her shoulders and walks away. "But it's over now. You need advice about Nya."

"That can wait," I huff, following her.

We end up walking a full circle around her room.

"Stop running from me!" I beg her. "Skylor, I only want to – "

"Protect me? Just like you protect your sister, I'm sure." She shakes her head and takes a seat in her desk chair.

"Yes, but – " I rake a hand through my hair. "Yes, I want to protect you, but you're not Nya." Boy, do I know that.

"Save it, Kai. I took care of myself."

I come to kneel in front of her, tugging on her hands. They're tightly clenched, and I have to pry her fingers apart. "Talk to me, Skylor," I plead. "Please. I just want you to be okay."

"Oh, like you're okay?" She untwines her hands from mine and spins her chair around. "If you haven't forgotten, you have quite a few issues of your own to deal with. I'm doing decidedly better than you."

I stop her chair with my hands, then pull it so she's facing me again. "Oh, and because you're so much more healed than I am, you think you have the right to counsel me about my wrecked family?" I sigh. "Skylor, don't let this be a one-sided friendship. I don't want to pour out my heart to you if you aren't willing to do the same."

"Speaking of one-sidedness, ever think it's kind of hypocritical to not let Nya stay home alone, then sneak out at night to party at Ninjago's clubs?"

I open my mouth, then close it.

She goes on. "And don't think I haven't realized you left her last night so you could come talk to me. You have control issues, Buddy."

I finally find words, and I'm hopping mad. "Stop turning this on me! Skylor, you're just lashing out because you don't want to tell me the truth about what you've been through!"

***Music cue <3***

Her eyes are steel against mine, but they slowly soften. I see regret and remorse swirling in them. "You're right, Kai," she groans. "But I do have a point about you sneaking out, so don't think we won't be discussing this later."

I hold my breath. "So...you're going to let me help you?" My hands somehow find their way to hers again.

She swallows. "I guess. I'll tell you, um, a little bit." She looks at me seriously. "Which is more than I've ever told anyone, so if you dare mention a single word to another soul – "

"I won't," I promise. "This'll just be between you and me. And maybe the guy who hurt you."

She shakes her head vigorously. "No, Kai. Don't bring him into this. He's long gone by now."

I start to argue, but she stops me with a look.

"Let's both sit," she suggests, standing up. Still holding one of my hands, she leads me over to her bed.

I sit at the end, while she grabs one of her stuffed animals off the ground, hugs it to her chest, and flops down across her pillows.

"I was sixteen," she begins. "And he was an older guy – a senior. He was so cute and sweet, and I really liked him." She closes her eyes and releases a bitter breath.

I try to lighten the mood. "Did you like him as much as me?"

She doesn't answer, instead continuing with her story. "I tried to act so tough around him, but something about him just wore me down. I knew all my defenses were no good." She laughs ruefully. "Stupid me. But then, it's kind of the same way with you."

I blanch. "You're comparing me to your abusive former boyfriend? But – I thought you said we were friends."

She shakes her head, eyes still closed. "You're different, Kai. You pretend to be a playboy and to only care about what your charm can do to a girl, but I've seen how you act around Nya. In reality, you're just a teddy bear."

"So..." I smile slowly. "You're saying I wear down your defenses, in a good way? I knew you found me attractive."

"You're right. I do find you attractive – just about as attractive as another bowl of my dad's noodles." She shudders. "No, thank you."

"Hey," I frown, but she only chuckles.

"But back to the story. He asked me out, and I couldn't help but agree. It wasn't long after that we began dating. He was so sweet and caring, always texting me between classes and inviting me to go places with him. He was my ticket into senior school functions – prom, the football banquet, parties."

"Sounds suspicious to me," I mutter.

"That's the thing, Kai: There was nothing suspicious about it. We were just a guy and a girl, falling in love. Well, at least...I thought we were. But the truth was, I gave him my whole heart, and he was only in it for what he could get."

I see the pain on Skylor's face, and it breaks me. I roll over to lay beside her and stroke her hair.

"When did things start to change?" I quietly prompt her.

"It was so small at first – he wanted me to drink with him at parties, but I knew my dad would kill me if he found out I came home drunk. And he'd get mad when I'd refuse, then wouldn't talk to me for the rest of the night. I didn't really know anyone else there, was the thing," she sighs. "I was desperate for his company.

"So eventually, I started drinking a little, too. That made him happier. It made me happier, too – made me enjoy the parties more. And since my dad was always away, he never really figured out that was going on.

"Soon, my boyfriend wanted more. He would tell me I couldn't talk to other guys at school, even though I was friends with a lot of them. I thought it was totally nuts that my boyfriend would say that...so I broke up with him. Of course, by then, he already had me hooked. I came back within a few days, begging him to get back together with me. He told me he would, if I promised him I wouldn't talk to those other guys.

"So, I began to cut myself off from my friends. He would reward me for staying away from them – give me kisses in the hallway or take me out for a shake, if I wouldn't so much as greet them. I missed their company, but he tried to make up for it. I convinced myself he was enough.

"Then came the day he cut me off from my friends who were girls. He said they were a bad influence, always talking about other guys and gossiping about each other. And to think, I believed him!" She flips over so she's on her stomach.

"You were young, Skylor," I soothe. "It's his fault, not yours." My hand rubs against her back.

She lurches upward. "Stop, Kai. I don't need sympathy. It was entirely my fault, because I listened to him."

"No, it wasn't," I argue, rising to meet her. "He was using you. He made you think he loved you, when he only cared about himself."

"Yeah, well...I loved him much more than I loved me, too." She tucks a strand of red hair behind her ear.

"Tell me who he is," I demand. "I'll make sure he gets his."

"No, Kai. I'm better for what happened."

"Oh, you think? It sounds like he broke you, and you couldn't live without him." I cup her face in my hands.

"I can live without him!" Skylor yells. "I've been doing it for a year and a half, and so far I'm just fine!"

That's when we hear footsteps coming from down the hall.

Her face is panicked. "Get under my bed, Kai," she hisses.

I hasten to do as she asks.

"You'd better have a really good excuse for this," I mutter. "I'm out of ideas."

She pulls lipstick out of her pocket and begins applying it. "Just trust me," she whispers.

The footsteps come closer, and I hear the hated voice of her noodle-making dad.

"Skylor?" he calls. "Skylor, what's going on in there?"

She rushes over to a poster on her wall and...presses her lips to it?

Her door swings open. "Skylor, what in Ninjago are – "

She pulls away from the poster, a blush on her face. "Oh, Dad. Hey."

"Skylor, are you still at it with Nick Carter?" he frowns.

"Yeah, um...well...maybe it's best if he's out of sight for the rest of the evening. We just seem to be on opposite sides tonight." She begins taking the poster down.

"'Opposite sides'? Are you kidding me? Your lips were literally just plastered to a piece of paper."

"It's not the real thing, but I'd rather have a paper Nick than no Nick at all." She smiles prettily, batting her eyelashes at her dad.

I have no idea what I'm watching.

The man sighs. "Maybe I should set you up with my therapist. This seems serious."

She nods. "Right. I'm sure that'd help. Here, why don't you take the poster for the night?"

He starts rolling it up, but she gasps and latches onto his arm. "Careful, Dad! That's a signed copy. Maybe...maybe have Clouse take care of it, instead."

He rolls his eyes. "Whatever. Have a good night, Skylor."

She closes the door behind him and lets out a huge breath.

I crawl from beneath her bed. "I'm not even going to ask."

Skylor winks. "Good move."

***(Skylor's POV)***

"So...what happened after your boyfriend asked you to cut off all peer relationships?" Kai wonders, retaking a seat on my bed.

I shake my head. "I think we can talk about that later. It's getting dark, and I'm sure Nya won't want to be alone much longer."

He shrugs. "She's actually at the monastery with the guys, so we have time."

"If you didn't get the message, Kai, I really don't want to talk about it anymore tonight."

He groans in frustration. "I could help you!"

"By emasculating the guy who abused me?" I roll my eyes. "Spare me. Now, about Nya becoming a ninja..."

He grasps my wrists. "Please, Skylor! It'll help me rest much better if you just finish your story."

"Later, Kai," I promise. My gaze drifts to his lips, but I kick that thought in the butt. Kai and I have nothing right now. I mean, maybe once he lets up on Nya, I could theoretically consider a relationship...but Kai doesn't seem the type to settle for one girl, anyway.

He huffs. "But – "

I grasp at straws. "Kai, I still need to read your mind."

This catches his attention. "You're right. Do you care if we do it right now? I mean, I totally get it if you're not in the mood anymore."

I debate this. Do I want to feel pain and see what Nya went through all alone? Do I have the heart to tell Kai what his parents' last words were?

But Kai – he deserves to know. I look in his eyes, so cautiously hopeful, and know I have to do it.

"Okay," I agree. "Sit down on my desk chair."

He quickly obeys.

"Kai, you may not like what I have to tell you," I warn him.

"I don't care. I need to know. But – do you think any of my memories will come back, or will you be the only one to see them?"

"Unfortunately, I don't think they'll come back to you just because I read your mind," I sigh. "I can't restore anything. Now, focus on the night it all happened."

"I don't know anything that happened then. How am I supposed to focus on it?"

"You have no memory of it, whatsoever?"

He shakes his head.

I sigh. "Okay, clear your mind." I slowly place my hands against his temples, holding my breath for the rush of memories that are about to enter my mind.

The first I see is of a beautiful dark-headed woman. She looks like an older version of Nya, so I assume she's Kai's mom.

Beside her is a man with brown locks and chocolate eyes. He has his arms wrapped around her and is placing a kiss on her cheek.

I would surely hope that's Kai's father.

Then there's younger Nya, a girl who matches up with the twelve-year-old I met four years ago.

And suddenly, I'm in a vehicle, watching the night sky whir past.

Rain pitter-patters against the car's windows. I see a streetlight shine fragmented beams on us as we leave a small town.

Going...where?

Voices. There's Kai's parents in the front. I'm in the rightmost seat in the back, and Nya is at the leftmost side. I feel someone else's presence in the middle, but when I look over, I don't recognize the face.

"So, what movie are we watching?" young Nya asks.

I hear Kai's voice speak up. "Probably some stupid rom-com, since it's mom's turn to choose a film."

"You'll like romance when you're older, Kai," says the woman from the front.

"Whatever, Mom."

Nya clears her throat. "I wanted to wait until everyone was together to tell you this, so here goes." She inhales deeply.

She confesses her feelings for Kai's best friend. I feel the unidentified person beside me stiffen.

Could that be the guy she likes? Or did like, I guess. This happened four years ago.

The next thing I feel is burning anger rising up in me. It's so deep, tears begin to stain my cheeks.

"No!" Kai's voice says. "He's my best friend. You can't just steal him from me!"

The person next to me speaks. "We both like each other, Kai. It's not a big deal." He fiddles with the hem of his shirt.

Kai's voice speaks up again. "Nya, what happens when you two break up? Do I have to cut ties with him, too?"

His mom speaks up. "Don't write your sister off, Kai. Her feelings matter just as much as yours. Maybe you all can work out a compromise." She sends Nya a wink.

"I don't know, Maya," Kai's father sighs. "This could be risky. You know how teen relationships go."

Nya scoffs from the backseat. "Dad, this isn't just another teenaged dating thing. We really, really like each other."

Her dad scrubs a hand down his face. "Nya, just let it go. I'm sure your feelings will fade with time. It's not worth botching Kai's friendship."

"You're wrong!" Nya squeals, bursting into tears. "I've had a crush on him for such a long time. You don't know a thing about love!"

"Nya, if that's what you think, you don't know me at all. I love you. You're my baby girl!"

"I'm not a baby, Dad," she sobs. "And I don't love you. I – I hate you!"

Kai's voice. "Nya, you take that back right – "

Headlights shine through the windshield, and cold fear grips me. The semi-truck in front of us blares its horn, and our car suddenly swerves back into its lane.

My relief doesn't last long. As Kai's dad tries to turn the wheel, the tires slide, slide, slide –

The metallic sound of hitting a guardrail emanates through the vehicle. I hear everyone's screams, everyone's gasps, everyone's cries of fear, pain, and brokenness.

Rock, rock. Rock, rock.

Everything shakes around me.

The car slowly settles, suspended by only the guardrail.

Just as I release a breath, I hear Kai's father's voice.

"Maya! Maya, no! Please, no!" he implores.

My gaze drifts over to the woman, but there's something warm and sticky dripping down onto my face. I reach my arm up to feel...

But my arm won't move.

"Daddy!" Nya cries out. "Daddy, help!"

I want to reach over and pull her into my arms, to tell her everything is going to be okay, and that I'll get us out of this mess.

But my head begins to throb. My own heartbeat seems to drown out whatever I want to do or think or say.

Kai's dad speaks from far off. "Nya, Baby, it's okay. You've got to get out of here."

I feel rustling beside me. Kai's friend must be all right. His warmth vanishes, and I know he must've found a way out.

That's when the pain fully registers in my body, and I feel myself on the verge of unconsciousness. Kai's voice screams in a way that makes you want to hide yourself in a small, quiet room, under a big fluffy blanket, with Enya music playing.

Nya speaks to me through my open window. "I'm going to get you out of here, I promise. It's okay." Then, she grunts. "If I can get this...stupid...door...ugh!" She lets out a hysterical cry, then runs away.

"Nya," Kai's voice pleads. "Nya, help!" The last word ends in another chilling screech.

Someone moves in the seat beside me. "I've got you, Kai. Don't worry." Nya pulls on my arm, causing more pain to radiate through my body. Screams sound again.

Eventually, all the tugging ends, and I drop. Kai howls as my body collides with the ground.

"It's okay, Kai," Nya soothes me. "I've got you. You're safe now."

Kai's friend comes up. "Nya, I can't get your dad out."

She gasps and rushes off.

"Hey, Kai," the same boy says. "It's okay. Just take deep breaths."

My breathing slows a little. Kai rasps, "Nya, no. You killed them. No, Nya, no."

"It's not her fault," says his friend.

But all Kai can mutter is, "She did this. Why did she do this?"

"Dad, please! Tell me Mom's okay!" Nya wails.

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I hope she's better than okay. I hope she's someplace wonderful."

"No," Nya moans. Her weeping comes closer, and I feel her hold my hand.

"I'll go check on your mom," promises Kai's friend.

"Kai, speak to me. Please," Nya murmurs.

"No, Nya. You killed them. No, Nya, no."

"I didn't kill them, Kai. Or – I didn't mean to. Please, don't blame me!"

"No, Nya, you killed them."

"Kai, please!" she chokes out. "Tell me it's not the truth!"

"They're gone. Nya, why? You killed them."

"I hate myself," she bawls, curling up next to me.

I want to pull her close and help her, but all that comes out is, "No, Nya. Why?"

Sirens screech in the distance, and Nya's body shakes beside me. "They're here to help you, Kai. They'll save you. Please, stay with me." She sniffles. "I won't cry anymore. I'll be strong for you. We can make it through this, together."

"No, Nya, you – "

Someone is shaking my shoulders.

"Skylor? Skylor, snap out of it!"

My eyes pop open, and I realize I'm gasping for breath. There's sweat all over me. I probably smell awful.

"Skylor, what happened?" Kai asks, looming over me.

I must be on my bedroom floor. The light glares in my eyes, and I squint against it.

"Say something," he pleads.

"No, Nya, no," I mutter. "Why?"

"Skylor, please," Kai begs. "Or I will go get your father, who will probably kill me upon sight, to call – "

Full consciousness returns, and I grab his shirt. "No. I – it's okay."

He studies my expression, then sighs and rests his head against mine.

I panic. "What did I say? What did you hear?"

"Calm down, Skye. It's okay," he settles me. "Here, you should lay down."

He scoops me up in his arms, but I stop him. "Wait. I'm fine. Just tell me what I said."

"Lots of 'no, Nya'. But you were muttering, so there could've been something else." He carries me over to my bed and rests me on it.

"I'm okay, I promise." I sit up and swivel my legs over the edge. "Did I mention...why I was so worried about your sister?"

He looks confused. "No. Is there something wrong with her? Tell me, please."

I swallow. "It's not my story to tell, Kai."

"But – you read my mind. You told me you could help me figure out what happened to my parents."

"Yes, but...a lot of it really is Nya's tale." I can't divulge her secret like that. She has to feel awful about what happened that night.

"Please, Skylor," Kai begs.

I sigh. "You and your family, plus a friend, were on the way to the movies. There was an argument. The car crashed into a guardrail when your dad lost control. Your mom died shortly after. Your dad was conscious, and he was trying to keep anxiety to a minimum." I shake my head. "Nya pulled you out, Kai. Your sister is...tougher than either of us knew."

He scrunches his forehead. "What friend was with us? The hospital never mentioned anyone else."

"I don't know. He left right before the memory ended. It was just you and Nya when the ambulance came, as far as I can tell."

He caresses my forehead. "Do you know his name?"

I concentrate. "I think Nya called him...Ronin."

***Surprise, surprise, guys...Kai, Nya, and their parents weren't the only ones in that crash. I've been waiting for the perfect time to reveal that little secret since I wrote about Nya's second visit with Ronin in I Never Knew. I guess she didn't tell Jay the whole story, now did she?***