***EDIT: I put it as chapter 11 instead of 10-

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! This is the first chapter in a (sort-of) double update. I have the second update finished, but it needs some heavy editing. I'll also be doing a voice reveal in that chapter as my 400 follower special ;) You can expect it tomorrow or Saturday.

BE READY FOR DRAMA TO GO DOWN IN THAT CHAPTER (but this one includes some much-needed details and plot ;)).***

***(PIXAL's POV)***

I pick out a lovely shade of pale pink polish for my nails. "So tell me what happened when you interviewed at Ridgewood, Nya," I bid her.

It's Thursday evening, and Nya invited me over so just the two of us could spend some time together. I think she knew that my dad would be on an overnight business trip tonight, so I understand why she invited me over. And I'm grateful for it.

I'm just confused as to why she didn't invite any of our other friends.

She sighs, rubbing a turquoise nail polish between her palms. "I went to interview Ridgewood on Tuesday morning."

When she doesn't continue, I ask her carefully, "Why did Wu ask you to interview the morning after the bombing at Ridgewood?"

She frowns. "Skylor was spreading too many bad rumors about Ridgewood. Someone had to dissipate those, and Wu and I both thought an article might help. When people believe the wrong things, it makes them do the wrong things." She sighs. "Skylor is a prime example of that."

I nod slowly. "You mean when she confronted your brother at Ridgewood?" I've only heard bits and pieces of the interview story, but it sounds like a mess.

"Precisely." Nya rolls her eyes. "Like I need him to be any angrier with me."

I bite my lip. "Has he done anything to you since he figured out about the interview?"

"He hasn't figured out anything," she replies, massaging her temples. "Lloyd and his friends made it out that Skylor was lying when she told Kai about me being at Ridgewood. I have no idea if he believes her, though, because he hasn't spoken to me since he got home from school that day."

"And do you think he's seen the article you published yesterday?"

"If so, he hasn't mentioned it. Even my parents don't know I published that article. I couldn't have them telling Kai about it." She brushes a piece of lint off her shoulder. "On the bright side, I think the article may have helped Graceton-Ridgewood relations...at least for those who don't worship Skylor, anyway."

Those who don't worship Skylor probably comprise about five percent of the Graceton student body.

I take her nail polish and unscrew the cap. "I can't imagine keeping so many secrets from your parents and brother, Nya." I tell my father everything.

Well, actually...that's not true.

I haven't told him about signing up for dating a dating app so I could find him someone to keep him company.

Something on my face must give away my unease, as Nya catches onto it quickly.

"What's up?" she asks. "You look a little on edge."

I sigh, steadying my hand so I can paint her nails. "Have you ever just wanted someone in your life to be...happy?"

"Yeah, plenty of times." She rubs her arm with her free hand. "I've known a number of people over the years who" – she pauses, searching for the right words – "didn't live in ways that would bring them long-term happiness."

I nod. "Well, I don't think...I don't think my father is setting himself up for happiness, either." My sentences become more hurried as unfamiliar sadness rises in my chest. "He pours himself into his work and his relationship with me, so it doesn't leave him time to meet anyone. And I know that in another year, I'll be heading off to college, and even if I stay local, I won't have much time on my hands. He" – I swallow back emotion – "he'll be lonely, Nya."

She holds my gaze, her eyes telling me she understands. "I get it, PIXAL. I do."

And I have a feeling she does.

She scoots over next to me and clears her throat. "I also know that you're not the kind of girl to sit around and let it happen, so...what are you going to do about it?"

I sigh, darting my eyes away. "Well, I haven't told him anything, but I've joined...um...a dating website for him." My cheeks flush, even though I know Nya won't laugh at me.

"What?" she blurts, obviously surprised. "Wait, you went, like, behind his back? And made a dating profile with his information?"

"I used mine," I reassure her. "I didn't want to face the repercussions of putting his information on the app. I mean, I know people would date him for obvious material reasons." My father is a multimillionaire as the owner of Ninjago's biggest technology company.

Nya blinks. "Okay, wow. So...how are you supposed to find someone for your dad if it's your information on the dating site?" I can almost hear her investigative mind processing all this: organizing facts, finding holes, developing theories.

"I haven't had much time to look over it," I confess, "but I can scroll through a list of all the site members in the area just by having a profile. That gives me access to...more eligible partners for my father than I personally would match with."

"Oh." She nods slowly. "So...did you find anyone you think your dad would like?"

I shake my head, but I feel relieved. It's good to finally confess to someone that I've been going behind my dad's back.

She raises an eyebrow, a smug look crossing her face. "Did you find anyone you think you might like?"

I laugh out the last of the tension in my chest. "I haven't even looked for myself, Nya. I think I got an email saying someone sent me a message a few days ago, but I ignored it. I'm not looking for a relationship for myself right now."

Nya works hard to hold in her amusement. "Someone messaged you, huh?" She glances toward my phone, lying invitingly on her floor. "Do you mind if we read it together? I'm curious."

I fight back a smile. I could use the levity of reading that message. Maybe it's just someone who wanted to say hi, but it could be funny.

I power on my phone and pull up my email app. After a moment of searching, I locate the right email and click the link in the message that will take me to my dating site inbox.

Words flash across the screen.

"Howdy, Pixie," I read. "I couldn't help but notice that your profile said you're a fan of Shakespeare. I do enjoy a good action movie as well."

Nya snorts. "Omigosh, don't tell me this kid actually believes Shakespeare directs action movies. He's been dead since long before movies were even around!"

I try not to giggle. "At least he's friendly, Nya. He must've at the very least glanced at my profile."

Nya wiggles her eyebrows, amused. "You filled out your profile on there? I thought you said you weren't looking."

"I had to put something down on my profile to gain access to the site," I argue through my smile. "And all I was doing at the moment was reading Shakespeare, so it was the first thing I thought to write."

"Sure," Nya says sarcastically. "I believe you." She elbows me.

I look back down at the message. "He says his name is Josh," I fill her in after a moment of reading. "He's twenty, believes the original founders of Brick and Jerry's ice cream were aliens, and works with a traveling rodeo."

Nya cackles. "But PIXAL, you've always wanted to join the rodeo!"

I roll my eyes. "Don't poke fun, Nya. I'm sure he's a great person."

"Underneath all the saddle soap and bronco bravado, I'm sure he is." She bites her lip on a smile. "Not to mention how cultured he is in the private lives of ice cream icons."

"Stop," I scoff. I can't help but grin, though.

"All right, all right," she agrees. "I'm sure he's a great guy, but it doesn't sound like he's right for you." She takes one last look at the message. "Maybe there's someone else on that app, though? I mean, you may have gotten it for your dad, but who says it can't help you out a little as well?"

I shrug. "It says I've been matched with six individuals."

"Is it okay if we view their profiles?" Nya asks. "I'm a little curious."

I shrug nonchalantly. "Sure." As I navigate to the proper page, I muse, "You're always looking for some kind of story, aren't you?"

"I'm a journalist," she defends herself. "Stories are basically my life."

"Speaking of journalism, how's your internship with the local news company going?" Nya was selected to interview under the guidance of Gayle Gossip, a renowned Ninago City reporter, for the school year.

"It's not bad," she says, hitching a shoulder. "We just meet one night a week, but it's interesting to see the business side of journalism." She sighs. "I can't wait until I start writing articles with them, though. Writing works is my passion, not selling them."

"I see your point." If I had half Nya's writing talent, I can't imagine ever doing anything else as a job.

My matches pop up on my screen, and I give them the once-over.

"Let's see," Nya muses, looking over my shoulder. "There's Cal, the eighteen-year-old aspiring drum player."

"I'm not a huge fan of drum music," I admit, scrolling past him.

"What about Tyler? He's studying to be a pediatrician."

"He's also six years older than me," I bluntly reply, pointing to his age.

Nya bites her lip. "Yeah, that's a dealbreaker. Next."

I scroll past a few more before my eyes finally land on one last match.

"Zane, a current student at Ridgewood Academy," Nya reads aloud.

"He's cute," I unintentionally let out, staring at his white-blonde hair, friendly blue eyes, and strong jawline.

Nya blinks. "Wait, I've met this kid. He conducted my interview at Ridgewood on Tuesday."

"Oh, really?" I examine her guarded expression.

She clears her throat. "Uh...yeah. He's really polite. And smart – he's, like, incredibly intelligent. And I think he's pretty empathetic, too. He seemed to know exactly what I was going to ask on the tour before I even told him." She awkwardly looks down at her drying nails.

"You're not telling me something," I observe. The tight line of her lips tells me so.

"He seems like a great guy," Nya stalls. "Really." She adds hurriedly, "He's just friends with my brother, that's all."

"You interviewed with one of Kai's friends?" I clarify, surprised.

Nya nods. "Yeah. That shouldn't deter you if you're interested in him, though. You should give his profile a heart." She indicates a button on the screen.

I shrug. "I'm not really interested if he's friends with Kai, Nya. Kai doesn't treat you well, so I can't imagine the kind of company he keeps."

She laughs a little, staring up at the ceiling. "Well...I don't know, PIX. All Kai's friends were willing to keep my presence at Ridgewood a secret so Kai would never know I was there. That has to say something for them, right?" She closes her eyes. "And if you want a character reference, I can just ask Lloyd for you. He seems to be handing those out lately."

"What do you mean?" I ask, unscrewing the cap on my pink nail polish.

"Nothing, really." She rests her hands in her lap. "Lloyd recently recommended Kai's friend Jay to me after he picked me up from the gas station Kai dropped me off at. Not that I was interested, but I thought it was funny that he'd do something like that."

"Maybe it's just that Lloyd cares about you," I suggest. "From what you've said of him in the past, he sounds kind."

"Yeah, well, what are adoptive brothers of your biological brother for, huh?" She sighs, then exclaims, "That article had better help Ridgewood's reputation. Otherwise, classes there are going to be the greatest failure since the Miss Graceton pageant was ruined last year."

I don't miss her subject change, but I go along with it. "Are you thinking about competing in the pageant this year?" As seniors, this is the first and only year we'll be eligible.

Nya shakes her head. "Nah, pageants aren't really my thing. I prefer staying behind the scenes to taking a spotlight." She turns toward me. "What about you? Do you think you'll compete?"

I shrug. "Maybe. I think it'd be fun."

She smiles encouragingly. "You should. I think Skylor is competing, so maybe you and Skylor could work together so one of you could win."

But I think we both know that if Skylor competes, she'll win by a landslide. Winners are determined by student vote, and if there ever were a favorite student, it's her.

"Maybe." I clear my throat. "Speaking of Skylor..."

"Oh, great. Don't tell me she asked you to do her a favor," Nya groans, falling back on the floor. "I'm like her personal idea guinea pig lately, and her schemes are going to get me killed."

I almost laugh at her annoyance, but my question is serious. "I don't mean to pry, but I was wondering why you didn't invite anyone else over tonight." Nya and Skylor are usually inseparable, and she's also close with Seliel. And although we don't know Harumi very well, I'm sure Nya wouldn't just leave her out.

She shrugs. "You and I haven't spent some quality time alone in a while. I thought it might be nice to hang out, just the two of us."

"But we hang out 'just the two of us' at the gym twice a week." Nya and I have been working out together since we both decided we didn't want to die during PE our sophomore year. I admit, it does make walking up the steps to school a bit less winding.

Nya hitches a shoulder. "I don't know. Is it bad that I just wanted a night free of drama? I've been helping Skylor cope with her dad remarrying some woman she doesn't even know, and even though I'm happy to be there, I really needed a break." She swallows. "And you're the easiest of my friends to just hang out with, you know? I mean, Seliel can be pretty lowkey, too, but I figured maybe it'd be fun to hang out one-on-one. I can do something with the others later."

"I get it." I hand my pink polish to Nya so she can paint my nails. "You know, Skylor loves you, too. I know you probably feel like just another pawn of hers after Tuesday's interview fiasco, but you're one of the people she trusts the most."

"I know. I trust her, too, but I also know that the more time I spend around her, the more trouble I'll find myself in." She shakes her head. "That girl is ready to burst. She's about to mess up in a huge way; I just know it."

I nod solemnly as she paints a stripe of pink on one of my nails. "Well, regardless...I'm glad you invited me to spend the evening with you, Nya."

She just smiles, relief at my understanding reflected across her features, and continues painting my nails.

***(Harumi's POV)***

As I crack open the door to my house and attempt to slip inside unnoticed, it seems like the shouting match inside gets even louder.

Great.

Having a week off school has been rough on everyone from Graceton. I'm not naïve enough to ignore the brewing drama about Graceton starting classes at their rival school this Monday.

For me, though, the absence of classes has been unbearable. And unlike the rest of Graceton's student body, I couldn't care less if we have to join Ridgewood for classes for the rest of the semester.

I just want out of this house.

I sail past the kitchen, where my mom is currently shrieking at my dad.

"I asked you to pick up three items from the grocery store," she seethes. "How could you forget something so simple as milk?"

Yes, she's losing her mind over a carton of skim milk. I guess when you've been married to someone for fifteen years, even the smallest disturbances can turn you into a monster.

And yes, my mom is definitely overreacting here, but my dad's not perfect, either. He only told us after he'd closed on a house in Ninjago City that his job was moving him here. He didn't even think to consider my mom, who had a thriving pediatrics practice back in Jade City.

He didn't consider me, either, but I was actually quite happy to make the move. That's beside the point, though.

It's messed up. My parents are messed up. And the funny thing is, they don't try to do anything to fix it. They just continue to shove their way at the other person without communicating, compromising, or caring.

But hey, what do I know about what makes a successful relationship? I'm the girl who stole my best friend's boyfriend in my sophomore year of high school, so I don't exactly have the best track record.

I sneak up the stairs to my room – not that my parents would hear me over the sound of their own attitudes, but I like to ensure I don't disturb them – and stroll inside. Before my mom can finish her rant, the door is closed, my headphones are on, and I'm listening to some comforting boy band music.

I don't need to sneak around the house. My curfew isn't until midnight, and it's only dinnertime on this less-than-lovely Thursday.

I try to go unnoticed because when my parents know I'm around, they stop arguing. They pretend everything's okay.

And it's not.

I scroll through my text messages, longing desperately for one of the girls I've hung out with lately to send out a group message and invite everyone out for dinner. Or a sleepover. Or a three-month cruise.

To my dismay, though, no one has messaged me.

Just my luck.

I sigh, rolling over on my tummy and turning to social media for a reprieve. Skylor and her friend group have been gracious to accept me, but I know I'm not close enough to them to be an integral part of their squad. I'm certainly not their first choice when it comes to making dinner plans.

I need to win them over. And that's what the drama-loving, thrill-seeking, goddess-aspiring Harumi is for. She's great at winning over friends.

She's also awful at keeping them, but really, it's not like I ever stay in one place for long.

Returning to the present, I briefly check out a few of my old friends on social media. My ex-best friend just finished up her pre-senior trip to an island paradise, my old lab partner is still posting camp photos from a month ago, and a guy I went on two dates with has just celebrated four months with his girlfriend.

Sometimes, I wonder why I even keep track of these people. It's not like they do the same for me.

I move onto reading through the latest Graceton news. There's Tuesday's announcement about hosting Graceton's classes at Ridgewood.

To be honest, I was kind of excited to go to an all-girls school. I wanted to see if my wild Harumi persona could somehow be different without guys around. Boys make me do stupid things, like steal boyfriends and attempt crazy stunts that could get me seriously injured.

But hey, outside drama does bring a little relief to life.

I continue through Graceton's social media page and find a link posted for Nya's latest article. It's about Ridgewood and the school's integrity – how it isn't as bad as a lot of the girls think it is. I don't know how much good the article has actually done, but I read it in full earlier.

Of course, I've also read all of Skylor's accusations against Ridgewood over the past two days. She may not have the writing talent Nya has, but she's opinionated and well-respected. That gives her power.

Maybe if Nya can convince Skylor that Ridgewood isn't so bad, they'll be able to get the Graceton student body on board. Otherwise, classes on Monday will probably descend into chaos.

It would make things more interesting.

A message pops in on my phone, and I tap to open it.

Skylor: is anyone free tonight? i was thinking about going for smoothies

Hope inundates my chest. The last thing I want is to eat a TV dinner alone again.

"Yes, I'm free!" my heart seems to scream.

I don't want to look desperate, though, so I wait a moment before responding to the message. Since it's in a group chat, I figure one of the other girls will respond first.

Almost immediately, three dots appear on PIXAL's end.

PIX: Sorry, but I'm out for the evening!

Well, that's awkward.

Okay, I'm modifying my criteria for replying to this message. Maybe I should wait for someone to answer Skylor with an agreement before I respond to her. I don't want to look like a loser who has nothing to do in an evening.

I know it's wrong, but I'm kind of offended that even PIXAL has more Thursday night plans than I do. I'd hazard to guess she spends more time reading books than she does cultivating a vibrant social life.

Another message buzzes my phone, and I look down.

Nya: Sorry, Skye, but I'm out as well

I bite my lip.

Maybe Seliel will be free? She's my only hope here. Skylor probably won't go for spending time with just me, since we hardly know each other and she's already been a little hostile toward me joining the friend group.

As if on cue, Seliel's message appears in the chat.

Sel: i'm helping my dad so i'm out

A sigh escapes my lips. Of course she's busy.

I guess it's only me and Skylor with homes we don't want to be stuck in.

Yearning for company, I open a private message with Skylor. I'm going to have to put myself out there and ask if she'll hang out with me, just the two of us.

Me: i'm free LOL but it looks like i'm the only one!!

I see three dots appear at the bottom of the screen, and I know that Skylor's typing her reply. I wait, my breath caught in my lungs, needing someone to breathe life into my dead social sphere.

Skylor: haha, guess we must be the losers around here

I puff out a breath of air. She didn't let on whether she wanted to hang out or not. I mean, I know I'm not on top of Skylor's friend list, but we're both lonely. Maybe she'll see that and let go of a little hostility here?

Me: i'm not usually this free, so don't get used to it LOL

Skylor: haha

Skylor: well if everyone's busy, i might just start planning an evening event we could have a few weeks from now

My whole body seems to deflate. Clearly, I'm not included in "everyone". And I get that I'm not close enough with Skylor to spend time with her like the other girls do, but it kind of stinks that she would 'evening event' planning over me. I mean, the last time I had a planned event is when my bio-parents hosted my dolphin-themed tenth birthday party.

Eesh, how dull must I be these days?

Another message appears.

Skylor: wanna help?

I blink.

Me: with the party planning?

Skylor: yeah

Skylor: can't have the girls thinking we're THAT boring, right? LOL party of the century ought to do the trick!

I furrow my forehead. I've hosted my share of get-togethers in the past, but they were usually the low-key, bag-of-chips, truth-or-dare type of parties. I have a feeling they are not what Skylor's referring to.

But I find myself grabbing a notebook and a pen and walking out to my balcony, away from all the distractions of my private life.

Me: LOL i'm a rookie at the planning aspect of parties, but i could try my hand at it