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

Like any good best friend would, I hit Nya's contact as soon as I hang up on her brother. That phone call has weird and possible scheming written all over it.

"Hey, Skye," Nya abruptly greets from the other side of the phone.

"You'll never believe who just called me." My stress levels rise a notch as my dad has to slam on the brakes in this bumper-to-bumper traffic. If we have to make the trip to Yvette's again anytime soon, I am so packing some motion sickness meds.

"Let me think...your dad's fiancée called to cancel the visit for this weekend?" she tries.

I snort a humorless laugh. "No such luck." My tone takes a less sarcastic edge. "Actually, it was your brother."

She's quiet for a moment. "Sorry, I think I must've misheard you. Can you try that again?"

"I just got off a call with your brother," I repeat myself. "He called me up asking me how I can help him be a better sibling to you."

She's silent for so long that concern worms its way into my chest. "Nya?" I ask. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she replies softly, her voice strained. "Don't joke with me like that, Skylor."

"I'm not," I sigh, staring out the windshield as traffic begins to inch forward again. "I wouldn't believe it either if I were you."

She moans. "So this is his angle now? Pretending he cares now that the truth came out that he actually has a sister?"

In my mind, I can see her running her hands through her dark hair in stress and worry. Kai was telling the truth in our conversation a few minutes ago; he really hasn't manipulated Nya by trying to use their relationship to his advantage. This must be some new plot to somehow get what he wants through her.

"Tell me what you're thinking," I finally bid her.

"I think...I think he's trying to use you to get to me," she says carefully. "That's all I can think of. He hasn't done anything to me in weeks, and I knew he must've been looking for some way to get payback. I don't know what he really wants out of this, but whatever it is, don't fall for it."

I furrow my forehead. "I'm not going to, believe me. You know that I would be the last person to somehow be complicit in one of your brother's schemes." I bite my lip. "What I'm concerned about is if this isn't just another scheme of his, and somewhere in his point of view he thinks he can just pick up where things left off when he started cutting you off. It's just selfish for him to wait until everyone knows he has a sister to finally decide to treat you better."

"I'm not concerned about that because I don't believe he actually wants a relationship with me."

I debate how much I should share with her from my conversation with Kai. Do I really need to burden her with all his pretty words about feeling remorseful and hating what he'd done to her? I mean, if he really meant those things, he'd just tell her, right?

I opt to play it safe and analyze the whole situation strategically. "Nya," I ask, "what do you think your brother's scheme would be in trying to use me to get close to you?"

She sighs. "I don't know. Maybe he thinks there'll be less Graceton backlash against him if you two are working together on something."

"That's a good point." But Lloyd said he was crying. I guess he could have faked tears, but would Kai really damage his ego to these lengths just so he didn't have to deal with so much conflict? He doesn't get me as somebody who'd play the victim for attention.

"What if he wants to use you to spite me somehow?" Nya worries. "I mean, I wouldn't put it past my brother to date you just to get to me."

I try hard not to laugh at the idea. "Why not pick one of our other friends in that case?" I ask. "I mean, I'm the last one he should pick. I hate his guts." Besides, the more I look at Kai's behavior, the less I think it's about Nya and the more I think it's about him. It seems more likely that he'd manipulate her to get something he wants than just to spite her.

"You're also my closest friend, making you an ideal choice," Nya counters.

"Maybe." I don't think so, though.

"This whole thing is just messed up." Nya heaves a sigh. "I do feel like it's super weird of him to take a blow to his pride just so he can get back at me, though. That's the part that doesn't make sense."

"I agree," I nod. "I mean, I don't know your brother, but it seems to me like his image is the most important thing to him, and somehow admitting he was wrong doesn't fit into that."

"I don't get Kai at all anyway," Nya says. "So whatever this whole thing is about, at least I know he's on the prowl. Thanks, Skylor."

I bite my lip on a deluge of words. It's safe to bet Kai is just looking for something out of this newfound desire for a relationship with Nya, but somehow his words have jumbled all my thoughts and emotions. I don't believe he's serious about this, and if he is, he should've thought about being a good brother before it became convenient.

"Anyway," she finally interrupts my awkward silence, "thanks for letting me know. Call me and give me all the tea on Eva when you get the chance, okay?"

I bite my lip. "It's Yvette, apparently." My dad's only mentioned her name thirty times in our short car ride. "And thanks, Nya. Talk to you later."

We end the call, and the hot teenaged voices of boy bands once again serenade my ears.

Until my dad taps my arm. "Skylor? Skylor, are you even listening to me?"

I inwardly groan and pause my music. "What, Dad?"

He furrows his eyebrows at me. "You know I expect you to be on your best behavior around Yvette, right? Be polite, and give her a chance, would you?"

My lips thin into a fuchsia line. "Ummm, that's kind of hard to do when you haven't even given me the chance to accept that you want to marry this woman."

"Skylor," he says placatingly, "I told you a month ago now."

"Less than three weeks," I correct. "And I'm not even meeting her until tonight."

"You know I want your approval in this relationship," he tries. "That's why I'm taking you to meet her now."

"If you really cared about my approval, you would've included me from the start." I examine one manicured nail that his money paid for. Maybe I should just be grateful I have a rich dad who can give me anything I want, but in reality, I want a present dad.

"I should have," my dad admits. "And I didn't. I'm sorry for that." He eyes me. "But don't let my mistakes affect your opinion of Yvette, Skylor. I think your mother..." He clears his throat before trying to speak again, but nothing comes out.

But I can think of plenty of ways to finish that sentence.

"What," I scoff, "you think my mother would be happy that you're jumping into a marriage I haven't even approved of yet? You think my mother would be proud of the way you've handled this?"

He sighs. "No, I don't. But I think she'd like Yvette." He stares hard at the road in front of him.

The truth is, I don't know and I hardly care. Whether my mom would like this lady or not doesn't mean she'd approve of my dad running off to marry her after three months.

We sit in silence for the next hour of the ride. The entire time, we're stuck in stop-and-go traffic that has me so bored, I want to split my own hairs for fun. And I am not a girl who tolerates split ends.

Finally, my dad signals to get in the lane of traffic on the far right, and I hear his GPS say something about our exit approaching soon. I tuck my knees up to my chest and just rest my head on them, longing for days when life seemed so much simpler.

We turn off on a country highway, and I pop out one earbud so I can hear the sound of the world whizzing past us through my dad's partially opened window.

"She owns her own business," my dad says suddenly. "Um, Yvette does. I don't know much about it, but she's mentioned that it's a boutique."

"Neato."

He gives a pained sigh. "You like fashion, Skylor. So does Yvette. You two have something in common."

Since I don't want to land in any more trouble than I'll already be in after this weekend, I opt to keep my mouth shut and not reply to that. It allows me to put more energy into playing solo tic-tac-toe in the dust on the dashboard anyway.

Eventually, I lean over and check the GPS. In total, it appears this Yvette lady lives about four hours from home. How nice to know that if things go horribly wrong this weekend, I'll be stuck here until my dad decides to leave.

That's when my phone pings. I look down to see that it's from Harumi.

Harumi: ok, so i thought i should let you know that i got lloyd's number at lunch today

not that i'm going to go along with your plan to date him and get his mom to give us back the pageant

i haven't decided if i want to go that far

but i figured i'd update you anyway

I feel like this should make me feel better, but it doesn't. To be honest, getting Harumi to date Lloyd just so Misako won't want us in the woods with a bunch of guys is kind of manipulative. And after my phone call with Kai just a little while ago, I'm disgusted with the idea of using others.

But if Harumi really likes Lloyd, then it doesn't matter, right? I mean, not that she seemed to even know who he was when I tried to convince her to date him last Tuesday, but Lloyd's a nice guy. Surely she finds something attractive about him.

I type out a reply against the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. After several attempts, I finally manage one that I think sounds okay-ish.

Me: If you think you'd like to date him, i'd call this a win-win situation

I send it without thinking through the implications.

At some point, I bury my face in the headrest and manage to fall asleep. I don't wake up until I hear my dad saying something.

"The Chens are here to spend the weekend with Yvette," he announces, poking his head out the window of our SUV.

I frown, reorienting myself. We're at a huge gate, and it looks like my dad is speaking into an intercom.

I hear a distinct metal clicking noise.

"The gate's unlocked," a radioed voice affirms. "You can enter."

I peer out my window and see the outline of a garden in the waning daylight. Though I can't make out distinct colors or shapes, it appears to be well-cared for.

"Have you ever been here before?" I ask, running my hands through my tousled hair.

My dad shakes his head. "Not until tonight. I usually visit Yvette elsewhere on my business trips."

Something in me is relieved at his admission. My dad's kept me out of his relationship with Yvette, but at least he hasn't been to her house without my knowing. That seems like something a dad shouldn't just keep from his daughter.

We follow a winding driveway that eventually crests a hill, and that's when I spot the outline of Yvette's house. The place is huge. Like, rival-my-dad's-house huge.

"She owns a boutique, you say?" I ask disbelievingly.

"That's what she told me," he replies, looking a bit baffled himself.

We pull into a large paved parking area, and that's when I finally see Yvette in the artificial house lights.

The moment I spot her, I realize my dad's never shown me a picture, and I also realize that she looks nothing like I imagined her. Her teeth aren't pointy, her makeup isn't overly done, and she doesn't have plastic surgery overaccentuating all the "right" parts.

Instead, a beautiful tan-skinned woman, probably about my dad's age, stands before us in black slacks and a silk patterned top. Shiny black hair falls to her waist in gentle waves, and her eyes are a shade of bright blue that makes her disgustingly pretty.

She grins when she sees our car approaching, and I don't even see any fangs.

We park, and my dad is the first to step out. I watch as he beams at this lady and wraps her in a hug.

"Glad to see you," he gushes before planting a quick kiss on her cheek. That'd better be all the PDA I see, Mister.

I drag myself out of the car and immediately head around back to get my luggage. I do not want to meet this lady and be expected to get along with her. She's the one who's replaced me as my dad's favorite girl, after all.

"Chen, aren't you going to introduce me to your daughter?" I hear her scold my dad as I get my things together. Gee, lady, I wish you two would've thought about that before deciding to up and talk engagement.

"Skylor!" my dad calls me. "Come meet Yvette."

He only has to say her name every fourth word. At this rate, I won't even forget it when I'm old and can't remember my own name.

But as any begrudgingly faithful daughter would, I grab my things, close the trunk, and head toward the happy couple. I notice that Yvette stands a comfortable few inches from my dad, which makes me a bit less queasy. At least they're maintaining some respectable distance there.

"So you're Skylor," she smiles. "Chen's told me all about you."

A million impolite things go through my head. Really? He's failed to mention much about you. Or maybe, Oh, yeah, I'm sure he had time to mention me in between your guys' two week dating period and two-and-a-half month secret wedding planning party.

But I say none of those things. They aren't technically engaged, anyway, so I might as well not lend credence to the idea. No need for them to think I support their relationship.

Yvette extends an arm and pulls me in for a side hug. "It's so good to finally meet you."

Lady, you'd better let me go. Squeeze me in a hug, and I'm pretty sure my pent-up frustration inside is gonna blow.

I smile politely yet distantly. "Thank you." That's the best I can truthfully say.

My dad shoots me with a glare, and I try hard not to roll my eyes. He should be glad I haven't told this lady what's what yet.

Realizing we're not on a physical touch level, she claps her hands, and I see a woman who's made her way in the business world come to life. "All right, well, dinner's in the kitchen. I ordered in Italian – fettuccini alfredo, garlic bread, and tiramisu for dessert. I hope you're hungry."

At the mention of all that carby goodness, I hate her a little less. I haven't eaten since lunch this afternoon because of our rush to get here, so I'm a bit ravenous.

She leads us through an enormous set of double doors that take us inside, then shows us down a winding hallway lined with various pieces of abstract art. Some are by famous people that make my eyes pop, and others seem to be from nobodies I've never heard of.

After what seems like an eternity, we end up in a small dining room. It has kind of a studio feel to it, with soft lights being cast by lamps in the corners and muted décor accentuating the polished wooden table.

"I'll grab dinner from the kitchen," Yvette smiles. "You all can just leave your bags in here, and we'll get you settled in later."

My dad jumps to help. "Why don't I grab dinner, and you and Skylor can stay and chat?"

Please say no, please say no, please –

Yvette eyes him and cracks a laugh. "You've never been in my kitchen, Chen. Plus, if I let you loose in this place, you'd never find your way back. I don't think Skylor and I want to spend the rest of our night searching for you." She pops me a wink like this is some kind of inside joke.

I don't find it funny.

"I could use some help carrying that garlic bread, though," she smiles. "Skylor, why don't you join me?"

Why don't I...not? But I shrug, paste on what I'm sure passes for a polite half-smile, and follow her back into her massive hallway.

"So your father told me you play volleyball," she tries, marking out surprisingly quick and efficient steps in her two-inch stilettos.

"I've played the past few years," I agree vaguely.

She turns and lifts an eyebrow. "You go to that all-girls school, right? Graceton?"

"That's the one."

"I heard about the bombing on the news," Yvette frowns.

"So has pretty much everyone," I say drily. If you think that knowledge is winning you brownie points, you haven't even passed courtesy mint level.

She snickers. "Geewhiz, girl, no need to be so uppity! I was just trying to relate." She turns a sharp corner leading to a brightly lit, tan-and-brown tiled kitchen. The cabinets are a beautiful stained wood with glass windows showcasing color-coordinated pots and pans.

I take a deep breath in. "Sorry. I guess I'm just tired." Who cares if I apologized through clenched teeth? It sounds pretty good to me.

"I get it." She eyes me. "But I'd suggest you shrink that attitude a smidge. I don't think it can fit in this house this weekend, even if it is a big place." Her lips are a no-nonsense line, but then she cracks a smile. "Treat yourself to as much fettuccini alfredo as you want at dinner. I got way too much to fit in my fridge for later." She hands over a large foil-covered platter, and I can already smell cheesy heaven from inside.

It almost – almost – makes me feel a bit less annoyed at her audacity. Seriously, she's getting onto me about my attitude? She's not my stepmom yet! She can't tell me that!

"So how have you been doing classes if your school's in bad shape?" Yvette asks, picking up where we left off as she leads the way back to the dining room.

I steel myself against any other angry thoughts and shove all my energy into trying to get through this weekend. "We've actually been hosting classes at a nearby boy's school, since the principals are friends."

"That sounds...interesting," Yvette laughs. "How's that working out for you?"

I think for a moment. It's not like I'm going to tell her all about the drama that's ensued since Graceton invaded Ridgewood. And she's definitely not hearing about my two weeks of detention and Kai Smith issues.

"Nothing's blown up at the boys' school yet," I finally shrug. "And that's more than I can say for Graceton, I guess."

Yvette chuckles. "Man, I would've hated that for my senior year. I'm sorry you got stuck with that mess. I'm glad you still get to have classes with your friends, though."

Really? Because you're the one taking me away from them, making me and my dad move closer so you two can plan your perfect little future while I suffer. Gosh, when did I get so spiteful?

"Thanks," I say lamely. Time to get the attention away from me. "Um, so like, tell me about your boutique...and stuff."

Yvette grins. "My clothing boutique is my baby. I used to do all the designing myself, but since we've expanded over the past few years, we've brought on designers, marketers, salespeople...the whole shebang."

By the looks of this house, I would say Yvette's business has done more than just "expanded".

"What's your business called?" Nothing wrong with a little snooping, right? Just to make sure this lady's legit.

She quirks her head down toward my faux leather heeled sandals. "I'm pretty sure it's the same one that made those pumps of yours."

My eyes bug. "You own 'Bloomfield's'?" It's only the cutest chain boutique ever franchised. I think I buy something from them every season.

"You bet, girl," Yvette winks. Then she turns into the dining room. "All right, soup's on, everybody. Let's get some of this stuff dished out."

I brace myself for a long weekend. Not only do I have to deal with Yvette Bloomfield, but I also have to throw out half my closet in protest now.

***(Lloyd's POV)***

Kai arrives late for dinner by half an hour, and when he walks in, he looks a bit disheveled and out of place. But my mom wraps him up in a hug and shoos him into the kitchen, and I see some semblance of a smile light his features. He really has been looking haggard lately.

"How's it going, Kai?" my dad asks, wiping off a plate and putting it in the dishwasher.

He hitches a shoulder. "You win some, you lose some." He takes a bite of the pepperoni pizza my parents ordered in. "How was work?"

Dad looks up from the dishes. "I showed around a few houses, so nothing out of the ordinary." He raises an eyebrow. "What's this 'winning and losing' about now?"

Sidenote: my dad's been a realtor for five years now, and it's been a good career direction for him. He used to be the principal at an elementary school, and let's just say Mom is much better at the whole principal thing than he is. He couldn't take the third grade drama, boogers, and pee in the bathroom floor any longer.

"It's my fault my day wasn't great," Kai sighs. "I mean, I was the one who got myself stuck in detention with Skylor Chen, and that's mostly what's bothering me."

"I'm sorry to hear that it's been rough for you," Dad sympathizes. "Only one more week with her, right?"

I smile inwardly. I love how my parents are so up-to-date with my brother's life. Even though he's not living under their roof anymore, he's still as much their son as he was when they adopted him at eight years old.

I think Kai needs that stability in his life. It's easier for him to relate to them as parents than to Ray and Maya, since he grew up with us for most of his childhood.

I finish off a crust from one of my own pizza slices. "What took you so long getting here, Kai?" I'm not even trying to be tactful at this point.

He sighs. "I made a few phone calls and stopped by my Smith house. I packed a bag and stuff, so I'm hoping I can stay the night. If that's okay, that is."

Mom chooses that moment to walk into the kitchen. "Kai, you're my son. You don't have to ask – you're always welcome." She smacks a kiss on his forehead, then plops down a business card in front of him.

"What's this?" he frowns, forehead furrowed.

My mom steadies her expression, a clear sign she's bracing herself for something Kai may not want to hear. "I know you stopped counseling a few years ago because you felt you didn't need it, but I was thinking...well, with all that's happened lately, maybe you should start again." She squeezes his shoulder.

I wince. Kai isn't usually much for sympathy, and I know he'll balk at the idea of going back to counseling. He hated it for the years he did it.

But to my surprise, he just takes the card and tucks it in his pocket. "Thanks, Mom."

My eyes widen. Okay, something is seriously wrong with my brother.

Just then my phone buzzes, and I grab it from beside my plate. At the name on the screen, my heart skips a beat.

I haven't really had time to think about it this afternoon in between worrying about Kai and...well, worrying about Kai, but today at lunch, I was mentioning something about being in calculus 2. That's when Harumi piped up and said she was struggling to catch up in math after switching schools, and she asked if she could have my number to ask me questions about homework and concepts taught in class.

I think I walked around starry-eyed until Kai's detention with Skylor went sour.

I know that Harumi asked for my number purely for business purposes, but the fact that she wanted my help means something. I guess that means she's okay with being around me, right? Or maybe she even likes being around me?

I inwardly kick myself. It doesn't matter whether she likes me or not. I'm not going to engage with Harumi Jade in anything other than friendship. For now.

Before I give into the itch to read the text, I slide my phone to the side, turn it upside down so I can't see the screen, and turn my full attention on Kai. "Do you want to go down to the freezer and help me sort through our ice cream pints? I'm kind of feeling dessert, but I don't know what I want."

'Sorting through the ice cream' is a common joke in my family. My dad has this thing where he can't resist buying anything on sale, and a few months back, he went to the store and found a bunch of off-brand ice creams on sale for half off. He ended up buying over thirty different flavors, and we've yet to make a dent in them.

But more important than my sweet tooth, I'm trying to discreetly ask Kai if he needs to talk about what happened today. I've only asked him six times already, but I want him to know I'm here.

He shrugs. "I'm not really in the mood for ice cream, but good luck down there."

O-kay. So he's not interested in talking.

I nod, grab my phone, and head downstairs. If Kai doesn't want me to listen to his struggles, then I won't bother him about it, but at least he knows I'm here.

As I approach the freezer, I dare a look down at my phone one more time. Just to read Harumi's message and all.

Harumi: hey!! i'm confused about how to do polynomial division. i'll send a pic

Her next photo is of a polynomial division problem with "please help!" and a smiley face written next to it in pencil. Does a smiley face mean something? What's she trying to communicate here?

I roll my eyes. The only thing Harumi's trying to communicate is that she needs help with her homework. Nothing more, nothing less.

I grab the pint of chocolate chip, dollop a few scoops into one of the bowls beside the freezer, and then go search our den for a pencil and paper. Halfway through shuffling through a stack of old notebooks, I realize I should probably message Harumi so she doesn't think I'm ghosting her. I tap out a quick message.

Me: No problem! I'll find a piece of paper and try to show you how I'd do it

I see three dots appear on the screen a moment later. She's messaging me back. Harumi Jade is actually messaging me back.

Oh my gosh, I am so simping for this girl. I have to stop. I know hardly anything about her – just that she's literally the prettiest girl I've ever met, and that she wrinkles her nose when she laughs, and that she always eats half her food at lunch before wrapping the rest up for –

Okay. I'm done now.

Harumi: if it's easier, do you wanna just call about the problem? i'm not sure i'm gonna get it otherwise

My throat goes dry.

I eagerly tap out a reply.

Me: Sure! Gimme just a sec

I snatch the first piece of paper I find and a half-dull pencil, then grab my earbuds out of my pocket and pop them in. I don't need Kai or my parents hearing Harumi's voice and thinking I'm talking to a girl, when I'm really just...talking to her about how to do homework. Yeah, that.

I tuck myself into the couch and videocall her. It's only a few moments before I suddenly hear noise over the other end of the phone and see her face appear.

She smiles. "Hey! I brought you outside and put you on speakerphone, just so you know."

"Thanks," I grin goofily. "Uh, how are you?"

"I'm good." She tilts her head. "Okay, math tutor, how am I supposed to do polynomial division? The girl in front of me was passing notes in class and I was her transport girl, so I didn't catch much of the lecture."

I laugh. "Okay, so I always start by seeing if I can factor the polynomial inside the division box..." I proceed to explain the problem step by step, showing my work on the old envelope I found to help Harumi follow along.

By the end, she's nodding her head. "Okay, that makes more sense. Mind showing me another example, just to make sure I've got the hang of it?"

"Why don't you show me how to do the problem from your homework? That way, we can identify any misconceptions you have about how to work polynomial division."

"Okay, let me grab my homework." The phone rustles as she moves a few things around. Then she gasps. "Ooh!"

"What?" I asked, entranced by her excited expression.

A smile blooms across her features. "I just got a message saying I made it to the callbacks for the Graceton musical! That's so fun. I wonder if Seliel made it?" I hear her typing on her phone, probably making out a text to her friend.

"Congratulations," I bid her. "What part are you hoping for?"

She finishes typing, then waves me off. "Oh, just a part in the ensemble, I guess. I'm not huge on acting."

"But you like to sing," I fill in the blanks.

She shrugs a shoulder. "I mean, maybe a little bit, but I don't do it that often. To be honest, the real reason I tried out for the musical was so that I could meet more people."

"How's it been adjusting to Ninjago City?" I ask, the question slipping out against my better judgment. It seems a bit too personal for my relationship with Harumi at this point, but I'm drawn to her like a moth to a light.

"I like it so far," she answers. "I guess I kinda miss my friends from back home, you know? But I like city vibes. It feels like I'm living in the heartbeat of Ninjago."

"Ninjago City does have a lot to offer," I agree. "You should get Nya or somebody to take you out for the nightlife sometime. It's incredible, especially around this time of year. At the start of fall, shops always decorate for the autumn season and release their fall flavors and stuff." I realize I'm rambling, so I cut myself off. "Anyway, I'm getting you off track. Sorry."

"You're fine," she simpers. "So back to homework..."

She finishes the problem she originally asked about with little effort. Apparently, she picked up on my review lesson quickly.

"Perfect," I smile. "Anything else you have questions about?"

She thinks for a moment, furrowing her forehead such that I'm somehow dazzled.

"Not that I know of," she finally says. "Thanks for the lesson! You're a good teacher."

"Any time," I offer. "Uh, feel free to text me if you need help with anything else."

"I'll take you up on that." She waves. "Anyway, I have to go. My parents have this convention-thingy this evening, and I'm not ready yet. But I'll see you Monday for sure!"

"Yeah. Have fun at the convention." I wave, then end the call before I can say something stupid.

I run her words through my head over and over again. I'll see you Monday for sure. Was she excited about that?

I set my paper and pencil aside and grab my ice cream, realizing it's half-melted. After adding a fresh scoop from the freezer on for good measure, I head upstairs and pretend like I'm not still on a high from just watching Harumi be herself.

***A/N: Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I hope to get two or three more out before I start camp counseling this summer :)

What do you all think of Yvette? What about the hints of Llorumi?***