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

Fifteen minutes after I get off the phone with Lloyd, I finish applying my lip tint and give myself the once-over. The convention tonight is a medical fundraiser my mom promised someone she'd go to, and since my parents love appearances, all three of us are going. That means I'd better look the part of a sweet, happy daughter who can do no wrong.

I walk to my wardrobe and pull open the doors, surveying the contents. I have a number of evening gowns from charity events I've gone to in the past. My favorite is my little spaghetti-strap red dress, so I reach for that one just as I hear a thunk downstairs.

"I did put gas in the car before I left work today!" my dad snaps, his voice echoing up through the house. "We're not going to be late, Maren."

"Well I'm sorry for accusing you, but last time we had a time-sensitive errand, you forgot!" my mom bounces back.

I roll my eyes and slip out of my school outfit. I'll have to show up downstairs in another ten minutes or so and interrupt their sparring match so they're not late. In the meantime, I'm going to avoid them as long as possible.

I tug the red dress over my head and try to keep my mind off of the fight downstairs. Hanging out with the girls at lunch this week has been fun. Ever since auditions, Seliel seems like she's been more open around me, and I've realized that the girl has a hilarious sense of humor. PIXAL is an absolute sweetheart who asked me if I'd like to get my nails done with her tomorrow. Nya's a great listener, and her intuition is spot on. And then there's Skylor, whom I relate to on all things fashion, flirting, and fun. Well, my sense of fun may be a bit wilder than hers, but nevertheless we seem to enjoy most of the same things.

That's why in the end, I will date Lloyd so she can get her pageant back. I feel more than a little guilty about it, but I need Skylor's friendship, and I'm pretty sure she won't be too interested in me if I won't do her bidding.

I cringe just a little. Lloyd's a nice guy, and I've only ever dated guys on the not-so-good end of the spectrum. Take my former best friend's boyfriend who was willing to cheat on her with me. Not a stellar guy. And I was an even worse friend.

But I didn't know what to do. She was head over heels for this guy, and he literally flirted with any girl he could find when she wasn't around. She deserved better. I couldn't make her break up with him, so I did the next best thing: I made him break up with her. Unfortunately, that meant I had to lead him astray.

I don't think it was the right way to fix her problem, but it's what everyone expects out of Harumi Jade. I'm the girl who serial dates and races at dangerous speeds and can't back down from a dare. That's the Harumi Jade everyone wants.

Not the girls I hang out with now, though. Even Skylor's too principled for crazy Rumi, and she's the one who wants me to date a guy just to get a pageant back.

I bite my lip. Lloyd's too good for this. I could tell from the time we first met, when he stared at me through lunch and couldn't quite string sentences together, that he was a good guy who found me interesting. Bad boys who like me flirt and tell dirty jokes that make my insides squirm. They never have trouble talking to me because they know all the right moves and words and sultry glances.

But not Lloyd. He's innocent. And I don't know quite what to do with an innocent guy.

I mean, I know how to get him. It's kind of instinctual. I laugh at his jokes, pretend like I don't know silly stuff so he can swoop in like the hero, and hold eye contact a little longer than necessary before glancing down in embarrassment. That's all easy.

What I mean is that I don't know how to keep him. My wild girl façade isn't going to cut it for Lloyd. He may be looking for a little crazy, but nothing too out there. He wants someone who breaks the rules just a little – dancing in the grass that no one's supposed to step in – rather than someone who breaks and enters just because she can.

And it's wrong to pretend to be some sweet, innocent girl just so he'll want me more.

That's why I'll tone down my drama-filled life and get Lloyd to date me just until after the pageant. Then all the Graceton girls and Ridgewood boys who otherwise wouldn't date will pair up, and Misako and Wu will have no choice but to kick all girls out of the Survivor competition.

I won't let Lloyd get too attached. Maybe I'll let him figure out I'm not the one for himself so he can break up with me. That way, he doesn't feel heartbroken at all.

He's so sweet. I sometimes wonder what it'd be like to date a good boy like him, but good boys don't want girls like me, and girls like me can't quite figure out boys like him.

"Are you even listening to me?" my mom wails through tears.

Oh, great. Here comes the crying. This is the part where one of my parents cries, and suddenly the other feels mortified for all the screaming and insults. Then they hug and make up and promise that all is forgiven.

But it will only last a day or two before they decide they hate each other again.

Sure enough, the shouting downstairs quiets. I walk over to my full-length mirror and finger my straightened platinum hair. I'm naturally brunette, but my adoptive mom is blonde, and it's been a tradition for us to dye our hair together for the last four years since they adopted me.

I smile at the thought of my bio-parents. They passed away in a car accident when I was eleven, but the memories I have of them are still bright in my mind. My mom was an incurable prankster, my dad was quietly steady, and they loved me more than anything.

I think my adoptive parents loved me at one time, too. But now they're too invested in their own problems to really care what I do.

A knock sounds at my door. "Harumi?" my dad asks. "It's time to head out."

I grab my clutch and my phone and head for the door. "Coming."

I open it, and my dad's still waiting there. His eyes mist over when he sees me.

"What?" I ask, not trying to be impolite. He really does get emotional whenever my mom cries.

"Nothing." He clears his throat and turns. "You've transformed into a young woman right before our eyes, Rumi." He glances back over his shoulder. "You look beautiful, Honey."

I smile and resist an eyeroll. So essentially, he means that he hasn't really looked at me recently and doesn't know that I changed the way I contoured my face and styled my hair over the summer.

I walk down the stairs behind him to see my mom in the kitchen, reapplying her makeup and standing in a black pantsuit and cream cardigan that make her look elegant. I notice she fills it out a bit more than when she last wore it, and it strikes me as weird. She always eats crazy healthy, so her gaining weight isn't normal.

She beams at me when she sees me walking down the stairs.

"You look amazing," she lauds me. "I'm so excited we get to spend this evening together."

Again, I try not to be rude here. She and my dad can't keep denying that they have serious problems in their marriage. If something drastic doesn't change, then they'll be split up as soon as I complete my senior year.

We walk together out the door like one happy family, and I plop down in the back of their open-roofed red "rich people" car. I pull out my phone and check my messages.

Seliel: yeah, I did get a callback. Thanks for asking :) Wbu

I smile. She really has warmed up to me since auditions. I don't know what changed her mind about me, but it's nice to know she's on my side.

The world whirs by as we weave in and out of traffic. It takes about thirty minutes to get downtown to the convention center where the medical fundraiser is being held tonight. My mom's representing the startup practice she recently got a building for in Nom. Hopefully, my parents will stay in Ninjago City long enough for it to be worth it.

That, or my dad will move again for his job, and my mom won't go with him.

We pull into the crowded parking lot, and my mom turns to me. "Okay, so I think we should walk in as a family and mingle a bit. Let's put on a good front for some of the professionals here. After fifteen minutes, Rumi, you can go do your own thing if you want."

I try not to laugh. I don't know what there is to do at a convention like this except try free samples of new vitamins and get a courtesy stethoscope for showing up, but it could be fun to explore a little. Or maybe I could escape the convention and go check out downtown Ninjago City at night. I really haven't explored as much as I've wanted to.

My dad takes my mom's arm like they're in love or something, and we all head into the event. It's teeming with people, and some classic oldies group plays soothing jazz in the background.

My mom navigates her way toward someone in the crowd and waves. "Dr. Wells!" she greets.

I follow at a slight distance, still taking in our surroundings. The walls are a perfect white and glow softly under the crystal chandeliers up above us. The event room my family entered is just one of many, and I spot a sign pointing the way to food up ahead.

So that's where I'll be heading after my mom's done showing me off.

I catch up to her right as she introduces me to this Mr. Wells guy.

"And this is our daughter Harumi," she grins like a proud parent.

I smile politely. "Nice to meet you."

He nods before turning back to my parents. "So Mr. Jade, I know you mentioned you work for an upcoming biotechnology company."

I tune out of the rest of the conversation, people-watching around me for anything interesting. I spot a middle-aged guy who somehow looks familiar, but I can't place him.

Finally deeming it all right to excuse myself, I make a beeline for the food tables ahead. It's probably just a selection of hors d'oeuvres, but it's better than listening to my parents lie about our lives.

I spot shrimp puffs up ahead and quicken my pace. As I do, thunder sounds somewhere outside, and I bite my lip. Did my parents leave the top of our car down?

I shake off my inhibitions. I'm sure it'll be fine.

I almost reach the table when –

"Well if it isn't Harumi Jade," a haunting voice says from right behind me.

I resist the urge to shudder, and my devil-may-care Rumi persona takes over. I swivel toward him.

"Hello, Jackson," I smile coolly at the boyfriend I stole from my best friend. "Fancy seeing you here." The older man I saw earlier – I think that was Jackson's dad. No wonder he looked familiar.

"I could say the same." He shoves his hands in the pockets of his suit pants, and his eyes scan me over, taking me in. "I like that dress."

Thanks, but you're not man enough for the girl wearing it. "What are you doing here?" I ask, turning and sashaying back to the shrimp puffs. Interactions like this need sustenance.

He follows me to the table. "My dad wanted to fly in. This is one of the biggest medical conventions of the year, you know."

"I didn't know your dad was a doctor."

"Plastic surgeon, actually."

No wonder your face is so much better than your personality. "My mom's here to represent her new medical practice."

"And has Ninjago City gotten a taste of Harumi Jade in all her splendor yet?"

This time, I give into the urge to roll my eyes. "Dunno. I'm still adjusting."

He raises an eyebrow. "I don't believe that. You leave your mark wherever you go." His fingers graze my wrist.

I'm unfazed. "So, Jackson, tell me what you're doing these days."

He shrugs me off. "You know, the usual."

'The usual' means parties and drinking and doing illegal stuff just because he can. I know because I lived that life not so long ago. And it's what I'm expected to live.

"So here's what I'm thinking," Jackson smirks, his eyes gleaming. "I'm here with only my dad for company tonight, and if I'm correct, you're in the same boat with your parents. So why don't we make some of our own fun?"

I hold his gaze, unwilling to back down from him. "What did you have in mind?"

That bad-boy smirk deepens. "I think our first step is to get a drink. And from what I can tell, they're doing a pretty good job carding people before they hand out wine."

I roll my eyes. "Wine never really seemed your style, Jackson."

"And refusing a challenge never seemed like yours." He bends close so his warm breath touches my ear. "Or am I really supposed to believe that Harumi Jade has fallen from glory?"

I steel my expression at that. Something tells me to just let it go, but I've never known myself to not follow through on a dare. That's what everyone wants – fearless Rumi.

I turn and scan the area. Several workers serving glasses of red and white wine mill about.

It wouldn't be that hard to just take two glasses, right? Or even one. Alcohol makes me stupid, so I could get one for Jackson just to prove him wrong.

I sashay over to the nearest wine server. "Excuse me," I smile prettily, "but my dad asked me to come grab him a glass of wine."

The waiter, a guy of maybe 23, looks back at me. His eyes light with interest when they land on my face. "Do you have your ID?"

I shake my head and laugh. "No, I'm underaged. But my dad isn't."

He smiles back. "Sorry, but I can't give you anything without an ID. You could ask him to come over and get some."

Disappointment flashes over my features. "Oh. Well, he kind of got trapped in conversation on his way over here, so I was thinking I'd save him the trouble, but I guess it can wait." I look up at him through my lashes, my eyes all innocence. "Thanks anyway."

I turn to leave, but I hear the waiter's breath catch.

"Wait – wait," he says quickly.

I turn slowly to face him.

He sighs. "Okay, I could get in a lot of trouble for this, so please don't tell, but..." He reluctantly hands over a glass of red wine.

My lips turn upward in a grin. "Oh, thank you! He'll really appreciate this. Look, I'll even go give it to him right now and come back so you see I'm emptyhanded."

He smiles somewhat charmingly. "Please do."

I take the glass of wine from him and head in the direction of my parents. I have to duck behind a small crowd of people, and that's when I casually set the wine down at an empty table.

I wait a few moments just so it seems legitimate, then I go walking back toward the waiter. I hold up my hands, and his faces visibly relaxes. He's probably expecting me to come back over and chat with him now that he's done me a favor, but to be honest, I'm not interested.

I head back to the food tables, where Jackson stands watching. "Your saw the table where I left your drink," I mutter. "Wait a minute or so for that server to stop watching me, and then go grab it."

He laughs lightly. "You aren't going to get anything for yourself?"

"I don't want any," I curtly reply.

He raises an eyebrow. "So you are becoming a prude? That's not you, Harumi."

I narrow my eyes at him. "I said I didn't want any, Jackson."

He raises his hands in surrender. "Eesh, lighten up, Harumi." He chuckles. "You're holding out on me, aren't you? You think you're too good for your friends back home now."

"We're exes, Jackson," I snap. "Not friends."

"That's never stopped you before." He inches closer. "Remember that party at my parents' this summer? We almost got caught by the police, but you know how to cover things up well." His eyes glint with humor and taunting.

I try not to blush. I feed on drama I make so I don't have to deal with my parents'. And that means I've done some things that have kept me up at night in the past.

"Harumi," a familiar voice greets, and I turn.

Seliel smiles back at me, elegant in a black knee-length dress. "I didn't know you were going to be here tonight," she says kindly.

I inwardly breathe a sigh of relief. "Yeah, my mom's here for connection-building. I told you about how she's starting a pediatrics practice here." I incline a hand toward my ex. "This is Jackson, one of my schoolmates from the Jade city."

Seliel's eyes flit to him. "It's a pleasure." Then she looks back at me. "If you'd like, you're welcome to join me, Cole, and PIXAL."

I frown. "All three of you are here?"

She nods. "Cole's dad is helping perform the music tonight, and PIX's last name of Borg pretty much guarantees she'll be at any charity event." She motions toward herself. "And I'm here as the mayor of Nom's daughter, of course."

Jackson raises his eyebrows. "I see you haven't lost your taste for class, Rumi." He steps closer, placing a hand on my shoulder and whispering in my ear once more. "My dad's starting a sister business in Ninjago City, so for the next few months, I think we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other." He squeezes my arm before heading off in the direction of his wine glass.

I watch him go, then look back to Seliel. "I'd love to join you guys." Anything to get me away from him before I mess up really badly.

I walk with Seliel to the next room, grateful when I'm out of Jackson's proximity.

"Who was that guy?" Seliel asks, walking toward a set of dessert tables.

I smile and shrug it off. "Just a guy from school I used to know."

She quirks a brow. "Girl, with all the tension radiating off you two, I know you're lying to me." But she doesn't pry, instead changing the subject. "So you got called back for auditions, huh?"

I nod, thankful for a new topic. "I did. And I got your text – you did too, right?"

"Yep. Fingers crossed for Belle." She studies me. "You're a pretty good singer, you know."

"It's a hobby." Suddenly, fear threads its way through me. "How long have you known I was here, by the way?" There's a possibility she saw me totally get that wine glass without showing an ID.

"To be honest, I saw you when you got to the food tables, but then that guy approached you and I didn't want to interrupt."

My eyes widen. So that means she saw –

"You looked like you needed saving," she hitches a shoulder. "Okay, now let's make a pit stop at the dessert table before meeting up with the others. It turns out Cole is a huge sweets guy, and if we were to bring him over here, we'd be stuck here all night."

***(Seliel's POV)***

After a few macaroons and a baby cheesecake we split, Harumi and I join PIX and Cole in the ballroom. I knew PIXAL would be here, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Cole around half an hour ago. And I was even glad to see Harumi, since I've decided that I will get to the bottom of her party-girl exterior and be friends with the real her. It seemed like that guy she was with was bad news, though.

"You're back," Cole smiles when he sees us. "Hey, Harumi."

"Hi," she greets awkwardly. "Um, are you guys having a fun night so far?"

PIXAL beams at me. "It's much better knowing friends are here. I've been alone at these kinds of events in the past, and though I love to support my father by coming..." She giggles. "They're a bit tiresome."

"PIX and I hit the dance floor," Cole fills us in, "but to be honest, they're only playing slow songs. We had one dance before deciding we were done." The two share a laugh.

"Cole was an excellent partner," PIXAL vouches for him, "but my own skill leaves something to be desired."

"You were great," Cole grins. Then he turns to us. "Would either of you like to dance?"

"Slow dances aren't really my vibe," Harumi admits.

Cole eyes me. "What about you, Sel? Are you down for a dance?"

My head goes blank for a moment at the thought. Cole? Dancing with...me?

The image of his capable arms wrapped around my form, spinning and dipping me to some slow song, makes my heart skip a beat. I wouldn't go as far as to say that I like Cole as anything more than a friend, but there's no doubt I find him attractive. Not only is he handsome – dark shaggy hair, a strong jawline, warm brown eyes – but he's just so open and friendly and honest.

I quickly brush away whatever feelings are swirling in my stomach. Cole already danced with PIXAL, which means he's just offering to me out of friendship as well. This means nothing, and if he's the beast to my Belle in the upcoming musical, I'll have to get used to dancing with him anyway.

I break into a smile at his offer. "I'd love to."

Like a gentleman trapped inside the body of a very muscular high schooler, he lends his arm to me and leads me out to the floor. He places a hand on my waist, I place one on his shoulder, and then he joins our free hands and leads me into a swaying motion.

"So your dad plays music?" I ask for lack of anything better.

He nods, his smile steady. "You probably saw him in the jazz band out front. He appreciates the classics like these guys are playing" – he angles his head toward the band on stage – "but to be honest, jazz is his passion. He and his band made it big for a few of their songs back in the day."

"What instrument does he play?"

He chuckles at that. "He actually sings. And dances." He spins me out once before pulling me back in.

"Hence the reason you're good at it," I note, appreciating the way he leads us back into swaying.

"I definitely don't have anything on my father's talent," Cole confesses. "But I appreciate the compliment. And you're not too shabby yourself."

"When your dad's the mayor, you pick up quick on how to dance for social functions." I gravitate a little closer to him to make more room for a sloppily dancing couple.

"No wonder you're such a natural leader if your dad's the mayor of Nom," he smiles. "I've seen the way you interact with your friends. You definitely help glue them together."

Now that I find amusing. "Because I keep Skylor in line?"

He cringes a bit. "She seems to be...struggling with the transition to Ridgewood."

"That's putting it lightly," I muse. "She's really close to Nya, so she naturally isn't Kai's biggest fan. And her dad's also a bit...absent."

"That's hard," Cole sighs, his eyes understanding. "I wish she'd cut Kai a bit more slack, though. He's not in the best place, either."

"From the way he's treated Nya, it's not hard to tell." I study him, debating my next words. "From the way you all talk about Kai, I'm going to assume you're actually close friends and he's just been avoiding you recently."

"You'd be correct." He pulls me a bit closer with his arm around my waist and dips me gently and effortlessly. Oh my gosh, he's strong. "But he seems to be warming up to the idea of hanging out with us again."

"So I'm going to assume we need different lunch arrangements, then?" I chuckle.

"What do you mean?"

"Skylor and Kai don't mix, and neither do Kai and Nya. If he starts sitting with you all again, it'll be chaos for us to join you guys."

He gives me a tired look. "Is it too much to hope Kai works out his differences with those two?"

"You tell me," I bid him. "Is he still going to dump Nya off randomly? Because he dropped her off at a gas station so he wouldn't be seen with her, and that was not cool."

He shakes his head solemnly. "I don't get why he did that, Sel – can I call you that?"

I nod, the nickname making my already-present attraction to him heighten.

He sighs and continues. "He's always been so different around us. Cocky, but not cruel." He gazes down at me. "I'm hoping we can help him, Sel. He needs friends who care about him and Nya, which is why sitting with you all has probably been a good thing." He studies me for a moment. "You know, if we end up sitting somewhere else, I think I'll be a little disappointed."

Thunder sounds somewhere outside, and the way he examines my face – like he's searching for something there but doesn't quite know what it is yet – makes my insides tingle. "I think we'd all be."

He hesitates, then opens his mouth to say something more, then shakes his head. "Still friends regardless, right?"

"Right," I agree. "We'll be around."

"And you'll be in the musical?" he smiles.

"I got called back, so I'm guaranteed at least a part in the ensemble."

"My dad wants me to play the beast, so I'll be in it, too." His dimple shows, and it makes my heart flip. "So we can hang out then."

That's when the power suddenly zaps out, and the lights go black. The music from the stage stops, and Cole instinctively pulls me closer. His strong arms wrapped around my form couple with the adrenaline of the moment and make my heart skip a beat.

"Is it the storm?" I ask against him, my nose brushing his button-up.

Then the power comes back on, and a dozen couples halted in midstep come into view.

"Don't panic," the lead musician from the stage directs. "It's likely just a power outage from the storm. The emergency power has kicked in."

Cole sighs and looks down at me. "That scared the crap out of me." He seems to realize our proximity and releases his grip on me, stepping back a little.

Good grief, if we're costars in the musical, I am so doomed.

He clears his throat. "Sorry. I didn't mean to hold you captive there."

I shake my head, heat rushing to my cheeks. "I mean, had this actually been a dangerous situation, that would've been...you know, uh, helpful." Oh, I am not the girl who gets all tripped up over a boy.

He chuckles and runs a hand through his shaggy dark locks. "Yeah." He coughs. "Hey, do you like coffee? Maybe we could walk down the street and get some. Uh, if they have power."

I blink. "I'm sorry?"

He smiles. "You and me could, you know, maybe get out of here? And get coffee?"

I'm still processing this. "Like, just us two?"

"Yeah." He gives no further information.

My mind stutters. "I'd like that," I manage, suppressing the butterflies coursing through my stomach. "When?"

He smiles genuinely. "I mean, if you think your dad wouldn't miss you too much, we could always go right now. It doesn't seem like there's much to do here besides dance and pig out at the food tables."

I bite my lip and look back toward PIXAL and Harumi, who seem to be awkwardly conversing in the back of the room. "I...don't know," I admit. "In all honesty, I'm a little worried about leaving Harumi here. She looked like she was in a tricky situation with a guy earlier, and she seemed relieved when she realized the rest of us were here." I have no idea what that Jackson guy was trying to get her to do, but she was not having it. Plus, I noticed the dude somehow convincing her to get him a glass of wine when he was definitely not 21, and that could get her and her family in a lot of trouble at this conference.

Cole's gaze grows serious. "Is she okay?"

I nod. "He didn't touch her, but I don't think she should be here with just PIX. No offense, but PIXAL's a bit less of a busybody than I am and a bit less intimidating than you."

"Do you want to invite PIX and Harumi then?" Cole asks.

No. Yes. Um, maybe?

"That sounds perfect," I finally agree. "Let's go ask the others. I'll text my dad."

Cole escorts me off the dance floor, and I make a beeline for Rumi and PIX. "Y'all need caffeine?" I ask as I approach.

Harumi looks at me. "What do you have in mind?"

I fill her in on Cole's suggestion of a coffee outing, and PIXAL eagerly nods.

"I would love to leave," she puts in. "To be honest, this place is getting a bit stuffy."

Harumi shrugs. "I mean, I guess it sounds fun." She picks at her sleeve, and I immediately see she's still embarrassed about what I saw earlier.

I look across the room to see Cole at the dessert table again, grabbing a cupcake. That boy loves his sweets.

"Then let's dip," I tell them. I start walking in his direction.

"So what was going on between you two out there?" PIXAL asks, joining me at my side.

"I'm sorry?" I ask, pretending not to know what she's talking about.

"You and Cole!" she says conspiratorially. "You two always talk for the entire lunch period, and I thought you might have chemistry based on that, but that dance out there?" She beams.

I roll my eyes. "It wasn't that romantic, PIXAL." It just made my insides quiver, that's all.

"And what were you two talking about?" Harumi asks. "The way he was looking at you..." Harumi searches for words.

"It was like you were the only girl in the room," PIXAL suggests. "Or like a puzzle he couldn't quite figure out."

"You write too much romance," I retort. I pull out my phone and send off a quick text to my dad right as we reach the boy of the hour.

He takes a bite of his cupcake. "You ladies ready to go?"

PIXAL nods eagerly. "Let's go to Laffey's down the street!"

I look toward Harumi. "Laffey's is a teen 'club' with pretty much the best nightlife in Ninjago City. They have a café in the front of the store and a non-alcoholic bar and dance floor in the back." I don't go there often – only whenever Skylor wants a night on the town – but they serve some solid lattes.

"Laffey's is perfect," Cole agrees. He smiles at each of us to confirm, then pivots and leads the way toward the entrance of the conference.

He engages us all in conversation on the way out, chatting with Rumi on life, PIXAL on music, and me as his fallback opinion-on-anything girl. The whole time, though, I can hardly focus because I'm so confused about what passed between us on the dance floor.

He was asking to hang out with just me. What does that mean? And should I even consider going out with him, since he and I so obviously have different friend groups? If he ends up being my costar, would that be awkward?

I push all those thoughts aside and just try to enjoy the night ahead. After what I saw earlier, it seems like it's important that people connect with Rumi now and convince her to just be herself and not compromise her ideals. Jackson seemed off, and from what he said, it sounds like he could be around Ninjago City for an extended stay.

That means Harumi desperately needs people to keep her from messing up badly.

***A/N: Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed the chapter with more insight into Harumi's life and some Coliel kinda vibing under the surface :)

Hope you all are doing well!***