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

***Music Cue***

"All right," Kai announces, pulling into a parking spot. "Everybody out. We are not stopping for another bathroom break for three hours! That means you all will go, whether you want to or not." He pulls off his sunglasses and gives his girlfriend a pointed look. "Including you, Skylor."

She rolls her eyes and powers off her phone. "I don't have to go."

"I don't want to hear it. The Kai-mobile stops for no one."

I moan. "Three hours until another break? Nya, why'd you have to bring so much soda pop?"

She shrugs from beside me. "Kai never keeps any around the house, so I had to splurge when I finally got the chance."

"Road trips are not a good time for extra fluids!" I exclaim. "Cole, can you put your seat down already?"

"I'm working on it, Mr. Grumpy Green."

Jay laughs from Nya's other side. "That's a good one. That nickname will stick, for sure."

I roll my eyes, climbing out of the very back of the van. "It's not even that catchy."

Nya coughs. "It's accurate, though. You have been a pest today. Uh, Kai, would you mind getting my shoes out of the back?"

He scrubs a hand over his face. "Why aren't you wearing them right now?"

"Well, excuse me, but it wasn't my idea to squeeze the entire ninja team, plus Skylor, into a minivan for a last-minute, end-of-summer road trip. It's kind of hot back here, so I took them off at our last stop."

Kai growls. "Nya, I know from experience your shoes don't smell that great."

"It's true," I vouch for him. "I'm your best friend. I would know."

"Oh, wonderful, Lloyd. Thanks for sharing that very informative thought." She smirks. "Now, shall I tell the team about how you took me swimsuit shopping this summer? Or maybe about that time during practice when I shot you with water, and you peed your – "

"I'll just get your shoes now." I allow my stiff legs to regain their feeling, then slowly make my way toward the vehicle's trunk.

I open the back, and of course, three pieces of luggage fall on me. I topple to the ground.

Stupid Kai. Only he would think it's a great idea to travel Ninjago for the final two weeks before school starts.

Zane helps pull a suitcase off of me. "You look extremely displeased, Lloyd."

"Can you blame me? I haven't had a full night's rest in twelve days, I've been cramped in a car for as long as I can remember, and Cole isn't wearing deodorant. Life is just perfect."

Jay rounds the side of the car, carrying Nya in his arms. Her bare feet are splayed in the air.

I raise a brow. Jay's so into Nya, and she just has no idea.

"What's taking you so long?" she frowns. "I'm pretty sure my shoes are at the front of the luggage pile."

I dust off my jeans. "I got attacked by a carryon. Don't blame me." I snatch her tennis shoes from the front of the car.

Skylor plants her hands on her hips. "If you kids don't stop arguing, I'll make sure you can't say another peep. I can use the power of sound, you know."

Nya sighs as Jay lets her down to slip her feet in her shoes. "Sorry, Skylor. Lloyd started it."

"You started it by not wearing – " I stop at Skylor's look. "I apologize, too. Nya's smelly feet are really getting to me."

"They're not that bad!" my best friend fumes.

I smile at her adorably angry expression. "Believe what you want. Let's go." I drape an arm over her shoulders, and we walk in step to the gas station.

Nya and I instantly clicked when she moved to Ninjago City four years ago. We've always been good friends – the closest of friends, actually – but lately, I've wondered if there's more simmering beneath the surface. A romantic relationship with her just seems like a natural progression.

For one, I can be myself around her. She's seen me at my worst and best, and yet she doesn't let that cloud her view of me. For two, we already do a lot of couple-y things: Holding hands, cuddling during movies, spending all our spare time together.

And I've kind of started to have feelings for her.

She clears her throat next to me, bringing me back to the present. "Are you going to let me go so I can fulfill Kai's wishes and use the restroom?"

"Um, yeah." I push my shaggy blonde bangs out of my face. "Sorry."

She rolls her eyes. "I see you can't pull all-nighters. You're not only incredibly grouchy, but entirely unfocused."

"It's your fault I stayed up. Wu and my mom don't usually keep this much sugar around the monastery."

"Yeah, well, I'm cutting off your supply tonight."

I sigh in regret. "You can't exactly stay up all night, either. Mark my words, you'll be asleep in the back of the van within two hours."

She raises a brow. "Okay, bet. If you're right, you get all the sweets you want tonight. If you're not, you have to let me rest my feet on you the whole ride home. Deal?"

"Deal."

An hour and a half later, I'm happily munching on a candy bar while she snoozes, cuddled against my shoulder.

"Finally, some peace and quiet," Skylor sighs. Her hand reaches for Kai's.

I can see his satisfied smirk in the rearview mirror.

"So, anyone up for a round of two truths and a lie?" Jay tries.

Zane frowns. "I physically cannot lie."

"Yes, you can," Jay says. "I'm not good at it, either, but I can still do it."

I shrug. "I'm game."

"I have put such childish ways behind me," Kai announces.

Skylor laughs. "Right. Which is exactly why you listen to – "

He cuts her off. "You know what? Playing that game sounds like a lot of fun."

"Good thing Nya's asleep," Cole chuckles. "With your luck, Jay, you'd end up saying something that'd totally give away your huge crush on – "

"Cole!" Jay moans, blushing miserably.

"It's not like it's any secret," I inform him.

Kai laughs. "Even I know you like her. I also know that you're not man enough to do anything about it, so I don't have to worry."

Jay sighs and looks out the window. "Thank you, Kai, for the vote of confidence. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch the clouds. They look extra puffy today."

"Aww," Cole says. "Jay, I was just joking. We should still play the game."

I nod. "I've got nothing better to do." My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I frown. Glancing down, I see my lock screen photo and can't help a smile. It's Nya and I in the hospital together after she got stuck in a fire this summer. We're smiling for the camera, curled up in her hospital bed.

I almost lost her that night.

"I'll go first," Cole declares. "Okay. Here are my three statements: My favorite food is cake, my favorite music style is soft rock, and...um...my favorite weather is...rain?"

"Way to make it obvious," Jay deadpans. "You hate the rain because it means mud."

I look down at my texts and do a double-take.

Harumi Jade?

Memories flood my mind of that night on the beach two months ago: Of how stupid she was to go swimming, of how all she wanted to do was flirt. Of how perfectly carved her features were.

We texted on and off for a few weeks, but then we pretty much lost touch.

Harumi: party at my house on friiiiiiiiiiiday

Harumi: you should come

Lloyd: Hello to you, too

Why would she text me after all this time?

"Okay, Jay," Cole sighs. "Since you're so good at this game, why don't you go next?"

"Fine. I hate being stuck in the back of this van, I hate that my parents decided I should get my tonsils out the first week of my senior year, and Kai stole my hair gel on this trip because he ran out."

I blink. "Those are three truths."

"No, they aren't," he sighs, looking at Nya.

Cole's face shows recognition. "Oh. Now I see why you happily volunteered to sit in the back."

My phone buzzes again.

Harumi: there will be a lot of cute girls. not as cute as me, but still

I chuckle.

Lloyd: I'm getting back from vacation that morning, sorry

Harumi: awwwwwwwww

Harumi: not even for me?

"Lloyd? Lloyd? Llooooooooooyd?" Jay says.

"Huh?" I quickly power down my phone and look up.

"It's your turn," he explains. "What were you looking at?"

"Oh, nothing. Um, okay. I...I almost got killed by a rock, my favorite color is green, and I've had my powers for half a year."

"You're definitely lying about the one with the rock," Kai says. "The worst thing that's ever happened to you is having your leg broken when we fought your father that one time."

Somebody swerves to get in behind Kai, and he has to hit the gas to avoid a collision.

Once he regains himself, his eyes flash anger. "You stupid j– "

"No cursing, Kai!" Skylor shouts. "Have some respect for the little ears in the back."

Kai tries to hold up his hand to give the driver the middle finger, but Skylor holds it captive.

"That guy is nuts! We have a baby on board!" Kai yells.

I roll my eyes. He's referring to Nya, his little sister, whom he is incredibly overprotective of. Only once he started dating Skylor did he begin to loosen up.

"That's it," he growls. "We're pulling over. I'm hungry, anyway." He changes lanes and takes the first exit off the freeway.

My phone buzzes, and I whip it out. It's another message from Harumi.

Harumi: plz? i really wanna hang out

I'm debating a response when Kai pulls up to the speaker box at a drive thru. "What does everyone want?" he growls.

We all list off our orders. I make sure to put in Nya's favorite, just in case she's hungry when she wakes up.

I look back down at my phone.

Lloyd: We'll see.

Harumi: YAAAAAAAAAAAY you will not regret this

Nya stirs beside me, and I panic. I can't let her see my phone. I mean, it's not like anything's going on between me and Harumi, but still! Things could totally look wrong.

"Oh, hey," I laugh. "Wow, I think I ate too many sweets. I really have to throw up."

"Gross!" Kai groans. "Get out of the car, Lloyd!"

Cole quickly opens his door and flips his seat down.

I jump out, causing Nya to slam her head against the side of the car. "Oww," she moans.

I cringe. "Sorry, Nya, I – "

"Just get out already!" Kai orders me. The car behind us honks, but Kai slams his hand on the horn in response.

I scramble out of the vehicle just as Skylor proceeds to tell her boyfriend off.

Next time, I'll just hide my phone next to me.

Once inside the restaurant, I lean back against the wall.

Lloyd: What time is your party?
Harumi: whenever. i always have time for cuties like you

I think for a moment. Do I even really want to go to this thing? Things will probably get a little crazy, and I'm sure I'll end up leaving after half an hour, but Harumi did ask me.

Lloyd: I'll be there at seven that night :-)

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

"Where is she?" I wonder. Chamille should've been here half an hour ago. She knows I don't approve of tardiness.

I open my bedroom door and pad along the polished wooden floor. This house is so much different than my real parents' – refined, embellished, spotless. My former home was always a little messy, and it was just an apartment. But at least it was home.

My fists clench. The Jades will never be my real parents.

I peek out over the stairwell and am surprised to see a shock of purple hair. Chamille's already here? But –

Oh, I get it. She ditched me to hang out with my not-real brother, Paleman.

The two are holding hands – or whatever passes for that, given that you can't see my adopted brother's hand (he's the elemental master of light) – and walking down the hall toward the kitchen.

Well, my real mom didn't call me Quiet One for nothing.

I sneak down the stairs and follow them. Chamille seats herself at the bar, chattering on about something funny that happened at her softball practice. Paleman makes her a sandwich, nodding and laughing at all the right moments.

Something angry in me says my adopted brother doesn't deserve to be happy. He's had everything in life handed to him. I lost it all. My home, my friends, my family. And then some rich philanthropist thinks he can get more votes for governor if he adopts a child.

The only good thing about this place is that it gives me a chance to work out my grief in peace. I don't have to worry about nosy officials always asking me if I'm okay, or about traveling through different foster families who think they're the First Spinjitzu Master's gift to the world. All I have to do is go to therapy once a week.

It's not bad. I'm a pretty good liar.

I sigh, leaning against the doorway. "When were you two planning on telling me Chamille had arrived?" I ask.

My not-brother jumps. "Oh – uh, Rumi. I didn't realize you were looking for her."

Chamille rolls her eyes. "Lighten up, Harumi. We just went for a walk. I can spend some time with you once I get a snack, okay?"

I feel bitterness rise up in me. Even my closest friends think it's okay to desert me.

"Fine, finish your food. Paleman, would you mind leaving us?"

He adjusts his hat. "W-well, I was going to grab something to eat, too."

I wave him off. "Whatever. Fine. I'll go." I wrap my arms around myself and rush back to the stairwell, stomping up and slamming my bedroom door.

I try to breathe deeply. My therapist tells me I need to let my parents go, but she's crazy. I could never let them go. I just smile and tell her I'll try, though. There's always a mask to wear.

My phone buzzes, and I grab it. I need some distraction – any distraction – from what's going on.

Lloyd: I'll be there at seven that night :-)

Lloyd. That sweet boy who pulled me out of the water. He'll do just fine.

It's not like I can ever actually reveal myself to others, but maybe if I slip back into my mask, I can get control of myself.

Harumi: can i call you

His number appears on my screen just moments later, and I gratefully pick up. "Lloyd?" My voice is sickeningly sweet.

"Hi, Harumi." I can hear his smile. "How are you? What's going on?"

"I'm good," I lie. "I thought that since it's been such a long time since we last talked, we needed to catch up. What have you been doing?"

"Well, I'm currently hiding in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant so I don't get bugged for talking to a girl."

I laugh. "Who would bug you about that?"

"My friends. I guess you haven't met them, but they all go to Ninjago City High. That's where you're going to be taking classes, right?"

"Yep." I finger my hair. "I just moved here in May, so everything will be new to me."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine. You seem like a pretty social person."

On the outside, yes. "So, what are you doing out with your friends?"

"We're actually on a road trip. It's me, my best friend, my best friend's brother – "

"Ooh," I grin. "Your bestie? Is he cute, too?"

Lloyd chuckles. "Well, first of all, he is actually a she, and second...yes, she is pretty cute. But that's beside the point."

"As cute as me?" I toy with him.

"That depends." He clears his throat. "Did you have a good summer?"

I flop on my bed. "The best." Only if it's opposite day. "Lots of parties, lots of people. Lots of alcohol." Which makes the pain easier to deal with.

I remember the night I was sent to the hospital. It was when Lloyd rescued me. The doctor informed my not-parents I'd been inebriated, and they were furious. Once everyone was gone, my adopted dad told me I'd better not ruin his image, or he'd send me back to the foster care system.

Of course, I cried and said all the right words. I told them I loved them, and that I wouldn't give up their home for the world. I promised I'd never drink while underaged again.

Every word was false.

"Hey, Harumi," Lloyd says over the phone. "You still there?"

"Yeah," I swallow.

"Are you okay? You sound upset."

I want to curse so badly, but I don't. I can't slip up again. "I'm fine, just sad that you aren't here. I can't wait for Friday."

"I think it'll be fun. I assume you'll have non-alcoholic beverages?"

"That takes all the fun out of it," I whine. "But sadly, my parents will be home that night, and they won't let me have any. So it'll just be some fun and games. Do you have a car?"

"Not technically. I do have a motorcycle."

"Really?" I ask, excited. "Oh, this'll be fun. If you bring it, maybe we can have a race." I clap my hands. "I'm already calling you as my partner."

"I'm not much for racing."

"Oh, Lloyd, where's your sense of adventure?" I blow him a kiss over the phone. "See you Friday, okay?"

"For sure. Bye."

"Bye," I sing, hanging up.

My demeanor now restored, I grab my old teddy bear and hug it.

"I'll be okay, Mom and Dad," I promise. "For you, I'll find a way."

Too bad those words are just fruits of the mask of deception.