***Here you guys go :) Sorry for the day-late update, but I hope you like this chapter!***

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

"I knew I shouldn't have let you back in the driver's seat!" Skylor growls. "You never ask for directions!"

Kai throws a hand in the air, causing the van to drift toward the right. "I thought I recognized where we were!"

I sigh. "Let me put in the monastery's address on my phone, Kai." I pull it out and punch in the directions.

We should only be a few hours out. Then, I can get unpacked and head for Harumi's party. To be honest, I really don't feel like going now. I just want to get outside and stretch my legs, then maybe take a shower and –

I double-take. "Kai, it says we're five hours from home!"

Nya groans. "I can't take the attitude of this car anymore! Skylor, can you please drive?"

"Everyone is fine where they are," Kai fumes. "I don't need a swap."

"Can I at least get a chance to go outside?" Nya exclaims. "We've been driving since seven this morning!"

"Let me handle this, Sis," Skylor smirks. "Kai, please stop at the closest rest area so we can take a break."

"No."

"Kai, we can take cute couple photos for your Instagram if you stop."

He debates. "I get that my fans have needs, but we're not stopping. We're going to be home late, as it is."

She sighs dramatically. "I guess we won't have a chance to kiss behind the 'Welcome to Stiix' sign."

He changes lanes. "Let's go."

I try to stay silent throughout the whole ordeal, even though I really want to side with Kai. We're already going to be home two hours later than expected. I'm going to be super late for Harumi's party, and I don't even want to go.

But I did promise her.

"You look upset," Nya muses.

I blush. "Um, nothing. Nothing at all. Hey, got any more gummi worms?"

"You ate them all during your sugar rush last night, remember?"

I shake my head. "It was all a blur."

"Good thing. You scared us all within an inch of our lives when you got into Cole's suitcase and – ooh, wolabers!"

"Oh, really?" Jay leans closer to my window. "What are they doing standing up?"

"They're keeping guard," I explain. "Now, what was that about me getting into Cole's luggage?"

Jay plasters his face to his own window. "They're on my side, too! What are you doing standing up, Wolaber?"

Nya frowns. "We just explained – "

"Another one!" Jay yells excitedly. "What are you doing standing up, Wolaber?"

Nya giggles. "That's so stupid, Jay. Stop – "

He repeats himself, and she doubles over in laughter.

Kai groans. "Shut up already! We all know there are wolabers standing up!"

I raise my voice. "Is anyone going to tell me what I did last night? Anyone?"

Jay hasn't quit talking yet. Nya's wiping tears from her eyes.

Cole has started laughing, too, and Zane is trying to understand what's going on.

Skylor has now put in her earbuds and is scrolling through music on her phone.

The van suddenly jerks to a stop, and we all look up to see we've arrived at a rest area.

"Finally!" Kai shouts, tearing out the car key and pulling off his seatbelt. "I'm going for a walk. Skylor, you're about the only person I can tolerate right now. Are you coming with me?"

"Cole, you're in charge," she deadpans, hopping out of the vehicle. "See you all in half an hour." Her door slams.

We sit quietly as the two walk away, hand-in-hand.

"Well, I guess we're stuck here," I sigh. "We can't exactly leave without Kai and Skylor."

Cole coughs. "Zane and I signed on with the rental company to help drive. Leaving them would be perfectly legal."

Nya moans. "Yeah, but I'm already grounded for eating salad with my hands. I can't help that the waiter forgot my fork."

I scrunch up my face. "That was a sight I don't want to ever see again."

"Are you kidding me?" Jay laughs. "None of us had any idea she could stick her whole hand in her mouth! That's so cool!"

She blushes. "Yeah, well, Kai does not appreciate that talent. Let's not make things worse for me."

I eye her. "Wanna hit the playset?"

"They have a playset?" Jay exclaims. "Let's go!"

Cole sighs. "As the adult here, I think – "

"They might have one of those fake wrapped muffins in the vending machine," Jay bribes him.

He's out of the car without another word.

I groan. "Cole, you didn't even put your seat – oh, never mind!" I wiggle my body over the top row.

Zane clears his throat. "Lloyd, a person of your height and muscle mass could easily damage – "

"It's okay, Zane. It's a rental." I crack my neck as I hop out.

"That is a highly illogical reason to – "

I flip down Cole's seat, and Nya and Jay scramble out.

"Wanna come with us?" I ask Zane. "Kai and Skylor won't be back for a while, and Cole will be after us as soon as he's done with his muffin."

"A...playset?" Zane frowns. "It is built for children, and all of us – besides Nya – are much too tall."

"Hey!" she frowns. "I'm five foot three! I'm not that short!" Her eyes gleam. "And while you three stand around and argue, I'm going to beat you all to the swings. There are only two, if you haven't noticed."

She breaks into a run, and I grin, chasing after her. Her legs are so short, she'll be lucky if she beats one of us.

I fall on the rightmost swing, laughing. "I knew I'd make it here first. You're such a shorty."

She crosses her arms and huffs. "Just like I knew you'd gloat, and I figured I'd have to do something about it." She delivers a kick to my shin.

I groan. "Oww! Now that's not very – "

She plops down in the swing beside me and sets it into motion. "Not listening, Lloyd."

I sigh as Jay and Zane catch up. "You're difficult."

"One of the many reasons I'm your best friend. I bet I can go higher than you."
"You know, you've lost a lot of bets this vacation."

She shrugs. "I'll win this one. Are you on?"

"Fine. What do I get when I win?"

"Trust me, Lloyd, you won't get that far."

I roll my eyes. "Okay, we'll see who's right." I stand back to give myself a little extra acceleration.

She smiles at Jay and Zane. "Who wants to push me?"

I scoff and jump off the swing. "Pushing you? You never said anything about that!" Good grief, this girl is unhinged! I know Skylor introduced her to girly stuff this summer, and she went from being my best friend to being kind of hot, but...this is totally inappropriate!

She bursts into a fit of laughter. "I win!"

"Wait – what?" I look down to see my feet firmly planted on the ground. "Oh. But – that's not fair!"

"You totally fell for that one," she smirks.

Jay's face is flushed. "It's okay. I-I did, too."

I cross my arms. "I call a rematch."

"If I win, I get ultimate bragging rights," she warns me.

"Whatever." I climb back on. "All right. Three, two, one, go!"

She immediately pushes off, but I've already beat her height by several feet.

The determined look on her face is so cute, I can't help but chuckle. "Nya, I think I've got you beat on – "

My phone sounds from my back pocket. I pull it out while I swing, then nearly fall off when I see it's a text from Harumi.

My feet immediately drag the ground.

"Are you forfeiting?" Nya frowns. "You know I won't let you live this down, right?"

I wave her off. "Sure." My eyes glued to the screen, I walk off in the direction of the restrooms.

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

When I got her text this morning, I was surprised. What does Lloyd have to do with anything?

I'm just now in the initiation phase for the Sons of Garmadon. Why would Ultraviolet ask me what I knew about him? Is this a trick?

I debated about texting her back all day, but it's four in the afternoon now. I really can't put it off much longer before she gets suspicious.

Harumi: he's a junior at NCH. cute. why?

Her response is near immediate.

Ultraviolet: HE'S A PERSON OF INTERESSSSSST *wiggly eyebrows* DO U KNOW HIM WELL

Harumi: ...no...but he'll be at my party 2nite

Ultraviolet: K

Ultraviolet: C WHAT HE KNOWS ABOUT OUR LEADER

I power off my device. Why would Lloyd know anything about Garmadon? It's not like I'm even friends with the guy, but I can tell a goody-two-shoes when I see him. To be honest, I wouldn't even care that he existed if he wasn't so yummy.

And also, he saved my life, and a girl can use that sometimes. He's not a bad contact to have.

***Music Cue***

I get up from my bed and stalk downstairs. The Jade's cook had the past few days off, but she's back tonight, so I might as well get some food.

It's been a while.

I turn the corner at the hall, but a voice stops me.

"Rumi, wait up a moment," my not-brother says.

I inhale deeply, schooling my features. "Paleman."

"Uh, hey, Harumi. Um...I know we're not exactly friends and all..."

I snort. Understatement of the century.

He goes on. "...but, Rumi, I'm kind of worried about you. I know for a fact there was a party last night, and you didn't go. Plus, you've been holed up in your room ever since you got mad at Chamille and me. I'm...just wondering if you're okay."

I cross my arms. "Look, Paleman, we barely have the decency to speak to each other, so why don't you deal with your problems, and I'll deal with mine?"

He holds up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I get it. Just...uh, make sure you take care of yourself."

"You don't know squat about my life, so just butt out." I toss my hair and walk away.

Stupid adopted brother. He thinks he has the right to be concerned about me, when he steals my only real friend and makes my life miserable.

And everything's just made worse by the fact that he has powers and two doting parents who've loved him since birth, and I have...nothing.

There's nothing to make me special, and neither of my parents are still living.

I slide into a seat at the kitchen bar. "Mrs. Darst," I call for our cook. "Would you mind coming here for a moment?"

She bustles in, a huge smile on her face. It's hard not to like the pudgy servant.

"Miss Jade," she exclaims. She extends her arms for a hug, not sure if I'll accept the move.

I gently step into her embrace. "It's good to see you again." She's the only person I like in this house.

"You're thinner than when I last saw you," she frowns. "Didn't that other cook feed you?"

"Well, my father" – adopted father – "was out all day yesterday, and our temporary hire couldn't be bothered to do anything while he was away. And I haven't left my room since yesterday afternoon, so I couldn't really make myself anything." Though my real mother used to love having my help in the kitchen.

"Poor thing," Darst sighs. "What would you like me to fix for you? I know you enjoy my dumplings."

I shake my head. "Just a sandwich, thanks."

She eyes me. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I have a party starting in a few hours, and there'll be snacks there." Chips, pizza, pop...anything but alcohol, the one thing that could maybe lessen my pain.

Her face lights up. "A party? Sounds like work for me."

I smile. "Don't worry about it. You already know Mrs. Jade will be a bear when she gets back from her meeting."

Mrs. Darst whitens.

Aren't my not-parents just the best?

I pull out my phone and toy with the idea of calling Lloyd. Ultraviolet did show interest in him, and I'm a little concerned why. I mean, he's pretty much your basic picket-fence, breakfast cereal-eating boy.

Finally, I give up and just call him.

The phone rings for what seems like hours. I'm just about to hang up when –

"Hey, Rumi," says a breathless voice. "Am I allowed to call you that?"

I roll my eyes and can't help but grin. He's such a good boy.

"Yes, Lloyd, you can call me Rumi. How are you?"

"Great, actually. Uh, listen...about your party tonight..."

My heart drops a little, knowing he's going to reject me just like everyone else in my life.

Even Chamille.

"What is it?" I ask through clenched teeth.

"I'm going to be a little late. My best friend – Nya – her brother got us lost, and he drove us an hour out of our way. And now we're at a rest stop while he cools down, since he's very low on sleep and is entirely a grump."

The crease at my forehead eases. So, he isn't outright canceling on me. "I'll miss you," I say in a pouty voice. "But you are still coming?"

"Yeah, of course. I won't be much fun, though. I'm pretty exhausted."

I shrug. "I'll keep things interesting. Hey, uh, this is going to sound like a weird question, but...a friend of mine said you know about Lord Garmadon, the guy who keeps on attacking the city." I am not discreet at all.

Lloyd pauses. "Yeah, I know about him. He's an old connection of my mom's. Why?"

"As I said, one of my friends was interested. She probably just likes you or something. Anyway, she's not what I wanted to talk about." That's a lie. "I really wanted to confirm that you were still coming. You don't seem like the partying type."

"You'd be right," he chuckles. "I'm pretty much as boring as they come."

"I highly doubt that, Lloyd," I say in a flirty tone. "You seem anything but boring."

"Uh...thanks." I can hear his blush. "By the way, what was the name of this friend?"

Oh, poop. "Her name's Violet. I don't know her all too well, but I could get you her number if – "

"No, no, it's fine. Believe me, I'm not interested."

"Oh, okay." That's a relief. Ultraviolet would kill me if he caught wind of the Sons of Garmadon. "Hey, I'm just about to get a snack, so I'm going to hang up. But what time do you intend to come tonight?"

"Let's aim for ten o'clock."

"Ooh! Things will be in full swing then." I inject as much excitement into my voice as possible. "See you then, Lloyd!"

"Bye, Rumi."

I smile as I hang up. He's such a cheerful guy.

That makes him the very opposite of me.

***Things are startin' to get interesting, folks...next chapter should be (hopefully) posted tonight!***