***Hey, all! Sorry it's so late at night, but here you go!***

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

Where I was full-on blushing just moments ago, I'm now incredibly pale.

"Kai...uh..." I can't form words. Somebody help me, I need words!

Skylor's standing beside him with the most amused expression I've ever seen. What, does she find this funny? This is not funny. This is horrible. Nobody was supposed to know I came to this party.

Kai gives me a tight smile, probably for Harumi's sake, and drags me by the arm to the food tables.

"What the heck do you think you're doing here?" he growls as soon as we're out of earshot.

"Uh...well...Harumi invited me, and I didn't want to – "

"Have you been drinking?" Kai demands. He smells the air, as though there'll be traces of alcohol on my breath. "Walk a straight line. Wait. Let me get out my phone flashlight, and I'll shine it in your eyes."

Skylor crosses her arms. "Kai, he hasn't been drinking."
"How do you know?"

"I have the power of mind, remember?" She gives him a raised eyebrow. "And instead of telling you his whole the whole story, I'm going to let him explain things."

Kai sighs. "Fine, fine. Lloyd, let's start over. What the heck do you – "

"For goodness's sake, just let me talk already!" I moan. "No, I have not been drinking. No, I do not have any intention of doing so while underaged. The whole team knows that! I'm only here because Harumi invited me, and I didn't want to disappoint her."

Kai raises a brow. "Not buying it. You know Rumi is a little on the crazy side. You wouldn't just come to please her."

"Are you kidding me?" Skylor asks. "This is Lloyd we're talking about. He can't stand to reject people. That's why he insisted you give that hitchhiker a ride last week on our way to – "

Kai sighs. "Okay, fine. Your story checks out, Lloyd. But...how long have you in Harumi been in contact? You don't really seem like you'd be friends."

"We're not...really friends. Um, that much. But you know, after she almost drowned this summer, she asked for my number, and she wouldn't leave me alone about it, so I gave it to her, and we didn't text much until – "

He holds up his hands. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. You're starting to sound like Jay."

I take a deep breath. "I got her number a while back, and she texted me while we were on vacation. She wanted me to come to this party. I felt really bad about refusing, so I told her I'd drop in. But now, she's drunk, and she's roped me into some motorcycle race." I frown. "Did you know she's adopted?"

Kai's eyes widen. "No...but then, she doesn't exactly look like the Jades, does she? And certainly not like her brother." He smirks at his own stupid joke.

I roll my eyes. "I think she's been through a lot, Kai. Don't make light of it. And if hanging out with her for one night makes her feel better...I'm game."

He crosses his arms. "See, I know Harumi. You may think she just wants a friend, but she's really looking for someone to make out with behind the front bushes."

Skylor's expression hardens. "I suppose you know something about that, Kai Smith?"

He clears his throat. "I am a changed man. My lips are yours only." To accent his point, he snakes his arms around her waist and presses his mouth to hers in a gentle touch.

I cover my eyes. "Eww! Did you have to do that right in front of me?"

Skylor parts the embrace, gazing at Kai lovingly. "Yes. Yes, he did, or he would have a black eye by tomorrow morning."

He smiles smugly, one arm still around her. "Anyway, Lloyd..." His expression turns serious. "You need to leave. Go back to the monastery. Nya's probably bored to tears without anyone around."

Ever since Kai and Nya's house was burned down this summer, they've been staying at the monastery with Wu, my mom, and me. That means extra time with Nya, but also more bugging from Kai. Plus, Skylor hangs out a lot, too, which means I get double Kai's attitude. And Skylor has rubbed off on Nya, so now Nya's a lot brattier.

It's not really the best arrangement.

"I see that look, Lloyd," Kai growls. "You're not going to listen to me, are you?"

"What?" I blink at him. "Uh, I mean, I'm sure your words contain some measure of wisdom, but...it's okay. I'll be careful with Harumi."

Kai shakes his head. "This can go nowhere good." His arm still around Skylor, he guides her over to the drink cooler.

"Wait," I call, following him. "The others – especially Nya – they can't know I was here."

Kai gives me a look, assessing me. Finally, he releases a breath.

"Fine. But I don't want to see you at any more of these events, okay? You're too young."

I stifle an eye roll. "You're only two years older than me."

"That's a world in maturity." He sends me a wave, then grabs Skylor a cola.

I run a hand through my hair. I'm probably being stupid, but I know Harumi needs a friend. She appears to be all wild and crazy on the outside, but...I can tell she's messed up inside.

I scan the crowd. I have no idea where Rumi is, but I assume she'll show in a few minutes. She did insist on partnering with me for the motorcycle race, after all.

I round the front of the house. That's when I hear voices.

"Oh, please," Harumi's voice giggles. "I'm not going to kiss you."

***See the author's note at the end of the chapter, if you've read my other "I Never Knew" pieces LOL***

What?

I creep around the corner to see her talking with some guy. His uncoordinated motions show he's drunk.

"Come on, Rumi," he slurs. "Just for old time's sake?"

She rolls her eyes. "Nope. I'm here with a different guy tonight. Besides, you kiss like a fish."

"Do not," he argues.

"Yes, you do. Now go away. You're getting on my nerves." She turns to walk away, but he snags her hips.

Something deep and burning rises in me.

The guy smiles dumbly. "I'll prove you wrong."

Rumi wrestles out of his grasp. "That's enough."

His arms grab her again, and he pulls her closer, closer –

I'm right behind her before I know what's happening.

"Listen, jerk," I growl, "hands off. The girl said she wasn't interested."

His gaze slowly comes upward. "You got a problem with me?"

"More than just one." I gently tug Harumi away from him. "The important one, though, is that you're messing with Harumi. You know your behavior is bordering on sexual assault, right?"

Fury flashes in his eyes, and he curses. "Get out of here before I make you."

"I could say the same, buddy." I step in front of Harumi.

He draws up to punch me in the face, but his movements are so slow and obvious, I simply step out of the way.

"Now, drinks are around back," I inform him through gritted teeth. "That seems just about where you belong." Before he can respond, I'm dragging Rumi over to my bike. At least we have a quick getaway, if need be.

"Wow," she exclaims, jogging to keep up with me. "That was really hot."

"Who was that guy?" I seethe.

She shrugs nonchalantly. "Oh, just some loser who thinks every girl's in love with him."

"He was going to force himself on you, Harumi!" Does she not see how serious this is?

"Not entirely a big deal, given that you swooped in at just the right moment. You're good to have on hand, you know? You save me a lot."

I frown. "Look, Rumi, I'm going to lay it down straight for you. Do not spend any time around a guy like that."

She waves me off. "Oh, you're such a worrywart! Believe me, I'm used to people like him."

My whole body goes tense. "You...you are? You're used to idiots like that?" I think quickly. "Harumi, how would you feel about meeting some new people? I have a great group of friends I'd like to introduce you to."

"Any hotties?" she winks.

"Uh, I don't know. I don't really pay attention, but...I guess the girls like Cole pretty well. Anyway, I can tell you that they would treat you a heck of a lot better than that guy."

She thinks. "Maybe. There's nobody boring, right? I mean, not like your kind of hot-boring, but...actually boring."

I furrow my brow. "Well, I guess Jay can be annoying, but he's never boring."

She taps her chin, a move that draws my attention for some reason. "'Jay'. That's an interesting name. What's he like?"

"Um, really talkative, super emotional, and kind of funny." And into my best friend.

"Is he a nerd?"

"You could call him that. It really depends on the subject."

"Huh. Well, I'm not really into nerds."

I laugh at the idea of he and Harumi together. "Believe me, he's already got his heart set on one girl. But...Rumi, you could call me a nerd. Like, I freak out when I get a 'B' on anything."

True story: Last semester, it took two hours and seven packs of gummi worms for Nya to coax me out of hiding after I got an 87% on my algebra quiz.

Rumi giggles and plants a kiss on my cheek. "For some reason, that suits you, Lloyd."

I freeze. The way her lips touched me...

I can't describe it, but it's a weird feeling that has me on an adrenaline high.

"Come on," I smile through the strangeness. "Let's go win this bike race."

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

***Music Cue***

I wrap my hands around Lloyd's torso, and I can't help but feel his muscles. This guy works out.

How can a nerd be this hot?

I lean my head against his back and smell him. It's like a pine forest. Not that I'm into hiking, but I know what pine trees smell like. My real mom used to love scented candles.

"Are you ready for this?" he whispers.

I sigh. "Yep." I mean, a thrilling motorcycle ride in the middle of the night, racing along at top speeds, nestled behind the handsome guy who saved you not once, but twice? Can you get any dreamier?

Chamille's voice echoes through the night. "Are you guys ready?" she squeals. I can hear the tequila in her words.

Cheers come from all around, but not from Lloyd. He's entirely focused on winning this thing.

See what I mean? Dreamy.

"All right," Chamille yells. "On your marks..."

Lloyd revs the engine.

"Get set..."

"You holding on?" he murmurs.

"Mm-hmm." I clutch his waist tighter.

"Go!"

At Chamille's word, we're off, slicing through the night. The wind beats against my face, teasing strands of hair that peek from under Lloyd's extra helmet.

I usually don't wear one, but he is a stickler, apparently.

We stay abreast of two other riders as we zoom through my neighborhood. I'm pretty sure the neighbors won't appreciate all this noise at twelve in the morning, but oh, well. My not-dad is running for office, and he's a pretty powerful guy. They won't cross him.

The exit road appears just moments later, coming closer and closer at a speed I've never witnessed. Lloyd's muscles tense.

"Get ready for a tight turn," he instructs me.

I barely have time to readjust myself when he hangs a right at the intersection. The turn is so quick, the bike leans precariously to the side. However, Lloyd rights it within moments, and we're speeding down the road.

"You're going the wrong way!" I yell over the roaring of the wind. "Hiroshi's Labyrinth is a left on that road, not a right!"

"I know a shortcut," he shouts back. "Just hang tight for a moment."

Before I know it, we're veering down a backroad I've never been on.

"Where are we?" I ask.

"A cool place to take girls!" he laughs.

I roll my eyes, and my heart does another one of those weird flips. For some reason, it finds Lloyd really attractive.

I see distant lights in his rearview mirror.

I guess Lloyd isn't the only one who knows about this place.

"We're being followed," I inform him.

"How?" he frowns. "Nobody knows this shortcut, unless they live on this road."

We take a sudden left, and I tighten my grip on him.

"If we take a left at the next intersection, the labyrinth is a straight shot," Lloyd explains. "And that road drops us off at an approximate halfway point in the forest, so we'll have that much of a head start."

"Clever," I smile. "Do you come out here often?"

"I used to. My mom would take me on picnics down here when I was just a little kid, and she would tell me about the time she and my dad met."

"Why'd you stop coming?"

His shoulders tighten. "We stopped when my dad left us."

I feel a pang of sadness for him. "I'm sorry."

We make the left he referred to earlier.

"It's not your fault," he sighs. "Anyway, we've got a race to win, and whoever's following us...is fast." He accelerates his bike.

I've never felt such a thrill in my life.

"The race ends when we exit the labyrinth, right?" he asks.

"Yeah." I look for any vehicle lights in the upcoming forest, but see none. "Did we beat the other bikers?"

"By a long shot. The only one who might ruin our chances of winning is whoever's behind us. But...I'll make sure that doesn't happen." He slows the bike as we approach grass, then maneuvers it through a patch of trees and into the labyrinth.

"Do you know the terrain?" he inquires.

"Not really. I'm not an outdoorsy kind of girl."

"Well, then...this could go badly." He bumps over a rock, and I nearly go flying.

It's exhilarating.

Usually, only alcohol gives me this kind of a high, but motorcycle riding with Lloyd is incredible.

We take a turn, then run alongside a brook. Lloyd stays about ten feet out, just so we don't end up in the water.

Lloyd takes one of his hands off the handlebars to reposition my grip on him. "Five more minutes in here, and we should be out."

"This was fantastic," I breathe. "You have to take me biking again."

"Anytime. And...are you free anytime tomorrow? I'd love to introduce you to my friend group."

"I mean, if it's spending time with you, I'm excited," I flirt. "There's a party on the beach tomorrow, but I'd be happy to have your groupies over here. The Jades have a huge outdoor pool."

"Sweet. Uh, Rumi...do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Fire away, cutie."

"Okay. Um, you don't have to answer, if you don't want to, but...it sounds like you don't identify with the Jades at all."

Surprised at his dark topic change, my hold on him dissolves. I almost go flying off the back of the bike, but he catches me at just the last moment.

Unfortunately, he loses control of the motorcycle to grab me, so the bike is now heading straight for a tree.

***So...what'd you think?

Author's note: I did realize that in the three books I've written for the "I Never Knew" AU, every one has had some creepy guy flirting with the female character. I mean, we have Nya and Nadakhan, Skylor and her ex, and now Harumi and this dude. What's with that? When will the guys get theirs?

Okay, bye for now! Hope you enjoyed :) ***