Another glorious day opening the Sunshine Diner. Who was supposed to be here? Wesley, of course. Where was he? Gone, of course. Granted, Wesley had done a relatively good job before Dustin had showed up — the lights were on, the chairs were down at the bar, floor had been given a quick sweep, and the kitchen equipment was switched on; to top it all off, there was a pot of coffee made. BUT, they needed onions peeled and chopped. People loved onions in all kinds of shit, including breakfast shit.

Did Dustin want coffee? No way, he went straight to the ice cream machine. With a huge mug in his hand, he pulled the lever and dispensed a 6:45 AM chocolate milkshake into his glass, and took one last look around the empty restaurant in a valiant effort, before sighing. “Now, where is that asshole?” The slurping noise of the ice cream through the straw echoed throughout the building.

Finally. Wesley finally had a moment to himself, finally had a brief reprieve from the responsibilities of life. He was hiding in the fridge in the building he was employed at, with his phone in his hand. Connected to the WiFi, named ‘Pretty Fly for a WiFi,’ Wesley had a cup of coffee sitting beside him as he sat on the floor, resting his back against the cold cardboard of a box of condiments. He slipped his headphones into his ears and tapped the Netflix app; like clockwork, exactly what he was looking for opened:

Wesley rubbed his hands together and took a sip from the coffee as the show buffered for the briefest of seconds — seriously, why was the internet in this shitty building so fast? They didn’t make enough money to pay for it — then it began, picking up where he left off the night before:

The scene focused on a Sentinel action figure, clutched by a small hand, hanging by one of the arms from hand of a child, and it slowly zoomed out to show the child staring at the real thing, making eye contact with the Sentinel himself, dressed not in the stark white of his Coalition uniform, nor in the black of the uniform he had been wearing recently, while participating in criminal activities. Dressed in a bright orange jumpsuit that declared him a resident of Wayne County prison, Nathaniel Shroud was led into the courthouse, where he was to make his plea.

The interior of the courtroom was shown now, a cacophony of noise. Enraged citizens, some angry about the crimes he’d committed, some on his side. Sitting on one of the benches in the front row was his entire team — former team? — in civilian clothes. As the doors opened and the master of magnetism himself was led in, the courtroom exploded again, screaming at him, even throwing things at him.

There was a pounding of a gavel on the desk of the judge, and a shout from the judge, an elderly man behind the podium. A new level of ‘media circus’ had been reached with this case, but he would have quiet in his court. “Order in my courtroom, or I’ll have you all held in contempt. Now, I understand that you’re defending yourself, is that correct?” The Sentinel looked at the judge and gave a short nod, before he was brought behind the stand, and he briefly made eye contact with Serenity, before she shifted uncomfortably and quickly averted her gaze. “Nathaniel Nicholas Shroud, you are charged with destruction of private property, destruction of public property, four charges of grand larceny, five charges assault, three charges of attempted murder, and seventeen charges of murder. How do you plead?”

“I plead —”

Wesley’s head snapped up a his headphones were torn from his ears, and he made eye contact with his boss. “Man, what do you want? I did all the opening shit! Are you seriously drinking a chocolate milkshake!?” His voice was sour as he stood to his feet and pocketed his cell phone.

“Need you to chop and peel onions, my dude. And yes, I am drinking a chocolate milkshake. I know, I know. I’m a mad lad.” Dustin replied as he slurped down on the drink, “What were you watching anyway? I bet it sucked.”

“The Coalition season 2—”

“No way! I didn’t know that was out yet. Don’t care though. Go chop onions.” The sheriff replied, stretching his arms out and leading his assistant manager out. “It’s just me and you, y’know. And that new girl is getting here in like a half hour, so I have to train her and introduce her to you fuckers. I can’t do fuckin’ everything. Good job though, you did alright, surprisingly.”

“Why can’t you have Lenny do it?” Wesley complained, and Dustin rolled his eyes.

“He ain’t here yet, and he’s probably too goddamn high to peel onions. Let alone fuckin’ cut them, so get to it dammit. You’re the man.” Dustin said, pushing Wesley toward the kitchen as the man let out a huge groan.

“Okay, fine. FINE. But I’m taking an extra break to watch the fucking show.”

“Whatever, man.”

Across the street of her new job, a job where she will be the first face customers would see at the Sunshine Diner, a fun sized (meaning tiny), young red haired beaut stood beside a Lexus LS 2018 freaking the fuck out. “Am I too early? I’m probably here too early. What if I lose the job? I’M GOING TO LOSE THE JOB.” The teen couldn’t handle the anxiety she was feeling right now.

To the point that her cousin, with a similar red tint to her hair, leaned over to the driver’s side, where her boyfriend was sitting and looked out the window at the back of the head of the massive curls that belonged to Juno Connolly, “Oh hush, Jujubee! If anything, Dusty will find you admirable for being this excited to get to work! Isn’t that right, my Alpha~?”

Was it too early for this? Yeah, yeah it was. It was 6:30, goddammit. She didn’t have to be here till seven! Why were they here already? Olivia wasn’t even awake yet… at least Connor figured she wasn’t — she seemed to be spending the night with the Snyders more and more often, probably filling a void since Noli had all but moved out, Freya was gone, JJ was busy all the time, Eternity did whatever it was she did, Aaron had not one but TWO girlfriends, and Dawn was… well, Dawn. It took some pressure off of Connor though, so he didn’t mind; and he made sure to thank Jenny very often and very sincerely.

“Uh, yeah. Dusty is gonna find her totally adorable. Look, Juju why don’t you just go inside? He’s probably in there. I know he gets in at like five every day.”

“You say that! But what if I embarrass myself ROYALLY. Connor. Melody. Why are you two so calm?! This is a big deal. Watch. I’m going to ruin everything and uncle and auntie will send me back to Ireland. Sending a note to my father: this was a mistake.” If there was one thing Juno and Melody had in common, they were definitely dramatic.

“_{Hey, baby, maybe we should get her high before she goes in there…}” Connor suggested quietly to Melody, before he shut off the car, his finger looking like it didn’t want to hit the button — and to be honest, he didn’t. Getting out of the car meant he’d have to do WORK. “We’re so calm because we know Dusty, and we know that literally no one ever would be mad because you show up early to work, especially not him. Just go in there and show him that you have, uh, spunk.” Connor said, enunciating his statement with a wide yawn. Their bed called to him, even though it was waiting in the room he shared with Melody, halfway across town.

With a pouty face on, Juno’s blueish grey eyes went from Connor, then to Mel, then back to Connor, then back to Mel, as if she was seeking one last push, having not caught the exchange between her cousin and her cousin’s man.

“Maybe not on her first day of work…” Melody softly replied to her love before darting a glare at Juno, “You either go inside right now, or you know that shopping spree I invited you to? With Belle, Kylie, and their moms? Yeah, you can kiss that goodbye! No pretty clothes for any Ty Summer bash that is bound to happen. You’ve never been to a Ty party, so I’m sure you’re dying to go to one. Isn’t the main reason you came here to quote live and experience life unquote?”

“W-wait! That’s not fair. This is my first job. I’m allowed to be nervous, aren’t I?!” Juno squealed.

“Time is ticking.

“Okay, okay! Thank you guys!!” And with that, the petite redhead scurried across the street and to the front door of the Diner. Oh man, she was nervous. Does she just… go in? Is the door locked? The door is probably locked…

Knock. Knock.

The door swung open, and in front of the newly employed Juno stood her new boss: the sheriff of the Sunshine Diner, the man himself, Dusty Waterman. “You must be the new girl. In fact, I’m very confident in that, because I can see Melody and Connor behind you.” At Dusty’s words, Connor gave a half assed wave, but the rest of his body was very busy pushing Melody against the wall and sleepily sucking her face off.

What? It had been nearly twenty minutes since they’d done this.

Holy mother of--

There was a sudden pause in Juno’s expression as she looked up at him, who she assumed was her boss, with bewilderment. This man had the kind of face that could stop anyone in their tracks. A blush did grace her cheeks, which could’ve been a dead give away, or it could’ve been translated as: this girl was nervous as fuck. He had tousled light brown hair that she wanted to run her hands through and his hazel eyes, mesmerizing, hitting her straight in the heart.

What was this feeling?

His face was strong and defined, chiseled by the gods, and his hands looked rough from working. With that muscle mass too, he could easily pick her up, without breaking a sweat.

WHY WAS HER BOSS SO HANDSOME?!

Like damn.

Hey, Mr. Waterman… so who might you be? and could you be, like, with me? Take me on a wild trip I wouldn’t ever forget? The experience I’ve been waiting for… could you be seen with me and still act proud? Hold my hand… pull me close… take me to your office and--

Interrupting her thoughts, that she didn’t even understand necessarily, Cooper Dalton, the designated loiterer, shimmied his way past the new girl and the MAN of the diner, “Dusty, my dude! Looking good. Open early I see! I’m just gonna help myself in. Cute newbie.” Before he got deeper into the Diner, he looked back at the girl and gave a childish grin, “Call me Coop, I’m sure you’ll see me often if you come back after today.”

Completely embarrassed at where her mind went, Juno cleared her throat and gleamed at the other boy, disregarding the tingling sensation coursing through her body, “Juno! And I’m sure I will.” She then brought her attention back to Dusty. “Sorry for coming a bit… early. I’m going to be honest, I’m kind of nervous. I really don’t want to let you down.”

“Cooper help Wesley chop some fucking onions.” Dusty said to Coop as he slipped past him and into the Diner, then he turned his attention back to the girl in front of him, looking her up and down with admittedly hungry eyes. Not bad, worth it. “Hey, you’re not gonna let me down. You dragged Connor out of bed this early, so you must be good at something, come inside.” He gestured and then gently tugged her wrist to pull her inside after him, letting the door shut behind her, before he poked his head back outside, leaning over her shoulder and around to the door. “Don’t you dare fuck her on my sidewalk, Connor!” He let the door shut again.

He’s touching me…

Brakes squealed to a halt before a very flustered blonde slammed her vehicle into park. Kathryn Zabrecky — Rin, as she preferred to be known — looked out of the passenger side window to confirm that this was the correct address. Based on appearances and occupation alone, she didn’t expect Lenny to have the nicest of places… but this apartment was little more than a dismal shack. The windows were furnished not with blinds, but with blanket-like curtains, knowing Lenny they probably were actually just blankets. One of them appeared to have a huge crack in it, which was patched up with duct tape.

“Im here” Rin tapped out the text on her iPhone and set it on the dash after checking the time. Good ol’ Lenny boy needed to hurry his ass up, or this bus was leaving. Flipping the visor down, Rin checked her appearance in the little mirror. Finding it not quite up to standards, she rustled in her tiedyed hobo sling purse and retrieved the makeup bag that she was seeking. Rin touched up her wings with jet black liquid liner and adjusted her falsies, blending them in with her natural lashes using a bit of mascara.

There was a knock on the passenger side window and Rin looked over from her coiffing. Outside stood a man wearing a wildly colorful Grateful Dead shirt, his long ombre dyed locks hanging as he bent his face down to grin in the window. Rin rolled her eyes and unlocked the door for him, flipping her visor back up and putting away her makeup.

When the door opened, Rin was assaulted with the scent of freshly blazed reefer. She scrunched up her nose and looked over at him with disgust. “Seriously?”

“What?” Lenny replied innocently, taking a seat and shutting the door behind him.

”You’re high right now.” She accused.

“Yeah, so, I thought you were down, party girl? I’ve seen you travel on the waves of the creatrix before.” Leonard gestured as he spoke, moving his hand in front of his face and towards her as if it were a dolphin cutting through waves. “Whoosh…”

Rin stared blankly at him for a moment. She blinked and then shook her head while speaking, “At raves… not right before work.” Lenny shrugged and she once again rolled her eyes. “Whatever, not my problem. We gotta go.

The car lurched from its stationary position as Rin pressed the gas. She wasn’t the best driver, this ride would be anything but smooth for her stoned passenger. Beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to free rides in times of crisis so, if he was smart, he would keep quiet. Lenny isn’t smart, but he did stay quiet as he peacefully stared out the window at the passing sights.

“So what happened to your car anyway?”

“Dunno…” Lenny said, breaking his attention from the window to look over at the petite driver. “Just busted, I guess.”

The remainder of the drive went rather uneventfully. Rin didn’t hit anyone, so there was that going for them. After about a 10 minute commute, they pulled into one of the employee parking spots of the Sunshine Diner and headed into work together. They came in through the front door of the restaurant that was not yet open, but minutes from being so. What a pair they were, Lenny looking every part the southern californian hippy stoner, and Rin looking like she just stepped out of one of those barely legal porn videos.

Kathryn sashayed over to the employee coat closet to hang up her purse. She wasn't even closed to being properly dressed for work, but that was just Rin’s style. She wore a green plaid schoolgirl skirt that was hiked up her waist so that the hem sat just below her ass. Rin also sported a low cut black top, knee high socks, and chunky platforms that had metal spikes in the heels. Her platinum blonde hair was thick with extensions and tied up into semi pigtails with black ribbons.

Lenny passed by Cooper and nodded his head towards him. “Sup, my brother,” Leonard said as he made his way back to the kitchen.

As soon as Lenny’s voice entered his ears, Wesley perked up. The relief was here, the cavalry, the one who would free him from his banishment to the godforsaken task of getting the onions ready for the day. Spinning on his heel and shutting off the music that he was listening to, Wesley walked over to Lenny and stood in front of him. “Hey, dude, Dustin wants you to finish up cuttin’ those onions, yeah? I need to be relieved so I can do… y’know, managerial stuff. Dusty can’t, he’s indisposed in his office with the new girl. It’s like half done, so I believe in you. Just don’t cut yourself.” Wesley explained, guiding Lenny over to the pile of onions that he’d been chopping. “You got this, right?”

“Aww, really?” Lenny looked thoroughly displeased with this particular job. He was a dishwasher and occasional table busser, he was not food prep. That being said, nothing was ever as it seemed behind the scenes at the Sunshine Diner. “I hate doing onions, dude. Shit always makes me cry.”

As he spoke, Lenny eyes were already starting to water from the odor of fresh cut onions from Wesley’s efforts. Complaining aside, he walked over to the chopping station. Lenny turned around and opened a deep kitchen utensil drawer. He withdrew a pair of chunky plastic goggles that were supposed to be used when he was dealing with the harsh cleaning chemicals. They worked just as well as evil onion fume guards. Leonard snapped the rubber strap of the goggles over his wild mane of hair and shot Wes a thumbs up. “I got you though, man. I got this.”

“You’re the man, I swear I’ll make this up to you.” Wesley promised, before ducking out of the kitchen, and turning to escape and step outside for an early morning smoke break, but instead found himself looking at the resident eye candy, Rin. “Y’know, Rin, seeing you instantly makes the day brighter. Might not have gotten to watch the show I wanted to, but hey, at least I get to see my favorite blonde girl.”

“Your favorite. Is that so, curly q?” Rin smiled teasingly as she tied a waitress apron around her waist. “Hey aren’t you and the stoner and the loiterer in a band or something?”

“Yeah, totally. My favorite, from the bottom to the top.” Wesley explained to her, grinning and giving a wink as she wrapped the apron around herself, before he nodded and took the chance to advertise himself. “Yeah, with my little brother. We’ve gone through a bunch of different names, but I finally decided on one: The Lone Rangers. I think that’s the one we’re gonna get found and famous with. It really rolls off the tongue, don’t you think?”

“That’s uh… hmm. That’s certainly a name.” The youthful looking girl slid a guest check book and a few pens in her apron. She then went to adjusting the ribbons on her pigtails. Looking cute meant bigger tips, and bigger tips meant more fun for LA nights spent in clubs she certainly wasn’t old enough to be getting into. “Anyway, I bring it up because I’m curious as to why I had to be Lenny’s knight and shining armor this morning. Aren’t you guys, like, bros or whatever?”

“Uhhh, I slept through the text messages. I was fucked up last night, a little high, a little drunk. Still am, to an extent. See, I’ve learned through my years, that the only way to keep yourself from getting hungover is to never stop being drunk and always keep yourself rollin’ on the high. And yes, it’s a fantastic name, thank you very much.”

“Well, something happened with his car. You should apologize to him, poor thing was like a helpless child, I’m amazed that he manages to make it to work most days. He was so high… something about the riding a creatrix. Must be a new drug or something, I don’t know.” Rin turned her eyes up to meet his spring green gaze and smiled, “So, The Lone Rangers. Do you have any gigs coming up?”

At this, Wes frowned with clear disappointment. “Well… No, not really. We’ve played a couple here and there, but it’s not that easy to get them. It’s kind of hard to get big, if you aren’t already from a famous family? The music scene isn’t what it was in the 80s, I guess. It looks easy in the documentaries about the Who and Aerosmith and shit, but this is impossible.”

“That’s a shame, I’d like to see what you boys get up to when you’re not under the roof of the glorious Sunshine Diner. Aspiring rockstars and all that… kinda hot.” The blonde offered him a crooked smirk and turned to strut over to the front desk and open her register.

“What, I ain’t hot enough on my own?” Wesley complained as he watched her walk away. He brushed one of the fallen curls out of his eyes and shook his head, “fine, fine, whatever. I won’t ask you out after work. I’ll wait until I have a gig to bring you to.”

The register drawer shut with a comical ka-ching and Rin looked up at him with an eyebrow arched. Was that him trying to ask her out? It wasn’t smooth at all, but strangely enough, it was working. “Ask me out? After work?” Rin inquired with her eyebrow still cocked. That crooked smirk returned.

“Yes, I might have had something in mind — but now I know the rules, I have to wait until I’m on the path of stardom and riches, then and only then, can I ask Rin out on a date. Luckily for me, though, rules are made to be broken —” Wesley shot Rin his own little smirk, “— wanna go out after work?”

“Well, I have cosmetology class until 9. But I suppose I could pencil in a few hours after that. You know, for the future rockstar.”