He got it. They wanted him to stop being a little bitch. But fuck, why was everyone up his ass about it? He wasn't imposing his sorrow on them, and it came as fast as it went! Get off his dick. He doubted any of them knew what real, hardcore heartbreak was anyways, so really, they would never understand how he was feeling. Still, their concern was appreciated, even if it was slightly annoying. He didn't even remember making it inside In-N-Out, having gone from picnic table to booth, but here he was sitting inside, with his food in front of him, glaring at the 'open relationship' couple. Yes, his bluetooth was still connected to his car, playing Aces' radio.

"You have lettuce in your teeth."

Cosmo with his charming, hot, Yessi-can't-stop-getting-wet-for-him self had to point out a flaw that everyone would love to poke fun of. Rather than, y'know, offer him a toothpick or something, EVERYONE decided to make a scene of it by intensely looking at his pearly whites. Why don't you take a picture? It'll last longer.

Don't even get him started with his Valentine! Chris, who slid next to Aleks, just took one of his fries to add insult to injury, didn't he? First he was bailing, and now this. With his brown gaze, AJ watched his best friend tauntingly chew his food. Didn't he just buy his own? That was HIS fry!

There was a light clap sound against AJ's face. Yessi... just threw a fry at him. That was HIS fry too.

He will ignore that, for now.

They were all vultures. “What’s up with that face, you thinkin’ bout how you gonna miss me, baby?” Betrayal. That's all AJ felt when he stared at that dark haired, smooth skin, eyeliner wearing prick. Holding his tongue, because he was too busy trying to get the lettuce out of his teeth, he kept his thoughts to himself, which for AJ's impulsive and reactive self, it wasn't like him. But he had more pressing matters at hand. His teeth.

Seemed like the only person who shared a mutual understanding of his sour mood was Mandy, who too wasn't in the highest of spirits. It probably made him a shitty friend for not inquiring about whatever damage was scraping at her mind today, but he'd like to think she appreciated the peace of their car ride here and the calm of them two sitting together in silence, eating, until everyone started trailing in a conga line. At least she wasn't teasing him like these–

..."Fix him before I get the nerve to demonstrate this roundhouse kick I've been practicing." BIIIIIIIIITCH. Glowering, AJ darted his eyes at Yessi with a expression that read: Try me. Don't think because she's a girl he wouldn't whoop her ass! She's lucky she got a pretty face that Aleks loves to touch or AJ wouldn't refrain himself from giving slaps! He didn't need fixing.

"Hello guys! How are we? Urgh. I'm starving. Time for a Double-Double!"

His attitude went up an octave when Monica came in with her welcoming, no-judgement face. Such a babe. Any guy, or girl, would be lucky to tap that! Of course, after AJ makes sure they were in her league, because god knows she was out of theirs. He kept his lips closed but did give her a wide smile, desperately wanting to grin and show his teeth. He might need to go to the counter and ask for something to pick this food out.

❝I’ll come with you.❞ Mandy sprang into action, following Monica to the register. Don't go! The two people that kept the scale balanced abandoned ship and left AJ with the three stooges. Okay, maybe this was his chance to get up and deal with it too.

^Clap. With dead, narrowed eyes, the fuming gearhead brought his attention toward Aleks' hand immediately after he felt another fry hit his face. Specifically his jaw. No, he was in no mood to have quick reflexes and who would assume all three of them would utilize the fries on this table? He should've known better! They were making 'lets eat AJ's fries or throw it at his face' a trend. Greasy ass fries on his face. Dumb.

"I raised you to have better table manners, God damn it." The ticking bomb in AJ was nearly reaching its climax.

Unfortunately, the explosion was bound to happen, but toward a member who had just rolled in and was completely in the dark of anything that's been going on. “I’m MIA for one party and suddenly you all start acting out?”

AJ stood up, looking at Matt like he was gonna' punch him. Pushing out of the booth, he turned back and like a baby giving a tantrum grabbed a handful of fries and tossed it at Aleks, Chris, and Yessi, "Here! Have all the fries!" And that's when Mandy and Monica returned.

Turning on his heel, AJ stormed to the counter. While he was making his way, bitter about a layer of things by now, he tsked, "Someone call Ellie and Parker. If they ain't here in ten, we're leaving their asses." Looking at the sheepish teen behind the register, AJ barked, "I need a fucking toothpick." When she quickly, and nervously, found and gave a couple to him, he went off to the bathroom to make sure this stupid piece of lettuce made its exit.

After a moment of staring at himself in the mirror, showcasing his teeth widely, making sure no food could be found, he tossed the toothpick in the trash, put another in his mouth to chew on, and opened his phone to check his notifications. He went to a name that he hadn't opened in about a week, since she downright declined his offer to join him and his friends on a road trip.

The text thread seemed to look like all he did was spam her, and got nothing in return.

To: Tinkerbell ^{@Dirty Pretty Lies}
r u with Sami?

He knew the chances of her actually replying were low, but he'd be salty if she turned him down for SAMI's road trip. What did the Island of Misfit toys have that he didn't?! Wasn't he her BEST FRIEND?!

Normally rays of sunlight would peak through the curtains of anyone’s room…well almost anyone. Instead of rising with the sun, Umbra found herself surrounded in a veil of darkness. The blackout curtains doing their best work of keeping her room as dark as her soul, edgy I know. The pleas from her grandma were incessant, but not enough to shake the slumber that tethered the queen of the damned to her fluffy mattress. A groggy voice left her lips insisting on only needing five more minutes, she had until 11 am after all to meet at Santa Monica Pier. In her zombie state, she decided to check her phone to see how much time she had left before her alarm jolted her awake. Her hand proceeded to knock down everything imaginable off her night stand before finding her phone.

Her fingers ejected the pentagram pop socket as to not strain her measly pinky.

“Oh, it’s only 11 I have more than enough time” she said as she collapsed back into bed.

That’s when the fear set in and Umbra’s light skin turned a ghostly white. Her body jumped like a woman possessed as she furiously unlocked her phone and opened her alarm app only to see she had set an alarm for 11 pm instead of am.

“Are you kidding me!?!” she spat, throwing her phone down, racing towards the shower as she stripped off her top and black cat pajamas. Perhaps the first sign in a string of bad luck the young witch would face today. Diamond was so desperate to catch her friends she had even brought her toothbrush fully loaded with paste into the shower with her. If only she had a spell to give her more arms, than she wouldn’t need to rotate between her razor, toothbrush, and bar of soap. Leaping out of the shower, with soapy suds tastefully covering her womanly bits, Umbra jumped into her pile of all black clothes hoping to find something…anything clean and cute. Hair and make up would just have to wait, Umbra was sure Em would love the opportunity to touch her face.

“Shower. Check. Clothes. Check. Back pack. Check. All good now let me just see what fate has for me”

The flummoxed teen was finally able to catch her breathe having completed her checklist. Laying out her customized tarot cards she did a quick run of her daily fate. The first card she turned over was The Magician in reverse.

“Poor planning. Shit okay”

Knowing full well she deserved that one. ”Come on, come on” she said under her breath, hoping her fate would be swift and merciful. The next card was, The Hanged Man…in reverse.

“Damn it! Delays? What other delays could I possibly have besides my dumbass alarm”

Umbra closed her eyes and placed all her luck into the third and final card. She flipped it over almost triumphantly before opening her eyes and grimacing. It was The Sun in the upright position, meaning positivity and fun. If it weren’t for her Xanthophobia this would have been her blessing in disguise.

“Right well, I’ll take what I can get” another glance at her phone made her realize she was running out of time.

Almost tumbling down the stairs and rolling her ankle she ran into the kitchen to say good morning and good bye to her sweet grandmother.

“I was calling you and calling you child”

“Yeah, I know, today’s just not my day! I got to go Roe-roe I’m late!”

“Do you want me to drive you baby? You don’t have to be embarrassed!”

“I’m not grandma! By the time you get ready it’ll be the New Year. Bye love you!”

The truth was, despite knowing her friends and being part of the misfits since she moved to Cali, Umbra had always been a little embarrassed of her home and how poor she was compared to the rest of BHHS. With a kiss on the cheek of her grandma, Umbra was out the door and, on her bike, cycling as fast as she could with her eyes set on the pier.

“That girl is just too much” she said with a giggle, watching her pride and joy rush off into the distance.

Time bled away as Umbra did her best to make her way to the pier and the misfits meeting place. Sweat was starting to bead along her forehead and the choice of black was obviously a bad one with the sun absorbing into her clothes and cooking her from the inside out. If Umbra didn’t pass out from dehydration it probably would have been from heat stroke and not the same kind women be having at Sunday service. ”Who loves orange soda. Umbra loves orange soda. Is it true? I do I do I dooo ooo” she said deliriously licking her lips, while imaging what Um had hoped Em had saved for her on this trip. Rounding the corner, she was reinvigorated upon seeing the RV in the not too far off distance. Unfortunately, there was no one around the RV. They’re probably already inside! You have to catch them!, putting the pedal to the metal, Umbra took off in mach speed towards the RV. It seemed The Hanged Man had other plans for her. The nuts and bolts keeping her back tire attached to the frame of the bike loosened and jiggled with every bump and pivot. Eventually, they had all come undone and her back tire flew off the rack.

A shrill shriek left her mouth while her hands gripped the handle bars. Sparks flew as the grinding of metal and asphalt created a cacophonous sound. By the time her eyes had opened, and her face relaxed from her grimace, her runaway train had stopped. Her hands touched every part of her body making sure she still had every limb and piece of skin attached. A smile came over her face in relief of having survived, but quickly vanished remembering she still had yet to make it. The girl’s cardio was as bad as middle-aged man sitting at home watching the Wendy Williams show, so bad. Yet, that wouldn’t be enough to stop the determined shadow.

One knock was heard on the outside of the RV door before she opened the door and fell bustling through the rusting RV. Star fishing onto the floor, swallowing as much oxygen as she could, the final misfit had finally arrived, and her eyes rolled to turn to Em.

“Where’s my orange soda?!” she said before passing out.

It was only a matter of time, Chris supposed. The Gearheads’ engines weren’t the only things that frequently revved up. Nearly every single one of them had a temper, and they all naturally liked to poke at each other. That’s all this was, some friendly poking of the bear. They should have known better though, AJ had inherited his MILF’s drama queen genes, so tantrums like this were common. He was a sensitive guy, which is part of what drew Chris to him as a friend. AJ, despite his tough guy demeanor, was someone who needed a bro to lean on. Chris liked being that guy, and sometimes, Chris was that guy himself…

Looking down at his lap, which was now littered with a scattering of french fries, Chris sighed. He exchanged a knowing glance with Aleks before nodding at the other crew members around. They were all about to head out on a road trip with AJ, while he stayed behind. They had many such tantrums in their near future. It was only right that Chris take one for the team right now. The punkish rider scooted out of the booth, a sprinkling of fries dumping to the ground as he did so. “I got this…” He sad simply before heading off towards the bathroom that AJ had retreated into. What else were besties for if not rescuing you from yourself in a dirty public restroom?

Taking a deuce, might as well before they head out, AJ absentmindedly went to a certain instagram flooded with pictures of his ex. This boy, who he rarely said by name, was called Marshall Radley (face claim, Matthew Bell). Even if this boy never stole his ex, they would NEVER be friends. Sure, he kind of reminded him of his mother, with the whole theater vibe, and sure, he really didn’t mean any harm, but his Candy-ass did something that AJ for some reason was never able to achieve. This gossip-loving diva made Jamie (face claim, Miles Heizer) completely and utterly happy. Marshalls, man. They were the DEVILS.

Grumbling to himself, he opened up a silhouette picture of Jamie on a balcony, staring out at a gorgeous view. His frame was still as attractive as can be. The best he ever had. Fucking dumb. Lightly biting his tongue, he ‘heart’ the picture and commented: Nice pic. Honestly? He was surprised Marshall hadn’t blocked him, but maybe this was their way of ‘seeming’ okay with each other. As he continued to excrete his waste, he heard familiar sounding steps enter the bathroom. Chris got those boots. Ain’t hard to recognize him when he has such prominent strides.

“You here to join me? This is gonna’ be HUGE.” Foolish. AJ was foolish.

Chris’ nose flared upon entering the gross fast food joint restaurant. Eww, disgusting. He looked around for AJ and was soon after greeted by his voice from behind the single stall door. The source of the offending odor. Double gross. “Oh fuck off, you know why I’m here.” Chris crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his backside against the row of sinks, facing the stall door. “What’s up? Why’d you go telenovela on the crew, dude?”

Plop!

“I don’t know, man. Maybe it’s because you’re bailing on our last real summer together. Or maybe—” AJ continued to scroll down Marshall’s instagram, out of pure habit.

“Come on, don’t be a prick. I ain’t bailing. It’s not like it’s gonna be all hookers and blow here, dude. I gotta pass my certs. You know how my moms is, she ain’t gonna tolerate me skulking around the place rent-free after graduation. I gotta work. PLUS, it’s not like I’m going anywhere. This ain’t our last summer unless you move somewhere extravagant, so what’s your real issue?” Lord knows the answer. The fucking twink was the problem. Always was, seemingly always will be. But Chris had to force him to say it, just to prove a point. This shit was going on way too long.

Another plop!

”ONE SECOND, LET ME WIPE MY ASS.” True bros had heart-to-hearts while shitting. After taking care of business, not feeling like talking about what really was eating at him while confined in a smelly stall, he was part to blame for, AJ flushed the toilet, pulled up his pants, and pocketed his phone. That was a good shit. A good shit indeed.

Kicking the stall door open, he cheesed, “Smells like victory!” As he made his way to the sink to wash his hands, you best believe he was hygienic, AJ finally retorted, ”Ya’ll kept eating all my fries.” Nothing but jokes. Classic AJ.

“Your family’s loaded enough to buy the damn restaurant, the fries ain’t the problem. Nice try.” Usually Chris was all jabs and jokes too, but he was being serious about this. Tough love was his specialty in the friend group. “I need a smoke, c’mon.” He wasn’t really asking so much as demanding as he headed towards the bathroom door. Smoking was a stinky habit, but no more stinky than staying here.

"Away from the cars, ‘specially Aleks.” Obediently, AJ followed behind, shoving his hands in his pockets. Even if this brat was stubborn, he did listen. Before they exited the restaurant, AJ looked back at everyone else and stuck his tongue at them. Eventually, they got to a spot where Chris could smoke. Still avoidant, AJ playfully scolded, ”That shit’s going to kill you.”

“Nah, if anything’s gonna kill me, it’ll be Gwen.” Chris said with confidence as he lit up and inhaled. Okay, so he had room for one or two jokes. He exhaled towards the sky before settling his brown eyes back on AJ. “So....” He began expectantly, raising an eyebrow. Spit it the fuck out, AJ.

Grumble. Grumble. Grumble. ”I might’ve… a huge MIGHT’VE.” Looking away from Chris’ stern glare, AJ kicked at the dirt, ”Started my day thinking of where I failed at as…” Grumble. It was HARD to admit his wrongdoing. _{“Jamie’s boyfriend.”} ”And I might’ve… a huge MIGHT’VE.” AJ bent over and dusted the dirt on his shoe that he just put on it, _{“Sent-a-bitter-voicemail-last-night-to-Jamie’s-phone.”}

“But this all is just a might’ve situation.”

Chris just stared at him as AJ explained himself. He took another drag and then sighed through the exhale, rubbing at his stubbly chin. “Now that shit—” He used his cigarette to point at AJ accusingly, “—is gonna kill ya.” Chris thought on his words for a moment and flicked some ashes towards the pavement. “Point blank, you need to get over it, dude. It’s been over a year, hell, almost two, innit? It’s over. Dwelling on it is doing nothing but hurting you, and I know, I know. I’m familiar with the spellbinding allure of blondes, but there’s plenty more out there, aiight? Calling your ex and leaving bitter voicemails is creepy, dude. Don’t be a creep.” Another drag and moments of thought.

“Listen, you’re about to head out on a fun ass road trip. Look in there—” Chris gestured with his cigarette again, this time pointing towards the restaurant window, through which their friends could be seen. “You’re travelling with your good friends, some of which are total babes. Maybe try getting to know one of them a little better, yeah? Yess is good for it.” He smirked now, cracking the “all business” demeanor. “Maybe not them, but point is, try to move on, man. Get laid. See the world, stop dwelling on that shit. It’s a bad look, and today goes to show that it’s bad feels too.” Chris took a final puff before tossing the butt to the ground and stomping it out with his boot.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I knowwww. The ‘get laid’ advice has been said to me many times.” AJ knew as long as he had his phone, there will always be access to things that would get him to think about Jamie. “It would be easier if your bitchass was coming, but I guess I’ll just have Aleks slap me or something.” He paused for a moment and then heavily sighed, “I don’t know why I’m so caught up. It fucking sucks, Chris. If I could just fuck someone and be like oh, yeah, I’m over it, wouldn’t you think I’d have done it by now?”

Chris nodded in understanding. “I know, man. Love fucks us up. And getting laid ain't gonna fix it all, but it’s a start, ya know? Moving on ain’t gonna happen instantly, but it sure as hell ain’t gonna happen if you aren’t willing to let it. And we both know you haven’t been willing, don’t even try lyin’.” And in that moment, perhaps the smoke had given him clarity, Chris had an ingenious idea. AJ never backed down from a dare. “You know what? he smirked. “I dare you to get laid within a week. And don’t think that just ‘cause I’m not there I won’t know if you follow through. I’ll have Aleks to report results.”

Oh that son-of-a—“Fuck you. I’m not some pussy ass. Watch, I’ll blow your mind and then you have to send a picture of Aces’ tits to me. Deal?”

“I’ll see if she’d be down… I ain’t willing to have my balls crushed, dude. She’s terrifying.” Chris stared up towards the sky. “You know, I’m like ninety percent sure she’d be down, so deal.”

“Even if she isn’t down, I want to prove you wrong. I just wanted to see if I’d get something in return.” AJ teasingly chuckled, before bringing Chris into a bear hug and patting his back, “Come here, we gotta’ head out and I’m going to miss my Valentine. You better ace your test, you got that? I’ll come back and beat you for your moms if you don’t.” AJ knew Chris would. He was smart like that. Becoming a mechanic was his destiny.

“Yeah yeah, and I’m the pussy ass.” Chris retorted as he was wrapped into a bro hug. Chris slapped his back a few times. “I’ll pass, man. It’s the only test I’ve ever been confident for. You best have fun and follow through on that dare, aiight?” He didn’t wait for a confirmation. “Now I gotta do the mushy hug thing with the rest of the chuckleheads. Let’s go.”

“We don’t need to go to them, bruh.” AJ shuffled to his car and bent over, then like the ass he was he honked his horn multiple times, “IT’S TIME TO GO, FUCKERS.”

“There. Now go give ‘em love.”

It was true what people said when you die, your entire life flashes right before your eyes. While her life was as short as a YouTube ad rather than a movie, Umbra saw enough to want to keep herself grounded to the rust bucket otherwise known as the misfit RV. Her soul reeling back to her body left her choking on her breath as she regained consciousness. The familiar sound of her bubbly blonde counterpart was a welcome one, not to mention the faint sounds of bubbling soda pouring into a cup.

“…I’m up….I’m up!” the soft prodding of her cheeks left her just as defensive of her sleep as she was this morning. Slowly but surely the witch sat up reaching for the cold ether, guzzling it down with the carbonation burned her throat.

“If you drank my orange soda I would have had to hex your life or at least haunt you after I die, which was pretty close just now”

Umbra looked all around to see the puzzled or inquisitive faces of her peers; they probably should have been used to the magic the young misfits brought to the group. Her eyes caught a glimpse of Sami’s face, noticing the not so subtle beating he received. Not so conspicuously, Umbra leaned in towards Em cupping her hand to her ear. ”What happened to Sami’s face? Did he lose a fight to the RV trying to fix this thing? she asked whispering softly.

“It’s nice to see you too Sami, just don’t get us lost I know how much you don’t like asking for directions” a playful jest attached to the end of her sentence.

Her head then snapped over to face Kim, “I’m healthy enough to give you a hug Kimmy” ensuring the laid back brunette that she was fine.

“So what else did I miss?”