The next morning, Becky and her friends decided to meet up at the Rollins' cafe before school for the grand opening. The four of them were sitting outside while customers filed inside to get in line.
"Looks like they're not going to have a problem getting business." Alexa said.
"It's not that big of a surprise, parents may not know how to manage their marriage but they've sure as hell always done well at managing business together." Dean commented.
Becky thought over what Dean said about Seth's parents marriage.
"I'm going to go next door to grab a few things for class." Alexa told everyone as she got up from the table.
Dean, Becky and Kota enjoyed their coffee while Alexa walked to the supplies store next door. She made her way inside and grabbed a pack of pencils before making her way over to find a new binder. It was then that the store door opened, causing the a few bells to ring. Finn Balor walked in wearing a baseball cap. He was on his way to the cleaning section when he saw a small blonde trying to reach for a binder on a rather high shelf. Finn took a few steps towards the girl before recognizing who she was. It would have been smart for him to steer clear of her but something about her drew him in.
"Need some help?" Finn asked curiously.
Alexa looked over and let out an embarrassing laugh.
"Oh um, sure." She said as she stepped back shyly.
"Which one?" Finn asked.
"Pink." Alexa said a little quietly.
Finn reached up and grabbed the pink binder. He gave a charming smile as he handed it to her.
"Thank you." Alexa said as she began to blush.
Finn held the smile on his face as she began to walk away.
"Do you go to school near here?" Finn blurted out, not knowing how else to start a conversation.
Alexa looked back with a nervous laugh.
"Um, yeah. Fitzgerald Prep." Alexa told him.
"Oh, fancy." Finn joked.
"You?" Alexa asked with a little more confidence.
"Eastside high." Finn lied.
"Oh, Eastside. That's-." Alexa began to say.
"Unfortunate?" Finn interupted her.
Alexa let out an adorable laugh.
"I'm Finn." He introduced himself as he offered out his hand.
"Alexa." She told him as they shook hands.
At the cafe, Becky and Dean noticed that Kota seemed to be a little occupied with something on this phone. He kept shaking his head and making disapproving faces.
"What's up with you this morning?" Dean asked.
"Hmm?" Kota said.
"You haven't taken your eyes off your phone since we've been here." Becky told him.
Kota took a deep breath and put his phone down.
"Sorry, I was just reading something." Kota said unfortunately.
"Deano?! A man asked as he approached the table.
Dean looked back in surprie to find Seth's father standing there.
"Mr. Rollins?" Dean asked as he stood up and greeted him with a hug.
"How've you been kiddo?" Ryan Rollins asked.
"Well I'm not a kiddo anymore if that's what you're asking." Dean joked.
Becky looked at Seth's father with a bit of discomfort, knowing that his wife was cheating on him.
"Where's Seth? I figured I'd fine the two of you together." Ryan said.
"Um, I don't-." Dean began to say before Seth pulled up in front of the cafe with Renee.
"Speak of the devil." Ryan joked as Seth and Renee got out of the car.
"NeeNee! How's it going darlin'? Ryan asked.
"Hey, Mr. Rollins. It's good to see you." Renee said as she also greeted him with a hug.
Dean gave Renee a slight smile, hoping she was okay after what happened last night.
"Hey dad." Seth said with a big smile.
"Come here, son." Ryan said as he hugged Seth tightly. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too." Seth assured him with a few tears in his eyes.
Renee smiled at Seth as he hugged his father.
"So, what's the gang up to today? You three still go to that tree house of yours?" Ryan asked.
Seth, Renee and Dean all laughed as they remembered their old hangout spot.
Kota looked to Becky with confusion.
"How long has he been away again? Becky asked quietly.
"Ryan." Linda Rollins said as she stepped outside.
Ryan looked back at his wife and took a deep breath.
"You said you wouldn't be in until this afternoon." Linda said unfortunately.
"Well my plan landed early so here I am." Ryan said with a bit of annoyance.
Becky began gathering her things.
"I've gotta get going." Becky said as she hurried to leave the awkward situation.
Kota looked around with disbelief, realizing that he'd just gotten stuck with the bill as Dean left with Renee and Seth.
That day at school, Kenny was at his locker with Miz and Maryse when Kota passed down the hall. Cody had just approached his friends and gave Kota a slight glance and Kenny tried his best to pretend he didn't see him.
"Doughnuts anyone?" Sasha asked as she walked up beside Cody.
Everyone grabbed a doughnut.
"Hey, have you guys seen Mella?" Renee asked as she and Seth joined everyone.
"Not yet." Sasha told her.
"Did you make it to the photo shoot thing?" Cody asked.
"Unfortunately, yes.." Renee answered.
Kenny looked at Seth for a moment.
"Hey, what was it that you said you brought over last night?" Kenny asked him.
"What?" Seth asked .
"You said you brought over a book for Miz. What was it?" Kenny asked again.
Seth looked to Miz with concern as he tried to mouth "Cinderella." Everyone looked at Miz with confusion.
"Seedless." Seth told Kenny.
"Seedless?" Kenny asked.
Miz closed his eyes with disappointment.
"Try again." Kenny told him.
Seth felt a rush of guilt come over him.
"Fine. I was there looking for you, okay? I thought you were having a hard time with the whole Kota thing and decided to stop by." Seth lied.
"Then why didn't you just tell me that when I first asked about it?" Kenny asked angrily.
"I don't know, okay? I guess I panicked.. I didn't want you to get the wrong idea." Seth told him.
"You better not be lying." Kenny said before storming off.
Sasha couldn't help but be a little curious as to what Kenny was assuming Seth was doing there last night.
Down the hall, Carmella was in the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror. She reapplied her red lipstick and fixed her hair. She examined herself for a moment, not knowing who was looking back at her. She adjusted her red headband and forced out a fake smile. She grabbed her things and left the bathroom. Dean was walking down the hall when she made her way out.
"Oh, sorry." Dean said as he almost ran into her.
"Watch where you're going scrub." Carmella warned him.
Dean looked at her for a second, noticing something different in her.
"Are you okay? After last night-." Dean began to ask her.
"Do I look like I need you of all people to check in on me?" Carmella asked with irritation.
"Honestly-." Dean began to answer.
"Do not answer that." Carmella stopped him.
Dean let out a slight laugh.
"I'm just asking how you're doing." Dean told her.
"And I'm telling you that I am perfect. So leave me alone and go back to drooling over Renee." Carmella said before walking away.
Dean couldn't help but be impressed by her ability to hide her pain.
Carmella made her way down the hallway and passed right by her friends without a word.
"What's her deal?" Maryse asked.
Seth looked to Renee with concern.
That afternoon at lunch, Renee, Seth, Miz, MAryse, Sasha and Cody were all sitting at their usual table when Kenny sat down with them. For whatever reason, Kenny seemed much more quiet than usual.
At another table, Becky and Alexa were sitting with their own friends.
"Okay, favorite bands, go." Becky told everyone.
"The Killers." Alexa said immediately.
"Am I being too predictable if I say Led Zepplin?" Dean asked.
Kota, Becky and Alexa laughed.
"Fine, then I'll go with.. The Beatles." Dean corrected himself.
"I'm going with The Runaway's." Becky added.
"Talk about predictable." Dean laughed.
"Yeah, you've totally got a whole Joan Jett thing going on." Kota added.
Suddenly, Carmella walked into the cafeteria. She made her way through the line to get her food but froze when it came time to sit down. She looked over at her friends and thought things over in her head. Renee looked up and saw Carmella with her tray. She gave her a hopeful look but Carmella looked away. The other took otice of Renee's disappointing look and looked over to see Carmella walking towards the other side of the cafeteria.
"What about you?" Becky asked Kota.
"I guess I'll say Nirvana but ask me again tomorrow and it might change." Kota said.
Dean nodded in approval of Kota's choice and took a sip of his water when a particular blonde sat herself down at the table. Everyone grew silent and looked to Carmella in complete confusion.
Renee and the others were in a bit of shock themselves.
"Is she fucking crazy?" Cody asked.
"Looks like it." Kenny commented.
Carmella looked over at Dean and forced out a smile.
"I know I'm beautiful but you guys don't have to stare that much." Carmella told everyone.
Becky put her elbow on the table and rested her chin up on her hand as she watched Carmella in amusement. Kota and Alexa looked to each other curiously.
"You lost Van Dale?" Dean asked.
"No. Believe it or not, I am purposely blessing you all with my presence." Carmella told him.
Dean let out a scoff and rolled his eyes.
"So, what were you all just talking about?" Carmella asked.
Alexa and Kota stayed silent.
"Favorite bands. What's yours?" Becky asked.
Carmella hesitated to respond.
"You do know what music is, right?" Dean asked.
Carmella now rolled her eyes at Dean.
"Obviously. But unlike you I have an actual life to live and don't have time to sit alone in my room every night listening to Simple Plan on a loop." Carmella smarted off.
"Simple Plan, huh?" Dean asked in amusement.
Becky looked at the two of them with a bit of curiosity for a moment. That's when Roman walked into the cafeteria. Carmella's eyes wandered over to him as he sat down between Cody and Kenny.
Dean looked over at Roman for a moment himself as Carmella checked her phone. A disappointing look came over her face as she saw that he had read all of her messages from the night before but never replied. Cody could be seen saying something to Roman and pointing over at Carmella. Roman looked back at her and she let out a hopeful smile. But Roman didn't even acknowledge her. Dean tried to keep his comments to himself.
"How was she last night?" Renee asked Roman.
"Who?" Roman asked.
"Mella. How was she?" Renee asked again.
"How should I know?" Roman said.
Renee stared at him for a moment.
"I know she would have called you." Renee told him.
Everyone at the table brought their attention to Renee as she pushed Roman.
"I was busy last night, okay? I don't have time for whatever the hell it is that she needed. I can't just be there anytime she needs me to tell her which shoes to wear." Roman said.
Renee scoffed and shook her head in disapproval.
"You're a jackass." Renee told him with frustration.
Roman glanced around the cafeteria and saw April sitting by herself.
"You're just now figuring that out?" Roman said in response to Renee before getting up from the table.
Everyone looked at each other with confusion as Roman walked across the cafeteria. April was studying what she could while she ate lunch. Her hair was up in her usual ponytail. She fixed her glasses and turned a page in her book just before Roman approached. She looked up with a bit of fear in her eyes as he sat down across from her.
"What do you want?" Roman asked her.
April looked around, almost asking for help.
"I'm sorry?" April asked.
"I know you saw me last night. So what do you want?" Roman asked her.
April hesitated to speak.
"I don't-I don't want anything." April assured him.
"No offense but that doesn't give me a lot of reassurance. You can do a lot of damage to me and my families reputations with what you know." Roman added.
"I'm not going to say anything, okay? I honestly couldn't care less about you or your family." April told him.
At this point, a few heads were turning in curiosity of Roman and April conversation. Becky saw that April looked afraid and began to get up.
"I got this one." Dean told her.
The second Cody saw Dean get up, his first instinct was to follow him in hopes of backing up Roman. But he glanced over and saw the look Kota was giving him, reminding him of their deal.
"I can pay you a lot of money to keep quiet. Just name your price." Roman assured her.
"I told you I don't want anything." April tried to tell him as she gathered her things.
She stood up and tried to walk away but Roman blocked her from going anywhere.
"If you tell anyone-." Roman began to threaten her before Dean approached.
"Let her go." Dean told him.
Roman hovered over Aj and she looked up at him with helpless eyes. He stared at her for a moment, hoping to get his point across. He finally turned around and brought his attention to Dean. At this point, nearly everyone in the cafeteria was watching.
"You know you've got a pretty bad habit of sticking your nose in my business, Ambrose." Roman said as he got in his face.
"Yeah? Well you've got a bad habit of being a dick. So here I am." Dean told him.
Roman laughed in his face.
"You've always gotta be the good guy, huh?" Roman asked.
Dean didn't respond.
"Lucky you." Roman said before storming off.
Dean looked over to find April with her head down.
"You okay?" Dean asked.
April looked up at him and nodded kindly.
"I'm Dean." He introduced himself.
"Aj." She said shyly.
"My friends and I have an extra seat at our table." Dean told her. "It's your if you want it." Dean assured her.
A few people watched as April joined the others at their table. Carmella watched her for a moment when she sat down.
"How the hell do you know my boyfriend?" Carmella asked accusingly.
April looked at her with a bit of concern.
"Um, I don't." April assured her.
"Yeah, that's not what it looked like to me, sweetheart." Carmella said before storming off herself.
"Don't worry, she's not with us." Dean assured her. "This is Alexa, Kota and Becky."
Everyone waved politely to her welcoming the apparent new ally.