CLAIRE

It had always been my uncle's dream to have his restaurant. He immigrated from Mexico and settled in California with my dad, working towards becoming a U.S. citizen. When my mother passed away, he became a citizen and promised to help my dad provide a happy life for Shawn, Carter, and me.

My uncle had crafted Junkies Diner's front door from refurbished metal, and as you entered, the aroma of delicious air-fried buffet food filled the air. The floor was sturdy concrete; he had made the booths using old junkyard cars that he had skillfully repurposed. A light bulb hung above each table with a dangling string. Tools and heavy tires adorned the walls while they fashioned pushcarts out of old toolboxes. A cherished photo of my family, filled with joyful smiles, illuminated under the moonlit windows at the front, visible to everyone.

"What can I get for you?" my uncle, Martine, asked as we squeezed into the booth nearest the entrance. James held my hand, offering reassurance.

"I'll have the Junkyard chicken with air-fried potatoes," Noah ordered.

"Same here," the rest of us muttered. I shrugged.

"Alright, I'll pass on your orders to Kyle," my uncle smiled before walking away.

"So, does your uncle know about you and James?" Mark observed. I shook my head, pressing my hand against my stomach under the table.

"Some of our family members know, but it's relatively new," Shawn answered.

"He means it's a recent relationship," Noah chimed in. James rolled his eyes, and I squeezed his hand, expressing my support.

"That's what I said," Shawn muttered.

"It didn't sound that way," Noah defended himself.

"Don't be rude," Mark growled at Noah. Suddenly, my uncle surprised all six of us, appearing at the front of the booth and tapping his digital pen against his pad.

"Any drinks for you all?" Five of us shook our heads while Bryce nodded. "I heard you guys have spicy cucumber limeade here?"

My uncle chuckled. "Of course we do, kid."

"I'll take one of those," Bryce replied. My uncle entered the order into his pad and smiled. "I'll get right on it," he said before walking away.

"Are you going to tell him?" Bryce urged.

A sudden gun click caught everyone's attention at the front of the restaurant. A woman screamed in fear, and everyone sought cover behind the buffet bar. But the rest of us froze at the table like sitting ducks.

"Hey, sweetheart. Where's Gary?" the gunman asked, addressing me. We sat there in stunned silence. James, Noah, and Mark pulled their hoods over their heads. Were they about to do what I feared? James quickly got out of the booth with his hands raised.

"Not to be rude, but guns can be dangerous," James said. The man pointed the gun at James, who stepped back. James briefly locked eyes with me before refocusing on the criminal. "Okay, I'll back off. Just calm down."

The gunman then aimed his weapon at the five of us still at the table. "Get up," he demanded. Bryce covered himself with his hoodie, and the boys slid out of the booth to join James.

"Don't even think about playing the hero. Your parents will be planning your funeral tomorrow."

James patted my shoulder, and I looked at him. His voice momentarily soothed me. "Run and hide," he whispered. I ducked under the table, and Shawn and I crawled past them.

Mark knocked over the pepper shaker on the table and grabbed the salt. "Should we do our  thing?"

My boyfriend shook his head. "Are you serious?" James whispered.

"You started it," Mark whispered back, his breathing heavy with nerves. There was silence as the gunman deliberated on whom to target first.

Then, unexpectedly, Noah stepped forward. "I didn't properly introduce myself, mate," Noah smiled, his expression confident. "Where are my manners? I'm your worst nightmare."

Suddenly, Mark hurled salt at the gunman, blinding him, while Bryce appeared behind him. "What the hell?" the gunman growled. I knew it. I knew my boyfriend had superpowers. I knew he was also Alpha, the superhero in the video. A wave of nausea washed over me as I stood at the back, watching my boyfriend unleash his powers.

Bryce wrestled for the gun and came to my side, handing me a shotgun. "You're welcome," he said. What was I supposed to do with a gun?

The man raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "That's cute, kid, but you're messing with the wrong guy."

James crushed another gun barrel and then sprang into action, his face flushed with determination. Maybe not. The front windows shattered, and bullets flew in all directions. Three men entered the restaurant through the broken windows.

"Let's see what I can do." Mark locked eyes with one gunman and shook his left hand, flames bursting forth from his fingertips. He thrust his hand forward, and a fiery ball struck the man in the chest, engulfing his clothes in seconds. "To be honest, I didn't know I could do that," Mark said, his eyes wide with surprise.

Shawn took cover as James disarmed another man and telekinetically floated the gun toward himself. Shawn looked shocked, shouting out, "News flash, guys! I don't know how to use a gun."

"Then figure it out, mate," Noah snapped at Shawn. Another fireball shot from Mark's hand, setting the other gunman ablaze.

James swept his foot under the man's leg, causing him to fall. Rolling his eyes, James used his mind to propel the gunman across the room, slamming him into the wall. My uncle emerged from the back of the restaurant amidst the chaos, his eyes lighting up when he saw the commotion.

Shawn struggled with the rifle, accidentally firing a shot. The gunman dropped his weapon and fled through the window. The others followed suit. Bryce retrieved the firearm, tossed it to James, and tore it in half. The fight was over in mere seconds, and people rushed for the exit.

"What the fuck just happened?" my uncle growled. "Your father is going to kill me."

I stared at James in shock as he shrugged. "I'm sorry," he said.

"Where did you kid get superpowers?" my uncle asked angrily. Noah nonchalantly shrugged. "It's a long story."

"We need to talk," he gestured towards the kitchen. "All of you." We followed him to the back, where we began one of our many legendary conversations.

∆∆∆

"What the hell?" my uncle growled once again. Kyle, one chef, remained in the room, cooking and glancing at us intermittently. "Those men could have killed all of you," he addressed everyone. Shawn still clutched the gun James had given him, but my uncle swiftly took it from his grasp. "You're all teenagers. What were you thinking?"

"People could have died if they did nothing, Martine," Shawn replied defiantly.

"Wait, you knew?" I asked him.

"Yeah," Shawn replied, rolling his eyes while Claire hugged my arm.

"Those men could have killed you," Martine snapped, shaking his head. "What about your identities? People had their phones out, filming everything. It could be on the news within an hour."

"That's why we threw our hoodies over our heads," Mark noted.

"That's not the point," my uncle interjected. "I could easily pick you six out in a crowd. You stand out like a fox in a henhouse."

"By the way, who were those men?" Noah asked, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"None of your business," Martine replied curtly.

"He's got a point," Kyle said, pointing to Martine with a metal spatula.

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for the support, Kyle," I grumbled.

"Listen, if you kids are serious about this superhero stuff, I have a personal tailor who can hook you up with suits," Kyle offered.

"Enough, Kyle. They're kids," my uncle growled, dismissing the idea. Kyle returned to his cooking.

"What if we considered his offer?" James proposed. The boys shrugged.

My uncle's eyes widened. "Are you serious? Did you hear what I said? Your kids. I'm calling your dad. You'll be lucky if he only grounds you for a week." His gaze briefly met mine before urgently dialing a number on the wall phone.

"I'm also sixteen, almost seventeen," I snapped. "These boys just saved you, so you owe them."

"I'm your uncle. I don't owe you anything, but..." He paused, glancing at Kyle, and hesitated. Finally, he sighed. "Okay, fine. But all of you must help me at the restaurant."

I looked at my boyfriend, waiting for his response. "I'll do it," Noah spoke up a moment later. The other boys agreed as well.

"I have to get home," Bryce pointed to the doorway.

"I'm going with him," Mark admitted.

"Go," my uncle dismissed them. Bryce and Mark left the room. James and I attempted to sneak away, but my uncle pulled us back in front of him. He yelled to the phone, "Arthur, trae tu culo aquí ahora mismo! Su hijo y su hija están en tantos problemas."

"Not so fast," my uncle grumbled, his eyes meeting mine as he slammed down the phone. "Your father will be here in a few minutes."

Shawn defended me, huffing, "So?"

"Your dad will ask countless questions when he gets here. You might also have to reveal your boyfriend's powers," my uncle questioned me, leaning against a shelf with uncooked food.

"This seems like an A and B conversation, so I'll see myself outside," Noah gestured towards the doorway with puckered lips and exited.

James's eyes met mine with a concerned expression. "We need to talk," he said.

"Yeah, I know," I replied, taking deep breaths. Yep, there was no getting out of this mess. He had superpowers. Why didn't he tell me before?  My dad would lose his shit when he saw the lot of the restaurant. At least we were safe.

∆∆∆

Air Fryer Junkies Diner JUNKYARD CHICKEN

WARNING: VERY SPICY!!!

INGREDIENTS:

8 Pieces chicken thighs, Party wings, or chicken drumsticks or breasts  (Uncooked, not breaded or seasoned)

4 Heavy taps Ta Patio

4 Heavy taps Franks Red Hot

6 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Tea Spoon Red Pepper Powder

1 Tea Spoon Garlic Powder

1 Tea Spoons Onion Powder

1 Tea Spoon Minced Garlic

1 Tea Spoon Salt

1 Tea Spoon Pepper

1 Tea Spoon "Smoked" Paprika (Must be Smoked)

1 Table Spoon Lime Juice

Air Fryer Oven, or Oven.

Patience

Tongs

Bowls

Spoons

Heat resistance oven mitts

Oven Tray

Foil

HOW TO MAKE:

Place spices in a bowl and mix. Place Liquids in a bowl and mix (Hot sauce, olive oil, lime juice...). Combine HALF the spices in the bowl of liquids and stir. Leave the other half of the herbs to the side.

Mix chicken in liquids with your hands until they are coated. Sprinkle on extra seasoning. Let it sit submerged in the liquid and in the fridge for about an hour or two in a closed container.

Heat oven or Air Fryer to 430 Degrees Fahrenheit. Add Chicken to Tray, and put in the Air Fryer or Oven. Flip chicken when golden brown and leaven it inside the Oven for 15-20 minutes each. Side or until both sides are golden brown.

Let the Chicken cool, and eat!

Bon Appétit!

RIG-FUEL  LIMEADE

WARNING: Spicy!!!

INGREDIENTS:

4 teaspoons of Lime Juice

1 Cucumber

A desired amount of Ice Cubes

1 Blender full of Water

Tajin  Powder (Optional)

Big blender

Spoon

Knife

HOW TO MAKE:

Cut up the Cucumber into small chunks. Add the Cucumber and Lime Juice to the Water. Blend until there are very few cucumber chunks.

Sprinkle a desired amount of Tajin on top. 

Stir. Add Ice cubes.

Bon Appétit!