"I don't want to waste my time, become another casualty of society, I'll never fall in line, become another victim of your conformity, and back down!" Deryck Whibley's voice rang out from the stereo in Johnny's car.

The two of us had been singing along to Sum 41's All Killer, No Filler album the entire drive from the studio to the pier. The windows were down, letting the warm oceanic breeze into the car. It'd been therapeutic, and helped relieve the stress from my fight with Brian earlier.

Johnny pulled up outside of the diner and stopped the car. "Lunchtime." He grinned, unbuckling his seatbelt and jumping out of the car.
I followed after him into the diner and took my seat at one of the tables.
A young waitress approached us, her Pink hair was tied up in a bun and she wore a white apron over her red dress. "Can I take your order?" She asked, her voice soft and sweet.
"A large plate of Chilli Cheese Fries, one Coke, and one Sprite for the lady." Johnny smiled, winking at me.
"Okay, won't be long." She smiled, jotting it down on the notepad she was holding before walking away.
"She's so pretty." I commented. "And I love her hair."
Johnny snorted. "You're such a girl." He chuckled. "That's Allison."
"You know her?"
"Kinda." He jerked his head to the side. "I see her around occasionally."
The door to the diner opened and a purple and black haired man with snakebites entered and took a seat in the booth beside Johnny.
"Joining us for Lunch?" I smirked.
"Yeah." Zacky shrugged. "Why not?"
"Here's your meal." The Waitress; Allison smiled, setting the plate of Chilli Cheese Fries down in front of us. "Oh, Zacky, I didn't know you'd be joining them, did you want anything?"
"Just a Coke." He smiled.
"Sure." Allison giggled. "Won't be a moment."
"Johnny." Zacky nudged his side. "I gotta take a piss, but come with me, I gotta tell you something."
"What?" Johnny asked.
"Just come on." Zacky rolled his eyes, pushing him out of the booth. "We'll be back in a few shakes." He smiled.
"Okay." I said, puzzled.
"And here's your- oh, he's gone?" Allison said, returning with Zacky's Sundae and Coke.
"He'll be back shortly, he went to the bathroom." I informed her.
"Oh, well, I'm just about to go on my break, mind if I join you?"
"Not at all." I grinned, scooting over so she could sit beside me.
"I'm Allison, by the way, or just Alli is fine." She smiled.
"Johnny already told me." I giggled. "I'm Ruby."
Her eyes widened. "Ruby, as in, the Ruby?"
"Not quite catching on." I laughed nervously.
"Johnny and Zacky have mentioned a Ruby, apparently she was part of a Troublesome Trio back in the day?" She giggled.
"Oh yeah." I grinned. "Yeah, that's me."
"It's so good to finally meet you, from the stories I've heard, you're one badass chick." She smiled.
"I'm not that crazy, not these days." I shrugged, my lips curling downwards in a slight frown.
"Oh, why's that?" She asked.
"Just some shit happened, kinda fucked with me a bit and changed me, I'm more sheltered now."
"That's a shame." She frowned, her eyes sympathetic.
I shrugged. "I'll live."
"Is she terrorizing you?" Zacky chuckled, sliding back into the booth opposite us.
Allison rolled her eyes. "No, I was just getting to know her, Zee."
"Well, you finally met the infamous Ruby." Johnny smirked, sliding in beside Zacky and digging into the Chilli Cheese Fries.
"Seems like everyone around here has heard some form of story about me." I sniggered.
"We missed, you, Ruby." Zacky smiled. "We had a lot of good memories to share involving you."
"Hasn't been the same without you around." Johnny chimed in.
"No joke, you had to chase after someone else once I left." I winked suggestively.
"Don't even go there." Johnny chuckled.

Back in the day, Johnny and I had shamelessly flirted with one another. Admittedly, I had done it just to torment the poor kid, since he made it well known that he had a thing for me. He was the closest to my age out of the guys and we had initially bonded through being at the same level of maturity.

"So how do you know the guys?" I asked Allison.
"They dine here often."
"Because this place has the best service." Zacky teased. "You're not slack like the other joints around here, you don't keep us waiting too long for a meal."
"Speaking of which." Johnny spoke through a mouthful of fries. "These are good, thanks."

It hadn't taken that kid long to get through a majority of the plate, leaving very little for Zacky and I...

***

Johnny pulled up in Brian's driveway and three of us got out. Johnny locked up the car as Zacky and I walked up to the front door. I dug out my keys and unlocked it. The house was dark when I opened the door. I'd expected to find McKenna in the lounge like usual, but it seemed like nobody was home.

"Mac?!" I called out.

The lights flicked on and I saw the entire A7X family gathered together around the bar. Jimmy, Matt, Demi, Trixie, Kiki, McKenna, Papa Gates, Suzy, Matt and Jason Berry, and Larry Jacobson. Brian was absent, but McKenna's friend Julia, accompanied by a young boy and three other colourful haired girls I didn't know, were among the crowd.

"SURPRISE!" They yelled.
"Welcome home!" Demi smiled, coming towards me with a wine glass filled with something bubbly and yellowish in colour and offering it to me.
"You guys, what is this?" I asked, in awe of all the food platters littered across the counter, and all the smiles on everyone's faces.
"It's your Welcome Home Party, Kiddo." Larry smiled. "As soon as Matt told me you were moving back to Orange County, I decided we needed to give you a warm welcome home."
"And once you were gone, we set to work organizing all this." Matt grinned.
"So Zacky showing up at the Diner?" I asked.
"I was there to distract you, and tell Johnny what was going on." Zacky answered. "When Johnny and I went to the bathroom, it was so I could tell him what we were planning."
"Guys..." I sniffled, feeling overwhelmed that they had done this for me. "I... I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything." Demi smiled. "We're just so happy to have you back home with us." She held up her glass to toast it with mine, and I clinked it against hers. "Where you belong."
I sniffled again and wiped the single tear I could feel in the corner of my eye.
"Aww, don't cry!" Johnny cooed, wrapping his arms around me.
"Yeah Ruby, be happy." Zacky agreed, also hugging me.
"I am." I sniffed. "I'm just overwhelmed, I've really missed you all."
"Alright, don't crowd the girl." Papa Gates spoke up. "Spread out, eat some food, give the girl her space, there's plenty of time for everyone to say hello and welcome her home."
"Guys." I smiled as Zacky and Johnny released me. "Thank you, so much, really."
"It was really our pleasure." Jimmy smiled over at me from behind the bar.

I was taken aside by each person individually, greeted with warm hugs and words of kindness. Jason and Matt Berry attacked me; Jason grabbing me in a headlock and giving me a noogie while Matt tickled me. Papa Gates offered his sympathies regarding my breakup with Jack, and Suzy told me any time I needed advice from an older woman, I was more than welcome to come by for a Coffee and a chat.

"Where's Brian?" I asked. "My Welcome Home Party seems a little off without my best friend here." I frowned. "Not that I don't appreciate all of you guys being here, but-"
"It's okay." Brian Snr smiled. "I get it, you and my Son, you guys have a special bond."
"I'm sure he'll be along soon." Suzy reassured me, squeezing my hand.
"You're probably right, I'm gonna go mingle." I giggled, before walking away.

"Ruby!" McKenna called out. "Come here!"
"What's up?" I asked, walking over to her.
"Come meet the rest of my friends." She smiled.

I followed her outside to the pool, where the three other girls who I hadn't recognized were splashing about. Julia and the young boy were sitting on the lounges beside it, and the boy had his arm draped around Julia's shoulders.

"Hey Julia." I smiled.
"Hi, welcome home." She grinned. "This is my Boyfriend, by the way."
"Hey, I'm Arin, what's up?" He smiled, holding his hand out to shake mine.
"Ruby." I nodded.
"So I've heard." He smirked, looking adorable with his floppy brown hair falling in his face. "Jimmy's spoken about you a lot."
"Is that so?" I raised an eyebrow. "People just talk about me all the time around here, don't they?" I giggled.
"Jimmy's his Drum Teacher, by the way." Julia filled me in. "He's Nia's too."
"Who's Nia?" I asked.
"That would be me." A hyper voice sounded from behind me, and I turned to face the girl with bright, fire truck Red hair, a few shades lighter than my own, wearing bright red lipstick on her lips. "And this," She tugged on one of the girl's arms. "Would be my little sister, Rena."
"Nice to meet you." She smiled.

Rena had the prettiest eyes and full lips, making her almost look like a younger version of Amanda Seyfried. If Amanda Seyfried were Punk, anyway. Rena's hair was a mess of multicoloured dreadlocks, all except for her fringe, which was blonde with Pink at the tips.

"You have the coolest hair ever." I gasped. "I'm not usually a fan of dreadlocks, but yours look amazing, I love the colours!"
"Thank you."
"And just forget about me, hey?" The blonde with the bottom half of her hair dyed black spoke up. "I'm Miranda."
"You all have the most awesome hair."
"They are my friends." McKenna laughed. "They have a band, by the way."
"Oh really now?" I asked. "You girls any good?"
"Brian's Julia's Guitar teacher, so what do you think?" Mac informed me.
"Good point." I giggled. "What's your band name, then?"
"Cherri Bomb." Julia said.
I opened my mouth about to sing, but Mini Gates stopped me.
"DO NOT!" She snapped. "Start singing The Runaways song."
"You guys don't like them?" I laughed.
"No, we love The Runaways." Nia laughed. "But our band name didn't come from them, it came from a book."
"Oh."
"You've read it." Mac said. "I showed you a few years ago, remember? The one with like, all the advice on how to be a badass rock chick?"
"Oh, that one, yeah, I remember now." I smiled. "That you should not have been reading because of the Sex Advice." I shook my head.
"Shut up." She laughed.
"Hey, secret's safe with me, I won't tell." I winked.
"This one's not innocent, though." Arin laughed, pulling Julia closer to him.
"Oh god." I scoffed, covering my eyes in disbelief. "Mini Gates has some interesting friends." I sighed.
"You'll learn to love me." Julia winked.
"Ruby," I heard Suzy call, and turned to see her in the doorway. "Brian's here, Honey."
"Alright," I turned to the kids. "Was nice meeting you guys, gonna have to watch your band play sometime."
"And you need to hear Arin play sometime too." Julia smirked. "Promise?"
"Promise." I nodded, and headed back inside.

I found Brian in the living room, hand in hand with a familiar looking girl with bright pink hair. It took me a few minutes to register her without her hair tied back and work uniform on. Allison was dressed in black fishnet tights and the tiniest black shorts, a black studded bra and a leather jacket. Then I realized; that was Brian's leather jacket.

"Ruby!" She smiled, waving at me. "Hey!"
"Hey Allison, I wasn't aware you knew Brian." I noted, striding towards them.
"Well, now you know." Brian huffed, his lips set in a pout. "C'mon, Alli." He said, tugging her away from me towards the stairs.
"Brian." I called after him.
"What?!" He spat, whipping around.
"It's my Welcome Home Party..." I frowned.
"So?" He hissed. "I have better things to do."
My mouth dropped open in disgust, suddenly registering why Allison was with him.
"Yeah." He smirked. "Some of us know how to move on." He sneered. "Some of us, aren't sitting around moping about somebody who doesn't give a shit about us."
"That's enough!" I heard a voice from behind me, and Papa Gates came to stand beside me. "Brian, she's your oldest friend, I'd have thought you'd show a little more consideration."
"She doesn't give a fuck, Dad!" He exclaimed. "All she cares about is moping around over that fucking Cocksucker of an Ex of hers!"
"Brian!" Jimmy snapped. "Dude, what is your problem?"
"She didn't talk to any of us." He reminded him. "For two whole years, two years, not a word." He said. "So why should I care? Why should any of us care?"
"You're the one who brought me here." I reminded him. "You're the one who asked, no, begged me to stay." I croaked. "So why are you acting like this all of a sudden?"
"Because it occurred to me how little care you really have for us."
Matt stepped in. "Shut the fuck up, just stop, right there." He spat. "Whatever beef you two had at the studio, fucking put it to rest."
"Fine." Brian said, holding his hands up as he ascended the staircase. "I'm done, see you all later."
Allison just stood there, her mouth slightly open, not quite knowing what to say.
"Alli?" Brian called. "Coming?"
She looked at me and mouthed "I'm sorry." before following him upstairs.

As soon as he was out of eyesight, I felt my shoulders shudder and began to cry. My body trembled and my hands began to shake. I walked over to the nearest chair and sat down, feeling my heart rate pick up.

"Oh fuck." Matt groaned. "He set off her Anxiety again."
"It's fine, I just need to relax." I croaked.
"I'll take her upstairs." Kiki said, coming towards me. "Come on." She said, taking my hand. "Up you get"
"I'll come too." Demi said, setting her drink down on the counter.

They lead me upstairs, and I pursed my lips and tried to ignore the moans coming from Brian's room, next door to mine. Kiki and Demi shook their heads in disapproval, and pushed my door open. Demi closed it while Kiki lead me over to my bed, where I laid down.

"Here." Demi smiled, handing me my big, pink Gloomy Bear. "Cuddle Gloomy." She giggled.
"You didn't deserve that." Kiki said, stroking my hair. "He had no right."
"No right, at all." Demi agreed. "I should piss on him."
Kiki sniggered.
"Then set him on fire." she added.
"Dem." I rolled my eyes, my breathing slowly becoming more steady.
"He can suckle my bunghole."
I snorted. "You really have not changed one bit, seriously."
"Could say the same for that one." She said, jerking her thumb at the wall between mine and Brian's rooms. "He's still fucking away his troubles."
"But he said-"
"I know what he said, Ruby." She interrupted me. "But it's Brian, you really think Alli means a thing to him?"
"Guarantee you, he'll kick her out in the morning." Kiki added.
"But it doesn't make sense, why would he be so cruel towards me all of a sudden?" I mumbled.
"You've been through enough, you don't need his shit too." Demi sighed.
"Look, fuck him and his Ego." Kiki waved it off. "We'll get you out of the house tomorrow, how's that sound?"
"Yeah, since you're staying, you need a whole new wardrobe." Demi smiled.
"I have plenty of clothes." I rolled my eyes. "I don't need any more."
"You're a Woman." Demi stated. "You can never have enough clothes."
"Alright." I chuckled. The moans from next door grew louder, and I groaned and hid my head in the pillows.
"Really?" Kiki looked at the wall in disgust. "His fucking Sister is here, and everyone else."
"It's Brian, you really think he gives a shit?" Demi questioned.
"Still, there's a gathering going on downstairs, you'd think he'd have a little more respect." Said Kiki.
"Alli's sure as hell not fussed." I grumbled. "She seemed so nice, and like she genuinely felt bad about being a bystander during that fight before."
"He's Synyster Gates." Demi reminded me. "She's a groupie, nothing more, nothing less, of course she doesn't care about the volume level."
A knock came at the door.
"Come in!" I called.
"Hey." Jimmy smiled, poking his head in. "Since Brian's being a disrespectful asshole, you wanna crash at mine tonight?" He looked at Demi. "If you're cool with that?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Demi said. "Of course she can."
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." I agreed. "I doubt I'll get any sleep with that noise going on."
"I'll pack your bag for you." Kiki smiled, getting up from the bed.
"Kiki?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks." I smiled. "I barely know you, but I really do appreciate you taking the time to come tonight."
"No worries." She grinned. "Any friend of Zacky's, is a friend of mine."

Notes