Chapter 1: It Started With a 😳, And Maybe a Diner.

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"How did we get here?" Salem asked from the small back room of their Diner called the Dinner-Bell. She needed to be quiet as their friends: Emma, also called Glitchchan; Katelyn, also called simp; Jaxson, also called Jax; "Medicinevibes", who everyone forgets their name but goes by Med or Izzy; Reagan, also called Rea; and Eddie, also nicknamed parental-figure much to their disapproval, are sleeping in the upstairs flat. They needed to be quiet not because their friends were sleeping; but because Eddie only saw them when they drove over from their shop a few hours west. That was only Saturdays when they desperately needed rest. So quiet they were.

Plus, the upstairs flat has basic needs covered, like a place to eat, cook, lounge, and sleep. It's in a great area too! It's in a small town called Goreville, a charming little village where everyone knows everyone. Eddie promoted the Village to them after a conversation with them about starting one up next to theirs.

The forever-sleepy genderfluid said that their family lived down there until their mother moved west, so they had a few connections to get them settled. It used to be where the Dinner-Bell was. If you asked anyone over 39 what the Dinner-Bell was, they would say it was a diner that shut down long ago due to the high rent price.

Due to the nature of the town, all the elders loved the new, revamped, Dinner-Bell. The younger townsfolk loved it too, but children were the most surprised. When children stepped inside, It was like a whole new world to them. Children would stop by to sit at the bar while their parents went shopping. A bar for the children opened due to Eddie not needing the children that close to alcohol.

(Quick A/N: I aged you guys up [or down] to 21 so I can justify a bar.)

"I have no clue how this escalated so fast, but I think I have an idea," Noctis replied tiredly. Noctis had been up all night taking care of Mango and their cats due to the natural parent instincts she's always had. "Do you remember that one comment section, the one with my embarrassed emoji a month back?"

"Yeah, I replied with another one, and you never let me live that one down." Salem forced out, walking out of the back room. She also had been up all night. Salems night was wasted out on the town looking for a gift for Noctis. Salem noticed that Noctis was looking a bit sad as the days passed by, so a gift should help raise Her spirits. "But don't think I don't remember your reply!"

"Oh? What did I reply then?" Noctis snarkily remarked, "I bet you don't!"

"Your right, I don't, but it got you to smile!" Salem smiled back at her lover. Salem could remember Noctis' reply but let her win. She had an awful night, and Salem wouldn't like to start the day with divorce threats. 

(Quick A/N, I won't waste to much time for you guys. What do you guys think the Diner should look like; it's not important now, but it'll kick my butt if I can't figure this out by chapter 5.)

"I guess it did! Pog!" Noctis joked loudly. The words invaded the air as both lovers turned to the stairs that lead to the upstairs flat. Wide-eyed.

Too loud, one of them woke up. 

The lovers looked away, prepared to be shouted at, only to hear a soft yawn. Eddie woke up, and they looked like they would on a regular visiting day. Pale with bright blue and green eyes staring them down, they always had a smile on their face. They looked like they were ready to go, wait, go? The lovers looked at the clock on their phones. Oh, it was Sunday, 7:30 in the morning. Salem noticed the blue band on Eddie's wrist.

"Male today?" Salem asked quietly. She always knew how to start a conversation with Eddie and not make it awkward. He nodded and yawned again.

"Yeah, male today. Sorry I have to leave in the morning." Eddie responded. He probably didn't wake the others yet, sadly. Noctis and Salem hated when Eddie didn't say goodbye to everyone; it felt unfair. "I'm not leaving town, however. I'm going to the town hall, visiting my Aunt, picking her up and heading over to her house. She said she had a gift for me. I was planning on moving back into town, but my shop won't allow that just yet."

Salem nodded but didn't say anything. She knew Eddie would stop by around noon if he happened to visit family today. After that, maybe Noctis could convince him to stay again for the night; it never worked, but maybe.

Noctis was already urging him at the children's bar he set his bags upon. "Please?" Salem overheard Noctis say, "Please, Eddie?"

Eddie didn't cave. He quietly grinned, shook his head, said he'd be back soon and walked out the door. Salem noticed his bags behind the counter as well. It looked like he'd take her shift at the kids' bar this afternoon. Salem knew Eddie had a weak point for children; they all knew.

The lovers heard a few scattered footsteps coming down the stairs, and they looked over. Jax ran downstairs.

"Did Eddie leave yet? He left his phone charger!" Jax exclaimed. The group knew Eddie would deny himself sleep if he couldn't find his charger.

"He'll be back this afternoon. His bags are behind the Children's Bar." Noctis said, "And please don't shout."

Jaxson nodded. She made it before he left for good. Thank that tiny cactus with a golden flower "Oil Diffuser" she took from her sister.

(A/n again: I'm not claiming I have a little cactus with a golden flower on it as my humidifier, but I have a cactus with a golden flower on it as my humidifier.

(A/n again: I'm not claiming I have a little cactus with a golden flower on it as my humidifier, but I have a cactus with a golden flower on it as my humidifier

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I named it goldy. Yes, I'm attached, and I got it at Target.)

Emma was the next one downstairs, followed by Katelyn. They always seemed the most aware of situations. Hence calmer than the other members of the group. They regularly were seen together; unless one went to the bathroom. When one of them was in the bathroom, the other would wait outside the door patiently. 

"Hey, guys!" Emma exclaimed. She didn't seem to care that not everyone was awake. "How is everyone?"

"Tired," Jax said. Jax had light bags forming under her eyes. She's going to need makeup if she's going to fool the group into thinking she got more than 3 hours of sleep. "Didn't sleep well."

Or not, she could honestly tell a half-truth. 

Izzy and Reagan were the only two not downstairs yet. But they could hear a shower running upstairs, so one of them was awake. 

Izzy didn't live in the town with the rest of the friend group. They had taken it upon themself to live on a small farm near Happy Hollow. It wasn't much, but they liked the quiet, so farm life it was.

Reagan lived with the couple in the flat. Good thing the flat had a spare room or she would have to sleep on the floor. She was probably Ace but knew how to show affection. She has wished to be in a relationship but didn't know if she was ready to commit. The couple she lived with respected her decision and were willing to wait for the poor girl.

Rea stumbled downstairs falling on Katelyn, who didn't move in time. At least they knew who is taking a shower now. One more person to get downstairs, then they can open up shop.

"Am I late?!" She asked franticly. "Did I make it?!" 

"You made it," Katelyn responded, "now get off."

They both got up from the ground, and Katelyn dusted themself off. Rea looked like she didn't have time to get ready for the day, so Salem pushed her upstairs and told her to get dressed. Reagan knew better than to argue with Salem, so she walked upstairs. A few minutes later, Izzy and Reagan walked downstairs together.

"Time to open up shop!" Izzy said happily. They had the time to dry their hair and dress up correctly today, so they were in a good mood.

Salem and Noctis looked at each other.

They looked at their friends.



They unlocked the door, and in sync:





They flipped the sign.

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