Page 25

“I am not in the mood to cause a scene,” the man threatened him. “Especially with punks like you.”

Alex scoffed, crossing his arms, puffing his chest out. “Now you’re profiling us, dude? Just so you can get away with your model minority privilege?”

Jun sucked in his cheeks at Alex’s unwarranted comment, unease prickling through him.

“Don’t assume anything about me before you get yourself in a lot of trouble.” The man leaned even closer, hovering over Alex like he was an ant.

Alex still didn’t budge. He pointed his nose up at him like he was going to square him up.

Jun’s hands clenched against the edge of the table. He glanced at Kana, panicked. But she continued to watch the standoff with sharp eyes. So was Hal. And everyone else surrounding them steered clear of the fight that was about to break out.

Alex barked a laugh, wiping his nose with his thumb. “You’re the one that’s assuming us, so yeah, I think that says everything about you.”

Kana whispered, “Hey.”

Jun glanced at her.

She jutted her chin towards them. “Behind him.”

He turned back to see the man’s phone lying on its side beneath the barstool.

“Get out, or I will remove you for causing a public disturbance.” The man scowled and stepped forward, his broad chest pressing into Alex’s space.

Alex’s hand shot out and smacked the man across the jaw. The crack echoed through the diner, then everything went silent. Someone gasped.

“Shit, man. My bad. I really thought you were going in for the kill,” said Alex with his hands up, his voice shifting apologetically.

The man adjusted his glasses and threw a punch at Alex. Alex punched back. Hal lunged and grabbed Alex by the shoulders.

“Augs, bro, this ain’t worth it!” Hal cried.

Alex yanked his arms away from Hal and threw himself at the tall man.

The diner erupted in chaos.

Staff yelled over everyone’s heads to stop the fight and calm the panicked customers who were fleeing.

A few tipsy patrons at the bar cheered and shouted either the “Chino” or the “Rosado.”

Some of the women tried to drag their men away as families grabbed their children and rushed out of the door.

“Now!” Kana urged.

She ran out of the booth.

Heart pounding, Jun followed close behind her. They swerved around the panicked staff members, trying to control the fight and the cheering patrons.

Kana squeezed herself into the crowd. Jun made sure he didn’t lose sight of her. Someone shoved Kana out of the crowd. She stumbled back, flipping her hair out of her face, frustration etched in her expression. Jun followed her gaze to the phone on the floor, half-hidden behind the booth stool.

The crowd pressed tighter. Jun dropped low, elbows and knees everywhere. His fingers found the phone behind the stool. He shoved it into his hoodie pocket and pushed himself back out.

Jun ran over to Kana, who had just thrown a wad of money onto the counter. They stumbled out the door. Jun’s foot caught the curb—he barely kept upright as he made his way towards the Civic parked at the dark end of the lot. They flung themselves inside. Jun at the wheel. Kana in the back.

Something pounded on the passenger window, jolting Jun. Alex, bloodied and panting, continued to slap the window.

Once he unlocked the door, Alex slid in. Hal followed, jumping into the backseat.

“Floor it!” Alex yelled at Jun.