"Stella. You used the last clean towel." August complains as he and Janie walk into the house.

"There's more in the dryer. I told you this." Stella says.

"Ugh. No, you didn't." August argues.

"We both told you that." Janie tells her brother.

"Augie is just mad because I have the bigger room and he wants it." Stella says.

"Okay. You said I could have it when you left for Sauber." August says.

"Yeah. And I never left. Ergo, the room is still mine." Stella says.

"She would be correct." Janie comments.

"Thank you." Stella tells her. "Back me up, Uncle Liam. From a legal point of view..." Liam holds his hands up in surrender.

"Stella, Stella. Stella." Cordell stops her. "I think we're all just trying to wrap our heads around this new reality of you not going off to college. Myself included."

"Speaking of which, what do you plan on doing with yourself now that it's not Sauber?" Bonham asks.

"Well, I th... I think..." Stella stammers as everybody but Janie stares at her. Janie doesn't stare at her, knowing she's getting enough pressure from Cordell. "I mean, I mean, like... you know, I-I really like helping people, so, something like that?"

"Helping people is great, obviously. But, um, that's not... a plan." Cordell says.

"Does she really need a whole plan? I mean, she just told you that she's not going to college, gap year, whatever. She's 18, that's basically still a kid -- mentally, at least. She doesn't need every little detail figured out." Janie tells her dad.

"Okay, well, lucky for you, I just so happened to talk to your Aunt Geri last night, and she agreed to give you a part time shift at the Side Step." Cordell tells his eldest.

"What?" Stella asks and Cordell nods. "No. It's only been a few weeks. And you said you'd help me figure this out together."

"And that's exactly what we're doing. We-we are figuring it out together." Cordell says with a small laugh.

"It kinda sounds like you're taking full control, actually." Janie says, biting into a strip of bacon.

"Janie, watch it." Cordell warns. "It's four hours a day, Stel. Maybe, uh, you can save enough money to restore the Mustang to its former glory."

"Amen. That hood scoop's an abomination, and those racing stripes?" Bonham complains.

"Ah, ah, I got to get. I got to get. All right." Cordell gets up. "Uh, all right, have a great day." He pats August on the shoulder. "Have a good day." He glances between his daughters. "Geri's expecting you at 10:00." Cordell leaves.

"Well, all right. Excuse me a minute. I'll grab a bag. Y'all start eating this food, please, before it gets cold." Bonham instructs, walking out.

+++

Stella pulls up to the school and parks.

"Congrats. You haven't uttered a single word this entire car ride." Stella says to August.

"Okay. What do you want me to say?" August asks. "You know, you single-handedly ruined my entire junior year."

"Oh, please, August." Janie rolls her eyes.

"I-I just... I-I thought that whenever you went to college, it'd finally be my year. But you stayed home and I get nothing, as usual." August says.

"Okay, wow, that was... kind of harsh." Stella says. "But you do make a point." She admits, shocking both twins.

"What is this, some kind of, like, Jedi mind trick, reverse psychology thingie?" August asks. "What are you..."

"No." Stella argues. "It's the truth. I didn't really consider how any of this would affect you -- either of you. Or me, for that matter. I made this crazy, last minute decision to ditch college, and I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life, and that is pretty terrifying. So, maybe you could try just cutting me a little slack while I figure things out."

The bell rings.

"Whatever." August grabs his bag from the backseat. "I'm late for homeroom." He gets out of the car.

"I get it. It's not as urgent for me to figure out yet, but I'm clueless, too." Janie tells her sister. She leans up and kisses Stella on the cheek. "Love you." The younger girl hops out of the car, rushing into the school.

+++

Stella drives up to the school for pickup, the twins heading for the Mustang.

"So, how was school?" Stella asks.

"It was school. Now, can you just drive me home, please?" August asks.

"No, actually, I can't." Stella argues.

"Uh, yeah, Stella, there-there's cars behind us." August says.

"Uh, yeah, I-I think you kinda need to." Janie says, glancing back at the other cars. The twins look at the bobblehead that Stella puts on the dashboard.

"Yeah, why-why... why do we need dad's bobblehead?" August asks.

"Because mom gave it to him... when she taught him to drive stick in this car, and dad did the same when he taught me. It's kind of like a Walker family tradition." Stella says. "And now, since it's your turn..."

"Wait, do I get to drive the car?" August asks, smiling.

"Slide over." Stella smiles, getting out of the car.

"Wh-- what about me?" Janie asks.

"Tomorrow." Stella promises as August slides into the driver's seat.

"Well, why does he get to have the first chance?" Janie asks.

"I'm older." August grins and Janie rolls her eyes.

"Just remember to slowly ease off the clutch like I showed you." Stella reminds her brother as she gets in.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." August says.

"And no, you still can't have my room." Stella tells him. August starts the car and revs the engine, getting the attention of some students standing nearby.

August starts to drive, only for the car to jolt, and they only move an inch forward. The students all break out laughing and Stella sympathetically pats her brother's shoulder.

"Karma's a bitch, Aug." Janie comments, earning a bitch face from him.

+++

"You know guys, the homecoming sandwich station did not used to feel so involved." Stella says, walking out of storage with a box full of little boxes.

"It's probably because you're just used to doing the eating part. The prep takes a little longer." Geri says.

"Well, in her defense, the eating part is the best part." Cordell says.

"Okay, so while we're on topic of HC..." August says.

""HC"?" Janie whispers.

"After two years, it's kinda tiring feeling like you're living in your sister's shadow." August says.

"They're big shoes to fill, I know." Stella mockingly sympathizes.

"Okay, yeah, point is, it's my junior year, and I feel like I'm ready to show everybody who August Walker really is." August says.

"Show everyone or show those boneheads who are always unironically going live on Insta. Brick and Scout?" Stella asks.

"Brody and Scooter. Yeah." August corrects. "Uh, and it's not just about them, Stella. It's about me, which is why I need your help, dad. So, basically, we're-we're playing Holy Word tomorrow."

"No way. Tomorrow. Wow. That takes me back." Cordell says.

"Yeah, nobody cares." Janie tells him.

"Yeah, so it got me thinking..." August starts.

"So, we were down with four minutes left in the fourth quarter." Cordell says.

"Still not caring." Janie comments.

"And I look over, I see Hoyt hauling downfield and I just throw a perfect spiral. Bam, touchdown! The rest is history." Cordell says.

"Oh, it's a slightly revisionist history there, buddy." Geri comments. "If Hoyt hadn't have gotten that pick-six on the next drive, you would have never won."

"Yeah, yeah. My point was that we won the game and it brought us glory." Cordell says.

"Yeah, right, right. So, um, you know, like, of the afternoon of the big game, they have this, like, alum-student flag football thing." August says.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Cordell nods.

"Seniors versus juniors with alumni on their teams?"

"Sure, yeah, I remember that. The winners get a skip day, right?"

"Yeah, so, I mean, you know, since we actually have a shot at beating Holy Word for the first time, since, you know, you were playing in the Dark Ages..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey!" Cordell objects.

"Wow!" Geri exclaims as Stella and Janie laugh.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. No offense." August says. "Maybe you could play with the juniors, you know, give the guys some good vibes. It'd help me out. What do you say?"

"Love to, buddy. Hey, listen, Captain James is giving us an assignment, and I'm not sure what it's going to be, but if I can be there tomorrow, I will be there tomorrow. I just can't promise." Cordell tells him.

"This is gonna be awesome." August smiles.

+++

"Hey." Janie walks up to the Side Step food truck.

"Hey. You not hanging out with anybody?" Geri asks.

"Oh, well, an unhealthy coping mechanism I have is isolation, so... I don't have many friends. Also half the people are fake here, anyway, so... I'm saving my energy." Janie explains.

"Smart." Geri says.

"Geraldine Broussard." A blonde woman and her cheerleader daughter walk up. "Oh, my God." She chuckles.

"Exhibit A of my previous statement." Janie quietly says.

"Oh, my gosh. Becca Ferguson. Wow." Geri finally recognizes her after a moment. "Wow! Hi! This is, this is Stel..."

"Stella Walker. Already visiting from college?" Becca asks. "And Janie Walker. It's crazy. I could have been your girls' mom." She laughs. Janie and Stella share a weird look.

"So, uh, are you still in-- what was it-- pharma sales?" Geri asks.

"It's biomedical technology." Becca says.

"Oh, right."

"I just wanted to stop by and say how inspiring it is to see you here. Year after year, so bravely, after everything that's happened."

"Thank you." Geri whispers. Becca smiles, walking off, her daughter following. "Wow."

"I see fake people were there in the Dark Ages as well." Janie says. Geri hums.

+++

"Hey, everything okay?" Stella asks Geri who hangs her phone up.

"Hey." Geri calls to August who is standing nearby. "Whoa, I thought it was no contact."

"Yeah, it's supposed to be low contact, but I got all of it." August says, walking over.

"Yeah." Geri says as August walks back to the table he was at. "Uh, hey, Stel, I, uh, I got to go take care of something. So I'm gonna have someone come here, help you pack all this stuff up, and once you're done, just consider yourself off for the night."

"We're not opening on a Friday night?" Stella asks.

"It's not ideal, but, yeah. I mean, we're already closed, so I'll keep in touch, okay?" Geri says. Stella nods.

"Hey." Stella walks over to August. "I'm sorry dad bailed on the game. He's been trying really hard to show up for us lately."

"Yeah, show up for you, maybe." August comments.

"August." Janie rolls her eyes.

"What does that mean?" Stella asks.

"It's whatever. Stella, I'm used to it. And, um, you know, who needs friends and a skip day anyway?" August asks, starting to walk away.

"W-w-wait. I'm off now since the Side Step is closed. Why don't you come hang out with Colton and me?" Stella suggests. "Both of you can. There's, like, one of these sing-along things at the Drafthouse."

"You really don't get it, do you?" August asks. "Whatever, Stella, enjoy your movie." He walks away.

"Wh--" Stella turns to her sister. "Well, since you're not all... that... you wanna go?"

"You sure Colton wouldn't mind? I know thirdwheels get annoying." Janie says.

"It'll be fine. He likes you guys, too. And if you don't wanna sit by us, you don't have to." Stella says.

"Sure." Janie shrugs making Stella smile.

+++

After getting an "S.O.S." text from August, the two sisters get to the Side Step where the party he threw is.

"Hey!" Stella shouts, flipping the switch on and off. "Party's over!" She flicks the lights a few more times. "Seriously! Time to go now! Now!" The two sisters walk through as everybody starts clearing out. Stella unlocks the storage closet, letting August and Scooter out.

"Tomorrow. Lake. Jet skis." Brody says, him and August doing a guy hug. "It's on."

"Yeah. All right." August says. "Get home safe." He turns to Scooter.

"Hey, good night, bro." Scooter says, the two guy hugging.

"All right, I'll see you later." August says.

"What were you thinking?" Stella asks her brother.

"Police! Freeze." They turn to two cops who walk in. "Hands where I can see 'em." The sisters both raise hands up, glaring over at August who does the same.

+++

Stella is locked in a cell and the twins are in the cell next to her, but their door is open.

"Was it worth it? Getting put in here for some clout?" Stella asks.

"Oh, my God, Stella. You know what? This is why I wanted you to leave." August says.

"How is any of this my fault?" Stella asks.

"I'd like an answer to that, too. You're the one who threw the party. It's not like it was her idea." Janie says.

"Look, I hear you about so-called favoritism and I'm sorry, oaky? But this, tonight, you made a choice." Stella states. There's a buzzing as Cordell walks in. He walks over to where the twins are.

"You two. Truck." He orders.

"Dad, I'm sorry." August says.

"Don't. Don't. No. Later. Get in the truck." Cordell demands.

"Yes, sir." August whispers, the twins quickly walking out of the room.

They get in the truck, August getting in the front seat and Janie in the back. They're waiting for a few minutes when Cordell gets in the truck.

"Where's Stella?" Janie asks, not seeing her sister around.

"Learning her lesson." Cordell says.

"What lesson? It's not her party." Janie says.

"Janie, I don't-- I don't want to hear it." Cordell says.

"Dad, her and I are both completely innocent in this." Janie says.

"Janie Maybelle Walker, stop. This car ride is going to be in silence. No talking." Cordell says.

"You have got to be kidding me." Janie says.

"Janie." Cordell glares at her. The girl lets out a scoff of disbelief as her dad starts the truck. Janie leans forward to her brother.

"Who's got the favoritism now?" She quietly asks before sitting back.