(Maddie's POV)

I hop over a busted dryer to get a wheelbarrow for Denny. For the past 3 years I've been helping him out at the scrapyard to make a living. Today he bought a group of weird squirrel statues that were the face of some food company. I can't tell if it's cereal or macaroni. Whichever, I need to get the wheelbarrow. Suddenly, my phone goes off. I look at the caller ID and grin. It's Russell!!

"Hey Russell! What's up?"
I asked.

"I'm almost at the scrapyard. I still can't believe Mom's making me do this..... Out of this entire mess, though, I'm actually pretty pumped to meet you in person. When I get there, you gotta show me your moves!"
Russell sighs.

"You know it! It seems like yesterday your dad gave me your number and he gave you mine."
I smiled. Russell chuckles.

"Yeah. When I got it, I thought it was weird that Dad gave me a number from a random girl. But now, I regret nothing!!"
He joked. I giggled.

"Hey, Maddie! Where are you?"
Denny calls. I sigh sadly.

"Sorry, Russell. I gotta go. See you when you get here!"
I hung up the phone and shoved it into my pocket. I steer the wheelbarrow over to where Denny and the statues were, only to find him using the magnet.

"NEVER MIND, I CAN GET THEM MYSELF!!!!"
Denny screamed over the engine. The only way to describe my expression is the awkward face emoji. I start to push the wheelbarrow back with the others, but halfway, I hear Denny yelling.

"Rusty!"
Rusty? Wait, Russell!! He's here!! I shove the wheelbarrow for its pile and dart for the entrance. Standing there was a brown haired boy with blue eyes like mine but his were darker, a cyan jacket, blue jeans and orange high-tops. I started to blush. Holy scrap, he is cuuuuute!! I know I said that I don't rely on a guy's looks, but it's fine if they're cute, right?

"R-R-Russell?"
I managed to sputter out. He looks over at me.

"Maddie? Is that--"
Russell started.

"Yup. It's me. Toshio Maddie. KUNOWICHI IN TRAINIIIING!!"
I roundhouse kick the air, only to slip when my feet reach the ground and to land on my butt.

"You'd think I could land that with 12 years of ninja training..."
I groaned. Russell laughs as he helps me up.

"Rusty, I'm glad you're here!"
Denny engulfs Russell in a hug.

"Dad, I told you not to call me that..."
Russell grumbles. I clasp my hand over my mouth to contain my laughter and awwww's

"C'mon, you've always been my little Rusty!"
Denny releases Russell.

"Nobody even calls me that anymore! It's just Russell."

"Okay, 'just Russell'."
I joked. The two of them chuckled.

"And Dad, why is it that instead of living in Ground City....."
Russell gestures to the city miles away.

"You live in a junkyard?"
He finishes.

"I don't see it as a junkyard, I see it as..."
Denny begins.

"A salvage depot lot...."
I say boringly with Denny saying it excitedly.

"Hey, you two want to see something cool?"
Denny asked. I nodded rapidly while Russell shrugged. The scrapyard owner leads us through the place to....... An entire restaurant?!

"WHAT THE?!?!"
I yelled surprisingly. Denny snickers.

"They wanted to tear it down, so I used the crane to bring it here!"
Denny smiles enthusiastically. Russell and I exchanged glances. While his is ineffective, mine is amazed.

"Dude, this was my favorite restaurant as a kid!!"
I beamed, running inside. I leaped onto a bar stool and spun around in it.

"Ah, it still has that good bacon smell!"
I breathed. I can't believe Denny saved my favorite restaurant!! BEST DAY EVER!!!!!

"You were a big fan, I'm guessing?"
Russell crossed his arms as he entered.

"Yeah! This is where I had my 1st to 9th birthday dinners!!"
I exclaimed. I spun around in the stool again. Denny walks behind the counter and places a plate of eggs and bacon making a smiley face in front of Russell.

"Hey, I've got a great idea. What if we go meteor hunting? Sound fun, Rusty?"
Denny suggests. Russell forces a chuckle.

"Wait, don't you have a deal with someone that's gonna sell you some stuff to 'store' at the scra-- Er, salvage depot lot?"
I reminded. Denny's eyes shoot open.

"Oh, you're right! I do! Sorry, Rusty.."
He groans in disappointment, shaking his head. Then he perks up.

"What if you went while I handle this deal?"
He prompted.

"Uh, sure. Can I bring Maddie?"
Russell rubs the back of his neck. I beamed when he finished his sentence.

"Hmm...... I don't see why not. Have fun you two!"
Denny walked off. Russell's fake smile never left his face until Denny was gone. He flipped the bacon smile upside down and huffed. I started to walk out with Russell, my mind restless about what just happened. I'm so confused on why Russell wasn't enjoying the idea. Whatever the reason I'm gonna find out.