A final sweep was taken around the warehouse before Mitch informed everyone of the time and advised that they all hide behind the ring. The lights were turned off, and he waited by the switches. According to Jodie’s most recent message, they’d just gotten off of Route 2, meaning they’d be arriving at any second. A text was sent to Avi, telling him to come back around front, and in response Mitch received a thumbs up emoji.

As if on cue, a loud conversation between two people could be heard from outside, accompanied by the sound of footsteps and crunching gravel. The noises faded as they moved further away towards the front of the building, then were drowned out by the door’s welcome chime.

“Hello? Anyone here?!” Victor’s voice boomed from all the way in the lobby, making a few of the students giggle from where they were concealed. Others shushed in response, and Mitch, unable to do anything from his position, rolled his eyes and hoped that they’d all get themselves under control.  

“Mitch was at the front desk earlier,” Jodie explained, and Mitch hit his forehead against the doorway in realization that he’d forgotten to lock up before taking his place. “Maybe he’s in the bathr-” she stopped in the middle of the sentence when the door chimed again, and her voice switched cadence, all high pitched and saccharine. “Aviii!”

Victor’s raspy voice parroted the tone, either genuine in his sentiment or teasing Jodie for her debatable faux enthusiasm. Mitch could never tell, but their similar mannerisms always delighted him. Apparently, it had the same effect on Avi, and his laughter echoed throughout the building. He’d started to greet them, but was cut off by Victor asking Jodie, “Isn’t he so handsome? I fell in love when I first saw him. Hired him for his looks, y’know.”

“Jesus Christ,” Jodie groaned.

“Language, Jojo. Abuela’d be disappointed.” Their voices drew closer, and Mitch’s fingers began to twitch as they hovered over the switch.

“For fuck’s sake, Dad,” she sniped back. “C’mon, we have weeks worth of stuff to plan out, since you decided to take a vacation.”

“Hey now, that was no vacation! That was all work! Avi can vouch for me, right?” Vision fully adjusted to the dark, Mitch could make out Jodie’s form as she stepped through the doorway that lead into the training part of the building. “Where is everyo-” Victor had started say, but before he could finish, Mitch turned the lights on and the roster jumped out from behind the ring, unanimously shouting “SURPRISE!”