Once everyone has showered, dressed, and enjoyed breakfast, Ms. Knight steers the car toward a record store named Amoeba Music.

As they pull up, Kendall peers out the window, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Mom, are you sure this is the right place? It doesn't look like any music store I've ever seen," he questions.

"Absolutely, this is it. Mr. Mark texted me the directions," Ms. Knight replies, switching off the engine and taking out the keys. "I understand that the past few weeks have been tough for all of you, especially with Mr. Mark and his kids. I really want this relationship to flourish. I know the bowling incident last night was rough, and I'm disappointed that Lucas and his friends weren't held accountable, but I believe that if we all put in the effort, we can create a friendly, effective, and loving connection."

"Mom, I swear if Lucas threatens Katie again or goes after Andy and Steven, I won't be able to hold back my anger. I might end up in handcuffs if I have to defend them. I know you don't want to see me arrested, so I really hope Lucas and Audrey can keep it together today," Kendall responds, his voice steady but serious, determination shining in his eyes. "I don't want you to feel ashamed of me if I end up in trouble."

1. "Oh, darling, I could never feel ashamed of you. I swear it. But I also don't want you to find yourself in handcuffs if you think you need to step in to protect Katie, Andy, and Steven from Lucas' relentless bullying. You shouldn't have to deal with him today," Ms. Knight reassures.

"That remains to be seen. He'll put on a perfect act in front of his dad, but as soon as he's out of sight, the little monster within him comes alive, unleashing a wave of negativity wherever he goes. No one will escape his fury," Katie remarks, her eyes glued to Logan as he plays Tetris on his phone.

A heavy silence blankets the car, everyone taken aback by her chilling words.

"Alright, that's it—no more late-night Rick and Morty for you," Logan quips.

"Aw, come on!" Katie feigns disappointment, pouting playfully as she steps out of the car.

Steven dashes toward Katie, enveloping her in a warm embrace.

"Hello, my dear friend," he exclaims with palpable enthusiasm, while Tyson barks joyfully at their reunion.

"Hello, Steven. And you too, Tyson," Katie replies, affectionately stroking the dog's head.

"That's utterly unfair!" Lucas interjects abruptly.

"What on earth could you possibly be whining about at nearly…" he glances at his phone, "9:30 in the morning?" Kendall retorts, clearly exasperated with his antics.

"She petted the dog! Isn't that against the rules?" Lucas protests.

"Oh, you mean the guideline that prohibits petting service dogs while they're on duty? Well, Katie is an exception. Steven trusts her implicitly due to her kindness towards him and Tyson, so naturally, she can pet him whenever she pleases. It won't disrupt his responsibilities to Steven," Andy explains. "If you're upset because you can't pet Tyson, it's quite clear why. Steven doesn't trust you. He has no fondness for you. He will never allow you near Tyson, especially after your deceitful claims about that sweet dog attacking you and your friends at the bowling alley. You're a disgrace. You should consider yourself fortunate that Officer Garcia didn't detain you and your friends for filing a false police report. I suggest you refrain from such behavior in the future."

He fixes Lucas with a fierce, unwavering stare.

"My father believed me then, and he will again. I will touch that dog. I might even grab the leash," Lucas retorts with a smug grin.

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Andy counters. "Don't even think about crossing me and my brother today."

"Lucas, what did we discuss at home?" Mr. Mark interjects sternly. "You need to conduct yourself properly."

"I'm on my best behavior, Dad," Lucas declares.

They all step into the music emporium.

"This place is quite peculiar," Audrey remarks.

"Have we even been here for a minute, and you're already voicing your discontent?" Kendall replies with a sigh. "This day is bound to feel interminable."

"What are these large, round black objects, and how do they relate to music?" Lucas inquires, surveying the myriad of records scattered throughout the shop.

"Those are vinyl records," Steven explains.

"What exactly is a record?" Carlos asks, his curiosity piqued.

"Your parents never introduced you to one?" Andy queries, raising an eyebrow.

"Not really. I never encountered a record in my youth. The only antiquated item I've seen is a typewriter at my grandparents' home," Carlos admits.

"So, is a record akin to a colossal CD?" James suggests.

"Exactly, James. However, you can't simply play it on a computer to enjoy the music. It requires a record player," Logan clarifies.

"A record player? Is that something the older generation used for entertainment?" Audrey questions. "Before the internet came into existence?"

"Indeed," Steven confirms.

"What era are we talking about? The '60s and '70s?" Kendall probes.

"Yes, roughly that time frame," Logan responds.

"How come you and Steven possess so much more knowledge about this than we do?" Carlos asks, intrigued.

"My uncle owns a record shop in Texas. I spent a great deal of time there when I was about four," Logan shares. "He taught me the mechanics of a record player and how it produces music. It's remarkable how placing a needle on the record and allowing it to spin creates sound. Although this technology is from a bygone era, the science behind it continues to captivate me."

"Steven is well-versed in records because our grandfather has a record player. In fact, he boasts an entire collection. When we were young, our grandfather would play the music he cherished as a child on his very first record player. He showed us how it operated. I never fully grasped it, but Steven did. I believe his autism grants him a deeper understanding."

"So, to grasp all there is to know about vinyl records, I just need to have autism? Maybe I should give that a shot," Lucas remarks with a smirk.

Steven's expression darkens as he turns away, hurt.

"Lucas, that was incredibly insensitive! I've told you before, autism isn't a sickness. Why would you even want to be autistic? Do you think Steven enjoys navigating a world that constantly challenges him? He has to face it every single day! You're being a jerk, and I doubt you'll ever change!" Andy retorts, storming off to find his brother.

Mr. Mark, gives Lucas a disapproving look, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Lucas…" Mr. Mark begins, clearly embarrassed.

"Dad, I didn't mean anything by it. It was just a silly joke," Lucas replies, his words lacking sincerity.

"That joke didn't land well with Andy and Steven. You really hurt them," Katie interjects.

"You need to apologize for your comment. It wasn't amusing to any of us," Mr. Mark insists.

"But Dad, I was just kidding! Andy and Steven are overreacting," Lucas protests.

"My sons are not overreacting. You made a rude and discriminatory comment, and you need to apologize right now," Andy and Steven's father asserts firmly.

Feeling the weight of Andy and Steven's father's authoritative tone, Lucas reluctantly agrees and sets off to find Andy and Steven. He spots them in a quiet corner of the shop, gathered around a record player that's available for customers to try out.

"I'm really sorry for what I said. It was thoughtless. Maybe I'm just envious of how much Steven knows about records and how they work," he admits, sincerity creeping into his voice.

"There's simply no justification for your insults towards Steven. You were fully aware of your actions, and it wasn't driven by jealousy. I noticed the smirk on your face when you upset him. You were looking for a reaction, just like a typical bully. Are you really trying to make him feel bad just because he has autism? Are you intentionally punishing him for being neurodivergent? That's not just cruel; it's downright disturbing. Individuals with special needs deserve compassion and respect, not ridicule and constant mockery. Do you grasp what I'm saying? Cut it out with the meanness towards Steven!" Andy exclaims.

"Yeah, stop being mean to me!" Steven chimes in.

"Alright, I'll try to improve," Lucas replies.

"Do you honestly think we'll take your word for it? There's no way we can trust you," Andy responds.

"Can't you just tell your dad and my dad that you'll forgive me?" Lucas pleads.

Andy raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "You want me and Steven to deceive them? No way. Unlike you and Audrey, we pride ourselves on being honest. Come on, Stevie, I spotted some Elvis records over there." He gestures enthusiastically in that direction. "And I noticed another record player we can use to listen to them," Andy adds.

"Alright, Andy," Steven replies, following his brother's lead.

After a bit more wandering through the record shop, the group finally heads out.

"Andy, I need to have a word with you. Lucas mentioned that after he tried to apologize to you and Steven, you told Tyson to go after him again," Mr. Mark states.

Andy's eyes widen in shock. "That's a lie! Tyson never went after him! Steven had him on a leash the whole time. Tyson was calm and well-behaved. I never told him to attack Lucas! Not once!" Andy insists.

"Well, Lucas seems pretty rattled about it," Mr. Mark replies.

Andy lets out an exasperated sigh. "So, you still don't believe me. Typical."

"I had a feeling Lucas was going to mess things up today," Kendall remarks.

"How can we be sure that Tyson isn't a bad dog? Just because he seems well-mannered doesn't mean he's not trouble," Mr. Mark responds.

"My boys have no reason to deceive you about Tyson. As I mentioned the other night at the bowling alley, Tyson doesn't just attack people out of the blue. Your son has lied to you again, and it's time to address that," says Andy and Steven's dad. "Hop in the car, boys. We're heading out, but first, I need to swing back to the store for something I should have picked up earlier."

He reenters the record shop and emerges ten minutes later with a box in hand, placing it in the trunk. "Steven, you didn't deserve the way Lucas treated you today. I brought you a little something to lift your spirits. Check the back of the car."

Steven leans over the seat, his eyes lighting up at the sight of a small record player. A grin spreads across his face. "Just like Grandpa's!"

"Exactly, buddy! It's the same brand, just a bit smaller. And look, Dad got you some Elvis and Bee Gees records. Tonight is going to be a blast!" Andy exclaims.

"Ugh! This is so unfair! Why does he get a gift and I don't?! I want one too! Dad, go get me a record player!" Audrey whines, her voice dripping with jealousy as she watches Steven unwrap his present.

"They're quite pricey, Audrey. Are you sure you really want one? Will you even use it?" Mr. Mark replies, trying to reason with her.

"Of course I will! Just go buy one already. You have the money, right?" Audrey insists.

"Yes, I do, but I think it should be spent on something you genuinely desire. Before we came here, you didn't even know what a record or a record player was, and now you suddenly want one. Surely, you must want something else, like new clothes or a handbag. How many 12-year-olds do you know who own an antique record player?" Mr. Mark explains.

"Not many, which is why I want to be the first among my friends to have one. Just go buy it! I'll keep asking until you give in," Audrey retorts.

With a heavy sigh, Mr. Mark decides to stop arguing and gives in to her rude demands. He heads to the music store, finds a stylish record player that suits her taste, buys it, and returns to the car.

"Lucas, can you open the trunk, please?" he asks.

"You have the keys. Just push the button yourself," Lucas replies, rolling his eyes as he scrolls through his social media feed.

"This is really heavy, Lucas. I need you to push the trunk button for me," Mr. Mark pleads.

"No way. I'm not your servant," Lucas says, still glued to his phone.

Seeing the disrespect Lucas is showing his father, Logan steps in with a kind gesture. "I'll help you, Mr. Mark," he offers, pressing the button to pop open the trunk.

"Thanks a ton, Logan," Mr. Mark says as he carefully places the record player into the trunk of the car. "I picked up some records that I think Audrey will really enjoy." He sets them down and shuts the trunk with a satisfying thud.

"Are you trying to win my dad over and make him like you more than me?!" Lucas snaps, his voice laced with irritation.

"What are you even saying? I was just helping him with the trunk because you ignored him when he asked for your help multiple times. You just stood there, glued to your phone, while he needed you," Logan retorts. "You can't even spare a moment to show your dad some respect. All you care about is scrolling through social media. It's not going anywhere! All he needed was for you to push a button. Was that too much to ask?"

"Just shut up!" Lucas shouts back.

"Please, I would appreciate it if you could lower your voice and choose your words more carefully," Logan requests.

"Why should I bother with politeness when it comes to you?" Lucas retorts.

With a heavy sigh, Logan strides over to Ms. Knight's car.

"I have a suggestion. Why don't we all head out for some frozen yogurt? It's scorching today, and we need to keep cool," Mr. Mark proposes.

"That sounds good to me," Ms. Knight replies.

Andy and Steven's dad nod in agreement as well.

"I know a fantastic frozen yogurt spot in San Francisco," Mr. Mark adds enthusiastically.

"That's quite a trek from here, Mark," Ms. Knight points out.

"It's a six-hour and thirty-three-minute drive. That's a lot of effort just for frozen yogurt," Andy and Steven's dad comments. "Why not take the kids to a nearby park and enjoy some ice cream instead?"

"Excellent idea! I completely overlooked how far Los Angeles is from San Francisco. It really is quite a journey, isn't it?" Mr. Mark acknowledges.

"The two cities are 382.7 miles apart," Logan interjects.

"Wow! He figured that out without even glancing at a map! He's brilliant!" James exclaims.

"Well done, Logan. I'm genuinely impressed. Math and geography seem to come effortlessly to you, don't they?" Mr. Mark praises.

"They're my top subjects in school, right alongside science," Logan responds proudly.

"You've got a remarkable mind, young man," Mr. Mark compliments.

"Thank you, sir. I truly appreciate your kind words," Logan replies with a smile.

"Lucas, you have a wealth of knowledge waiting for you with Logan and Steven. They're like walking encyclopedias," Mr. Mark remarks.

"I have to disagree, sir. I don't think Lucas wants to learn anything from me, and I'd rather not become his enemy by trying," Logan admits.

"Nonsense, you're a shining example for him. There's so much he can glean from your experiences," Mr. Mark insists.

"Lucas has made it pretty clear he's not interested in what I or Steven have to offer," Logan observes.

"Perhaps not, but he's overlooking a treasure trove of wisdom that you and Steven possess," Mr. Mark points out.

"You're absolutely correct, sir," Logan concedes.

"Just before we head out for ice cream, I need to address something important: Lucas and Audrey shouldn't be included in this treat. Their behavior towards you, Mark, was completely unacceptable. Audrey only asked you to buy her a record player after she noticed that Steven's dad had gotten him one. And when you were struggling to get it into the trunk of your car, Lucas refused to lend a hand by pressing the button to open it. That kind of attitude is not acceptable to me. The way they spoke to you was shocking. Please don't brush off their actions as just typical teenage antics," Ms. Knight insists.

"You're absolutely right, Jennifer. Their actions were out of line, and I have a plan to address it. They will be using their allowances to buy ice cream for everyone," Mr. Mark replies.

Lucas and Audrey stare in shock, their mouths agape.

"Are you really going to let this old hag dictate your actions?!" Audrey exclaims.

"Don't you dare call my mom an old hag again!" Kendall retorts, his voice filled with anger.

"Yeah, don't say that!" Katie adds in support.

"Audrey, you need to apologize for your rude comments right now, or I will take your phone away," Mr. Mark states firmly.

Audrey hesitantly expresses, "I apologize for my impoliteness towards you, Ms. Knight."

Ms. Knight responds, "I appreciate your apology. While it could have been more heartfelt, it suffices for the moment."

Upon their arrival at the ice cream parlor...

As intended, Audrey and Lucas cover the cost of ice cream for the entire group. However, Mr. Mark continues to deny them the delightful treat.

Seated on the outdoor deck adorned with vibrant picnic tables, everyone relishes their ice cream.

"Carlos, you are adding an excessive amount of fruit syrup to your ice cream. You might end up with a significant headache later. You didn't share any with Katie, did you?" Logan inquires with concern.

"He certainly did!" Katie exclaims, her energy heightened from the sugar.

"Katie, you appear to be vibrating. It looks as though you are experiencing an invisible massage chair," Logan remarks. "Carlos, what prompted you to add extra fruit syrup to her ice cream?"

"She asked me nicely, and I wanted to make her happy," Carlos replies.

"That's really thoughtful of you, Carlos, but Katie is now bouncing off the walls. Her dopamine levels are through the roof," Logan remarks.

"Isn't dopamine just a fancy way of saying someone feels good? I came across it in one of your health books about the human body. It mentioned that dopamine is the chemical that signals the brain to create happiness," Carlos replies.

"Well done, Carlos! I'm genuinely impressed that you've ventured beyond comic books," Logan responds.

"I hope you don't mind that I took a peek at your book without asking. I know you're quite particular about your collection, but I was intrigued by how often you read that one. It made me realize I enjoy exploring books beyond just comics," Carlos admits.

"That's wonderful, Carlos! I'm not upset that you borrowed it without my consent. It turned into a valuable lesson for you. You've discovered something new about your interests, and I'm proud of that," Logan encourages.

"Thanks! But does this mean I have to give up comic books forever? I really don't want to," Carlos expresses his concern.

"Not at all, Carlos! Enjoy all the comic books you like, but every now and then, try diving into a chapter book," Logan assures him.