A Lot Of Hot Stuff

- At Dufferin Mall -

Not a particularly exciting mall, but the AC kept you and Scott even cooler than usual. Though the heat didn't bother you half as much as it did Scott, you decided to get cooler air.

You and Scott sat on a bench inside the mall and... well, not really much to it, other than savoring the cold air. Though, you did hear some comments of two gals who passed by.

"He's kinda cute, eh?"

"Eww, are you kidding me? He's like 25... The one next to him, on the other hand..."

Yeah, you were so bored, you were paying attention to people passing by. Scott checked his pockets, and just because, you saw what he had in there. A candy wrapper, a mini-figure couch with the face of a dog, a rock from the beach, a single penny, a guitar pick, and lint.

Gosh, everything was just boring. So, so boring. And then, it happened.

"Scott...?" You heard someone call, and you and Scott turned your heads to look at them. A female blonde with short hair and a yellow dress appeared. "Scott Pilgrim...?"

"Why do I have the overwhelming feeling I'm missing something but at the same time knowing full well what is happening?" You muttered under your breath.

"It is you!" She exclaimed as she immediately ran over to Scott and tackle-hugged him.

"What the heck is going on...?" You wondered, confused.

"Oh my god, what are you doing here?! I can't believe this!" She cheered.

"I... Hi! Yeah? I'm... what's up?" Scott nervously stuttered.

You shot him a glare of "do you have any idea who this girl is?", and he gave you one of "I have no fucking clue". Shoot, both of you had absolutely no trail of memory about this woman. You prayed for a name, a reason, or anything to come back.

"It's Lisa. Lisa Miller, from high school, remember?" She asked.

Oh snap, the gods actually listened to your prayer.

"Lisa Miller, eh?" Scott asked, rubbing his chin, and thought for a bit. "Lisa! Yeah! Lisa! I... I didn't forget you! Ha ha ha ha ha!"

"This is amazing! What a coincidence! Do you come here all the time?" Lisa asked as she sat between you and Scott.

"Ha ha... uh, no." Scott awkwardly chuckled.

"Honestly I'm only here to get out of the heat, but I don't think I can stay for long. The place is full of slutty teenagers!" Lisa joked as she stuck her tongue out.

"Y-yeah... slutty..." Scott trailed off as he stared at Lisa's thighs.

"Okay, I'm feeling like a third wheel right now. What's the sitch?" You asked, trying to ease the tension.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't even see you there. Are you one of Scott's friends?" Lisa asked.

"That would be me, yeah." You shrugged. "Y/N Rowe. Friendly neighborhood Conduit. Pleasure to meet ya."

"Wait, hold on, you're a Conduit? Really?!" Lisa beamed, staring at you in awe.

"Yeah, and I know a few others. So, what's you and Scott's deal, then?" You asked.

"I was just about to ask what he's been up to. I haven't seen him for like... what? Four years? More? That's ridiculous!" Lisa stated before turning to Scott. "Oh man, remember how you moved away and Kim was all- Hey, have you seen Kim? Is she still at nipissing? I'm so out of touch..."

"Okay, uh, um, Kim lives in Toronto and hang out and it's cool, but I... I have a girlfriend." Scott explained, face pink and sweat rolling down his face.

"You do?! What's her name? Does Kim like her? Is she from Toronto?" Lisa kept asking, not stopping.

"Uh, her name is Ramona and she's from America. I mean, she's American." Scott answered. "Just like Y/N."

"Native, but yes." You shrugged.

"Really? Where are you from? Is it close to California? Why are you here in Canada?" Lisa continued to interrogate.

"Washington, Seattle. I'm here because... well, I just wanted to explore the world a bit and ended up here." You answered.

"Oh, and did I tell you that I'm totally moving to California soon? I have to hang around here for a while, though." Lisa said. "I've been staying here with my sister, she has a place on college..."

"Do you... have a job? I keep getting asked that question, so..." Scott questioned.

"Nah, I'm just bumming around. I know, shopping spree, right? I'm a total credit card maniac these days, it's pathetic." Lisa laughed. "Hey, have you eaten? Let's get some mall food, guys!"

- At the Mall's Food Court -

"Yeah, we're totally a band. We aren't all that sucky." Scott stated.

"We have some extra sound coming into the band soon, though." You added. "Something that will go well with my visual effects."

"And we played another show a couple weeks ago and a majority even clapped." Scott added.

"That's so awesome! I can't wait to hear you guys play and see this light show. Is it gonna be, like, lasers or something?" Lisa asked.

"Actually, yeah. Neon lasers. The color changes and stuff, you know." You shrugged.

"You should come see us practice tomorrow! Kim probably wouldn't mind seeing you or whatever." Scott invited.

"Oh, sweet! That would rule. Do you have a cell phone?" Lisa asked.

"No, but Y/N does." Scott answered.

"Sweet. Here, I'll write down my number." Lisa said as she ripped out a piece of paper and wrote down her number, then handed it to you. "It's my cell, so you can call any time without fear of disturbing my crazy-ass sister. You're gonna have to do so through Y/N's cellphone, though."

"That's fine. Me and Scott are around each other a lot, anyway." You chuckled.

"Wow, a girl's phone number." Scott whispered, pocketing the paper after you saved the number.

"Shut up!" Lisa playfully nudged Scott. "So how's Kim anyway? She was always so... I don't know, serious."

"Kim? She's a laugh a minute!" Scott answered.

"She's definitely got softer since the first time I met her, that's for sure." You nodded.

"Hee hee... really?" Lisa giggled. "...Is your girlfriend hot?"

"Uh..." Scott blushed and rubbed his neck.

"Hotter than me? Nevermind, don't answer that." Lisa kept on teasing. "How old is she?"

Scott didn't answer, he had a mouthful of soda, plus it didn't seem like he knew, anyway.

"I know it's a pretty tough question..." Lisa sighed, then turned to you. "What about you, Y/N? Got a girlfriend or boyfriend?"

"No, no. Just a single pringle." You chuckled. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not the kind to hop on to any relationship, though. Gotta wait until I'm certain they're the one, ya know?"

"I can dig that." Lisa nodded.

- RING RING -

"Oop, that's my cell." You said as you took out your phone. "Hello?"

"Yo, it's Kim." Kim's voice spoke through the phone. "Are you busy tomorrow?"

"Nope, why asking, Kimmy?" You asked, curious.

"Don't call me that. Also, me, Hollie, and Julie are going to Sneaky Dee's tomorrow. Wanna join?" Kim invited.

"Sure, I'll tell Scott that rehearsals tomorrow are canceled. Thanks for the invite, Kim." You smiled.

"Sure." Kim said. "Bye."

"Bye." You hung up, and shoved your phone in your pocket. "So, I'll go ahead and assume you listened in on my call?"

"Yes." Scott and Lisa said at the same time.

"Figured. No rehearsals tomorrow, Sneaky Dee's." You repeated.

"Got it." Scott and Lisa nodded.

- The Next Day -

"Hey dude, ready to go." Scott said as he was ready to leave.

"One moment, need to invite someone else." You said as you took out your phone and dialed...

"Yellooo?" Knives's voice greeted.

"Hi, sis! I was just about to head out to Sneaky Dee's with Scott and our friends, you want in? We'd love to have you." You invited.

"I'll be there as fast I can! Bye!" Knives quickly accepted and hung up.

"Alright, let's head out." You said, and both of you went on ahead.

- Next Day, at Sneaky Dee's -

A late night tex-mexy bar, a great spot to chill out with some friends. And seemed like a lot of people agreed, as it was packed. Not something uncommon, but this day in particular felt busier than usual.

"Y/N! Over here!" Hollie called as she waved her hand.

"I see ya!" You called back and walked over to her alongside Knives.

"'Sup, everyone?" Knives greeted as she and you sat down next to Kim. Good thing the seats had been extended to hold 10 people in one table.

"We've got more company, gals." You gestured to Lisa and Scott. "Hope you don't mind."

"Pity." Julie said with an unamused tone, shooting Scott a glare.

"Who's that you brought with you, Y/N? Is it your little sister?" Lisa asked as she saw Knives.

"What makes you say that?" You asked, tilting your head.

"Assuming this is the 'sis' you were talking about on the phone, and how similarly you both dress." Lisa answered.

"Oh, sister in spirit, not actual blood." You chuckled. "This is Knives, she's the keyboard player for Sex Bob-Omb and a Conduit, just like me."

"Another one? This is awesome!" Lisa cheered. "What're your powers?"

"Glass. Drain it, make things with it, shoot it out of my hands, all that." Knives answered.

"Cool!" Lisa smiled. "Any other Conduit friends, Y/N?"

"Yeah, but they're usually busy doing their own things at this time." You nodded. "But if they're free, they're bound to drop by and say hi."

"So, Y/N. Joseph's totally recording the Sex Bob-omb album!" Kim said, turning to you, Scott, and Knives.

"Ha! I knew from day one this group would make it big, and now the proof's in the pudding." You stated.

"And Jason's gonna help me bring the drums over." Kim continued.

"That's awesome!" Lisa said.

"Who the hell is Jason?" Scott asked.

"The guy with the car?" You and Hollie answered.

"I know a guy with a car?" Scott questioned.

"You're still not over that fact?" You chuckled.

"I can't believe you're here! This is amazing! How long are you staying in town?" Kim asked, smile wide and legitimately excited.

"I'm not totally sure. At least until the end of summer, I think." Lisa answered.

"We have to hang out all the time! Is it okay if we hang out all the time?" Kim asked, and Lisa nodded.

"Yeah!" Lisa smiled.

"Oh, man. We should go to the zoo! It's in Scarborugh, right?" Kim asked.

"Yeah, totally! I've never been there!" Lisa exclaimed.

"Let's go this week, then!" Kim suggested.

Well, aren't they just getting along nicely? Kim has opened up a lot more, but seeing her this happy and excited was still a treat. So, her past wasn't all that angsty after all.

"Oh, Knives, I wanted to show you this." You said as you took out your sketchbook and flipped to a specific page, which depicted what would be the new Sex Bob-Omb art pieces, only this time...

"I'm... in them?!" Knives gasped, pointing at the artwork.

"You earned your place in the art. Without you, it'll feel incomplete. What do you think?" You asked.

"This is the coolest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you." Knives exclaimed as she hugged you.

"No prob." You chuckled, hugging her back.

"Spiritual sis and... bro? Sis? Sib? Yeah, sib. You guys are the cutest." Hollie said, resting her head on the palm of her hand.

"We know." You and Knives said in unison.

"Hey! I got your message." Ramona called out as she approached the table.

"Oh right! Uh, hi!" Scott awkwardly said.

"Hey! You must be Ramona, right?" Lisa asked. "I'm Lisa!"

"Hey, Lisa. Are you a friend of Julie's?" Ramona inquired.

"Who's Julie?" Lisa questioned.

"Me." Julie raised her hand, uninterested.

"Oh! No." Lisa replied.

"Lisa went to high school with us." Kim explained.

"With you and Scott?" Ramona asked, her expression turning... slightly tense.

"Yeah. She's visiting." Scott answered, not looking very confident when saying it.

"She was also the town slut!" Kim added, and for the love of God, you weren't sure if she meant that or not.

"Woah!" You exclaimed, covering Knives' ears before Kim finished that last word.

"Really." Ramona got even more tense. And Scott? Frozen in fear and nervousness.

"I just played one on TV." Lisa explained, making you sigh in relief and release Knives' ears.

"Oh, you're an actor?" Ramona asked, her shoulders and arms relaxed.

"Yeah, but just on some crappy Canadian TV show nobody watched." Lisa said in embarrassment.

"Pssh, modesty. She's moving to the states and she's gonna be a star!" Kim praised, patting Lisa's head.

"Whatever!" Lisa giggled.

"Wow, the states? I've heard if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere." Ramona nodded.

"Can confirm, just ask my dad, my mom, or even me. It's how I ended up here." You nodded, sipping on some water.

"And good thing you did, too. You're an awesome person to hang out with." Knives chuckled.

"Aww, thanks." You smiled and ruffled her hair.

- Afterwards, next morning... -

While your real body in the VW's slept peacefully, the dreamworld version of you saw Ramona approaching from the distance. "Hey Ramona, what's up?"

"Scott woke up before I could finish my sentence, so I have to do it here." Ramona explained. "Tell him he needs to get a job so he isn't always fast asleep when I'm working. I'm sick of the fact he's leeching off his friends."

"Isn't that a little harsh, though?" You asked.

"Am I wrong? Tell me where." Ramona argued.

"...Fair enough." You admitted. "Alright, I'll try to talk him into getting a job, but no promises. He can be stubborn when he wants to."

"Thanks." Ramona nodded. "By the way, you're the best of Scott's friends. Not a bad catch."

"Heh, thanks." You chuckled.

"I mean it, Scott is lucky to have you around." Ramona nodded, then started skating off. "See ya."

"Catch ya later." You waved, then started to wake up...