There Comes A Time To Mature

- The Next Day, at the Financial District, 8:74am -

"I don't even have any money." Scott stated, a bit worried as he, you, and Wallace took the elevator toward the top floors.

"Well, we'll... talk about that. That's what we're coming to see him personally." Wallace said, not exactly enthusiastic about the meeting. "You really didn't have to come along, Y/N. But thanks, regardless."

"Well, the company is appreciated." You chuckled.

"Bleggh, I can't believe you got me up so early." Scott grumbled.

"I think Peter hates us for some reason. I mean, it's not our fault we can't afford rent and we come down here every month to charm our way through, right?" Wallace pointed out, only to find Scott laying against the wall, feeling the vibrations of the elevator. "Can you be serious of one second?!"

"I like elevators." Scott defended.

"Let the man enjoy himself, Wallace." You said. "He's gonna need the pick-me-up."

And you got to the landlord's floor. Although you personally didn't have any reason to be worried for yourself or be scared of him, it's hard not to feel nervous with the energy coming from the two men in the elevator.

"Mr. Wells, it's a pleasure as always. What can I help you with this morning?" Peter, the landlord, greeted, as the three of you entered.

"Well, I-" Wallace started.

"I wasn't really looking for an answer there. I'll get right to the point, gentlemen." Peter interrupted. "The landlord-tenant relationship that we share has been strained, I'd say. Is that a fair assessment?"

"Y...yes sir." Wallace answered.

"So, apparently, you're caught up on rent." Peter continued.

"Wha?" Wallace blurted out, surprised.

"You signed a one-year lease starting in September." Peter elaborated.

"Yeah, I guess we... yeah. Wow." Wallace confirmed.

"So what happened?" Scott asked.

"So, a one-year lease is..." You started. "A legally binding contract between the tenant and the landlord. This contract specifies that the tenant will live in and pay rent for the apartment for a period of one year, after which the lease may be renewed, or the tenant can choose to move out."

"That is... correct." Peter nodded.

"How do you know that?" Wallace turned to you.

"I took finances as an extracurricular in high school. It was either that or history, and I want stuff that'll help my future and not keep me in the past." You explained. "And the teacher was... more tolerable than most, too."

"Impressive." Peter nodded. "But back to the matter at hand. If you want to stay, it's month to month, as per our contract. If you're leaving, leave, and be out by the 27th."

"Oh, hey! That's my birthday!" Scott cheered.

"August 27th is your birthday?" Peter asked.

"Oh... no." Scott corrected, feeling dumb.

"Okay, out of my office." Peter demanded.

And that's what you did. Out the office, back inside the elevator, and down to the first floor.

"Well... what now, boys?" You asked, leaning against one of the elevator's walls.

"Now, we're gonna have to make up our minds on what to do next. Scott and I, mostly." Wallace sighed.

"Do you have a backup plan, Y/N?" Scott asked.

"Yeah, depending on how things go, Hollie already said she wouldn't mind me living with her, so I like to think I'll be good." You nodded. "And you two?"

"I think it's a good time to talk about the place, Scott." Wallace turned to Scott. "Be honest, do you like it?"

"Um... it has mice, and the bathroom is pretty scary. And you... you snore like a jackhammer and you kick a lot. Not to mention-" Scott listed.

"Okay, you can stop. So how are things with Ramona lately?" Wallace changed the subject.

"Huh? Good, I guess. I mean, her head doesn't flash as much lately." Scott answered.

"Hey... have you considered moving in with her? Assuming you can't afford your own place..." Wallace suggested. "If it's out of the question, don't even worry about it, guy. I'm just thinking about your options, y'know?"

"No, no, it's... It just hadn't even occurred to me. I guess I'll think about it. I'll talk to her." Scott nodded, his uncertainty palpable.

"Scott, I'll stay if you want me to stay. I just want you to consider the possibilities. Remember, we have to make up our minds by the 27th." Wallace stated.

"Don't worry, Scott. I'm sure things'll turn out alright." You patted his shoulder, smiling. "You're maturing. You got a job, and sometimes you'll probably get a place of your own. I'm proud of you."

The elevator stopped, you all arrived at the bottom floor. You left the building and went your separate ways.

"I guess... we should... uh... get going?" Scott turned to you both.

"Yeah, we should." Wallace agreed.

"Good luck at work, Scott." You said.

"Thanks." Scott nodded.

"See you later, guys." Wallace waved goodbye.

"Yep." Scott replied.

"Right." You nodded.

And just like that, you were alone. But, you did have something you wanted to do. And you had to go walk to this certain place to give yourself a new look.

- At the Pierce Parlor -

Also known as "Piercer's," this was a very nice and clean piercings parlor in Toronto. It was, funnily enough, located next to the Tattoo Parlor where Schell worked. And even more amusingly, it was run by..."

"Pierce, hey." You greeted.

A guy with short, painted white hair, black eyes, glasses, and mostly black clothing with white accents looked at you. This is Pierce, he works in this place. He also happens to be another buddy that Schell and Gira hang out with.

It was funny, because the guy named Pierce works here, and thus, this establishment is referred to as "Pierce's Piercing Parlor". Try saying that five times fast. Also, interestingly, he didn't seem to have any piercings himself.

"Y/N! What can I do for ya? I'm on lunch break." Pierce greeted, sitting behind the counter and taking a bite of a maple doughnut.

"I'm thinking of getting a new look, inspired by my mom's piercings." You stated. "I got the same tattoo my dad has, so I figured, might as well."

"Sure, give me a moment." Pierce nodded, finishing his snack. Then he walked over to a box containing a variety of rings, showing them to you. "So, what are you looking for?"

"Let's see... mom has flat disc stud earrings on both her ears... a nosering on her right nostril... and that's it. But I'll have a piercing of my own, just to add my own little touch." You ordered.

"Alright, I'll go get my needle. Sit down and wait for a few." Pierce nodded.

You did as instructed and sat in the seat, patiently waiting. After a bit, Pierce came back with a sterilized needle and a cloth. "Let's get this show on the road."

- Afterward... -

"And that's the last one. Enjoy your new accessories." Pierce said, placing the last flat ring into your ear. "Not to toot my own horn, but you look badass."

"I'll bet." You nodded, looking at yourself in the mirror. "Yeah, I like this. Thanks, Pierce."

"No problem. Hope to see you again." Pierce waved goodbye.

"Sure, sure. See ya, man." You said, leaving the store and heading home.

- On your way to Wallace's -

You found a sweaty, tired Scott on his way there, too. "Sheesh, hard day, huh?" You asked, walking up to him.

"Washing dishes makes time pass slower than I thought." Scott said, panting.

- WHIZZZ -

"Did you feel that?" Scott asked.

"Yeah, the wind just shifted." You confirmed, looking up.

- SHIFFF -

You and Scott jumped out of instinct, seeing some sort of figure covered in shadows woosh under you as you hopped.

"Dude!" Scott shouted.

"Who's there?!" You yelled.

"I'm not really in the mood, okay? Whoever you are, it's late and it's hot. And... and I have a job!" Scott yelled, still on edge.

"Better show yourself or leave, because we're not afraid to throw down!" You declared.

- ZWIP -

"Come on!" Scott shouted. "I had a hard day at work! Fight me in the morning! Acutally, more like noon. Wait, I have to work again..."

"I think I saw it trying to slash at you, hit it at the right time!" You instructed.

- SHWAAA -

"Oh, that's it... Get your invisible ass over here!" Scott exclaimed, ready to fight.

"Remeber, at the right time..." You whispered.

The shadowy figured charged at you again, but Scott ducked and managed to punch it right in the chest. Or rather, hit her. Because when you turned to see who the mysterious figure was, you saw a blonde girl with a ninja-like outfit fall to the ground.

"Who are you and why are you attacking us?!" Scott asked.

"You punched me in the boob!" The girl, who you've never seen before, yelled.

Scott began shaking, and looked like he was about to puke. This was one of the things that made him uncomfortable. Hitting a girl.

"God... whatever! I was just toying with you, obviously. Prepare to..." The girl paused an coughed before continuing. "...die."

"Should I know you? I kind of have a bad memory." Scott asked.

"Kind of? Also, no, I haven't seen her before, either." You answered.

"That's funny, Scott, because everyone remembers you, don't they?" The girl asked. "And you too, Y/N."

"What?!" Scott asked, confused.

"Huh?" You blinked.

"Nothing! I'll see you later, but you won't see me! Because I'll be deadly serious next time!" The girl threatened, and then disappeared in a poof of smoke.

"Wha...?" Scott looked around, confused.

"Don't ask me, I don't know, either." You shrugged. "Let's just... go inside. I'll watch your back just in case."

Scott nodded, opening the door and flicking on the lights. The room was empty, but the sound of the shower running was heard, so Wallace was still there.

"Hey, Y/N. Can I as you something?" Scott asked, sitting on the couch.

"Sure, go ahead." You nodded.

"Did you get piercings?" Scott asked, pointing to your face.

"Yeah, just today." You answered. "I look good, right?"

"Yeah, definitely. Also, could you... hang out with me? Like, as much as possible?" Scott asked.

"Okay, where is this going?" You crossed your arms.

"That girl said she'll be back, and I don't wanna... fight her. So, if I'm with you, she can't attack, right?" Scott explained.

"Really, dude? Just because of the moral high ground stuff, you're expecting me to help you avoid conflict?" You asked.

"..." Scott stood silent, looking at you.

"Figured." You sighed.

- Anyway, at Hollie/Kim's Place -

"Oh no, today we practice." Knives declared, approaching her keyboard.

"But the album!" Stephen objected.

"Stephen, do you like how we sound now?" You asked. "If you don't, then we're only going to improve by practicing. We'll have to outdo ourselves every time we perform."

"Okay, okay. Let's practice." Stephen agreed.

"I know you want to record the album, but if we lose our touch, that won't happen. It'll just take more time at worst, and I'm sure we'll get it out." You encouraged. "Patience is the key here. Now, let's start from the beginning."

- After practice, and now back at Sneaky Dee's -

"Where's Julie tonight?" Scott asked.

"I dunno she hates me. Where's Ramona?" Stephen retorted.

"She's at home tonight and she likes me very much." Scott defended.

"Have you said the l-word yet?" Joseph questioned.

"Why is everyone obsessed with lesbians?" Scott wondered.

"Dude, we talked about this..." You sighed, burying your face in your hands.

"I think he means the other l-word." Hollie chuckled.

"Forget these jerks, man. C'mon, I need a smoke." Lisa beckoned, signaling to Scott.

Call it a hunch, but you had a feeling Scott made the wrong connection regarding what Joseph meant with the "l-word" from how he was staring at Lisa. And as you said you would, you followed them to "keep Scott's moral high ground that way".

- Outside -

"Want a puff?" Lisa asked, taking a drag and passing the cigarette.

"Nah, I don't smoke." Scott shook his head.

"I do, but not in the way you think." You said, also rejecting her offer.

"Is that like a moral high ground thing, or are you just a pussy?" Lisa teased, smirking.

"It is for Scott. For me, it'll just absorb it and switch to smoke powers." You answered.

"Smoking is... it's evil, right? Who smokes?" Scott asked.

"So Ramona stayed home, eh? You don't think that's a bad sign?" Lisa asked, taking another hit.

"She's allowed." Scott shrugged.

Lisa paused, looking at her cigarette for a moment. "Want a puff?"

"Huh? Uh... No. I said no, didn't I?" Scott asked.

"Scott..." Lisa leaned toward him.

"What?" Scott asked.

"You know in high school?" Lisa started.

"Y-yeah?" Scott began getting nervous.

"How we never... went for it? Well... I..." Lisa got really close to Scott.

"Lisa... you're drunk." Scott shook his head.

"Am I, Scott?" Lisa made puppy eyes.

"Uh... I think so, yeah." Scott confirmed, and Lisa slumped to the side in defeat.

- The Next Day -

"So what? Make up your mind, how hard can it be?" Stephen asked as he, alongside you and Scott, walked to work. Although, this wasn't your job.

"You're a monster, Stills! This is insanely difficult for me!" Scott whined.

"C'mon man, it's not a big deal." You patted his back. "You had to decide this at some point, you talked it over with Wallace a while ago."

"I know it's like your first place and all but these situations are temporary." Stephen shrugged.

"Y/N, remember-" Scott started.

"I know, watch for the girl that attacked us that one night." You nodded.

- At the Happy Avocado -

"Keep watch, I'll wash the dishes." Scott said, heading over to the kitchen's sink.

"You got it, dude." You nodded, sitting down at a table and keeping your eyes peeled.

"Y/N?" Gira's voice was heard.

"Gira! What are you doing here?" You asked, looking at the brown-haired guy with a giraffe hoodie and sitting at his table.

"I hang out here a lot. What about you? Do you come here often?" Gira asked.

"Uh, no. This is my friends' workplace. Dishwasher and cook." You answered.

"Cool, cool. How are you and the band?" Gira asked.

"We're doing well. There's been bumps in the road, but we're still kicking." You replied.

"That's awesome. By the way..." Gira leaned closer to whisper. "That girl over there's giving you the eye. Don't turn back."

"Is she blonde? With swords? Maybe black eyeliner under her eyes and a ninja-like outfit?" You asked.

"Uh, yeah." Gira nodded.

"Great, didn't expect the girl that attacked me and Scott to be here. Who is she with?" You asked.

"A girl with teal hair, goggles, roller skates, a bag..." Gira pointed.

"Ramona... okay, I'll listen in on their convo." You whispered, keeping quiet.

"'Kay." Gira nodded, taking a sip of his root beer.

- We now join in their conversation, already in progress... -

"So what? They used to be friends, a long time ago." Ramona said.

"You'd almost forget I'm talking to Ramona Flowers, expert on cheating. Are you blind?" The ninja girl scoffed.

"How does a girl get to be like you?" Ramona questioned.

"Sure. It's sad and pathetic and you do it every time. But hey. No business of mine." The ninja girl retorted.

"No kidding! I haven't seen you since college, Roxie, and you show up spouting conspiracy theories as usual-" Ramona was interrupted by Scott's sudden arrival at their table. Well, at least you had the ninja girl's name now.

"Just what is going on here?" Scott exclaimed.

"Uh... lunch break, dude. What are you even doing here?" Ramona asked.

"Who's this?" Scott asked, pointing at Roxie.

"Roxanne Richter. You haven't mentioned me?" Roxie raised an eyebrow.

"We were roommates in college. Do you work here?" Ramona asked.

"She... she attacked me!" Scott shouted.

"You punched me in the boob." Roxie countered.

"Jeez, what a shitshow." Gira commented.

"Tell me about it." You whispered.

"Well, I figured it out eventually. You did a lousy job describing her over the phone. I mean, I guess she put on weight." Ramona shrugged.

"Like I'm the only one!" Roxie countered.

"And now she tells me she's a natual blonde! I mean, a blonde ninja?" Ramona scoffed.

"Half-ninja!" Roxie corrected.

"Yeah, sure, whatever." Ramona rolled her eyes.

"So why does she want to kill me? Is she dating one of your evil ex-boyfriends or something?" Scott questioned.

"Evil exes." Ramona corrected.

"Why do you keep saying that?" Scott asked.

"You mean he doesn't know?" Roxie laughed.

"Do you seriously work here? When did you get a job? I can't believe you haven't been bragging about this." Ramona said.

"He really doesn't know?" Roxie smiled at Scott's incapacity to process what's happening.

"Scott... isn't it obvious?" Ramona asked.

"Damn, he's slow." Gira whispered. "And the yelling is making my head ache."

"Give it a moment." You whispered back.

"You and her?!" Scott pointed in shock.

"Oh, relax, it was a phase." Ramona explained.

"You had a sexy phase?!" Scott yelled.

"I'm not a boy!" Roxie exclaimed.

"Ugh, could you take this outside or something? Some people are trying to eat here." Gira spoke up, holding his head.

"And why do you care, jackass?!" Roxie sneered, then seeing you were also in Gira's table, she immediately approached. "And you! You helped Scott, didn't you?! He wants you to fight me instead of doing it himself!"

"Hey, lower the voice, would you?!" Gira stood up, sounding about done with the constant screaming.

"Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do, punk?" Roxie mocked. "Come on, make me."

"Ugh, fine. If it'll get your ass to shut up for five minutes." Gira grumbled, absorbing the wood from the table into his body before making a bat, then proceeding to knock the living daylights out of Roxie, sending her flying out of the place.

"Y/N, who is this?" Ramona asked.

"This is Gira, my friend. And he's a Wood Conduit, so he can do that." You explained.

"You...!" Roxie rushed back in through the door, blade ready to slice Gira, only for the wood-wielder to create a shield to block her attack.

"Would you please just fuck off already?!" Gira yelled, charging both himself and Roxie out of the place, with you, Scott, and Ramona following after them.