I scratched my head, I hadn't gotten out of bed and had to cancel coffee with Kid. He wasn't happy about but I needed to find extra ways to make cash. Mom and Pops weren't doing so well because of his hospital bills. and Even though they were extremely well off, they had been using their savings on previous hospital bills from the war and everything in between. I was so tempted to make the call but if they found out they'd kill me. But with one win I could have like two Bills paid off! Nobody was really looking for a part-time bartender...
I picked up my phone, scrolling through my contacts. It didn't take long to find. The Old fart had an illegal fighting ring in his name. He didn't like it when I fought and nobody knew, made him worry too much. He was like a drunk uncle to me, but god knows that man can't get drunk. Ace whipped my bedroom door open. I was sitting on my bed still in my pajamas, he groaned, he had hoped I was still asleep.
"Whatcha lookin at?" He hummed, sitting next to me.
"Ways to help mom and Pops pay off the hospital bills..." I murmured, showing him the contact
Ace got up and shut the door before speaking, "Y/n. You know all of the consequences of doing that again. I do too, it's not pretty." He warned
"I know it's not Ace... It's just. My current job isn't paying enough to help out a whole bunch!" I whisper shouted.
"None of ours are, We aren't picking up a bunch of money from the uh, ya know." He gestured to the gang a bit
"Why not?"
"Because of Pop's health, no major alliances can be maintained properly" Ace sighed, laying down on my bed.
"Shit..."
"Next to Marco, who is also currently having money and some health problems... You're technically the next most capable to handle them." Ace looked at me with pleading eyes
"No. I'm done with that kinda life..."
"Says the one looking at talking to Rayleigh about joining illegal fights again." Ace deadpanned, "Listen, The gang needs 'The Ripper' Not Jack the Ripper... Jeez, I always hated learning about that guy in school. Gave me the creeps. Why'd you choose that name?" Ace was puzzled
"It's just an old promise I made to someone." I hummed, Law and I both had made a promise to Rip Joker's limbs off... a Silent promise he knew nothing about.
"Creepy. But okay-"
"Ace. If 'The Ripper' gets back in the game, You know who will know I'm back... You remember what he did last time.." I felt the scars on my back sting a bit, as well as the scar on my face...
Ace slid his hands down his face, "If you do the illegal fights he'll still know!" Ace threw his hands in the air
"...Shut up" I pushed his face away
"Please, for pops, just go to the meeting in Pops's stead?" Ace looked genuinely worried, I sighed, nodding my head
"Fine..." My head sunk into my hands
Ace pumped his fists, a smile on his Face. "It's a formal meeting so you gotta look well dressed..." He chuckled nervously
"I'll go raid Robin or Nami's closet later... Kid needs to talk to me, So out. I've gotta get ready" I pushed Ace out of the room. Taking a deep breath, I put on some different and more clean clothes.
Opening my closet, I couldn't help but frown a bit. All I had was all of my brother's old clothes. There were some from Marco, Thatch, Ace, Sabo, and Luffy. and Several items from Izou. I grabbed a plain white button-up, as well as a Plain white undershirt, and set them on my bed. I barged into Sabo's room grabbing his desk chair. He seemed thoroughly embarrassed by my actions... I didn't want to know what he was doing.
I set the desk chair down in front of my closet, using it as a step stool to get to the top of my closet for my pants. I sifted through them until I found some deep brown plaid pants...they didn't look half bad but they were probably a bit too long. I tossed them on my bed anyways. Stepping down I moved the chair over to the far left side of my closet. I was looking for some white socks to go with it. I snagged some after looking so a while. They should've gone just about my ankle. Before I stepped back down I grabbed some fresh underwear as well.
I looked at the laid-out outfit... it was missing something. I scrambled out of my room. barging right into Sabo's room again. He screamed like a little girl. Hold his bedsheets to his chest, I sifted through his closet. Grabbing a sweater vest and left.
"KNOCK NEXT TIME!"
I heard him yell, I was too focused to even care about his nonsense. I put the sweater vest on top of the laid-out shirt, Smiling at it. It was perfect, Warm enough to go outside in, comfy enough to wear for a few hours and Put together enough to make it look like I had my shit together. I shut and locked my door, putting it on. I looked into my mirror, looking at it for a moment. I needed to do something with my hair. A knock came from my door, but before I got the chance to unlock it, Ace picked the lock. Thatch stepped in with Him. Both of them tilted their heads.
"Uh... I thought Kid needed to talk to you... I didn't know it was slang for you going on a date." Ace chuckled a bit, still confused
"It's not a date, We're just going for coffee, he said it was about important stuff..." I shrugged
"Y/n. You never dress up like that, usually, it's hoodies and sweatpants. Not, sophisticated but comfortable with a hint of scholar." Thatch pointed out
"Huh?" Now it was my turn to tilt my head
"You never wear stuff like that!" Ace deadpanned
"Yeah! She barged into my room like twice!! Once for my desk chair and Once for one of my Vests!!" Sabo looked annoyed
"OH.MY.GOD" Thatch put a hand over his mouth, "You actually LOOKED through your closet! YOU PUT TIME INTO MAKING AN OUTFIT!!" Thatch smiled evilly and pointed at me
Ace and Sabo gasped, Izou who had been visiting heard that and also ran up the stairs to gasp in fake but real shock.
"I wanted to look nice! Is it a crime?!" I threw my hands up, unknowing of the light blush on my face
"YOU'RE BLUSHHINGGGG~" Ace sang loudly, dancing around your room
"Oh Hun, You're gonna need some matching shoes, come with me. I've got some your size in my car" Izou grabbed me, taking me outside to his car and handing me some off-white, beige-ish sneakers.
"Thanks?..." I mumbled,
"You're very welcome... Now go get that man. God knows you need some action" Izou hugged me
"Izou!" I gasped
He quickly let go, running off. I rolled my eyes. going back inside to put the shoes on, Once I had them on I grabbed my wallet, keys, and phone. Izou yanked me back before I could leave. Quickly did something with my hair.
"What'd you do?" I quirked a brow
"I put it in a messy-ish bun, now go You look great" He gave a thumbs up
If there was anyone I trusted more with my hair. It was Izou and Thatch. They had that stuff down to pat, like holy cow. I smiled a bit before heading out to my truck. My phone started buzzing as soon as I started the damn thing.
"Yo"
'You ditch me?' Kid grumbled
"No. I just got in the truck, give me a bit alright?" I snickered, "Now don't go getting your panties in a twist"
'Shut the hell up, Midget'
"Make me tough guy!" I laughed, pulling out of the driveway
'When and Where~' Kid was obviously flirting
"You're awful at trying to flirt subtly, It's so stupid sounding when you do!" I giggled
'Can it!' Kid snapped, his tone seemed embarrassed so I didn't take it personally
"Want me to meet you somewhere, or do you want me to go to the coffee place?"
'Just head to the shop.'
"Alright. See ya'" I ended the call before he could say goodbye, I looked into my rear-view mirror, looking at what Izou did with my hair. It didn't look half bad, I stopped. Oh god... Maybe this was a date. I mean, they were right. I actually tried to look decent for once. With this new information, your face burned a brighter red than kids' hair...