Sleeping across the road from a local park on the bad side of town was never easy for Sly, the constant noise of drunk underage teenagers deciding to take a short cut through the park at midnight, making their presence known to the world, the more than common passer by and the constant traffic kept him up at night. This night was one of those where it was at its loudest. Some idiot kids decided to have a party on the last day of the summer break. Sly decided that he'd prefer not to have to put up with their antics for much longer.

Turning on his light and getting changed into his casual clothing. Sly packed a bag for tomorrow, first day of his senior year. Sly dressed in slim fitting jeans, a blue long sleeve shirt, a sleeveless denim button-up hoodie, a single strap bag and rough skate shoes. Opened his door, to discover his Mom and Dad still awake in the living room enjoying their T.V. show, some comedy that Sly had no interest in. Sly gave them a quick wave to get their attention. "Oh, Sly." his father said surprised to see him up, "Where are you going this late?"

He said with a quizzical expression on his face. "Uhh..." The truth is Sly hadn't thought that through. "J-Just over to... Murray's house for the night, can't sleep, it's way too loud outside." Stammering out an acceptable answer so his father won't worry for his safety, after all he knew that Murray would protect Sly and keep him from trouble as he had done time and time again.

"Okay then, see you later." Giving Sly a dismissive wave. Sly made his way out of the front door as he shot Murray a quick text.

Yo, I'm coming over, that cool?

Yeah, bring a pizza or something Are we gonna watch some movies

or something?

Nope Im just real hungry

Haha XD OK then big guy.

Making his way onto the cold street he checked the park. The rowdy teens were still going, sadly this was the fastest way to Pizza Hut which Sly remembered closes at 11:00. 'Ah, shit its close to closing time.' Pulling on his hood and staying to the shadows making sure to avoid the teens who hadn't seemed to notice him. 'okay so they didn't notice me right?' Checking the spot where the teens were is still where they are, to see a empty spot. 'Shit they moved. Where though?' Sly instinctively took to the trees, still making his way through the park. That's when he heard it, crying, not just anyone but one of those drunk kids. Looking down he see's a familiar silhouette, that of his long time crush, Carmelita Fox. Dropping silently from the tree he instantly recognized the pungent scent of tequila. He approached quietly as to not disturb her in this fragile state.

Sly cleared his throat to make his presence known to the young Miss Fox. "Hey, are you okay?"

he asked out of concern, Carmelita hadn't had the best luck with her boyfriends in the past and her current one was no exception. Wiping her face, she looked up at her would be caretaker.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine... Just my asshole boy- umm... Ex-boyfriend was being a total ass tonight." The situation was just as Sly had suspected. " He was wanting to mug the next guy who walked in here... They didn't give you any trouble did they?" Sly didn't know how to respond to that, he felt like an idiot, of course they'd have wanted to have a fight with a stranger, what did he expect from them.

"Uh, no, not at all." Sly stammered, "Do you want to go, get a pizza and I'll get you a place to sleep" 'what the hell did i just do?' Carmelita was taken by surprise as to the voice coming out of that hood, it was familiar and somehow comforting to hear.

"Sure thing, uh, do I? Do I know you? Were we in the same class for something?" Sly took his hood back and scratched the back of his head, almost embarrassed.

"Well, yes and no, we haven't been in the same class for years, not since I was pulled out of the orphanage by my foster parents." Sly outstretched his hand to pull Carmelita up to him. As he had pulled her up, it had clicked for her, this was...

"I'm Sly, Sly Cooper." And he kissed the back of her hand. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was him, Carmelita turned the same color of her lipstick. She then realized she was cold in her tee shirt and jeans with converse shoes to match. Sly felt this, and gave her his hood.

"Thank you, kind sir. It's nice to know chivalry isn't dead yet." This made Sly smile, seeing Carmelita happy was perhaps the best thing about her, the way she acted when she was in a good mood.

"Ah, you see my dear, it is indeed dead, but Iike to pay my respects. Now, Pizza hut closes in five minutes, we'd best be off." Sly said, in the worst medieval British accent.

"Carmelita!" came a voice from behind them. "Good job at stalling him fo us, we have no idea how he got this far without us noticing him."

Carmelita grabbed onto Sly and ran in the opposite direction as fast as she could with Sly in tow, they made it to Pizza Hut with no pursuers in sight. Sly ordered three large Pizzas, one for him and Carmelita and two for Murray.

"Okay, so that was your Ex, right?" Sly asked looking to his left at Carmelita.

"Yeah, Rajan... he made awesome food but..." Sly knew all too well of Rajan's reputation with spice trade.

"Why do you hang out with people like that? don't tell me because they're cool or something like that, because cool is just a social perception of people that primed way too early." Carmelita looked as if she were in deep thought

"well, i don't hang out with them, they hang out with me, there's a difference... right?"

"You let them hang out with you because you feel pressured too, and trust me, you shouldn't be. You should hang out with me and my friends starting tomorrow, we'll look out for you." 'What kind of fight did I just sign the gang up for?'

"Careful... I just might." Sly didn't expect this from her.

"I hope you do, it'll be fun."

"I hope it will be ringtail."

This made sly blush, Carmelita was happy, he was happy Nothing could ruin this moment...

"Okay, closing time." They just realized that yes, it was past closing time and they'd have to trek someplace else.

"So... about that bed..." Carmelita had taken sly up on his offer on the free bed for the night.

"Oh, yeah, right, okay let's go."

"So who's house is it we are venturing to at uh.. 11:30 on a Sunday night?'

"We are going to my main man Murray's house. And he is hungry."