Ready or Not
"So would you guys like to play ping pong, or would you like eat first?" a waiter in a tennis outfit walked up to the group with a stack of menus.
"We're just here for food," Izzy said.
"Okay. Follow me," the waiter led them to a table. "Someone will be with you shortly."
"Thank you!" Mimi sweetly smiled.
"Wow! Why didn't we think of this place as a make out spot? Barely anyone is here," Davis asked.
*bonk bonk bonk* a ping pong ball bounced on their table.
"Sorry!"
"That's probably why," TK raised an eyebrow.
"Ooh, the food sounds amazing! Too bad we don't have time to eat," Mimi looked over the menu.
"We could always get something quick. Wanna split a milkshake?" TK asked.
"That's not a bad idea!" Mimi asked.
"Hi! Do you guys know what you want to order?" a waitress walked up to the table.
"Can we get a strawberry shortcake milkshake?" Mimi asked.
"I'll have a Dr. Pepper," Davis nodded.
"Coffee," Izzy said.
"Coming right up!" the waitress said.
"So what's with the SOS, Izzy?" Davis asked.
"I'm part of a group chat with all of the managers in the mall, since I am an assistant manager, and I received an interesting tidbit. Allegedly, someone saw Mimi and TK hooking up in a dressing room," Izzy pressed his lips together.
"What? We never-"
"Oops, coming right through!" the waitress dropped off a milkshake, a soda, a kettle, and a canister on the table.
"I'm sorry, miss. Where's my coffee?" Izzy asked.
"Oh, it's in that container! You just put a spoonful of those crystals in the hot water, and voila! Instant coffee," the waitress smiled.
"Instant..…coffee?" Izzy's eye twitched.
"Is something wrong?" the waitress asked.
"This is unbelievable. Just close out our tab, please. Here's my card," Izzy angrily tossed his card to the edge of the table.
"I'll be back," the waitress timidly said and slinked away.
"Looks like something struck a nerve in you," Davis frowned.
"Sorry, I'm just a bit frustrated. How did this even happen?" Izzy pressed his lips together.
"I don't know! Why don't you take it up with whoever spread that rumour?" TK exclaimed.
"I did. Megumi only said her source was confidential," Izzy rubbed his temples.
"Uh, here's your card back. You can leave a tip, or not. If you need anything, feel free to reach out to someone else cause I'll be busy crying in the walk-in freezer, okay?" the waitress walked off.
*bonk bonk bonk*
"Ugh," Izzy swatted away a ping pong ball.
"Sorry!"
"I just don't get it! Where did Megumi even get that idea from? Guys, be honest with us. You haven't..…you know?" Davis raised an eyebrow.
"I can't believe you'd even ask that! What makes you think that?" Mimi gasped.
"You guys are sharing a milkshake together. That's pretty coupley," Davis bit his lip.
"Guys, did you forget I'm gay?" TK scoffed.
"Look, the only person I've been with is you, Izzy," Mimi said.
"And same! Davis, you're the only guy I would even think about being with!" TK protested.
"We're not questioning your integrity! We just want to know if you guys could think of any reason why people would come up to that conclusion," Izzy shrugged.
"Yeah," Davis nodded.
"Can you ask Megumi where she saw us supposedly hooking up?" Mimi tapped her fingers on the tabletop.
"I don't know, I don't want to come across too interested and raise suspicion. I don't really interact with this group chat to begin with," Izzy grimaced.
"Do you think it will matter? You think we should just come clean?" TK winced.
"What happened to keeping things a secret? I don't think I'm ready. And I asked Kari to the dance before…all of this. She'll be pissed," Davis winced.
"I don't think I'm ready either. Mimi, you'll be moving, and I know this is so selfish of me, but the last thing I want is people's pity clouding over this," Izzy sighed.
"What do you mean?" Mimi asked.
"Eventually, you're gonna have to tell everyone you're moving back to Niagara Falls, and then if we tell everyone that we've been dating, it's gonna be full of 'you poor guys, you're gonna miss each other'- and that will last longer than the actual time I spent with you. I'd rather skip that part, I guess. I'm already having a hard time ignoring the fact that in a couple of weeks, I won't be able to see you," Izzy fiddled with his spoon.
"Oh," Mimi reached across the table and placed her hand over Izzy's.
"So what do we do then? Do we just let the whole mall think Mimi and TK are a couple? Because I don't want them to," Davis crossed his arms.
"Neither do I," Izzy pressed his lips together.
"Ooh, do we have a couple of jealous boyfriends?" Mimi playfully squeezed TK's arm.
"I think we do, girlfriend," TK flashed her a mischievous smile.
"Not funny," Davis and Izzy said in unison.
"I'm so excited, I've never been asked to..…well, anything before!" Zoe brushed her hand through a rack of dresses.
"As happy as I am for you, slow your ropes. You don't want to come across too intense," Yolei smirked.
"You're right, I need to bring myself back down to earth. Alright, gimme something to take my mind off of this! Kari, how are things going with you and Davis?" Zoe asked.
"There's nothing really going on with us. Honestly, I haven't seen him too much since he's asked me to the dance," Kari rubbed her arm.
"That's interesting. Is that so?" Yolei sipped at her smoothie.
"Why? Is that bad? Did you hear something?" Kari exhaled deeply.
"Oh, he's probably busy planning something really big for you. He seems like that kind of guy- kind of like your brother. I bet you he means well, but I'd be a little nervous if I were you," Zoe winced.
"I'd be nervous too," Yolei smirked.
"You guys are making me nervous. And it doesn't help you compared Davis to Tai," Kari frowned.
"What? Tall, dark, handsome…check. A bit goofy, check. Athletic, check. Believes in big gestures, big check," Yolei outstretched her fingers.
"Oh, that's disturbing," Zoe frowned.
"Look, we're just going as friends. That's it," Kari frowned.
"Does he know that?" Zoe asked.
"I think maybe you'd do the both of you a favor if you made that clear before, you know…any wrong signals get thrown around," Yolei shrugged.
"Maybe I should. I feel like after this year, I won't be talking to everyone as much anyways. It seems like no one would even notice if I was gone, including TK and Davis- and I thought they were my close friends," Kari shrugged.
"You don't mean that, do you?" Zoe asked.
"I grew up with them, and we're not doing anything as a group anymore. I'm by myself, and everyone else has someone at least. I'm not important. I'm just Tai's kid sister at the end of the day," Kari shrugged.
"Well, you're important to us! We can always hang out," Zoe smiled.
"Yeah! You can always come to us for anything! We're your friends too!" Yolei hugged Kari.
"Thanks girls," Kari sighed.
*vrrrroooom*
"Uh oh, I haven't heard that sound in a while," Matt muttered.
"What is it?" Rina took off her headphones.
"Mall cops..…," Matt whispered.
"Ahem, I need to speak to whoever is in charge of this establishment," Joe hopped off of his scooter.
"Why? Is something wrong?" Rina asked.
"Are you the one in charge?" Joe looked at her sternly.
"In fact, I am. I'm just behind the scenes. So what can I do you for?" Rina stood up and crossed her arms.
"Listen, I've been hearing rumours about some kids trying to throw an event at this establishment after hours-,"
"Yeah, they have permission to," Rina interrupted Joe.
"Technically no. You may have given them permission, but you need to get a permit from the mall if you want extended hours- that way we'll have extra security on hand," Joe said.
"You're kidding, right? You guys can't even reunite lost kids back to their parents," Matt scoffed.
"I don't make the rules! It's mall policy," Joe stuttered.
"Fine. How much is the stupid mall permit?" Rina scoffed.
"It'll cost about a thousand," Joe said.
"You can bite my ass with that! What if we just hire our own security? It'll be cheaper, and they'll probably actually do their job," Matt stuck his thumb down.
"Fine. Do what you want. I don't even care anymore. Come in a couple of weeks, this whole mall will be torn apart anyways! I just came to send the message, don't shoot me!" Joe ripped his notepad in half and tossed it to the ground.
"Wait, what?! You mean hundreds of people are going to lose their jobs? They just built this restaurant a month ago!" Matt gasped.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about that. I gotta go," Joe hopped back on his Segway and rolled out.
"Shit, what do we do?" Matt gasped.
"Besides dress like cops and give out bogus tickets for some quick cash? Because that's what I'm tempted to do," Rina grabbed the notepad Joe left behind.
"I have to tell Tai about this...I really hope this doesn't screw with our plans," Matt pulled out his phone.
"We'll be fine, we'll figure this out," Rina patted Matt on the shoulder.
"Dude! What the hell...do you guys know anything about this?" Tai gasped.
"About what?" Miki asked.
"Did you know that they're shutting down the mall?" Tai gasped.
"Oh, that…," Miki winced.
"So you do know!" Tai yelled.
"Miki, what's happening?" Megumi asked.
"Look, I was gonna tell you guys..…on your last day. I just didn't want to tell you now cause I wanted to keep you motivated to work," Miki sheepishly bit her nail.
"That's so manipulative! What are we gonna do when we don't have a job anymore?" Tai asked.
"Look, we're all getting severance packages as long as we stay until the mall's official final day! That should hold you over until you find another job. Besides, do you want to work at the mall for the rest of your life?" Miki said.
"Not really, but people like me might not have a choice! If I don't pass summer school, I'm screwed!" Tai grunted.
"You're not going to college?" Megumi asked.
"Let's just say I'm considering taking a gap year," Tai forced a smile.
"Oh, okay. Nothing wrong with that!" Megumi nervously smiled.
"Why are they closing the mall anyways?" Tai gasped.
"Have you seen the foot traffic? Notice how we can just get paid to talk to each other for hours? Apparently, a lot of stores are not okay with that- especially with how expensive the leases are. The mall just got bought out by new management, and they're planning on renovating this place into an open-air, mixed-use development, so there will be stores and apartments here. Wanna see some of the pics?" Miki motioned Tai and Megumi over to the register.
"Oooh, is there going to be a Shimmy Shack?" Megumi gasped.
"Screw that! There's gonna be a Legit Sea Foods!" Tai licked his lips.
"And looks like we're getting one of those cool movie theatres that has a dinner menu!" Megumi exclaimed.
"I've always wanted to go to one of those," Tai nodded excitedly.
"Yep. And they're planning on modernizing the parking garage too- they'll have lights above the parking spaces that will tell you if the space is available," Miki pointed at the screen.
"Miki, you get excited about the weirdest things," Megumi frowned.
"Do you know how hard it is to find a parking spot? This is a godsend!" Miki exclaimed.
"This is great..…but imagine all of us, we're all gonna be out of jobs in the meantime. Does anyone else know?" Tai said.
"No. This is just a memo sent out to just the store managers- it's completely confidential, so I highly doubt other people know. I'd appreciate if you guys just act normal for now," Miki shook her head.
"My fingers are cramping up..…I need to text," Megumi wiggled her fingers.
"If it makes it any better, all of the store managers already kno-"
"Message sent!" Megumi sighed in relief.
"You are seriously the worst," Miki shook her head.
"Yeah...," Tai said to himself as he secretly tapped away on his phone.
"Ahh shoot, I'm gonna be late for a dreaded 'emergency' meeting with the group," Matt stretched his arms in the air.
"Isn't this a second one in a week? Do you guys know what the word emergency means?" Rina smirked.
"Not really, but considering it was Kari who requested a meeting this time around, it's probably serious," Matt whistled.
"I'll let you to it then. Looks like everyone's waiting for you...oh, and by the way, here's a copy of the numbers I've been trying to run through for the dance. Let's just say maybe we could use a second pair of eyes," Rina handed him a thick packet.
"Oh..…wow," Matt winced.
"You better get a move on! I'll see you later," Rina winked and walked off.
"One, two, three, four-"
"Okay, we can stop counting! It looks like everyone is here now," Sora snapped at Tai.
"You sure? Where's Kari?" Matt frowned.
"Sorry, I'm late! We had a long line of..…we didn't start yet, right?" Kari heaved over a table.
"You should catch your breath," Mimi winced.
"Just give me a minute," Kari gasped.
"While you gather yourself together, I might as well clear up that text message I sent to you guys!" Tai said.
"Oh yeah, what was that about? Why are we in danger?" Davis asked.
"The mall is gonna close in a couple of weeks for renovations, so all of us are gonna be out of a job soon," Tai said.
"What? And they weren't gonna tell us anything?" TK gasped.
"No. Seems like most of the managers were gonna string us along until our last shifts," Tai pressed his lips together.
"That's completely unbelieveable and so underhanded. Of course," Izzy crossed his arms.
"Guys, why does it matter? Half of us are gonna be leaving anyways, and the other half of you can have a nice summer vacation," Mimi shrugged.
"Wait-rewind that. Are you saying that you're leaving us, Mimi?" Tai asked.
"Yeah..…I'm literally heading back to Niagara Falls in a couple of weeks. My parents are literally just waiting for me to finish school," Mimi blubbered.
"Cat's out of the bag now," Davis whispered.
"Not completely," TK rubbed his neck.
"Mimi, I'm so sorry! We're gonna miss you!" Sora walked up to her and hugged her.
"I don't want to leave! There's so much I have yet to do here, I don't want to move again," Mimi sniffled and wiped her face.
"We don't want you to move either," Izzy frowned.
"Wow, there's too much changes going in at once! I don't know if I can handle anything more," Tai ran his hands through his hair.
"Actually, that is why I called this meeting!" Kari tapped her knuckles at the tabletop.
"Kari!" everyone gasped in unison.
"Look, I'm tired. I'm tired of feeling like the invisible friend, the pushed-aside kid sister of the group, the 'nice' girl who will be okay with all the BS that goes on. I'm tired. So, for starters, Sora- I'm sorry I said what I said in the cafe. I now understand why you do things the way you do. However, I don't want to do things the same way, so I think it's best if I just distance myself from everyone. And Davis, that includes you. I'm sorry, I can't go to the dance with you," Kari shook her head.
"Whoa…," everyone gasped.
"Kari, Kari, Kari! Wait! Can we-"
"I'm sorry, but if you don't mind me, I'm gonna hang out with some people who actually care about me as a person," Kari hoisted her bag on her shoulder and walked off.
"Did she just apologize to and insult me at the same time? Cause I feel like she made a dig at me," Sora pressed her index finger into her chest.
"You think everything is a dig," Matt scoffed.
"No, you do!" Sora argued.
"You would think they were siblings in real-life, wouldn't you?" Mimi took Izzy's arms and wrapped them around herself.
"Hey guys, I think we're losing what's important here," Tai snapped his fingers.
"That we're all gonna be out of jobs soon?" Sora asked.
"That Mimi will be gone in a few weeks?" Izzy asked.
"I mean, both valid- but not what I'm talking about. Kari doesn't want to hang out with us anymore, and we made her feel that way," Tai frowned.
"Yeah, we did," TK and Davis flashed each other guilty looks.
"Hey Sora, it's been a while since we've seen each other..."
"Hey Joe, what's new with you?" Sora nervously slapped her hands on her knees.
"I would like to say same old, but it seems like there's something odd in the air. Like it's the end of the world and everyone is acting a bit looney," Joe tapped his pencil against the table.
"Really? That's kind of how I feel. But what makes you say that?" Sora asked.
"You know kids, acting more rambunctious than normal- probably because school will be letting out soon. Speaking of kids, a couple of kids had the audacity to try to throw their own version of the dance here after the mall closes! Like that will happen!" Joe exclaimed.
"What? You don't say..…," Sora said in a high-pitched voice.
"Who do these kids think they are? They think they're above all the rules, so they can just do whatever they want?" Joe threw his hands in the air.
"Or do you think maybe they're just a couple of kids who don't want to squeeze into a box that society gives them?" Sora rubbed the back of her neck.
"Sora, don't you think what they're doing is a bit irresponsible? Who's going to make sure that nothing goes wrong? I told them they needed to get an after-hours permit from us, and who I assumed was the restaurant manager basically told me to screw myself," Joe winced.
"Joe, have you ever done anything fun in your entire life?" Sora asked.
"Can't say I have. I was too busy studying to get into medical school," Joe shrugged.
"Listen, I was planning to go to the original school dance, but I don't think they let you invite people that aren't students. So, if you're interested, would you like to go to the alternative dance with me?" Sora bit her lip.
"You want to ask me to a dance?" Joe blinked in surprise.
"Yeah. I think we could both blow off some steam, and it would be fun," Sora shrugged.
"You know what? I'd like to, a lot. Count me in," Joe smiled.
"Great!" Sora sighed in relief.
"Hey! Is this where I post jail?"
"Right over here. And she's good to go- I'll let it slide this time," Joe unlocked the jail cell and led Sora out.
"Dude, thanks…," Matt looked at him in surprise.
"This was a first offense, so just don't let it happen again. Sora, I'll see you around," Joe winked.
"I'll see you later," Sora waved as she walked out of the security office with Matt.
"Dude, what happened back there and is it something I should tell Moms about?" Matt smirked.
"No! And I can't believe you would be a tattletale after all the stuff you and Tai do!" Sora defensively said.
"Then spill! What happened back there?" Matt jabbed her arm with his elbow.
"It was just another shift at work…," Sora sighed.
"Sora! You're one minute late from your break!" a girl with a clipboard yelled.
"Sorry, Victoria. I had something-"
"I really don't care! I have a bone to pick with you! We have to get 3 credit cards a shift, and you haven't signed anyone up for any in about two weeks! If you can't hit your benchmark today, you're gonna work every single weekend and holiday until New Years!" the girl barked.
"Like hell I will, because I fucking quit, you wretched bitch!" Sora yelled.
"Oh my god, is she quitting?" a group of employees huddled behind some clothing racks.
"You can't do that!" the girl screamed.
"Yes I can! I quit and there's nothing you can do about it! You know what else I can do?!" Sora ran to a display table of underwear and messed up the neatly folded panties.
"Hey! We've been working on that for 2 hours!" one girl screamed.
"Sucks for you! Screw you bitches, and screw this place!" Sora stuck her middle fingers up and paced backwards out of the store.
"And that's when security came and wisked me away on that stupid golf car," Sora grimaced.
"Ouch, that's humiliating," Matt winced.
"I had enough of that job, and when Tai said that the mall was closing soon, I felt like a bottle of soda that you keep shaking until it gets so hard, you're too scared to open it because it blows up in your face. Now, I'm out of a job for a couple of weeks, I don't know what to do," Sora said.
"Eh, it's only a couple of weeks. I say hang tight and take it easy," Matt shrugged.
"I don't know if I know how to take it easy. I need something to keep me busy- and I don't mean getting invested in other people's personal business," Sora pressed her lips together.
"Whoa, where did you get that idea from? Sure, you put your nose where it doesn't belong, but you're not any better than the rest of us. We all do it," Matt pulled a guitar pick out of his pocket and began to scrape it under his fingernails.
"But maybe I need to take it down a few notches. Maybe I need to focus on myself more. For Pete's sake, I got diplomat as one of the results to my career aptitude test. If that's not an external sign saying I get involved in other people's business, I don't know what is," Sora shrugged.
"Don't diplomats like try to make peace between people or something though?" Matt scrunched his eyebrows.
"I don't know for sure, but it's on a such a political scale- I don't think I want to be involved in something so large like that," Sora frowned.
"Good thing that test is all nonsense anyways- you really think I could be a real estate agent or a wedding planner?" Matt scoffed.
"You're planning an event as we speak. It's not a wedding, but you're still doing a lot of the same steps," Sora shrugged.
"Crap. I don't want to be that sleazy guy who never leaves town, and just has a thousand different jobs under my belt- like that Ray Butani guy with the ads on the bus stop benches! You know what they do to those ads?" Matt grabbed his face.
"That's why I never sit on those benches," Sora frowned.
"Hey Mimi!" Tai ran up to the register.
"What's up?" Mimi asked.
"By any chance, has Megumi looked for a dress at this store yet?" Tai slapped the countertop.
"Yeah, in fact she has. I have it on hold for now," Mimi said.
"Great! I'll pay for it!" Tai said.
"You will?" Mimi looked at him skeptically.
"Yeah! I don't know what else to do for Megumi that would be nice. We're both working the night of the dance, so it's not like I can rent a limo- not that I have the money for a limo. I can't take her out to eat, because there will be food there already, I don't know what else to do," Tai frantically waved his hands.
"That's nice you're taking her to the dance. I wish I was going," Mimi sighed.
"TK didn't ask you to the dance?" Tai asked.
"Why would TK ask me to the dance?" Mimi cocked her head to the side.
"Uh, no reason..…," Tai turned red.
"Hey Mimi, are you okay to go on your break?" Izzy walked up to the store.
"In just a minute, love. Just helping Tai ring up a dress for Megumi. I'll be right back," Mimi kissed him on the cheek and walked to the back room.
"Whoa, did my eyes deceive me or…," Tai frantically flicked his fingers back and forth.
"No, you saw that," Izzy turned red.
"Wait a minute.…are you and her.…?" Tai raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Izzy struggled to say.
"Dude, how long?" Tai asked.
"Not long," Izzy shook his head.
"You know you have to ask her to the dance, right?" Tai punched Izzy in the arm.
"What?" Izzy gasped.
"Yeah, she wants to go. What the hell is the matter with you? You should have been asked her by now," Tai said.
"I didn't know she wanted to go," Izzy said.
"Yeah, you big dummy. I know she'll be leaving soon, but don't you guys want to end with some good memories?" Tai flicked Izzy on the forehead.
"I don't want us to end," Izzy frowned.
"You can't do anything about that. However, you can make the best of the time you do have. Trust me," Tai said.
"I'm back. So Megumi's dress is 200 plus tax, but I can take a deposit for half, and you can come back and pay the other half in two weeks," Mimi said.
"Two. Hundred. Dollars?!" Tai gasped.
"It's the average price of the dresses I'm selling. Don't you want to do something nice for Megumi?" Mimi asked.
"Fine..…that's doable," Tai handed Mimi some cash.
"Thank you! I'll see you in two weeks!" Mimi smiled.
"Heh," Tai pulled out his phone and made a face.
"You know what? I know corporate would frown upon it, but I think it wouldn't hurt to permanently ban certain customers from our establishment," Catherine put her hands on her hips.
"Huh?" TK looked up from the counter.
"Great, your idiot friend is here…," Zoe grunted. "Hey, if you're not gonna order anything, then leave!"
"Nononono, I just need to borrow Kari and TK for a moment!" Davis waddled closer to the counter, dressed up in a bear costume.
"Get! Lost!" Zoe hurled some coffee cups at Davis.
"Zoe, it's okay..…I'll just be a minute," Kari winced.
"Okay, but if you need any backup, call me!" Zoe crossed her arms.
"Thanks, I appreciate it," Kari nervously smiled.
"You guys have five minutes to get rid of the nuisance! Any more than that, and I'm considering it an unpaid break!" Catherine sternly said.
"Davis, what's with the getup?" TK asked.
"I'm just trying to squeeze in some side jobs as the Bad News Bear before prom. You wouldn't believe how many people want to break up with their girlfriends before the dance!" Davis wiped his forehead.
"Davis, I don't mean to be rude but we only have five minutes. What do you want?" Kari said.
"Kari, I just really want to say I'm sorry I was being a bad friend. I'm sorry I made you feel like you were being ignored or anything, I'm just kinda going through some stuff and I don't think I'm ready to come to terms with it yet," Davis bit his lip.
"Oh...," Kari looked at TK and grabbed his hand. "I see now. It all makes sense."
"Huh?" TK looked back at her.
"If that's what you're worried about, don't. I'm fine with it," Kari pulled Davis's hand and forced it into TK's hand.
"Wait, what?" TK blinked.
"I started adding it up, and things just clicked into place," Kari rubbed her arm.
"Kari, this might sound weird..…but how would you like to go to the dance with two guys?" TK asked.
"Yeah, we would love to take a special lady out. So how's about it?" Davis winked.
"You guys...," Kari paused.
"Please?" the boys got on their knees and pleaded.
"Okay, since you begged..…but you have to match my dress. Which is pink, by the way," Kari smirked.
"Pink? That's so g-"
"What, Davis? Gay?" TK smirked.
"I mean, yeah...," Davis turned red.
"Taichi Tae-Bo Kamiya!"
"Momma!" Tai hid behind a makeup display.
"Whoa..…do I hear a parent in our store?" Miki accidentally swiped her lipstick across her face.
"Miki, I think you smudged your lipstick-"
"Megumi, I know," Miki grunted as she blotted her face with a tissue.
"Has anyone seen my son?! Bushy, brown hair? Tall, muscly idiot?" a petite woman with brown hair in a ponytail screamed.
"Holy crap, do you think that will be Kari in the future?" Megumi whispered.
"Depends if Kari goes to therapy or not," Miki crouched under a makeup vanity.
"Mom! I'm here! What do you want? You're scaring people!" Tai jumped in front of his mom.
"Tai! How come I haven't received any letters about your graduation? I just spoke to the Ishida-Takenouchis and the kids got their graduation paperwork already! Where is yours?! How am I supposed to order your cap and gown if I don't have the order form?!" Tai's mom screamed.
"I heard they send them in alphabetical order, so I guess I just have to wait a couple more days?" Tai nervously laughed.
"Sora got her form before you did!" Tai's mom yelled.
"By first name, so I still have time!" Tai blurted out.
"Goddamnit Tai, if that's the case, you should have still received your forms by now!" Tai's mom yelled.
"The school breaks it up by Hogwarts houses, and oh boy, as a Gryffindor, I feel so persecuted! Trust me!" Tai rambled.
"This moment is brought to you by the letter T, as in Time's a Tickin'," Miki whistled.
"You, girls! Did you get your graduation paperwork yet? Probably not because you spend all day putting makeup on!" Tai's mom pointed at them.
"Just for the record, I made the dean's list while juggling my responsibilities as a store manager- so unless you're here to buy something, please save your personal issues for outside of the store after Tai's shift," Miki put her hands on her hips.
"Mom, I promise you I'm graduating! Maybe my form just got lost in the mail or something! But I swear to godddd, I'm good! Honestly! I'll check with the school tomorrow, it shouldn't be a big deal!" Tai nervously smiled.
"I better have that paperwork tomorrow afternoon, or you're out of the house after this school year! I'm not raising any more skidmark artists. Your dad was more than enough," Tai's mom stomped out of the store.
"I promise, I'm totally graduating," Tai grabbed the back of his head.
"That's what someone who isn't graduating says," Megumi frowned.
"How are you gonna pull this off? Your mom is high-key scary," Miki pulled out a nail file and grimaced.
"Fuck if I know," Tai groaned.