i wish

Dash raised an eyebrow when this boy started talking so casually to him, surprised by such a random question. “Buddy, there are so many choices where to find those kinds of drinks that naming a single place is a challenge in itself.” He ran his hand through his tousled hair, trying to choose which could possibly be the best place to go. “Maybe the best would be Skull rock Pub or The Snuggly Duckling Bar, it depends on personal taste. Hey, maybe we can have a drink in one of them. What do you say? ” Dash didn’t know why but this boy didn’t seem like a bad person, and a little company didn’t sound bad at all.

Timmy tilted his head a little, thinking. He knew he wasn’t old enough, and definitely didn’t look old enough to get into an actual pub or a bar, but....was he willing to try and get into one anyway for energy drinks? “Whichever one costs less,” he finally answered, deciding that yes. Yes he was willing to try. “Do they not check IDs or something, or is this island just...like that?” He hadn’t actually checked any rules before moving here, had zoned out during any orientation anything, and his parents definitely hadn’t bothered to tell him.

“That’s the one.” That place had all the weird shit, but even Lars used the vending machine from time to time. Sometimes he even got what he purchased out of it too. It probably even had a few dints from Lars’ kick too. “Just don’t buy anything the ‘eye patch’ guy tries to sell you and you’re good. On the plus side though, if you did die there your ghost would just become another attraction.”

“But what do I do if he like...I don’t know, does crazy old guy stuff?” Timmy didn’t fully know what went on at the Shack, but...the vibes were weird and this was the one thing his brain decided was worth worrying about. “Yeah, that’s pretty cool I guess, but I don’t know how many people would pay to see me.” Most people didn’t want to see him for free. “Unless I get real good at stunts as a ghost.”

“It’s okay, I’m sure I’ll figure it out,” Roxanne shrugs, always one to look on the bright side of things. She can never complain for too long. “Yours sucks too,” she adds, giving him a sympathetic smile in solidarity. “Oh that’s awesome, where are you from?” she asks, always getting a little bit excited when she meets someone from off the island. Never having actually left herself, she finds the thought of anywhere else to be kind of fascinating.

“I’ve heard the tutors here are pretty good,” Timmy said with confidence, even though he hadn’t actually...gone to find one yet. He should, but he hadn’t. HE didn’t want to go for that so early, it would make him look dumber than he already did. “Oh, I’m from New Jersey. So this is a pretty big improvement, to be honest.”

“I’ll keep you updated and let you know if they come up with something good,” Roxanne laughs, already pulling out her phone to text Hiro the idea. She’s sure he’ll be a little bit confused by the idea, but she wouldn’t be all that surprised if Aunt Cass came up with some ideas within a few days. “There’s way too many math classes.” She can’t help but groan as she thinks about all the math classes she has on her plate this semester, not entirely sure how she’s going to survive them all. Maybe it’s time to finally change her major. “You’re, like, new around here, right?” she adds, trying to remember if she’s ever seen him around before.

Timmy laughed quietly. Well, that was a first. Someone listening to one of his weird ideas, at least in a way. Either way, it was a nice change of pace, really. “Eugh, I’m sorry, that really sucks.” Maybe that was a little lame, but it was true. Math was really the worst. “Uh...yeah, kinda! Moved in just in time to go to college, so...I know less than I usually would.” He shook his head at himself, grinning.

Fawn laughed a little hearing him - so acceptance to Chester’s friends was coming along nicely. “Just here to help others out from time to time.” Scrunching her nose she made a face. “I think I’ll pass on an energy drink, but I will come along with you though, because I could use a snack.” 

“Oh, cool!” Of course, Timmy wasn’t gonna force the whole drink thing, because he got it. If you didn’t want a thing, you didn’t want a thing, and maybe to this girl energy drinks were like...him and broccoli. “I should grab some snacks too, really,” he thought out loud, starting in the direction he figured this store was. “I keep eating all mine.”

“I do not miss that feeling.” There was not enough money in the world to get Lars back in a school. Well… maybe that was an over exaggeration, but it would have to be a pretty big number to put himself through that bullshit again. “Big Donut does, but it’s closed.” Evidently so, because it was the only time Lars ever graced the outside world with his underwhelming presence. “Tried the Mystery Shack? They’ve got a vending machine with, like, plenty of questionable shit.”

Timmy blinked. “Mystery Shack? That place with that weird old dude? With the eye patch?” At least, Timmy thought he had an eye patch. He’d seen the guy with it and without it. And Timmy had a feeling that if he got anywhere near that old guy he might set him off. “I might just die?” Or fail. Or both.

Phil simply shrugged as his suggestion wasn’t taken very seriously. It’s not like he was in the best position to be a good example for how great dropping out of college was, considering he had still yet to tell his parents, but whatever. Not like this boy’s life had any impact on his own. “I.. don’t actually know how much is too much - but three is a more common. Want to go four? Meet in the middle?”

Timmy let himself squint for about a fraction of a second before he was nodding. “Yeah, yeah. Four. Four’s good.” Probably not his best idea, because he barely drank coffee, but he was technically a grown up now so. He’d go for it and suffer if he had to. “I hope this works. Oh, and can you make it...as not bitter as possible? I can’t do bitter.” No good paying for it if he was just gonna spit it out.

“You know, my friend’s Aunt owns the Lucky Cat and that totally seems like something she would do.” Every time she’s stopped by the cafe to see Hiro or Tiana, it seems like Aunt Cass is always creating something new and cute. “I should suggest it. Cotton candy coffee would be a total game changer.” Roxanne smiles brightly at the idea, but it falters a little as he talks about what he’s studying. “I totally get it. I’m trying to figure out the exciting world of economics and it’s just not clicking,” she admits, though there’s no denying that with her lack of enthusiasm about her major, she’s not trying all that hard.

“You know what, if they can manage cotton candy coffee, they’ll definitely at least get me to buy it.” Timmy, honestly, would buy anything labelled as cotton candy flavor. Most of the time, it didn’t take much to get Timmy’s interest. “Oh god, economics? That’s so many math classes.” Timmy didn’t have a major yet, but whatever he ended up picking wasn’t going to have more than the minimum amount of math classes. He could barely keep up with regular stuff like English.

“Yeah, of course.” Fawn added with a smile. At least she wasn’t getting completely on the wrong foot with Timmy. Every word she said she was holding her breath that she got his approval dating Chester. “Nah, they tend to have the whole two for five special on them!” 

Timmy smiled brightly. “Excellent! That’ll help me out a bunch! You’re the best.” Did Timmy’s girl rankings swing all over the place? Yeah. But right now, he wasn’t lying, she really was the best. “Thanks again, I might even share since they’re not expensive.”

Cackling as the boy jumped at the hoot, something that happened quite often but always got a good laugh out of her anyway, Eda shrugged and motioned for him to come on over to the counter. “That depends on what you’ve got.” Really she could take anything - certain that between customers, King, Luz, and herself whatever CDs he had would go to some kind of use be it sold, listened to, or used for a craft or makeshift spell. 

A wave of relief washed over Timmy, and he did the only thing he knew to do next: emptied the bag of discs onto the counter, the cases clattering loudly. There were around twenty, mostly older bands. His parents had given him the things once they got sick of them, so it was a strange mix. “I got this? I don’t really know who most of them are...”

Trixie blinked at him. Was he really casually talking to her? Was she doing something wrong? ”Umm….are you talking to me?” she asked still confused. “I don’t really look like the kind of girl who drinks energy drinks, right?” She totally did drink energy drinks during long cram sessions, but that was only something her and her room would ever know.

Timmy really should have...known better, but his lessons never did stick. So he had asked Trixie Tang one thing. One regular human being thing. And now this. “I mean...I figured since you know everyone...you might know?” It wasn’t really a long shot, but talking to Trixie took a lot of effort. “I can...ask someone else?”

“Truly… that’s not the greatest and best thing to really be doing to your already fried brain, but… the super market next to the ice cream shop has the biggest selection.” Fawn added with an innocent smile. Sometimes even herself needed the boost when the animals were wild and out during the Spring time. 

“Ah, I’d be more worried about the other parts of me. But thanks, for real.” Selection was the biggest thing, because half of the energy drinks he’d had were disgusting. “It’s not like...you know, expensive?” Timmy was on an island, after all. He knew how potential vacation spots worked.

“Oh no, it’s that bad already?” Roxanne looks up from her own textbook, offering the boy a sympathetic smile. She definitely understands the feeling; they’ve only been back for a few days and she’s already ready for their next break. “I usually go for coffee myself, though. Energy drinks make me all jittery,” she admits with a quiet laugh. It was a lesson she learned the hard way during exams last year. “What are you studying?”

“Yeah, at least for me.” Timmy grinned sheepishly. He’d never been good at school when he had people to remind him to do stuff. Now that he was practically all on his own...well. “See, I’m not a big coffee guy. Can’t get cotton candy coffee.” When asked what he was studying, Timmy sighed. “Well this is Spanish. I’m not good with...” Anything. “Language stuff.”

“Then drop out,” Phil answered easily as he continued to work on the latte he’d been making when the stranger decided to approach the the counter with his question. “Or I could put like… five espresso shots into a drink for you. That should get you moving too.” It wasn’t the smartest suggestion but when has Phil Deville of all people ever been known to give out actually decent advice?

“Tempting,” Timmy admitted, even though he knew that wouldn’t slide with like...anyone he knew that had adult power over him. He was stuck. “We’ll go with the five espresso shots, though. See if it helps.” Either he would be able to get his work done or he’d develop a heart condition strong enough to get out of classes. That was a win-win. “Unless that’s a lot extra...and then I’ll go for three instead.”

The most of a reaction that was made was her brows raising high as she curved a line. “You actually know where you stand? That’s a surprise.” Not really, she didn’t know him nor actually cared whether he knew if he was smart or not, but it was a interesting to hear him admit to it when not many would’ve done so. “I’m not trying to be mean here, you know, just reminding you of a fact.” Amity shrugged at his sarcasm. “Besides, drinking a strong energy drink won’t do you much if you need help focusing.”

“Uh, yeah. I’m dumb but I’m not stupid,” he replied, sounding very self-assured for a rare moment in his life. Absently, he pulled a bit of paper from his pocket, hands deciding that it was time to fiddle with something. “Oh, nah, the only way I can focus is with like...caffeine and stuff. Everyone’s always telling me it’ll never work but I know me after ninteen years.”

“Sounds like you’re going to be in for a rude awakening then if you haven’t yet grasp the basics of what you’re classes are teaching.” Amity nonchalantly responded, her gaze still firmly on the sketch she currently was drawing within her sketchbook. “Is this your first semester or something? Because just so you know, it’ll only get harder from here.” 

Wow, super helpful. Timmy was thankful she wasn’t looking at him because he was sure she might be able to hear his eyes rolling anyway. “It’s not the subjects, it’s me. And the fact I’m apparently a dumb ass.” Not that he didn’t already know he was stupid, but he could drive this bit of self-awareness home. “Yeah, wow, gee...never heard that one before.” Busting out the sarcasm early today, Turner.