Jake Addams April 23rd, 20XX

I stared, starstruck at the large and expensive-looking building and double-checked the text with the address.

There’s no way he actually lives here. Last I heard he was emancipated and I know for a fact that the scholarships didn't give that much money. ...What if he got involved in a job that's less than legal? Should I ask him? Would he answer me if I did?

With a million and one questions in my mind, I entered the lobby and walked to the lobby manager who sat casually at the front desk reading a newspaper. The door jungled behind me and he quickly put down his newspaper and resumed a posture that was more fitting as a manager.

As I approached he looked me up and down, first at my suit and the somewhat obnoxious hairstyle Sparrow had put me in and put on a half-smile, clearly conscious that I might be an important person but also not recognizing the brand of my suit or the jewelry I had on.

I didn't bother posturing as an important person, realizing that the truth would come to light sooner rather than later even if I tried.

“ I’m here to see Finn... Finley hall? I’m here on an errand to deliver some papers and his keys.”

The half polite smile he had on twitched off his face and was replaced by a slightly disdainful frown but he still kept his professional demeanour.

“ Sorry sir, but do you have any proof that you are acquainted with a mister Hall? Perhaps a name or a personal item of his?”

Around us, the other staff had paused what they were doing and multiple pairs of eyes stared me down as I brought out the set of keys he had dropped and shown them to the man. I also brought up his contact entry on my phone and handed that over.

“ These are the keys he drop- gave to me but I can also give him a call if you want.”

He took the keys to verify them and visibly relaxed. The man waved two younger staff to get the box of papers from me and guided me to a seat to wait.

“ There shouldn't be a need to contact Mr. Hall directly, I’ll send someone to alert him of your presence...but would you by chance happen to be Mr. Addams?”

I let myself be led towards the chairs and could barely speak before the atmosphere completely dropped around me.

“ I can’t be called a mister yet but I am Jake Addams. Did Finn leave a message or something? I can come back a different time if now isn't good.”

“ No!”

He suddenly yelled. I froze in place at the sudden aggression as did the others around me and stared at him as he coughed to regain his manners.

“ I meant, Mr. Hall should be in right now. Would you-”

His phone suddenly began to ring in a clearly customized tone, signalling that it was someone very important.

To further show how important this person was he immediately cut himself off and picked up the phone, not even letting it get past the first ring.

The familiar voice on the other end of the call spoke for a few minutes and then hung up before the manager could so much as get a word in. but rather than looking displeased at such treatment the manager practically glowed and couldn't keep a genuine smile off his face.

Before I could comment, not that I would have anyways, he snapped at a few staff members to take the box of papers off my hands and to make me something to drink.

“ Mr. Hall should be out in a minute.”

We sat there in awkward silence until he finally began to speak, seemingly not wanting to make a bad impression on me.

“ You must truly be important Mr. Adams. Mr. Hall has not been out of his house for the last two days and has refused all guests. For him to personally come to meet you…”

He trailed off as if unsure as to whether he should continue and scampered off with an apologetic nod once another person walked into the lobby.

What. the. hell. If this is what being a parentless, government-dependent, scholarship student looks like then what about the rest of us?

And hey, I’m mostly dependent on the government too? where's my staff of enthusiastic people?

I awkwardly declined the cup of coffee I was offered and settled for some tea instead after much insistence from a staff member in an outdated waitress uniform. As I waited for Finn or rather ‘Mr. Hall’ to come down from wherever he was, I couldn't help but notice how good looking the staff of the building were as a whole. It to the point of being unreasonable.

Like, was it a hiring requirement to be good looking? was that legal?

As I finished that thought the elevator signalled that someone from the top floor was coming down and all of the bell boys and the lobby man ran to line up by the elevator.

Purely out of curiosity I learned to see who was so important only to see….A very wrinkled and panda eyed Finn.

“ GREETINGS TO MR. HALL!”

He first winced at the volume and then scowled at the sight of them and waved them away in clear irritation.

“ You don't have to do that every time. “

The manager who had run away earlier showed off his sucking up capabilities to their fullest and immediately sidled up to him.

“ Mr. Hall! Mr. Adams awaits you in the seating area and the packages he brought have already been sent up to your room. If you have changed your mind about the cleaning service please let us know. You currently have over twenty messages awaiting you at the moment so if you would not-”

“ Shut it.”

He didn't even bother getting angry and yelling but with those two words, the entire lobby which had been abuzz with chatter fell silent.

The doorman quickly deflated and moved to the side, out of Finn’s way and out of sight. Finn apparently felt bad and brought out a worn-out wallet that looked like he had carried it for the past 7 years and brought out a few bills and then thrust them at the manager in a way that should have been rude but only came off as charismatic, at least in the manager's eyes.

“ Keep up the good work. But next time you see me keep the chatter down. and-”

He waved his hands around to indicate the fanfare that had just happened.

“ I know you have to do this every time but at least keep the volume down..”

The doorman immediately bowed multiple times while hugging the bills tight and began to lead Finn towards me while speaking in a voice so soft it was almost a whisper.

“ I will take my leave now Mr.Hall.”

Finn sat down in front of me, his raggy and oversized clothes heavily contrasting with the fancy brocade of the chair and accepted a drink from a waiter that had appeared out of nowhere before finally facing me.

He looked me up and down and raised a surprised eyebrow as he chugged the strong coffee.

“ What’s with the suit?”

As if that was the oddest thing in the room right now.

I could only choke out a response, wanting to question this whole situation but feeling much too overwhelmed to do so.

“ I went over to Sparrow’s before I came over here.”

He grimaced as he pulled up a certain memory and suddenly looked at me with a gaze full of pity but that quickly faded back to a tired and dull gaze. As if showing basic empathy had completely drained him off all remaining energy he had.

“You went to Sparrow's workshop? So you're done with Alice?”

“....It's a long story.”

“ It doesn't have to be.”

Behind us, I saw a bunch of the waitresses hovering and whispering to each other which made me realize the unfairness of the world. To be able to cause such a reaction even when dressed like a hobo….

I finally gathered myself enough to be irritated and let it show in my voice.

“ Considering it's your fault, don't you think you should be a bit more considerate. or apologetic?”

“ If it wasn't me it would have been someone else.”

He responded instantly like a sharp knife but in a dead voice, showing me just how low his opinion was of my Ex.

“ Even so-”

He cut me off by suddenly standing up and tidying himself up…. well as much as he could and summoning the staff over to clear up the empty pot of coffee he had inhaled.

“Well, I didn't invite you over for something as pointless as apologizing for accidentally attracting the attention of your ex. I need your help.”

I put down my own cup and exhaled as the staff cleared it away, still not over the total culture shock I was going through but somehow couldn't bring it up. As if talking about it would make it all disappear like a dream, despite the slight warmth on my tongue and the slightly sweet aftertaste that lingered in my mouth from the tea.

I guess we’re just not going to talk about it then?

“ With what?”

With a totally straight and innocently concerned expression, he said,

“ It is possible I might need to change the way I dress. It has been brought to my attention that it is...unfitting of my station in life”

……..Someone had to tell you?

I looked over his homeless style clothing once more and at seeing my disbelieving expression he smiled in an irritatingly knowing manner.

“ I’m sure that you, like me don't see it but we’ll have to work together on it.”

Disregarding the fact that he just unintentionally insulted my dressing style. I still wasn't sure what he wanted,

“ Even if you want help in changing your wardrobe why would you ask me? I'm sure Sparrow would be glad to help...and it's not like I’m in your social class.”

Heck, I could barely afford to dress in my own social bracket.

“ Even so, you dress well enough that I'm willing to trust you. And as for Sparrow…..”

He trailed off here but his traumatized expression said more than words ever could and I found myself nodding in agreement.

I shrugged and got up, ready to leave at any time.

“ If you’re sure it's not like I have anything else going on right at this minute but I have to leave by six.”

He put on a relieved expression and nodded, picking up his phone and typing something in as he talked to me.

“ Is it anything important? I’ll give you a drive.”

I quickly shook my head, wondering when or why he’d become so friendly towards me. It's not like we were hostile to one another but to an outsider, it would look like we had been friends since we were in diapers.

“ No. I just have to watch my younger siblings. My stepmom has a work trip scheduled for the next three days or so. I have to pick them up after school and take them home. “

He nodded then started leading me towards the garage. When we got there I subconsciously began to walk towards the motorbike I’d seen him on before but quickly changed my route to follow him when he headed to a sleek and expensive black car.

“ This is yours?”

He nodded, with the smallest spark of pride in his eyes.

“ Yeah. Sometimes I need to pick up some rather important people for work so I needed a better-looking car.”

Ah, I meant to ask him about that.

I thought of how to ask as we got in and started driving.

“Finn?”

In comparison to Sparrow’s driving, he drove rather reasonably but it was still a bit fast when compared to the normal person. He replied without looking away from the wheel which I greatly appreciated.

“ Yeah?”

“ This Job...Can I ask you what it is? “

“ You can, but I’d have to kill you after.”

Finn joked. but after realizing he was the only one laughing he turned to me for half a second to see my concerned expression and replied seriously this time.

“ Seriously. I can't really tell you but don't worry, It isn't really illegal or anything.”

It isn't really illegal? what the hell’s that supposed to mean?

He pulled into the parking lot and quickly got out.

“ C’ mon. it's already 2 pm we have to hurry.”