Saturdays are for Salome, and every one in the Boa household knows so. That’s why when Granny Nyon told Hancock to pick up her medicine from the pharmacy, she threw a fit.

“Why didn’t you ask me to go while I was out yesterday?!” Hancock cried.

“It just slipped my mind! Can’t you do this one thing for me? I’m very busy today.” The old lady tried to reason with her, but knew how stubborn the girl was.

“Sandersonia or Marigold can do it!”

“They aren’t even here! They have a Judo tournament this weekend!”

“No, you just hate me!” Hancock accused, while pointing a finger at Granny Nyon. “I bet you’re jealous of how young I am, and don’t want me to be happy. You don’t want me to spend time with my beloved Salome!”

“Please, child. I really need-”

“No! No NO NO NO-”

This went on for an hour. However, after Granny Nyon threatened to call pest control to take Salome, Hancock cursed the old woman and relented.

~~

The Going Merry Diner is Luffy and his friends go to spot for eating out. Usopp in particular, enjoys seeing his neighbor, Kaya who works there. However, he regrets mentioning that he kind of has a crush on her, because now Sanji feels the need to offer his unsolicited advice.

“Alright, Usopp. She obviously thinks you’re a great friend, but you need to make a distinction between being there for her, and being there for her. You know what I mean?”

“Um no. I don’t.” Usopp was not interested in this conversation.

“Well you can’t just be at her beck and call! Sure, you guys are friends, but what you want to be, is someone who is always there, but not someone who is just there.” Sanji tried to explain.

“Food! Food! Food! Food!” Luffy chanted as he waited for the waitress to return.

“Listen, Sanji. I appreciate it. I really do. But-” Usopp began.

“No one wants your dumb advice, love cook.” Zoro interrupted.

“Hah?! What’s that, Marimo?!” Sanji shot back as he stood up from his booth seat.

Zoro did the same. “No. One. Cares. Love cook.”

“What the- Will you two sit down! You’re making a scene!” Perona spoke up.

“Of course, Perona-san~” Sanji said and sat back down.

Zoro rolled his eyes and did the same. “What are you even doing here?” He asked Perona.

“Excuse me?! I’m not going to drive you all the way here, and just leave!”

“Whatever.” Zoro mumbled and crossed his arms.

“FOOOD!” Luffy yelled as Kaya and two other waitresses brought their meals.

The five friends ate and talked about various things that came to mind. That is, until Luffy notices a certain girl enter the cafe.

“Oh it’s Hammock.” He said as he continued stuffing his face.

All of them looked up and were surprised to see Boa Hancock sitting at a table on the opposite side of the diner. She was glaring at a white paper bag that she was holding and looked very...angry.

“Oh great.” Zoro sighed. “Luffy, Usopp. Let me warn you now. That’s one girl you do not want to get involved with. She’s the meanest, brattiest, most annoying person I have ever me-”

“Han...Han... HANCOCK-SAMA!!!” Sanji screamed across the room. Not only did he earn the attention of Boa Hancock, but also an elbow to the stomach from Zoro.

“Are you an idiot?!” Zoro asked in a hushed voice.

“Uh guys, She’s coming this way...” Usopp whispered.

~~

“Curse these high blood pressure pills…” Hancock muttered as she glared at the bag of medicine. She wanted to get back to Salome as soon as possible, but decided to get some brunch before she heads back.

“HANCOCK-SAMA!!!”

‘Who the heck is calling my name?!’ Hancock thought as she looked up from the medicine, and in the direction of the voice. To her surprise, a few kids from school were sitting in a booth across the diner.

Normally she would ignore anyone trying to get her attention, but she recognized that annoying boy from study hall. This compelled her to go over and see what they wanted.

~~

The five of them were dead silent as Boa Hancock just stared at them, with a hand on her hip. Perona and Usopp hid their faces behind menus, Sanji was speechless, and Luffy wasn’t saying anything because he was eating.

“What do you want?” Zoro finally spoke up.

Hancocks eye twitched as she crossed her arms. “That’s what I’m wondering. Why did you call me over?”

“For-forgive me, Hancock-sama!” Sanji began as he bowed his head. “I was just overwhelmed by your beauty, and exclaimed without thinking. Forgive me, oh please forgive me I-”

“Ok just shut up!” She interrupted. “My beautiful name should never come out of your mouth. Are we clear?”

“Yes Han- I mean….yes your majesty.” Sanji said. He was still bowing.

Hancock visibly cringed, but decided to just leave this situation alone. She then noticed a familiar face. “Hi Perona.” She said.

Perona looked up from her menu. “Oh... hey Hancock!” She replied with a forced smile.

“Well I guess I'll see you on Monday.” Hancock said before returning to her seat.

“Sh-sh-she talked to me! After two years, the beautiful queen has finally talked to me!” Sanji declared a little too loudly. Everyone in the cafe, including Hancock, could still hear everything he was saying.

“The evil queen, you mean.” Zoro mumbled.

“Are you guys friends?” Usopp asked Perona.

“Well we’re in the same class, so I guess. I mean, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t hate me.” Perona said with a weak smile.

“Hm. Well, she didn’t seem that bad, Zoro.” Usopp said.

“No way, Usopp, she’s evil! She thinks she can do whatever she wants, just because she’s hot.” Zoro tried to explain.

“Oh, so you think she’s hot?”  Perona responded. Everyone who has eyes knows that Hancock is seriously beautiful, but Perona couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed when hearing Zoro say it.

“No! Well, I mean obviously, she’s hot, but it’s not like I find her attractive, I just-”

“Whatever…” Perona could only roll her eyes.

“Hah?!” Zoro didn’t know why she was suddenly upset.

“Ahh! That was delicious!” Luffy sighed as he patted his stomach.

“Wait a minute…” Sanji began. “Luffy how do you know her??”

“Know who?”

“Boa Han- I mean...the beautiful girl, who graced us with her presence.” Sanji knew he had to restrain himself from ever uttering her name again.

“Oh Hammock? She’s in my study hall. She’s really weird.”

“Eh?! What class period?!” Sanji enquired.

“First…” Luffy didn’t know why they were making such a big deal over her. Sure, she was pretty, but she was just another angry weirdo.

“Ugh! Why did I decide to take Chemistry this year?!” Sanji cried out in agony.

“A-anyway, you guys wanna head to the arcade after this?” Luffy asked.

“Aw sorry, Luffy, but Zoro and I have to do some grocery shopping today.” Perona told him with a sympathetic look on her face.

“Eh?! Why do I have to go??” Zoro asked her.

Perona was getting visibly annoyed. “Do you not understand that we have one car?! How will you get home if I’m out shopping today??”

“I’ll walk.” He stated simply.

“No, you’ll just get lost!” Perona and Zoro continued to bicker.

“Sorry Luffy, I can stay for a little while, but I have a shift at the Baratie after this.” Sanji told him.

Luffy was disappointed. “Well maybe I can-”

“No, Luffy. You’re not going to the Baratie.” Sanji interrupted. Chef Zeff made it clear never to let Luffy near the restaurant ever again.

Luffy pouted but understood it couldn’t be helped. “I guess it’s just you and me, Usopp!”

“Uh actually, Kaya’s shift is almost over, so I was going to walk home with her…”

“Oh…”

“Sorry man! Next week, for sure!” Usopp assured him.

Eventually, Zoro, Perona, and Usopp were gone. Sanji knew he was going to be late for his shift, but considered being in Hancocks presence worth it.

“Uh Sanji?” Luffy spoke up.

“What is it, Luffy?” Sanji responded without looking away.

“Can you pay for me?”

“Wha- Listen, Luffy. You really need to get a job.” Sanji lectured. He was okay with paying for Luffy sometimes, but knew that his wallet could not compete with Luffy’s appetite. 

“Hm a job…”

“Ugh I’ve got to go, Luffy.” He wanted to stay until Boa Hancock left, but knew that wasn’t very rational. “Don’t worry I’ll pay for you, but think about what I’ve said ok?” Sanji grabbed his jacket, and went to the front counter to pay for them. As he walked past Hancock, he made sure to bow.

Luffy was now all alone, and had no idea what he was going to do. He looked over at Hancock, and saw that she was glaring at him. He smiled and waved, but in return she grabbed her things, paid, and walked out of the door.

“Weirdo…”

~~

Ace didn’t really have time to do much. These days, all he really did was work and study. He wanted to get to college and catch up with his friends as soon as possible. But right now, he couldn’t look away from the picture Marco had posted. A few of his friends, and a few people he didn’t know were all having fun without him.

“Just a few more months.” He sighed as he put his shoes on. His shift wasn’t going to start for a half hour, but he figured he would leave now to get his mind off of things. He opened the front door, but saw someone standing there about to knock. It was...oh great.  “Nami?”

“O-oh! H-heyyy Ace!” She sputtered as she quickly took her hand back. “I was just in the area and thought I would stop by!”

“Um...why?” Ace couldn’t remember the last time he saw Nami, and couldn’t imagine why she would “stop by” his house. “If you’re here for Sabo, you should know he's already left.”

“W-what?! Of course I know he’s gone! Why would I be here for him?!”

“R-right. Anyway, I was actually about to leave so…” He told her as he walked toward his car.

“Wait! I just wanted to talk! It’s been a while, you know!”

“Yeah it’s been a while for a reason, right? What would your best friend think if she saw you here right now?” Ace was starting to get annoyed. The only reason he and Nami were ever around each other was because she’s Vivi’s friend, but he never really considered her his friend. “I’ve really got to go.” He got into his car, but as soon as he shut the door, the other door opened.

“Just wait, Ace!! I just..wanted to talk about Vivi, and knew you probably wouldn’t answer my texts.” she tried to explain while climbing into his car.

“What the- Nami, get out of my car.” Ace commanded. “And you’re right. I wouldn’t have answered your texts, because why would I want to talk about someone who hates me?!”

“She doesn’t hate you!” Nami yelled back at him.

“Yes she does!”

“No she doesn’t”

“Nami, I really don’t have time for this-”

“She still loves you!” She yelled, cutting him off. She winced when she heard what she had said. ‘Oh great.’ She thought.

Ace held his breath and looked down at his shoes. “Liar.”

“Ack- ok, yes I’m lying. But she could love you again, you know? I know for a fact that she doesn’t hate you. She was just really hurt and doesn’t want to risk that happening again…”

If Nami were to be completely honest, she had no idea where she was going with this. All she knew is that when Vivi was with Ace, her smile...just had a little more joy in it.

Ace sighed and put a hand over his eyes. “Ok...so what should I do?” he asked her.

“That...I don’t really have figured out yet…” Nami trailed off.

“Nami I-” He started, but was soon cut off.

“But! Together we can figure it out! I’m sure that deep down, you know what it will take. And I’ll help you! I promise.”

After about ten seconds, Ace looked back up at Nami. “Ok.”

“Wait really?!”

“Yes.” He sighed.

“Yes! Ok I’ll text you sometime this week! You better reply! Ok Ace? You-”

“I gotta go now, Nami!” He told her.

“Oh yeah. Sorry.” She climbed out of his car, and waved. “Ok See ya!”

“Bye…” He replied.

Nami shut the car door and Ace was on his way.

Ace didn’t know if he had agreed to Nami’s ‘plan’ just to get rid of her, or if he really felt that he could fix things with Vivi. “I guess I’ll know soon…” He whispered to himself.

~~

‘Well...that went pretty good…’ Nami thought to herself. She knew that if Vivi knew what she was up to, then she would be pretty upset. But Nami convinced herself that she only wanted what was best for her friend.

“Nami?” She heard a voice behind her. She turned around to see Ace’s little brother, Luffy, standing there. “Why are you at my house?”

“Oh, Luffy! I just had...a little business to take care of with Ace. But he’s gone now, so I guess I should get going...”

“Oh...well...wanna hang out?” Luffy offered.

“Huh?”

“Yeah, I don’t really have anyone to hang out with. All of my friends are busy.” He pouted.

“I mean, I guess so…” Nami didn’t have any more plans for the day, and maybe...they would get to talk about Sabo. “Yeah, sure!”

“Yes! Ok, let’s go to the arcade!” He cheered as he started running.

“Arcade…?” She questioned as she followed after him. Nami was sure that this was going to be an interesting afternoon.