Nov 7
"Pass me the 15 millimeter," Peter placed the wrench in my hand "Thanks."
"Remind me again, why are we fixing this old truck?" Harry asked as he sat on a nearby washing machine, scrolling through his phone.
"We?" I rolled out from underneath the truck. "Me and Peter are fixing it, you haven't done jack." I slid back underneath.
Due to my past life experience, I already know how to drive. The issue is I still need a license. Well, I don't need a license. I know how to drive, but I still need legal proof that I can drive..
Buying a new car is still a pain in the ass. So, for now, I'm trying to fix my dad's old blue metallic 2001 Ford truck.
The truck is kind of old, and the fact that it's been collecting dust in the garage didn't help it. So I decided to give it a tune-up, so it doesn't break down in the middle of my test. Peter volunteered to help, but I'm not sure why Harry showed up.
"I thought you were only 15. Don't you have to be 18 to drive?" Peter asked.
"My birthday's in December, and they changed it to 16 a couple of years ago"
It's always weird noticing small details. In this universe's New York, the legal age to drive was changed to 16 in 2005. The legal age to drink is also 20, instead of 21. It's always weird how the world can seem so similar, but so different at the same time.
"When's your birthday?" Peter asked
"December—" I cut myself off. "...No"
Peter frowned. "Why not?"
"Cause I don't want a birthday party, they're exhausting." Emotionally and physically.
I've always just preferred something simple, like going out to eat with my parents. Which is a pretty depressing thought now, since they're gone.
"Oh come on, it could be fun." Peter tried to convince me.
Which is a lost cause, parties suck. "How is setting up a party, and cleaning—"
"December 1st." Harry cut me off.
"...." I narrowed my eyes. "You dick, how'd you figure that out?"
"I just checked your Insta account." Harry showed off my profile.
"That's private information,"
"Why do we ask for their age?" Peter asked.
"It's for an algorithm I'm going to implement later. Basically, all it does is stop adults from contacting and texting with minors." I explained.
"Can't they just bypass it by putting in a fake age?"
"Yeah, but that's on them. We're legally not at fault if they get groomed because they put on a fake age." Morbid, but true.
"Well, as long as we're legally safe." Harry added sarcastically.
I placed the wrench down. "Harry, make yourself useful. Can you start the car?"
Harry jumped into the front seat and turned the key.
The car stuttered for a moment, but eventually started up. A thick cloud burst out from the exhaust pipe.
"Is it supposed to do that?" Peter asked.
"It happens sometimes if a car's off long enough. Give it a moment." The smoke faded. "See, it just needed a moment."
"Ten bucks it breaks down the moment he leaves the driveway." Harry joked.
"Where'd you learn to fix a car?" Peter asked.
"Books," I lied. It's not like I can tell them I got the skills from The Gacha. "I also know home repair," I added.
"That reminds me," Harry cut in. "Tomorrow we're checking out the building. It needs a few repairs, but I got a good price on it." Harry smiled.
[Ding]
Huh?
[New Quest: Get A License]
**[Reward: New Driver Package & 5 XP] **
Not much XP, but the driver package sounds interesting.
===
Nov 8 (The Next Day)
"I can't believe you guys actually bought a building," Gwen stared in amazement.
"Technically, we're leasing it," Harry clarified.
The place is pretty basic. A blue and grey two-story building, sandwiched between a diner and a florist. A display window, and a door with a bell.
As we stepped inside, Ned and Peter immediately began to explore. Harry decided to check on something in the back, while Gwen just stood beside me.
"What exactly was this place before you leased it?" Gwen asked.
"A cafe!" Harry answered from the backroom. "Some rich kid bought it and customized the place, but it didn't work out."
A smile formed on my face. "Says the rich kid who just bought it." Gwen snickered at my joke.
Though it does explain the layout, it's pretty different compared to the buildings next door.
Against the wall was a counter with a display case, probably where they sold coffee and snacks.
a few tables with some chairs, and a trio of booths by the window. Bean bags, and an empty bookcase by the corner.
To the side was a staircase, leading to a loft style second floor. It's half the size of the 1st floor, with a railing so you can look down on the first floor.
"This place is actually pretty cool," Ned said from the floor above. "Why'd they shut down?" He asked.
"Nothing special, just not enough customers." Harry answered as he re-entered the room.
"I wonder why?" Gwen asked.
"It's the location," I chimed in. "Older people don't care about comfy seating, or unique designs. They just want cheap and quick coffee." If they were near a high school or a rich neighbor, they probably would have stayed open.
Harry took a look around. "I'll hire some contractors tomorrow, remove the counter. Set up some—"
"Now hold on," I cut Harry off, "What if we didn't?"
"What do you mean?" Peter asked.
"Hear me out, we keep it like this. Hire a barista, somebody to make snacks. Keep the old furniture, add some lights." Give it a homey vibe.
"And why would we do that?" Harry cut in.
"If snacks and coffee are less than ten feet away from their work stations, it'll increase work production," I explained as I put my arm around Harry.
Harry considered it, then smirked. "Alright, let's do it."
"That reminds me. I have an idea where we can get some coders quick and easy, just leave the hiring process to me." Harry gave me a suspicious look. I sighed. "Just trust me."
"Fine." He relented.
"More importantly," I rubbed my hand. "It's time to decorate."
===
After a quick trip to a nearby store, we started to decorate.Well, technically, Peter, Ned, and Gwen are decorating.
"Hold it steady," Gwen asked as she held a drill in her hand.
"Wait, I think it's slanted." Ned lifted his side. "Wait, never mind. The other side is slanted." He lowered his side, but now it's a little too low.
Gwen just sighed
Meanwhile, Harry and I were discussing business.
"Alright, it cost a couple thousand, but the chairs and stuff should get here by Friday. Though we'll have to assemble all of it when it gets here," Harry explained.
"Damn it," Our coders need proper chairs, but I hate assembling things.
"....Think we can make Peter and Ned do it?"
"What?" Ned overheard us and turned around, dropping the rod in the process.
Gwen let out a deep breath, as she held in a scream.
"Give me the drill. Three geniuses, and none of you can install a curtain rod." I mumbled.
"It's harder than it looks," Ned defended himself.
"Why are we installing a curtain?" Peter asked.
"Because a true coder prefers the darkness," I answered.
"As a coder, I can confirm." Ned added
"What about these?" Gwen asked as she held up a set of string lights.
"Find an outlet, and set them up around the wall. It should keep the room dim, but let people see."
"What exactly are you aiming for?" Harry asked.
"Heh," I gave a so-so gesture. "Kind of a dimly lit, cozy office. Make people comfortable, have a healthy workspace and all that," I explained.
"Sounds tedious and expensive," Harry shot back.
"I think it sounds nice," Ned chimed in.
"You've heard it here, folks. It has the Ned Seal of Approval." Nobody laughed at my joke. "Laugh or I'll make you sweep."Peter grabbed a nearby broom and began to sweep,
"Hurtful." Though I respect the commitment, he's actually sweeping.
"I'm done with the lights," Gwen cut in. "Anything else?"
"Hmm…..Ned, hit the lights."
Ned flicked the main lights off. The room was dim, the only source coming from the string lights I asked Gwen to hang.
"It's kind of dark," Gwen glanced around,
"Kind of the point, but just to be sure… Ned, I need you to sit and pull out your laptop,"
"I don't have my laptop on me,"
"Use mine, it's in the brown and green satchel."
Ned grabbed the laptop from the bag, stopping for a moment to examine it. It was kind of a mess after I modded it to hell. Processor and hard drives tapped to the underside and back, cables plugged directly into the laptop hardware.
Ned examined the laptop. "This hurts me to look at."
"Just sit down," My laptop is my own business,
Ned sat at one of the beanbags, shifting a little bit as he got comfortable. A moment passed as Ned booted up the laptop and stared at the lock screen. ".... I'm actually kind of into this,"
"Really?" Gwen asked
"Let me try." Peter grabbed the laptop and took a seat as he got comfortable. "....You know what, this ain't half bad."
"I still feel like a dimly lit room is still a bad idea…and a safet hazard," Harry added.
"We'll put hazard tape on the chair legs, and tape down extension cords. Maybe add another set of string lights. Also, there's going to be like 25 screens here. Trust me, there's going to be plenty of light."
We shared a look. "....Maybe we should start looking for a lawyer, just in case." Peter added.
"Already on it," Harry pulled out his phone, "I'll try to find something decent but within our price range."
Ned raised his hand. "Question?"
"Ask away,"
"What about the name? What should we call this place?"
"Hmm." After a moment of consideration, I snapped my fingers. "How about The Cave... or maybe The Cafe. The cafe is probably better. Since I want it to serve snacks and coffee to the workers."
"Probably," Harry added.
===
Nov 9 (Next Day)
"It's incredible," Mr. Harrington led us through the school hallway. "I still can't believe what you kids have done. First Flappy Bird, then Instagram, and now this." Mr. Harrington spoke with sheer pride.
Honestly, he's a pretty good teacher. Heck, if he was my teacher in my old life. I probably wouldn't have struggled so much in school…maybe.
"Thank you, Mr. Harrington," Harry thanked him.
After telling Harry my plan. He was a little iffy on it, but I was able to eventually convince him to go along with it.
Eventually we reached the classroom. Mr. Harrington knocked on the door.
"Come in." A feminine voice answered.
We stepped into the room. The class had around 23 students, maybe more depending on whether or not anybody was absent.
Each one with a laptop. A few school-issued ones, and a few personal ones covered in stickers and scratches.
Why spend weeks looking for people, and hiring them? Midtown High has an entire course dedicated to coding.
At the front of the classroom by a smartboard was Ms. Grace Bennet, or Ms. Bennet as she prefers. Rumor has it that she's actually pretty strict about that, she gave somebody detention for two weeks because they called her Grace.
"Is that Harry Osborn, and Leo Faith?"
"Didn't they make that new app, Instagram?"
"They also made flappy birds."
The room broke into gossip the moment they saw us. We were kind of famous when we released Flappy Bird, but now that we've released Instagram, and Flappy Bird has gone viral. Everybody knows who we are now.
"Alright everybody, settle down." Ms Bennet calmed the class down.
"Today we have something special," She gave us an uneasy look, "Mr Harrington has an announcement and opportunity for us."
"That's right!" Mr. Harrington chimed. "Allow me to introduce you to Harry Osborn, and Leo Faith. Two of the creators of Flappy Bird, Instagram, and founders of Omni Work."
"Omni Work?" A random student asked.
"What's Omni Work?" another asked.
"It's what they call themselves. It's the company name for Flappy Bird and Instagram," a kid in the back answered.
Once again, the class broke into whispers and gossip.
"Alright everybody, settle down." Ms. Bennet interrupted them.
"Thank you, Ms. Bennet," Mr. Harrington thanked her. "N—"
"Wait a second," Ms. Bennet interrupted. "I'm pretty sure you left out some details. For starters, you told me that a tech startup was coming today."
"We are a tech startup." We literally have a trademark.
"Look, what you're doing is incredible. Though I'm a little annoyed that you have the skills to code a social media app and you're not in any of my classes."
"Isn't Ned in your class?" Harry asked,
"Wait, Ned? As in Ned Leeds?" Ms. Bennet asked. "He's in my beginners class, but if he can make a social media app, then he should be in my advanced or professional class." She crossed her arms.
"....Oh," Harry gave her a blank expression as he realized his mistake.
In his defense though, Ned never mentions that he's been taking an easy class for an easy grade.
Ms. Bennet just sighed. "I'll handle that later, but like I was saying. You're just a pair of freshmen. Mr. Harrington—" She gave him an annoyed look. "—told me that an upcoming tech startup wanted to talk to my class."
"And that's exactly what's happening." I handed Mr. Harrington a stack of pamphlets to hand out.
It's time for the pitch.
"Hopefully the majority of you know who we are. I'm Leo Faith, and this is Harry Osborn. We're the CEO and Vice CEO of Omni Work." Harry gave me a look, but I ignored it.
A girl with a red afro raised her hand. "Isn't calling yourselves CEOs a little generous? You guys have a mobile game, and Instagram went down for like two hours the other day."
"Jackie!" Ms. Bennet gave her a look that said, be nice.
"While rude, it's true." Mr. Harrington handed her a pamphlet. "That's exactly why we're here." I gestured for Harry to continue.
Harry just sighed as he began to speak. "Omni Work is expanding, and we've decided to offer this opportunity to our fellow students."
"Wait!" Jackie read over the pamphlet. "You guys are paying? Like, like as in cash?"
"Duh, what else are we supposed to pay them in? Exposure." Unfortunately, nobody laughed at my joke.
"Wait," Ms. Bennett interrupted. "You're paying them, like, actually paying them?"
It's kind of depressing that the idea of paying them is so unbelievable, that not even the teacher believes it.
Ignoring it for now, Harry continued. "Legally it's an internship. Since the majority of you will probably leave in August for college, but it's more like an actual job."
A boy with a buzz cut raised his hand. Harry called on him. "What exactly would we be doing with Omni Work?"
"A few of you will be monitoring and updating Instagram, but the majority of you will be working on future Omni Work projects," Harry explained.
"Can you guys afford to pay us?" Jackie asked.
"Yes," I answered. "Now, any questions?"
A few people raised their hands.
"Just one quick question." A boy with thick red glasses held up a pamphlet. "What's in it for us?"
"Besides being paid the normal rates for coders?" Harry answered.
Quickly interrupting Harry, I cleared my throat.
"There's also the fact that if you work for us, you can add it to your college application. Considering that we made a viral game and a social media app, it could help."
In an instant, everybody raised their hands.
===
(Bonus Scene)
"You did what?" Peter asked Harry.
They walked through the hallways as the bell rang.
"How was I supposed to know?"
"Why is Ned in the beginners class?" Gwen asked.
"Easy A," Peter answered.
"Well, hopefully Ned isn't too upset."
On cue, Ned slid into a hallway. "Harry!" Ned yelled
"Got to go." Harry turned around, suddenly developing an interest in the floor as he held his head down.
===
(Note for Author)
It's good to be back, i missed your guy's comments and reaction. I know that it's a little slow, but it's build up for the after math of the next arc, i'm sort of planing five chapter ahead, you'll understand soon. expect chapter 27 on Wednesday, and maybe a bonus chapter.