When I got back onto the ship, all I wanted to do was find Buggy and make sure that he was alright. However, his crew had different ideas. It was Bozo who blocked my way into Buggy's bedroom.

"Have you got a problem?" I asked, perhaps a bit too aggravated.

I was just so desperate to see him - make sure that he was still alive. I had this awful image in my head of me walking into his room to find him dead. I knew that wasn't realistic. He was the great Buggy. He wouldn't die of this, that's what I had to believe.

"We need directions before we can leave. Of course, if you'd rather go tend to your boyfriend, you can. But I warn you the clowns here are restless. They just may go back into down if left waiting."

He was right. I knew that. The longer I left them waiting for directions, the more likely it was that they'd go back on their word. I thought of Henrik, of everything he had done for us.

So I nodded. "You're right."

"That's the first time I've ever heard you say that."

"And it'll be the last," I said bitterly. "So don't get used to it."

I wasn't interested in making Bozo my friend. In fact, I doubted that there would be anything I could do to make Bozo like me.

He still hated me from that first day I had met him, where I had knocked him out with my bag. Not only had I knocked him out, but I had knocked many of his teeth out. Four, it had turned out. He had replaced them with gold teeth, which suited his aesthetic.

Yet, I knew he was still bitter about it. I couldn't really blame him. I'd be bitter if someone knocked my teeth out.

I followed him down into the navigation room, praying we could make this quick. The room was packed, but at the maps was just Dilly and Arlene. Neither of which seemed thrilled to see me.

"Hey," I said meekly, hoping I could get them back onto my side. It didn't seem likely.

Dilly almost smiled at me. That made my heart leap in my chest. For a moment, I thought that maybe she had forgiven me. It seemed like she wanted to, at least.

"So, where are we off to next?" Arlene asked me, in a cold voice.

I spent the next ten minutes explaining the route, even drawing on the maps so they'd remember it. In that time, people left the navigation room, so now it was just me, Dilly, and Arlene.

I felt infinitely more comfortable like this, without all eyes on us. I tried my best to make conversation.

"The next town we're going to is well known for its food. Or that's what it says on the maps."

Dilly again almost smiled. "How long will it take us to get there? I could go some good food."

"It'll take at least a month," I told her. "Depending on the weather, of course."

"I've heard we're due a big storm," Arlene added.

It was the first time she had joined our conversation. Was I making progress at making friends?

Having Arlene as a friend wasn't great - I knew she still liked Buggy, which made things a little bit awkward but I needed any and every friend I could find.

"And I was finally getting over my sea sickness," was what I finally managed to get out.

To my joy, it got big laughs from both Arlene and Dilly. This was going well. As well as it could possibly go.

"Storms when you're on a ship are nightmares. You can't be on the deck if it's bad enough so you end up locked in your room."

Arlene added to what Dilly had said. "Which won't be too bad for her since she's sharing with the captain."

I blushed red at that. My instinct was to deny it, claim that nothing was happening between us.

But now, I wasn't sure what I was to do. I told Buggy we could be together freely, without shame. That meant no more denying. Would he be okay with people knowing about us?

More importantly, would people knowing about us make the crew hate us more or less? Maybe less, since it meant we wouldn't be lying. Would they see me as one of them this way?

"Lucky me," was all I managed to get out.

"And with the waves rocking the ship, we won't notice you and the captain rocking the ship."

I couldn't help but join in the laughter at that joke. Dilly was funny, it was why we were friends in the first place.

"So, you aren't going to deny it anymore?" Arlene asked me suddenly, her voice laced with curiosity.

Telling her about me and Buggy wasn't going to help me make friends, I knew that. But still, I wanted to be as honest as possible.

"I don't see the point denying it. Everybody already knows. Although, for what it's worth, I wasn't lying last time - we didn't get together until very recently."

I was afraid that if they thought I'd lied to them the last time the topic of me and Buggy was brought up, they would harbour some animosity towards me. Plus, it was the truth. We hadn't gotten together until now - not officially.

Well, we weren't technically official now. We were together, but not boyfriend and girlfriend. Could we ever be that? I couldn't imagine being able to call Buggy my boyfriend.

I wanted to, of course. The idea of us being an official couple made me happy beyond belief.

"So I've lost my window," added Arlene. "Are you two like exclusive? Or can I still have a ride on him?"

The wording of that made my blood boil. Everything in me wanted to lash out at her, attack her or at least tell her she was out of line.

But again, I needed friends, not more enemies. What would my answer be? I wasn't sure we were exclusive - I sure hoped we were. I mean, I didn't want to be with anyone else. Did Buggy?

I imagined him with another woman - with Arlene - and it made me want to cry. I didn't want that. How would he react if I brought this up to him?

"You'd need to ask him. I don't make his rules."

"We were under the impression you did."

"That's insulting," I said without meaning to. I locked eyes with Dilly. "You really think a simple girl could control the great captain Buggy? He makes his own rules. Everything he does, he does because he wants to."

She just awkwardly looked away. I hoped she would take on board what I had said, but I doubted it. She seemed hellbent on not liking me.

"Is he good?" Arlene questioned, moving closer to me. I really didn't like this girl. "I mean, of course he's good, but like tell me all about it."

Absolutely not.

"Actually, I have to get going. I need to check if Buggy is alright. Have I given you both enough for directions?"

"Definitely. We have at least the next couple of days down."

"Great," I replied, faking a smile. "And Dilly?"

"Hm?" She sounded uninterested.

"It was nice talking again. Maybe we can hang out again at some point?"

Her face was a mixture of emotions. It was as if she wanted to, but something was holding her back.

"Sure we can."

It was a dry response, so I wasn't sure if it was genuine or not. Still, I gave them both my warmest smile, and left.

I needed to see Buggy, see he was okay and alive. I basically ran to our room.

🤡

hey I'm so sorry for the big gap between chapters! life has been hectic - since this chapter is shorter and not too much happens, I'm uploading 2 together! After that, it'll be back to one chapter every 2 days!

Reads: 123k
Published 10th of December 2023