A/N. Hey guys if any of you were wondering where I was lately. I've been working on my own offical novel on wattpad :D my user-name is Liana.H or imagineaworld282 if you guys wanna check it out. this story will be a copy of that, only some names and descriptions will be altered to meet the one piece world. This will be a AU story Okay? i just wanted to let you guys know just in case you see any names out of place.

~Sometimes, when we are young we don't know what the world outside our homes is like nor how bad it can be. Some children have parents to shield them from knowing until they get old enough to find out on their own. But, most find out sooner than that. Tragically I'm among those children. I found out just how cruel and evil this world is at a very early age. But, it wasn't until I was fourteen years old when I found out that I was ignorant about how that exactly happened. My therapist says I had repressed memories that I didn't want to remember. That's why it wasn't till my parents closest friend that was our neighbor, was arrested for child-molestation charges being held against him. My parents immediately asked me repeatedly if he had done something to me. I denied it. ~

[ Saturday, April 20th 2019.]

I snap out of the daze I was placed in while staring at the news report on the Tv."Nami. Are you okay?" The royal blue colored irises of my best friend reluctantly get me to look away from the image of non-other than Arlong Jones being escorted out of prison after seven years being behind bars. "Nami." She calls again.

"Y-yeah. I'm fine."I mumble trying to will my hands to let go of her mom's silken cream table cloth. Koala's facial expression shows one of concern as she watches me closely."I'm okay."I repeat with more confidence. Not, Like I wasn't just holding my breath for a few moments of trying to get my heart to slow from the mini panic attack that was threatening to suffocate me at any moment.

Koala brushes the strands of my bangs away from my eyes. Before she turns away. The bright blue white polka dot dress she's wearing sways gently with each movement as she grabs the remote from beside the sink and changes the channel to something else. She moves to the coffee maker that was placed in the corner to pour out a fresh cup of coffee and holds it out for me to take. Giving an uneasy but thankful smile, I grab it, cradling the hot cup with both hands. Steady breaths Jess. My therapist Mr. Carlos's voice subconsciously reminds me. I do what he says. Inhaling then exhaling five times before I finally start feeling myself calm down. Koala takes a seat in the chair across from me. Her small hands folded in front of her as she studies me like she was half expecting me to run for the hills or do something worse. No, I can't become a charity case again.

I nod twice to myself, "It' doesn't bother me, Koa.- well it kinda does- naturally but, we all knew the guy was gonna get out sooner rather than later. But, I need to move on with my life."As I tell her this, trying to keep my face emotionless before lifting my cup, taking small sips of the hot beverage. "I'm okay, "I repeat again for the millionth time, smiling reassuringly at her to let her know I'll be ok. Will I though?

Her mother was away to visit her sister in Belmont for the weekend. Leaving my friend to babysit her brother, while watching the house for her. So Koala had dragged me out of bed this morning and drove us over here to talk about something of importance, she had explained that her mom wanted her early- which apparently meant 6am. I never got up that early a day in my life and now I couldn't remove the glare that etched itself on to my face every-time I looked at my best friend. Which she had found hilarious.- so did her mom before she had left us over a hour ago

Her lips purse together tightly as she frowns, I can tell she isn't entirely convinced. But, luckily doesn't bother me any more about this. She shakes her head to probably get rid of the things she had thought, as she plasters a fake smile on her pink matte lipstick covered lips and changes the subject to something more appropriate during this breakfast date she had planned for us."Alright then, on to what I was saying before all that. You already know Ryan's birthday is this Wednesday," she pauses, the uncertainty in her voice already lets me know what she was gonna ask. I raise an eyebrow but nod anyway. She smiles softly before continuing."Sooo, I was hoping that you'd help me organize a surprise party this weekend for him?" Fuck, you know. I hate being around people. "You don't have to stay long."She quickly adds before I can open my mouth to voice my rejection of her offer. Probably since she knows me well enough by now to know what I was thinking. One long look at her use of the puppy dog eyes and pouting from across the table and I already know I've lost this battle.

I sigh heavily in defeat after finishing my coffee, I keep my expression neutral as I can."Fine, fine. I'll help you and," It was her turn to raise an eyebrow at me, willing me to continue as her lips slowly form a sly smile. I couldn't help the exasperated sigh escaping my mouth" And I'll try to make an appearance also."She lets out a loud, shrieking, jumping out of her chair. She rushes over to hug me. I was distracted by her blonde curly hair falling out of the high bun she had on the top of her head. To notice she already had her slender arms wrap tightly around me from the side. Since she seemed to forget how I don't like to be touched. I let her, for a few tense seconds before gently easing her off. She didn't seem upset about my lack of liking skin contact, but her eyes and facial expression appeared to be apologetic as I adjust my short sleeve t-shirt to cover more of the bare skin on my arms. It's not enough. My skin tingled and the usual strong urge to scrub the feeling away in the shower came along with it.

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair as I tried to not to appeared bothered by it, Koala's eyes watched me with empathy even though she tries hard not to let me see it when she turns her focus to anywhere else."It's okay, Koa."I mutter softly before reaching toward her and giving her hand a soft squeeze. The feeling of hand contact was the only thing I could bare since it was necessary, It was what my mother called a safe zone for me.

Her excitement in getting me to agree to something was gone, and the small kitchen was now filled with awkward tension between us. I let go of her so I could stand to go put my plate and cup in the sink. Koala keeps her eyes downcast and redoes her hair back into the neat bun she had as I walk around her to turn on the water to rinse them. The smooth and steady flow quickly washes the bits of what was left of my scrambled eggs down the drain. I wish water could wash away, more important things. I'm shocked at the sudden envy I felt for something as stupid as food scraps."So...I'll come pick you up at five tomorrow?"She asks after what felt like five minutes. I nod, turning back to look at her, she had taken my seat, but at least she wasn't staring at me anymore. Part of me was kinda relieved by that part, but I'm hoping she would snap out of whatever she was thinking soon as we could carry on with whatever kinda party planning -idea she had taught of for Sabo's birthday.

"Yeah. I'll make sure to be back at the apartment by then."I grab my grey satchel from where it was hanging on the coat hanger, near the doorway, as I exited the small kitchen. Koala follows behind me, the clicking sound of her heels on the hardware floor is the only thing to confirm that while she stayed quiet... too quiet and I can't help but mentally curse at myself for not being a normal person. I felt somewhat sad that I was the one causing this awkwardness between us right now and I'd give anything if she'd just-

"Are you sure, you're ok?"She asks again. She finally chooses to speak again as we walk past, the wide open spaced the living room to our left. And I almost didn't hear it- because of her little brother who was sitting on the carpeted floor playing video games sitting to close to the tv, Dimitri, who was around the age of 13. He makes it his business to turn the volume up louder when he must've noticed us coming. "Damn it! Turn it down you pig!" She roars over the sound.

I bite down on my lower lip to hold back a laugh, as the teenager throws his arm back dramatically and flips his sister off without looking at her."Make me, asshat."The two large for wear, headset around his head makes the scene extra comical when she runs over and attempts to rip it from his head. And I don't what was funnier the girlish scream that escapes his lips, when he tries to escape her or the way she drags him by his hoodie to the other side of the room.

"Fuck off Koala! It's my right to have the Tv up loud when playing call of duty and you know it!"Shouts from both Dimitri and Koala, and whoever he was talking to on the other side of the headset quickly, overlapped the sounds of zombies and gunfire coming from the sound speakers attached to the side of the flat screen.

"Not when Nami and I were having a conversation, You could've turned it down instead of up!"Both of them, are rolling around the floor now, wrestling the headset between them. Knowing this could take a while, I take a seat on the gray recliner chair. Wishing I had a bag of popcorn with me. As I look on at them. I notice Koala laughing and smiling again, and I'm really glad for the care-free change of expression to be back other than the one she had given me. From across the room, I could already sense that she had probably forgotten about me, so I quickly hop up and shout a quick goodbye to the siblings.

"A-Alright! I'm sorry, I'll make sure to call you later!"Koala says- out of breath before Dimitri tackles her again to the ground. I shake my head at them, and the way Koala's perfect hair was tousled into strands of knots almost like there was a birds nest on top of her head, and funniest thing that was her makeup was smeared around. It was really hard not to laugh in her face about it, but it didn't stop the laughter coming from me as soon as I walked away.

"Lukas! Don't start a new party without me!"Dimitri calls out to who I think was the boy who lived down the end of the street, on the other side of the mic. The shouts get quieter as I walk toward the front door. The Johnson family's house was medium sized- perfect for a single mother and her two children. - Well, child. Since Koala was the same age as me and we grew up together our parents let us rent an apartment as long as we agreed to visit them. Koala's family lived here in town. Her mother had packed up to be closer to her living the old neighborhood behind. While my parents had chosen to stay back in Chicago, they said it was work keeping them there. But, in the back of my mind, knew it must've been something else. I visited them every holiday- well just the important ones like Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, birthdays Etc...They did the same when they had the chance.

I didn't realize I literally thought my way outside till I was staring at my old, run down 2004 model Mini Cooper. it was a really good car if you ignored the peeling silver paint, that revealed the rusted metal underneath most of the exterior, or how passenger door had a problem opening, or how the leather seats inside had some rips in them and probably some springs lose. And many, many other problems, that Koala and my father had given it the nickname (Death on wheels) It was all I could afford when I decided to move here and even though many people had offered to buy me and nicer-much safer car. But, I loved it, the old classic had gotten me from point A to B most of the time and it was a great achievement for me to be able to buy my own car, after having to save up on tips and low paychecks from so many years of working in a diner in Chicago had paid off. And I was proud of my old car no matter what people thought of her appearance.

"Heya, Mino."I greeted it as I made my way to the drivers' side. Mino was my nickname for her it was short for domino-like those cute black and white things that use to fall over when you lined them up, I remembered playing with as a kid. The door creaked so loudly as I pulled it open, my teeth hurt from the offending noise. A group of young adults walks past me and the girls in the group look at me with pity, while the guys try to sniffle their laughter.

"Oh my god, that chicks car is gonna clock out any minute man."I hear one of them announce, the statement is followed by more laughter.

"Yeah. It looks totally wreaked. I'd never drive that thing around even if you paid me." As they move along, each of them takes turns spurting jokes about my poor vehicle.

I ducked my head into my shoulders in embarrassment before jumping inside quickly. I rub my hand smoothly over the dashboard as if comforting my precious passion's hurt feelings."They don't know you girl."I pull my hand away and shove my key into the ignition and turn it. It takes a few moments of the car making that struggling noise and me having to pump down on the accelerator pedal till the engine finally comes to life. I chuckle to myself at the fact my dads' old pump the pedal advice had worked."That's new."I mutter, I knew if she didn't start today, my apartment was only a mile from here so I wasn't all that worried. "We really need to get you a new battery."I continue talking to myself as I pull out from where I was parked. And I'm immediately reminded that Koala had said she would come to get me tomorrow even though I have a car she's still insisting that I shouldn't drive far with it. I mean, I see her concern but, I've had Mino for three years. And it's never failed me yet.

My phone buzzes from inside my jacket pocket. Another problem with my car was its lack of Bluetooth and AUX plug. I hurriedly pull my phone out, answering then placing it on my lap without checking the caller ID.

"Hello?"I mumble.

"Nami. I've been calling you all morning, What have you been doing? Have you seen the news report?"My mother's frantic voice comes through the line on speaker and I immediately regret that I didn't just let it go to voicemail. "Nami? Can you hear me!"

"Yes, Mother I have. It's no big deal, I'm far away from Chicago and his probably gonna be placed in some secure place away from people for a while. And as to why I haven't answered your calls I've been busy planning a party with Koa."

"Oh, a party?..."I can already hear her reminders for me not to drink, as she goes silent."Well, your Dad and I still think you should come back home for a while so we can keep an eye on you."I roll my eyes. I don't need to be watched twenty-four-seven again. That's the last thing I need right now. My inner self scoffs at the fact that she would even suggest like I'd come running back home."You know. Mrs. Riggs was asking about you the other day and-"I pull to a stop at a red light before glaring down at the iPhone.

"No, I'm fine down here. I'll let you know if I change my mind otherwise."I quickly dismiss her of the idea. I hear her sigh in exasperation and then whisper something to someone on the other end of the line. That's my mother for you. She was as insensitive as they came, towards other peoples feelings about something, but she's also blind to what goes on inside their heads. Blind to what goes on behind childhood bedroom doors too. The bitter thought comes into my mind, automatically and I can't stop the irritation that comes with it towards her.

"No need to be rude Namiko, I was just suggesting that you could call her and strike a-."My fingers tighten around the steering wheel and actually contemplating on to driving Mino into the closest building just to put an end to the burning feeling inside me.

"Yeah, maybe then you could-, "I cut myself off from the mean comment I was about to say. I slowly breathe in and out to calm myself."Listen. I'm driving right now, so I'll call you back later."I hang up before she could say anything else that would've angered me further. I was expecting that she would, She was only on the phone ten minutes but she has already put me in a pissy mood. I was nearly home just one more block to go. One more block then I can cozy up with one of my favorite novels and take my lazy Saturday morning nap. I would've taken it sooner, but hadn't planned on Koala kidnapping (- which I meant by stealing me away, with out giving me a chance to get dressed.) me this morning. It was now four o'clock so it was basically a better time to take it now I guess.

The sign for my apartment building comes in view up ahead. And I swear I haven't been as thankful to see something in whole life, this day has been emotionally and mentally exhausting already and I couldn't wait to take a shower and just relax on my comfy bean bag chair and read, and probably watch the re-runs of Grey's Anatomy on Tv. Yeah that sounded great.

~X~

I finally found a parking space for my car after nine hours - which was actually ten minutes of waiting for this old guy to reverse his car out of my usual parking space. Convincing that it wasn't his did not go smoothly. But, now I can finally lay down. The hideously orange painted door at the end of the hallway was mine of course. Em, and I had gotten bored so we did that when we first moved in to stand out among the rest of the tenants in here. It was also easier to find when we came back drunk some nights, by we I mean Koala. I don't drink. Not anymore at least the last time I had landed me in rehab for a week to learn my lesson about not trying to strip search a McDonald's employee ever again.

The surveillance video was the funniest thing ever. Everybody in the courtroom was almost on the ground laughing at the poor man's horror. Yeah, like every guy doesn't want a hot girl trying to rip his clothes off in public. I was too busy giggling about my past endeavors and my own thoughts to hear the door of the stairwell opening to have time to move before it swung open and caught me right in the face.

"The hell!"I groan, instinctually squeezing my eyes shut and lifting a hand to cover my mouth, and nose. Pain shot through my top front teeth and I prayed they were alright and not chipped that was all I was concerned about till the bridge of my nose started to hurt."Motherfucker. Ow." The bright side was I didn't feel or taste any blood- yet but the force of the door opening right in my face was definitely going to leave a mark of some kind.

"Oh, fuck I'm so sorry. I didn't know somebody was just standing there."A New York-accented voice comes from beside me. I open my eyes and turned toward him having every intention of chewing him for being so stupid. I haven't seen him before but, the empty suitcase and boxes he was carrying indicated he was moving in or helping someone move in at least. He was taller than I expected, really tall towards my height of five foot five. His tousled dark brown hair fell perfectly into his bright brown eyes. his most distinctive facial features were his high cheekbones, perfectly arched thick eyebrows. My gaze shifted lower over his slender nose and to finally end at his full pink color lips. The dark blue T-shirt he wore hugged his broad chest and emphasized the muscles underneath as did the black jeans he was wearing. His chiseled square jaw tensed as he watched me with mild amusement."You like what you see?"He asks, that cocky question came out so deep in that accent. And my face ignites in embarrassment that I had done such a thing- and had been caught.

He is hot though. I shake my head repeatedly to rid myself of these thoughts. Before finally remembering how to talk, I lift my chin up at him proudly and hope my voice doesn't come out shaky as the words leave my lips. "Oh, yeah no problem silly me was just standing here just waiting for the door to almost knocking my teeth out of my head. - Oh! And let's not forget that I always wanted my nose to be broken also. So thank you for your help."I make sure to emphasize and growl out each word. I ignore the fact of how I openly just eyed him up like a hungry hawk and moved on to arguing like it didn't just happen. You psycho.. I couldn't have agreed more with my inner self as I quickly huffed one last time, storming toward my apartment. In the corner of my eye, I steal one last look at him, quickly enough to catch the bewildered look on his face as I walked off. That's right, you stupid bastard.

"It was nice to meet to you!"His smooth voice called through the empty hallway, so it echoed from off the closed in walls. I rolled my eyes and put my free hand up behind me, flipping him off. He laughs loudly and sound of him finally leaving follows after.

These next few weeks should be interesting.