A.N.: I really had fun writing this story. I've been trying to work on something like this ever since I first read Shonen Jump, which was like...2005...06...whenever the first issue came out. I got such a kick when I discovered FF about three years ago and then I really REALLY wanted to write something. Just as a disclaimer note now--I will be using the characters and the actual conversations that the author wrote for One Piece...eventually...once I've got the manga story-line going. Okay, intro over. Enjoy!
I growled lowly as I glared at the three guys jabbering away to beat the band when they should be working.
"Come on, you guys," I snapped. "Work harder than your mouths."
There are seven of us that work in the kitchen at our school, and these three are inseparable pals. It isn't easy being the head student worker, but, then again, I'm not chopped liver.
"Final warning. I'm separating you three for the rest of the semester if you keep it up."
Michael, the tallest and middle of the three, saluted me like he always does. "Sorry, Janeen, it won't happen again."
I raised an eyebrow as I stared at him. "It better not." I had to watch them for a while as Erik stacked the incoming trays and readied them for Michael who took the stack and washed them all with the powerful sprayer and gave them to Zak, the newest addition to the kitchen workforce, who organized them in a rack to be sent into the dishwasher for deep cleansing and sanitation. Once cleaned, they get pulled out by one of us on the "clean side" as we call it, allowed to air dry, and put aside for later use.
I sighed and shook my head, tightening my ponytail out of habit. I fixed my cap and turned back to my work. I allowed my mind to wander as I gathered up the silverware to put into serving containers. I'm not a real big talker, so none of them, except my brother, really know that much about me or what I like. Erik kind of knows because he's known me for three years, but he doesn't know everything. For instance, I'm a manga freak. I literally mean "freak." I may not know every manga or anime out there, but the ones I do know and love, I know practically everything about. For example, do you know Monkey D. Luffy's age or birthday? I do: 17 and May 5th. Photographic memory also adds to my talents. I also have what I call "photographic imagery," which means that I think in motion picture. Scientists just call it "picture thinking"…stupid asses who can't think of any cool names to give it…Anyway, it's really cool for remembering stuff, but a pain in the butt when I try to convert my stories to words.
"Janeen!" I heard one of the lunch ladies call, "We need silverware over here!"
I automatically grabbed the full containers of forks, spoons and knives. "Coming!" I yelled back, whipping around.
"Look out!" someone exclaimed too late.
In my carelessness, I ran right into a big steel pan that one of the volunteer parents was carrying at eye level to dodge a student worker's head. The stiff brim of my hat rammed backwards into my head and somewhere between there and the floor, I lost consciousness.
When I came to, everything was dark and I could barely move. It was also very cold…and wet? My eyes burst open only to be welcomed by a blast of cold, stinging water. By this time, I had realized that I was underwater, so I kicked towards the direction I thought was up. My head broke the surface and I took in a large gasp of air and coughed up the water I inadvertently swallowed. I turned round and round, trying to figure out where in the world I was.
Floating all around me were splinters of wood of all sizes and not ten feet away from me was…a mast? I swam a little closer. It was a mast. It was huge. At one end of it was a flag…or at least what was left of one. It was light blue and in dark print I could only make out three letters: M A R. The rest of the flag was torn to shreds and floating all over the place.
"Wha…what happened?" I wondered out loud, looking all around.
Movement caught my eye. It was hard to judge the distance because of the constant swelling of the water, but it was a good swim away that there was a man on a floating board.
"Hey!!" I called to him with a huge wave of my arm. When he didn't respond, I started swimming to him.
I was about halfway to him when he came to and shouted at me, "No! Don't come near! There's a strong undercur—"
I didn't realize what he was saying until, without warning, I got sucked underwater. I fought hard against the current, but it was too strong and I got pulled farther and farther away and down. At least, I thought it was down, but I was spinning helplessly, so it was hard to tell. I didn't see the huge rock until it was too late and my world went dark…again.
* * * *
I don't know how much time passed before I semi-regained consciousness. My brain was awake, but the rest of me wasn't. I couldn't even open my eyes. All I knew was that I was freezing, soaked to the bone, and had a massive headache.
Somewhere off in the distance I heard a cry of "Man Overboard!" and the splash of something hitting the water. It came to my body very quickly. I felt a hand grip just below my ribcage and another around my right ear—right below where my headache was.
"Are you alright?" came the distant and stupid question.
No, my brain replied, I am not alright. This is like asking a fully conscious person "Are you dead?". Just get me outta here, knucklehead.
"She's unconscious!" the same speaker yelled.
No shit, Sherlock.
"She's hurt bad, too!"
Double no shit, my brain thought.
I felt him swim with me braced facing his chest. My head lolled from side to side on his shoulder and one eye opened slowly, followed by the other halfway.
It was very dark out except for one beam of light from behind me, the direction my rescuer was swimming.
I turned my head slowly and my foggy brain could only take in two things before losing consciousness again: my rescuer was blonde and we were heading for a ship called Baratie.
I would really like at least a few reviews before I publish my next chapter, so, please!! Tell me what you think! Thanks a lot and 'til next time.