Hello all, One Piece fans! :D This will be a little different from what I usually write, which will be an AU high school story featuring the OP characters. As you might know, the main pairing for this story will be Usopp and Perona, two characters that I think in a real life alternate universe(or…an AU. XP ) would hit it off really well. X)
Now, that doesn't mean I think Usopp and Kaya are an awesome couple. I love this pairing as well! In fact, I think it would be the only pairing that Oda straight up says "IT'S CANON!" right to our faces. XD But as I said before, I would love to see a little real life AU friendship/romance fic of Usopp and Perona. I think it would be fun to make, you know? ^_^
Anyways, let's see if I can spark your interest with this story! Remember to read and review! :D
(By the way, don't worry, I'm still working on The Grand Line Waterbender, I just want to get this done first! ;) )
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece. Its characters and plot is owned by the masterful storyteller Eiichiro Oda-sensei. :)
0o0o0
Past Mistakes
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BEEEEP!
BEEEEP!
BEEE-
SMACK!
17 year old Usopp slammed his electric alarm clock with his hand. He retracted his hand back to his side and laid there on his bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling…
Today was a Monday…a school day…
'I don't want to go to school.'
But sadly, he has to.
School wasn't exactly a big problem for Usopp. In fact, he loves all of his good teachers there, as well seeing his friends.
…Love.
Usopp heaved a sigh.
'It's been three days…three agonizing days since she left…'
…Kaya…
Kaya was Usopp's girlfriend…keyword being was…
She came from a wealthy family, her dad being a part of a corporate company. She'd never acted like a spoiled rich girl; in fact, she was a wonderful young woman, full of warmth and understanding. That's what made Usopp fall for her. She was quite the beautiful girl also, her flowing blonde hair, her pretty eyes and enchanting smile luring him in.
They've been together ever since the beginning of their junior year. They met at the lunch table when she was a new student at Grand Line High School, when Usopp and his friends were thinking of making friends with her – and the fact he was smitten by her. Usopp and Kaya hit it off quite well, talking about different subjects that they're good at, their dreams, him becoming a comic book artist and creating his original superhero, Sniper King, while she wants to become a doctor. Kaya listened intently on Usopp's superhero creation's adventures and giggled at his exaggerations on how The Sniper King can beat 40,000 men with just his massive slingshot arsenal. They then became a couple over time, and they had the best times of their lives, always hanging out with each other.
…Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned in life…
Usopp laid there for a while, remembering the events that happened last Friday…
"…What?" Usopp said stunned.
Usopp and Kaya met up in the park after school, which thankfully not a lot of people were around, as what Kaya said would have potential to let someone make a scene. When she talked to Usopp about meeting in the park today, she looked and sounded a little poignant, which made Usopp worried quite a bit.
Now he knows what was wrong…
Kaya stared at the ground with a miserable frown. "…I'm moving, Usopp."
Usopp couldn't believe his ears. "…W-where?"
"…To another country."
"Another country!?" Usopp said in shock. "W-what country is it!?"
Kaya squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to let tears escape. "Goa…"
"Goa!? B-but, that's overseas! W-what happened!?" Usopp said in disbelief.
"…My father had a big promotion. My family is moving over to where the headquarters is. We'll be leaving Sunday."
Usopp was at a loss of words…until he had a look of hope. "But…we can still call, right?"
…Kaya was shaking.
His look of hope wavered. "…Kaya?"
"…Usopp," Kaya said as she choked a sob, "I…I think it's best we break up."
Usopp froze. "…What?"
"I-it's not because I don't feel anything for you anymore. I do, it's just…" Kaya covered her eyes with her hand so he won't see her crying. She choked another sob, "It's just that I don't think a long distance relationship would work between us…they always don't."
"…B-but we can make it work!" Usopp said in a slight panic.
"Usopp…please don't make this hard…" she said, feeling horrible as she cry out more tears. "I…I think it's for the best. I…I don't want our relationship to end gradually while we're in distant countries. It'll be too painful for us to endure if that happens."
Usopp couldn't believe this. He wishes he can make things right…to keep having this relationship. "But…I…I don't want to lose you!" Usopp is feeling desperate, not wanting to lose what he already has. "Please, Kaya, I…I…I love you!"
Kaya now looked up at Usopp for the first time since her announcement, her expression full of surprise. Her eyes though still hold sadness in them. "…Usopp…" more tears ran down her cheeks, Usopp seeing the distraught look on her face, "…I'm so sorry…" She then hugged him, sobbing into his shoulder.
Usopp just stood there, in shock at everything that is happening. Should he hug her back? …He's probably never going to see her again, so he thinks he has to… He slowly wrapped his arms around her delicate frame. He felt tears forming in his eyes as well.
His first girlfriend…his first love…and she's going away.
"Usopp…I really do love you too…but…I-I'm so sorry!" Kaya apologized in despair. She kept apologizing over and over again…
The boy heard her apologies…but they still stung. But he doesn't blame her for it…he blames life.
How it took another important person away from him.
Ever since then, he can only find solace in his dreams, where things would make sense to him, but sadly in reality, they don't. He really sometimes wondered if life was out to get him. There's seemed to be always something good for him, but sooner or later, said force always tries to take it away from his grasp.
He pretty much ignored any calls from his cell – although he texted his friends about what happened and told them he'd sleep it off - after he came home from the breakup. His father Yassop wondered what happened, whereas Usopp simply said that he and Kaya had broken up. He briefly explained about the reason and went up to his room in a depressed heap. Feeling worried and bad for his son, he tried to do something during Saturday and Sunday to make him cheer up, like spending time with him since he didn't had to go to the police station right now, but sadly he didn't get up from his bed. He even suggested maybe he can work on his Sniper King comic, but he also shrugged that off. The only time he was active was when he gets something to eat, and even then Yassop takes his food up there in his room.
Speaking of Yassop…
KNOCK-KNOCK…
The door opens, revealing Yassop with a worried look on his face.
"Usopp?"
Usopp sighs as he still looks up at the ceiling. "Yeah…?"
Yassop frowns sadly at his son. At least his face is not on the pillow anymore. …He couldn't see him like this. This was almost like when he himself acted when…he shook his head. 'No…this has to end now.'
"Usopp…it's time to go to school. I made you breakfast."
Usopp lay there still…
Yassop sighed, "Usopp…look…" he chose his words carefully, "…I may not know what a break-up feels like…your mother and I…we were very happy together. And…" he looked down…and looked back at his son again. "…don't let your grief consume you. I mean…even though I haven't experienced it, I have been in your shoes once…but in a different way."
"…" Usopp sat up for the first time to look at his dad. "…With mom?" he asked in question that made it sounded like a realization.
…Yassop nodded. "Yes…" his eyes shined with unshed tears. "…You were young at the time, but…I was a wreck. You were so positive though…when you notice me crying a little and I told you what I was crying about, you said not to be sad, because mommy was high up in the sky, looking down on us." He smiled at the memory. He walked over to Usopp's bed and sat on the edge of the bed next to him, putting a hand on his son's shoulder, the same smile on his face. "…That made me feel a lot better…" He looked at his son with a determined expression. "…Usopp…you made me strong…thank you."
Usopp blinked at his father. "Dad…"
Yassop's gave him a soft stern look, "Don't be like how I was, son…you made me strong…and as your father, I'm making you strong."
Usopp just stared at his dad, tears welling up again, but this time in relief. "…Thank you dad."
Yassop smiled at his only son, and gave him a hug. Usopp hugged him back gratefully. Yassop patted his back affectionately. "It's gonna be okay, Usopp."
Usopp let the tears roll down his face, comforted by the fact that things will be alright.
After getting ready, eating some breakfast, and gathering his things for school, Usopp bid his father farewell as he went out. Yassop waved him off, a relieved smile on his face.
'There he goes, Bachina…I hope you're watching over him, sweetheart.' He thought with comfort.
Usopp got into his economy car, started the ignition, and drove off to school. As he was driving, he remembered what his dad said about being strong. And he was right. He can't let this eat him up forever. He has a life, and no matter what life throws at him, this will be his life.
He still loves Kaya…but now was a time to be strong and move on.
Usopp gave out a small smile. He will be strong…for his father…and for his mother.
"Hey, it's Usopp!" said a cheerful, somewhat childish voice of a 17 year old boy.
"Huh. Yeah, it is him." said an orange-haired girl whose hair reaches to her back. She was also the same age as the boy, as well as the green short haired young man, and the blonde haired young man, all wearing casual clothing. "I guess he's feeling better from the way he's walking over here…"
"That's good. After hearing the poor guy's breakup with Kaya, I haven't heard from him in two days." said the blonde haired young man.
"Hm. Well, it looks like he might have some confidence back in him." The green haired boy said.
"Yeah, that was weird. Hopefully Usopp is back to his old self!" the raven haired boy said with a nod. He waved at said friend and said, "Hey Usopp! How are ya!? You doing okay!?"
BONK!
"Ow! Nami, why did you hit me!?" the boy whined.
"Luffy, you dimwit!" whispered the orange haired girl known as Nami, "Don't be so straightforward! He still could be feeling down!"
"Eh?" Luffy inquired, "But I wanted to make sure!"
Usopp noticed the commotion from his friends, Luffy and Nami, who both were a couple. He smiled at their antics. It was great to see those two together; they were quite the humorous match. Total opposites, but they love each other, and their company. He was kind of jealous actually, since he has no girlfriend now…
He shook his head. 'No! No need to go thinking down that road again!' He waved back at them and his other friends, Zoro and Sanji, "Hey, guys!"
"Hey Usopp." Zoro said as he simply waved.
"Hey, how's it hanging?" Sanji asked.
Nami and Luffy averted each other to say their greetings as well, "Hey, Usopp!"
Usopp chuckled, "Hey! How was everyone's weekend?"
"Pretty awesome!" Luffy started to say, "Zoro, Sanji, Nami, and I went bowling! Me and Nami were up against Zoro and Sanji! We won!" he said with a wide grin.
"All because Curly-brow here couldn't roll a bowling ball properly." Zoro complained.
"HEY! These hands are made for cooking! I couldn't damage them you know!?" Sanji defended himself with an enraged expression.
As the two boys quarrel, Nami told Usopp, "Sorry we didn't invite you. We thought that since you…well, you know…" she said feeling a little hesitant for bringing it up.
"Ever since Kaya broke up with him?" Luffy wondered.
"Luffy, stop that!" Nami exclaimed with a glare and bonked him upside the head again. She turned back to Usopp, "Anyways…you know, ever since that happened, we didn't want to bother you. We wanted to give you some space."
Usopp smiled appreciatively, "Thanks guys. I feel a little better now, so I think it's all good."
"Still, that's a shame. If I ever had a girl broke up with me, I would be out of commission for weeks." Sanji said, his and Zoro's fight long forgotten.
"Well thankfully, he's not you. Which by the way Usopp," Zoro patted said boy's back roughly, causing Usopp to stagger a bit, "Good job for not wallowing in self-pity for too long. That means you got guts."
"Heh, well, I got to thank my dad for that. He helped me out in my time of need." Usopp said as they walked into the school.
Luffy smiled, "Well, it's good to have ya back! Maybe we can all go to the arcade after school so you and I can play your favorite shooter!"
Usopp smiled, "Hey, that's sounds like a plan!"
"Luffy, this is a Monday. We're definitely going to have a ton of homework during the day. Now wouldn't be a good time to goof around. You have to focus on your studies!" Nami lectured her boyfriend.
"Tch, nerd." Zoro muttered.
"Hey! Don't call Nami names!" Sanji scolded Zoro.
"Why? She's not your girlfriend." Zoro countered.
"That may be, but she's still a delicate lady and she would call offense to that!"
"Please, you just want to steal Nami away from Luffy."
"SHUT UP, ZORO, THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Sanji exclaimed.
"Eh? Sanji, you better not steal Nami away from me!"
"Hey, look Luffy, if you make Nami happy, which I don't understand how, then I'm not going to interfere with anything in your relationship." Sanji reassured.
"Oh okay! Thanks!" Luffy grinned, "Shishishi! Speaking of relationships, I remember you trying to hit on Kaya, but she was too freaked out by you!"
"…Yeah, thanks for reminding me of that, Luffy." Sanji said in gloom.
"Heh, that was funny." Zoro smirked.
Usopp had to chuckle at that memory as well. Kaya was really shy when she first came to their high school, and when Usopp and the gang wanted to introduce themselves at her lunch table, Sanji was trying to hit on her, which result in her being more bashful than usual. Nami bonked him on the head to make him stop.
He smiled at that memory…although, now whenever he looks at that exact lunch table, he'll probably feel dejected…Usopp frowned a bit.
Nami noticed this and nudged Luffy and whispered to the other guys, "Guys? Maybe we should not talk about Kaya around Usopp too much."
Luffy blinked and looked at his good friend's expression. He turned back to Nami and nodded, "Okay." he whispered back. Zoro and Sanji glanced at Usopp and they silently agreed, nodding as well.
As they were walking, Usopp was somewhat deep in thought. He missed and loved Kaya, that was for sure. But he needed to stay strong…but sometimes it still hurts. What his dad said DID made him feel better…but he still had that gaping hole that he wished was filled. He never fell in love before, and Kaya was his first love. He really wanted that feeling again…but that feeling though is in another country overseas.
"Way to go Sanji." Zoro whispered harshly to him, "He's probably thinking of you trying to take away Kaya."
"What!?" Sanji exclaimed in a whisper, "Why are you always blaming me on things!? It was Luffy's fault in mentioning it!"
"Huh?" Luffy said, "Did someone say my name?"
Nami scowled at the two feuding friends, "Guys, shut up."
"I just like blaming stuff on you; like global warming." Zoro said with a smirk.
"Oh real mature, seaweed head."
"Seaweed head? Tch, now who's immature?"
"Man, shut up."
"I like to see you try."
"Did someone call me?" Luffy said in confusion, scratching his head.
Nami sighed, "No Luffy. Zoro and Sanji are just arguing again."
"Okay, you wanna play that game?" Sanji challenged him, "Fine; you're gay."
"WHAT!?" Zoro exclaimed loudly, no longer whispering. Even though he said it loudly, no one was startled, even Usopp. The four of them did stopped however, but Usopp was too much in thought to acknowledge this, as he walked ahead of them.
"Oh no…" Nami said with a hand on her face.
Luffy laughed, "Uh oh, here we go again!"
"What? You got a problem with gay people?" Sanji asked.
"NO, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM! I'M JUST NOT GAY!"
"Guys, seriously, we're in the school halls…" Nami told them exasperatedly trying hard to stop the fight, while Luffy just looked on laughing, sometimes enjoying these fights that Sanji and Zoro get into.
As Usopp kept walking down the hall, he was in deep thought remembering the day he and Kaya actually first talked. It was when Nami pulled Sanji away that he decided to talk to her, reminding himself to just be natural. He asked about what kind of school subject she likes, in which she answered biology. Very interested, he told her that he likes art as well as drama, which made Kaya interested as well. The gang then joined in and talked to her about what she likes, where she came from, and the things happening in the city…
Usopp sighed…
'It's going to be a long way for me…but I can take it. I just need not to think about Kaya every few seconds-"
BUMP!
"ACK!"
"EEEP!"
Usopp stumbled back a bit, hearing multiple thuds as he regained his bearings. "Oh! Um…"
He looked at the source of his stumble, and saw that it was a girl, carrying a slung backpack around her arm, along with some books that were scattered everywhere in front of her on the floor. She had very long pink hair that was stylized into two swirling pigtails from each side of her head, and her attire resembles that of a Gothic Lolita. Her long sleeves on her shirt were long and frilly, each frill pink and black, while she has a pink and black pattern short skirt, and black and white horizontal striped stockings complete with her boots. She was closing her eyes in at the impact, rubbing her bottom in pain.
Usopp looked at the girl for a second, blinking. 'Is she new? I've never seen her before…'
"Oww…" the pink haired girl groaned.
Usopp then realized he bumped into her accidentally and was about to apologize…
…until she open her eyes to glare at him.
Usopp recoiled at the sight of her eyes.
Her eyes were, so to speak…kind of creepy. They were wide and looked like they belong to an owl…
'Whoa…creepy …'
"Watch where you're go-" The girl who was glaring at Usopp paused at her remark, looking at him with surprised eyes.
She was staring…at his long nose.
Usopp snapped back to reality, realizing that he hadn't apologized yet, "Oh sorr-"
"Your nose is long."
"…Eh?"
"Your nose is really long." The pink haired girl said bluntly.
Usopp blinked at the girl's statement. "Hey, it's not that long-"
"Yes it is! You look like Pinocchio! Have you been lying today?" the girl giggled at the nose as she stood up.
Usopp's jaw dropped, 'What the!?' "Hey now!"
FLICK!
"ACK!" Usopp hold onto his flicked nose.
"Hororororo!" the girl laughed in an unusual way. "Wow! It is real! Horororo!"
'Wha…the nerve of this girl!' Usopp was starting to get a little aggravated at this girl's behavior. Sure, his nose was a little bizarre, but there was no need to be rude about it!
So he countered an insult of his own…not an extreme one, but just one to let her know how it feels.
"Yeah, well…your eyes are creepy!" Usopp remarked.
The pink haired girl stopped laughing and blinked, "Huh?" she stared at him with those wide eyes, "What do you mean my eyes are creepy!?"
"See!? See how that feels!?" Usopp says, trying to reason with her.
"How it feels!? It's not my fault that you have a freakishly long nose!" The girl shot back.
Usopp's mouth was once again agape. "MY NOSE ISN'T FREAKISHLY LONG, MS. GHOST EYES!"
"Hey! What's going on, Usopp?" said Luffy's voice as he and the rest of the gang came up to the two.
Sanji instantly had hearts in his eyes when he saw the pink haired girl. "Oh wow! Well hello there young miss!"
"Hey, who's this, Usopp?" Luffy asked as he pointed at the new girl.
"I don't know, but she made fun of my nose for no reason!" Usopp said as he turned to them.
"There was a reason; it's because your nose was funny looking!" The girl said retorted.
"YEAH!?" Usopp turned and retorted as well back at her. "Well, your eyes are freakish looking!"
The girl gasped.
"Hey! You apologize to this lovely young lady right now, Usopp!"Sanji scolded.
"I'll apologize if she apologizes!" Usopp remarked.
"The weird curly brow guy is right! You should apologize to me!" The pink haired girl pointed at him accusingly.
"…Weird curly brow guy?" Sanji said in confusion, while Zoro snickered.
"For what!?"
"You pushed me down and said I had creepy eyes!"
"WHAT!?" Sanji exclaimed. "Usopp, you bastard! How can you be so cruel!?"
"I didn't push you down!" Usopp defended himself from the girl, ignoring Sanji. "I just bumped into you accidently! I was going to say sorry, but you just made fun of my nose!"
"If I may intervene," Nami said butting in, "I don't honestly think that Usopp would've push anybody down on purpose. I know him, and he's not that kind of guy. Plus, I saw what happened, and you both did bump into each other."
"Nami~! You're so observant!" Sanji gushed.
"Hey, back off Sanji!" Luffy said with a frown.
"What seems to be the problem here?" asked a refined adult male voice.
The students all jumped at the somewhat voice of authority. They looked and turned around to see a somewhat elderly man wearing casual clothes and glasses. He also has long white hair that goes to his shoulders.
"Well?" the man asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Mr. Slivers!" Usopp, Luffy, Nami, Zoro, and Sanji said in unison.
"Hmm?" Rayleigh noticed the young pink haired girl. "Oh, you must be the new student; Perona. " He smiled, "Welcome! I'm the History teacher of this school, Mr. Rayleigh Silvers. You came in right on time."
'New student? So I was right!' Usopp thought.
The girl known as Perona smiled and bowed, "Thank you, Mr. Silvers! I was just heading into History!" she turned her head to Usopp with a pout, "But this meanie here pushed me down and called my eyes creepy!"
Rayleigh blinked and turned to Usopp, "Is that true?"
Usopp blanched at Perona's statement and quickly said, "No! W-well, the part about me saying her eyes being creepy was true, b-but, I didn't push her down! I was just distracted and I bumped into her!"
RIIING!
Rayleigh glanced at the school bell. "Ah! It seems class is starting." He turned to Perona as he squatted down to pick up her books, "Well then Perona, if follow me, we'll get you started." He stand back up and gave her her books with a smile, in which she took them with a smile herself. He turned to the other kids with a serious look, "I don't know what was going on as of now, but I'll let this slide. Perona here is a new student and I expect you to welcome her."
Usopp was about to say more to defend himself, but stopped. He actually wished he can say it was this girl Perona's fault that they were having an argument, but he didn't want to sound like a tattle-tell. So he just sighed and nodded, "Yes sir."
"Yes sir!" Nami, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji said, showing respect.
Rayleigh smiled again and nodded, and led Perona to her class. The pink haired girl was about to follow the teacher, but not before she turned back to Usopp to stick her tongue out at him.
Usopp blinked in shock for a second. He came to and glared at her as he growled, "Why you..."
"Hmm…Perona. Where have I heard that name before?" Zoro wondered out loud.
"You heard of her?" Nami asked the green haired boy.
"Yeah…she sounds familiar."
"Well I don't want to ever be associated with that girl!" Usopp huffed, "She may be new, but that's no reason to be rude!"
"Hey Usopp, isn't your first class History?" Luffy asked.
Usopp's eyes widened at that realization. "…Ah, crap." He said in dismay.
Okay, that's the first chapter! Hope you all like it so far! :D
Just to let you all know though, I have NEVER been to high school. I pretty much home schooled after fifth grade, and I got research from my parents on how it all goes, so everyone please tell me if I did all of this high school life stuff right. D:
Also, do tell me if I did the characters justice! I always take that seriously! ;D
Please leave a review if you want! I love to hear what you think! :)
Keep on rocking everyone! ^_^