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Luffy thought a moment, "Almost. Her name is Kelsi and she's pretty and she's sixteen and she's still in school and she's sweet and she's pretty--"

"Sixteen?" Nami asked, "That's kind of young."

"Not for me," Luffy said, "I'm still seventeen, remember?"

Nami shook her head, "Fine. But this girl is still in school. And we leave in two days. What're you going to do when we have to leave?"

Luffy remained silent and looked down at his sandals.

"Listen," Nami put her hands on her hips, "You can't get serious with this girl. If she's still in school, she can't come with us. And she's still too young anyway. If you get too attached, it'll just hurt more once we leave"

Luffy continued staring down at his sandals, wanting to block out her words. He liked Kelsi and she liked him. He didn't know what to do, so he kept looking at his sandals. Nami just shrugged and went to find Sanji.

"Do notget serious with this girl, Luffy."

What was he supposed to do? Luffy checked his watch. It was a quarter past three. Kelsi would stop by at four. Luffy thought about what he could've done to keep himself from getting serious with her. Only one idea came to mind, and he decided to use it. Luffy got up, a torn look on his face, and headed back for the ship. He didn't want to be near the spot once Kelsi came. He didn't want to see her cry.


Dear Diary,

I'm in Trigonometry right now. I know I shouldn't be writing in you at school, but I just can't keep it in anymore. I met this really cute boy named Luffy this morning before school. He's a pirate and he's going to be the Pirate King soon! I wonder if Pirate Kings have Pirate Queens. They're probably too busy for that kind of stuff anyway. I know I just met Luffy this morning, and we talked for 10 minutes, but I think I really like him. He's so energetic and sweet and determined. He said I'm prettier than any other girl he's ever seen!! He must've seen ALOT of girls with all that traveling done.
I wonder what it's like to just travel around the world without parents on your back. I guess I'll never know because of how overprotective Mama-san and Papa-san are. Speaking of which, I don't think they'll let me see Luffy. He's just so free and spirited, let alone a pirate. Papa-san always told me that pirates are mean and ugly and evil. He said they'd kidnap a girl like me. Or worse. They might RAPE me. I'm sure Luffy's not like that. He's too sweet. I can't wait to see him again! Class is ending so I have to stop writing now. I also should stop drawing these hearts everywhere. Well, bye for now!

Love, Kelsi

Kelsi closed her diary and put it back in her bag. Leah had already left the classroom, so Kelsi had to find her before she left with Kelsi's science notes. As she ran through the hallway, she bumped into Richi. He smiled, but the smile wasn't the type that would make a girl smile back.

"Hey, beautiful," He said. Kelsi just brushed herself off and mumbled "Sorry". She tried to pass him, but he just kept stepping in her way.

"So," Richi said, "you haven't been letting me into your room recently."

"I never let you in. You break in."

"Either way. You got a new lock?"

"Yes. To keep freaks like you out," Kelsi tried again to shove past him, but he just pulled her back by the collar.

"Is that any way to talk to your boyfriend?" Richi smiled again.

"You're not my boyfriend."

Kelsi knew why he thought he was. It was one of those summer nights when teens would either be camping out by the beach with their friends and beer, or just sit outside their houses, thinking about the new school year. Kelsi was one of the few sitting in her room, writing in her diary, when Richi climbed up the tree near her window and climbed in. Kelsi almost lost her virginity that night, whether she wanted to or not. Ever since then, Richi tried every weekend to go farther with her, and Kelsi would throw all her shoes at him, but that didn't stop him.

"Don't be like that, baby."

"Leave me alone," Kelsi finally pushed past him. This time, he didn't even try to pull her back. He just let her go, but Kelsi was sure he wasn't done with her. She pushed Richi out of her mind, replacing his image with Luffy's, and smiled. It was time to meet back up with him. Once she stepped through the school doors, she broke into a run to the same boulder Luffy said he would be. Countless emotions ran through her mind; happiness, excitement, nervousness, love.

"I'm back!" Kelsi rushed up to the same spot she'd met Luffy. No one was there.

"Luffy?" She looked around her. She looked at the people passing by. Luffy wasn't there.

Only one emotion ran through her mind then; sadness.

Kelsi felt tears stream down her cheeks. Luffy didn't keep his promise. There was no point in staying there any longer. She wiped the tears out her eyes and quietly, but slowly, walked home.


"Kelsi?" Luffy rushed back to the boulder, hoping she was still there waiting for him. No one was there like he predicted.

I blew it, Luffy thought. Kelsi was probably the first girl he'd ever liked that way. Now she was probably walking home in tears...

Luffy realized that she would still be walking home. He rushed into town to find her among the crowd. His eyes darted from side to side, looking for the brown-haired girl with blue eyes. That's when he spotted her opening the door to a little two story house. Luffy wondered if it were hers.

Well, duh.

"Kelsi!" He ran up to the house. Kelsi peeked through a window next to the front door. Luffy could see the dried tears on her face. Once he made it to the door, she opened the door but didn't let him in.

"What do you want?" She demanded.

"I...just...wanted...to..." Luffy said, catching his breath.

"What?"

"I just wanted to say sorry. I didn't mean to stand you up. I really like you," Luffy said. He noticed a hint of a smile come and go quick as lightning on her face. There was a moment of silence.

"Do you want to come in?" Kelsi finally asked.

"Sure."

Next chapter coming up! Is this chapter better than the first?