[[AUTHOR'S NOTE Eh... the endings so-so to me, but I don't want to change or alter my story because it shows me how much I've improved and all that. Still some corniness... worked on that... lol
---
CHAPTER 3: First Date
---
Nami was excited about planning their date. It seemed like a holiday for her. But she wasn't the only one that was excited. Ever since that night, Lacy had been smiling from ear to ear all day long at school; people started suspecting something wrong with her, the good and the bad.
"Um... Lacy?"
"Oh, hi Kiara-san!"
Lacy's red-headed friend took a seat beside her and have her a big smile. Kiara was a sexy popular girl with high heeled boots on, a jean skirt and a multi-colored striped shirt and red lipstick. Lacy always admired her because she was everything she wasn't and more. Sort of like her opposite in looks, but had the same tastes like lving vampires, reading, movies, etc. While she possessed the artistic talent, Kiara was gifted with creative writing. Her words were always beautiful and flowed with everything. Kiara was also a great debater and would never give up in a verbal fight. This proved both good and bad, not to mention entertaining for Lacy.
She leaned over and whispered in her ear so no one else could hear her in their drama class. "Did you... do it?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean 'do it'?"
"You know... make out with a guy for the first time?" She teased.
Lacy slammed her head on the table in shock. "N-NO!!" She looked around and saw only a few people stared at them when she shouted. She lowered her voice. "I mean, no! Well, I haven't even been with a guy, but... GAH!! Why would you think that?!"
Her smile faded. "Well, it was a thought. After all, you are miss innocent. A virgin physically and mentally."
"God I hate that nickname..."
"I'm joking. I was just wondering since you've been smiling too much lately."
"But I always smile."
"Well, of course. I mean, smiling makes you Lacy. When you're not, everyone freaks out."
She sighed. " I know. It's annoying."
"Then why are you smiling like you received a million mangas? Oh!! Did you meet someone?!"
Lacy laughed and closed her eyes. "You could say that."
Kiara squealed. "KYAA!! Oh my God!! Tell me tell me!! Who is he?! Do I know him?! Does he go here?! DETAILS WOMAN!!"
She winked and stuck out her tongue. "I'm not tellin'."
"WHAT?! Why not?!"
"I'm waiting to introduce him to everyone. It'll be a shocker."
"ARG!!" Kiara's head fell. "Now I definitely wanna know! C'mon! You can tell me!"
"Nope! You're going to have to wait."
"Why?!"
"Well..." She blushed. "We haven't gone on a date yet. So we're going on one really soon and..."
Her friend squealed again. "AWWW!! My little Lacy's growing up and finding a boyfriend!!" She wrapped her arms around Lacy's head and pulled her close to her chest. "I'm SO happy for you!!"
Lacy laughed and hugged her friend. "Thanks, Kiara-san."
"What's this I hear? Secrets?"
Lacy's other drama friend came up to them at the table and crossed his arms in a mischievous way. He was tall with black boots, olive green rocker t-shirt, and dark jeans on. He had brown hair and green eyes.
"Hey Phal-kun!" Kiara smiled at him.
"What's going on here, ladies?"
"N-nothing, Phal-kun." Lacy replied.
"Lacy's found a man."
He raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. "Oh really? Who's the lucky guy?"
She blushed and turned away. "You'll see soon."
"Does he go here?"
"No. But I'm going to bring him here for everyone to meet the Saturday we open the play."
"Great. Can't wait to meet him." Phal walked away with a disappointed look on his face.
Lacy leaned in towards her friend. "I... kind of didn't want him to know, Kiara-san."
"Why not?" She stopped herself. "Oh... right. He still has feelings for you, huh?" Lacy nodded. "Well, he has to get over you sometime! He had his chance and blew it. He asked you out and for the entire 2 months you guys dated, he was a pervert! All he did was talk about breasts and yours!"
Lacy sighed and started at Phal's back as he rehearsed his lines. Phal was the nickname everyone called him at school, but his real name was Randy. She felt sorry for him since she knew that he still had strong feelings for her. He had a crush on her and asked her out over the summer. They went out together and soon after Halloween he broke it off. Yes, he broke it off with her. From what she gathered from everyone, he wanted her 24/7 and seemed to only have one thing on his mind. And since she's never been in a relationship before that, she didn't do what "typical" girlfriends did. Kiara and a few others were mad at him to expect so much from an inexperienced girl, but in the end, Lacy didn't care. She felt sorry for him that he still cared, but she moved on, her heart still secretly belonging to Zoro. Especially since he's real now, her heart was sold forever to him.
"What's new, guys?"
Another girl joined them at the table and sat on the other end of the circular table. It was their friend Julie, and another member of their close 5-girl group of friends click hey called "the gang". She had the same dirty blonde hair Lacy had and blue eyes, but she was much taller and her hair was just past her shoulders. She was known as "the Evil One" since she was as everyone described "so delightfully evil". But she was as crazy as the other two and had the same interests as them. Not to mention she had a love for Disney merchandise and hip hop/rap music. She was tomboyish like Lacy, wearing a large black pullover sweatshirt and jeans.
"Lacy's going on a date apparently". Kiara asnwered.
Julie grinned. "Oh reeeeally? Who?"
Lacy smiled. "You'll all see very soon. We have to get passed the whole 'date' thing first before anything's official. We haven't even done anything yet, so don't get too excited for me."
"Why is it a secret?" Julie asked.
She shrugged. "I just want to surprise everyone. Be shouldn't be known to the public just yet."
"He's a professor isn't he?"
Lacy almost jumped out of her chair. "WHAT?! NO!! WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT?!?!" She stopped and noticed everyone was staring at her again. She sunk into her seat and lowered her head in embarrassment. She made a mental note to stop yelling.
Her friend laughed. "I'm just messin' with ya! After all, your dad works here."
Lacy laughed, realizing she made an inside joke only the two of them got. "Yeah yeah, whatever."
"So!" Kiara said, wanting to get back on the subject. "What does this mystery man look like? Can you at least tell us that?"
"Well, not to spoil the surprise, he's tall with tanned skin and broad shoulders. He has short spiked hair and dark eyes. Very built with delicious bugling biceps..." She made a face like she was melting and stuck out her tongue.
Kiara laughed. "Vague descrption, but how cute! So where is he taking you?"
"I'm... not sure."
"Aww, he's going to surprise you! How sweet! What are you going to wear? Do NOT dress like a boy, got it?" She gave her a hard stare in the eyes.
"I know! I know! I'll wear something girly, I promise."
Julie raised an eyebrow. "You? Wearing something girly? Doubt it." Kiara nodded in agreement.
Lacy sighed. "Look, I'll do the whole tight cleavage shirt and tight pants look, that ok with you?"
Kiara smiled. "Ok! Just nothing baggy and remember to–"
"Kiara! Lacy! C'mon now! Get busy! We only have a couple weeks til opening night! We still need to review the dance scene!" They looked over and saw their drama teacher yelling over at them from a sewing machine. They smiled and walked to the stage together while Julie waited for them to finish at the table, doing her homework and reading a book.
--------------------------------------------------
That night, Lacy met up with the Straw-Hat pirates really late.
"Where have you been?! We've been waiting for over an hour!"
Lacy stopped in front of Nami trying to catch her breath. "I'm sorry! I have rehearsals every afternoon, remember?"
"Then why are you late?"
"Because we have to rehearse later now! We have 2 weeks til opening night! We have to stay til about 10:30. I can't leave any earlier, I'm in the closing act."
Nami huffed and folded her arms. "Fine! I guess it can't be helped." She paused and scanned Lacy's body. "What on Earth are you wearing?!"
Lacy looked down at her sweaty baggy pants and t-shirt. "Erm... my rehearsal uniform?"
"You're date is in 20 minutes!! For your sake you better have extra clothes in that bag you're holding."
Lacy lifted up a grocery bag she held in her hand and smiled. "Yup."
"Then go! Take a shower and get dressed! Meet me in my room when you're done and I'll tell you all the details!"
Lacy took the fastest shower in her life and quickly got dressed. It was less than 10 minutes til the promised time.
"How do I look?" Lacy asked Nami, turning around to show her all sides.
"Not bad. But why aren't you wearing a skirt? It'd look better on you."
Lacy made a disgusted face. "I don't wear skirts!"
Nami pouted. "Why not?"
"I'm not into the whole 'girly' look. You're lucky I'm wearing this. My friends would say it's an improvement."
She sighed. "Fine. Are you wearing make-up?"
"Just mascara."
"No lipstick?! Not even blush or eyeshadow?!"
"I don't wear make-up either. You're lucky I'm even wearing mascara."
"Why?! Are you even a girl?!"
"Look, I'm not going out looking like someone I'm not, ok? Make-up is not my thing. Or girly outfits."
"Alright, alright. You do look nice enough for a date though, I'll give you that. Now, to business." Nami sat on her bed and signaled Lacy to do the same as if it was going to take a while. "You and Zoro are going to see a fireworks show on the pier at 11:30, then eating at a fancy dinner on the beach. Then you're going out for ice cream then coming back here. Ok?"
"A fireworks show? That late at night?"
"Hey, it's the weekend. Everything's up later."
"True..."
Nami took out a bottle of perfume and squirted it on Lacy. She noticed Lacy trying to run away from her, and so the chase was on.
"Stop! NO perfume!!"
"Aww, come on! At least something! You're making this date a difficult project, you know!"
She sighed. "Fine. But I'll spray my own perfume on."
"You actually own some?!"
"Just vanilla perfume. It's the only scent I'll ever wear." She took out a bottle from her bag and sprayed it once on her neck.
Nami smiled and slapped Lacy on the back. "Now, go get 'im tiger!"
Lacy took a deep nervous breath. "Yeah... thanks."
--------------------------------------------------
They walked together up to the kitchen. When the opened the door, they found Zoro and the rest of the gang waiting for them at the table. It almost seemed like everyone was gathering for an important event, which apparently this was considering Zoro on a date was unimaginable. It bothered Lacy that they were being watched and crowded like a show...
"AAH!! LACY-CHWA!! YOU LOOK DELICIOUS!!"
Nami pulled Sanji back by the collar. "Takkun... she's Zoro's date tonight."
Zoro stared at her. He felt so underdressed compared to her. He wore brown pants with black shoes and belt. He had an olive-green t-shirt on with a dark yellow and orange plaid jacket unbuttoned over the shirt. Lacy on the other hand, wore tight black dress pants with nice black sandals peeking under them. Her top was a brown and turquoise spaghetti-strap that cupped her breasts then hung loose over her belly. To top it all off, she wore a puka shell necklace that helped retain what was left of her tomboyish way in the outfit.
"Well?" Winked Nami. "Doesn't she look good, Zoro?"
Zoro was embarrassed that she was putting him on the spot. "Yeah."
Nami pouted and was about to yell at him, til Lacy spoke in front of her. "Um... should we go?" She said on a shy voice.
She grabbed a brown leather coat while Zoro opened the door for her and led her out to the upper deck. When he closed the door behind him, everyone rushed to the window to peek at them.
"We should follow them!" Snickered Usopp.
"We should! We should!" Shouted Luffy.
"SSSH!! Let's do it quietly then!" Agreed Nami.
"Leave them alone, Miss Navigator. It's their first date. Let them be." Everyone turned around to see Robin reading one of her history books at the table.
Nami pouted again. "Aww... fine."
--------------------------------------------------
Zoro and Lacy never said a word to each other. They walked to the pier where they saw a bunch of other people gathering and finding seats for the show. They found a spot near the end of the pier and sat on provided blankets. After the show, they walked to the restaurant Nami told them to go to. When they got there, they saw a bunch of classy people in long slender dresses and tuxedos dining together over expensive dinners. Everything was so clean and white and... not them.
"Hey, let's go." Lacy tugged on Zoro's arm, leading him away from the restaurant.
"To where? This is the place Nami said–"
"Since when do you listen to Nami? Besides, do you really want to eat here?"
Zoro looked back at the restaurant. "Not in this lifetime."
Lacy smiled. "Well then? Shall we go?"
"Where?"
"Any place but here is fine. Fancy places aren't my thing, same for you, right?"
Zoro smiled and nodded. They went to a vendor and grabbed a couple of burgers and cokes for themselves and ate on the beach.
"Now, this is much better than some ol' fancy restaurant, right Zoro?"
"This isn't bad at all." Zoro commented, taking another bite from his burger.
She giggled. "Well with Sanji's cooking, burgers are degrading and are nothing compared to his food. But sometimes the simple greasy foods are the best."
Zoro paused for a moment, staring at her with a low gaze. "Why are you a fake?"
She stared at him blankly. "Huh?"
"When you're around other people, you laugh and seem happy. But when someone mentions your family or friends, or even try to help you with some things, you get depressed."
"I-I do not!"
"Then why do you look different whenever you have to leave?"
Lacy looked away from him and took a bite from her burger. "You're imagining things."
"Stop screwing around. I can tell you're faking it. You always tell half the story."
She turned to look at him with wide eyes, it was almost like he was trying to see past her. "I'm... n-not proud of my family, alright?"
"Then have one of your friends–"
"They don't know anything about it!!" She covered her mouth and stared at the ocean. "They... I don't tell anybody about it."
"Why? I thought you said they didn't like your family?"
"I tell them some things that go on... but it's none of their business and besides, what could they do?"
"You're still hiding something. You might as well stop stalling because I can tell when you're lying."
"You can?"
"Yes. You're easy to read."
She sighed. "Why are you so curious to know, Zoro?"
He took a bite of burger and grunted. "It bugs the hell out of me with the way you act with this subject."
"Fine..." Zoro looked over at her. "I'll tell you what you need to know for now, I suppose..."
"Hn?"
"My mom abuses me and no one needs to know that. I don't want sympathy from anyone nor any 'what I can do' lectures. If I told anyone about this, they would think I'm a crybaby and I would feel like I'm acting as if I need attention and all. I feel like it's my burden and worry to bear. Some people know my mom's strict and all, but nothing too severe I guess. Heh. We sometimes even call her Hitler--"
"That's bull!"
Lacy turned her head to see him. "What is?"
"So you smile at everyone as if nothing's wrong when you're in public?! Just so you can cover up your feelings?!"
"S-so? It's who I've become, ok? I'm sorry..."
"Why are you apologizing? Yell back at me! Stand up for yourself!"
She gave him a tough tomboy grin. "I can stick up for myself no problem! I'm a tomboy after all! I pick fights in school for Christ's sake! But standing up to people when the subject's about my family... I just try to ignore it and go on with my life."
Zoro sighed. "You apparently have tried that already. Standing up to the matter I mean."
She nodded. "I'm sorry. I just... can't fight back to people anymore about this. They just don't understand even if I told them everything."
"Fine. Do whatever you want."
"If it matters to you at all, I do smile when I'm around others because they truly do make me happy. Being around them instead of my family makes me happy because they accept me for me."
He looked over and saw her smiling at him. He sighed. "Souka..."
There was a long pause for a while. Wanting to change the subject as well as break the silence, Lacy stretched out her legs. "Gweh... these shoes are killing me." She bent over and took of her nice sandals and tossed them beside her. "Ah! Much better!"
She wiggled her toes and started to bury her feet in the sand. She stared up at the sky while eating her burger, listening to the waves crashing on the beach. Zoro stared at her without her noticing. He didn't understand her and why she acted the way she did with her family. Then again, he didn't know what happened at home and maybe after hearing what she said, he didn't want to. He heard her sigh and focused on her. He felt memorized at the way she smiled and acted around him. He was glad they ate here instead of the other place; it was almost as if she was reading his mind. It was as if she could read his every thought and this to him, was intriguing... The cool ocean breeze blew in her hair, and he felt a chill run down his spine as she placed a lock of hair back in it's place behind her ear. He blushed, feeling awkward with his newfound feelings.
She stood up when she was done eating and stretched out her arms. "Wanna go in the water?"
"You want to go swimming?!"
"Well, not swimming. Just putting our feet in. We could walk on the beach. Whaddya say?"
Zoro looked up at her for a moment and felt like he had no choice. "Alright."
They picked up their shoes, rolled up their pants, and dipped their feet into the cold water. Lacy laughed at she saw Zoro's teeth clench together as he felt the cold water.
"W-what' so funny?"
She smiled. "You! This is just like the time you were willing to train in the snow back on Drum Island."
"Huh?"
"You know, when you met Chopper and that old witch doctor? You went for a swim and got lost in the snow." She laughed again. "I remember that was pretty funny. Karu thought you drowned and went in after you, but you came up from the water and said, 'hey! There's fish in here! Well, time for a swim'!"
"How do you remember things like that? Word for word?"
She blushed. "I told you, I'm a fan girl of yours. I've watched the episodes enough times to remember all the details. I just pay attention, you know."
Zoro nodded, remember her telling the crew about it earlier. "Hn."
"So... what do you like in a girl?"
Zoro was caught off guard and stared at her. "Why do you want to know?"
She blushed. "J-just curious."
He sighed. "I dunno. Never been interested before."
She blinked. "Before? You mean, you're into them now?"
Zoro's cheeks grew hot. "N-no! Of course not! I mean–" He stared at her curious expression. Dammit! Why does she have to look at me like that? It makes me nervous... "Just forget it."
"Alright, if you were stuck on a deserted island with no food or supplies and you could only have one thing with you, what would it be?"
"What kind of a question is that?!"
"I'm just making conversation. One of those deep thinking questions, you know?"
"Why would you ask something as random as that? And why would it be a deep thinking question?"
"Well, my friends and I do it sometimes, to see what our answers are and how we'd act on certain situations. Just to sound intelligent I guess."
He sighed. "You're weird. Fine. My three swords."
"I said one thing."
"Well, they're a collection. I take one, I take all of them."
"Ok. I guess that would make sense. By why your swords? There's no food on the island."
"They're my most valuable treasures. I'll take them anywhere, even if it means starving to death."
Lacy blushed as she was moved by his cool explanation. "Wow..." No one talked for another few moments after that.
Zoro began to feel uncomfortable from the silence. He coughed. "Um... so... what would... you have on a deserted island?"
Lacy smiled at him, thankful that he asked. "Truthfully, I'd take one of my plushies of you."
"A doll? Why? That's worse than my swords."
"No it's not!" She covered her mouth after realizing she was raising her voice defensively. "I-I mean... It's really the only thing that makes me happy and safe."
Zoro looked at her with a confused expression. "How does a doll make you safe?"
"Well, it's of you. Whenever I hear your voice or see a picture of you, I feel happy. And whenever I feel stressed or want to cry, I hug one of my plushies and think of you. That makes me feel strong. It's sort of my way of getting away from the real world of problems. So if I was on a deserted island with only my plush of you, I really wouldn't be alone."
Zoro was caught back. "Why do I make you feel safe? I thought you said we weren't real before?"
"That's what I thought. I mean, you were all just a cartoon; an anime... but still, you guys just made me feel... alive again whenever I felt there was no hope left. My drawings do the same thing. I draw for comfort and to get away form the real world." She smiled nervously and stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. "This is silly. Forget about it. So, want to go out for ice cream? I'm still hungry." She walked off fast towards an ice cream parlor in the distance, her feet still in the water. She looked back at Zoro, who was still standing in the same spot. "C'mon!" She waved at him.
How the hell can she just say those things with confidence? He thought, regaining feeling in his legs. Why did she look so sad just then? Do I really make her feel... 'safe'?
He caught up to her and Lacy bought herself an ice cream. Zoro on the other hand, bought himself some beer at the bar behind the ice cream vendor.
"I can't believe you can drink this late at night!" Lacy said surprisingly, while licking the melting sides of her ice cream cone.
"I'm in the mood for it anytime. Got a problem with it?"
She laughed. "Not at all! I'm the same way with slurpees!"
"Slurpees?"
"You've never heard of slurpees?!" Zoro shook his head. "Oh my God! You have to try one while you're here! They're delicious! It's basically ice and soda blended together to make a cold slushy substance."
"Doesn't sound very good."
"But it is! I'm addicted to them! Ever had a smoothie? Well, it's thick like one, but icy. Like a snow cone."
"It still doesn't sound very good."
She sighed. "You'll just have to try one for yourself."
"Well, what about grog? Ever tried that? I think it's great."
She laughed. "Of course you do! You're Roronoa Zoro, the grog lover."
He raised an eyebrow. "The grog lover?"
"You're always up for a drink."
"Ever tried one?"
She paused and looked slightly away. "Um... I've tried some alcohol before, yes..."
"Hn. You make it sound like it's poison."
"Well, it wasn't the best. It was only 2 drinks and..."
He gave her an evil grin. "You got drunk, am I right?"
"N-no! I admit I felt a little dizzy, but no! I didn't..."
"Then why the long face?"
"I wasn't suppose to drink them."
"Why not?"
"I'm not sure what the age limit is in One Piece, but in this world if you're under the age of 21, it's illegal to drink. I'm forced to be a goody-good considering my mom will kill me if I get in trouble. And I worry about her finding out more than facing prison."
"I take it you're not 21?"
She gave him a surprising look. "Of course not! I'm still in school! How old do you think I am, Zoro?!"
"I dunno... 15?"
"15?! 15?! You're not serious are you?!"
"What?" He noticed she looked sad. "Ah...! What'd I say?!"
"I told you guys in the beginning that I'm 17 almost going on 18. I'm the same age as Luffy and Usopp. You really thought I was a kid?!"
"I guess."
"Zoro!"
"What?"
She sighed. "Never mind..." She looked at him for a moment, then laughed.
"Ok, what's so funny now?"
"You just look... funny."
"Funny?"
She smiled at him. "Yeah."
He sighed and went back to drinking his grog like he was in a hurry. Why?! Why does her smile always get to me?! I swear it's killing me inside! I've got to do something about this!
It was about 3 in the morning when they decided to walk home. It wasn't the "perfect" date or a typical date for that matter, but Lacy was just happy to be with him and had a conversation. She thought she made excellent progress. At least she hoped... They finally arrived back at Lacy's house and stopped in the front yard.
"Why are you still here? N-not that I'm complaining or anything, but aren't you tired?" Lacy asked him.
"I'm not going to let you walk home alone this time of night."
She smirked. "Worried about me?" She teased.
"No, but Nami will have my head if she found out I didn't walk you home."
She lowered her head in disappointment. "Oh... I see..." He continued to walk her to the door. She opened up the screen and the front light came on. "Well, thanks for everything tonight. I had a great time."
"Yeah. It wasn't so bad."
She smiled softly. "Well... good-night..."
She turned to walk to the door when she was suddenly snatched by the arm. She was swung around and faced Zoro. He quickly bent down and gave her a gentle kiss. Her face turned red and her eyes flew open in shock. Roronoa Zoro... is kissing me?! He cupped her cheek with one hand and rested the other on her shoulder. She closed her eyes, enjoying his touch and she could taste the alcohol still lingering on his lips. His kiss was soft at first, giving her a warm sensational feeling tingling throughout her body. When their lips parted, Lacy's eyes were still closed and her mind was still off in some dream.
"Good-night." She opened her eyes. Zoro's face was as red as hers and we stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. "I'll see you tomorrow night then?"
She nodded a bit, trying to slowly return to the real world. "Uh– yes! Yes. Tomorrow." She smiled as if nothing happened. "Only this time I'll be there at my normal time since there's no rehearsals on Sundays."
"Kay. Ja." He walked away, his hands still in his pockets.
She waved back at him. "Oyasumi... Zoro..."
She gently opened up the door so it wouldn't make a sound and she crept upstairs into her room. After she closed the door silently behind her, she fell on her bed and squealed into her pillow. OH MY GOD!! I KISSED ZORO!! No... Even better! HE KISSED ME!!
That night, neither Lacy or Zoro could fall asleep. All they could think about was that kiss.
Zoro smiled to himself as he lied in his hammock. "Heh. Well that's something I'd never thought I'd do..."