The days continued, you steadily became closer with Ace and had confided in Camie you had told him about your dreams, she encouraged you to open up more. You weren't ready for that though yet, but you were starting to feel that maybe you could tell Ace, one day. You continued to wait for the boys to finish their after-school activities, spending time with Shachi and Penguin in the library having dubbed your little get-together as "homework club". You helped them with some homework and they returned that by helping you on the subjects you struggled with. Kid still called you little mouse much to your annoyance, and you got to know his friend Killer a little more. Days turned into weeks and soon enough the preparations for homecoming were everywhere and it was starting to become impossible to avoid Nami and her incessant need to convince you to go to the dance.

"Why is it so important to you that I attend the dance?" you finally snap one day at lunch, Luffy, Sanji and Zoro look a little startled not having expecting you to shout, but you had had enough,

"You're only in high school for so long, you should enjoy it," Nami responds, "plus you get to dress up and dance,"

"If it was prom, I'd meet you halfway there," you sigh and shake your head, "Have I gave you the impression I'm a dress kinda girl?"

"You will be when I'm done with you," she smiles and you groan,

"I'm not going Nami," you glare at her,

"But we're all going, even Vivi!" you glance at your blue haired friend who shrugs,

"Killer asked..." she mumbles,

"Is it because you'd like someone to take you?" Robin asks calmly, you look to the raven-haired girl across from you, she smiles as if she knows some big secret, Nami glances at her then snaps her gaze back on you,

"Ooh," your eyes widen in alarm at Nami's tone of interest, "so is there someone you'd like to go with?" she grins, you lean back and scowl at both girls as Koala drops down on your other side, Ace and Sabo across from her next to Robin,

"What's going on here?" Koala asks curiously,

"(Y/N) wants someone to ask her to the dance," Nami responds,

"I did not say that," you hiss before Koala can react to that, feeling a blush rise you shake your head, "don't put words in my mouth,"

"You're looking very flushed there (Y/N)," Robin chuckles,

"I don't know what you're on about," you huff and pick up your bottle, hoping some water might cool you down, or at least drown you so you won't have to deal with this,

"So, who is it?" you raise a brow at the overly eager, borderline obsessed, red-head while raising the bottle to your lips, "the guy you like duh, is it one of these lot?" you choke on the mouthful of water, you had been joking about drowning, but now your wishing for your death as what you can only call an evil glint sparks in her eyes, "I see..." Koala pats your back and Vivi hands you a napkin, once you've finished almost dying you throw a dark glare at the girl who's quickly becoming the bane of your existence,

"You see nothing," you say sternly,

"You should ask him," she suddenly perks, Robin starts nodding agreeing, "why wait for him to ask,"

"I am not asking him," you spout out quickly then freeze as both girls you were considering beginning to hate smile knowingly, Koala snickers beside you and Vivi gives you a sympathetic look,

"So, who is..." a loud thud disrupts Nami's interrogation making everyone jump before all eyes turn and land on Ace, who's faceplanted the table, Sabo sighs,

"Ace..." he shakes the boy who sits upright quickly, he blinks and looks around,

"What?" he looks genuinely confused,

"You fell asleep, again," Koala tells him,

"I swear, you're gonna give yourself brain damage one day with how hard you hit the deck sometimes," Nami points out, there's some more teasing exchanged before the conversation moves onto something else, the previous topic forgotten for now, you meet Ace's dark orbs and he gives you a small cheeky grin and a wink while everyone is distracted, you smile and glance away realising he had done that just to stop Nami.

You drop into a chair beside Shachi later that day with a groan, he raises a brow at you and leans back so he can turn slightly to face your direction, "Hard day?"

"Nami is a demon sent from hell," you grumble while resting your head on the table, you had just managed to escape her after she remembered the conversation at lunch time and hunted you down at the end of school. "Where's Penguin?" you note the other boy is nowhere to be seen,

"Took a bad hit during Phys Ed, got sent home, he's okay. So, what's Nami torturing you with today?"

"Homecoming dance," you sigh, "she's been trying to get me to go for weeks,"

"You're not going?" he frowns,

"I... I don't know," you pout, "It's not exactly my thing, I never went to homecoming at my old school." You sit up, "I'm not exactly a hugely social person. Nami has it in her head that she just needs to get someone to ask me, or me to ask someone to go," you snort, "you know she tried to convince Zoro to ask me... actually I should probably thank and apologise to him when I next see him, he told us there was already someone he wanted to ask, which diverted Nami's attention to him giving me the perfect chance to escape," you snicker a little but then notice Shachi's frown, "what? Is something wrong?"

"Has no-one asked you?"

"Asked me what?" you tilt your head to the side confused,

"To the dance? I figured someone would have by now..." you straighten up,

"No, no one has asked, why would they?" this gets you a look of disapproval,

"(Y/N) you have got to have more confidence," he turns to fully face you, "You're cute, quirky and funny,"

"Quirky?" you pout a little,

"You're completely ignoring the fact I also called you cute, and funny," he points out making you blush a little, he smiles, "(Y/N), go to the dance with me?" you blink in shock and stare at him, "It 't have to mean anything," he quickly adds, "just as friends. You should go, it'll be fun, and I'd really like to take you if no one else has asked you,"

"I... I don't know..." you whisper and his smile drops a little, "I... I don't exactly wear dresses Shachi," that makes him chuckle a little,

"You can wear whatever you like, I just want to take you, and I want to make sure you have a fun time," you look away thoughtful,

"I suppose I could talk to Nami... would make her stop pestering me and trying to figure out if I'm crushing on someone... wait," you look back at him, "you realise this would make Nami target you for answers,"

"I can handle it, come on, let me be your first homecoming date," he gives you the eyes, and you know you can't say no, you give him a playful shove while laughing,

"You're like a begging puppy,"

"Is it working?" he grins,

"Fine, I'll go with you to the dance, as friends," you point out, he nods and gives you a wide grin. The pair of you turn to do some homework, an odd unsettled feeling coming over you. Maybe you shouldn't have said yes, but it's not like you were holding out hope for someone else to ask, right?

You're still deep off in thought as you wait at your car for the boys, not realising they are there until Luffy waves his hand in front of your face, "Shishishi, you were worlds away then (Y/N)," you quickly throw up a smile,

"I guess I was, just thinking of something..." you shrug and unlock the car, Luffy just chuckles and slips into the back with Sabo talking excitedly about how his coach has put him on the first string,

"You going to come to my homecoming game?" Ace asks you as you start the car, your fingers flex against the wheel and a twinge of pain laces through your scar,

"T,the game..." you frown not liking the stutter in your voice and try to focus your mind on driving,

"Yeah..." he obviously picked up on it too, "we are planning to go double dans after," he pauses before adding softly, "think about it okay?" you nod and give him a small smile. Behind you Luffy groans,

"(Y/N)," he whines, "Nami is telling me to ask you if you're sure you don't want to go to the dance, she said Sanji will take you if you want to go with someone,"

"She can't make her go, it's up to (Y/N)," Ace tells his brother,

"I'll be going," you respond, all eyes snap to you,

"What changed your mind?" Sabo enquires carefully,

"Um, well, someone asked me to go with them," you sense Ace tense up beside you, "as friends,"

"Who?" you glance at Ace, his tone was rather demanding, you frown slightly,

"Shachi," you inform causing Ace to frown and look out the window ahead, "but like I said, it's just as friends,"

"Does he know that?" Ace quizzes,

"He's the one who said it," you grumble, not understanding the sudden change in his mood,

"Nami said she'll ring you tonight," Luffy breaks in,

"I'm sure that will be pleasurable," you roll your eyes, that draws a chuckle out of the two boys in the back. Ace remains silent though which worries you. He stays silent throughout the rest of the journey and you only get a small wave as he heads inside, Sabo frowns at his brother before giving you an apologetic smile and Luffy gives you a tight hug. You head inside yourself once you watch them disappear and trudge upstairs to your room before throwing yourself onto the bed, you check the time and pout. You could really do with asking Camie for some advice, your head is all over the place but she will be in work, "Did I do something to upset him...?" you didn't know what you did but maybe you could do something to make him cheer up, you sit up and pull out your phone. Twirling it in your hand for a few minutes before typing out a message.

(Y/N) - Are you okay?

You then wait for a response, checking over your social media to kill time. You start to think he won't reply and drop your phone to your side when it suddenly pings. You pick it back up quickly, reading over the one-word response with a deep frown.

Freckles – Yes.

(Y/N) - Well that's bullshit. You went really quiet in the car. Did I do something to upset you? You better answer quicker this time or I might just come over there.

Freckles – Is that a threat? Or maybe a promise?

You shake your head and snort.

(Y/N) - Can it be both?

Freckles – You didn't upset me. Just something came to mind and I realised I should have done something about it, don't worry your pretty little head about it.

(Y/N) - But I will worry.

Freckles – Aha, you're agreeing to being pretty.

(Y/N) - I did not agree to that, stop changing the subject.

Freckles – Why, did it make you blush?

You scowl at the phone, refusing to answer that question.

Freckles – I'm guessing by the no reply that's a yes?

(Y/N) - No it is not. You know, I just wanted to cheer you up but now you're just teasing me so I might just not bother...

Freckles – That's very sweet of you, but I'm fine. Although, I'm curious on how you were planning to cheer me up...

(Y/N) - Don't know if you deserve it now.

Freckles – If you want me to say sorry, I'm not, you are pretty. But I am sorry to tease you, you make it too easy. Please tell me what you were planning?

(Y/N) - Fine. I was thinking I might go to your game. Might! It's not a confirmation of it or what not. I don't do well with crowds.

It was semi-truth; you weren't comfortable with crowds but that wasn't the reason. Football games just reminded you of the attack, "what's the worst that could happen... I'll be surrounded by my friends. It's different now... right?"

Freckles – I'd really love it if you came. It'd make my day. 😊

(Y/N) - Then we will see.

Freckles – I have one more question.

(Y/N) - Okay, make it quick because I'm gonna jump in the shower.

Freckles – Will you save me a dance?

You blink at the message and suddenly blush, "how the heck am I supposed to take that..." you ponder it for a minute before responding.

(Y/N) - I'll think about it 😋

You throw your phone down and head for a shower shaking your head and wondering if he's just a dork or kind of old fashioned.

You were much more at ease the next day though still a little confused, Ace was back to his usual self and the morning went much as it always had. You planned on talking to Vivi during homeroom but as you sat down you noted that the teacher was already here, you glance at her, "Isn't he kind of early?"

"Yeah, I was wondering that myself..." she frowns,

"Probably a new student," a voice says from behind you both, you turn to find Killer, he and Kid had homeroom with you, but it had taken you a few weeks to notice this because Kid was always late and Killer was rather quiet when not with his friend,

"A new student, wonder where they are transferring from," Vivi voices the question running through your mind as you feel a sudden uneasiness rising within you. The first bell rings and your homeroom teacher calls for the class to settle down.

"Now I know it doesn't usually happen mid-term, but we're only a few weeks in, and I want you all to be polite and welcoming, be sure to help them out to get them settled quickly," he looks around at everyone pausing when he gets to Killer, "I expect you to make sure Kid also knows this Killer," he then turns to the door and beckons someone in. A tall dark-haired boy walks in confidently with a charming smile. To you, it feels like time has slowed, each of his steps echoing as if the room were empty. Your heartbeat starts to race, you can hear it starting to drown out the words of the teacher, solely focused on the boy whilst subconsciously digging your fingers into your arms which you had wrapped around yourself,

"Hey everyone, the names Grant, I just transferred in from Sabaody High, I look forward to making friends with you all," he smiles and winks, some of the girl's giggle. His chestnut eyes slip over to you and his smile shifts slightly to sinister for a bare moment before the charming smirk is back. He keeps his gaze on you as he moves over to an empty seat close by. It feels like there is a roaring in your ears right now, Vivi is saying something to you but you can't hear it over your rapidly rising fear. Her light gentle touch on your arm sends a shock through you and you slam to your feet racing out of the room. You run until you collapse somewhere in the hallway, your chest hurts and it's hard to breathe. Specks of light are dancing around your vision even as it tunnels. You feel light headed but even as you try to take deep breathes it feels worse, your skin tingles and you think you might pass out. Feet appear in your vision but you can't focus, you're barely aware when someone crouches in front of you, all you see is vivid red hair before it quickly vanishes again. You grip your shoulder as intense pain shoots through it and now you're gasping for breath even more, the sound of feet running just barely registers before hands tilt your face up,

"It's okay (Y/N), you're okay," you know that voice, "you need to slow your breathes, stop gasping, in and out slowly, do it with me," the stern voice orders, you blink, tears stinging your eyes as you try to do what he asks, those steal eyes demanding you to follow his directions, he waits until your breathes are a little steadier, "Eustass-ya run ahead and tell Cora-san I'm bringing her," you hear an annoyed grunt before the rush of someone running off, "Okay (Y/N)-ya, I'm going to help you to your feet," his touch is gentle but strong as he pulls you up. He steadies you as you feel your legs want to give out, "we are going to take one step at a time, nice and slowly. You focus on breathing, in and out," you try to do as he asks, even as everything seems to spin around you. What seems like an eternity later you are guided into the nurse's office and your knees give out and you no longer have the strength to walk. Luckily Law was half expecting it and easily swept you up off your feet and over to the bed. There is some whispered conversation in the room but exhaustion slips over you and you fall into a deep dark slumber.