Getting ready for the dance was true torture, you decide Nami truly is a devil. You don't understand how girls do all this, all the effort, maybe you're just too lazy for it. You stare at yourself in your mirror, you didn't like wearing makeup but you had to at least admit that Robin had done a very nice job, keeping it more neutral so you didn't feel like a clown. The dress made you uncomfortable, but not because it was horrible or anything, it was actually a really nice dress. It's a (f/c) dress with a flowing skirt that reaches just above your knees, it has one sleeve and successfully covers the scare on your right shoulder. You were wearing a matching pair of heels; you were pretty sure you were going to break your ankles with them mind. Vivi comes up behind you and rests her chin on your bare shoulder and whispers in your ear, "I never would have figured she would be like a Drill Sergeant," she chuckles and the pair of you glance over at Nami who is finishing up Koala's hair, you snicker a little,
"I don't know, I think we should have been more prepared, especially with her obsessiveness," you point out and both of you giggle,
"Alright and done!" Nami steps back and admires her work, "we look amazing," she nods,
"Yes, and we're late," Robin nods at your digital clock, "the boys will be waiting,"
"Well we are worth waiting for," Nami flicks her hair over her shoulder and struts out the room, Robin chuckles and follows, Koala crosses her eyes at you and the three of you remaining leave the room now. Heading outside, Nami is already with the boys and fixing Luffy's tie,
"You know, I'm surprised Luffy managed to convince everyone. I never would have thought I'd see the day Law and Kid would share a limo," Koala snickers quietly beside you and Vivi,
"Do they not get along?" you ask frowning a little, Kid had gone and got Law when you had your attack so you had assumed, they were somewhat friends,
"Well, I guess it's some kind of rivalry maybe," she shrugs, "but Luffy has made friends with them both and well..." the three of you watch the boy suddenly wrap his arms around both Kid and Law's shoulders, chuckling and ignoring the glares from the two,
"Nobody can fight Luffy's friendship once he decides," you nod,
"Yes, that is definitely true." After a few moments of your giggling together, Koala trots off towards Sabo and Ace, commenting on how the latter has actually made an effort. Vivi jogs over to Killer who is debating helping Kid or not, you stroll over to Shachi and Penguin,
"Not helping captain sarcasm?" they both turn to you with a grin,
"I'm sure he can get himself out of it if he really wants," Penguin shrugs looking amused,
"Plus, it's just too comical," Shachi adds, "You look amazing by the way," Penguin nods in agreement,
"Who knew there was a smoking hot girl under all those baggy hoodies," Penguin teases, you blush a little at their comments,
"Ha, ha," you roll your eyes. Moments later everyone is being forced into a big group photo before being herded into the large limo, you're amazed it fits everyone in. Once at the school, Kid is dragged off by his psycho girlfriend, who once again sends death glares at you, "I do believe that girl dislikes me," you remark with a little amusement,
"I don't think Bonney like's anyone she deems a threat," Law notes as you walk inside with the trio of friends. You had decided to stick with them as the group dispersed into the sports hall, which had been done up for the dance, you were Shachi's date after all,
"Why would she see me as a threat though? I haven't even spoken to her..." you frown, all three boys look at you in disbelief,
"You're kidding right?" Shachi asks, your frown deepens and you look between them questioningly,
"Did I do something?"
"No, how do I explain this..." Shachi frowns a little himself,
"It's because your hot," Penguin shrugs, you just raise a brow,
"Yeah, to put it bluntly," Shachi rubs his neck blushing, "you're also funny and easy to talk to,"
"Unlike Bonney," Law adds, the four of you sit down,
"That just sounds ridiculous," you shake your head,
"You don't believe us?" Penguin questions, you shake your head,
"No, I mean come on, look at her," the group turns to look over at where Kid and Bonney are sat at a table with their friends, you feel a flicker of pity for Vivi who looks a little uncomfortable, but Killer is keeping her attention and talking with her,
"Your point?" Penguin raises a brow, "I get you don't exactly know her but she's..."
"A whore," Law bluntly lays down, looking to him he just smirks a little and shrugs, "it's true,"
"(Y/N), I've told you before," Shachi takes your hand bringing your focus on him, "have more confidence in yourself." For now, you decide to not argue with them, especially since it's three against one. You can't help not having confidence in yourself, you know you're not bad looking but they make it out as if you're something amazing and you know you're not. You're just a broken person with emotional damage. You do however manage to push all that to the back of your mind, at least for tonight you will let yourself have some fun and enjoy it. You dance with Shachi, you even dance with Luffy as he insists until Shachi literally pushes you at him while laughing. The night goes on and eventually you have to sit down, Shachi runs off to get drinks,
"You realise he's besotted with you," Law sits down beside you, he had been avoiding a fair few girls this evening as they stubbornly tried to get him to dance with them, you frown, "seriously," Law adds before you can say anything, you sigh feeling guilty,
"Okay, yeah. I think I can see it," you lean back in your chair glancing over at the current subject of conversation, you had figured he felt something more than friendship from the moment he asked you to the dance, even if he stated it was just as friends, "I just... I like him," you turn back to Law, "like really like him, but not the same way..."
"Clearly," Law nods and you scowl a little, "Shachi-ya knows this, that's the thing about him, he can be selfless, he just wants you to be happy and enjoy your time here. Because it's also clear you've had it rough in the past," your frown deepens, "I haven't said anything if that what you're thinking,"
"No, I trust you haven't told anyone," you sigh and glance around, unfortunately your gaze lands on Grant who is watching you, he smirks as your eyes meet and you tense a little,
"(Y/N)-ya, you really should talk to someone," Law tells you leaning forwards and resting his arms on the table, "it's not healthy to bottle things up," you turn to him, you wanted to deny it, say nothing was wrong, but he raises a brow before you can even open your mouth, a small groan escapes you,
"I know, I get it, it's just... it's hard," he leans over and pats your head,
"Just take your time," he gives you a rare quick smile before suddenly frowning, "sorry (Y/N)-ya, but I have to run," and he dashes to his feet and leaves, shortly after a small group of girls follows in his direction. You shake your head,
"I didn't realise he was so popular..." you mutter to yourself. You glance over at Shachi, he's been waylaid by one of his friends, he catches you watching and holds up a finger to you, signalling you that he will be there in a moment, you give him a smile, willing to wait. He smiles back while continuing his conversation with his friend, however that smile flickers to a frown. Then someone drops into the Law's recently vacated seat,
"I'm noticing a lot by watching you this evening (Y/N)," you whip your head back around, eyes wide landing on Grant, why can't he just leave you alone? "These 'friends' of yours clearly don't know the real you, the pathetic you, do they?" he hums smiling at you. On the surface, that smile is charming, maybe even handsome. You know for a fact that many girls chased after him in your old school and he revelled in it. "Because let's face it, they wouldn't give you the time of day if they did know," he rests his folded arms on the table, "but don't worry, I won't tell them all your little secrets, at least for a price," he smirks and holds a hand out to you, "I'll even play nice, for a short while anyhow, so, dance with me," he wasn't asking, you could sense it in his tone, you could see it in his eyes, it was a challenge and a demand, you twitched in your seat, "are you hesitating? You know I don't like to be denied (Y/N),"
"Sorry I took so long (Y/N)," Shachi appears and hands you your drink, you quickly drink it needing to hide your trembling hands, "you must be Grant," Shachi gives him a tight smile,
"Yeah," Grant throws up his usual charming façade, "I was just asking my old friend (Y/N) here to dance, I hope you don't mind if I borrow her, what do you say (Y/N)?"
"No," Shachi responds for you, you almost choke on your drink and look up at him, you peek at Grant's shocked expression,
"I'm sorry?" Grant finally finds his voice once again,
"Apology accepted," Shachi smiles wider, looks to you, "finished?" he nods at your glass, you hadn't but you nod slowly, "great," he takes it from your grasp, places it on the table then pulls you to your feet, "let's dance again," he's then pulling you away from the table, and away from a very peeved off Grant. It takes you a moment to fully process what just happened and you look up at Shachi who just grins, "what? I didn't like the way he acted, and as if I'm gonna fall for that smarmy smirk, I mean come on, I'm friends with Law," that makes you laugh,
"Law isn't smarmy," you giggle,
"No, but he can be pretty full of himself at times," he shrugs and grins wider,
"I think the term that should be used is narcissistic," you muse,
"True, very true," he snickers and twirls you making you giggle again. You dance for a while and you relax again, not realising how tense the interaction with Grant made you.
"Shachi... we should talk..." you find yourself saying, he raises a brow at you, "about... us..." you approach, you're not sure how this will go, but you knew you had to make it clear before it could get worse, "I really like you... but..."
"Only as friends," he gives you a soft smile, "don't look so guilty (Y/N),"
"I'm sorry, I wish I could see you more than a friend, but I can't, I adore you, adore you like I adore my best friend Camie..." you sigh and glance down, preparing yourself for him to lash out at you, for possibly giving him false hope and stringing him along with having agreed to be his date to the dance,
"(Y/N)," he touches your chin and gently makes you look at him again, he smiles again, your eyes widen a little seeing only his usually happy spark in his eyes, "I already knew this, well mostly, I'm happy you care about me as much as your best friend and I hope that means you see me on the same level," he raises a brow a little inquisitively and you nod making him grin, "good. Now look, yes, I like you, a lot, way more than a friend, I don't want to make it awkward between us though, I value our friendship. I just want you to be happy. There will be other girls for me don't worry," he gives you a wink, "maybe you can introduce me to Camie," you laugh again at his cheekiness, "besides, I know you like Ace," he says it so nonchalantly that it actually takes you a moment, but then you blush and instantly deny it,
"Ace and I are just friends,"
"At the moment," he pokes your nose, "but in time, who knows," he laughs as you swat at him, "It's okay you know," he dances around with you while laughing, "I support it, Ace is alright. But if he hurts you at all, Im gonna have to kick his ass,"
"Shachi I'm not..."
"And speaking of Ace, I hear you owe him a dance, so..." he suddenly spins you then pushes you forwards. You stumble on your heels and the floor looms close, luckily someone catches you. A warm arm quickly wraping around your waist before your pulled against a heated chest, you snap your gaze up and stare into Ace's amused face, "have fun," Shachi snickers before dashing off and away from the glare you sent him,
"What was that about?" Ace asks, you gently attempt to push yourself off him as you are pressed flush against him. However, his arm tightens around you keeping you close,
"Apparently, that was his way of reminding me I seemingly owe you a dance," you huff, your face is probably as red as a tomato right now, Ace chuckles,
"I shall remember to thank him later then," he grins,
"Yeah, well you can thank him if you want, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind however, these ankle breakers don't help my balance," you pout making him chuckle,
"Don't worry, I'll always catch you," he promises, he finally releases you a bit, enough to look you over, "I didn't get a good look at you earlier, you look amazing," he gives you a cheeky grin making you blush a little darker,
"I look ridiculous," you grumble,
"Nope, amazing, beautiful, maybe even enthralling," he grins as you blush even darker, "No wonder Bonney has been sending you death glares all night," you slap his arm as he sniggers,
"Not funny, I'm not any of those..." he covers your mouth with one of his hands,
"Nope, you're not allowed to deny it, it's not up for discussion, now," he removes his hand and pulls you close again, "I believe you owe me a dance,"
"I never said I would actually save you one," you point out,
"No, but we both knew you would though," his cheeky grin just makes you smile and roll your eyes, "dance with me (Y/N)? Please?"
"Fine, you're only going to get whiney if I say no," you tease,
"Of course, I learnt my stubbornness from Luffy," he snickers and pulls you into a dance as the song changes, he grins wide as your laughter rings out.
