Chapter Two:
I woke up in the morning with a soft groan. I sat up from my bed and looked around. I stood up and walked to my duffle bag. I quietly zipped it open, so I wont wake the Ticks, and looked around for a new change of clothes.
I pulled out black leggings, a black spaghetti strap tank top, a yellow sleeveless shirt that was loose around the collar, a black long sleeved cardigan, and black ballet flats. I grabbed my phone and my clothes.
I tip toed around the place and found a bathroom. I put the clothes aside and found a closet with clean towels. I turned a shower on and set it to warm. I slipped my clothes off and put my hair in a messy bun.
Once the shower was warm enough, I hopped in and let the warm water flow over my skin. I looked to my arms and was ashamed of what I saw. Dozens of scars covering my arms, pale and jagged, some still scabbing after ten months.
I broke my gaze from my scars and started to clean myself up. I did my best to wash away the pain of my past life, but it's always stuck to me like the ink of a tattoo.
I turned the water off and stepped out of the shower, drying myself off. I slipped my fresh clothes on and let my hair fall from the bun.
I walked out of the bathroom and took a walk around the Vault. I found a huge room with shiny wood floor and what looked to be a huge wall of different boomboxes.
"This place is amazing." I heard behind me. I turned to see Natalie.
"Morning." I said.
"Morning." She greeted. "I think I'm gonna practice for a bit, you wanna join?" I nodded.
"Sure, just let me get my CD and I'll come back, okay?"
"Okay." She responded. I jogged back to my bunk and grabbed my CD for Black Veil Brides. I smiled at the CD and jogged back to the dance room. Natalie was already dancing and one of the boomboxes had music playing.
Once she was done dancing, she was breathless and sweating a little. She turned to me and I smiled.
"You're pretty good." I commented.
"Thanks, but I wanna see what you got. Come on, pop in your music and show me your moves." I smirked taking off my flats, walking to a boombox. I popped my BVB CD in and played track nine. The song Resurrect the Sun boomed through the room and I stood at the dance floor.
Letting the music speak to me, I let my body flow to the sound. Speaking the language of dance doesn't always require classes or teaching, it requires being able to let it come to you naturally. And that's what I was doing now.
Once the song was over, I was crouched on one knee and had a hand out in front of me.
"So, I see you found the speaker room." I heard another voice call out. I stood up from the floor to see Luke standing a couple feet from Natalie.
"Hey." I said smiling, breathing hard. I walked to the boombox and took my CD out, placing it back in the case.
"Built this myself when we could actually find boomboxes in the city." He said to us.
"It's amazing." I said beaming. "I've never seen so many stereos in one place." This got a laugh out of the three of us. "Oh, and since you let me stay here, I'm going to give you and the other shipmates a thank you breakfast."
"Oh no, you don't have to do that." Luke started to say.
"Ah ah ah, no arguments, no 'you don't have to do that'," I said mocking his voice. "I am going to give you guys the bestest breakfast for my new family. I already think of the twins and the Ticks as brothers." Luke sighed in defeat.
"Fine, you can make breakfast." I grinned in triumph and bounced on my toes.
"Yay, no you two go and practice, I am going to make breakfast." I quickly gave Natalie a girl hug and Luke a peck on the cheek. Before they could say anything, I grabbed my flats and Cd, jogging to the kitchen.
I found it easily and slipped my shoes back on. I walked to the huge fridge and pulled out the stuff I needed; milk, eggs, butter, water, bacon, and juice. I skipped to the pantry and pulled out bread and flour.
I got started on pancakes and scrambled eggs. Soon, I got about three dozen stacks of pancakes, two dozen eggs scrambled, a huge plate of toast with a bowl of butter next to it, a platter of bacon, and three pitchers, one each for milk, orange juice, and fruit punch.
I heard a few people waking up with loud groans while I got plates out, glasses, and utensils.
"Pirates, I've got breakfast ready!" I yelled out. Loud footsteps were heard and the twins, the Ticks, Jacob, and everyone else came running down, still in their pajamas.
The twins walked up and grabbed plates. They then walked up to me and both at the same time kissed my cheeks, one twin on either side.
"Gracias sister Glitch." They said simultaneously. This made me giggle.
"Okay, okay, just get your food and eat." I commanded. They stood straight and mock saluted.
"Yes ma'am." They said and grabbed breakfast.
Soon, everyone had breakfast and we were just relaxing around the dining table. Luke, Natalie, and Moose showed up and grabbed whatever was left of breakfast.
"Natalie, Moose, Glitch follow me." Luke said.
We followed Luke down a few halls of the Vault. "Open up the cages, boys." He yelled out once we got to the back. "Let's show these newbies why we call this the Vault."
"Hey Moose."
"Glitch, senorita."
"Natalie, darling."
"How are you my friends?"
The twins sounded really happy, probably because I made them breakfast this morning. I giggled at their antics.
"I've been good. Danced to Black Veil Brides for my morning." I told them.
"Ladies and gentlemen," The twins hollered dramatically. "Our most prized possessions." They waved their arms to the wall. I was absolutely gobsmacked and ecstatic.
Dozens of amazing shoes in so many different vibrant colors. Oh I could most definitely draw this in my sketch book. I breathed out loudly and walked closer to the wall.
I looked in front of me to see a pair of high tops that were black, white, grey, and hot pink. I touched them lightly as if they were a fragile china doll that could break at any second.
"If dance if our weapon, then this is our armor." Twin Numero Uno said.
"These are the most beautiful shoes in the world." Twin Numero Dos added.
"The way they smell."
"The way they feel."
"Lukes lucky shoes." Moose said. I looked to him to see him holding green, silver, and black shoes. They could be perfect for a Slytherin.
"Alright, Moose, don't get too attached." Luke said, breaking us out of our stupor. "You gotta earn your kicks in this house." This made me turn to him and pout.
"No matter," I said. "I mean, these are nice shoes, and all. But I think I prefer my Gryffindor kicks over your Slytherin snake shoes." I teased. I walked, swaying my hips, making the twins whistle, and walked back downstairs. The others followed behind.
Luke led us around again. I occasionally felt his gaze on me. I once caught him and winked to him, making him smile.
"And beyond door number two, the graffiti room." Luke said, leading us around the many rooms of the Vault.
"Who's that guy?" Moose asked as we walked further into the room.
"That's Jason, he's our graffiti guru." Luke explained. "I'm talking electronic billboard hacks, LED lights, anything to mark who we are."
"Wow," I said to Jason. "Were you the dude who did all that awesome graffiti on the clubs dance floor?" I asked him curiously.
"Yeah he did. Awesome, huh?"
"Dude, you and I have to have an art war. I got a sketch that would be perfect." I told him.
"I'll hold you to that. But, dudes excellent timing." Jason said, looking at each of us. "I have been working on the portable light-tagging system and I can't figure out how to get it to stick to 12-volt batteries." Moose walked up to Jason.
"You got any electric tape?" He asked Jason.
"Yeah, here you go." Jason handed a roll of electric tape.
"Alright, check this out. Tape it right there," He showed us.
"Yeah?"
"Wrap it around, and it creates a snug fit." Moose explained.
"You know light?' Jason said, sounding impressed with Moose's knowledge.
"Yeah, I dabble. Check it out." Moose tossed the light at the metal cables dangling from the ceiling. It stuck and stayed there and it was lit up. Amazing.
"Yes!" Jason bellowed, hopping to stand. "I love this kid." He said, slapping hand on Moose's shoulder. "It's the LED, to the battery, to the magnet."
"These are amazing." I said, taking one of the lights and inspecting it. Something so small doing amazing things.
"They look like neon fireflies." Natalie commented.
"Neo-flies." Jason mused.
"Yeah." Natalie said.
"Totally." I said. Then Jason turned to me.
"About those drawings you said." He spoke.
"I bunk with the Ticks, my sketchbook is up there. Race ya."
"You're on." Jason said. I took off with Jason behind me. I heard Moose, Natalie, and Luke laugh behind is and follow along.
The five of us got to me and the Ticks bunk breathing hard. I was the first to make it there.
"I win." I said lightly punching Jason on the shoulder. "That's one point for me."
I walked to the desk and picked up my sketch book. I flipped to the first page and passed it to him. Most of my drawings are bright colors, graffiti, or just doodles when I got bored. A few of them stood out to me; the one I did last night, one was a girl in a baggy hoodie, skinny jeans, and white high-tops standing in front of a graffitied brick wall with words like 'Different in My Own Way' or 'My Own Independance is More Important Than Some Things'. Natalie, Moose, and Luke were peering over Jason's shoulder to get a good look at my sketches.
While they did this, I put on a small red scarf and exchanged my flats for black socks and my Gryffindor high tops.
"Glitch, this is really good." Luke said, giving me a grin. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and blushed Weasley hair red.
"Thanks." I said shyly.
"Why do they call you Glitch?" Jason asked, Natalie wondering the same. I exchanged looks with Moose and Luke and grinned.
After that commotion, everyone was inspecting the Neo-flies in amazement.
Carlos whistles, getting everyone's attention. "Listen up, World Jam is right around the corner, but to get there we gotta get through two qualifying rounds. Which means…"
"Which means we got our work cut out for us." Luke finished. Then he turned to us three. "Moose, Glitch, Natalie, you guys in." The twins played a tune on the piano, making everyone laugh.
"Um… I don't know, I have to go to school. I can't just…" Moose tried to explain to everyone.
"We'll figure something out." Luke said reassuringly. Everyone all waited for Moose's answer, and they were soon banging on the table chanting 'pirates'.
"I could do one battle guys." Moose said conceding.
Then they looked to Natalie in question. Who stood up without hesitation and raised her glass.
"House of Pirates!" She yelled. Everyone cheered and then quieted down, looking to me expectantly.
"Are you kidding me? If you think…" I said making them looks upset. "That I'm leaving you guys, you must be out of your crazy minds. Fuck yeah, I'm a Pirate bitches!" I yelled. We all stood up and cheered loudly.
Luke was standing next to me and we smiled to each other. I looked into his eyes and felt my heart racing. I feel this pull to Luke that I've never felt before.
What is this feeling so sudden and new? I thought, as if I were saying it to Luke. I felt it the moment I laid eyes on you.
Could it be that I like Luke?
The twins, the Ticks and I were in the kitchen making dinner. Currently, I had speakers that Luke let me borrow hooked up to my laptop which had SPotify playing on shuffle. I was currently in an orange red sarong that a family friend got me and a long sleeved shirt the same color as the sarong and barefeet. I was chopping veggies to put into the sweet and sour chicken I decided to cook.
The song 'Hips Don't Lie' by Shakira started to play and everyone exclaimed in excitement. I set the knife down on the table and stepped out of the kitchen. Once the music started I began to sway and dance in a seductive way, the Pirates cheering me on. But I wasn't only dancing along with the music, I was singing, with the twins rapping to the parts that played.
Ladies up in here tonight
No fighting, no fighting
We got the refugees up in here
No fighting, no fighting
Shakira, Shakira
I never really knew that she could dance like this
She makes a man wants to speak Spanish
Como se llama (si), bonita (si), mi casa (si, Shakira Shakira), su casa
Shakira, Shakira
Oh baby when you talk like that
You make a woman go mad
So be wise and keep on
Reading the signs of my body
I bobbed my hip to one side and pointed to my ass with both hands, making the guys wolf-whistle and the girls cheer on.
And I'm on tonight
You know my hips don't lie
And I'm starting to feel it's right
All the attraction, the tension
Don't you see baby, this is perfection
I saw Luke moving with the other Pirates so I walked to him and pulled him to the middle so he could dance with me. I put my hands on his shoulders and he put his hands on my hips. We moved together and her twirled me and held me close. Our dance was very seductive and got me riled up.
Hey Girl, I can see your body moving
And it's driving me crazy
And I didn't have the slightest idea
Until I saw you dancing
And when you walk up on the dance floor
Nobody cannot ignore the way you move your body, girl
And everything so unexpected - the way you right and left it
So you can keep on shaking it
I never really knew that she could dance like this
She makes a man want to speak Spanish
Como se llama (si), bonita (si), mi casa (si, Shakira Shakira), su casa
Shakira, Shakira
Oh baby when you talk like that
You make a woman go mad
So be wise and keep on
Reading the signs of my body
And I'm on tonight
You know my hips don't lie
And I am starting to feel you boy
Come on lets go, real slow
Don't you see baby asi es perfecto
Oh I know I am on tonight my hips don't lie
And I am starting to feel it's right
All the attraction, the tension
Don't you see baby, this is perfection
Shakira, Shakira
Oh boy, I can see your body moving
Half animal, half man
I don't, don't really know what I'm doing
But you seem to have a plan
My will and self restraint
Have come to fail now, fail now
See, I am doing what I can, but I can't so you know
That's a bit too hard to explain
Baila en la calle de noche
Baila en la calle de día
Baila en la calle de noche
Baila en la calle de día
I never really knew that she could dance like this
She makes a man want to speak Spanish
Como se llama (si), bonita (si), mi casa (si, Shakira Shakira), su casa
Shakira, Shakira
Oh baby when you talk like that
You know you got me hypnotized
So be wise and keep on
Reading the signs of my body
Senorita, feel the conga, let me see you move like you come from Colombia
Mira en Barranquilla se baila así, say it!
Mira en Barranquilla se baila así
Yeah
She's so sexy every man's fantasy a refugee like me back with the Fugees from a 3rd world country
I go back like when 'pac carried crates for Humpty Humpty
I need a whole club dizzy
Why the CIA wanna watch us?
Colombians and Haitians
I ain't guilty, it's a musical transaction
No more do we snatch ropes
Refugees run the seas 'cause we own our own boats
Luke twirled me around so my back was up against his chest. He put his hands on my waist and I put my hands to his head behind me. I bit my lip and we swayed. Then he twirled me and dip me back. I came back up and flipped my hair, then I winked to Luke.
I'm on tonight, my hips don't lie
And I'm starting to feel you boy
Come on let's go, real slow
Baby, like this is perfecto
Oh, you know I am on tonight and my hips don't lie
And I am starting to feel it's right
The attraction, the tension
Baby, like this is perfection
No fighting
No fighting
The music ended when I had my leg on Lukes thigh, with his hand holding it. My arms were hanging over his shoulder and our foreheads were touching. Both of us breathing heavily, but smiling widely.
Every Pirate of the ship clapped and cheered loudly, the twins exclaiming compliments in spanish. Twin Numero Dos was blowing kisses with both hands my way.
Luke all of a sudden picked me up bridal style and I had to wrap my arms around his neck to keep form falling.
"Give it up for Glitch everybody!" Cheers were heard when Luke hollered. "Not only does Glitch dance amazingly, but she can cook, sing, draw, and make awesome mixes. Is it just me or is this girl full of surprises?!" More cheers were heard.
"Silencio, silencio!" I said while Luke put me down on my feet. "Trust me, that was nothing. You should see what happens when I go all out. Trust me, you're brains are going to explode form excitement and awe!" This got a laugh out of all of us.
We went back to what we were doing and soon got dinner going. We ate, talked, told stories, joked, teased, and some threw food at each other.
"Now, let's get to bed people, we got a World Jam to win soon!"
We all went back to bed. The Ticks, Luke and I were walking to our bunk, Luek being kind enough to escort us, or rather me, his words not mine. He had his arm around my shoulder and I had mine around his waist. One of the Ticks had my laptop, being the nice brother and taking it for me.
The Ticks went into the bunk first, seeing as I wanted to say goodnight to Luke. I turned to Luke once they were gone.
"You were great tonight, Glitch. I was serious about what I said, you are full of surprises." He said to me. I shrugged and looked to him.
"I have more surprises waiting in here," I said tapping my head. "You'll just have to stay tuned." He smiled. "Goodnight Luke."
"Night Glitch." Then he walked to his room. I smiled to myself and walked to the bunk. The Ticks were already sleeping.
I took off my sarong, leaving me in black shorts. I put my sarong on the bedside table and hopped into bed. Sleep claiming me before I hit the pillow.