Chapter 6: Word of Mouth

On a ship like the Venture, word spread fast. In a days time, everyone on board knew about Bella. About how she was really "Al."

Most of the crew looked at her oddly at first, but a majority eventually warmed up to her and welcomed her into the crew. Some even got in a habit of joking around and calling her "Al."

But there was one person who Bella just wished didn't be friendly to her: Bruce Baxter.

Bella was walking down the corridor to her room to drop off her jacket. The brisk morning breeze was dying and she didn't want to drag the black jacket Ann had given her around the whole day. Rounding the corner, she saw a man come out of a room a few doors down from hers. He had dark black hair and a mustache. He was in clothes that made her realize he was apart of the crew. He smiled at her. She gave a small smile back. "Hi there," she said kindly as she opened the door to her room and put her jacket on the bed.

"Bella right? I'm Bruce," he said from the doorway.

She turned and nodded. "Please to meet you Bruce. Now if you'll-"

"You know you're quite lovely. Why don't you spend the day with me?" he cut her off. The smile he flashed was almost creepy.

'Ew.' "Got work to do. So excuse me," she said pushing past him to leave. 'So full of himself. Ugh. Wait till I tell Ann.' She continued to walk through the hall again. 'Who'd like him? That mustache is weird. And he's not good looking at all.' Her mind began to drift. 'Jimmy. Now he's-...Stop.' Bella stopped in the hallway. 'Should I be thinking that?' She shrugged at her thought. 'He's got wondrous eyes. Captivating.' She couldn't stop thinking about Jimmy.

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Bella couldn't take it anymore. Four hours had passed and she was still thinking about Jimmy. His eyes. His hair. His everything. 'Stop thinking!' She stomped over to Ann's cabin and groaned loudly. "Ann?" she called as she knocked on the door.

"Yes? Oh, Bella! Is something wrong?" Ann asked as she opened the door.

Bella walked into the homey cabin Ann and Jack resided in. The wall's were bare but there were three suitcases on the desk and one on a chair. A few articles of clothes hung about the room also. Bella moved, sitting on the bed. "It's Jimmy," she sighed.

Ann raised an eyebrow. "Jimmy, huh?" she asked curiously. Bella looked at her with confusion, the look clearly questioning whatever Ann was thinking. "I've seen how you look at him. It's obvious. Well, to me it is."

She sighed. 'I didn't realize it was obvious.' "What should I do?" Bella asked as she fidgeted with the end of her sleeves.

Ann sat down next to Bella on the bed. "Hmm...Try hinting when you're with him," she informed her. "He should get the hint."

Bella smiled and nodded. "Thanks Ann!" she gave Ann a quick hug before darting out of the room.


A/N: Ew. Bruce Baxter. I don't like him. I'm not sure if anyone does...I would choose a V-Rex over him. Lawl. So i'm working on the next few chapters and they're coming along smooth-ish. There's fluffy times ahead for fluff fans. Please R&R!!