Endless

A Change

The years continued. I don't know what age I was when it happened. I never knew my age. Dorian knew his, and we looked about the same age, so I just said that I was the same as he was. So I guess that made me 17. It had been about 10 years since Dorian and I had first met. When he came on the boat I was ecstatic to have someone my age. The rest of the crew were all thirty and above, so Dorian made a nice change. He was impressive, at least to me. He wasn't great at handling the rigging, and pulling up the anchor, but he knew how to read and write. Besides, he was a quick learner, and within a month he could climb to the crow's nest faster than anyone else could, and he could haul up the anchor with just as much enthusiasm as the rest of us.
Of course within seconds of meeting I'd already considered him my best friend. I was overflowing with excitement and dragged him to the crew cabin (a long stretch beneath the deck with hammocks all crammed in together) and directed him to his hammock beside mine. He was really eager to be a part of the crew and a little nervous. I told him everything about the ship and helped him settle in. Then we spent the whole night talking to each other- one bubbly kid to another.
Of course he never knew I was a girl. To him I was Hunter, a little scrappy but full of life. And that's how we grew up.
So that's why I was surprised when he asked me at seventeen what my real name was. 
We were in the crew's cabin, taking our break and it was empty except for us. I was swaying slightly in the hammock, wearing my usual shirt and waistcoat with oversized trousers, and a red bandana over my dark brown hair. Dorian lay on his hammock, hair pulled into a ponytail over his shoulder, scratching his slight stubble as he read a little book he'd purchased at the last dock. He wore a similar outfit but his bandana was black. He was quite attractive, clever looking, mysterious, sharp features. Dorian had a quiet confidence too, he looked like he belonged on the ship.
As the boat rocked from side to side, Dorian looked over at me, my eyes closed as I almost drifted off to sleep.
"Hunter?" He asked gently, curiously.
"Mhmm?" Was my reply.
"What's your real name?" He said.
My eyes shot open and I sat upright. Choking a little I said, "Wh-what?"
"Your real name." He said again, as though this was a conversation we had had before.
"I don't know what you mean..." I lied, pulling my waistcoat more over my chest, afraid he had realised.
"Well your name's not Hunter is it?" Dorian said, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course it is!" I laughed nervously but looked around me. "Where- where did you hear otherwise?"
"I can tell you're not a guy, your voice hasn't changed like mine since we met and I've never once seen you shave your face." He said, "so you're obviously lying. Come on, tell me! It's not like I'm going to tell anyone."
"If anyone knew who I really was I'd be off of this ship in the fastest way possible- overboard" I hissed.
"I swear I won't tell anyone!" Dorian said as he smiled out of the corner of his mouth. He had me trapped. "Come on we've done so much together- you owe me this."
"I don't owe you shit." I said, "I already saved your ass before," I said pointing to the scar above my eyebrow where a sword had clipped me "when you didn't bother to look behind you during a fight and I had to come to the rescue."
"Exactly!" He protested, "come on, we know everything about each other already you might as well let me know your name."
"Fine," I hissed, "but if we ever get that Prince Theodore I get £7,500 out of the £10,000 instead of the original half and half."
"Fine," He said, "now go on. No- wait- let me guess!"
I rolled my eyes.
He thought for a few seconds then said, "Joan!"
I snorted. "No."
"Serena!"
"No."
"Catherine!"
"No"
"Dorian!"
"What- no!"
"It could've been possible." He shrugged and then threw up his hands. "I give up."
"Aviva." I said quietly then lay back down on the hammock.
"Aviva..." Dorian whispered, tasting the word. "I like it, it sounds- strong"
"Great." I said sarcastically. "Can I sleep now?"
"One thing," Dorian said, "can I call you Aviva?"
"No." I said, "I cant have the risk of someone finding out. Until it's safe I can't be Aviva."
With that I turned over and lay down. As soon as my eyes shut, Levi came down the stairs to the cabin and called out, "Hunter! Dorian! Nap time's over. Your turn." With that he walked to his hammock, and collapsed onto it.
I glared at Dorian. "That's ten minutes' precious sleep I could've had if it weren't for your stupid shit." I said as I shoved him jokingly. "'Have to know your name' you're so annoying sometimes"
But as we walked up to the deck, Levi's snores filling the cabin, part of me was glad he knew. It was a release in some way. I didn't have to hide it anymore.