stay // eustass kid

11

PART 1/2

i'd opted out of joining the banquet with everyone and ate my food out on the deck instead. the thought and smell of alcohol was enough to make me hurl for the time being.

i spooned the last bit of rice into my mouth and looked up into the illuminated sky. bright stars were scattered around at random, yet seemed to perfectly frame the large moon that was in the center of it all. it looked so pretty.

a sudden chill wind that gave me goosebumps blew against my bare arms. i took it as my sign to go put my plate away and finally go to sleep. with a final look at the hanging crescent moon, i watched a shooting star zip past my view.

ahh, something good is gonna happen, i thought silently. i stared in a daze for another moment before heading for the kitchen again. i'd seen a number of shooting stars in the past, and they always gave me good luck in some way. they also always seemed to be so beautiful to me.

i lightly dragged my finger across the wall as i walked down the hall, the sounds of rambunctious behavior growing louder with each step. just as i'd made it to the door and slid it open, a saucer flew past my head and shattered against the wall beside me.

"sorry!", someone yelled shyly. the fact that such a gruesome pirate was capable of apologizing was hilarious. i nodded his way and made my way through the energetic bunch to put my dishes into the sink.

while i was at the sink behind the bar, i started to hear rooting.

"500 BERRIES ON HEAT!"

"WIRE YOU BETTER FUCKIN' WIN!"

i turned to see that the men had pushed the large table out of the way and were surrounding heat and wire, who were in the middle of a tough fight.

they're probably fighting over something dumb... again.

i sighed and rubbed at my temples, all the loud noises were giving me another headache. i tried to slip past the crowded circle inconspicuously, but someone grabbed onto my arm and pulled me further away from the door.

of course.

he spun me around to look at him and placed a hand on my forehead, "do you feel better?". his words seemed to pierce my heart and a single tear almost left my eye. how can he just ask me something so sweet?

he leaned in closer, when i didn't answer. he'd been drinking and his cheeks were a light tone of pink, but i could tell he was still sober. "your face is hot, are you sick?", kid gave a disturbed look, "why would you eat outside without a jacket or something?".

i peeled his hands from my face and shrugged, "i'm fine". i was telling the truth. besides my lingering headache, i was okay. the hangover symptoms would most likely be gone by the morning, but i was surprised i didn't get alcohol poisoning or something. he stared at me for a moment, but i ignored his gaze. it was embarrassing.

"OI GUYS, CAPTAIN IS BLUSHING!"

kid snapped his head towards his crew with a deep angry frown. "WHO SAID THAT?!", he growled and stepped closer to them. he began cursing out the whole lot, as killer trembled with laughter.

ahh.. there's the usual hothead.

taking this as my chance, i slipped out of the kitchen silently and slid the door shut behind me. i walked to kid's room feeling nothing but pure exhaustion.