Crazy In Love | Buggy

f i f t y f i v e

Back on the ship, I had only one thing on my mind. Buggy. I wanted so desperately to make sure that he was okay. However, of course, something - or more accurately someone - had to get in my way. When I got to Buggy's bedroom, I found Bozo blocking my way. It was clearly deliberate, and I didn't have the time for it.

"Do you have a problem?" I questioned, immediately hostile.

Normally, I would have kept my calm. But I was just so desperate to see Buggy - make sure that he was still alive. I had this awful image in my head of me walking into his room to find him dead.

The one thing that I kept telling myself was that this was the almighty Buggy. He wouldn't die like this. He couldn't. He was stronger than anyone that I had ever met before. Still, the fear lingered, and festered.

"We need directions before we can leave. Of course, if you'd rather go tend to your boyfriend, you can. But I warn you the clowns here are restless. They just may go back into down if left waiting."

He was right. I knew that. The longer I left them waiting for directions, the more likely it was that they'd go back on their word. I thought of Henrik, of everything he had done for us.

So I nodded. "You're right."

"That's the first time I've ever heard you say that."

"And it'll be the last," I said bitterly. "So don't get used to it."

I wasn't interested in making Bozo my friend. In fact, I doubted that there would be anything I could do to make Bozo like me.

He still hated me from that first day I had met him, where I had knocked him out with my bag. Not only had I knocked him out, but I had knocked many of his teeth out. Four, it had turned out. He had replaced them with gold teeth, which suited his aesthetic.

Yet, I knew he was still bitter about it. I couldn't really blame him. I'd be bitter if someone knocked my teeth out.

I followed him down into the navigation room, praying we could make this quick. The room was packed, but at the maps was just Dilly and Arlene. Neither of which seemed thrilled to see me.

"Hey," I said meekly, hoping I could get them back onto my side. It didn't seem likely.

Dilly almost smiled at me. That made my heart leap in my chest. For a moment, I thought that maybe she had forgiven me. It seemed like she wanted to, at least.

"So, where are we off to next?" Arlene asked me, in a cold voice.

I spent the next ten minutes explaining the route, even drawing on the maps so they'd remember it. In that time, people left the navigation room, so now it was just me, Dilly, and Arlene.

I felt infinitely more comfortable like this, without all eyes on us. I tried my best to make conversation.

"The next town we're going to is well known for its food. Or that's what it says on the maps."

Dilly again almost smiled. "How long will it take us to get there? I could go some good food."

"It'll take at least a month," I told her. "Depending on the weather, of course."

"I've heard we're due a big storm," Arlene added.

It was the first time she had joined our conversation. Was I making progress at making friends?

Having Arlene as a friend wasn't great - I knew she still liked Buggy, which made things a little bit awkward but I needed any and every friend I could find.

"And I was finally getting over my sea sickness," was what I finally managed to get out.

To my joy, it got big laughs from both Arlene and Dilly. This was going well. As well as it could possibly go.