Polar Planes [Luffy x Nami]

6. Peeking Sunlight

"My internship starts next week, Nojiko," Nami began. "You can drop one of your jobs."

"You know I can't do that," her sister said. "We have to save up for your university tuition."

"I'll go to community college-"

"Absolutely not."

Nami swirled her soup around. "It's not a big deal."

"Listen," Nojiko demanded. "You've worked hard. Really hard. You deserve to go to a top university that will get you a good degree. You are meant for that."

"Okay, fine. Worst case scenario, I apply for student loans."

"You're a leader, Nami. You're going to come back with a six-figure salary. Don't ever undermine yourself."

"I'm not undermining myself," she countered. "But you are."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nojiko, it's ridiculous that we have to bust our asses to afford basic expenses. It's his fault we're in this, so it should be his responsibility to get us out."

"You know Dad can't find a job with his record. No one's going to hire an assaulter and attempted murderer."

"He's not even trying to find a job!" Nami pounded her fist against the table.

Nojiko sat, temporarily aghast, then checked her watch. "I gotta get ready for work."

"You know I'm right."

"Yeah, I do," Nojiko assured. "But once we graduate, we can leave him, and that'll be the end of that."

She left out the door of the café as the bell tied above jingled, and the mild draft blew in. Nami was left finishing her clam chowder in silence but for the distant chatter of old couples in the background.

⤪

With every week that had passed, the Mondays have felt more and more redundant. This one was the worst of them all. Some of her teachers were great and she was still keeping up with her grades, but she reminisced about the times when going to school energized her. In reality, she hadn't genuinely felt that way since 8th grade.

The bell finally rang for her to get to second period.

"Nami," Mr. Newagate called.

"Yes?"

"My second-period students have a lab today, but we need one more force gauge test stand. Do you mind going to the storage room next to the library to bring one over? I'll write you a pass so you don't have to worry about being late for your next class."

"Sure. I just walk in there and take one?"

"Yeah. If anyone asks, just tell them I sent you."

"Got it."

"Thank you, Nami."

She walked to the library and picked up the test stand with no delay. When she stepped outside, however, she saw Hancock coming by.

She seemed to pay no mind to Nami, so she kept walking. Right as they were about to pass each other, Hancock subtly stuck out her leg, and Nami couldn't react in time. Trying to protect the force gauge test stand, she turned about and sacrificed her back as it slammed against the cold asphalt. Nevertheless, the test stand slipped out of her hands and crashed into the ground with her. It broke apart.

Today was the worst day for her to wear a tank top. She could feel the burn as her scraped skin met the air when she tried getting up. Wincing, she squeezed her eyes shut but still heard amused murmurs surrounding her.