Chapter 1

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I've grown up at sea. As a child, I helped my dad with our family sail boat. The salt water in my hair and the wind hitting me is what I love. Just the thought of being on a boat is what makes me happy.

My mom died when I was really young, about four years old, so it was always just my dad, younger sister Emelee, and I.

The first memories I have of sailing at sea were from when I was very little, maybe two or three. The earliest memory I have is of my dad was steering us through the choppy waves. It was always an exhilarating experience being with him. He was always pushing the limits.

He told me stories about when he was a young man in sailboat races. His ship was called "The SaltWater Taffey", named obviously after his favourite candy. He says he always won, and to be completely honest, I believe him.

But all this changed five years ago. I was eighteen years old. My dad decided to go sailing on his own one day. It was a bright, cheerful, day. The sun was shining and the waves were perfect. I wasn't able to join him because I was busy with college applications.

He had left and I never thought anything of it. But then all of the sudden it started pouring rain. You could hear the rain hitting against the pavement it was so hard. The wind had also started picking up, too. I tried to phone my dad, but he didn't pick up. I had hoped he was just too far from shore to get service, but that wasn't the case. I tried to contact him by radio, but still no signal.

The wait to find out what happened to my dad was the longest time I've ever endured. I sat quietly, waiting for something. A radio noise, a phone ring, anything. Finally, I heard someone on the radio.

"Jesse? Jesse do you read me?" The mysterious voice asked.

"Come in." I replied, hoping to find out what had happened.

"We've found your father, do you read me?"

For a split second I was happy. Tears of joy ran down my face. My dad was safe. He wasn't hurt. He was alive.

But then I heard the voice again.

"Jesse, we've found his body. I'm so sorry Jesse."

My heart stopped. My dad was dead. I didn't even have a proper chance to say goodbye to him. The tears of joy quickly shifted to tears of sadness and depression. My father, the one who taught me everything I know. The one who I was able to trust no matter what. Had just died.

At this point, I felt like my life was over. There was nothing left for me to do. Except one thing, fulfill my father's dream of me following his steps. He wanted me to become a captain of my own ship.

I worked hard for this. I needed to become an operator of my own ship. To acheive this, I spent a year out at sea, took a two year captains course, and a final exam to be at the point I am now. Speaking of which, currently I am the owner and operator of my own ship, "The Atlantic Johnny" named after my first ocean I've ever sailed in and my father.

My ship was a cargo ship that went up and down the pacific coast, despite having the word "Atlantic" in her name. She was my pride and joy. This is where my life picks up and gets interesting.

I was on a ferry boat coming from Victoria, British Columbia, to Seattle, Washington. My sister had two video game conventions. I never played video games, but it was practically her life other than the blog she runs. Pax Prime I think the convention was called.

The trip was very bumpy, but I've been in worse conditions. Many people were getting sea sick, and weren't able to walk because of the extreme rocking of the ship.

I was sitting down, minding my own business, when a young man around my age falls right on me when the ship rocked towards the right.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." The man said. He was very attractive, to say the least. He had beautiful dark brown hair, gorgeous chocolate brown eyes, and a smile that could lift anybodies spirits. I felt myself starting to blush when he tried to get himself back up on his feet.

"Oh, it's fine. You're not the first one to fall on me this trip." I laughed shyly.

He smiled down at me once he got onto his feet again.

"Bumpy ride, isn't it?" He exclaimed while trying to stay upright.

"Definitely. But I've seen worse I think." I replied.

"Wow, that must have been awfully bumpy in conditions if it was worse than this," he replied and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Jordan! Over here!" I heard from the distance. The man looked over and frowned a bit.

"Well I should probably leave, my friends are calling for me. I hope to see you around sometime!"

"You too!" I smiled as he walked off. But before he turned around, he asked me one last question.

"Wait, I never got your name?"

"Jessica, or Jesse for short." I said and started blushing again. His smile widened.

"Well I hope to see you later, Jesse!" He said and finally walked off.

The rest of the trip was still awfully bumpy. I stayed in my seat most of the trip and hoped no one was hurt on the journey.

An announcement went off telling us that all drive-ons must return to their vehicles, and when I stood up, a note fell out of my pocket. It read:

"(xxx)-xxx-xxxx

Jordan- that guy who fell on you during the ferry. If you're in the Seattle area for a bit maybe we could hang out!"

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