A Chance at Your Heart

Chapter 8

Bellemere sweat dropped.

A minute ago she was filing her nails in bed and the next, she required an uninvited guest.

Nami came in earlier in a sour mood and crawled in bed with her resting her face right between her mother's bosoms. Arms wrapped tight around her indicating that she was more or less there to stay. All this happened without a single exchange of vocabulary.

Bellemere charted her fingers through her daughter's loose hair wanting her to relax so she could ask the million dollar question.

Nami's stiff shoulders went limp and she looked to her mum as if waiting for her to say her lines.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"If you're going to be stubborn about it, you should leave." Bellemere was not in the mood for a wild goose chase.

Nami hugged her tighter and Bellemere breathed a sigh and asked again.

"There's... There's someone else."

"Someone else?"

Nami had kept this to herself but she had reached her limit. She had to tell someone.

"Is this about you and Luffy?"

Nami nodded and cringed hard when her mum pulled her nose. Her glare was strong, demanding answers. Nami sprang up seated trying to cool her red nose.

"You wouldn't. Who is he?"

"Not me. It's about Luffy."

Bellemere lowered her eyelids not buying it. Said boy wouldn't hurt a fly.

"Did he break up with you?"

"No."

"Then what are you getting at?"

"Do you remember when I joined all those clubs in my first year of high school? I dropped a bulk of them recently since it was too much for me. My mind became bombarded and I didn't want to have that many responsibilities so I did what was best for my mental health."

"And your point is?"

Nami's voice toned down into a mumble, eyes downcast.

"Well the football team needed a new captain and Luffy thought that I was a great fit but I declined.

"Was he upset?"

"No. But..."

"But?"

"There is this girl that got the position. A really sweet girl. She's a first year. Full of endless energy and she's done a great job for the team so far. Her name's Carrot. She's cute. The ultimate team player..."

Nami could not erase the memory of visiting Luffy to watch him practice during break like she always did. He and Carrot had grown close. They shared high-fives, smiles and there were even times when the team celebrated a win, Carrot would run up to him and hug him from behind, rubbing her cheek against his.

That could have been her.

Bellemere lifted a finger to tuck away some of her daughter's hair and traced it down to lift up her chin.

"I can imagine how hard it's been for you."

"You can?" Nami moved to lie on her mum's chest again.

"Sure. I know it's not easy being jealous. But you have to remind yourself what really matters most at the end of the day."

"Which is?"

"That Luffy likes you just the way you are and he wouldn't trade you in that easily. Just have hope. Sure this girl may have qualities that you lack but she's not you." Bellemere resumed her petting till Nami fell fast asleep.