Transported (A ONE PIECE Fanfiction)

Chapter 9

The sea was a very beautiful place. It was vast, full of unkown beings beneath. Some people were afraid of it but I never felt that way. There's a lot of things in the below that I wanted to uncover. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to travel the world.

The breeze that came from the sea was always amazing. It always has a way to calm down my nerves. Whenever I feel so down, there were two places I would like to go. In the beach that was fifteen minute away from home or in our rooftop where I can also see this particular beach. To rest on the sand, feels so comfy.

I always loved beaches. Its sand was just the right hue of gold. I love picking up the starfishes and the crabs that were easily washed up ashore. But my favorite thing about it, was the gentle breeze that was like a whisper in your ears.

I was stopped from my thoughts when my best friend, Lloyd, appeared out of nowhere and sat besides me. He was topless but wearing the blue short I gave him on his last birthday. His blond hair was soaking wet.

"Wh—" I said, startled by him. "Why're you here?"

"Eh, I went out for a swim. It's been a while afterall." Lloyd smirked but it quickly disappeared. "Okay now, what's bothering you?"

I snorted and looked away. "What made you believe that something's wrong?"

It was his turn to snort. "I know you since daycare, Tala Crystalline. You can't hide anything to me."

I looked at his blue eyes. He looked so worried as his brows started to furrow. I don't know how to voice out my thoughts. Even if I did, I don't think he can help. But maybe talking will help me feel better.

"It's about Ace..."

"Ace? Your cousin?"

I nodded to that lie. "He never met his mother. She died when she gave birth to him. And he... He blames himself that his mother died."

Lloyd took it for a moment before responding. "I see..."

"And I kind of lose it when I confronted him about it. I just think that no one should blame themselves because of a death of a loved one."

We remained silent for a moment. My feet moved to the sand and just draw something. I patiently waited for Lloyd's any kind of advice per say.

"I don't really know that cousin of yours so I don't know what to say..." He scratched his scalp. "But I do know one thing, boys hate it when someone tried to reason them out."

"I hate boys." I scoffed.

"I'm a boy." Lloyd said with a stern tone, offended. "And your best friend."

I let out a small snicker. "I know. Just teasing you."

"But anyway, humans always like blaming theirselves in every situation. It's only natural. I can see why you try to confront him about it. How old was he again?"

"...Twenty."

"He held that for twenty years, huh? You know self-blame is really a toxic thing. Let him see a therapist, Tala."

I sighed. "He has trust issues. I don't think he's the type of the person who's willing to let strangers know his thoughts."

"Well, if you really want to comfort him. Just say that his mother did everything she could to get him in this world. Death is a natural thing. We just don't know when or how it would take us..."

I stared at him with my eyes wide. He looked so serious. His shaggy blond hair was waving because of the breeze. He has one of those soft smile. He somewhat looked so cute right now.