The Cruise Ship Chronicles

Chapter 1 - Hit Me With Your Best Shot

MARCH 2006

"Vicky," My mom cooed. "We have someone we would like you to meet." I really didn't like when she called me that. It reminded me of the evil babysitter on the Fairly OddParents. And whoever she wanted me to meet had better be good, I was in the middle of eating some chocolate ice cream and I really didn't want to get up! 

"Okay, Momma. I'm coming," I said, rushing over to the grown up's table. I nearly tripped over my too-big mary janes on the way over. That was the one thing I hated about cruises, my mom always dressed me like I was some sort of doll. She said that you have to look nice on cruises, but I saw people all the time in basketball shorts and t-shirts. I didn't see why I had to be any different.

"Brandon," A blonde lady sang out. Who was she and why was she smiling at me? "Come here please!"

Eventually, a little boy with messy brown hair ran towards me, his skin all gross and clammy like he was sweating. Behind him, another boy chased him.

"This is Mike," my mom said, pointing toward the smaller boy. "He's nine. And this," she pointed to the older boy. "Is Brandon. He is your age."

I must have made some sort of face because all of the adults started laughing. "Brandon, Mike, this is Victoria. Remember, when you met Christopher earlier? That's Victoria's brother." The blonde lady said.

"Okay. Can we go back to playing basketball now?" Brandon asked.

"That's rude!" I yelled.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because, if you just met me, you're supposed to ask me to play!"

"Well I don't want you to play. You're just a girl." 

And with that, I took off towards the sport courts. I could hear my mom yelling after me, telling me to be careful, but I wasn't really paying attention to her. I wanted that stupid Brandon kid to know I was just as athletic as he was. 

I was almost up the stairs when the ship rocked to the left and I tripped and skinned my knee. Before I stood up, I turned around to see if Brandon was close, but he wasn't. He was picking up speed, but I still had time to get there first. Then, it was back to running. It really hurt, but I thought it gave me a sort of tough look to have blood dripping down my leg as I ran.

In no time, I was on the basketball court with a basketball in hand. Luckily, there were some teenage boys playing a game on the other side, so all of the balls were in use besides the one I had. 

"Give it!" Brandon yelled at me when he finally reached the court.

"You're going to have to make me!" I yelled back, dribbling the ball towards the basket. Little did Brandon know, I was actually really good at basketball. I tossed it  in the hoop, got a basket, and caught my own rebound. "Still think I'm 'just a girl', butt head?"

"If I say 'no', will you go away?" He said angrily. Somebody obviously didn't like being beaten by a girl.

"Whatever." I said, throwing the ball and hitting him in the face. I actually didn't mean to hit him in the face, he just wasn't expecting me to throw it. He squished up his face like he was in pain, but before I could even laugh at what I had done, he jumped at me. 

"You're so stupid! You ruined my day!" He screamed, turning red. He held me by my shoulders like he was trying to push me down. I held his back and pushed him too to keep myself from falling over. When he wouldn't stop, I kicked him in the knee and started hitting him. If having an older brother had taught me anything, it was how to be tough. I might have been wearing a little plaid dress and a bow, but I knew how to fight.

"I ruined your day? You ruined mine!" I yelled. We were on the ground at this point, wrestling around on the ground, hitting each other violently. From the corner of my eye, I saw Brandon's mom running up the stairs to break us apart.

"Brandon Joseph Miller! You get off of her this instant!" his mom shouted while trying to pull him off of me. The whole scene was really funny. Brandon's mom was holding him back while he thrashed and punched at the air. I stood up quickly and felt a liquid drip out of my nose. I touched it and brought my fingers up to see what the damage was. A bloody nose. I knew my mom would absolutely kill me for getting my dress messed up, so I decided the only thing I could do would be to get everyone on my side.

"Where's my mommy?" I said, making myself cry. Another thing I learned from fighting with my brother, if you cry, you always win. 

"Oh honey, you're a mess! Let me go get your mom," Brandon's mom said. "Brandon, you go sit over there." She pointed to a bench by the exit of the sport court. "You will not leave the bench until I come back. And you will be quiet. Your dad is going to furious!" 

I stopped by crying when she left to find my mom. I wiped my nose on my arm and looked at Brandon. He was sitting on the bench pouting with his arms crossed. His short brown hair was sticking up in all directions, his cheeks red against his tan skin. His arms were covered in little red scratch marks and I could see a small bruise forming on his cheekbone. I started to smile at the damage I'd done when Brandon punched his fist down on the bench.

I hate you, he mouthed.

I hate you more, I mouthed back.

"I hope I never have to see you again," He said quietly in case his mom were coming. He definitely didn't want to get in any more trouble than he already was in.

"Victoria," My mom gasped from the top of the stairs. She picked up her pace and ran towards me. "What happened to your dress?"

---

"Seriously, Mom? Why do you hate me?" I shouted, standing up from my chair.

"I don't hate you, sweetie! Your father and I really got along well with Seth and Rachel. Rachel is a travel agent, so they take cruises all the time. Really, would it be that bad if we went the same time next year?"

"Well, Mike is sweet, and so are his parents, but Brandon tried to kill me! He hates me! I don't ever want to see him again!"

"No, honey. He does not hate you. Do you want to know a secret? At your age, boys don't know how express themselves. Brandon is only mean to you because he likes you."

It is a good thing I already knew that Mom was just saying one of those things that moms are supposed to tell their daughters when they are picked on. I knew the truth, Brandon was just a big, fat, bully. He didn't like me, and he wouldn't ever if he knew what was good for him. But there really was no use arguing with my mom, she and Dad had already made up their minds. Unfortunately for me, this was one battle that I wasn't going to win. 

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Author's note: 

So, I hope you guys enjoyed it! I tried to make it sound like it was written by a ten year old, and that was sort of challenging for me. But you know, it kept things interesting. 

Anyway, are you guys excited for the Superbowl? I could really care less, but my best friend, Sam, is a huge Steeler fan. I dedicated this chapter to her, so you can go check out her stories! 

It's not snowing here in Los Angeles, but for those of you in parts of the world where it is snowing, stay warm!

~Abby <3