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I woke up alone on the wrong side of bed, with the worst headache of my dreaded existence.

Argh, never trying that liquor crap again. And neither should you, kids. It ain't worth it.

Memories of my night were fragmented, a hazy blur swirling around in my pounding head. It took me a while to remember I exist

Thoughts chocked me last night, memories, stories, fears and worries that I tried to run from attacked me with full force. And during my unnecessary thinking session, I came to a realising. Something that had been brewing in the pit of my cut but somethin' I never wanted go face.

The fact that Annabeth's crew hates me just as much as their captain does.

I didn't notice it at first, everything seemed dandy. Though now, it's impossible not to notice the way Katie immediately quiets down whenever I'm around, or how the Stolls look out at the ocean to pretend they can't see me.

Ive never had the greatest relationship with Clarisse, but by Thunders, I can vouch for certain that she and I have never been at more odds.

It's almost like she hates me more than Annabeth does. And for the life of me, I can't figure out why.

And trust me, I've thought about it so much that I must've melted half my brain cells tryna come up with an answer.

When she left, it was pure agony. I couldn't get out of bed, I refused to eat. I couldn't do anything

Never in a million years did I think that we'd be apart.

I thought it was because of my proposal. Did she hate the ring? Did she not want to marry me?

But we'd been engaged for almost a year by the time she bolted, so why would she have waited that long to leave me?

None of it made any sense.

I sighed. The cool ocean breeze for my only salvation from my miserable plight, and aching temples.

It seemed I was destined to die alone. No matter how much progress I make with Annabeth, she's out of bed before I rise and out of sight till nightfall. It's one step forward and two steps into Tartarus.

"Aye," I called to the ocean, stepping on a stool to enhance my view, "Are ya gonna keep making me suffer?" I asked.

"Ya deserve to," a voice grumbled behind me.

For a moment, I thought I went truly insane, that the ocean was finally talking back.Until I realised the pest these vocal cords belonged to.

"La Rue," I whipped around, coming face to face with a blazing mad pirate.

I smirked, "Ya look like ye've been swabbing the decks with yer hair... and it's still a mess."

Clarisse did not look amused, "I've seen more brains in a bucket o' chum, Jackson."

"Aye it's Captain Jackson to ya," I grinned.

She rolled her eyes, no mirth behind them, "you're not my Captain," she stated, words harsher than they had to be, "You're as valuable as a piece o' driftwood on a deserted isle."

"I could make ya walk the plank for that you know," I chuckled awkwardly, hoping to diffuse the tension.

My friendship would Clarisse could not be considered conventional, and Heavens know we've had a rocky relationship ever since I flooded her chicken coop back in the village.

We've never hated enough other though, or rather, she's never despised me before. Heck, none of my old mateys and I've been on such bad terms. Sure, we've squabbled like a pack of seagulls over snacks, but not like this.

"You're not my captain," she snapped, "I'd rather serve under a keelhaulin' madman than a cowardly cur like ye!"

I pinched my temple. This was making my headache much worse.

"What's yer dam problem with me, La Rue?" I snapped, "I'm tryna be nice."

"What's my problem?! What was yours?!" she asked, her eyes practically bulging out of her skull, "You split us up, ya great lummox!"

"Me?! I smimered, irritation bubbling up within me. This was getting ridiculous now. I tried, and I can't be the only one who keeps trying.

"Yes you!" she stomped her foot on the ground so hard I was worried my ship winked split in half, "you're a captain of nothin' but disaster, and I'd rather trust my life to a barnacle on a ship than ya!"

That's it.

"You know what, Clarisse?" I matched her tone, eyebrows knitting together in genuine fustration, "you're as valuable as a bucket with a hole in it, and just as useful!"

Before she could reply, I sprinted away.

~

I stalked across board, nursing my splitting headache. Any moment now, the crew would be coming up for lunch. Maybe that'll help me not want to throw Clarisse overboard.

A familiar voice ringed in my ears as I made my way towards my chambers, hoping for a bottle of tunic.

Piper and Annabeth were in deep conversation, hidden behind the pole of the crows nest.

My heart leapt when I caught sight of her. She was exceptionally breathtaking when she wasn't seething. Actually, not true. She's gorgeous even with steam coming out her ears.

She laughed at something with Piper, and I was frozen in place as they continued jawin'

"You certain, Chase? Not that I'm doubting ya, it's just that we've known him for a long time and-"Piper turned towards Annabeth, fake concern in her voice.

"Aye Pipes, I wish he be dead. Lookin at his face made me wanna hurl my guts out," Annabeth nodded, mock gagging on air.

Piper mocked, "Aye, he certainly is a scurvy dog."

"A Scourge of the 7 Seas is what he is," Annabeth laughed,"I can't believe we ever sailed on the same waters ."

I felt my word slip out from under me. My headache worsened to the point where I could not hear anything else, feel anything but my own frustration chocking me.

I could deal with anything. But not this. Not the woman I loved, the one I wanted to marry...not her betraying me like this.

I knew she hated me...I just...

Never in my life could I have expected us to be at opposing ends of a sword, to have our fates entwined with ties of abhorrence and anger.

I stepped out of the shadows, wobbling towards the pair of them.

"Captain Chase!" I called, wobbling towards her.

Annabeth looked confused as she turned spend, meeting my eyes, "Per- Jackson?" she asked, brows furrowing slightly.

"Jackson?" I chuckled, devoid of any mirth, "I thought I was a sea dog! A scourge of the seven seas! I didn't realise my name was Jackson."

This time, she frowned, turning her body towards me, "what in scurvy ridden seas are ya talking about?" she asked.

"What am I talking about?" I asked, "What are we talking about?!"

I continued before she could reply, "Nothing! We talk about nothing cause we don't talk!"

"T-"

"And I wanna talk Chase, I really do! Cause we have a lot to talk about don't me?" I asked, not wanting a reply.

"The problem is, no one on our..sorry your dam crew are willing to talk to me either, so what's the dam point?"

"I-"

I clutched my face in my hands, my head beating like a wild stallion in my skull.

"And I want you to have your space, I want you to be comfortable! And I can't hate you even if you're the one who left me! Who sailed away without giving a crap what if would do to me!" I cried.

"She?! Why you-" I heard someone's voice from behind me, but my eyes were trained on Annabeth's.

My heart plummeted, a heavy weight settling in my chest as I watched her expression turn cold.

She raised a hand, silencing whoever was opened their unessary mouth. I didn't even turn around to see what was happening.

The crew must've come up for lunch. I didn't even realise we had an audience.

"I'm trying here, wise girl. I really am. I'm trying so hard to pretend that everything's alright with us, even when I want to rip my heart out of my dam chest and throw it into the ocean!"

I interrupted her once more, and I'm sure she's gonna gut me for it later.

"Just tell me! Tell me why you hate me!" I begged, "Tell me why you left!"

I took a step closer, "Because from where I'm standing, it was the most selfish thing you could do. You should've just killed me when you had the chance."

"I could've accepted being betrayed by anyone, Annabeth. Anyone but you!" I screamed, though it came out like a mangled whimper.

"Me?!" she shouted, eyes glassy as she stared me down," you think I betrayed you?!" her voice a mixture of anger and hurt

She exhaled deep, collecting herself, "What right do you have to say that to me?!"

I heard a loud bang behind me, and I whipped around to see the Stolls and Leo fighting. Both of our crews had erupted into chaos.

How in the great oceans road did I not hear the commotion behind me?!

"AVAST!" Annabeth screamed at the top of her lungs.

Everyone on board paused, as if frozen in place by an unknown power. But everyone knew whose control they were under.

"Batten down your feelings and get a hold of yourselves!" She stomped her foot, "This is beteeen Captain Jackson and I!"

"But Captain!" Clarisse began, but was silenced by Annabeth's glare.

"Take a deep breath and swab your decks!" she continued, watching the crew scramble onto their feet. They hung their heads, like toddlers who'd been punished.

Hazel and Frank strolled onto deck at that exact moment, looking quite confused at the plight of things.
They glanced at each other, at Annabeth and then simply copied everyone's lowered head. Must've decided it was not worth knowing what was going on.

Can't blame em.

"You!" Annabeth turned her fierce gaze to me. She dragged me into our chambers by the scruff of my collar, and I just lay there like a limp shrimp until she locked the door behind us.

"You seem to have a lot to say," she crossed her arms, "so speak."

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Ahoy Ahoy! A late ahoy, and for that I'm
Sohoy (it's a punnnn)

But I am sorry. I've been caught up in so much stuff, I haven't written nor have I been very motivated to. But I promise I will try to be better.

Any suggestions for the story? I'm excited for the next chapter tho!

Question of the day: If you had to meet a celebrity, dead or alive, who would It be and why?

(Posted 17/11/24- 4:51am)

Stay tuned!!
—-S