A short sigh leaves your lips as you travel through town, each face you pass stares right at you. Some giving you looks of disgust and others of pure hatred. 

One would have thought that after three months, people would be over the break-up between you and the mayor of Water 7, Iceburg. Apparently not.

"She has a lot of nerve." You hear someone whisper to their friend as you pass them. "Walking around as bold as brass after she broke our mayor's heart!" A frown found it's way to your face at the bitter words. 

You hadn't broken his heart, he broke yours! He was the one who kept avoiding you and cancelling dates, making you feel like you don't mean anything and when you tried to confront him about it, he was the one who left you! Yet, you suffer the backlash for it? 

You had asked Iceburg to tell them the truth about what happened so you wouldn't have to suffer the abuse but he only refused like a stubborn child, claiming he didn't want them to know his business. Jack-ass. The few people you had told just accused you of trying to soil his good name so that option was off the table. So here you are now, friendless.

"You look down in the dumps." You freeze in your steps at the unexpected male voice, your eyes shifting up to a figure standing in the shade. 

Great, some cliché asshole. Just what I needed.

"Is it that obvious?" You murmur, sarcasm lacing your voice as your gaze falls into more of a glare. A chuckle erupts the figure, the man deciding to step out into the sunlight. The first two things you notice about him is that his hair is bright red and he had an arm missing. 

Wait, I recognize this man from somewhere.

"Shanks," The guy grins excitedly, a genuine chime in his tone. "And you are?"

That name, I've heard it before. 

No, I've seen it! Read it on a...wanted...poster...

"...Crap." Your eyebrows furrow at the man as a hearty laugh escapes his lips, you silently wonder what's so funny but then a wave of dread washes over you...he's a pirate.

He could be laughing because he's picturing me begging for my life! 

"Crap, huh? Great name!" The redhead teases, a devious snicker making you scowl. THAT?! THAT'S WHAT HE WAS LAUGHING ABOUT?! "Say, Crap. You seem like you're having a bad day. Let's have a drink!"

"Excus--" Before you even had the chance to question it, Shanks had his hand wrapped around your wrist and was dragging you through the streets to the local bar. 

Holy shit, what do I do? If I scream for help, these people won't do anything! They hate me! It'll just get this pirate angry! Maybe, I should just let him kill me? It's not like I have anything to lose...

A horrid feeling starts to emerge in the pit of your stomach as you set your sights upon a certain blonde.

Oh God, not him!

"Still up to your neck in debt?" A man chuckles to the blonde as you get closer, you manage to turn your head to the side in attempts to hide your face from view and hoping to get past him as fast as you can. Of course, as luck would have it, your red-haired friend stops right beside him.

"Hey! Paulie, right?" Shanks beams, the cold sweat already beginning to pour from your forehead as Paulie's eyes travel to Shanks then down to you, then back to Shanks. 

Shit, he saw me!

"If you're here about your ship repairs, they should be done by tomorrow." The blonde comments with a professional tone, his eyes drifting back over to you as his voice drops back into it's casual pitch. "You're showing off too much cleavage." Is all he murmurs before taking his leave, your breath had long ago gotten caught up in your throat, preventing any noise from escaping your lips.

Man, screw that guy!

"He's a real character!" More like real asshole. Shanks snickers, leading you into the bar and toward a large group of men. One had long grey hair pulled into a ponytail, another was a chubby man with green and white striped clothing and another man, the loudest one, had dirty blonde hair and was playing around with his gun, a sudden bang making you jump as a cold chill runs up your spine. 

"Nice shot, Yasopp!" Your redhead friend smiles as he stops at their table, tugging you to his side. Your eyes follow Shanks' to the dartboard on the far end of the room, realizing a fresh bullet was now lodged into the bullseye mark.

"Ooh? Who's this?" The chubby guy asks, his eyebrows rising suggestively at his captain. "Pretty lady, Boss!"

"Yeah, she's had a bad day so I'm gonna buy her a drink! Lucky Roo, this is Crap, Crap this is Lucky R--"

"MY NAME ISN'T CRAP, YOU DUMBASS!" You blurt over his sentence, instantly wanting to punch yourself in the face the second the words left your mouth.

HE'S A PIRATE AND I JUST YELLED AT HIM!

"It's not? Oh, my bad! What is your name?" The male chuckles, seemingly unaffected by your outburst. His crew all laughing at their captain's stupidity while waiting for your response.

Should I tell them my name? They seem like genuinely pleasant guys...

"Uh...it's--"

"[F/n]." Paulie interrupts, your attention being caught by the blonde, your eyes peering at him over your shoulder. When did he come back here? "Iceburg wants to see you, I'll escort you to his office." 

"See me? Why?" You asked simply, completely missing the looks Shanks' crew gave Paulie, some of the men were glaring and others just stare in pure curiosity. A hopeful smile beginning to creep up to your lips as you tilt your head to the side. "Is he finally going to tell everyone what really happened?" Your voice laced with excitement and your eyes essentially begin to sparkle. 

However, the moment didn't last long. Paulie shrugs his shoulders, turning around and signalling for you to follow him as he makes his way to the bar door.

"I don't know, he just wants to see you."

With a nod of your head, you turn your attention back to Shanks, giving him a polite smile. "My name is [F/n] by the way, like Paulie said. A-Anyway, I'm sorry but I gotta go," You hum, some of Shanks' crew members pouting as you catch up to Paulie, giving them a wave. "I hope to run into you again~!" In response Shanks just smiles and give you a wave. Once outside the bar, the Paulie's stare shifts to your form a blatant glare in his eyes.

"What business do you have with them? A bunch of pirates? And why are your breasts still hanging out of your shirt?!" The male blurts, his finger pointing at your 'cleavage' accusingly. Not that there's much to point at, despite what Paulie says, your breasts are firmly in your shirt, only a bit of chest on show but that was due to the fact that your shirt was a v-neck. It wasn't like you were walking around in a bikini. Stupid man. 

"I made friends with Shanks, I don't have much business with them other than that." You begin, a slight pout on your face as you attempt to pull your v-neck up a little higher to stop Paulie having a stroke.

"Shanks? First name bases, huh?! After your break-up with Iceburg, you really went downhill!"

"Eh?"

"You're walking around dressed like something out of a brothel, throwing yourself at drunken pirates and you've gotten shorter! AND I KNOW WHY YOU'VE GOTTEN SHORTER! It's So men will have no choice but to look down at you, down at your cleavage! You've turned into a total har--"

"I CAN'T HELP MY HEIGHT, YOU IDIOT!" You finally bark, a deep blush rising to your face as you cross your arms over your chest in attempts to hide your breasts from view even more. Admittedly, you hadn't thought about your height before, you didn't realize that men could even look down into your shirt.

Was that why that pirate wanted a drink with me?!

"Whatever, I still say you've been shrinking yourself some how. Probably ate a devil fruit that could manipulate your height or something." Paulie huffs, a frown etched into his features as he leads you through town and up to Iceburg's home.

This guy, honestly...