177Graduation day.
A day many refer to as freedom. A rite of passage. Some dreaded it and Nami found herself buckled in that boat. Ironing her uniform for the last time the night before brought back so many memories. She was honestly going to miss the place but now it was the start of a new life.
Nami was given the responsibility to write a speech for the entire graduation class and body of teachers thanking them for the fond time and guidance these past three years. She had asked Ms. Boa for help and what a speech it turned out to be. She practiced all night and the amount of praise she received after was unexpected. Nami wanted to make them proud.
Though bittersweet, it was a day of triumph and the door of endless possibilities was wide open for anyone that wanted to take a leap of faith.
When Mr. Shanks dismissed the class for the final time, everyone smiled and shed a few seeing the old man tearing up. There were going to miss his corny jokes and optimism. A favourite among many.
Gathering her year book and certificate, Nami smiled and hugged and waved goodbye to her classmates. Going over to Zoro's desk, she gave it a usual kick and Nami grinned wide as Zoro reluctantly cracked an eye open to glare at her.
"Let's go."
At the end of the corridor they were met by Luffy, Sanji, Chopper and Usopp. The second years didn't have school that day but they weren't going to miss seeing their friends graduate.
Everyone was all smiles and they went straight to their favourite eating spot to reminisce. It was the last time they were going to be together like this.
In the midst of the laughter, bickering and extravagant stories, Nami reached for Luffy's hand and excused herself from the table. She needed to talk to Luffy- alone. Afterwards they were going to go for some drinks and the guys at the Baratie were throwing them a banquet. So before things got crazy, Nami had to use whatever opportunity she had and now was perfect.
Her place of choice was behind the cafeteria building but Luffy had a better idea and lead them to the late Principal Whitebeard's garden. It was being restored thanks to Usopp who formed a garden club after gaining a random fascination of plants. With careful research and knowing where to obtain the best seeds, they planted vegetables, herbs and flowers and Nami could not believe that this was the same dilapidated garden she once knew. She didn't get a chance to see the process of it being fixed up. The life of a third year high school student was a whole lot different compared to the first two years. Nami hardly had time for anything.
"You guys did a number on this place. It looks great."
'Shishishishi' "Thanks."
"I never saw you as the gardening type, Luffy."
"I didn't either but Usopp wanted my help and it turned out better than I thought it would."
Now they were fourteen members strong and it was Usopp and Luffy's pride.
"Today's the day , huh?"
"Yeah."
Together they sat on the only available bench. Usopp built it himself.
"I almost forgot," said Luffy. Out of his jacket pocket he retrieved an envelope and gave it to Nami.
"What is it?"
"Open it."
Nami did just that and gasped at the candid photograph. It was everyone on the beach trip, smiling bright as the sun that day and Nami was not prepared for the sudden wave of emotion that overcame her.
"I knew that you have a bunch of photos on your phone but Usopp said that the actual photograph was a thousand times better. We all know how special that day was to you so we all agreed that this would be more ideal than getting you a card."
Nami flipped the picture around to see everyone's written and signed best wishes and just like that she broke.
Luffy saw two heavy drops of water seep into the paper and his first though was to check for rain but snapped his eyes back down to look at Nami. She sniffed and sobbed quietly and found refuge in his open arms.
She expected tears but not so soon. She disliked this moment of weakness. Right now she had to be strong. It hurt so much. If someone took a knife and cut her open, it wouldn't hurt as much as this.
"I'll miss you, Luffy. I'll miss all of you."
"Yeah. I know."
Nami closed her eyes as her body warmed because of the kisses he traced along temple.
Looking at his signed message again, Nami smiled. It was special yet sweet.
"Do you best, Nami. You're amazing so I know you will." -Luffy
She wanted to badly to kiss him but held herself back.
"I was going to make the teachers sign it too but Zoro thought that it would be lame."
"It's perfect. Thank you, Luffy. Thanks for everything."
"Everything?"
Nami nodded and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. Tear streaks spread across her face and Luffy wished he had a handkerchief to help wipe them away.
"For being you. For being the best companion I could ever ask for and for giving me a chance at your heart."
"I don't understand."
Nami took a deep breath and laced her fingers in his. Giving them a light squeeze, she said:
"This is it for us. Let's break up."
His deafening silence gave her reason to continue.
"I'll always be yours, Luffy. My time at Weatheria- I'll be fully submerged in my studies. We'll be separated for a long time and you deserve someone that will be at your side through thick and thin. There might come a day where you may find yourself liking somebody else who isn't me. We're two different people who want completely different things. Let's not hold each other back. I've thought about a million and one ways for this to work... for us to work. I believe that this is for the best."
Halfway through her speech, Luffy broke eye contact and stared at the patch of new watermelon sprouts that had burst from the seeds he helped plant mere days ago.
Nami waited but still nothing.
"Please say something."
"What do you want me to say?"
"Anything."
Luffy nodded to himself thinking the task easy and turned to present to her two simple words.
"I refuse."
Nami's mouth went agape.
"Don't make this harder for me, Luffy."
"Harder for you? Imagine how I feel to have just been told by the only person I care about more than anyone else in the world that she doesn't want to see me again."
"I didn't say that."
"But it sure as hell feels like you did."
Nami wanted to strangle him.
"You selfish idiot!"
What followed was total silence. What she said had shut Luffy up real quick and he exhaled out loud and said.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Let's break up."
Nami was not buying it and it was a good thing she didn't.
"But you have to tell me that you hate my guts and while you're at it, tell me that I'm a selfish idiot again one more time."
Nami's heart shattered. Not only was she upset and disappointed, she was boiling mad.
"I can't do that."
"Why not? It's easy."
"It's not."
Her voice cracked and she wanted to cry but Luffy beat her to it. One tear came tumbling out of each eye which he quickly swiped away with his sleeve.
"Because I love you," Nami couldn't fathom why she had been denying that simple statement for months. It came out so easy. But it was the truth and there was no way around it.
"I love you too, Nami. More than you'll ever know but it hurts."
"I'm so sorry."
"It hurts to know that someone doesn't trust you as much as you thought they did."
"I trust you, Luffy. More than anyone."
"If you trust me, know that I won't want anyone else but you. Trust that everything will work out between us because two people that love each other shouldn't give up on each other like that."
Though Luffy managed to compose himself, Nami failed miserably and the tears kept coming.
"You make it sound so easy."
"It isn't but it would be fine if we both work at it."
"But..."
"You said that we're different people who want different things but... I want forever with you, Nami."
"Luffy..."
A sob escaped her lips and as comfort, Luffy took hold of both her hands.
"What are we going to do?"
Life was cruel. The struggle was real and it was going to take more than declarations of love to make this relationship work. Without careful planning, that road was going to be not only rocky but it would be one that lead to an inevitable dead-end.
"There's a reason why I've been studying so hard. I will be working as soon as I graduate at the trading company my dad works at. All I have to do is keep my grades up in order to be accepted."
"But why? What about your dream?"
"That can wait. I realized that I had to make sacrifices for us. You wouldn't have to worry about a thing during your studies. I'll support you."
"You don't have to do all that for me, Luffy."
"I'm not doing it because I have to. It's because I want to. I want to marry you, settle down and start a family. I want to see you happy no matter what it takes. I want to hold you, kiss you and share life with you, Nami. I want that more than anything. I want us to love, look out for one another and support each other for a long, long time."
"Forever?"
"Yes. Forever." Luffy smiled. Knew that anything worth having didn't come easy. The future was filled with plot twists but it had a way of figuring itself out just fine. Nami taught him that.
"You really mean that?"
"Of course."
Zoro tried convincing him that he would be fine without her but Luffy didn't give a damn to know what that was like. Some might think that he was throwing away his life away but he wasn't a complete idiot. He knew that without a doubt Nami would do the same if she was in his shoes. She loved and cared for him. And when one finds a good thing, his job is to treasure it.
Luffy's cheeks were dusted pink at this point. He had basically poured out his entire heart for Nami to see. The part where he said that he wanted to marry her was his biggest secret but then again he was never good at keeping secrets. He wanted to do it like the guys in the movies Nami liked with the whole suit and tie get-up. Not to mention the ring. And his lack thereof was embarrassing.
Luffy leaned on his knees and dragged a hand through his hair and scratched the back of his neck. The next question he was about to ask next made him the more nervous.
"What do you want, Nami?"
Nami reached a hand out and touched his shoulder. Luffy sat up to read her expression and seeing her smile and that special look in her eyes he loved so much made him hold onto her for dear life.
"I want forever with you too, Luffy. And despite what happens, I will never fail to remind you how much you mean to me. All that you've said- how can I say no?"
"So that means?"
Luffy released her and wrinkled his brows. He needed to get things straight.
"It means that we're still together." For once Nami was grateful for his stubbornness. Without it, she would have missed out on the best life possible.
"Is that what you want?"
"It is."
His elation meter was at an all-time high.
"What about getting married and starting a family?"
"I want that too. You just need to hold up your end of the bargain."
"How many kids do you want?"
"12."
Luffy's eyes popped out their sockets and Nami had a laugh of a lifetime. His reaction was priceless.
"I'm kidding."
"Oh."
And when he blew a resounding sigh of relief the two of them looked at each other and laughed till their heads fell off.
Luffy watched as Nami wiped the happy tears away still bubbly with giggles and he grinned from ear to ear. Moments like this he never took for granted.
"I'm so happy right now I could kiss you."
"What's stopping you?"
"Can I really?"
"By all means."
Luffy but only pressed his lips on hers for a bare second but before Nami could demand more, the two turned to see Zoro and Sanji wrestling each other to the ground getting dirt and mud staining their uniforms and getting all stuck in their hair.
"You idiots! You blew our cover!"
Usopp's nose was the first thing they saw as the sharpshooter came to full view. Nami face plamed and Usopp sweat dropped realizing his mistake and slowly retreated behind to his hiding place.
"Are they done yet, Usopp?" Chopper was quickly shushed.
Nami knew for a while now that they had spectators. It was a gut feeling proven true.
Luffy laughed at the two stooges tangled on the ground having their usual bicker.
"I'll really miss you guys. Not just Nami but you too, Zoro, Sanji."
"Shut up, shit-head."
Zoro smirked and grinned getting the upper hand; having successfully gotten the cook in a choke hold. Though he would never admit it, he was glad that the idiot couple worked things out.
Soon, everyone was on the road laughing and carrying on like nobody's business on route to the Baratie.
Tomorrow wouldn't be the same but it wasn't the end. Their friendships would continue to grow stronger and they would always have each other's backs till the end of time. With careful care and consideration, the future was in their hands.
-End-
Author's Note:
Thank you. For reading up to this point and for appreciating this fanfic for what it is even though it isn't perfect. Nothing is.
Until next time.
-Awsme Grl :)