I walk toward the pirate area and start to get really nervous. I have never been the one to chase a guy. I haven’t even asked a guy out before.
The show is going on right now. I see Justin in the middle of the crowd surrounded by his friends. I watch the boys surrounding them excited and so into what they’re doing. The pirates’ swords are out and they are fighting each other then showing the kids a few moves before they let them try it.
As I watch I can’t help but wonder why they got such a bad rap around here. It actually looks really fun and the kids seem to be enjoying it. The show ends and the crowd dissipates. I take a deep breath and start to walk their way.
One of Justin’s friends notices me and nudges him. He looks surprised when his eyes meet mine. Once I’m standing in front of him I lose all my courage and forget everything I had planned to say. “Hey,” it’s all I come up with.
“Princess, you’re far from the castle. Are you lost?” He quirks an eyebrow at me.
“I just wanted to talk to you and say I was sorry.” I bite my lip nervously.
“Ah, royalty apologizing to a lowlife pirate. That’s something you don’t see very often. I think you should go back to your castle. I wouldn’t want the people to start talking about you.” He gives me a nod before walking away.
Well, that was nothing like what I wanted to happen.
“Hey, my sword is bigger than his if you’re interested,” the one pirate says as he looks over at me.
That, is why people hate them.
I walk back to my area of the park, forcing myself to smile because I have to. My afternoon is just as jam-packed as my morning was.
I text the girls.
He wouldn’t talk to me. I think it’s over.
I put my phone away and make my way toward the restaurant I’m scheduled to be at.
I spend the rest of the day trying to be happy and enjoy the things I’m scheduled for. I don’t, though. All I can think about is how some people would kill for this job and I spend every day hating it.
I really need to reevaluate what the hell I’m doing.
Dani opens my door and it bangs against the wall. “That’s it, get up.”
I look up from my pile of blankets. “I don’t feel like going anywhere. You guys head out without me.”
“Nope, not gonna happen. I have watched you sulk for the past two days and I’m done. What happened to the girl who was looking for revenge sex and talking about her udders?” Dani throws the blankets off me.
“She acted like an idiot and screwed herself big time.” I try to yank the covers back from her, but she has an iron grip.
“Well, she needs to get over it sometime. Now come on.”
I look up at her and can see there is no way I am going to win this.
“You know, I really don’t like you right now.” I glare at her as I stand up.
“That’s okay. Can I request that you shower first? You smell like depression.” She blows me a kiss before walking out of my room.
Ugh.
Justin has been totally avoiding me since I tried to talk to him at the park. I guess I pissed him off more than I thought. I didn’t think he would stop talking to me all together. I mean, I know I was an ass, but everyone has their days. Although for me it’s more like every day. I just thought he might be mad, I could give him a couple days to cool off, then apologize and we would be okay.
I get out of bed and reluctantly take a shower. Maybe going out with the girls will make me feel better after all. At least it might if I can get out of my own head for long enough.
We go out to the bar and as soon as we walk in all I want to do is turn around. In fact, I try to, but Melanie spins me back around and pushes me forward. “You need this. Let’s go.”
I follow them with a groan and take a seat. The bartender walks over, and Dani orders a round of drinks and shots. I don’t know if it’s her intention for me to have a good night or for her to kill me.
I take the drinks and thank him.
“Okay, to Kate getting back on the saddle again.” Dani raises her shot in the air, and Melanie follows. She looks over at me expectantly, and I give in, lifting my glass.
The liquor burns the back of my throat, but it feels good. I decide that tonight I’m going to get trashed. I order another round of shots while sipping on the drink in my hand.
“Look who’s checking you out, Princess.” Melanie nudges me and nods her head across the room.
“Listen, you got me out here, I’m getting drunk, but I am not looking for a hookup.” I point at both of them, making sure they understand what I’m saying.
“Deal,” Melanie says as she smiles at me.
We spend the rest of the night drinking and dancing. It feels nice to let loose and just enjoy being out with my friends. I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn around to see some random guy.
“Hey there, sexy.” His eyes travel up and down my body and I immediately want to grab a parka and cover myself. “So, my face is leaving in ten minutes. You gonna be on it or not?”
My mouth drops open. He did not just say that.
He’s looking at me, waiting for an answer. Normally I’d have something snarky, but nothing is coming out.
Dani walks up next to me. “Sorry, if she’ll be on anyone’s face tonight, it’ll be mine.” Her hand goes around my shoulders.
His eyes widen and a creepy smile crosses his face. He opens his mouth to respond, but she cuts him off.
“Don’t even suggest it.” She waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.
He walks away, and I turn to her. “Did that really just happen?”
“You attract some winners, girl. Although I have to say I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you speechless.” She laughs before ordering another round of drinks from the bartender.
By the time the girls are ready to leave I question my ability to walk to the cab outside.
Their plan definitely worked. I’m no longer depressed about everything. The only thing is that I know I’ll wake up with a terrible hangover tomorrow.
Hopefully, that’s the worst thing that happens tomorrow.
I open my eyes in the morning and everything hurts. I have not danced like that for the longest time. Things I didn’t even know could hurt are aching.
I sit up and swing my legs over the bed, quickly realizing how bad of a decision that was. My stomach turns and revolts against me getting up. I have to make it to work today, even though I have no idea how I am going to do that.
I stand up and wait for everything to stop spinning before slowly making my way to the shower. I am never drinking like this again when I have work the next day.
Once I’m out of the shower I get dressed, moving as slow as I can so that I don’t lose it. The thought of walking in today and putting on that dress almost depresses me. I just want to be happy and pretending to be someone I’m not isn’t getting me there.
I walk out into the living room when I’m done getting ready. “Anyone else feel like calling in sick?”
“Every day, girl.” Melanie smiles at me.
Ugh. I grab my purse and keys, then we head out to the car. We are quiet for most of the ride, but I think that’s because we are all still a little drunk. Even though I’m not saying anything out loud the voices in my head are screaming.
I need to figure out a way to be happy because the way I’ve been living constantly hating what I’m doing every day just isn’t working.
Walking into the building, I start to head toward my dressing room but stop mid-way. I turn around and walk to Ethan’s office.
I pray that I’m doing the right thing and that I won’t regret this.
***
I finish getting dressed as I text the girls and ask them to come meet me. I take a deep breath, knowing how big of a change this will be for me, but I hope it’s something that makes me happy.
My door opens and I hear their sharp intakes of breath.
“What are you wearing
?” Dani says, the shock evident in her voice.
I turn, my leather boots clicking on the floor. “I talked to Ethan and told him that being the princess just wasn’t what I wanted anymore and I asked him if I could switch departments.”
The looks on their faces are a lot like what I imagined they would be. I turn back toward the mirror, almost not recognizing myself. The big gold hoops, the white flowy shirt, the black tattered skirt.
I’m a pirate now.
“I mean, it’s cute in a way. It’s like Danny and Sandy at the end of Grease, except they both traded up. You went from being a princess to a pirate hooker.” Dani laughs.
I glare at her. “Please tell me I’m not crazy.”
“You’re not crazy,” Melanie says. “Maybe a bit in denial but not crazy.”
“I can’t even tell you guys how nervous I am. What if I did all of this and he still wants nothing to do with me?” I bite my lip, more nervous than I have ever been.
“Dressed like that?” Dani looks at me again. “Any pirate would be crazy not to swab your deck.”
We all laugh, and I move toward the door. “Wish me luck.”
“Oh, there’s no way I’m missing this,” Dani says catching up to me, her wings waving as she skips.
“Me too!” Mel says as she tags along.
The three of us walk through the park. We must look crazy. A fairy, a pirate, and an evil queen. I feel like that’s a start to a really terrible joke. People are staring at us, especially the employees who know me and are realizing the huge change I’ve just made.
“Just breathe, Sandy.” Dani winks at me.
We turn the corner and the pirate area comes into view. I can see the guys standing outside talking to kids and laughing with them.
Okay, you got this.
One of his friends spots me first and elbows him. When Justin looks up the shock on his face is priceless. His mouth hangs open as he walks past the group of kids and over to us.
“I swear, if you break out into song, I’ll club you over the head. Those touchy-feely movies have totally gotten to you,” Dani whispers in my ear.
“Hey, what—I mean, how, what’s going on?” His gaze runs up and down my body.
“I decided that I wasn’t really happy before and I needed to find a way to make myself happy. When we were together you made me happy. Being the princess never made me happy. It wasn’t who I am.” I smile at him nervously, waiting to hear what he says. “So what do you think?”
“I think for our first female pirate, you are goddamn perfect.” His hands grip my waist as he pulls me against him. “Now we might have to work today, but tonight your booty is mine.”
I laugh and see the small crowd of employees that have gathered around us.
A slow clap starts and I turn around to see Jeremy. “I always knew you were trash, but you really committed to it, huh?”
Justin steps forward, but I place my hand on his chest.
“I got this one.” I turn and take a few steps toward the prince. “You may think that you’re important and that you’re better than everyone else here, but you’re not. You are a pathetic little shit who uses his little dick to try and make himself feel like a man. Your opinion doesn’t mean anything to me.”
I start to walk away when he of course opens his big mouth again. “Hope you’re happy being a pirate whore.”
I stiffen. When I turn around I step so close that I’m in his face. “I’d rather be his whore than your princess any day, you prick.” I pull my sword from my belt and jam it right into his dick. He buckles to the ground, and I flash him a smile before walking away.
Justin takes my hand, and we walk off toward our ship.
I’ve been a pirate for almost two weeks and I have to say that I couldn’t be happier. I don’t hate going to work every day anymore.
Being a pirate I’m allowed to be sarcastic, funny, and really just be myself.
When I was the princess I had to be polished and perfect every moment. It was so draining and really started to take a toll on me.
Things with Justin have been great too. Luckily I haven’t hospitalized him again. I have even started being a little less bitchy 24/7. Honestly, that’s a lot easier when you’re getting sex regularly. It’s hard to be mad when you’re getting laid.
I’m walking through the park looking for Melanie, but I haven’t been able to find her anywhere.
As I walk through the backstage of the forest I hear some loud noises. When I look over I see something that will be burned into my memory forever.
Mel is bent over, holding on to one of the prop trees, while some chipmunk is plowing into her. The creepiest part is that he’s still wearing the costume head.
“What the hell!” I scream, and both of them stop to look up at me.
“Kate? Shit.” Melanie stands up quickly and tries to fix her clothes.
“Is this what goes on here? Jesus.” I look around.
“Actually yeah, so if this freaked you out you might wanna turn around and not go any farther,” the chipmunk says to me.
“Oh God.” I turn quickly and almost run back the way I came. Pulling out my phone, I send a quick text to Dani.
Me: I just caught Melanie getting it on with the chipmunk against a tree!
Dani: STFU I always miss the good shit! Was he hot at least?
Me: I don’t know. He was still wearing the head!
Dani: Holy shit. That girl is a freak.
I laugh as I make my way back to my area and far away from the forest. Passing the castle, I smile at the show going on right now. The new princess they found is great. She seems like she fits right in where I was always just trying to pretend that I did. Jeremy started acting out after I embarrassed him in front of everyone. Last week he showed up drunk and they fired him on the spot. I definitely enjoyed watching him walk out of here.
I head toward the pirate area and the first show has already begun. The guys are playing with the kids, and I decide to just watch this one. All of Justin’s friends were really accepting and are a ton of fun.
I never imagined myself being where I am right now, but it’s the only place that has felt right in a really long time.
Stay tuned in 2017 for…
Bite Me
Melanie’s Book
and
Eat My Dust
Dani’s Book
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Kiss My Crown Page 8
