A Pirate's Crush

26. A Lesson In Honesty

I followed Dunkerque and Algerie to some benches on the sidewalk, out of sight of the commander. Once I couldn't see the commander anymore, I dropped my act. My heart felt like it was cracking apart. My head was pounding.

"God, I'm screwed!" I cried.

"Jeanie, what's going on?" Dunkerque asked.

"It was fine at first, but now he won't talk to me, and I don't know what to say..."

"Jeanie, please..." Algerie said.

"But am I the bad guy?!" I continued, ignoring them. "Did I do something? He thinks I don't wanna be here, but I do! I... I don't know what I'm doing! I'm just wasting his time! He's gonna hate me now! Why am I such a fucking bitch?!!"

"Jean Bart!!!"

I was firmly grabbed by my shoulders. It was Algerie, staring at me intently.

"Calm. Down," Algerie said.

"Breathe. Breathe," Dunkerque said. "Follow my lead. In... and out..."

Algerie held onto me gently while I followed Dunkerque's instructions.

It took a solid minute, but I managed to calm down. Algerie let go of me, but I still wasn't doing too hot.

"...I'm fucking screwed," I lamented. "I've ruined everything."

"Here, Jeanie," Dunkerque said, reaching into her purse. "Oh good, it didn't get smushed. Eat this."

Eat?

She pulled out a baggie holding... a lemon cruller.

"Go on," Dunkerque said. "Nothing like your favorite food to cheer you up."

...she came prepared.

"Gimme," I said, taking the baggie. I retrieved the cruller inside. I was already a bit hungry, so I devoured it in a matter of seconds. Mmm... the perfect harmony of sweet and tart, packed into a soft, cakey bun.

"Ah... that's good stuff," I said. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Dunkerque said. "I thought it might come in handy."

"Hmph... ya know me too well," I said.

Dunkerque giggled. "I'd like to think so. Now then, onto business."

"Yes. But first, I must ask," Algerie said, "Is this because of anything he did to you?"

"If we need to discipline him, we will," Dunkerque said. "He and I may be close, but he'll get no special treatment if he hurt you."

"No no, he didn't do anything to me," I said. "Don't go after him."

"I see," Algerie said. "Talk to us then. What happened?"

I pursed my lips. What do I tell them? I suppose the cause of all this was me flinching because our hands touched. But... I can't let them know that I've wanted him to hold my hand all evening. I ain't soft.

If I'd just accepted his advance, we wouldn't be in this mess! Or was it an advance? Ugh... I dunno.

Hold on a sec, was he trying to make me feel bad for not accepting his hand? Trying to pin the blame on me?! It's our first date! So what if I'm not comfortable! That slimy bast—

...wait, what am I thinking? He wouldn't be toxic like that, would he? No. No, of course not. Dunkerque wouldn't have put up with that while she was secretary.

Dunkerque and Algerie are looking at me intently. I've brought everyone to a grinding halt, it'd be selfish to waste their time.

Those thoughts gave me a question to ask, though.