“You are good at barking at people.” I agree. When I chose to stay on the island, it didn’t take Amara long to assign my old position over to Mabel.
With the way she attacked after Hago’s attempts, and how bossy she can be, she’s a good replacement for me. She’ll have this crew in line with no trouble.
“It’s so much fun, I tell people what to do and they immediately do it. Amazing.” She giggles.
I silently laugh alongside her. “Don’t let the power get to you too much.”
She laughs more, coming to stand next to me and joins me gazing at the ship.
We’re silent for a while, just watching people run around the top deck making sure everything's ready, acting like they aren’t hungover as hell.
Mabel breaks the silence with a gentle whisper. “We’ll miss you.”
I blow out a long breath, trying to stop the tears that have been brewing all morning. In all honesty, they’ve been sat there since last night. Drinking and laughing with everyone has only made me realise how much I’ll miss them once they aren’t here. “I’ll miss you guys too.”
“Remember to send letters please, I’ll be making sure Amara keeps you updated too.” She says it with a flare of authority, as if that’ll work with me, it’s my position she’sjustfilled.
“Yeah, you’ve already let that power get to your head, huh.” She smirks up at me.
“That she has, I’m going to have to remind her who’s Captain soon.” Amara grins as she exits the ship too. “Although I think she might enjoy the punishment too much.”
I feel my face scrunch up at the thought of them fucking. I’m actually grateful I don’t have to hear that anymore. It’s extremely weird to me now that I ever thought I wanted this with Amara. “I don’t need to hear anymore of that, if you don’t mind.”
Suddenly a small, gentle hand traces along my spine. “What don’t you want to hear about, dove?” Tally appears beside me, resting her arm along my waist as she grins up at me.
“She doesn’t want to hear about Mabel and I’s sex life. And the funishment Mabel’s going to receive later.”
I watch Tally’s face scrunch up just like mine did moments ago. “I don’t blame her, hearing you got at it is bad enough.”
Mabel’s face blazes red. She awkwardly clears her throat. “Well I’m needed back on the ship. Look after each other.” Then she comes close with arms out stretched, without a second thought I step into her, offering her a goodbye hug.
She pulls back, giving Tally a hug and slightly pulling her away to the side.
Then there’s just me and Amara.
Wasting no time, she grabs me and wraps me into a bone crushing hug. I pay it back tenfold, holding on as tight as possible, whilst trying to hold the tears at bay.
“I’m going to miss you so much.” I whisper, so low I doubt she’ll even hear me.
Of course, she hears me anyway, squeezing me tighter. “We’ll be back around before you know it.”
Finally, I release her, catching Mabel and Tally muttering something to themselves.
I watch as Mabel and Amara meet in the middle, ready to get back on the ship.
As sad as I am, this feels right.
I’m not meant to be going with them this time. I don’t think I was meant to be going with them last time. The thought of getting on that ship right now and leaving Tally behind makes me want to vomit. Staying is the right choice. It always will be.
It’s surreal watching them walk back up the plank. How normally I’d be following, but now my feet remain stuck to the floor– happy with their decision to stay.
Just before they disappear, Amara turns and shouts. “Now that you live here, you best get us cheaper docking rates.” She grins as she disappears inside.
It’s the perfect last thing to say, leaving me laughing instead of crying.
“Cheeky bitch, like she doesn’t get better rates than everyone else anyway.” Tally mumbles between her own silent laughter.
I pull her back into my side, needing her close. Even though I can’t see the top deck, I can hear when Amara and Mabel make it up there. Hear their commands from down on the dock.
