Chapter 1

            I wake up to the sound of a loud whistle coming from the outside of the coach, the horses no longer moving. Last night, I went to bed wearing my night dress and now, I’m in my blue dress that shows quite a bit of my bosom. A midnight blue shawl is draped along my shoulders in an attempt to cover my shoulders, the dress having sleeves that are draped on the top of my arm and do not cover my shoulder at all. At my feet it a bag of clothing. What the… last night I was in bed! How the hell did I get here?! My mind races with ideas on how I could possibly end up in this dress in a carriage at an unknown location. Suddenly, the door swings open.

            “Oh my! Who are you!?” I exclaim, surprised to see a tall, young man standing in front of me. He is such an amazing sight. A handsome, young, prettily dressed man.

            “Miss, you need to come with me. Your father has written you onto the ship as a ship’s helper until you have earned a rank. Please hurry, Miss.” The pretty man says. By the look of him, he is no more than 16 years of age, tall and slender with brown, curly hair, big brown eyes, and the pinkest cheeks. Due to the color of his cheeks, he must be nervous about fetching me and maybe a little embarrassed.

            “What is your name, young man?” I say, formally because, by the look of his clothes, he is a higher rank than me.

            “Travis Westing, ma’am. I am a midshipman on this… beautiful ship. I have been put to watch you and make sure you are safe until you get your sea legs and are used to the way things work around here.” He explains, reaching for my hand, a hand that I deny as I jump out of the coach on my own. His cheeks turn an even darker shade of red and I know why.

            “I’m sorry for my crude ways. I guess that is why my father is sending me off, even though I am the youngest of my family. I must ask you to fetch me men’s clothing though. I will need it.” I turn my back to him, waiting for him to respond and getting ready to beg if I need to.

            “That is not right, Miss! You must wear your dresses!” His cheeks are even brighter red when he mentions women’s clothing. “Your father ordered it! You must listen!” I quickly stop him.

            “I am being sent out to sea by my father because of my wild ways and you expect me to listen to him!” I exclaim, begging him to cooperate. “So, can you please find me some men’s clothing? Please?”

            “But Miss…” He begins, not getting very far before I stop him.

            “Please Travis! Please, please, please, please, please!” My voice is girly and whinny, the voice that no boy or man can resist. “I need to blend in on the ship so someone won’t hurt me! Someday, I want to marry a tall, handsome, brown eyed, curly haired man and I don’t want to be… used.” I say sadly as I force a tear to slide down my cheek. His face is even more red than it was when I first saw him.

            “It will be done Miss…” He fades out, trying to figure out the name I have yet to tell him.

            “My name is Maria, Sir Travis.” His cheeks turn even darker red, the color of a deep red cherry. “You blush a lot.” I say matter-of-factly and he turns even darker, saying nothing, standing there silently, bewildered. After a few minutes, he finally speaks.

            “Miss Maria, please do not call me sir. I am not in the position that allows you to call me that. I am only a midshipman, miss, if you recall me telling you that earlier.” He speaks slowly and nervously, choosing his words easily.

            “But…” he begins to say but I interrupt him.

            “Don’t contradict what I say because it’s true and you know it, dear Travis. Can you please take me onto the ship? I must find a place to change into the men’s clothes that you promised you would get me.” I add flirt into my voice, attempting him to do what I want him to.

            “But Maria, you don’t have a…” A man on board begins to yell, cutting Travis off.

            “Everyone who is to come on this damn ship better get your sorry arse a-board now!”

Author's Note

i need some advice. the upcoming chapters have some sketchy things coming up and im not sure what i should rate it as. should it be teen or mature? if you can help me, please, please, please email me!

Reviews

[flippyblue]

The dialogue really sucks me in. I like it! And I'm hooked on the characters already :) Travis is adorable.

[melissa]

nice going i really enjoy this. on the rating thing i would rate it mature to be on the safe side :)

[Theresa]

I like how Maria is rebelious it definitely makes her that much more interesting. Getting shipped away by her father and still managing to disobey him. I'm curious to see what will happen to her on the ship and who else she will meet. Great start.

[Moyo]

The first chapter is a pleasant introduction of two characters and part of the plot. The conversation between Maria and Travis is amusing, I had fun reading it.