Port Royal wasn't the best place for a thirteen-year-old girl. There were too many drunkards. Besides, the pirate outfit my uncle had given me was too large. I walked like a duck with those boots... Don't judge me! I was learning. Five months had gone by since my father's death. Despite his passiveness, I grieved the bastard... Stupid soft heart! Anyway, I tried to concentrate on the good parts of my life that night. I'd escaped my crazy stepmother, improved my fighting skills every day, found great friends... Nothing else could go wrong! I sighed while walking with Maartje around the city. She also looked strange in those clothes, but at least she didn't trip every second. Although I was quiet, I couldn't stop thinking about my dad. I needed to relax.

My cousin's eyes gleamed, "Do you want to steal some jewelry?"

"Not really," I glanced downward. "I'm tired."

"I hate seeing you sad!" Maartje knit her brows. "What's wrong?"

I wiped away a tear, "I'm still upset about what happened to my father a few months ago."

She caressed my back, "The more you think about it, the worse you'll feel."

"His death won't leave my mind!" my eyes bulged. "I need to relax. There must be something that can cheer me up..."

My cousin gazed upwards... Why was she hypnotized by the night sky? The moon was indeed beautiful, but Maartje froze. I approached her, wondering what she thought about. She smiled mysteriously, making me frown... I'd just shared my pain, so what could have made her happy?

"Here's a crazy idea," Maartje rubbed her chin. "Why don't you ask a boy out?"

She's insane!

I laughed hysterically... How absurd! Why did Maartje suggest that? I was the last girl someone would go out with. Also, I'd never thought about romance much. All I wanted was to fight and plunder. Getting too attached to someone freaked me out.

"I'm the definition of weird!" I pointed at my outfit. "Who would be crazy enough to say yes?"

Maartje raised her brows, "With that attitude? No one!"

I scowled, "What do you mean?"

"You're so pessimistic!" my cousin rolled her eyes. "If you want a boy, increase your confidence."

I crossed my arms, "Boys only like girls who do whatever they want. That's not me."

"Is this the sound of a wimp?" she chuckled. "Please! You're just scared of rejection."

My cousin did not just say that!

Shaking my head in denial, I wanted to punch a wall. I couldn't believe what I'd heard... The worst part was she had a point. I became determined to prove her wrong. There was no way I'd look like a coward. I had to talk to a boy, regardless of my imminent humiliation.

"I bet two gold coins a guy will say yes on my first try!" I flipped my hair like a silly girl. "Watch and learn."

"Deal!" Maartje looked around. "Who are you choosing?"

I gulped as we kept walking... No young boy was nearby. My heart pounded as the amount of older people increased. Yeah, I wasn't meant to have my first date that night... or was I? Gazing at the beach, I tilted my head to the side. A tall boy with dark-brown hair and olive skin leaned against a coconut tree. He had his back to me while staring at the sea, so I couldn't see his face. His coat was so oversized that it covered both hands while the hat hid most of his head... Almost as if he'd robbed the outfit! I smiled mischievously.

This strange boy might say yes!

Maartje followed me once I ran to a hibiscus bush. Grabbing a red hibiscus flower, I took a deep breath. Although I didn't know that boy, I had a feeling he was interesting. I was determined to approach the lonely stranger.

My cousin scowled, "Why are you holding a flower?"

"Many boys offer one in exchange for a date. I might as well do the same," I looked at the red hibiscus. "There's no way he's refusing the most beautiful flower ever."

"Go for it," she shrugged. "I'll give you some privacy."

Taking several deep breaths, I waited for Maartje to walk away. I slowly approached the boy while tripping on the sand. My hands were so sweaty that I feared the hibiscus would get soaked.

"Hello, stranger!" my lips curled into a nervous smile. "Would you go out with me in exchange for a red hibiscus flower?"

Did you just call him a stranger? Seriously, Eva?

My heart pounded as he kept looking at the sky. Even though I couldn't see his face, I swear he smiled. My eyes gleamed while my hopes increased... Guess what? The joy ended! An adult man approached the boy. He had dark brown eyes, long hair of the same color, olive skin, and a small beard. The guy dressed like a pirate and seemed to be in his early forties. I took a few steps back.

The man narrowed his eyes, "No puedo creer que robaste mi ropa de nuevo..."

The boy glanced at the ground, "Lo siento, papá."

"Vuelve al barco," the guy pointed to the right. "¡Ya!"

What are they saying?

I swallowed hard as the man turned to me. Dropping the hibiscus on the ground, I ran for my life... Don't judge me! He was scary. Once I was far enough, I leaned against a wall. The boy left, but the man walked closer. I wondered why the flower wasn't on the sand anymore... Perhaps the boy had taken it. I touched my cutlass, ready to attack the stranger... Where was my cousin? I needed help! My legs trembled as I panted.

"Don't be scared. I came to apologize for yelling," the man sighed. "That was very unpolite."

I cleared my throat, "It's alright. You weren't upset at me... I think."

"I'm Alonso. Welcome to Port Royal," he smiled. "A father upset at his kid is the least weird thing you'll see around here."

"Great!" I forced a laugh. "It's nice to meet you, but I must leave."

"Are you sure?" Alonso raised a brow. "I can ask my son to return, señorita. It seems you wanted to talk to him."

I took a step back, "I'm fine."

"Wait," the man walked closer. "What's your name?"

Without thinking twice, I ran away... Yes, I was too scared of strangers. Besides, I wouldn't have the guts to ask the boy out again. Doing it once was painful enough. I sighed in relief after finding Maartje. Alonso and his son were nowhere to be seen.

I was about to ask a foreigner out! How could I be so stupid?

I handed my cousin two coins, "You won! Are you happy?"

"Easy!" Maartje returned the payment. "What happened?"

"Keep them," I gave the treasure back. "I made a fool out of myself."

She approached me, "Why are you saying that?"

"The boy didn't even look at me!" I crossed my arms. "He probably couldn't understand a word I said."

Maartje raised a brow, "Wasn't he Dutch?"

I shook my head in denial, "His dad and him spoke another language."

"It's alright," my cousin sighed. "There will be other boys."

I bit my lower lip, not believing I'd refused Alonso's offer... How could I be such a coward? I should've let him go after the boy! Perhaps I'd missed an excellent opportunity to have fun. Maartje walked closer as if she'd sensed my sadness.

"Stop worrying," she caressed my back. "You'd probably never see each other again after going out."

"You don't know that!" I frowned. "Maybe he'd like me."

"Really?" my cousin rolled her eyes. "What do you think he would've become? The father of your children?"

I chuckled, "I'm not that crazy!"

Maartje and I kept walking while laughing. In a few months, I forgot the name of the young man's father. I hate to admit it, but that boy wouldn't leave my mind. Sighing, I wondered if he also thought of me... Who am I kidding? He had better things to do! Or perhaps not... I was sure that would be the first and last time I'd see him. However, if you've read this far, you know life proved me wrong.

****

Author's note: Thank you for reading the second bonus scene. As always, please vote and comment if you enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed reading about the time Eva and Miguel almost met. Please take a look at my collage for this bonus scene. They include McKenna Grace as young Eva and Bryce Gheisar as young Miguel. It's below the translations. I'll post the chapters for aesthetics and special questions soon, so stay tuned... :-)

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance (including Miguel and Alonso's dialogue):

1. No puedo creer que robaste mi ropa de nuevo means "I can't believe you stole my clothes again" in Spanish

2. Lo siento, papá means "I'm sorry, dad" in Spanish

3. Vuelve al barco means "go back to the ship" in Spanish

4. Ya means "now" in Spanish

5. Señorita means "miss" in Spanish