“There is no way I am wearing an eye patch.” I sighed, locking the bathroom door behind me.

“Dita please be reasonable, it’s Sam’s big day.” I slumped to the floor crossing my legs. As if attending a pirate-themed wedding wasn’t embarrassing enough, now I had to wear a costume?

“No way mum, I am not walking down the strip like Long John Silver.” My parents had dragged me all the way from England to Las Vegas, to go to my crackpot auntie’s wedding at Treasure Island.

“Come on, It’s Vegas. No-one will blink an eyelid.” My Mum implored, banging on the door.

“No, means no.”

“Mommy, why is that girl dressed like a pirate?” A little girl asked loudly, pulling on her mother’s floral skirt.

“She’s probably in a show hun’.” Yeah that’s right, the Carter family freak show.

I pulled my feathered hat down lower in an effort to hide my face, but the blistering Vegas heat was making wearing the wretched thing unbearable. My parents sauntered down the street in front, blissfully unaware of my suffering. I would have given anything to be in my older brother Jason’s shoes, he had made up some lame excuse about ‘university commitments’ and slipped off to Spain with his mates.

“Oh look Greg, there it is.” Mum excitedly pointed at the pirate ship outside the hotel’s entrance, where the ceremony would be taking place. Oh great, it’s out in the open so even more people can observe the humiliating spectacle.

“Aphrodite Carter, you adjust your attitude this minute!” My Dad scolded, waggling his finger at me like he always did when he was telling me off.

“Whatever.” I yawned, playing with a strand of my sandy coloured hair. Dad was now turning a deep shade of magenta.

“You will be the best buccaneer bridesmaid the world had ever seen, or else.”

“Fine.” I mumbled, following them into the hotel.

My parents went off for a pre-wedding drink with the other guests, giving me some quiet time to myself. Picking a peaceful spot in the lobby under an artificial palm tree, I considered making a run for it.

“Do you always dress like that?” I looked up from my escape plan musings to see a tall raven-haired boy, observing me with a hint of disdain.

“Yeah, everyday.” I replied sarcastically, turning away from him. The boy stood there, arms crossed as if waiting for something.

“What?” I demanded, getting increasingly agitated by his presence.

“You’re Aphrodite Carter right?” He questioned in his southern drawl.

“Yeah?” He must be going to the wedding too, I mean how else would he know my name?

“We need to talk.”

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This is just an idea i'm playing about with, if people like it i'll continue :)... Also check out my other stories if you can.