Starfish and Roses

Chapter 2

"You're a MERMAID!?" I question loudly.

"Merman" he corrects.

I climb out of the fountain and stand in front of Ocean, staring down at him confused. He flops around trying to maneuver himself in a sitting up position.

"I would like to say 'I was gonna tell you' like they do in those novels you humans love so much but the truth is, I was hoping no one would ever find out" he chuckles.

"That's fine, I guess. We just met anyway, it's not like we're close or anything..." I reply. Still feeling shocked and confused, but I try my best to hide it.

He glances at his tail. "Do you mind helping me dry off?"

"Oh sure, of course." I look around, it's not like there's a towel nearby and my clothes are too drenched to use. I check my phone, luckily, it still works. It looks like my class is about to start soon, which means there should be no one around for at least an hour. I decide to drag him to a much sunnier area. "Don't worry, no one will see you. Everyone is in class by now."

"Thanks" he says with a smile. A very cute smile. I'd like to see that smile more...

".... necklace"

"Huh?" I ask, I wasn't paying attention, I was distracted trying to find a solution.

"Can you get my necklace? I'm guessing the reason you were at the fountain was because it was in there?"

"Oh right, yeah. I'll go and grab it" I rush to the fountain and climb into it. I'm already drenched so there's no reason to not take the easy way at this point. I bend over and grab the necklace and climb back out of the fountain. I shake the water off my legs before heading back to Ocean.

"Here" I say, handing him the necklace "I'm guessing it's important to you, right?"

"It is" he says as he reaches for the necklace and ties it around his neck. Suddenly a bright light flashes and nearly blinds me for a second. Eyes closed; I hear a voice screeching in pain. I open my eyes slightly and see Ocean, his tears are streaming down his face as he screams in agony. The water on his tail seeps into the scales. His tail starts being split in half as it turns into legs. I instinctively drop to my knees and grab hold of his hand to comfort him. His screams grow louder, and I am almost traumatized by the event. I squeeze my eyes shut and attempt to ignore the sounds of his screams. After moments of agony, his screams turn into gasps of air. I open my eyes to see him panting heavily. He falls back and lays on the ground with his eyes shut tight, trying to stop the tears.

"OCEAN! Are you alright!?" I cry out, terrified.

"Don't *cough* worry...." He chokes on his words. "It's only.... painful when I put.... the necklace on.... while I'm still... wet." He continues to gasp for air and shortly after, his breathing returns to normal.

"Why didn't you wait till you were dry!?" I exclaim in anger and worry.

"I didn't want to risk someone finding me. I had to change quickly."

"Are you crazy!?" at this point, tears start to stream from my face. "I told you everyone would be in class! I told you not to worry! Why did you put yourself through all that pain?" I start crying loudly, trying my hardest to stop, aggressively wiping the tears on my arms. It was scary to see someone is so much pain.

I suddenly feel arms wrap around me. "I'm sorry" Ocean apologizes "I never meant to worry you" I continue to cry, burying my face into his shirt. He moved his hand onto my head and stroked my hair. "It's alright. Take as long as you need."

I hate myself in this position, being vulnerable like this in front a stranger no less but, seeing him in that much pain was too much for me to handle.

I don't know how much time had passed. An hour? 10 minutes? Who knows, I didn't keep track. All I know is that I am wiping my last tear on my wrist and I staring at Ocean's comforting smile. My face feels hot. I'm so embarrassed. He was the one in pain and I am the one who cried the most.

"Sorry about that..." I begin "I didn't expect to see something like that. It shocked and terrified me...." I admit. He chuckles a nervous chuckle.

"I'm sorry that I scared you like that, Tabitha. I didn't mean to make you worry."

Those words he spoke made me feel unnaturally calm, it's as if when he spoke all my anxiety and fears melted away in second. That's when I realized that I might be feeling something unexplainable towards this merman.

Ember

I did it. Yes! It's very rare that I avoid contact with Dante, that jerk! Ugh, I hate him so much. Thank god he didn't notice me passing by him while he was flirting with those three girls. He probably would have made a joke at my expense just to humor them. He is infuriating.

Never mind, I better stop thinking about him. I'm finally in the quiet C wing. I'm just gonna sit on this bench by the window and read my book. That's right, just gonna read this beautiful love story that Tabitha recommended, relax and go to my happy place. I'll dive into the story and pretend that I'm the protagonist. I'll dream about being a normal girl with normal girl problems. Yeah, a normal girl who doesn't have to deal with being an heiress, keeping up appearances, or-

"Princess, thought you can hide from me, didn't you?"

Dante! Gosh darn it! I should have just taken that left turn to hide in the girl's bathroom.

"I do not know what you are talking about" I fake cluelessness.

"I'm talking about you running past me and almost running into a wall while you made that quick turn to avoid me catching you" he stares me down, smirking, as if he has already won, but I won't lose this time.

"Oh, is that what you thought? Quite the ego, Mr. Chambers." Not sure if he's noticed but I go into 'heiress mode' when I'm trying to lie or kiss up to someone. "Well, I can understand the confusion, but you see, this is my favorite reading spot and I just didn't want anyone else to take this seat. Besides, I was also very eager to read this book" I give him the biggest smile. He lost this round and I know it.

"Oh, is that why you spent 2 minutes panting in relief saying 'Yes! I lost Dante' while leaning against the wall that's blocking the view of the hallway?" Okay, he won again. Dang it all!

He began to chuckle menacingly, like the evil stupid jerk that he is. He leans over and lifts my chin up with his thumb and index finger, forcing me to look into those disgusting green eyes. "Admit it, you can't get me out of your head, December."

I swiftly move my hand and knock his hand away. "Actually, I just didn't want to admit that I was avoiding your disgustingly ugly mug. Oh well, Daddy won't be too mad if I don't play nice with a Chambers." Oh, he really makes my blood boil, him and his stupid personality.

His winning smirk turns into anger "Don't get cocky, Princess, because Daddy isn't gonna pay for your college transfers if you get picked on again" He backs away from me, but still holds his glare. "I'll see you at the country club this Saturday, try and look cute for me" he winks then removes his gaze from me and glances at the window behind me. He smirks once more. "And I'll see your friend later. Just hope that what I do won't make her lose her little boyfriend over there."

I quickly turn my head and look out the window. I see Tabitha in the arms of some boy I've never seen before, she's smiling. I have never seen her so happy since Felix left her years ago. Oh no, Dante wouldn't... He couldn't... I turn back at Dante as he walks away laughing like a maniac. Okay, maybe not exactly like a maniac but maniac suits him better. "Don't you dare!" I yell at him but it's too late, he had already turned the corner and disappeared.

At that moment, Cori comes in from the same corner Dante left from. She sees me and heads towards me "What was all that about?" she asks, emotionlessly. I face the floor almost in tears, fearing the worst for Tabitha.

"Dante's gonna take Tabitha's newfound happiness away..." I choke up. Cori looks out the window, her blank expression turns into worry then anger.

"He's gonna pull those two apart..." she mutters.