Mermaids Blood

Two

TWO
Aileen

Three months later...

School began, and life on the island continued as normal. Occasional rain storms, hot sunny days, and my business was booming. I am taking my courses online and so far I'm acing them. Flora and Kira took actual classes at the college three times a week every week. They seem to be doing well.

I sat on the living room couch, cross legged with my laptop perched upon my lap. The laptop burned into my thigh and was creating an unbearable noise in the process as if it were about to take off. Jeez I need a new laptop already. I scrolled through the curriculum provided for my college class, as well as all of the homework and documents that were uploaded. I saved the necessary documents for this week, and started studying. Flora and Kira burst through the door together, the silent room instantly filled with giggles.

"Hey guys what's up?" I happily greeted them as they made their way to the kitchen and started pulling out bowls and food to cook for the night.

"Ooh nothing," kira responded nonchalantly. "We only just got invited to a party," she added casually. Kira pulled out a pre prepped meal from the fridge. A salad with cooked chicken breasts, an assortment of vegetables and a package of homemade salad dressing.

I raised a brow. "Oh?" Well that's new. "Well that also means I'm invited, correct? The invitation of course extends to me so I'm coming!" I happily responded. I haven't been to a party in forever.

"When is this party?" I ask.

Floras gaze switches between me and Kira, seeming a bit apprehensive about telling me. Or maybe it's something else. Flora pulls out a small packet of oatmeal, tears it open, and pours it into a bowl. She then pulls out almond milk from the fridge and pours it in after the oatmeal. she stirs it and sets it in the microwave.

"Oh well we didn't think you wanted to go because..." Flora started hesitantly. She looked at Kira for a moment then turned back to the food.

"because.." I drawled on after her. My eyes squinted  as I looked at them with suspicion. What are they hiding?

"Well, because it's from those group of popular girls you don't like," she finally said. Ugh the popular girls. They actually show up to the shop pretty often. It's kind of like their hang out spot.

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously? How did you guys even get invited to that?"

"I helped one of the girls with her homework because she didn't understand it and we bonded in a way. She's actually sweet," Flora said.

I rolled my eyes. "You know it's all fake right? She's not actually as sweet as you think she is." Bonding. Psh. More like using you.

"Okay well it doesn't matter anyway. Do you wanna come to the party tonight or what?" Flora asked.

"Yes," I grumbled. It tried to sound excited but deep down inside I was dying.

"Yes!" Flora smiled and clasped her hands together in excitement. "It starts at 8 tonight on the boardwalk. Also, it's her birthday so be nice to her."

I rolled my eyes. Whatever. "Which one is the birth day girl?" I asked.

"Charlie," Flora told me. Oh my. That's the leader.

**********

It was about 7:45 as I started to get ready for the night out on the boardwalk. I decided I can still have fun and have a good time as long as I limit interactions with Charlie. As long as I limit interactions with the whole group, basically.