The Mermaid's Unexpected Mate

Chapter 3

Harmony's POV:

The next morning, I woke up the the smell of pancakes cooking. I climbed out of bed and went downstairs. 

 "G-good m-morning, m-mama and p-p-papa," I struggled to say. I sighed. I wished so badly sometimes that I could be normal like my brother and sister. 

 "Good morning, pumpkin." my dad smiled at me. 

 "Morning, guppy!" Earwyn teased. I stuck my tongue out at him playfully. 

 "Good morning, Harmony. Did you sleep well?" mom asked. 

 I nodded. "Y-yes, mama." I was assuming Aerwyna was still sleeping. 

 "Michael, can you get Aerwyna? Her breakfast is going to get cold." 

 "Alright, water lily." papa smiled and kissed her before he went up the stairs. Looks like I was right. Aerwyna was always sleeping in. 

 Soon, dad had manged to get my twin out of bed and down the stairs. Usually, it always took longer. Then, I remembered. Pancakes were Aerwyna's favorite breakfast! Mom usually make something simple, like eggs. 

 "Chocolate chip pancakes here I come!!" she exclaimed, running over to the table and sitting down. 

 "Aerwyna Marie! How many times do I have to tell you, not to run in the house," mama scolded. 

 "Sorry, mommy..." Aerwyna mumbled. 

 "It's alright. Now, eat up, my little sea stars. Your dad and I have some exciting news to share." 

 I looked up from my pancakes. "W-what is i-it, m-mama?" I asked. "Well, as you three may know, the new school year is starting next week," papa began. Earwyn nodded. He was really good in school. Mama says he gets straight A's and B's. I assume that's good. 

 "What about it, dad? I'm almost set in my school supplies." Earwyn pointed out. 

 "Yes, we know, son. What we are saying, is this. Aerwyna, Harmony, your mom and I have decided that it's time you started school." 

 Aerwyna looked disappointed. Me? I was excited! New friends, a chance to make mama and papa proud of me like they are of my brother, a chance to be really independent! 

 "Do I have to go, mommy?" my older sister moaned. 

 Mom nodded. "Yes, Aerwyna. You have to go. Your dad will drive you and Earwyn both to school. I'm-" 

 "W-what a-ab-bout me, m-mama?" I asked, not really sure if I wanted to know the answer. 

 "Harmony...You will be starting school, but you won't be going with your sister.." papa explained.

 "What?! B-but W-why?!" I said in protest. 

 "You are going to be home-schooled until we're certain you can handle public school. Right now, we don't think you can handle it. Aunt Leah will be your teacher when your mom is busy. When she isn't available, Aunt Louise will take over." papa explained. 

 I looked down at my plate. Suddenly, I wasn't so hungry anymore. I was so looking forward to making new friends, having freedom, making my parents proud...Now, I wasn't even going to go to school. I was just staying home like I do all the time. 

 "You can still get some school supplies, like your sister. And this way, sea star, you won't get bullied as often as you might've been.." my mom said, trying to lift my spirits. Didn't work.

 I didn't care about the school supplies or getting bullied. I just wanted to try and make a friend so I wouldn't be so lonely...

 I nodded sadly. "Y-yes, m-mama.." I slowly ate my food in silence, while my family engaged in conversation. "I'm f-finished..C-can I-I be e-excused, p-please?" I asked. 

 "Sure, honey." my dad replied. 

 I got up from my chair and headed up the stairs and into my room. I went into my closet and got out my favorite play dress and put it on. It was a light purple dress with daisies on it. 

 When I was finished, I heard a knock on my door. "C-come i-in!" I responded. 

 I looked over to see my sister come in. She stood behind me as I sat at my little hair styling table. 

 "I just wanted to see if you were ok.." she replied softly, as she began to brush my hair. I love when she does my hair. 

 "I-I'm o-ok, W-Winnie.." I mumbled. 

 "I know that's a lie, sis. I'm your twin sister, remember? You can tell me anything!" 

 I sighed. Could I? I wanted so badly to be able to tell someone how I felt, but I never really felt like I could...I could feel tears running freely down my cheeks. 

 "Hey, it's ok, Harmony...Come here.." Aerwyna put down the hair brush and hugged me.

  Before I knew it, I was telling my sister how I felt. "I-I'm s-sorry.." I managed to say. I tried to get more words out, but nothing came out. 

 "Just take your time, sis. Take a deep breath, calm down, and speak slowly.." 

 I nodded. "I-I just w-wanted to g-go t-to sch-school. I w-w-wanted to make f-f-f-friends..T-to m-make m-mama and p-papa proud...T-to be i-independent a-and free.." My sister was silent as I spoke. She kept nodding her head, and saying things like, "Mhm," and "It's ok, take your time." 

 When I finally finished, she was quiet for a while. "I-I d-don't m-mean to m-m-make you f-feel b-bad, W-Winnie...S-sometimes, I f-f-f-feel l-like..." 

 "Like what?" she asked. 

 "L-like...a c-caged b-bird.." I responded quietly. 

 We sat there in silence for several minutes. Finally, she took my hands in hers and said, "I'm sorry I made you feel that way. I never meant to. My only intention was to protect you. I guess I went a little too far. I promise, I'll try to be better. And Harmony, mommy and daddy are proud of you. We all love so much. And those people who don't want to be your friends, they are just a bunch of jerks who don't have any taste! You are a great person to be around. Not to mention fun." I listened carefully to her. 

 At that moment, I felt closer than I ever had to her. I felt like...maybe I did have somebody I could talk to...Somebody that would listen and understand. 

 "I know a little bit about how you feel, Harmony," she told me, as she began to do my hair again. "I'm a mermaid in a pack full of wolves. There are only two foxes but there aren't any other different creatures. But, it's not just the fact I'm a mermaid. I am stubborn, feisty, a pretty good fighter, full of action, ect. Merfolk don't normally have that type of personality. But, the thing is, I take pride in the fact I stand out from others. Everyone is different, Harmony. We are all unique. Mommy taught me that.." I could see her turn red with embarrassment. 

 "N-no need t-to be e-e-embarrassed a-around m-me. I-I'm y-your twin." I smiled. "T-th-thanks, sissie...I needed that.." 

 She smiled back at me. "What are twin sisters for?" I believed her and felt a little better after talking to her. But...I couldn't help but wonder...Is there such thing as being too different? Because I am..