Cora

Chapter 6: "Hey! You're not allowed up here."

I don't feel like going back to my dorm room to get stomped on by Chloe while I am vulnerable, so I wander around the castle. I don't know where I am heading since it's my first time in this part of the school. So, I let my feet take me away from the dining hall and the memories of pain and heartache. I'm not all that surprised that he rejected me. I'm not the most popular, the prettiest, or even the smartest. In fact, there isn't really anything about me that makes me special. Yeah, sure I lost both my parents when I was 8, but everyone in this place has lost someone. Plus, being a mermaid, I would probably say that I am one of the weakest students in this place. No wonder he doesn't want me. He probably took one look at me and knew that he could do better.

I end up making my way to a small balcony at the top of the school. It's right after lunch so the sun is high as I make my way outside. Even though the sun pricks my skin with its heated rays, I take a deep breath and lean against the balcony's railing. Today is perfect. The sky is clear and a rich blue. I take deep breaths as my tears fade and the bright spring air cleanses my lungs.

If only my stupid, pathetic excuse of a mate hadn't rejected me and ruined this perfect day. Looking down on the world, I let the tears fall a second time.

"Hey! You're not allowed up here. This is my spot." A deep voice behind me makes me jump in fright. I hastily try to wipe my tears away as I turn to face the voice. It doesn't seem to work, though, as the voice asks in a worried voice, "Are you alright?"

"What!? Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry I took your spot. I'm new here. I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to be here." I look at the person that frightened me. He has short black hair that sticks out everywhere as if he never brushes it. His dark brown eyes look mischievous but clouded with worry as he takes in my puffy face and red eyes. I know that he knows I was crying, but hearing my response, he just gives me a smirk and his eyes alight in mischief that I guess is a common thing for him.

"You're new eh? So, what are you doing way up here rather than on the ground floor in your dorm?"

"I was exploring." He raises his eyebrows at me, clearly not buying it.

"All by yourself?"

I sigh, "I don't like being in small places for very long. I need to get outside and simply breathe in the fresh air. What are you doing here?"

"This is my spot." He exclaims, raising his arms as if he's holding the heavens and steps toward the railing. He looks like he owns the world. He looks back down at my amused expression. "I found this place when I was a freshman, two years ago. Nobody comes up here so I deemed it as mine. I come up here when I need to get away from all the people scurrying around down there. My name is Fin, what's yours?"

"Cora."

"Well, Cora, it was nice meeting you." He opens the wooden door that leads back to the castle. "If you ever want to come back up here, you are welcome. It is rare to meet someone like you who can sit back, breathe, and welcome the beauties of the world. I hope to see you around sometime."

"As do I." Fin gives me a wink and a grin before he lets the door fall back into place, separating me from all the pain of reality. At least up here, I can forget about the horrible road my life has taken and just watch the deep blue sky. An escape that I will surely be using for most of the year.