Flowers

Chapter 4 [Mes]

"It's time to get up! Come on! You're going to be late," Marina said as she bounced on me. I groaned, shifting myself face down in the soft sponge.

"I can make him wait," I said groggily.

"You know you can't do that," Marina said. I sighed, she was right. I sat up, looking at her.

"Sometimes, I wish you weren't my friend," I said.

"You're stuck with me. Now, up!" She exclaimed. I plopped down on my shell, taking in the last bit of warmth before getting up and stretching. "That's the spirit!" She said. I sent her a face. "Oh stop. It's not that bad. Now, what are you going to wear?" She asked.

Mother had set out the outfit yesterday. A coral wrap with beaded pearls and shells to go over my tail. A pearl necklace to match my peach colored top that cut off right below my chest. It was also beaded with different shells, giving it an elegant look. My hair was to be loosely braided and pearl clips were to be put in. It was a cute outfit, I will admit.

I put it all together and looked in the mirror.

"You look great," Marina said to me.

"Thanks. Now, where am I meeting him?" I asked her.

"In the ball room," she answered. I groaned. Of course it was the ball room. Where no one ever goes, because we never use it.

She guided me through the mansion hallways and many rooms. Yes, my mother and I live in a big mansion. Council member privilege.

"Here we are," she said. I took a breath in, and sighed. "Be nice, and behave. Out of all the other ones lined up, Cadence is the most decent," Marina said, nodding at the guards to open the door. I swam in, immediately spotting him. His dirty blond hair flowed slightly behind him as he swam over to me. I curtsied, like a good council members daughter would. He bowed and took my hand, kissing it gently.

"Looking stunning as ever, Mes," he said. I was surprised. No flirtatious remark, no insult. Straight gentlemen. I'd never seen this side of Cadence, but I was curious to see it.

"You shine up nicely too, Cadence," I said, sending me a look. It wasn't a mean or rude look, it was one of interest.

Cadences father had probably forced him to actually comb through his hair and shined his tail. It was the proper way when courting a lady. There were requirements that had to be made.

"So, how's your day so far," he asked politely, taking my hand and guiding me over to some shells. We sat down and waitresses asked if we wanted anything to drink. "Coffee, black please. She'll have the hot chocolate," he said. Thought I despised Cadence, being both council members kids, we spent quite a while together. He knew what I liked and disliked from memory.

The waitress nodded and walked away, strutting in the process. I think she did it on purpose, just because of Cadences looks. But he looked at me the whole time. Never even looked in that direction discreetly, which he normally does with a whistle. She was pretty too, so I was impressed and surprised at the same time.

"My day has been pretty bland. What about you?" I asked nicely.

"Same as yours," he said. I leaned closer to him, his eyes lock-in with mine.

"Alright Cadence, cut the BS. What's wrong with you?" I said in a whisper voice, invade people were listening in. He looked left and right before leaning in closer to me.

"I looked at the candidate sheet, and you're the only decent person on my list of ladies to court," he said.

"Same here," I said with a sigh.

"What does that mean for us?" He asked.

"I don't know," I replied. "Act like you told me a joke, the waitress is coming back," I said to him.

"And then he said, 'Where'd my fin go!'" Cadence said, erupting into laughter. I started to laugh too, making me laugh for real.

"Your drinks," she said, setting our beverages down on the drift wood table and strutting away.

"Finally," I said with a smile, picking up my cup of cocoa and sipping it, the warmth traveling through me.

"You're hopeless," he said, taking a drink of his coffee.

"I know," I said, smiling. He chuckled, and I think that was the first time he had genuinely laughed in front of me. Not at me, but with me. Maybe there's a side to Cadence I didn't even know existed. Maybe he's different. Maybe, just maybe, he could be a friend.