The Mermaid Tale "If I Could Stand"

A Pink Skirt and a Collard Shirt

The car pulled up in the driveway of the school. I made a quick look around to see my old home. I saw the black waters rushing up against the rocks, and I visualized myself there as I once was. The waters looked darker than they were before I became human...or maybe it was simply my imagination.

"Well, Anastasia this is your school!" She says taking the keys out the ignition.

My eyes wandered around the familiar building and at some of the older people who I recognized.

"Why do we have to do this?" I ask groaning.

"Anastasia it's important to go to a high school orientation! You make friends, and you find your place. You can go out for cheerleading, volleyball, or softball!"

My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. I had never heard of anything like this before, and I had no idea what orientation was.

"What's an orientation?"

Andrina's eyes widen and she sighs. I shrug in defense. I can't help not knowing everything about human life. I have only been a human for a week.

"It's when you learn about the school and your class."

I nod even though I'm still a bit lost. There was an awkward silence of the two us just staring at the school. I suppose I was daydreaming. I was sleeping with my eyes open.

"Well, are you gonna hop on out?

"By myself?" I ask worried.

She laughs and shakes her head. This pain of anxiety pounds my stomach. The thought of being alone inside that building bothered me.

"You'll be fine. I'm not supposed to go in anyway. It's your day so go on out."
"I don't know what to do though."

She points to the people in the front of the building who are shooing some kids inside.
"They'll tell you where to go."

I sigh and I open the car door. She pats my back and I give her a crooked smile.

"I'll be back to get you at four!" She yells before I close the door.

She waves and her car squeaks as she pulls out the lot. I glanced back at the school, and I see some girls eye me mysteriously. I go over everything Andrina had told me to do in my head. I straighten my shoulders and whip my hair around to get a nice look.

"Young lady hurry inside before you miss the morning speeches!"

I jump at the voice but I hustle into the large building. I see all of the kids wearing the identical outfit. The girls have on light pink, blue, and red uniform skirts. They're also wearing white short sleeved collar shirts. I realized that I didn't have one on, and that meant that Andrina forgot to get me one! My heart sank at the feeling of being the odd one out.

"Looks like you forgot the uniform policy." A girl says laughing at me.

I watch her and her group of friends giggle and snicker all the way down the hall. They had long blonde hair and pretty blue eyes, but witch like laughs. My head felt light and heat flushed my cheeks. The whole place was so large it made me feel so uneasy. People were closing in on every side and it seemed to me as if there were no place to escape. I got so many stares and strange sounds from some of the boys. Andrina told me it was called whistling, but I was curious at what they were whistling about. I think it's because I'm not wearing a uniform. Maybe it's a signal of trouble.

"Did you not get the letter about uniform?"

I turn around and I see a short lady holding a clipboard with small beady eyes and glasses. She's looking up at me waiting for my answer and I just start trying to put pieces together quickly before I get in trouble.