A Different Kind Of Fairy Tale

"Come on Ivan! I want to get closer!" Lilly shouted as she grabbed my hand as we swiveled and swam our way through the crowd.

I sighed, the things I'd do for my sister were not always my favorite activities. 

When we made it to the front of the crowd, Lilly's eyes grew ten times bigger as giant floats made from coral, underwater gems, and plenty of other useless crap that looked shiny, floated through the city. Mermen and Maids of high status sat in these floats and waved to us common folk. Their fake smiles and looks of disgust were pretty evident. Although, I didn't blame them. Our side of the kingdom was known for it's high crime rates and lower class citizens. My sister gleamed as a particular merman made his way around the bend of the street. 

"Look there he is!!" The sound of high pitch shrills nearly busted my ear drums.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but even I couldn't help myself from staring. 

He was dazzling alright, with dark brown locks and blue eyes. He had a handsome face, a strong, broad chest, and a tail-fin that guys would die for and girls would drool over. His scales were a mix of blue and green. However, the part that every mer swooned over, was when sun light hit his fin. It would shimmer as colors spiraled in the center. 

I mean come on! Who spends all those pearls and gems on freaking potions that just make your tail look cool for a few seconds?!

Who might this mysterious merman be?

Leith Sherwood.

As the prince of New Atlantis, all he has to do is put on a charming smile and the entire kingdom falls for him. Well except me. To me, he's just some dim witted mer whose going to drive New Atlantis to ruins like the last guy did with the original Atlantis. 

Leith winked in our direction and another shrill of screams bombarded my ear drums.

"Isn't he so cool?!" Lilly said twirling a finger around one of her blond locks. I sighed and placed a hand on my scaly hip. Her pink eyes gleamed with delight. Lilly's hand reached for mine as she asked for my opinion.

"Not really he's just some dude who feeds on the attention, like a mermaid eating hum-" 

Lilly let go of my hand terrified.

"Don't you dare say the H word Ivan." She turned serious, well as serious as a ten-year old can get. 

I gave her a reassuring smile and she placed her small hand back in mine.

"Human." 

Lilly slapped me in the shoulder and I winced.

"Ivan! I told you not to say it!" Lilly pouted and crossed her arms. I couldn't help laughing, technically I didn't say it. "You're a jerk, you know that?" 

I grinned and ruffled her hair. 

For the next forty-five minutes, I watched in boredom as float after float passed by us. When I was younger, I used to be just as excited as Lilly about the annual parade, but when life finally shows its true colors, a small parade just isn't enough to lift my spirits anymore. 

"Hey Ivan," Lilly said tugging my shoulder. I looked down at her. "I was wondering if we could go into the city just for a bit." 

I tilted my head. 

"Well you see, Leith is signing autographs and I was wondering if I could get one." I almost didn't catch what she said because she was speaking so fast. Lilly wouldn't take her eyes off of the sand and I sympathetically grinned as I placed a hand on her small shoulders.