The Mermaid Tale "If I Could Stand"

Apple Head

My home was gone now. Andrina had lost the cute little house she had lived in for many years. I had to say that it was the most relaxing place ever. The fact that Cody burnt it down makes me angry. Ever since my incident I've had this urge to get back at him. He ruined everything.

"Are you ready to go?" Andrina asks walking into the kitchen. I nod as I finish my glass of water and grab my purse. She looks tired. She had dark circles around her eyes, and she was still wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. Her hair was in a messy bun. Thought, she didn't feel at her best she looked twenty times better than a lot of women out here.

"I'm pretty sure I have so much work to makeup. I can't believe I was out of school this long. I hope no one noticed." I said walking out to the porch as she trailed behind.

"They probably will. Once that red haired girl pops in the crowd everyone will either think you're new or just skipping school.

"Wow."

The drive was long and silent. I was tired and Andrina was tired. All I did was sleep. She told me I could've stayed at the hotel today but that to me would be lazy. She had to get another house by this evening. Usually, people wouldn't be able to find a house that fast but Andrina was rich. I wondered if she had lived several lifetimes it wasn't normal for a human to have this much money. What did I know? I've only been a mammal for a couple months.
***
"Where the hell have you been?!" Cassandra almost screeched as soon as I walked into the school hallway. She grabbed my arm and yanked me to the side.

"I was sick."

"Really? I've heard some stuff going around? Some say you're a drug dealer and others are saying your house burnt down."

My heart stings and I scan the room quickly just to see if anyone was watching me. My face meets Cassandras' again who has wide eyes and an open mouth.

"I'm sorry. It's been a lot of stuff happening at home, that's all."

"Well give me the scoop, what going on?"

"Cassandra can I tell you this later. I don't want to discuss this at school or at all really."

She stops and her eyes narrow at me. I felt bad for rejecting her concerns. I think she feels as if I'm ignoring her.

"Did I do something to you that you didn't like or something? I've been nice to you ever since you came to this school."

"No-no that's not it. You did nothing, it's just me."

"I feel like you're hiding something."

"It's just stuff at home."

"No, I think it's something else. I feel as if there is something behind all of this that you won't tell me." She says waving her hand around me indicating that I was fake.

She hit a deep spot there.

"No." I said simply.

"Anastasia you can catch me later. If you wanna keep everything bottled up, go ahead."

"Cassandra!" I yell but she quickly walks away into the cafeteria.

I didn't care anyway. I hated being in the cafeteria in the morning anyway. I decided to go to the restroom and fresh up. My hair was poufy and dangled all over in the air so I put it in a ponytail. I see the stall door open up and I see Bella come out.

"Hey." She says smiling as she turns on the faucet.

I smile at her but I turn my attention to my hair. For a moment there is silence and I see in my peripheral vision Bella just staring at me. I was frightened to look at her but I couldn't help but glance at her.