The Ocean Between Us

Worrying

Tick, tick, tick
  The clock was slowly turning, Sebastian following me around the vast castle hallways,
"If we don't go back by noon, your dad is gonna get mad!"
I know it was true but Sebastian is such a worry-fin!
"Relax, I already called my mom on my shell phone. And we'll be home to go to the ball!"
I always hated balls. They were the small taunt in my life pressuring to become the perfect princess, and soon to be, the perfect queen. This nonsense ball is actually a 'engagement' disguised as a 'pretty ball with dresses and kake' (kake is just seafood for Cake)
This party has been going on for thousands of years, just for the princess to find her 'prince in shining fins' it makes me want to throw up.
"Umm, princess Lauren?"
Sebastian tugged on my fin, catching my attention.
"Look out."
I glanced a bit further into the hallway, a tall figure was swimming to me, and fast!
Damn it
It was obviously dad
"You're on your own!"
Sebastian crittled away into the nearest room, leaving me stranded.
"Lauren?"
A thundering voice calls out my name,
"Yes, dad?"
"What are you doing here?"
He asked me, his tone sounding pissed
"I wanted seaweed chips from the kitchen."
I answered, hanging my head low.
"You need to get ready for the masquerade ball!"
"Why can't I stay in my room watching the new season of- I mean, studying?"
He stared at me, his dark brown eyes making my heart squeeze in guilt, but I'm most worried about is the fact that if he gets really mad he might use his trident on me. He never has! But I'm really worried he might.
Luckily he gave me the free pass,
"Can I go outside?!"
I didn't want to push it, I think I did. He smiled and nodded. He's probably either disappointed or just tired, I'm going to go with tired because I don't want to start piling up any depression! Hahaha...

I swam until Flow, one of the talented guards escorted me to the gigantic doors of the pearl castle.
"You better be back by noon or your dad is going to fire me."
I awkwardly laughed until Flow almost killed me with her 'I'm serious, don't push it' gaze.
"Oh my fin! Alright!"
Flow grinned and pushed the door wide open, the cold currents blowing in my face, I really hope this ball is better then imagined.

I usually escape to a small sunken ship by the gates surrounding Pearl Waves, it's quiet there, it helps me with some problems I have for becoming the next ruler. I've been having none stop Queen classes, and I have to practice my queen wave for coronation. I sat on a rotten bench in the ship, picking up a small orange jewel,
"How pretty..."

The sun shifted to the middle of the sky, which meant it was probably time to go home. I could already see the the mer-people lining up outside the castle. I was swimming back and forth, back and forth, back and for- until I jammed my head into the wall,
Oh gosh, I hope no one saw that
I jolted back up, looking around as I took the back entrance. My dad doesn't like me to take the first entrance with everyone.
"Hey, Flow."
"You brat!"
"What?"
Confused, backing up,
"You're late! Your servants are waiting!"
Flow pushed me 3 flights of stairs, and into my room.
Five merpeople were waiting beside my closet, one being Cea! My best friend! She lives in another kingdom but we've been pals since kids.
"Oh. My. Gosh! Lauren! Sweetheart! I haven't seen seen you in forever!"
Cea shouted out gleefully.
"Oh my god! Hi!"
Cea was decorated in a light green dress that hung off her figure. Ornamented with pink pearls that was garnished with more corals.
"So~"
She started, jumping on my magenta bed.
"Let's see the dress!"
Cea clapped her hands, signaling one of my servants to bring the dress out.
Gasp
It was a lavender shell bra picked with small pebbles and gemstones, white ruffles attached on the end, and had a long gold necklace.
"Oh, honey! Can I have that instead!?"
She heartily laughed, as she threw on another bracelet.

After I threw on the dress I headed downstairs, an hour later more merpeople were entering the castle, everyone wearing colorful masks with seaweed and stars attached. More servants bringing in pastries for the filled buffet. My hands fidgeting, I saw my throne beside mom's red one and dad's blue chair. I got to get out of here. I can't handle it. I have to go-
"Ugh."
Someone, groaned
"Ah- pardon me sir, i should've been more careful."
I was trying to be polite, although it was my fault.
The boy had tangerine eyes, more marigold then the sunset in the sky. He had ruffled honey hair matching his eyes, wearing a coral mask. His scales were navy, with more turquoise on his fins. But what most struck out was his crown? Wait,
"It's my fault, for standing in the middle of the way."
He said, shifting his eyes up and down my hair and tail.
"You aren't from around here are you?"
I demanded. I fixed my gaze into his fire eyes, the first rule of intimidation is always make eye contact. Which wasn't always good, he looked very nervous, maybe I'm too intense?
"Um- what makes you say that?"
He stuttered out, he's definitely not from here.
"Your crown of course."
I shifted my eyes,
"The only people allowed to have crowns are royalty, and you aren't in my family."
I assumed, I might be right.
Damn it could be a detective!
I swam up to investigate the crown. It was gold, shining from the from the skylight.
"You're right, I'm from the kingdom next door."
What?
"You're allowed to go out-"
"No I'm not. I just decided to. I'm tired of the inside."
He cut me off. I deeply sighed, go figure.
"Of course you can't go outside. No king nor queen let their children outside the walls."
My family doesn't either, I've been dying to see the coral reefs long as I remember. I turned around, still anxious about to go in the ballroom.
"Wait."
————————
I don't know how to write, sorry for crappy story lines and such, I'm also ending on a cliffhanger! Tune in next time lmao.