the little mermaid | jellal fernandes [discontinued]

Chapter 21- Horizon

The pain was unimaginable. 

I dropped to the floor in a second- my feet burned in the blazing heat as if someone poured hot lava all over me. No, it was closer to being stabbed by a thousand knives. 

Jellal reverted into an immediate panic- words streaming out of his mouth as I dropped to the tiled floor. I couldn't hear them, blocked out by my own shouting and the booming thrum of my heartbeat, beating through my head like the rhythmic wings of dragons. I felt his hands on my shoulders, saw his blue hair through a hazy vision as he mouthed words I didn't understand. 

And then it stopped. 

So sudden, as if it never happened. The knives vanished as the clock hit the 60-second mark after sundown. Suddenly, dramatically on the floor, hair a mess, panting, with Jellal still in a panic, I felt silly.  

And as maids helped me up and ushered me to the infirmary, I realized something among hazy images and numb legs. 

I screamed when the sun touched the horizon. 

I could use my voice when the sun touched the horizon.

That thought whirled through my head as I dozed off to sleep. 

*

The sunlight streamed into the room. With a startle, I realize its the morning of my fourth day- and with the strange feeling of my legs still lingering, memories of last night streaming into my consciousness. I giggle– at the fact that Kelton was almost eaten, Freed being a magnificent third wheeler, and Jellal asking me out. 

Not on a date, of course, but I'll pretend it is. 

And at the same time, sadness washes over me again. How the hell does he not remember me? 

Shaking away those thoughts, I step off the king-sized bed that I did not remember getting on. Jellal or somebody else must have brought me here. 

I marvelled at the room. 

The sheets were cream-coloured, with lace trimmings on all sides. The bed itself was made from dark wood, polished and shining in the morning sun. An intricate carpet laid on the floor, matching with the golden wallpaper and large windows. I had a perfect view of the ocean, my home. 

A dress lay over a stool across the room- and as I step closer, I see it's a less formal dress. It was a dusty shade of rose, shorter than yesterday's dress, coming to my ankles. Across the chest were crisscrossed white ribbons, with long sleeves and pretty cuffs. Along with the dress came ankle boots. 

I slip on the dress, smoothing my hands over it, and despite its simplicity, the fabric was soft and expensive. 

The boots, however, were a problem. 

I realize too late that they contained a heel, and my mouth opened to a noiseless shriek as I fall to the ground. I land hard on my ass- wincing, I stand up and try again. 

"Is everything alright in here?" 

The kind woman from yesterday's bath peeks her head in, smiling brightly when she sees me on the ground. "what are you doing there on the ground, honey?" 

Before I could try and sign something, I was pulled up gently. 

"Ready for your excursion with his Highness, huh?" she giggled as if she was the one going instead of me. The woman pushes me around and sets me down on a chair against a vanity. "this is so wonderful! He never has shown interest in anyone, and here you are!" I just smile and nod as she does my hair. 

When she's done, my (h/c) tresses were straightened and wound into a pinned braid at the back of my head. I marvel at her handiwork: mermaids don't usually put their hair up. We like to let it flow as we swim. 

She shooed me out the door and into the hallway, where I was met with the lovely sight of Jellal. 

My breath caught in my throat; he was leaning, casual against the wall. He was dressed like I was, in commoner clothing. His blouse and jacket clung to his chest and shoulders too nicely, pants tucked into his usual boots. 

"Let's go," he smiles, holding out a hand. 

I nod, feeling the kind of shyness that I haven't experienced in a long time. 

*

I look from left to right- trying to take in as much of the scenery as possible. From the white-haired animals that were pulling the vehicle in the front, to the towering trees around us. They were all different shades of green- I'd never seen so much green in my life! 

I could feel Jellal, holding the reigns, observing me with his usual amused look. 

We stop right at the edge of town, where I hop out and slur him with me. 

"Hold up–" he manages to get out, but I don't listen, holding tightly on him as we plunge into the busy streets. New scents enveloped me, as the sun beamed down onto my skin. I could feel its warmth- so soft, and so warm. 

We pass by many shops- entering each one. Of course, I made him, because I had only seen these places in my dreams. We tried everything together- and I laughed loudly when we entered a 'bakery', and Jellal tried a white pastry that made him crinkle his nose. From cakes to little trinkets, we passed by each. 

Every time, I tugged at his hand, feeling his warm fingers around mine. I was delighted by the pink that stained his cheek each time- and the fact that he did not reject me. Was this a sign of recognition? 

And yet jealousy remained, as people knew him. They laughed, casually, holding hands up in greeting. He greeted them back each, like old friends. 

Like we were supposed to be.