Opal Waters | ✔

- Chapter 7 -

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Chapter 7 - Unedited

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The chair seemed more uncomfortable than the week before. The room felt smaller, the ideas felt weaker, and everything felt like it was wrong. Like I was in a dream just trying to make it through a normal day, but this was turning into a nightmare.

My head was spinning. The thoughts overflowing. I remembered last night going into the water with Damien. He was grossed out with how many fish I was eating but after that, there was a blank moment. Until we were on the bottom of the ocean, playing in the coral reef. I knew no one was around. Had we swam way too far? I knew we were going closer to the depths that students were supposed to stay away from until they graduated but we hadn't gone that far.

I'd been to the depths before and they weren't that bad. I was with a friend... if you could call him that, so really we had done it the safest way we could. But he kissed me. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't figure out if I liked it. My body felt numb just thinking about it. My heart racing as I tried to work through the thoughts.

Students were flooding into the classroom trying to get there on time before the lecture started. This lecture was always given by Asada and it was supposed to teach us about the history of mermaids. This was one of my favorite classes but I hoped there wouldn't be any mention of the origin of the necklaces.

My neck felt itchy and I pull at my shirt to find anything to distract myself from the worries running through my head. Had I done something dangerous yesterday? Something that could get my powers revoked? Or maybe I had left it on the beach, I could go check after school. My heart leaped for joy with the thought of some kind of hope. Anything that meant I wouldn't have to request a new necklace. I knew I couldn't make it very far without it.

It was a part of our schooling sometimes they did random checks to make sure you had them. Suddenly my hands grew clammy, my heart started racing as I hoped today wouldn't be one of those days for random checks.

If only I was that lucky.

Asada enters the room, her mentor following behind her in tow. A young girl that wanted to work for the commune. A girl who instead of getting a job in the real world chose to keep her entire life here, with the same hundred people. I shook my head at how idiotic I thought this was. If I had a chance to get out of here I would. I hated being trapped with the same people at all times. I wanted to run away. I wanted to break free from the pod. I would never be able to do that without my necklace.

I created a checklist in my head, doing my best to figure out what I needed to set my plan in motion. I was going to run away. I was sick of being here, sick of having to live with all these other mermaids, that just had no idea what they were given. I didn't want to be one of those people, the ones that get handed the world and they misuse it.

I watch carefully as Asada hits her pen against the table.

"Morning class," She drones as the class responds. Most students were intimidated by her and I could understand why. She was strong, she was powerful, and she was beautiful. She was the queen, the most important person in all of the sea and here we were with the chance to learn from her. To hear her story and her mother's story.

I felt bad for her, I saw a lot of the same things in her that I saw in myself, loneliness, a desire to be in control. Though I was lonely I still wanted out of the pod. I knew if anyone else knew this they would kill me. I wouldn't make it back the depths of the sea, I'd be captured, and killed. I shook my head trying not to think about that. I had bigger issues right now. Issues that I would have to figure out before I ran away.

"Everyone, please line up, since we had a wonderful time last night at the dance I'm going to need to do a necklace check, to make sure that none of you broke yours or lost them," She looked directly at me as she spoke. My heart trembles, did she know? Maybe she had found it and she has it with her?

I dreaded it but when Asada said something was going to happen you didn't argue. You didn't fight her on it. As all the students got out of their seats and headed towards the back of the room. Once we were all in a line, Asada walks back towards us. I'd placed myself close to the end of the line to not seem suspicious. Luckily she started on the other end.

One by one she inspected everyone's necklaces for dents, dings, and scratches on the gems. Her hands carefully holding them as I imagine the chain digs into the back of their necks. My heart was pounding as she got closer down the line. Only four people away now, it'd be minutes before I was sentenced to the office. Each person had a unique crystal that only worked for them. One that matched the color of their fin. I shook my head realizing mine would be so obviously mine if she had found it on the beach.

"Excuse me Asada," A voice came over the intercom above the door. My breath was heavy as I pray it's for me.

"Yes," She turned to look at the intercom as if she could see the person through it.

"Please send Opal to the office,"