Mermaids and Cigarets

Chapter 11

Marcy let the stars and the flicker of the back porch light guide her home. She was preparing herself for an all out war between her and Jeanne. She tugged at her jean shorts and adjusted the light blue tank top clinging to her body. She held the drawstring bag in her hands and the rope scratched at her, taunting her to cry. But she couldn't, not now. Marcy was trying to shake why Clarence had said to her, more like screamed to her.

She stepped onto the old, paint chipped, back porch, the eerie wood creaking beneath her dry skinned feet. Standing in front of the sliding glass door, did she dare open it? Her reflection mocked her in the translucent glass. Sadly the decision was made for her when Nick opened then door, still dressed in his work clothes. That means that Jeanne still wasn't home yet. "Past eleven you know.", he scowled the wrinkles on his face practically spelling discouraged. Marcy didn't dare look him in the eyes. "Won't happen again, promise.", Marcy even used her finger to make an x where each of her gills would be on her neck. She then rushed past Nick and headed straight for her room and shutting the door. The light blue walls and matching bed spread did nothing to comfort her at all. She hurried from the doorway towards the window seat, grabbing a starfish shaped pillow from her bed. Marcy gazed at the moon and let the tears run down her face as she slowly changed.

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Clarence swam back to the cove shaking of the guilty feeling for yelling at Marcy like that. He hoped Marcy would keep her mouth shut about it so the prince wouldn't find out. Entering the small cove entrance, many bioluminescent creatures greeted him. They reminded him of the night sky. Surfacing he saw the prince sitting there, completely naked. He sat just outside the pool waiting for Clarence, and covering himself he stood. "You've never changed before. Really?", Clarence asked, blushing at the prince. The prince merely shook his head. Clarence pulled himself onto the rough rock, his green tail scraping the surface. Clarence laughed, "Guess we have to find you some clothes huh?",he smiled. The prince ignored him, looking around he could see right through the fake rock wall Marcy had put up. He scowled, wondering why she would have to hide it.

He was overwhelmed by the smell of Marcy that was left here. The ocean breeze and lavender. A deep breath escaped his lips leaving them warm. Staring straight at the rock wall he stood in front of it his eyes focusing as he watched the rock, twist and blur out of focus. What was left was the island and a few bar stools. The place seemed empty to him, like it hadn't been used in a while. His will to get to Marcy grew now as he knew there was no time to waste. Still searching the cove he finally found a dark brown trunk from a ship wreck lying in front of the island. He managed his way up the small steps and opened the chest to find some beach towels. He quickly took one out and wrapped it around himself.

Clarence had dried off by now and he slipped on a pair of shorts he brought on land with him. "Are you ready?", Clarence asked as he looked at the bright pink towel the prince had. Clarence shook his head, "Fix the wall and let's go.", he said. This earned him a stern look from the prince but he did it anyways. Once out of the cove, the boys headed down the beach. Clarence started to ramble about random things as the waves raced towards shore. "First, clothes , then, maybe we'll stay on the beach 'til morning,", he started. The prince interrupted him, however. "I know, Clarence.",his voice was deep, his shoulders rising and falling with every breath. His blonde hair, that usually hung jut above his eyes was swept back away from his face.

It was getting closer and closer to sunrise and the prince was beginning to worry. The sky was turning from its usual dark blue to a subtle purple. The princes legs were weary and his feet became sore. A single, pearl white shark tooth held on by a leather string, hung around is neck and the moon shone on it, illuminating his face. His strong jaw clenched and unclenched, a burried anger began to kindle in the pit of his stomach. The prince shook his head not knowing where it was coming from. "We're not sleeping up here,", the prince scolded. Clarence raised his hands in defense. "I know you're not much of a sleeper, so I thought we would go to the mall to pick up some stuff.....", he trailed on pulling out a small bottle of pearls. "A mall?", the prince wondered. However he still reluctantly followed Clarence towards the unfamiliar building.

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Thanks everyone for almost 500 reads. No words can describe how I feel. I am so blessed to have wonderful readers like you. I love writing and I hope you all love reading my book, I know it seems like it's going a little slow right now but I promise you it will pick up soon!!!! Thanks again for the 500 reads!!!