Flerae: A Lie Untold

Chapter 6: The Papers

- Ocean -

I stare and stare at the papers, turning them in different directions, trying to make sense of the strange markings. By the way I'm acting, someone might think I'm trying to read another language. That is not the case: I... don't exactly know how to read. Mom never taught me how.

My brother Seaweed tried to teach me once, but I got frustrated and threw the spelling book at him. He hasn't tried teaching me anything since.

I sigh and set the papers down, hiding them under some weeds so Carp doesn't find and confiscate them.

I walk to the edge to the lake and jump in the freezing water. I swim for a while, looking in my brother's favorite kelp spot, the place he always goes when he ditches school. The deep green plants swish and swirl in the currents, creating a beautiful calming affect.

I flick me ears, calling my brother's name, hoping he'll hear me through the water.

My Brother swims towards me, coming out of the sea grass. "Hey little bro," says Seaweed.

"I'm not your 'little bro'. We're the same age."

"I hatched from my egg a minute before you did."

"Only because I couldn't breathe. I came because need your help."

"So... You came down from your landly abode to ask for my help, when you know I won't help you? Last time I tried to help you with something, you got frustrated and threw it at me."

"I know, I know. I promise I won't do it again. Please will you help me?"

Seaweed swims closer to me, making his brownish-reddish fur and his seaweed green tail - hence where he got his name - more noticeable in the way their dark colors clash. "Fine. But only so I can get you back to the surface where you won't accidently drown yourself."

I sigh with relief. "Thank you," I say.

"Don't mention it," he replies.

Together, we swim to my little 'landly abode', as Seaweed calls it.

The trip seems longer than it was the first time, as my lungs scream for air, finally though, we reach it, and I intake a huge breath.

"Before I help you, you have to help me," says my brother.

"With what?"

"Um... getting out of the water."

Seaweed is still stuck halfway in and out of the lake. I can't help but laugh, he looks ridiculous. He gives me a sharp glare, that quickly has me pulling him out by his scruff.

He sighs. "What do you need my help with? Please tell me you're not trying to get revenge on Carp again."

"Just a second," I reply, quickly running off to where I stashed to papers. Thankfully, they are where I left them. I run back to my brother and hand them to him.

His eyes widen as he studies them. "Where did you get these? Please don't tell me this is another scheme to go to school. You know you can't go. Why even try? It's lame anyways."

"This time it's different. I'm not trying to breath under water, I'm trying to get into the Land School not the Mer School."

My brother gives a head nod in understanding. "You have to understand that school is hard. Kittens tease you. You have endless homework."

"I know, and I understand, but isn't school where you meet your friends, and where you learn and grow? Can't it be a refuge from Carp?"

"I guess. I personally don't like school, but for all I can tell, it may be the thing you need." He holds up the papers and examines them, reading out loud each and every different class option for me. At each one, I jump with joy at the prospect of learning what the class is all about. It takes hours longer than it would for a normal kid to fill out; a normal kid would know what classes he likes and dislikes, and have at least have some background knowledge of what the classes are about. Seaweed had to go class by class, doing his best to explain to me what the class is.

It's frustratingly slow work. I feel like screaming, like throwing the papers in his face, but no. I want to go to school and be like the other kids my age, more than I want to throw a tantrum. I bite my lip and keep my anger in check.

After what feels like forever, we complete filling out the papers.

I hold the papers up, looking at the strange markings. I find myself feeling proud of what I accomplished. I really did it! I'm going to go to school!