Chapter 1

Third Person POV

Atargatis, home to thousands of creatures known as mermaids was founded nearly 30,000 years ago by a young mermaid of the same name. After she accidently killed her husband, she tried to become a fish by jumping into the lake. But alas, she only became half fish. Having nowhere else to go, Atargatis swam out into the ocean and encountered a boat full of sailors. They were shocked to see a woman out in the deep ocean alone, but they were even more shocked when they saw that she had the lower body of a fish and the upper body of a woman. Feeling as if they could earn a big sum of gold for a creature half fish and half human, they tried to capture Atargatis. But she was saved by a handsome young sailor named Patrick. The other sailors threw Patrick overboard because of his mutiny, but he was saved by Atargatis. Sadly, he already drowned by the time she got to him. Feeling responsible for the sailor’s death, Atargatis wept and carried him back to the lake where she was turned.

After placing his body in the lake and shedding some of her tears on him. Patrick had transformed into a merman. He had no family and was barely making any money on his job as a sailor. Atargatis and Patrick both lived in caved nearby the shore and eventually fell in love. But, other sailors who went on fishing trips often spotted the two and started a contest that whoever can capture the two merpeople will get an ungodly amount of gold. Atargatis and Patrick both knew that they were in trouble so they swam away into the deep depths of the ocean. They learned to hunt and communicate with marine creatures through pitched sound waves. They travelled across the globe via the oceans. But one day, Patrick got stuck in a fisherman’s net and was hauled up onto the boat. There was no way Atargatis could climb aboard the ship and save her love. So, she asked the Ocean God, Neptune, to lend her his powers. He granted her wish and gave Atargatis half of his aquatic powers. With the 5 oceans now under her control, Atargatis commanded the waves to tip the boat over. Seeing as the upper oceans were no longer safe, Atargatis and Patrick fled to the deep undersea depths of the oceans; thousands of feet below the surface world.

 Years passed and Atargatis and Patrick lived on the ocean floor. Marine creatures of all shapes and sizes joined them. Soon, a small city was established and the creatures crowned Atargatis as their Queen and also naming the city after her. Patrick and Atargatis gave birth to many children and thousands of years later, that small city developed into a huge mermaid kingdom and a statue of Queen Atargatis was placed directly in front of the palace. 30,000 years later, the kingdom is prosperous as ever and it is still hidden from the human world. Because of the deep depth of the kingdom, no human will ever be able to find it, and it is heavily guarded by the marine creatures.

 The kingdom is currently being ruled by the royal family consisting of King Caspian and his wife, Queen Jewel. Their daughters, Princesses Avalana and Marina are both intelligent and beautiful mermaids. But the eldest, Princess Avalana is reluctant to take the throne and become Queen of Atargatis. What is her fate?

Princess Avalana’s POV

‘YOUR HIGHNESS WAIT!’ my slightly overweight maid, Maria yelled as she chased me down the palace halls.

I swam full speed down the corridors, knocking into other palace members. They were a bit irritated by me.

‘I am so sorry’ I said apologizing to them.

I looked back and saw that she was still behind me so I quickened my speed. I swam outside and blended in with a bunch of other mermaids. Maria didn’t see me and she mistook another mermaid for me. I sighed in relief and swam back inside the palace. My mother swam around the corridor and looked at me in confusion.

‘Avalana, I thought you were getting your fitting done’ she asked.

My 18^th birthday was tomorrow and I was supposed to be fitting my dress. My parents are throwing me a huge ball and the whole kingdom is invited. Frankly, I didn’t want this big extravaganza. I only wanted a small party with my parents, sister and friends invited, but of course my mother would object. In Atargatis, once a mermaid or merman turns 18^th he or she is considered an adult, and since it is the princess’s birthday, a huge party must be thrown.

‘Ohhh umm I already finished’ I lied.

‘Then why is Maria swimming around like a mad fish looking for you’ she asked as she lifted an eyebrow.

‘Maria is looking for me?’ I asked in fake shocked.

‘Sweetheart, I know you don’t want to have a big party but, it is a tradition that a kingdom wide party would be held for the prince or princess on their 18^th birthday’ my mother said as she put her arm around my shoulder.

‘I know but still’ I whined childishly.

‘At least we aren’t making you choose a husband.’ My mother said.

‘If you and dad were making me do that, I was moving out’ I said.

‘Well it is a good thing that we are not then’ she said chuckling.

A green tailed mermaid swam up to the both of us.

‘Your majesty, your dress is ready to be fitted’ she said.

‘Thank you, I will be there in a moment’ she said smiling at her.

She bowed and swam away.

‘Avalana, please try to enjoy your party’ my mother said to me as she swam away.

I watched as her bright pink tail moved up and down. All mermaids have a specific color tail, no one knows why or how you get that specific color. Your hair and eyes are also the color of your tail so in my mother’s case, she has medium length pink hair and pink eyes. I have an aqua tail, with aqua hair that falls to the end of my tail and bright aqua eyes. My dad’s tail is red and my sister’s tail is purple. I’m sure you can guess what their hair and eye color are.

‘There you are your highness’ I heard a voice say.

I turned around and saw Maria swimming toward me. I guess I can’t ditch her now.

‘Come, come’ she said as she pulled me into a room.

Suddenly, mermaids came out of nowhere swarming me. One was putting the dress on me, another was lacing my gloves and another was decorating my tail.

‘You look fantastic, all of the mermen will fall at your tail’ Maria said smiling.

Mermaid dresses starts from the waist go down and they are generally short in the front and long in the back. My dress was aqua with gold sparkles, it had gold threading lining it and a huge light blue bow was placed in front which also had gold threading. My bra top was aqua with specks of gold. My gloves were thick gold bands that wrapped around from my elbows to my wrists. My tail decorations were gold sparkles that shimmered everytime I moved my tail. I have to say it was all so stunning. This was one of the prettiest outfits I’ve ever worn. Maria really did out do herself this time.

‘Wow Maria, you did a really great job, this is beautiful’ I said twirling in the mirror.

‘I’m so happy you like it Princess’ She said.

After admiring my reflection for a while, the other mermaids helped me take off the dress, gloves and tail decorations and I replaced my bra top with my usual plain aqua one.

‘I actually feel a tiny bit excited about tomorrow’ I said.

‘Princess, you are going to the most beautiful mermaid there. Don’t tell your mother this but, the dress I made for you is actually prettier than the dress I made for her on her 18^th birthday’ Maria said.

‘It’s our little secret’ I said laughing.

‘Now can you please tell Princess Marina that we are ready for her to fit her dress’ Maria said.

‘Sure, I’ll see you later Maria’ I said to her.

I exited the dressing room and swam up to my sister’s room but as I rounded the corner I bumped into my father.

‘Dad, you shouldn’t be reading and swimming’ I said to him.

‘Sorry sweetheart but this book so interesting’ he said.

‘Since when do you read?’ I asked with a raised eyebrow.

‘Since your mother told me that she finds men who read attractive’ he said smiling.

‘Dad I’m sure you can be a total dummy and mom will still love you’ I said laughing.

‘True, how can she not love these biceps’ he said flexing his muscles.

‘You still got it old man’ I said laughing.

‘You were swimming pretty fast, where were you going in such a hurry’ he asked.

‘Maria asked me to tell Marina that she can come fit her dress now’ I said.

‘Well don’t let me hold you up, see you later sweetie’ he said as he swam down the hallway.

I love my dad. He is so cool and laidback and he’s a great king. The kingdom sees him more as a father figure than a king figure.

 I arrived at Marina’s room and I knocked before opening her door. She was sitting at her vanity brushing her long purple hair. Marina is 16 years old and the only thing she is concerned about is how pretty she looks, but she is cool, sometimes.

‘Rina, Maria said that you can come and fit your dress’ I said to her.

‘Finally, I’ve been waiting all day. I can’t wait until your party tomorrow Ava, did you hear Elliot’s coming’ she said squealing.

Elliot was a merman who Marina was obsessed with. Everytime I see him, he as a different mermaid hanging off of his arm. Marina sees him as a god but I just see him as a player.

‘Just make sure no funny business happens between you two’ I said warningly.

‘No promises’ she said laughing.

‘Marina’ I said narrowing my eyes.

‘Calm down I was only kidding’ she said as she swam out her door to the dressing room.

‘So what about you birthday girl, expecting any hot merman tomorrow’ She asked.

‘Marina, I just want to get this party over with’ I answered following her.

‘Why? It’s your 18^th birthday, you should be excited and swimming for joy’ Marina said.

‘The only thing I’m excited about is my meeting with Queen Atargatis’ I said to her.

When royal mermaids or mermen turn 18, Queen Atargatis comes in a spirit form and has a meeting with him or her. Most people would be nervous, but I’m excited to meet the mermaid who started our kingdom.

‘What if she yells at you for not enjoying your party’ Marina said.

‘She won’t yell at me, she gives wisdom and advice’ I said.

‘I’m not really looking forward to my meeting with her’ Marina said.

‘Why not?’ I asked.

‘She’s a dead mermaid! You know I’m afraid of anything dead’ Marina said.

‘Marina, she is our first queen and she protects the kingdom’ I said to her.

‘I know but still, it creeps me out’ she said as we arrived at the dressing room.

‘Well you have 2 more years to get over your fear of the dead’ I said mockingly to her.

‘I’d rather not do it at all’ she said.

‘You know mom and dad won’t let you do that’ I said to her.

‘I know’ she said as she swam inside.

I love Marina, but she’s really a piece of work sometimes. I didn’t have anything else to do today so I figured I’d visit my two best friends Clara and Xylie. They are twin mermaids, both with green tails and they own their own antique shop. Their parents died a few years ago but they raised themselves pretty well. I’m a bit jealous of them though, they often sneak out of Atargatis and go up to the upper oceans to look for antiques. They even told me they went on shore before! I’ve never been out of Atargatis, but since Clara and Xylie told me stories about the upper oceans, I’ve been dreaming about it more often. The day after my birthday, I’m going with them to the upper oceans. I’ll be 18 which is an adult so my parents cannot protest.

‘Hello Clara, Xylie’ I said as I entered their shop.

‘Back here’ they yelled.

‘What are you guys doing?’ I asked as I swam in the back.

‘Adding the finishing touches to our party dresses’ Xylie said.

They both had the exact same dress but Clara’s was a darker green. It was layered with different green fabrics and had seaweed wrapping around it. They both look very natural and elegant, which is perfect for Xylie and Clara.

‘They are so pretty’ I said admiring them.

‘Thanks, we spent a long time looking for this sparkly seaweed’ Clara said.

‘What does your dress look like?’ Xylie asked excited.

‘You will see tomorrow’ I said smiling.

She whined and I laughed at her childishness.

‘Wow, 18 already our little mermaid has grown up. She’ll soon be Queen’ Clara said.

Queen. That thought frightened me. Honestly, I don’t want to be Queen. When you are Queen you have so many responsibilities and expectations to live up to. What if I don’t live up to those expectations? But, since I’m the eldest, it is expected for me to take over the throne. I would gladly give it to Marina since she wants to be Queen more than I do but the law is that the eldest shall become King or Queen unless they are physically unable to, then the second eldest shall take their place.

‘I don’t wanna be Queen’ I whined.

‘Why? If you’re Queen you’ll have power over all of Atargatis’ Clara said.

‘What if I don’t live up to the expectations? I barely live up to those as a princess imagine as a queen’ I said sitting down.

‘Well at least you’ll always look pretty’ Xylie said.

‘I would rather look like a hog fish and not be queen than be beautiful and become queen’ I said.

‘Well you are going to have some fun after your birthday to take your mind off of becoming Queen, we are planning not to only go to the upper oceans, but to the shores’ Clara said.

‘Really! That will the best birthday gift ever. Which shores are we going to?’ I asked eager.

‘California’ Clara said smiling.

‘Where is that?’ I asked confused.

‘Far from here, very far, but it’s the best shores we’ve been on’ Xylie said.

‘You guys are making me so excited, I can’t wait’ I said I throw my hands up.

I spent the rest of the evening talking with Clara and Xylie about going to the shores. It got late soon so I had to head back to the palace. I swam up to my bedroom. It was really pretty since I decorated it myself. A big clam shaped bed was in the center and my vanity was on the side. All over the walls I had drawings of dolphins, sharks and mermaids. I went into bed and instantly fell asleep. It is going to be a long day tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE NEXT DAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘YOUR HIGHNESS WAKE UP’ Maria shouted as she shook me.

‘Hmphftpmt’ I said as I cover my face.

‘I am sorry princess I don’t speak gibberish, now wake up’ she said as she pulled my tail.

‘AHHH’ I screamed as I was pulled out of bed.

‘Good, you’re finally awake we have a lot to do today. First your face scrubbing, then tail shining, then nail painting and then we have to make sure everything is in order for your birthday ball. Oh and happy birthday’ she said smiling.

My mother came into the room and she swam over to me with something wrapped in seaweed.

‘My little mermaid is almost an adult’ my mother said as she hugged me.

‘I’m already an adult I turned 18 today mom’ I said as I hugged her back.

‘You are not an adult until you’ve had your meeting with Queen Atargatis’ she said.

‘Remember be respectful when you speak to her, no back talking, no stuttering’ she instructed.

‘Mom, would you chill. I already know what I’m going to say to her’ I said.

‘What’s that?’ she asked.

‘That’s between me and her’ I said smiling.

‘I guess I can’t ask you to tell me, I haven’t told anyone what I talked about when I was in my meeting with her’ she said.

‘I have your birthday gift’ she said as she handed me something wrapped in seaweed.

‘What is it?’ I asked shaking it.

‘Open it’ she said smiling.

I unwrapped the seaweed and I saw that a necklace was inside. It had a silver chain and a mermaid figure was fixed into the chain. A vial filled with aqua liquid was attached to the chain. The necklace was so simple but so beautiful at the same time.

‘Mom, it’s beautiful’ I said admiring it.

‘I knew you would love it’ she said smiling.

‘What is this aqua stuff inside?’ I asked.

‘Sirelia’ she said.

Sirelia was an extremely rare substance that was made from the tear of a very distressed mermaid and a very happy mermaid. It also has the power to grant a wish. I have no idea how my mother got this. Sirelia hasn’t been found in decades.

‘Where did you get this?’ I asked astonished.

‘I had it years ago, my grandmother gave it to me, but I never used it. I have everything I could ever want. So I decided I would give it to you’ she said.

‘Mom, thank you’ I said. I didn’t know what else to say.

‘Whatever wish you make, I hope it’s one that you won’t regret’ she said.

 ‘Your majesty, I hate to break up your conversation but, the Princess needs to go to her royal face scrubbing’ Maria said.

‘I am sorry Maria, you can take her’ my mother said.

‘Mom’ I whined.

‘I’m sorry sweetheart but you have to get beautified for tonight’ she said laughing as Maria dragged me out of the room.

The royal face scrubbing was more like a royal torture session. It felt like they were scrubbing my skin off. The nail painting went fantastic. My nails were painted gold and my tail was shined to perfection. Before I knew it, it was time to get ready for the party, I was already exhausted by then. My dress, gloves and bra top were put on and my gloves were laced up. Golden sparkles were placed on my already shimmering tail. My hair was pulled back from both sides and golden streaks were weaved into it. My tiara was placed neatly on top of my head. When I opened my eyes I was shocked. I looked like a Queen, a really pretty Queen.

‘How did you guys get me to look this great’ I asked.

‘Magic touch’ Maria said.

‘Now come on, it’s almost time for your big entrance’ she said as she pulled me towards the grand staircase.

I don’t even know why we have stairs, it’s not like we actually need them. I stood behind the curtains and I saw my parents and sister swim over to me.

‘You actually look pretty’ Marina said shocked.

‘Oh hardy har har’ I said with a flat voice.

‘Ok fine, you look gorgeous, honestly’ she said.

‘Thanks Rina’ I said as I pulled her into a hug.

Her dress was dark and light purple with a lot of bows on it and her hair was braided with silver streaks weaved into it and her tiara was placed perfectly on her head.

‘I’m so proud of you sweetie’ My dad said as he pulled me into a huge hug.

‘Dad you are hugging me to tight’ I said.

‘Sorry’ he said laughing.

He was wearing gold bands around his upper arms and his tail was shimmering more than usual.

‘Remember, head up, shoulders back and have a pleasant smile’ my mother said.

‘I know mom’ I said hugging her.

Her dress was longer than mine and had mixtures of light and dark pink with a lot of layers and her hair was pulled up into a neat bun with her crown on top of her head.

‘IT IS TIME, PLACES EVERYONE’ Maria shouted.

‘Your majesties, you will make your entrance first, then Princess Marina and then Princess Avalana’ she said to us.

We all nodded and we heard the announcer call my parents.

‘Their majesties, King Caspian and Queen Jewel’ he said.

My parents swam together down the extremely long staircase with my mother’s arm linked through my father’s.

‘Her Royal Highness, Princess Marina’ he said.

‘Time to show them what I’ve got’ she said as she swam down the staircase.

I’m nervous, what if I mess up? Queen Atargatis, please watch over me and help me not to make a fool of myself.

‘Finally, the eldest daughter of King Caspian and Queen Jewel, who today, becomes an adult Her Royal Highness, Princess Avalana’ he said loudly.

I heard the crowd cheering and I slowly entered into their view. Thousands of merfolk were gathered in the ballroom and the cheering increased when they saw me. OK Avalana, you can do this. Slowly swim down the staircase. I looked at the bottom and saw my parents and sister smiling at me. Just focus on your family and it’s going to be fine. I was almost to the bottom of the staircase, when suddenly, a dolphin came swimming at me out of nowhere. She slammed into me and I fell to the floor. Everyone crowded around me to see if I was ok.

‘Your highness, are you alright?’ A mermaid asked.

‘I’m ok’ I said wincing a bit.

I looked and saw that the dolphin was injured; a gash was on its side. This dolphin was still a baby, what was it doing all by itself.

‘Hey, why are you all by yourself’ I asked her.

She only screeched and cowered into the corner as If I would hurt her.

‘Hey, hey, hey its ok I’m not going to hurt you’ I said as I rubbed her head.

She relaxed after a while and began to nuzzle my cheek.

‘Now do you want to tell me what’s wrong?’ I asked.

‘Princess’ someone said.

‘Wait’ I said back them.

‘My mommy was killed by humans when she tried to protect me’ she said.

Humans? That means that this dolphin lived in the upper oceans.

‘Do you have any other family?’ I asked.

‘No it was only me and my mommy but now that she’s gone I don’t have anywhere to go’ she said.

I looked around and I saw everyone whispering and pointing at us. My parents were trying to calm everyone down. I signaled Maria to come over to us.

‘Take her to my room and clean up her wound’ I said to her.

She nodded but the dolphin didn’t want to follow her.

‘It’s ok, she’s very nice. She’s going to help make that pain go away’ I said to her.

She reluctantly followed Maria and I turned back towards everyone. Surprisingly, they were all saying good comments.

‘Wow, Princess Avalana is such a nice mermaid, she helped that dolphin even after it swam into her’ Someone said.

At least they weren’t saying bad things.

‘Everyone, I apologize for that minor occurrence, please continue to enjoy yourselves’ I said to everyone.

After I said that, everyone went back to what they were doing. I had to greet every guest here and try every dish that was here. Plus, mermen from all over were asking me to join them on a stroll or to dance. I wasn’t really into romance right now.

‘AVALANA’ I heard my name being shouted.

I turned around and saw Clara and Xylie being blocked from entered by a guard. I swam over to them.

‘Let them through they are my friends’ I said to the guard.

He let them through and they both engulfed me in a huge hug.

‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVA’ They both screamed in my ear.

‘Thanks guys’ I said laughing.

Xylie pulled out something from behind her back and held it out to me.

‘what’s this’ I asked.

‘Your birthday gift’ Clara said.

‘You guys didn’t have to get me anything’ I said.

‘We didn’t get it, we made it’ Clara said.

I unwrapped it and saw that it was a satchel that was decorated with aqua gems.

‘It’s for when you come with to the upper oceans tomorrow, you can collect things like shells and special types of seaweed.’ Xylie said.

‘Thanks you guys, it’s beautiful’ I said as I hugged them.

‘You look gorgeous by the way’ Clara said.

‘Thanks, but you two are the show stoppers’ I said to them.

They both struck a pose and we all laughed. I was still very worried about that dolphin though. I hope she’s alright.

‘Whoa is that Sirelia?’ Xylie asked as she touched my necklace.

‘Yeah, my mom gave it to me this morning’ I said.

‘You can wish for anything. What are you going to wish for?’ Clara asked.

‘I don’t know yet, but I’m saving it in case I get into an emergency’ I said.

‘I thought you were going to wish that the hottest merman would fall in love with you’ Xylie said.

‘I’m not really looking for love yet Xylie’ I said to her.

‘Avalana, it’s time for your meeting with Queen Atargatis’ my mother said to me.

‘Remember to be royal’ Clara said to me.

‘I’ll be as royal as one can royally be royal’ I said laughing.

My mother led me in front of Queen Atargatis’s statue in front of the palace and everyone crowded around to watch. I don’t even know what to say to summon her. Will she just come as I stand there or do I have to request her presence?

‘Mom how will Queen Atargatis know I’m here?’ I asked.

‘She’ll know’ she said as she swam over to the side.

After a few moments, a blinding white light emitted from Queen Atargatis’s statue and I swam towards it. I closed my eyes and allowed the light to completely engulf me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Avalana’s meeting with Queen Atargatis~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I opened my eyes and saw a stunning mermaid with a green tail and long red hair staring back at me. What shocked me was that her hair and tail were two different colors.

‘Come young princess, do not be afraid’ she said.

I knelt down in front of her.

‘It is an honor to meet you Queen Atargatis’ I said with my head bowed.

‘Rise Princess Avalana’ she said.

I rose up and looked at her.

‘You are to become Queen am I right’ she asked.

‘Yes, your majesty’ I said.

‘But is that what you want?’ she asked.

‘Honestly, your majesty, no’ I said.

‘Why not, young princess’ she asked.

‘Being a Queen means that you have expectations to live up and I don’t think that I can live up to those expectations’ I said to her.

‘Princess Avalana, being a Queen is to be leader, role model and a mother figure to your kingdom. To be a Queen is a great responsibility. When the marine animals chose me to be their queen, I was a lot like how you are now, reluctant and afraid that I was not going to live up to their expectations but I took on the challenge. It was my choice to become Queen, I didn’t have to do it, but I wanted to’ she said.

‘What I am trying to tell you is that you have a choice. I have not made it an official law that the eldest shall become King or Queen, that was something that developed over the years.’ She said.

‘So I don’t have to become Queen’ I asked hopeful.

‘It is your choice’ she said smiling at me.

‘Thank you your majesty’ I said to her.

‘My time to speak with you is expiring Princess Avalana, but I leave you with this wisdom, there is always a choice no matter what the situation may be and only you can make that choice’ she said as her voice faded away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of meeting~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bright light that was engulfing me retreaded back to Queen Atargatis’s statue. Everyone crowded around me asking me questions. But my father managed to pull me away inside the palace. My mother, Marina and Clara and Xylie followed us inside and the guards blocked off people from entering at this time.

‘How was it’ my mother asked.

‘She helped me……a lot, she gave me great advice’ I said as I sat down.

‘On what?’ my father asked.

I couldn’t keep the fact that I didn’t want to become Queen away from my parents forever.

‘She gave me advice on becoming Queen’ I said.

‘Yes and?’ my mother said eagerly.

‘She said that I didn’t have to become Queen if I don’t want to’ I said.

Both my parents happy expressions dropped but my mother’s dropped even more than my father’s.

‘What? Of course you want to become Queen, right?’ she asked.

I didn’t answer her.

‘Avalana’ she said.

‘No mom, I don’t want to become Queen’ I said to her.

‘Why not?’ she asked shocked.

‘Because mother, it is so many responsibilities and expectations’ I said as I got up and started swimming back and forth.

‘But you have to become Queen the rule is that the eldest must take on their role as King or Queen’ she said.

‘Queen Atargatis told me that she never made it an official rule so I can choose if I want to be Queen or not and I choose not to be Queen.’ I said to them.

‘Avalana, you will be ruining a tradition if you do this’ my mother said pleading with me.

‘Mother, I am not fit to rule Atargatis, but Marina is. She is more enthusiastic about becoming Queen than me. It’s her lifelong dream. She’ll be a much better Queen than me because she’ll actually be happy doing it’ I said to her.

‘Caspian, please talk some sense into her.’ my mother said looking at my father.

‘Jewel, if Avalana feels that she is not fit to rule Atargatis then we make Marina the Queen’ my father said.

‘This is absurd Avalana, you are messing with tradition’ my mother said.

‘Mother please, don’t you want me to be happy’ I asked her.

‘I want you to make the right choices and this isn’t the right choice Avalana’ she said as she shouted at me.

‘Mom, this is my choice and if it turns out to be a bad one then let me suffer the consequences I’ll learn a life lesson’ I said to her.

‘This is a bad choice a very bad choice’ she said.

‘Mom will you just let me make my own choices, please?’ I said pleading with her.

She just looked at me one more time before she swam away to her bedroom. My father kissed me on my forehead and followed her to comfort her.

‘Are you really going to give up the chance to become Queen’ Marina asked me.

‘Yeah, I think you will make a much better Queen than me’ I said to her.

‘I think you are making the right choice’ she said to me.

She hugged me and swam away. I looked at Clara and Xylie and they swam up to me.

‘Sorry about that fight with your mom’ Clara said.

‘It’s ok’ I lied.

‘Well, come by the shop tomorrow morning and we’ll leave for the upper oceans’ Xylie said.

They both hugged me goodbye and went home. I guess the party is over. The maids were cleaning up and the guards are telling everyone to go home. I sighed and slowly went up to my bedroom. When I opened it, I was shocked to see the dolphin laying on my bed staring at me. The gash was cleaned up and bandaged with some seaweed.

‘Hey there’ I said as I swam over to her.

‘I am sorry Princess Avalana for crashing into you at your birthday party’ she said.

‘It’s ok and you can just call me Ava’ I said smiling at her.

‘Ok Ava, my name is Luna’ she said to me.

‘Luna that’s a pretty name’ I said smiling at her.

‘Thank you’ she said.

‘Since you don’t anywhere else to go,you can live here in the palace if you want to Luna’ I said to her.

‘Really’ she asked.

‘Sure it would be my pleasure’ I said.

‘Thank you Ava’ she said nuzzling me.

‘You’re welcome’ I said giggling.

I took off my party dress, gloves, jewelry and fancy bra top. I replaced my fancy bra top with my normal plain aqua one and fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE NEXT DAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up to Luna nuzzling my cheeks.

‘Good morning’ I said as I sat up.

I got out of bed and swam over to my vanity. I combed my long aqua hair and let it flow down my tail. Then I changed my bra top for a different one. I grabbed my satchel that Clara and Xylie made for me and threw it across me. I was about to swim out the door when I saw Luna staring at me. I didn’t want to leave her here alone.

‘Hey Luna do you want to come with me and my friends’ I asked her.

She nodded her head and followed me. I quickly snuck out of the palace with Luna and we swam to Clara and Xylie’s shop. They were waiting on me at the entrance.

‘Hey who’s the dolphin’ Clara asked.

‘She’s Luna, she kinda ran into me yesterday. Is it ok if she comes with us?’ I asked.

‘Yeah sure, nice to meet you Luna’ Xylie said.

‘Nice to meet you too’ Luna said to them.

We all swam to the exit of Atargatis. I was nervous and excited. I’d never been out of Atargatis before. We came to the exit and the sharks were guarding it. The only way to leave Atargatis was with special permission from the King and Queen.

‘How are we going to get through?’ I asked.

‘We have our own secret exit’ Clara said.

We swam over to a pile of rocks and they pushed one to the side revealing a small passage way. It was going to be a tight fit that’s for sure.

‘It’s small but you and Luna can fit’ Clara said.

Xylie went in first and she wiggled her way through. Next it was Clara. I let Luna go first just in case she got stuck and I had to push her. It was really a tight fit in here. Someone who is claustrophobic would die. After 2 minutes if wiggling I was finally out. I looked around in amazement. There were no buildings, no lights and no mermaids swimming around. Just marine animals and plant life and it was very dark.

‘Come on we’ve got a long way to go’ Xylie said.

We all started swimming upwards. It was getting brighter and brighter, but not like the blue lights in Atargatis, these lights were bright; very bright.

‘Here we are the upper oceans’ Clara said.

It was so beautiful up here; everything was so clear and bright. Marine animals that I have never seen before were up here.

‘It’s so beautiful’ I said.

I looked to my left and saw a coral reef. I had learned about them in school but this was the first time I saw one with my very own eyes.

‘This is so cool’ I said while feeling the coral.

‘I know, and to think there are thousands of mermaids who will never be able to see it’ Xylie said.

‘Xylie, we live deep in the ocean for protection. If the humans ever find us, who knows what they’ll do’ I said.

‘I know but still, they should give merfolk a choice whether or not they want to live in Atargatis’ Xylie said.

I looked up and saw a bright ball above me. I swam upward to it and I was shocked to see my hand come out of the water. Did I reach the shore? I swam up and my upper body was out of water. The feeling was one that I’ve never felt. A strange current was causing my hair to blow and it caused my throat to become dry. Clara, Xylie and Luna came up after me.

‘That is the air that your feeling’ Clara explained.

‘What’s air?’ I asked.

‘It’s what humans use to breathe’ she said.

‘What is breathing?’ I asked.

‘It’s kinda how we need water to survive well, they need air to survive’ she said.

‘Ohhh’ I said understanding.

I looked around and noticed that I could only see ocean and no shores.

‘Where is the shore?’ I asked.

‘We haven’t arrived yet, but we have to keep swimming if we want to make it before sun down’ Xylie said.

We all dived back underwater and began swimming full speed in the western direction. I was getting kinda tired from swimming so fast so I held on to Luna’s fin while she swam. I collected a lot of pretty shells and put them in my satchel. After 5 hours of swimming at full speed I started to notice the water getting shallower and shallower.

‘We’re here’ Xylie said.

I swam up to the surface and I gasped at what I saw. Humans were parading all around the shore with their legs. They looked so strange. Like two fins.

‘We can’t go any closer, the humans will see us’ I said.

‘That’s why we are going behind those rocks’ Clara said.

We swam behind the rocks and Clara, Xylie and I pulled ourselves up onto the shore, while Luna stayed in the water. My tail felt like it weighed a ton as I pulled it into shore.

‘Why is my tail so heavy?’ I asked struggling.

‘It’s the air. It makes everything heavy’ Xylie said.

After 5 minutes of struggling I got half of my body on the shore. Close enough. I flipped onto my back and looked at the ocean. I could hear seagulls squawking and the waves crashing onto the shore. The sight was magnificent.

‘So this is what you guys do when you come onto shore’ I asked.

‘Yep, when we are done collecting we relax’ Clara said.

‘Will any humans find us?’ I asked concerned.

‘Well they’ve never found us when we come here’ Xylie said.

‘The humans are so lucky, they get to enjoy this whenever they want’ Clara said.

‘Yeah it must be nice to be a human’ Xylie said.

‘Being able to magically become human would be great’ Xylie said.

‘You think that could happen to you Ava?’ Xylie asked.

‘Pshhhh I wish.’ I said nonchalantly.

Suddenly my necklace began glowing and the Sirelia engulfed my body.

‘WHAT’S HAPPENING’ I shouted as I panicked.

A swirly aqua light came over my head and it started to move down my body. As it moved my scales and fins disappeared and my hair got shorter; waist length, and it turned a dark brown color. But what shocked me the most was that my tail had transformed into two tan legs.

‘OH MY ATARGATIS!!!!’ I screamed.

‘Avalana you’re a……a ……human’ Clara said as her eyes widened.

‘HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?’ I screamed.

I looked down and saw that the Sirelia was no longer in my necklace. I realized that I said I wished when Xylie asked me if I wanted to turn into a human. I didn’t actually mean I wished for this to happen. It was a casual “I wish”.

‘You have to help me’ I said to them.

‘How?’ Xylie asked,

‘Find help, find some more Sirelia’ I said.

‘Where are we supposed to find Sirelia?’ Clara asked.

‘I DON’T KNOW’ I shouted at her.

‘Ava, you need to calm down’ Xylie said.

‘How can I calm down Xylie? I am a human, A HUMAN!!!!!!!’ I shouted at her.

‘Shouting isn’t going to help the situation’ she said to me.

‘Guys I really need some more Sirelia I can’t stay like this. If my parents see me like they’ll have heart attacks’ I said.

‘Well we’ll ask Queen Jewel if she has anymore Sirelia’ Clara said.

‘No don’t ask her. My parents can’t know of this. You have to find it some other way’ I said.

‘But where are we supposed to look?’ Xylie asked.

‘I don’t know but please, don’t tell my parents’ I said pleading.

‘ok stay here, we are going to search around this area’ Clara said.

‘Wait, don’t leave me alone’ I said.

But they already dived under the water, taking Luna with them. What am I going to do, I don’t even know how to use legs. I tried moving them like how I would move my tail but it didn’t work. I remembered seeing how the humans would stand upright. I tried to stand up but I only fell back into the sand and my hair covered my face. It was so much shorter now. My aqua hair used to fall all the way to the end of my tail but now this brown hair fell only to my waist. I heard a sound coming closer and closer and I panicked. What if someone was coming to hurt me? I couldn’t even move.

‘What are you doing’ A female voice said.

I looked up and saw a girl about my age with yellow and pink hair. Her legs weren’t yellow or pink so I wonder how her hair got that color and she had very tan skin. She was looking anywhere but at me.

‘Where are your clothes?’ she asked.

I looked down and realized that I was completely naked. I automatically tried to cover myself.

‘Do you even any have clothes?’ she asked.

I shook my head no and she walked away. I tried to follow her but I just fell back down in the sand. She came back with a funny looking dress. It had an attached on bra top and it was red and white. I somehow managed to get it on but I couldn’t get the string tied so she tied it for me.

‘My name is Dovanya’ she said to me.

‘My name is Avalana’ I said to her.

‘So you can speak, I thought you were mute’ she said laughing.

‘What were doing you doing lying naked in the sand? She asked.

‘I don’t know’ I said.

I couldn’t tell her what really happened. As far as I know, humans think that mermaids don’t exist and I’m not going to tell her my secret.

‘You don’t know? Do you have amnesia?’ she asked.

I am kinda surprised. I didn’t know humans knew about medical terms. I learnt about amnesia in school. If I tell her I have it that would ease her suspicion of me.

‘Yes’ I answered.

‘Hmmmm well can you remember anything else besides your name’ she asked.

‘No’ I lied.

She ran her fingers through her multicolored hair and turn back to me.

‘Ok come on, I’ll take you to the hospital I guess’ she said as she held out her hand to me.

I took it and she helped me back up. My legs were wobbly and I didn’t know how to move them.

‘Don’t tell me you forgot how to walk. Who forgets that?’ she said.

After trying to walk and failing 3 times in a row. Dovanya took my arm and threw it around her neck.

‘Ok I’m supporting most of your weight so just try to stay upright’ she said to me.

I nodded and she began walking. I was trying my hardest not to fall but I stumbled a few times. Suddenly a yellow haired guy came running towards us. Does everyone have yellow hair?

‘Dovanya who’s this?’ he asked looking at me.

‘This is Avalana, I found over by the rocks and she has amnesia so I’m taking her to the hospital’ she explained.

‘Is her leg hurt or something?’ he asked.

‘Nope she forgot how to walk’ Dovanya said.

‘Who forgets how to walk?’ he said.

‘Can you help me with her, she’s getting kinda heavy’ Dovanya said.

‘oh Avalana this is Gar’Von my best friend’ she said.

‘Nice to meet you Avalana’ he said grinning at me.

Gar’Von stooped down in front of me and I stared confused.

‘Hop on, I’ll give you a piggy back ride’ he said.

‘Put your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist’ Dovanya instructed.

I did as she said and he wrapped his arms around my thighs. I looked back at the ocean and got worried. What if Clara, Xylie and Luna come looking for me before I got back? Hopefully they won’t. Gar’Von walked and we came up to this machine? It had four wheels and four doors. What is that?

‘There you go’ He said as he set me back on my feet.

I wobbled and fell down again.

‘Geez you really forgot how to walk’ he said as he helped me up.

‘What is this?’ I asked referring to the machine.

‘A car’ Dovanya said.

She opened the door and stood there.

‘Don’t tell me you forgot about cars to’ she said.

But I just stared at her in confusion. She sighed and began helping me in the car. I was scared. I didn’t know how this machine worked. She strapped something across me and shut the door. She and Gar’Von went into the front seats. Suddenly something started rumbling underneath me and the machine started moving. I screamed out of shock but I eventually calmed down. I looked out the windows and saw more of these car machines outside in many different sizes and colors. I eventually got out of my little fear and began to look around more. Giant plants were lined along and we were riding on this straight black path with yellow lines in the middle. The human world looks so different from Atargatis.

‘Do you remember where you are from Avalana?’ Dovanya asked.

‘No’ I lied.

‘Ok, do you remember anything else like how you ended up on the shore?’ she asked.

‘No’ I said again.

‘She probably fell of a ship or something’ Gar’Von said.

‘What’s a ship?’ I asked.

‘How much of your memory did you lose? I’m surprised you even knew your name. Are you sure it’s Avalana?’ Gar’Von asked.

‘Yes I’m sure and my friends called me Ava for short’ I said.

‘Well I guess we’re friends now right, so we’ll call you Ava’ Dovanya said.

‘Are you two a couple?’ I asked.

They both started laughing and I was taken back a little. Did I say something funny?

‘We are sorry for laughing Ava but, I’m gay’ Gar’Von said.

‘What does gay mean?’ I asked.

‘It means that I like guys not girls’ he explained.

In Atargatis, we call people who like the same gender idems.

‘Ohhh’ I said understanding.

Soon we arrived at a huge building that had the words hospital written on them. Dovanya and Gar’Von helped me out of the car machine and Gar’Von gave me a “piggy back ride” again.

Dovanya’s POV

This girl, Avalana, is the strangest person I’ve ever met. Honestly no matter how bad your amnesia is you shouldn’t forget how to walk. That is like automatic. But I have to admit, she is one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen. No homo. Her eyes are a deep dark brown color and her hair is dark brown and very wavy, and its long like to her waist. She’s on the short side though. She doesn’t look any taller than 5ft 1. When we carried her into the hospital, the doctor that was examining her said that she was fine from what he can see.

‘Ava, do remember any kind of contact to family or friends or anyone’ Gar’Von asked her.

‘No’ she said.

Gar’Von and I exchanged glances, we couldn’t just leave her at the hospital.

‘You can just take me back where you meet me’ she said.

‘No way, that’s out of the question’ I said.

‘We are taking you back to our home’ Gar’von said.

‘Oh please, I don’t want to intrude’ she said.

‘No it’s fine, we found you so it’s our responsibility to help you recover your memories’ Gar’Von said.

We have a spare room in our apartment and it already has a bed in it. Ava got the hang of walking after practicing for like an hour, but she was still wobbly. When we arrived at our apartment we showed Ava her room and from her facial expression it seemed like this wasn’t what she expected. Did she expect us to give her a room made for a princess?

Avalana’s POV

I was a bit disappointed at my room. I was so much smaller compared to my room in the palace. But I couldn’t let Dovanya and Gar’Von know that. They already did so much by letting me stay with them in their home. But I needed to leave tonight. I have to get back to the ocean. Clara and Xylie could be waiting for me with the Sirelia right this moment!

‘Thank you so much’ I said to them.

‘No problem, we are going out for dinner so I’ll bring you some clothes that you can wear’ Dovanya said as she walked out the room.

‘You are going to love living with us Ava’ Gar’Von said as he followed her.

I sat down on the bed and sighed. In less than 24hours my life had drastically changed. Maybe it was a bad idea coming to the shore after all. If I didn’t, I would be back in Atargatis with family and friends. Not in this strange new world.

 

 

2: Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Avalana’s POV

‘Ok Ava, I think that this should fit’ Dovanya said as she came back into the room with another one of those funny looking dresses. She threw it at me and I just stared at it.

‘Here is some underwear and it is brand new so you can keep it’ she said passing them to me.

‘I’ll leave you alone to get dressed’ she said as she shut the door.

I sat on the bed for a few seconds before I got up and attempted to take the red and white dress off but I stopped when I saw my reflection in the mirror and I was able to see how much I had changed. My face still looked the same but my eyes had gone from bright aqua to dark shade of blue. I didn’t like but there was nothing I could do about it. I began to attempt to take off the dress again but I struggled to get it off and it hooked onto my elbow. I fell down and Dovanya came rushing back into the room.

‘What happened’ she asked.

I tried to shrug as much as I could in my predicament but it came out wrong.

‘Here let me help’ she said as she began taking my arms out of the red and white dress and started to help me get my underwear and blue dress on. I didn’t feel weird letting her see me topless because I’m used to my female dressing maids seeing me topless.

‘You look great’ she said smiling.

‘Come, I want to do your hair’ she said pulling me to sit on the bed.

 She began brushing it and she fixed it into an intricate looking hairstyle. She braided the front side and brought the rest of my hair into a low side bun of sorts. I don’t know if she purposely self some hair falling out but I think it looks nice like that. She pulled out earrings, a necklace bracelets and a ring; the earrings had a weird shape, like an x. The ring also had an X shape but it was more defined. The bracelet wrapped around my wrist three times and had an anchor, another X and a cross. Human fashion is surely strange; I would have never dreamed seeing X shaped jewelry in Atargatis. She was about to take off the necklace that my mother gave me but I stopped her.

‘No, I would like to keep this on’ I said touching my necklace.

‘Oh, ok sure’ she said smiling.

‘Do you like flats?’ Dovanya asked.

I looked at her utterly confused. Flats, flat what?

‘Huh?’ I said confused.

‘Flats, you know flat shoes’ she said trying to explain but I was even more confused.

‘What are shoes?’ I asked furrowing my brow.

‘What do you mean what are shoes…….don’t tell me you forgot about shoes?’ she said throwing her hands into the air.

I just continued to look at her with a confused expression.

‘Ok, shoes are these….things that you put on your feet to protect them’ she said.

‘Oh, ok’ I said some-what understanding.

She walked out the room and came back in with ‘shoes’ in her hands. They were flat and had straps all over them. She strapped them onto my feet and I testes them out. The strap that came in between my toes felt a bit weird but I can live with it.

‘You like them?’ she asked.

‘Yes, they are pretty’ I said honestly.

‘Great, now let me just get my shoes and we’re ready to go’ she said walking out the room.

I followed her out into what I assumed to be the sitting room, and I sat in the chair. After a few minutes Dovanya announced that we were leaving and we all went out to the car machine. I didn’t know how to properly get into the machine so I kind of rolled in and I hit my head.

‘Ouch’ I explained holding my head.

‘What did you do?’ Dovanya asked concerned.

‘I hit my head when I tried to sit’ I said still holding my now throbbing head.

‘How did you manage that?’ Gar’Von asked chuckling at me.

‘Well…….’ I trailed off not really wanting to talk about my embarrassing ordeal.

They just laughed and Dovanya began moving the car machine down the black and yellow path. It was dark, and I shocked when I couldn’t see. As a mermaid, I could see no matter how dark it was. I looked up and saw a small white circle in the sky.

‘What’s that?’ I asked pointing out the window.

‘What’s what?’ Gar’Von asked trying to see where I was pointing.

‘The small white circle in the sky’ I said.

‘You mean the moon?’ he asked with a raised eyebrow.

‘If that is what it is called’ I said.

‘You really lost your memory. The moon lights up the sky because the sun goes down.’ He explained.

‘What is the sun?’ I asked.

He sighed and began explaining to me everything. I was asking so many questions and I was sure he was getting annoyed but I was just so curious. Dovanya soon arrived at this building with a giant sandwich on top of it and it read Hank’s Diner. Humans keep their sandwiches on the roof?

‘Why is there a sandwich on the roof?’ I asked.

‘It is only to advertise that they sell burgers’ Dovanya said.

‘Burgers?’ I said confused.

‘It’s a type of sandwich’ she said.

‘Oh, ok’ I said.

We all walked into the building and we sat at a table with seats that you slid into. I slid in first and Dovanya sat next to me while Gar’Von sat opposite of me. Suddenly, a human girl came up to us with an apron on, I figured that she was the chef so I asked her about the burger on the roof.

‘Hello, I was just wondering if you keep all of your burgers on the roof’ I asked smiling.

She looked at me as if I was an idiot then she started laughing. I did not say anything funny. Did I?

‘Wow you are hilarious’ she said still laughing.

‘But I was seri-‘I started but Dovanya covered my mouth with her hand.

‘Yep, she is a real comic’ Dovanya said with a fake chuckle.

‘What can I get you guys’ the girl said as she pulled out a tiny book and writing tool.

‘We’ll get three Hank burgers with cheesy fries and three strawberry milkshakes.’ Gar’Von said.

‘Ok coming right up, oh and no we don’t keep all of our burgers on the roof’ she said as she walked away laughing.

‘Thank you for answering my question’ I shouted back to her.

She looked back at me and laughed even harder. Wow, I guess I really am funny.

‘Ava, you really are one unique character’ Gar’Von said chuckling.

‘Really, how so’ I said as I cocked my head to one side.

‘Well, I was just wondering how you would be if you hadn’t gotten amnesia’ he said.

‘Oh, well I think I would be the same’ I said chuckling nervously.

I really felt bad about lying to them. But its only for a little while, I’m sure Clara and Xylie will have found the Sirelia already and are looking for me. I just have to spend one night with them, then in the morning I will sneak back to the beach, turn back into a mermaid and never see them again. I will admit, I’m going to be sad not seeing them again. They have been nothing but kind to me.

‘So, tell me about you guys’ I said trying to ease the silence.

‘Well we’re both college students, but I’m studying nursing and he’s studying computer technics.’ Dovanya said.

I just nodded my head as if I had a clue what computer technics was, but I didn’t want to ask any more questions.

‘Oh, that is…..interesting’ I said.

‘Can you remember what you wanted to be’ Dovanya asked.

Now that she says it, I’ve never really given much thought as to what I want to be. I’ve been fretting about not becoming queen for most of my life.

‘No, I can’t remember’ I lied.

It was another silence after that, but soon the girl with the apron came back with our food. How she managed to balance everything with one hand was beyond me.

‘Ok, three Hank burgers, three orders of cheesy fries and three strawberry milkshakes she said as she placed them infront of us.

The sandwich in front of me was huge. There was no way I can finish all of this.

‘I can’t eat all of this’ I said.

‘Trust me, when you take your first bite, you’ll want another one’ the girl said as she walked away.

I grabbed the sandwich in my tiny hands and took a huge bite out of it. It was absolutely delicious, I’ve never tasted anything like this before.

‘This is delicious’ I said with my mouth full.

‘I knew you would like it’ Dovanya said laughing at my reaction.

I took another big bite and savored the taste. After 4 more bites I was done. I looked up and saw Gar’Von and Dovanya looking at me in shock.

‘What?’ I asked feeling self-conscious.

‘I thought you couldn’t finish it’ Gar’Von said smirking.

‘Ok it was better than I thought it would be’ I said.

‘You want another one?’ he asked.

‘Can I?’ I asked with a grin.

‘Sure’ he said as he signaled the girl over and she went to get me another burger. In the meantime, I wolfed down my fries and annihilated the milkshake. Human food was absolutely delicious. If my mother saw me eating all this food she would have a fit.

Mom. Dad. Marina. The entire kingdom must be having a fit. They probably think I was kidnapped or something.

‘Ava, you ok you suddenly look down’ Dovanya asked concerned.

‘Oh, I’m fine’ I said with a fake smile.

My fake smile soon turned into a real one when I saw my burger being placed on the table.

‘Enjoy’ she said smiling.

I picked up the burger and was about to sink my teeth into it when I heard a masculine voice; a very masculine voice.

‘Isn’t that your second burger’ it said.

I turned to look at the person and my jaw dropped. A boy, no a man was standing in front of me. A very, very attractive man. He shocked me so much by his handsomeness that I dropped the burger out of my hands and it fell onto my plate.

He was tall really, tall and from what I can see, he was muscular. His skin was paler than mine but it still had a tan to it. His hair was brown and curly and it seemed to fall perfectly on his head. He had chiseled features and a strong jaw line. But his eyes really captivated me. They were an olive green colour that went perfectly with his hair color. I came back to reality when I saw Dovanya out of the corner of my eye trying to finger comb her hair.

‘Or you going to answer me or just check me out all day, not that I mind beautiful’ he said winking at me.

I blushed and put my head down. How is he able to make my face heat up like this?

‘Ohh you’re the shy type’ he said smirking.

‘I- ah-umm-‘ I stammered but I couldn’t seem to form a coherent sentence.

‘So Daisy, who is your friend?’ he asked looking at Dovanya.

She seemed to be just as flushed as I was and began stuttering and stammering, thankfully Gar’Von came to our rescue.

‘Her name is Dovanya and she is Avalana’ Gar’Von said in an annoyed voice.

‘Avalana, its different. I never heard that before’ he said still smirking at me.

I was still blushing furiously and my cheeks started to hurt.

‘H-Hi J-Jason’ Dovanya said blushing.

‘Hi, sorry I got your name wrong’ he said not looking sorry at all. In fact, he looked like he didn’t even care.

‘It’s ok’ she said looking down.

‘So, Avalana, you’re new here’ he said focusing on me.

‘Yes’ I said still blushing.

‘So you probably need someone to show you around’ He said as his smirk got even bigger.

I hopefully won’t be here tomorrow.

‘No I-‘ I started but he cut me off.

‘Great I’ll meet you here at 7pm tomorrow’ he said.

‘Wait, but-‘ I started again but he cut me off…..again.

‘See you tomorrow beautiful’ he said winking at me before he walked off.

‘Wait, I don’t even know your name’ I said.

‘Jason’ he said smirking before he turned around and walked away.

If I didn’t know any better, I think I would say that I just got forced into a date.

‘Wow, you got a date with Jason in less than 2 minutes. Dovanya has been trying for months to even get him to remember her name’ Gar’Von said chuckling.

‘I wasn’t even trying to get a date from him’ I said frowning a bit.

‘Oh sure, Avalana you don’t have to try to get guys to like you because you are just so gorgeous’ Dovanya said before she sprung up and stomped out the building.

‘Did I, do something wrong?’ I asked in a soft voice.

‘No, she just had a really big crush on Jason and seeing him ask you on a date really hurt her’ Gar’Von explained.

‘Oh I should go apologize’ I said getting up but Gar’Von stopped me.

‘No, give her some space going to talk to her will only make her angrier’ he said.

I reluctantly sat back down and prayed that I didn’t ruin the blooming friendship between Dovanya and I.

 

3: Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Dovanya, Gar’Von and I drove back to their apartment in silence. I don’t think Dovanya was still mad at me but she was still quiet. Gar’Von kept glancing at me through the rear-view mirror as if he was signaling me to start a conversation. Maybe I should ask a question? Or maybe I should apologize to Dovanya?

‘Dovanya-‘ I started.

‘Ava-‘ she started at the same time.

We both looked at each other and laughed. That was a good sign.

‘You first’ I said to her.

‘Ava, I’m sorry about the way I acted. I shouldn’t have overreacted like that’ she apologized.

‘No, Dovanya I’m sorry’ I said.

‘You have nothing to apologize for, you didn’t do anything. I guess I was just jealous’ she admitted.

‘I still feel like I have to apologize’ I said.

‘No, you don’t’ she said.

‘But-‘ I started.

‘No, I don’t want to hear it, what happened just now was completely my fault and I had no reason to be angry at you’ she said.

‘Ok, fine……are we friends again’ I asked hopefully.

‘We never stopped’ she said laughing.

‘It’s nice to see that you two made up’ Gar’Von said joining in our laughter.

When soon arrived back at their apartment. I got out of the car machine by myself; I am quite proud of myself for that. When we walked into the apartment, I let out a huge yawn and Gar’Von and Dovanya laughed at me. I have really been acting unprincess-like.

‘I take it you’re tired. Go to sleep, we’ll see you in the morning’ Dovanya said.

‘Ok’ I said yawning.

I found the room they lent me and collapsed on the bed into a deep slumber. My dreams were filled with my life as a mermaid, Clara and Xylie and my family.

Dovanya’s POV

‘What are we going to do?’ I asked Gar’Von as we sat on the couch.

‘I don’t know, she’s like a young child and we don’t have much money to take care of her’ Gar’Von said.

‘Yeah and I don’t have much more clothes I can lend her’ I said worrying.

‘So what do we do, take her to an orphanage’ I suggested.

‘We don’t have any records of her being under 18, they will think she’s just homeless’ Gar’Von said.

‘What about the hospital?’ he said.

‘She has no medical insurance and the bill will only get sent to us, because you offered to take care of her until she gets her memories back’ I said to him.

‘I thought she would’ve already recovered a bit’ he confessed.

‘We have to do something within the next week, or else…….I don’t know’ I said worriedly.

‘Maybe we can take her back where you found her’ Gar’Von said.

‘Are you out of your mind?’ I shouted at him.

‘It was just a suggestion’ he said holding his hands up.

‘A very stupid one’ I said.

‘Ok, let’s just give it one week and see how it goes, I’m sure she’ll remember something about her life, something to give us a clue where she is from’ Gar’Von said.

‘Ok, one week’ I said.

I really hope she remembers something, anything. Gar’Von and I are both struggling college students. If she has to live with us, we would have to be working 24/7.

Avalana’s POV

‘Avalana’ I heard someone say shaking me.

Thinking that I was back in Atargatis, I thought it was Maria trying to wake me up.

‘Come on Maria, 5 more minutes’ I said pulling the covers over my head.

‘Maria? You remember a name!’ the voice said excitedly.

I bolted up out of the bed. All of yesterday’s activities came rushing back into my head and I realized the voice I heard was Dovanya’s.

‘Dovanya?’ I said rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

‘You said a name; Maria. Do you remember who that is?’ She asked jumping up and down.

‘No, I don’t’ I lied.

‘Well she must be a relative or friend who woke you up in the mornings’ Dovanya said.

She was my head maid.

‘Probably’ I lied again.

‘Well, I was waking you up because breakfast was done’ Dovanya said.

‘Oh ok’ I said getting out the bed.

My legs felt wobbly so I fell flat on my face.

‘Are you ok?’ Dovanya asked helping me up.

‘Yeah, I’m ok, my legs just feel a bit wobbly’ I said.

I attempted to stand up and I got my balance back. We walked into the kitchen where I saw Gar’Von eating a plate of…….I don’t even know how to describe it.

‘What are those?’ I asked pointing at his plate.

‘Pancakes and my special breakfast salad’ he said.

‘Ohh ok’ I said a little unsure.

‘Here, I already made you a plate’ he said passing me a plate of food.

The pancakes look yummy but the salad looked gross. It was white and it was some kind of minced meat.

‘Try it’ he said.

I ate the pancakes first and they tasted amazing. I quickly ate both of them and the only thing left on my plate was the yucky salad.

‘Eat the salad, I promise you’ll love it’ he said.

‘Ok’ I said hesitantly.

I piled a little bit onto my fork and slowly brought it to my mouth. When I tasted it my taste buds lite up. This was delicious. I started to eat more and more till all was nearly gone.

‘I told you, you would love it’ he said laughing at me eating so fast.

‘This is great, what is it’ I said taking another bite.

‘Tuna salad’ he said.

I was about to take another bite when he said that. I dropped my fork and my face turned an unnatural shade of green. Did he just say tuna as in tuna FISH!

I got up and ran to the bathroom and starting throwing up everything in my stomach. I am despicable, eating my own kind; and I even said that it taste good.

‘Ava, are you ok’ Dovanya said as she held my hair back.

‘I’ll be alright’ I said once I was finished.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t know that you didn’t like fish’ Gar’Von said.

‘No, it’s ok’ I said sitting on the floor.

‘Ok, now we know not to give you fish’ Dovanya said as she helped me up.

‘Yeah, that would probably be best’ I said.

I remembered that I said I was going to the beach today to see if Clara and Xylie got the Sirelia.

‘Oh, umm can I go to the beach?’ I asked them.

‘Why?’ Gar’Von asked with a raised eyebrow.

‘I just thought that maybe I will regain some memories if I go back there’ I said.

‘Ok, let’s go’ he said.

Dovanya showed me how to use the shower and it was absolutely wonderful to feel water on my skin again, even though it was fresh water. Then she made me wear this fabric over my legs. Apparently they are called jeans. They looked nice though, I like the white colour. She also gave me long sleeved oversized pick top. She said it was supposed to look oversized but I wasn’t complaining. Lastly, she gave me these pink shoes that covered both my feet. Apparently they are called UGGS, weird name. She was about to do my hair, but I wanted to fix it this time.

‘Can I?’ I said referring to the brush in her hand.

‘Oh sure’ she said handing them to me.

I began brushing my dark brown hair. It was so weird, I was used to my hair floating all around the place when I fix it, but it only stayed down. I guess I was happy about it; it made it easier to style my hair that’s for sure.

I grabbed the hair tie and wrapped it around my hair. It formed into a messy knot of sorts, but it looked nice. I really like the loose hair that framed my face.

‘Wow that looks cute. You have to teach me that’ Dovanya said.

‘Uhhh, sure but I really don’t know how I did it. I just kept wrapping the hair tie around my hair’ I said chuckling.

‘Sounds easy enough then’ she said.

‘Are you two ready? We are only going to the beach you know’ Gar’Von shouted.

‘Oh shush, no matter where a lady goes, she must always look nice’ Dovanya said.

‘You both look nice no matter what you wear. Now hurry, I have class soon’ he said.

We all piled into the car machine and Gar’Von drove us to the beach. Practically no one was here because it was quite cold, but that was a good thing for me. I got out of the car machine and smelt the salty air. I remembered yesterday when I smelt the sea air yesterday for the first time.

‘I’m going for a walk’ I said to them.

‘Want us to come with you?’ Gar’Von asked.

‘No, I’ll be back soon’ I said giving them a small smile and started to walk away.

This might be the last time I see them, if Clara and Xylie are here with the Sirelia. I turned around and engulfed both of them in big hugs. To say they were shock would be an understatement.

‘Whoa Ava are you ok’ Gar’Von asked patting me on the back.

‘Thank you both, for everything’ I said as I let them go.

‘No problem that’s what friends are for’ Gar’Von said.

‘You promise that we will always be friends, no matter what’ I said to them.

‘We promise’ Dovanya said smiling.

I smiled back at began walking away.

‘We’ll be waiting for you right here and don’t go too far’ Gar’Von said.

I single tear slipped down my eye. I’m really going to miss them. I arrived to the place where I turned into a human. Clara, Xylie or Luna were nowhere to be found.

‘CLARA, XYLIE…..LUNA’ I shouted but I did not get an answer.

I searched the ocean as far as my eyes could see but I saw no sign of them. Maybe they didn’t find the Sirelia, maybe they were on their way or maybe they got lost. So many outcomes could’ve happened.

‘Come on guys where are you’ I said to myself.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw something shine under a pile of seaweed. I went over to it and gasped when I saw my satchel that the twins made for me. I had completely forgotten about it. I saw all of my sea-shell that I collected.

‘At least I have something to remind me of home’ I said to myself.

‘AVA’ I heard my name being shouted.

Thinking that it was Clara and Xylie and stood up excitedly but I saw that I was Gar’Von and Dovanya.

‘Oh hey’ I said slightly disappointed.

‘What you got there?’ Gar’Von asked.

‘Oh, it’s a satchel, that I found’ I said.

‘Can I see it?’ Dovanya asked.

I passed it too her and watched as she marveled over it.

‘This is incredible, this type of seaweed is only found in Irish waters and your name is on it’ she said passing it to me.

What? I never noticed my name was on it. But it was, in the far right corner was my name stitched with seaweed in cursive writing.

‘Oh this is mine?’ I said feigning surprise.

‘Look at all the shells in here. Whoa, this is an Andaman shell’ Gar’Von said opening my satchel.

‘So?’ Dovanya asked with a raised eyebrow.

‘So? It is worth $15,000 dollars and they are only found deep in the ocean’ He explained.

‘What!’ Dovanya said looking in the bag.

‘And look, pearls’ Gar’Von said holding some of the pearls I collected.

‘There are like 20 in there’ Dovanya said.

‘Ava, you must’ve come from a family of money. Do you know how much these things are worth’ Gar’Von said.

In Atargatis, pearls are common and I can always find Andaman shells.

‘You can keep them if you want’ I said to them.

They looked at me as if I was insane.

‘Are you nuts? Do you know how much money you can get from these’ Gar’Von said.

‘Yeah I figured it’s a lot, but, think of it as a gift for letting me stay with you guys’ I said to them.

‘Ava, are you sure’ Dovanya asked.

‘Positive, you can have everything…….except the satchel, I really like it’ I said.

‘I don’t know what to say’ Gar’Von said.

‘You don’t have to say anything’ I said smiling.

Suddenly Gar’Von grabbed me up in a hug and spun me around. I was giggling uncontrollably.

‘Thank you Ava, you don’t know what you just did for me’ He said.

‘You’re welcome, I hope you two spend it wisely’ I advised.

‘Oh trust me, we will’ Dovanya said.

‘Um Gar’Von’ I said.

‘Yeah’ he said.

‘You can put me down now’ I said laughing.

He still had me wrapped up in a hug.

‘Oh sorry’ he said as he set me back on the sand.

‘Gar’Von, isn’t your class starting soon’ Dovanya said.

‘Crap it is, come on guys. I can’t be late again’ he said running towards the car.

‘Come on Ava’ Dovanya said as she grabbed my hand.

I slung the satchel across my shoulder and ran with them up the sand. I looked back at the ocean and sighed. Looks like I’m not going home today after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~IN ATARGATIS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘Search the Atlantic, the Arctic, the Indian. Look in every corner, every cave, look everywhere. This ocean shall not rest until my daughter is found’ King Caspian shouted to his guards.

‘Yes your majesty’ the guards shouted before they swam away.

In the corner, Queen Jewel was sobbing about the disappearance of her child.

‘We’ll find her Jewel, I will bring her home’ King Caspian tried to comfort his wife.

‘It’s all my fault Caspian, I should’ve respected her choices. If I did I wouldn’t have forced her away’ she sobbed into her husband’s shoulder.

‘It’s not your fault honey. She could’ve been kidnapped or something. I know for sure that Ava wouldn’t have just run away like that’ King Caspian rubbed her shoulder.

In the doorway, Princess Marina watched her parents cry over her sister. She too had cried over her mysterious disappearance, but seeing her parents especially her father who was usually strong and fearless so sad, made her feel hopeless.

‘Mom, dad’ she said timidly.

The king and queen both looked up at her as she swam over to them.

‘Marina, what are you doing here? You are supposed to stay in your room where the guards are posted’ King Caspian said holding her shoulders.

‘I know but-‘ Marina started.

‘No Marina, you need to stay there, we can’t afford to lose you too’ Queen Jewel said to her daughter.

‘I just wanted to know if you found her yet’ Marina said looking

up at her parents.

‘Not yet sweetheart, but we will’ Caspian said kissing her forehead.

Marina felt another round of tears coming on and she hugged her father tight. He kissed her forehead and rocked her gently. Queen Jewel joined in on the hug and they all sobbed together over the missing princess.

Clara’s POV

‘What are we going to do Xylie? We’ve looked everywhere but we can’t find the stupid Sirelia anywhere and now the whole kingdom is in frenzy’ I ranted to my sister as I swam back and forth.

We searched everywhere in the past 24 hours but we couldn’t find any Sirelia. So Xylie, Luna and I went back to Atargatis. King Caspian has everyone looking for Avalana, but their efforts are futile. They will never find her, not in the ocean that’s for sure.

‘We just have to keep looking’ Xylie said.

‘Look where? We don’t even have a clue where Sirelia is’ I said.

‘Maybe we should tell the King and Queen the truth’ Xylie suggested.

‘Are you crazy? Ava said not to tell them’ I said to her.

‘Yes, but Ava is stuck in the human world. Who knows how much torture she could be in’ She said.

‘I don’t know Xylie’ I said still unsure.

‘Think about Clara, what other choice do we have? It is virtually impossible to find Sirelia on our own. But if we tell the King and Queen, the whole kingdom could search for it and bring Ava home’ She said.

She was right, if the whole kingdom helped, we could probably find the Sirelia in no time.

‘Ok’ I said dejectedly.

‘Come on Luna’ I said to the dolphin.

The three of us swam up to the palace. It was heavily protected by palace guards. They probably thought Ava was kidnapped and didn’t want the same thing to happen to Marina.

‘We need to speak to the King and Queen; it’s about Princess Avalana’ I said to them.

They knew who we were; thank Atargatis that we always came into the palace. The let us pass and we swam towards the throne room. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. Ava’s parents always intimidated me, especially her mother.

‘Maybe this is a bad idea’ I said to Xylie.

‘Come on Clara, do you want Ava to stay stuck as a human forever’ she said.

‘WHAT!’ A voice shouted behind us.

‘Ahh-umm’ Xylie stuttered.

‘What did you just say’ Marina said swimming in front of us.

‘We said that….we didn’t want Ava to stay lost forever’ I tried to lie.

‘No you didn’t. You said that my sister was a human’ Marina said.

I sighed, we couldn’t lie to her when she already heard all of that.

‘Yes, we did say that’ I said.

‘I want to know everything’ She demanded.

‘No, we promised Ava that we won’t tell anyone’ I said to her.

‘Fine, then I’ll just tell my parents that their oldest daughter is a human’ she said swimming towards the throne room.

‘WAIT’ Xylie and I shouted in unison.

She turned around and raised an eyebrow at us.

‘I’m waiting’ she said folding her arms.

Xylie and I told her everything from us planning to take Ava to the shores to her turning into a human.

‘I know where some Sirelia is’ Marina said.

‘Where?’ I asked.

‘On my mother’s crown, she has a little vial on top contains a tiny bit of Sirelia, it’s enough to make one wish’ Marina said.

‘Ok then go get it’ We urged her.

‘Stay right here I’ll be right back’ she said swimming down the corridor.

We anxiously waited for her return with the Sirelia.

Marina’s POV

I snuck into my parents’ bedroom and swam over to wear my mother kept her jewelry. Surely, her golden crown was sitting there on a seaweed pillow. I carefully lifted the tiny vial from the tip of her crown. Even though the vial was small, it still made the crown look different. So I grabbed one of her pearls and gently placed it in the vials’ place. From far away, she wouldn’t notice a thing. I quickly swam out the room and back to Clara and Xylie.

‘I got it’ I said holding the tiny bottle in my hand.

‘Ok let’s go, we’ve got a long swim to California’ Clara said swimming hurriedly to the palace exit.

‘Wait, my father has issued an order that I can’t leave the palace, I am not supposed to even be out of my bedroom’ I explained to them.

‘What if they don’t see you leaving’ Xylie said with a smirk.

I raised my eyebrow and wondered what they were planning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~15 MINUTES LATER~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘I look ridiculous’ I said to the twins.

‘And, it’s not like people will recognize you’ Clara said as she led me towards the exit.

They had dressed me up in thick sea-weed dress that made me look ridiculously fat. And a hat was placed on my head that covered most of my face.

‘I can’t believe I’m actually going through with this’ I said.

‘Come on just say what we told you to say and you’re in the clear’ Clara said.

‘Ok’ I sighed.

The twins and Luna swam outside the palace and now it was my turn. I swan quickly out the palace. I was almost out when a hand clasped on my shoulder.

‘Excuse me mam but-‘ the guard started.

‘Let go of me, do you know who I am’ I said in a snotty tone of voice.

‘No mam, I don’t’ the guard said.

‘I am Countess Seaweedura, the cousin of Queen Jewel herself’ I said.

‘I don’t recall the Queen having any cousins’ he said eyeing me suspiciously.

‘I am twice removed’ I said.

‘I don’t believe you’ he bluntly stated.

‘Oh really, maybe I should call Queen Jewel and make her fire you for wasting my time’ I said threatening him.

‘You wouldn’t’ he said challenging me.

‘QUEEN JEWEL, QUEEN JEW-‘ I started but he cut me off.

‘Alright, alright, you can go’ he said.

‘Thank you kind sir’ I said swimming off.

When I was out of their sight, in took the ridiculous costume off and met up with Clara, Xylie and Luna.

‘Finally, nice acting by the way’ Clara complimented.

‘Thank you, I do try’ I said.

‘Ok this will be a tight fit, but you can fit’ Xylie said.

‘What are you talking about?’ I said confused.

They pushed aside a rock and revealed a hidden passage way, a very small hidden passage way.

‘You can’t be serious, I can’t fit through there’ I said.

‘If Ava can fit, you can fit’ Clara said.

I watched as Xylie wiggled her way through, followed by Luna then Clara. Well here goes nothing. I wiggled through the small passage way and I started to feel claustrophobic. There barely enough water in here for my gills to intake. Ok maybe I over exaggerated about that last bit. When I finally made my way out I was shocked. It was pitch black, but my eyes quickly adjusted.

‘Whoa’ I said blinking rapidly.

‘Yeah, Ava had the same reaction’ Xylie said.

‘Come on we have to go to the upper oceans’ Clara said.

We all swam upward and it got really bright and clear.

‘Nice, very nice’ I said looking at a coral reef.

We then began swimming full speed in the west. It felt like forever but the twins claimed it was only 5 hours. I could tell that we arrived because the water got shallow.

‘Ok, be prepared for your throat to become very dry’ Clara said.

‘Why?’ I asked.

‘You’ll see’ she said as she swam upward.

I followed her suit and came out of the water. I was slapped by a strange current that made my throat very dry.

‘What the hell’ I said my voice scratchy.

‘We warned you’ the twins said in unison.

I dived back underwater and let the water moisten my throat. I prepared myself a bit before I came back up. My throat still felt dry but not as bad as it did before.

‘Do you guys see Ava anywhere’ I asked them.

‘No’ Luna said.

‘Let’s wait a bit’ maybe we can find her’ Xylie suggested.

We waited and waited and waited. Two hours had passed and we still haven’t seen any sign of Ava and I was getting very frustrated.

‘I can’t take waiting anymore, who knows if she will even come back to this beach’ I said.

‘This was the last place we left her’ Clara said.

‘Yeah, but knowing Ava, she probably got up and went exploring’ I said.

They knew I was right. There was no way that Ava would’ve come to the human world and just sat around waiting.

‘Why can’t we just wish her back into a mermaid’ I said.

‘We can’t, what if’s she’s around humans. She’ll turn back into a mermaid right in front of them and who knows what they’ll do to her’ Xylie said.

‘Then I guess I have to take things into my own hands’ I said swimming closer to the shore.

‘Marina what are you doing?’ Xylie said following me.

‘I wish to be a human’ I said clutching the vial.

‘What are you doing?’ Xylie shouted but it was too late.

An aqua light came swirling down my head. My waist length purple hair turned brown and it stopped to my shoulders. My eyes turned brown and my purple tail turned into tan legs. I sat in the water admiring my new form.

‘Wow’ I said feeling my legs.

‘MARINA ARE YOU INSANE?’ Clara shouted.

‘I had to do this Clara, someone has to go and find her’ I said to her.

‘But how will you turn back’ Xylie said.

‘I’ll figure something out’ I said trying to stand but I fell back into the water.

‘In the meantime, keep looking for the Sirelia. If Ava and I are not back in one week, tell my parents’ I said to them.

‘Ok, we’ll start searching the Antarctic Ocean. Good luck Marina’ Xylie said and she and Luna dived back underwater.

‘I still think that this is a stupid and dangerous idea’ Clara admitted.

‘I’ll be fine Clara, Ava and I will be home in no time’ I said trying to reassure her.

She sighed before swimming over and hugging me tightly.

‘Be careful’ she said before she dived into the water.

I know that this is dangerous, but I am determined to find my sister.