Prompt 1: Lock

...

"Happy birthday, me darlin'!" Mr Krabs boomed, and he smiled as Pearl Krabs trumped down the stairs. His daughter- his sweet little angel- 18 years old today! It seemed like only yesterday that she had cooed her first words in her sweet, angelic voice...

"Gee, thanks Dad." Pearl huffed sarcastically, adjusting her Boys Who Cry pyjamas. "What's for breakfast?"

"Well, how about hot cocoa and waffles, Pearl?" Mr Krabs suggested, holding out a plate of steaming waffles, and her pink mug - which was filled with whipped cream and sprinkled with sugar pearls and heart shaped sprinkles. This made Pearl brighten up a little- normally her dad would be a cheapskate- even on Christmas and her birthday- but today seemed like it would be a good day.

She sat down at the table and began to tuck into her breakfast, surprised that it tasted so good. Her father was normally rubbish at cooking anything!

"Wow, these are great, Daddy!" She exclaimed. "Not burnt like I thought!"

"Only the best for me Pearl!" The crustacean exclaimed, kissing her cheek. "Actually, I had to ask SpongeBob to help me revive me cooking skills, lass...they weren't as sharp as they were in me days in the navy. But the lad got me up to speed again before long- and much more, too."

But Pearl wasn't listening- she was too eager for her birthday present. No matter how much of a cheapskate he was, she still hoped he would come around and get her something she wanted.

"Pearl, sweetie, I got ye a little present..." Mr Krabs began, and the whale slumped. Seeing his little girl's dejection, Mr Krabs hastily cleared his throat.

"Now, now, me girl, it's something I've been saving for ye for a number o' years now-and I think you're ready for it."

Pearl felt very curious, and sat up in her chair as her father handed her a green box...which was tattered and filthy. It looked almost like he had fished it out of the Krusty Krab dumpster the night before! It smelled musty and had dog eared corners. She wondered in disgust what cheap little knick-knack he got her this time.

Her lip curled.

"Now, Pearl, I know the box ain't a pretty thing, but it's got something important in it that...that is...erm..." But no matter how hard the restaurant owner thought about how to explain the situation, he found he couldn't say anything- not on her birthday.

"It's a gift left from your mother," He finished, lamely, rubbing a meaty claw across the back of his neck. "Listen, pumpkin- I never told you anything about yer mother, did I?"

Pearl paused, a syrup covered pancake piece halfway to her mouth. "No, you haven't- will you tell me today?" She asked hopefully.

"No...but only because I want to make yer birthday a good one. What happened to yer mother's a very sad story. I promise I'll tell you about her soon, though- but in the meantime, I think you're ready to inherit this." He nodded towards the box.

Pearl gingerly lifted the lid, and amongst crinkly old tissue paper, she found a beautiful mother of pearl calico scallop shell locket on a silver chain inside. She lifted it out gently, and she beamed. It wasn't diamonds or a new phone, but it a necklace left from her mother was pretty coral. "Thanks, Daddy! It's really pretty!" She grinned. Suddenly curious to see if a picture of her mother was inside, she fumbled for a catch until she glimpsed one, and pressed it hurriedly.

All that was inside the locket was a single lock of gold hair- much like Pearl's, except it was slightly darker.