The Little Mermaid
Mina dragged herself onto nearest part of the shore. Actually, more like clawed her way onto the nearest part. The waves battered against her. It was taking forever, it seemed, since the waves were only pushing her back into the sea. Finally, she made it on land; her lungs gasping for air, relieved she wasn't choking on saltwater any longer. When her breathing slowed to a semi-normal state, she lifted her head a bit more to get a look at her surroundings. She was at, what it looked like, the bottom of a steep, rocky incline, which gave way to a small beach area. Judging from the way that the rocks were different colors, and that almost all the sand was wet, during high tide, the place was likely completely submerged in water. Knowing this, however, didn't exactly motivate her to move.
She stared off into the distance, reflecting on the events that had unfolded. All of sudden, she felt incredibly tired, and she let exhaustion get the best of her. Mina collapsed onto the warm, sandy beach. Her body ached. She was breathing slowly. She wasn't certain, but she was partially convinced that she was stuck in the Little Mermaid tale, not a Grimm Fairytale. No pun intended, because, truthfully, it was grim. I mean, geesh. Ariel commits suicide and murders the prince. Talk about issues. She should have had her own warning label. Like CRAZY PYSCHO stamped onto her chest or something. But maybe the Story was running out of ideas. Mina eventually forced herself to get up and at least move farther up along the beach. Though when she tried to get up, her legs wobbled. They were like Jell-O. No -worse- noodles. Thin, wimpy noodles, unable to support her. She collapsed onto her knees. Mina crawled up the beach, relaxing, thinking about the Story.
It all started about a month ago...
It was a month before Homecoming, and it had been exactly two weeks since Jared and Mina agreed to "see other people", but not actually see other people. And three weeks since Mina had brought back Jared. Everything seemed to be going back to normal, though. Like it had been before Jared died. Lunch was going smoothly. Jared and Mina were sitting across from one another. Ever was babbling to Jared, but he wasn't really paying attention to her. He and Mina had been having a silent conversation. They'd shared stolen glances and smiles the whole lunch hour. When Nan asked Mina what she was going to do for Homecoming, Mina, who hadn't been paying attention, was confused for moment.
"Oh, no. I, uh-." Mina panicked, though she didn't know why.
"Well, I think we should go!" said Nan enthusiastically, "We could get dresses, and get our makeup and nails done. And, oooh, shoes! We can't forget shoes!" She reminded Mina, winking.
"Here they go again." Brody chuckled.
"Shut up." Nan replied, looking off to side with a big grin. Brody and Nick shared a look, rolling their eyes as they went back to talking about, what Mina guessed, was water polo.
"Come on, Mina! What do you say?" Nan asked.
"I don't know, Nan. I mean, I don't know about this. I'm not sure if we could afford that, and I don't even have a date." Mina stammered.
"I'm sure we could find something adorable and cheap, Mina. And we can do our hair, makeup, and nails at home. And shoes, well, I'm sure we can find an inexpensive pair. Besides, we all know we'll just kick off our heels the minute we get to the dance anyway." said Nan, squeezing Mina's arm.
"And for a date, well, I'm sure someone wants to go with you! I mean, who would not want to go with my gorgeous best friend?" She squealed, "I'm sure Brody knows some single guys who would jump at the chance to take you."
At this, Mina visibly paled, remembering the last time Brody introduced a "friend" of his. It was because of that onetime that Mina never wanted to go on another triple date ever again. As the color drained from Mina's face, Jared stiffened, making Ever notice big-time.
"You know- Ever, Jared, and Nick- ya'll should come too! Like, we should go in a group." continued Nan, "I mean, aside from the total bust of a movie and Reid, I think that the date went over pretty well."
At this, the others looked down at their lunch trays, deliberately not making eye contact with each other.Oblivious, thought Mina. Just purely oblivious to the truth about the first triple date. Luckily, the bell rang, ending lunch.
"This so isn't over, by the way, Mina." Nan told her, taking Brody's hand as they walked away.
Nick laughed. "See you guys later." he said, getting up and throwing away his lunch.
Ever grab Jared's arm possessively. "Walk with me to class?" She asked, hopefully. Jared looked at Mina, who cocked an eyebrow, waiting for his response. He looked uncomfortable and torn. Not wanting to hurt Ever, but really wanting to be alone with Mina.
Mina wished she could be possessive and give Jared that look that said, "go with her, and we'll have issues", but she couldn't. Mina wanted to, but couldn't do it.
She got up and said, "See you two later." Noticing Jeremy, she decided to go and catch up with him. Jared must have seen her looking at Jeremy. As Mina walked away, he jumped up.
"Mina, wait!" Jared said. As he had gotten up so quickly, Ever almost fell over. Mina looked at the scene, amused by Ever's look of annoyance and surprise. Jared was oblivious, of course.
"I'll walk with you." He informed Mina, as he snaked his arm around her and steered her towards the opposite direction of her class, which just happened to be away from where Jeremy was. Leaving a furious Ever behind them.
Once out of the lunchroom, Mina laughed. "What's so funny?" Jared asked.
"And you say you don't get jealous." she snickered. He looked annoyed. "I'm not. I was just debating on whether I should walk with you or Ever."
She chuckled, "Of course you were, Jared."
He looked like he wanted to argue, but Mina- after a quick look around to make sure no one was watching- kissed him on the cheek. Slipping her hand into his and lightly squeezing it, Jared relaxed and smiled. They talked the rest of the way to Mina's class. Jared made them take the long way around, which Mina didn't mind.
Since they were secretly dating, she and him didn't get much alone time to just relax and talk about their day, or really anything else. It wasn't like she had a cellphone she could text him or call him on. Before he let her go in class, Jared kissed Mina goodbye. They made plans to see eachother later that night. Mina still felt high from her kiss with him. That was, until she saw Ever, who looked disgruntled.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" asked Mina curiously. Ever didn't have English with her.
"I got switched into this class." she replied bitterly.
"Oh, okay then."
The class went awkwardly, you could say. Mina felt Ever's gaze boring into her skull. Mina shifted uncomfortably. Ever had never been exactly "simpatico" with Mina, but since the night when Jared took Ever's seam ripper, well, whatever good feelings she had for Mina- which she suspected was about .01%- had disappeared. Then Jared died...and, well, Mina thought she had won some good graces with the pixie when she brought him back. But it only seemed to make things worse between them, unfortunately. She was proven correct later that day, at her locker, before school let out.
Mina shut her locker door, wondering whether or not she should wear something special that night to meet Jared. We can't go out anywhere, since it has to be a private affair, but...EVER? Mina jumped, startled from her inner monologue. The pixie was standing right behind her locker door, and it scared Mina a bit. She hadn't realized she was there.
"Oh, hey... Ever, what's up?" Mina asked.
Ever narrowed her eyes at her, "Let's get one thing straight, human. Jared is mine."
Mina scowled, "What are you talking about, Ever?"
"I mean, there is only room for one girl in Jared's life. Get it, Gimp?" She snapped, her eyes blazing.
Mina took a step back. "Ever, I don't understand?" She decided on playing dumb, not wanting to tip Ever off, in case she knew about her and Jared.
"It will always be me and Jared! You can't have him! You might think you're special to him, Gimp. But, believe me, you're not."
Really?, thought Mina, Well then, why wasn't he sticking his tongue down your throat earlier, after lunch? Or, better yet, why wasn't he planning on meeting you later tonight?
"Let's face it, Gimp. Eventually, you're going to die screaming and writhing in pain, just like your own Daddy did, and his ancestors before him."
At this, Mina's eyes bulged, and she started to seethe in hot fury.
"You're probably only going to live long enough to produce an heir, and then you'll die. And it will pass on to Charlie, who will die the same agonizing death you did. Only, he'll likely also produce an heir, which will have to wait for your own child to die…"