Alright, this is a new chapter ( I've stopped counting) and as you can see in the title. So, just in case some of you were wondering when all this takes place, it's in the middle of August, since she's just moving away from Atlanta, Georgia ( my hometown is in Riverdale!) And the reasons for the strange stuff is happening to Charlotte so quickly... well, that will be explained later!
Friday morning...
BEEP! BEEP! BEE-
SMACK!
Charlotte hit her alarm clock and got out of bed. She had dried slobber coming down her mouth, her eyes were droopy, in a need-for-energy kind of way, and her hair was all over the place. The other night, she had finally pieced together a song that she could sing at choir auditions. She based it on her experience since Australia and her need, no, her want, to be normal. It really needed some work the other night and she was up until 12 in the morning when it was finally done. As she got out of bed, she immediately stumbled to the floor.
Ouch, she thought as she got up. She looked to see it was Thomas, who was too deep in a sleep that he didn't notice or feel her trip over him.
''Dumb dog,'' she muttered as she went into the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she came back and put on her outfit for school and choir auditions: a black off-the-shoulder stretch-bandage top, a flower-print skirt, and leather boots. She put her hair in a ponytail after she curled it up. Thomas was up as well, despite that she was still mad at him. All last night, he was staring at her and the one time he did do something, he ruined her papers, chewing it all up. The two ate breakfast in silence, by meaning her giving him a glare and not giving him bacon.
BEEP! BEEP!
The bus came a few minutes later and, much to Phil's displeasure, she let Thomas get on the bus with her. People have started to get used to Thomas on the bus, but she let some people take pictures of him and/or give him treats occasionally.
Fast forward to choir auditions...
The school day went by very fast. So fast that she didn't realize that it was time for choir auditions until Miss Analies spoke up at the auditorium.
''Welcome, students, to the Valencia High Theatre where you will be auditioning for the Valencia High School Choir,'' she said with a melodramatic voice,'' with everyone here, since there are 100 of you and only 50 of you will be selected, there will be two groups sorted by gender. Now, girls move to the left of the theatre and boys move to the right. Now!"
Everybody quickly moved to different sides, and to Charlotte's discomfort, she ended up sitting next to Alaine. She was wearing a black dress and her hair was in a baseball cap. She wanted to say something to her, but it wasn't worth it.
''Good, now I'll start with the girls. First up: Charlotte Watsford.''
Charlotte's POV
Nervously, I got up and walked onto the stage. I looked at the crowd. Sure, I had no problem getting on top of a cliff and paint the view, but getting in front of people and singing was different. Their eyes were on me and I was slightly beginning to sweat.
Wow, so this is what stage fright feels like, I thought.
''State your full name, the song you'll be singing, and the background,'' Miss Analies said.
As I gave the music sheets to the band members to play, I looked out at the audience.
''My name is Charlotte Elizabeth Watsford and I will be singing a song I wrote called 'Help Me Find My Way'. This is based on an experience I had a while back, based on the fact that I wanted to be special. But, after learning the hard way, I learned that I'm okay being ordinary, but I still need help finding my way,'' I said, feeling a boulder-like weight lift off me.
Though they won't know that I was a mermaid, they can at least see me from a somewhat different perspective.
Miss Analies nodded and motioned me to begin. I did a silent count to the band and the music began.
(Guitar and piano begins to play)
I took a deep breath and began to sing.
I don't understand
who I really am
I can't keep going on
round and round again
I've traveled so far
without looking back
But something's missing
something's just not right
I took another breath and began to sing the chorus.
Chorus:
Where do I go
where do I stand
I feel like a lost child
with no hands
I am so unsure
so far from secure
I need you to help me find
help me find my way
( Ooohh haa.. oh yeah...Ohhhhhhh)
The audience was beginning to sway side to side, even Alaine and Miss Analies.
Go slow
things take time
That's what they always say
(that's what they always say)
Sometimes, it gets way too rough
you just wanna hide away
For all the times
I break down and cry
Something's missing
something's just not right
Chorus:
Where do I go
where do I stand
I feel like a lost child
with no hands
I am so unsure
so far from secure
I need you to help me find
help me find my way
I saw everybody silently dancing and, feeling a little giddy-ish, I started to add a little soul to it. I let my ponytail down, letting my curly hair fall down to my shoulders and to the middle of her back.
Help me find my way
oh baby
Gonna stay strong
yeah gonna move on
With my life
that's what I'm gonna do
... oh...
I started to tone it down a little, almost like it was for a final finally.
Chorus:
Where do I go
where do I stand
I feel like a lost child
with no hand
I am so unsure
so far from secure
I need you to help me find
help me find my way...
I brought my voice back up again.
I feel like a lost child
with no hand
I am so unsure
and far from secure
I need you to help me find
help me find my way.
Where do I stand
I feel like a lost child
with no hand
I am so unsure
and far from secure,
I need you to help me find
help me find my way...
The song ended with the last guitar note and everything fell silent.
3rd POV
The whole room was silent. Charlotte shut her eyes tightly. To be honest, this was the very first time she ever sang at all; Unless you would count the times she would sing along with her late grandmother, Gracie Watsford.
Suddenly, the auditorium burst into applause. She opened her eyes to see almost everyone standing up and giving her what seemed to be a standing ovation, and if she listened carefully, the boys were whistling at her. Even Alaine was clapping.
Miss Analies got up after quieting the students and said, ''Though I do not normally do this so quickly, it seems that I have 49 girls left to accept. Congratulations, Charlotte, welcome to the Valencia Choir!''
Charlotte covered her mouth to avoid screaming. She did it. She got into the choir. Oh, her mom was going to pester her to death when she finds out!
After the auditions were over, Charlotte was changing outfits in one of the stalls in the girls' bathroom when she heard someone come in and slam the door. She quickly gathered her stuff and stood on top of the toilet. She wasn't much of an ease dropper, or at least the New Charlotte wasn't, but making herself known would make the situation either awkward or worse.
''I can't believe you let THAT girl show you out like that, Alaine, and everyone here knows you're the best!'' an indignant, feminine voice screeched. Charlotte looked through the crack in the stall's door and saw a black, middle-aged woman yelling at Alaine, who looked terrified, though she did her best to not let it show.
''Mom, I didn't even know she could sing like that! Besides, she's been here for what, a week?'' Alaine defended herself. Charlotte closed her eyes as quick as she could because she knew what was happening.
SLAP!
She opened her eyes again and saw Alaine holding her cheek.
''Don't talk back to me, little girl! And I'll have you know, not only did she just get recognition for her voice, she has gotten recognition for her dog! Didn't I tell you to call animal control on that beast?" Charlotte did her best not to gasp. That was her?
''I did, but they were busy," Alaine said.
''Well, try harder next time.'' With that, her mom grabbed her roughly by the arm and dragged her out.
SLAM!
Charlotte sat there, not moving. After what she had just witnessed, she had one thing on her mind: They talking about her.
When she finally managed to leave the bathroom, she went outside and saw Phil standing beside his bus. She quickly untied Thomas and went to him.
''Hey, I hear we have a new member of the choir. Congrats,'' he said.
''What are you doing here?'' she asked him.
''Easy, it's still daylight and I figured I could take you to Paradise as a reward,'' he said.
''Thanks, but I want to try a new beach. I looked it up on Google and it's called Point Dume Nature Preserve at Point Dume State Beach. I want to check it out in case I want to paint there sometime'' she explained.
''Alright, I'll take you there tomorrow afternoon and we'll see?''
''Deal.''
They all got on the bus and he dropped them off at their house.
Saturday afternoon...
''I can't believe that mangy mutt followed us halfway to Paradise. No, he ran beside the bus and kept up for an hour!" Phil ranted as he was checking out the busted tire and the engine.
He wasn't lying. Thomas was supposed to stay home for the day, but if that dog had any problems, it was staying away from Charlotte.
The Saturday morning started off normal: Charlotte got up, took a shower, did her morning ritual, picked out and put on a yellow, flower-print t-shirt and some red shorts, checked to see if her mom was home, ate breakfast, and was to rush out the door when she heard...
WOOF!
She turned to see Thomas looking at her expectantly, with his leash in his mouth. She had almost forgotten him, also forgetting to give him bacon. She knelt down and held Thomas's head.
''Thomas, you can't come with me. I'm still getting used to California and I can't take you everywhere.''
Thomas started to pout and whine.
''Don't worry, I'll take you for a walk when I get back, OK?"
WOOF!
''Alright, you know how to turn the TV on and I left you a few dog treats and dog food in your bowl in case you get hungry, okay?"
She knew it was stupid to talk to him like a child, but it was startling comfortable for both of them.
Plus, she wasn't lying about the TV part. On one of his first nights home, he put his paw on the TV remote and Charlotte had to get up at 12 in the morning to find him in the living room watching Animal Planet with extreme intenseness.
WOOF!
BEEP! BEEP!
Charlotte got up and looked through the window blinds to see that Phil was driving the public bus. She rushed out the door, yelling, ''Bye Thomas!" as she ran off.
When she got onto the bus, Phil asked ''You sure you don't want to go to Paradise Cove?"
She nodded her head. ''I'm sure, plus I think I want to try my hand at surfing while I'm there,'' she said.
''Ah, you want to be in the water, eh? Well, I know the way, but traffic's bad for the original way, so we might have to drive passed Paradise on the way there,'' Phil explained.
''Well, I'll find something,'' she said with her infamous smirk. Phil laughed and started to drive off.
But little did they know... a certain pit bull terrier was running after them.
Long story short: The bus broke down, receiving two flat tires, a dead battery, and a broken engine. Charlotte was outside the bus with Thomas trying to get help. But there was no cars passing by and no phone reception.
''Well, there's no use. I think we could get help after I put my only spare tire on one of the wheels, but since the engine's down, we'll be walking,'' Phil said as the two were taking a break.
''I'm so sorry, Phil. I swore I didn't know he would get out and run after us like that,'' Charlotte said apologetically.
She was truly sorry. But she guessed that if Thomas has a perfect memory, he would have remembered the deal they made when they first met and felt that leaving her alone would break that deal. And that meant following her everywhere to make that deal possible to keep.
''Well, it's not your fault. I just got scared of him easily and I let my pride get the better of me,'' he said, ''but for the mean time, you're stuck with me.''
Thomas growled suddenly.
''Yeah, and so is the mutt too.'' '
Phil, probably to avoid being attacked, went back onto the bus, claiming it was cooler in there.
He wasn't lying about that. The sun was so unbearing that it could give anyone sun burn. But the heat didn't bother Charlotte. Strangely, it was quite nice. She looked behind her to see Thomas his back, sunbathing. So, she decided to do the same. The feel of heat radiated over her skin, giving it a nice feel.
Ahh, she thought as she closed her eyes, this feels nice.
...Then a melody started to play.
Would you come with me?
We'll swim the deep blue sea...
Aaaahhhhhh...
Charlotte's eyes popped open as she rose from the ground. Thomas did too, only to see what his owner was doing.
Come to me, Charlotte.
You know you wish to be with me. Follow my voice you'll get what you'll receive.
The voice from before. It was loving again, like her grandmother's before she passed.
Come to me Charlotte and receive your gift. Your companion can come too, for he'll be helpful along the way.
Just follow my voice.
Charlotte started walking away from the bus, but Phil noticed and honked his horn.
Tell him that you're going to get help. He'll be fine by himself.
Charlotte stopped and repeated it's words as she yelled to Phil. ''I'm going to get help. You'll be fine on your own,'' she shouted, not looking at the bus behind her. Phil started to object, but that if Thomas was with her, she would be fine.
''Crazy girl...'' he muttered.
She began walking again, following the lovely voice that guided her. Thomas just walked beside her, not only to protect her... but because he heard the voice too.
The Enchantment Song! It.. it... it was used on Charlotte!
How was that even possible?! Well, I would LOVE to explain!
You see, while doing my research on H2O: Just Add Water Wikia/Wikipedia, while doing my research for this story( yes, I do research for my stories), I came upon the Siren Singing and The Enchantment Song and realized that since it said that it was usually used on men and boys and was used to make them follow mermaids around, usually to their deaths, it would make since that a siren, female or male, could use this on the same gender. So I thought, let's make Charlotte go under the siren effect! And look how well it turned out!
Also, for Charlotte's singing voice, I choose...Kate Alexa! Hey, she sung the sings for season 2 , so why not give her voice to Charlotte, only a little deeper range, since in this story, and in the future, she'll be singing and most of the songs from season 2, in this story, will be written by Charlotte herself! And think about it:
Charlotte + ''Help Me Find My Way''+ redemption+ needing help to guide her = GENIUS! And what is going on with Alaine and her mom? I smell trouble!
Keep reading and reviewing!
P.S. What do you think of me having Charlotte dye her hair?
YOU CHOOSE!
Options: black or blue (like Demi Lovato)?
Say in review box!
BYE!