Hey guys, I know you guys are probably anticipating this chapter, and I don't blame you. But to start, I have to tell you:

Things will NOT get better for Charlotte.

And that's all I'm saying.

ENJOY!

Previously...

She used her powers on her Mom and Riley...

She used her powers on her Mom...

She used her powers...

SHE USED HER POWERS IN FRONT OF THEM!

"Honestly, I have no idea what happened. The last thing I remember was being outside, working on Alaine's garden, and the next...I woke up with this... pounding in my head and I woke up on the couch. And my clothes were damp," Annette concluded.

You're a hypocrite! I spent so much time going after you, and just when I think I have you figured out, you pull a complete 360! What's the matter with you? I get it. You're a freak. You hide from those so-called 'normal people' because you're too insecure about yourself that no one is allowed to see who you are! And to stoop so low to that...PEOPLE SAY THAT I'M THE ONE WITH ISSUES BUT YOU'RE THE REAL FREAK AROUND HERE! NOT ME!"

"Listen," I said, my voice hoarse and strained, "and listen good, Alaine Williams. I am no saint and I'm not proud of the things I've done. I've caused a lot of hurts, intentional and unintentional, but that is NO excuse to throw that back in my face. I can't even begin to describe how painful my life has been since I moved to the States. I went to the hospital because I've felt bad about the things I've done and it is NOTHING compared to what I feel on the inside. But you…you are one of the VERY best things that have EVER happened to me. And I'll be damned if I had to lose you too!

To grow a goddamn backbone and get the hell away from Andrea! You are…so beautiful and her toxic will destroy you."

"Damon?"

Presently...

Charlotte's POV

"Damon?"

Admittingly, it's been a while since I've seen the guy was last month when me and Alaine- NO! Not thinking about that!

He was sitting in a van, and by the looks of it, he had company. On the passenger side, was a dark-haired girl who I couldn't see clearly. And there were a few voices in the backseat.

"C'mon Bro! We're going to be late!" a voice said.

I watched Damon smile as he replied, "And who's fault is that?"

"Um," I started, "where are you going? Shouldn't you be in school?"

"And shouldn't you?"

"I didn't feel like being around everyone today," I answered.

"AH, I get it. Well, that's too bad. "Cause, you see, I and my friends were heading to the mall. I guess you can say we're ditching," he said.

"Valencia Mall? Where you got beat up defending my honor?" I asked with a teasing tone.

Almost immediately, there was a burst of laughter from everyone inside the vehicle, but Damon played it off. However, I could see him blushing.

"Haha, very funny," Damon said, "but, hey, you seem to be down in the dumps. And judging by the fact you happen to be outside of your school instead of inside, I assume your ditching too?"

Was I?

Was I upset that my emotions have been getting the best of me since that horrendous vision?

Was I undeniably relieved, and strangely disappointed, that my mother forgot, at least for now, that I used my powers on her and sent him flying into our swimming pool?

Was I extremely frustrated that Riley provoked something in me to harshly lash out at me and caused me to have an equally-harsh flashback?

Was I upset and undeniably angry that Alaine is still sticking up for her narcissistic, bitch of a mother and dared to use my past against me?

Before I even realized it, I found myself saying:

"Got room for one more?"

Valencia Town Mall...

I shouldn't have been here at the mall.

Maybe my nerves got to me. Maybe my bad day is just getting to me. I mean, I wasn't ever the type of person to break the rules in school.

Outside of school was a different story.

But as I walked into the mall with Damon and his companions, my mind wasn't sure if I was making a good or bad decision. Maybe I was having a relapse in judgment and it was starting to dawn on me.

I looked all around me as I decided to play the Outsider and walk behind the group. I was surprised to learn Damon was a Senior, but he got held back and was going to another school in the district, hence why he drove Dominique to school but didn't exactly go to Valencia.

I tried to pay attention to smaller things, like how the mall was getting ready for Halloween, with the few exceptions of Thanksgiving items somewhere. How the crowd seems to be thinner than when I was here with Alaine. Or whether-

"Charlotte."

I looked up to see Damon looking at me with an amused look on his face.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"You okay? You seem a little shy," he stated.

"Oh, and what's new?" I asked teasingly.

"Not as much after seeing you in that AMAZING bathing suit," he taunted with a cocky grin. My eyes widened and I could feel cheeks heat up onto an unbearable shade of red.

How could I forget that!?

"That suit was embarrassing! How can you even look at me like that, you pervert!?" I exclaimed as he let out a boastful laugh. I internally groaned and had the itch to slap him like a normally did Riley for calling me "beautiful".

"Char, if you had ANY idea what most guys see when they look at you, you'd be flattered."

"Well, too bad. I don't do flattery well," I stated. He snorted.

"How about you two stop flirting and we split up?" a voice interrupted us. We look in front of us to see a mixed girl glaring at us, well, more like, glaring at me.

Rivera Ramirez. The moment I got into the van, she gave me the Dirty Eye every time Damon talked to me. It didn't even take me 3 seconds to see she liked the guy.

Well, she can have him! I wasn't putting myself through another love triangle!

"Oh, so that sounds great!" I said, "the girls go to their choice of clothing stores while the guys do...whatever guys do."

I heard Damon scoff and I rolled my eyes. Yeah, like you guys ever did anything authentic.

"Alright, say we do that, let's meet at the food court in, let's say, an hour?" Damon suggested.

I nodded in affirmation while River just shrugged her shoulders.

We discussed this with the rest of the group and it was agreed. I heard some of the guys talking about catching some girls near the water fountain and I couldn't help but shiver for some reason.

And then I realized: It sounded like Jason and his gang.

In Forever 21...

Me, Rivera, and two other girls headed into Forever 21 and dispersed after that. Leaving me to look around, with Rivera on my tail.

I never stepped into a Forever 21. Not that I had anything against the store itself, but I always felt that some of the clothes and accessories were rather...

"You think the clothes here are slutty, don't you?"

Taking the words right out of my head, I turned to Rivera.

"Kind of. They have good clothes, but it's not my type. I'm casual and simple," I said.

But Rivera rolled her eyes and I had a good feeling this would be an interrogation.

"So, how exactly do you know Damon?" she asked as she followed me, making it look like she was just making conversation while looking at the clothes on the racks.

"I only know him through his sister. A friend invited me to join her and a group of girls on a little shopping trip and Damon happened to be chaperoning."

"And that little swimsuit comment from earlier?"

I nearly blushed. "I did a dare to put on a shark-bite swimsuit and show everyone how it looked on me. It was pretty embarrassing."

"And the part about him getting beat up?" Rivera inquired.

I tensed on that one. It was kind of an off day, worse on my part when Jason and gang held me down. True, I got rid of them using my powers, but that was a big risk I gambled due to Damon being knocked unconscious.

"We had a run-in with some jerks, who for some strange reason, are fixated on me. Damon got knocked out trying to defend me before help came," I stated, trying to make the incident sound as normal as possible.

"Ha, I bet you cried your heart out like a little wimp. How old are you, 16?" Rivera taunted.

Suddenly, I felt something go through my spine and I clenched my fist but tried not to look directly at her.

"I'm 17, Sewage Waste! By the time I graduate this year, I'll be 18 on February 21st. And stop belittling me like a little girl! If you like Damon, ask him out but don't get in my face in jealousy. It makes you look childish!" I exclaimed in her face.

I was surprised to feel that burst of anger come out. But it was like an itch. It comes when it wants to!

Rivera's eyes widened and she glared at me. "Watch yourself, girlie. You don't want an enemy out of me!"

I smirked. "Then I guess you should walk away."

The girl eyed me one more time before turning on her heels and walking away. I let out a sigh that seemed heavier than it was supposed to be.

I turned my head back to the racks full of clothes and, for some reason, started taking the clothes off without looking at them. Hell, after that explosion, it didn't help the memories that came back. And they weren't from Queensland.

After the girls and I left Forever 21, I couldn't but feel something growing between me and Rivera.

I didn't get it. She wasn't my problem. I had no reason to feel angry at her. I kept counting in my head, something Karen taught me when I told her that sometimes I felt my temper flare at random times. We met up with the guys as we promised and I couldn't help but observe Damon.

He was a cute guy, and maybe athletically fit. But I honestly didn't see what Rivera wanted. Or felt the need to be possessive over. Then, I tried to figure what exactly Damon sees in me!

The day we first met, he said I looked 'hot' in that bathing suit Alaine made me wear. Then, he came to my 'rescue' after Jason and his little band of misfits had me cornered, only to find himself knocked out unconscious. After that, I had to lie to him about it and he got in trouble anyway.

And then, after Alaine made me go to school in that outfit, he still asked me out!

I can't help but think American guys can't take "No" for an answer.

Besides, he was looking at a girl who came with so much emotional baggage that it would be as heavy as real baggage! Rivera can keep him for all I care. At least she's healthy!

"And what if she's not."

My eyes widened and I stopped in my tracks. No...no way...that couldn't be...

I looked around at my surrounding, looking at the various people walking around me. That voice...it had to be someone else talking to me. It had to be.

"And if it was? Should you think you were all alone?"

My heartbeat started to escalate into a faster pace and my breathing started to quicken. No...no!

"CHARLOTTE!"

I forced myself back to reality and saw Rivera looking at me like I was going crazy.

Maybe I was.

"Hello? Earth to Charlotte? You still there?" she asked, waving her hand in front of my face. Out of nowhere, I smacked it down.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, though I didn't even believe my word either.

Rivera gave me a look before she started talking again, "Well, change of plans, we're meeting the guys at the carousel."

"This mall has a carousel?"

"Yeah, you didn't know that?" Rivera asked.

"Honestly, I have been doing my shopping somewhere else," I said.

Rolling her eyes, she and the other girls walked away and I started to catch up. But I couldn't help but turn my head and look around one last time.

I'd know that voice anywhere, but there's no way that that voice... that...that voice was...

"Don't be surprised. I always find you. One way or another, Ane'lie."

Now, I stuck close to the girls. I knew more than ever that this wasn't paranoia anymore.

It was Marana.

3rd POV

Everyone met at the carousel and, much to Charlotte's surprise, Damon was the first to approach her.

"So, I see you saw something you liked. Care to give me a preview?" He asked, batting his eyes in an attempt to look in the bag.

Charlotte snorted. "Must you be such a pervert?"

"I don't know. Depends on how you see it. Now, for me, all I'm seeing is a gorgeous girl standing in front of me and she doesn't believe she has the makings to be the next America's Top Model," he stated.

"And what if she doesn't want to be a model?"Charlotte asked teasingly.

"Well then, I guess the lucky guy she ends up with can do this..."

Before Charlotte knew it, she felt Damon's lips on hers and his hands cradling her face. The mermaid wasn't sure whether to kiss back or push him away.

So, she waited until he was done. But before he could say anything, she bolts away from him and got on a horse on the carousel.

"Wait! Charlotte!" Damon exclaimed, going after her. He paid for his ride and got on the horse next to her as the carousel started, much to Charlotte's chagrin.

Charlotte elected to ignore him as she watched the world spin around her while going up and down. How could she had not known Damon liked her that way, especially after her date with Riley!?

"Charlotte! Please talk to me! Look, I'm sorry if I came onto you so strongly. It's just...I like you, know that after we met," Damon tried to say.

"'After we met'? Damon, you barely even know me and you KISSED ME!?" she stated hysterically.

"Well, what can I say? You have that effect on people," Damon said with a small smile. Charlotte sighed.

"Damon, we barely even know each other. For all I know, you could be just like Jason and tried to pull what his friends did that day! And, oh, I don't know, aren't you aware that Rivera has a HUGE crush on you!? She grilled me in the store about how I knew you!" Charlotte exclaimed.

"Oh please, I knew since we first met! But I only see her as a sister," he assured.

"You see her as a sister yet you feel something for a girl you barely know? Think about that! It doesn't even make sense!" Charlotte exclaimed.

"You know, this sounds awful like you already have a boyfriend," he snorted.

"I don't! And I'm not looking for one either!" she stated, "and you clearly must have the most idiotic taste in girls if you're looking at me!"

"First off, I'm stated this from your earlier statement: I'm NOT like those guys from before! I could treat you better than that! Secondly, I think you're beautiful, and I knew that long before I saw you in that swimsuit! And thirdly, I know what I want. Dominique always brags about you when she gets home and I can't help but like what I hear," he said, looking into her eyes.

"Damon..." Charlotte trailed. She wanted to tell him that she wasn't the girl he needs. He needed Rivera. She's clean, light, and perfect for him in completely normal life.

The last thing Charlotte wanted was to drag an innocent victim into her mess of a life.

By the time the ride ended, Charlotte hopped off but found herself face to face was a pissed-off Rivera.

Charlotte's POV

I said to myself that I wanted no part in a love triangle and I mean it.

But when you find out your teammate's older brother has a crush on you and his crush looks like she's about to throw me under the carousel herself, then I'm royally screwed!

Rivera was red in the face and she looked about ready to slap me across the face anytime. Did she see Damon kiss me? Is she assuming I lied about my intentions?

Get ahold of yourself, Charlotte, you just have to explain what happened, I thought.

"Listen, I know what this looks like-"

"SHUT your mouth, you little slut!" Rivera exclaimed. I gulped. That's it, I'm dead.

"Don't talk to her like that!" I heard Damon defend from behind me. Oh, kill me now!

"And where would I be?"

I stiffened at that voice. Out of all the times to do this, I could feel a splitting headache coming on!

"No matter what you believe, I'm always closer than you think, Ane'lie."

"Oh, shut up!" I whispered, a little too loud.

"Excuse me!?" Rivera glared.

"No! No, that's not what I meant. I wasn't talking to you-"

"And who were you talking to then? Your imaginary friend?" Rivera snorted.

"Oh, I'm far from imaginary, you little wrench!"

Oh, dear God, I can already feel a headache coming closer now. Well, I can't talk to her!

"Oh, dear sister, but you already are. Honestly, despite how boring I find land dwellers, I find this little spectacle you're in highly amusing. You always were beautiful, you know."

I couldn't deal with this! Moving aside, I ran past Rivera and Damon and headed straight outside. I didn't pay attention to where I was running, but I just needed to get away from the crowded, tension-filled area. Eventually, I found myself seated on the water fountain outside the IMAX theatre.

It was official. I was losing my mind altogether.

"No, you aren't. As dramatic as usual."

Well then, if she wanted to have a telepathic talk. So be it!

"And what do you want. 'Cause ever since I moved here, you're very existence has been nothing but trouble!" I thought.

"Why, dearie, can't I talk to my lovely sister without all the interruption?"

I could hear the teasing in her voice.

"Marana-"

"Ah, so good to hear that name, though you're just thinking it."

I groaned in annoyance. "Marana, what do you WANT from me!? I have nothing you want! If you wanted the old me, well too bad, you're a year late!"

"I wouldn't be so sure. You just so happened to had not been living in my jurisdiction when all that tragedy happened."

"Yeah, however, you caused the Dust Bowl Days! I mean, you weren't even near water! How did you-"

"There comes a time where I know things. And remember, that piece of land used to be fertile and got rain too often it flooded! Of course, when land-dwellers get their hands on something, they always ruin it."

"So, what? Whatever piece of land still had water, you got control over that poor girl?"

"More like the girl was already a mermaid when it happened."

I'm sure, that had I been drinking water, I would have done a spat tank. But instead, I chocked on air. Did I hear right?

"You did. See, Little Sister, if there's one thing Laguna never counts on, is whether those girls were ever changed. In my perspective, you, Ane's lie, could NEVER escape your place under the sea no matter how hard you tried. Sometimes, you were changed by your own accord. You either found the moon pool or the moon pool found you. Other times, however, I'm just lucky enough to have you within my range and well, you know the rest. But the Fates were on my side when I found you again. Imagine, finding you a mermaid, without having you speaking to me, already as powerful as you were. At least, until those stupid girls ruined everything. Hell, if I remembered right, you nearly died before we ever met! And then you came here."

"And you had the luck of getting me both ways," I concluded.

That's what happened. After all this time. All the hurt and pain I'd been through. She was there. Watching. Lurking from below.

I thought I lost my tail for the better. That is losing my tail, I was to spend the rest of my days as a normal girl. I deserved that. I didn't deserve to have such a secret.

But to find that I was always a pawn. That no matter how many times I walk this earth, I'm a walking magnet for trouble...

I walking natural disaster.

And honestly...

That made me so, so angry!

"YOU'VE RUINED MY LIFE!" I screamed in my head. I curled up against my hands into fists and proceeded to yell at her.

"BECAUSE OF YOU, MY LIFE IS A COMPLETE AND USELESS MESS! You think you can just choose me to be apart of your little game!? HA! No wonder I always died after you got ahold of me in the past! Did you expect me or any of those girls to live with themselves after what you made them do!? They died because of you! They died under the control of some sea witch and...you despicable excuse of a mermaid! How can you even live with yourself! Or, are you even real? I mean, you did send that freakin' monster to kill me after all!"

I was screaming in the inside, and on the outside, it looked like I was pacing back and forth while I was holding my head in my hands. To an outsider, I must have been looking like a crazy person.

Then again, how many serial-killings mermaids can exist within one's head?

I kept pacing and pacing until I heard footsteps coming towards me. Looking up, I saw Damon and Rivera walking towards me.

"It seems your suitor still brings his luggage with him."

"Shut up!"

Charlotte, look, I'm sorry I put you on the spot like that-" Damon started.

"I could care less," Rivera interrupted. Damon and I glared at her. God, she was getting on my last nerves!

"Then do something about it."

If I was glaring, it would be highly debatable on who I was glaring at.

"Listen, Rivera, Damon, I would know what it looks like between all of this. But in my full honesty, I'm not interested in dating or looking for a boyfriend. I just want to be left alone okay," I admitted. It must have sounded harsh, but now...

Now, I feel alone.

Both of them looked at me with two different looks. Damon looked upset, liked he had been rejected. Which he was.

Rivera, however, looked like she just won the lottery.

"Well, good for you. Now that we got this whole thing situated, why don't you go back home to whatever dump you live in!" Rivera stated in the snottiest voice she had.

And suddenly, I stopped breathing.

"Rivera, now you crossed the line!" Damon exclaimed.

"Oh please, you were hitting on a girl that was too young for you! I mean, I bet you she's never even had her first kiss, like seriously!" Rivera berated.

I felt my breathing start to take shallow pacing in between each breath. I wasn't sure whether to scream or shout.

This girl is just as bad as Georgia!

Unknowingly, I curled up against my hands into fists. Unbeknownst to me, I just so happened to start heating the fountain.

"Do it."

"I mean, seriously! You found her through your little sister and then randomly decided to have her join along? Oh c'mon, Damon, she's a complete loser!" Rivera continued.

"Do it."

"A nobody!"

"Do it."

"A Freak!"

That's it!

At first, I didn't even realize I was doing it, but there's no way I'm standing to be put down like that again!

I went through it with Cleo and her jealousy.

I went through it with Rikki's antagonizing ways.

I went through it when Lewis stopped taking my side over the girl who let him go.

I went through it when I lost my tail.

I went through it when I went through the traumatizing experience in Atlanta.

I went through this while I was under a suicide watch.

And I went through this several times already since I've been in this God-forsaken state!

So there is no way in hell that I was taking this from so snot-nosed, little bitch!

Moving my hand, I caused a pillar of steaming water to form. I now didn't care if I was doing this in public. I didn't care if this was being videotaped!

But no one, NO ONE, ever puts me on the back burner. NO ONE.

And with that, I sent the pillar aiming at Rivera's chest.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"