I know I haven't updated either of my stories in a while and after I update today I probably won't update at all this week. Maybe on the weekend I don't know for sure.
Love,
Y'all
P.S. I'm thinking of writing another alternate universe with someone as a vampire (not telling who), but what do you think?
Chapter 4: The Little Things
"When was the last time you were in the human world," Jade questioned as Tori fiddled with the "amazing knobs and buttons" on the dashboard.
Tori giggled when she turned the knob onto the Spanish station and then changed it again. She frowned when the static from the empty airwaves met her ears. Her eyes were shining incredibly bright as she took in this new, technologically advanced world around her. The Latina quickly changed the station to one of Jade's preset stations and she turned her attention to said girl in order to answer the question.
"March, 1862. I saved one of the sailors who had been fighting in the Battle of Hampton Roads on the ironclad Merrimack. I believe that was in Virginia? Anyway, it's so different from then."
"Did you save him?"
Tori scoffed as if failure wasn't even an option, "Of course I saved him. I've rescued countless more before him. I've yet to fail. I won't fail this time either."
Jade rolled into the parking lot of the mall and she backed into a spot for an easy escape. She sat in the car and faced Tori who was trying to get out the locked door.
"Victoria… How old are you?" Jade turned her torso towards Tori and waited expectantly.
"Oh," Tori's lips quirked into a sly, crooked smile and she licked her lips, "well, you know, I'm four hundred and ninety-seven years old. I'm still a child in my world. Once I turn five hundred, I'll be considered an adult, sort of like when you humans turn eighteen you can go off on your own. It's the same principle."
Tori plucked some imaginary fuzz off of her teal shirt and she gave the Goth a sidelong glance as she took the information with a poker face.
"That's… really interesting." Jade's pierced eyebrow rose and she made an appreciative face. It was so interesting to her. She really thought she could learn something from this innocent yet experienced young mermaid.
Jade unlocked the car door and got out with the mermaid simultaneously. The pair walked side by side and Tori grabbed the Goth's cool, pale hand lacing her fingers with hers.
Jade was going to protest when she felt something inside her that she hadn't felt in a long time. It swelled inside the center of her chest and just as she thought it was going to explode it moved with deliberate slowness throughout the rest of her body.
It was happiness and security. Two things she hadn't felt since her mother had been alive. It shocked her and actually kind of scared her, but the security she was offered shoved the fear away and she held onto Tori's hand happily as they walked into the mall together.
She walked hand and hand with Tori throughout the mall visiting just about every store in the mall. Except for the eclectic merchandise store. Jade hated those types of stores.
At one point, they had been walking past a section of kiosks and Tori had been intercepted by one of the vultures.
"Excuse me, ma'am, can I ask you a question?" He was a tall, buff guy with workout attire on and about five of those "balance" bands on each wrist.
"You just did." Jade cut him off trying to pull a very innocent yet very strong mermaid away from the buff guy that was trying to make a sale.
Tori picked up one of the bands and looked at the holographic circle that was imbedded into the rubbery material. She twirled in her fingers looking at it closely as the man began his speech about the product he was selling. Tori listened to him with serious attention.
The man gestured to the bands on his arms and began speaking, "These bracelets use holographic technology to resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body, and they also increase sporting ability. They really are amazing by improving balance and increasing the use of core muscles to help improve your game."
"Here. Try standing on one leg with your arms out. Good. Now close your eyes. I'm going to push down on your arm."
Tori did as he asked and she bit her bottom lip with her eyes closed. Behind her teeth, her lips curled into a patient smile. She held her arms out parallel to the floor and her loose aqua shirt exhibited her muscular stomach just above her belly button. She brought her right leg up and balanced on the left, the muscles in her left leg flexing against her sun kissed skin.
Although she looked like a complete fool in the stance she stood in, she was really beautiful. Her brown wavy hair tickled her exposed hip bone and she giggled beautifully when the man pushed down on her arm causing her to lose her balance.
Jade loved the way Tori's brow deepened in concentration with her eyes closed as
"Alright, you lost your balance pretty quick there. Now," he paused grabbing a purple bracelet from the stand and he placed it around her wrist, "try it again."
Tori assumed the same position and the same thing happened, she frowned at the salesperson.
"This," she pointed to the purple band which she was now tugging off her wrist, "doesn't work."
Tori stuck her tongue out at the vulture and the little display of pettiness made Jade chuckle and smile slightly. Tori grabbed Jade's hand and walked away from the kiosk frowning slightly.
"Well, that was a waste of time. We only have so much time." Concern edged into her voice as she lead Jade throughout the mall. Her shirt billowed back away from her skin and as the wind from her quick pace came back to Jade, Jade's mouth watered at the smell of the Mermaid's natural scent.
"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm sure ten minutes won't make my decision sway that much."
Tori shook her head unhappily and the unique fragrance assaulted Jade's senses again, almost knocking her on her ass.
It was a delicious mix of sea water and coconuts that made Jade's mouth water and her head spin. It wasn't fair. She only had a week with Tori. She couldn't fall for her. She wouldn't fall for her.
With her intoxicating scent filling Jade's nostrils and her beautiful body and skin flaunting itself in front of Jade's eyes, the Goth wasn't so sure she would stay true to the promise she made herself.
…
There would be an Under the Sea themed play area in the food court.
Jade sat off to the side as the carefree mermaid totally ignored the height limit and played with toddlers and children in the sectioned off playground.
They swarmed her like moths to a flame. Her smile was infectious and her adventurous attitude was on display as went through a tunnel that was supposed to seem like a shark was swallowing them.
One of the little boys tugged on Tori's hair lightly to get her attention. She turned around leaning down and putting her hands on her knees. She looked into his eyes and smiled at him, "Yes?"
"You're really pretty." He blushed brightly and toed his sneaker into the dirty carpet of the play area. He looked down sheepishly, becoming incredibly interested in what he was doing to the carpet.
Tori beamed at him and picked him up resting the toe-headed boy on her hip. She supported him with one arm coiled around his back.
She turned her head and sent a sidelong glance at Jade as if they had an inside joke, "Well… I am a mermaid and all mermaids are beautiful." She played with the blonde curls that rested on the boy's forehead.
Jade rolled her eyes, but she felt a smile plaster itself on her face.
The boy, shocked, gasped lightly staring at Tori with disbelief and admiration written all over his innocent face, "No way! Will you tell us stories about being a mermaid?"
Jade rose from her seat and wandered over to the Latina.
Tori gave a shrug and set the boy down. The children began crowding around the interesting young woman.
Jade stood at the back of the group listening intently as Tori told these ludicrous, but probably true stories about her life as a mermaid.
She brushed her hair over her shoulder and licked her lips when she paused. She looked at the kids as if they had serious things to say and with a healthy respect. She listened intently to their question and statements confirming and denying kindly. It was admirable.
"I was there when Apollo 11 launched, I was about a mille off of the beach and I watched as the shuttle flew up into space." She smiled softly and looked off in the distance, the little expression making Jade's icy heart begin to melt.
"I'd never been so proud of humanity."
The pair stayed with the children for a little more than an hour before they decide to leave the mall.
Jade knew she was beginning to fall in love. Every little thing that she did, whether it was biting her bottom lip in contemplation or running a hand through her hair just made Jade want her more.
She started believing the brunette when she said that life wasn't as bad as she thought. Her problem was that she'd never given life a chance. Choosing to focus on all of the bad things and never focusing on the little things that made her smile.
Things like Cat asking her to sleep over or do a random video with her so she could post it on The Slap.
Things like Robbie asking Jade out repeatedly and always insisting that she was beautiful.
Things like Beck always asking Jade to star in his plays.
Things like Andre wanting her to duets with him when he had his choice from so many other talented girls in the school.
It was the little things that made Jade get sucked into the notion that, maybe, just maybe she could be happy again.
Alright, what's the verdict? Was it good? Also, don't forget to message me about me writing another AU about the Vampire fic!
Peace and Chicken Grease,
Madzilla