Chapter 1: Popularity

Ariel

High school is full of good and bad days for every teenager. Well, for Ariel, it felt like the worst day ever. The day started off normal, going to classes and talking with her friends, Flounder, and Sebastian. Also, the typical mean girl of the school, Vanessa Octo. The cheer captain of the cheerleading squad also happens to be her cousin. Daughter of her aunt Ursula Octo. Ariel is also pretty popular; she is well-known as the best singer in the choir. If she showed up for practice on time, that is. She is known to have a beautiful voice among the other choir members. That included her sisters, Arista and Andrina, who were part of the choir.

Today was the worst day because Vanessa discovered that Ariel, Eric Prince, was crushing on the football quarterback. The boy had black hair, blue eyes, and a dimple that made you melt when he smiled. So what does Vanessa do when she learns about Ariel's crush. She goes after Eric for herself. So news went around that Vanessa and Eric were dating, and Ariel was heartbroken and, quite frankly, jealous. How could Eric see anything good in Vanessa? Did he actually like her? So many questions were running through her head that day, and of course, she wouldn't get the answer so desperately needed. Ariel sat alone in the choir room, feeling so many emotions. The room was filled with silence, and it was just too quiet. So Ariel went to the piano and began to play a melody. Her voice echoed through the room, filling with a soft melody that expressed her emotions on what she was feeling.

"See Me."

(Verse 1)

I see you laughing, hand in hers,

Like a dream, I can't disturb.

But every time our eyes collide,

I wonder if you see inside.

(Pre-Chorus)

I don't wanna steal, don't wanna break,

But my heart won't let this fade.

If only you knew, if only you'd see,

There's something more when you look at me.

(Chorus)

Do you see me in the corner of your mind?

Do you wonder what it'd be like?

If the world spun differently if the stars realigned,

Would you reach for my hand instead of hers tonight?

She stayed focused, just playing to her heart's content.

(Verse 2)

I hear your voice, it lingers long,

Like the echo of a half-played song.

You look at her like she's your sky,

But do you see the way I shine?

(Bridge)

I won't say a word, I won't cross the line,

But if you ever feel lost in time,

Just know I'm here, know I'd stay,

If the world ever turns my way.

(Chorus – Repeat)

Do you see me in the corner of your mind?

Do you wonder what it'd be like?

If the world spun differently if the stars realigned,

Would you reach for my hand instead of hers tonight?

(Outro)

Maybe someday, maybe never,

But I'll keep hoping you'll see me better.

As she reached the end of the song, it softly finished, letting the notes fade in the endless quiet of the room. She let out a sigh, closing her eyes. That is when she heard a noise from the door. She opened her eyes and looked.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" she asked, keeping her eyes on the door. After no one answered, she stood and collected her bag. She then left the room, heading to the car to meet her sisters.

She arrived at the parking lot where her two sisters were waiting. Arista and Andrina saw Ariel and smiled.

"Finally!" Arista spoke with a whiny voice. "Took you like forever."

Ariel rolls her eyes. "Arista, I just was collecting my stuff from the Choir room. Relax"

Arista smiled. "Of course you were; let's get in the car and head home."

The three girls entered the car and began heading home. Ariel had so many thoughts going through her head. Ariel leaned her head against the cool window as the car pulled out of the school parking lot. The streets blurred past in streaks of afternoon light, but her mind was elsewhere—still trapped in the hallways of the school, still echoing with whispers she wished she hadn't heard.

"So, did you hear the big news?" Andrina asked from the front seat, twisting to look at Ariel with a knowing smirk.

Arista giggled. "Oh, yeah. It's all anyone is talking about."

Ariel blinked, suddenly uneasy. "What news?"

Andrina let out a dramatic sigh. "Eric and Vanessa. They're officially dating."

Ariel's stomach twisted. She had known Vanessa was interested in him—Vanessa had made that much evident from the beginning, but hearing it confirmed felt different. It was real now. No longer just a possibility.

"Oh," was all she managed to say.

Andrina and Arista kept talking about how Vanessa had practically latched onto Eric at lunch and how they were already the school's golden couple. Ariel barely heard them. Instead, her thoughts drifted back to all the times she had stolen glances at Eric, the way her heart had fluttered whenever he smiled in her direction. Of course, he had never noticed her like that. She was just the girl in the choir room, singing in the background while he stood in the spotlight.

She clenched her hands in her lap, forcing a small smile so her sisters wouldn't notice how much it hurt.

It wasn't like she had ever truly believed she had a chance.

But still, a tiny part of her had hoped.

And now, that hope was gone.

When the girls arrived home, Ariel went to her room. As soon as she got there, she moved to her computer and started it up. She then entered the chat to see if her friends were online. Looking, she saw that Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle were online. She smiled and began typing in the chat box.

Chatroom conversation:

Mermaid Adventure: Sebastian, I just got home. Did you get the news today, too?

Red Tornado: You mean about Eric and Vanessa dating? Yes, my dear, the whole school heard the news. It was practically announced over the loudspeakers.

Guppy: I swear, the cheer squad threw an actual parade. I saw pom-poms in the cafeteria, Sebastian.

Red Tornado: Truly a tragedy. The event was more dramatic than one of those soap operas my aunt watches.

Mermaid Adventure: I still can't believe it! The guy of my dreams, and is he with her? Ugh. But who am I kidding? It's not like I'm popular enough to date him.

Red Tornado: Ha-ha, my dear, you are more than enough. Your voice is like that of an angel. He just needs to hear it. All you have to do is simply talk to him.

Guppy: Sebastian is right, Ariel. You have great qualities! You just need to give him a chance to see them. Maybe say hi in the hall or—oh!—ask him about the next football game!

Mermaid Adventure: Easier said than done. He's always surrounded by people. And Vanessa…

Scuttle Buzz: Pfft, listen, kid, I got the solution! You don't need words. You need STYLE. A brand-new look. A little pizzazz, a little mystery. Make him double-take when you walk past!

Guppy: Scuttle, you suggested a whole wardrobe of neon colors last time. Please, no.

Scuttle Buzz: That was a solid idea, Guppy! I stand by it.

Mermaid Adventure: Okay, okay! A new style is the inspiration I need. What are you thinking, Scuttle?

Scuttle Buzz: Glad you asked! Picture this: Bold new hair, something fierce. Accessories that scream confidence. And shoes—gleaming ones. The kind that makes a "clack clack" sound when you walk down the hall.

Red Tornado: Ariel, I think what Scuttle is trying to say—very dramatically—is that a little confidence boost might help.

Guppy: Exactly! It's not about changing who you are, just making sure you feel good in your skin.

Mermaid Adventure: Alright, you convinced me. It may be time for a bit of change. Nothing crazy, just… a new start.

Scuttle Buzz: That's the spirit! I'll put together a mood board. Maybe some feathers?

Mermaid Adventure: No feathers, Scuttle.

Scuttle Buzz: Fine, but you're missing out.

Ariel sat back, a small smile creeping onto her lips. Maybe they were right. Perhaps it wasn't about being popular or perfect—just about believing in herself.

And if a new style helped her feel that way, then why not?

Tomorrow, she would start fresh.

Tomorrow, she'd stop watching from the background.

Even if it hurt to see Eric with Vanessa, maybe—just maybe—this was the push she needed.

Eric

Football had always been more than just a game to Eric—it was a legacy. A tradition woven into the fabric of his family's history. His father had been the captain before him, a local legend whose name was still spoken with admiration by old coaches and alumni. His mother, the former cheer captain, had been the heart of every pep rally, the queen to his father's king. They were the perfect couple—the kind of love story people romanticized in movies and books.

Maybe that was why he agreed to date Vanessa.

She was beautiful, confident, and had an undeniable spark. She was the kind of girl who knew what she wanted and went after it without hesitation. Any guy would find that attractive. And yet, despite all of that, something felt… off. There was an emptiness he couldn't quite explain. It wasn't anything Vanessa had done. It was just a feeling, a missing piece he couldn't define.

But that wasn't something he had time to dwell on. He had practice to get to.

As he went to the locker room, his thoughts were locked on the upcoming game. The entire school was counting on him to lead the team to victory, and his father expected nothing less than excellence. The pressure was nothing new—it had always been there, pushing him to be better, faster, and stronger.

Then, as he passed the choir room, something stopped him.

A melody. Soft, delicate.

Then, a voice—one so angelic it seemed to lift the air itself.

He turned his head toward the door, almost as if he had no control over his movements. The sound wrapped around him, pulling him in like an unseen force. He stepped closer, peering through the small window.

A girl sat at the piano, her back to him. Her long, red hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, catching the dim hallway light. He couldn't see her face, but her voice… her voice felt like something out of a dream.

The lyrics drifted through the air, laced with longing. Each word sent an unfamiliar pang through his chest, making him think about things he wasn't supposed to—about the relationship he had just stepped into, Vanessa, and why he felt so unsure.

He shouldn't be feeling this way.

It was just a voice.

He didn't even know her.

And yet, as the final note faded into silence, Eric shifted, causing the floor to creak beneath his foot.

"Hello? Anyone there?" the girl's voice broke the quiet, curiosity laced in her tone.

Eric tensed. Without thinking, he turned and walked away before she could catch him standing there like a stalker.

Just who was that?

The question followed him to the locker room, lingering in the back of his mind. But there was no time for distractions—he had a game to focus on. Football was what mattered. His legacy was what mattered.

He shoved the thoughts aside and got ready for practice.

That night, when Eric arrived home, he barely had time to take off his shoes before the familiar voice of Grimsby, the family butler, greeted him.

"Master Eric, welcome home. You have a few messages from a young lady named Vanessa. She claims to be your girlfriend."

Grimsby's tone held the slightest hint of amusement, and Eric couldn't help but smirk.

"She is, yeah. We just started dating," Eric replied, setting his things down and stretching his arms. "I'll message her soon."

Grimsby raised a brow, clearly holding back some remark, but instead, he simply nodded.

"Finally found someone? Perhaps this means the endless matchmaking attempts by your parents will come to an end?"

Eric let out a small chuckle. "Seems so." He hesitated, the memory of the choir room creeping back into his thoughts. "Though… there was this girl."

Grimsby's curiosity was piqued instantly. "A girl, sir?"

Eric nodded slowly. "Yeah. I walked by the choir room today. She was singing, and it was… I don't know how to explain it. Her voice was just… different. Like, I was lost in it. It was crazy."

Grimsby hummed thoughtfully. "And yet, you don't know who she is?"

Eric shook his head. "No. I only saw the back of her. Just her red hair. But—" He cut himself off, exhaling sharply. "I don't know why I'm even thinking about this. It was just a song. Just a voice."

Grimsby gave a knowing nod. "Indeed, sir. You've just started dating this Vanessa girl. Much too early to be distracted by a mere voice."

Eric ran a hand through his hair, forcing himself to agree. Grimsby was right. He was just overthinking things.

Shoving the thoughts aside, he headed toward the dining room, ready to focus on the one thing that truly mattered—his upcoming football game.

He needed to be at his best, and distractions weren't an option.

Even if that voice still echoed in the back of his mind.