The City Mermaid

It was a beautiful morning as the singing voices of the birds could be heard on the tree in front of a bungalow.

But then they got scared off by the voice from the loud voice.

"Kapella!".

That was Mrs. Elijah's raging again as she moved out of the kitchen with a pan in her hand.

"Almost up, Mom". A feminine voice replied from the floor above.

"Do I have to remind you that you've missed school for one week already?".

"I know Mom but just drop the pan before you're tempted to use it on me". Kapella replied while she walked down the stairs full of smiles.

She was of an average height and her straight hair was tightly fit into the Panama hat she had on.

Her blue T-shirt and trouser also matched with those enticing blue eyes of hers.

Mrs. Elijah sigh and retreated the pan slowly.

"You're beautiful beyond imagining each passing day, what could be the secret?". She inquired returning to the kitchen.

"I eat seafood a lot and I don't yell at people". She replied and followed from behind.

"What!".

"Ops! My bad, you should try seafood every day, Mom". Kapella whispered and pecked Mrs. Elijah.

"Fish gives protein, not beauty". She replied dropping the pan.

"But I love to eat fish and fish alone, every other thing gets to taste gross and annoying ".

"You're 18, We shouldn't be talking about this anymore, you enjoy seafood over others and so we provide it in abundance".

"Why am I different? From everyone, what's special or strange about me?".

"You should get going, you're gonna be late". Mrs. Elijah mumbled while trying to get herself busy to avoid more questions.

"Are you gonna keep ignoring me, I know I'm different from others, a big difference, you all get to eat a normal meal, I try to eat much of it and I puke out".

Mrs. Elijah inhaled and turned to her.

"Because you're special, don't complain now and just move on with life as usual".

"The fact that you always warn me not to tell anyone means there's a secret".

"You're special, that's it, there are kids like you out there".

"Really?".

"Yes..So don't be hard on yourself". She said placing her hands on Kapella's shoulder.

"I guess I'm ready now". She announced and squat to adjust her shoe.

"Mom, Where's Dad?". A ten-year-old boy asked as he entered the Kitchen in his uniform and a backpack hung behind.

"Steve, I'll be with you in a minute". Mrs. Elijah replied when he took off Kapella's hat and wore it with a big smirk.

"Give that to me". She cursed.

"Mom, Do I look like Kapella?."

Mrs. Elijah couldn't help but scoff while Kapella wasted no time in taking it back.

"You can never be me". She grinned and he frowned.

"Don't be harsh on your brother, he's just a kid".

"One who doesn't know his place". She snapped.

"Give it to me". He whispered.

"No". She fired.

"I'll tell Mom". He whispered.

"She can hear you already, so don't threaten me, you little bottle". She mocked gripping his nose.

"Mom, Kapella didn't make her hair!". He announced like a commentator on a football pitch.

She quickly covered his mouth and taking off the hat, wore it for him.

"You look charming". She stammered trying to find her voice.

"Too late". He whispered.

"Thanks". He added and marched out with the oversized hat.

"Tell me it's a lie, Daughter". Mrs. Elijah yelled and Kapella looked away slowly.

Mrs. Elijah grabbed the Barrette on her hair and removed it thereby unclasping Kapella's hair.

Her long hair fell freely past her waist and reflected the light above.

Mrs. Elijah couldn't help but scoff as she leaned against the kitchen table.

"The Stylist was here yesterday, wasn't she?".

"No. She called back to inform me that she was too busy to come".

"And you decided to have it your way, take a look at your hair, it ain't normal, it....".

"It looks like that of Disney Character, Rapunzel, although mine is barely touching the floor, it looks cute".

"Cute or not, you know people mustn't see this".

"C'mon Mom, I get to cut my hair every week for the past...... I guess it since when I was born, you should take a break".

"It's for a reason and you have to trust me on that".

"Alright Mom, Just this week, I'll make sure I clasp it well into a bud style like the one I had before you ruin it". She frowned.

"I'll call the Stylist".

"Mom, I'm late already".

"Fine, Go and have your seat, I'll do it".

Kapella dragged her feet to the living room with her long straight hair trailing from behind.

There was Steve seated with legged crossed and Kapella's oversized Panama Hat on his head.

"It's time to hand it over, Steve". She said standing at akimbo.

"Have some respect for Sherlock Holmes". He whispered.

"Seriously?".

"Oh, How about I tell Mom that you took her car yesterday, Rapunzel?". He asked.

....

.....

Phoenix High School

....

....

Students could be seen trooping into the gigantic buildings in their numbers after alighting from their various transit.

Rushing down from the school is, some parents get to drop their kids, and the Rich flaunt their flashy cars while driving into the VIP garage.

A Dodge Viper GTS halt in front of the gate and its window slides down revealing Kapella and her Mom.

"And here we are, after trying to rip your little brother apart".

"Don't start again Mom, He took what was mine, threaten or try to blackmail me, and then drew sponge Bob on my hat, that was my favorite".

"You still watch Sponge Bob, that kids show? ".

"Um..Maybe". Kapella replied and hurried out.

"What do I get to tell the Principal, that I puked for days after I stubbornly eat a lot of pancakes? ".

"I spoke with him already, Just go to school and be a good girl". Mrs. Elijah said and she turned to leave.

"And?".

Kapella turned back with a smirk and stood at ease.

"Don't take off your bracelet, never take it off".

"Seriously Mom, I've been wearing this since I was born, why would I take it off now?". She asked.

"Good".

"But Mom, is it some sort of protection object?, was our ancestors Magicians? what does it do?".

"Good day, Kapella". Mrs. Elijah said and wore her dark shades.

She hit the accelerator with her foot and the vehicle shot off.

"hush!". She cursed and turned to the gate.

"Welcome back to Phoenix High, Kap..... I meant Faceless". She whispered and marched into the compound while tilting her black hat.

Kapella was walking through the hallway when she almost bumped into another student.

"Sorry". She apologized raising her head while their eyes met.

"Kapella!". She screamed and they hugged tightly attracting the attention of everyone in the hallway.

She was light-skinned and with wavy hair laid on her spotless face.

"Cindy". Kapella whispered.

"It's been so long friend, you didn't bother to call, I didn't know your place and then you delayed a week before returning from summer break". Cindy said and frowned.

"I lost my phone during summer break, Good thing you don't know where I live and I resumed late because I was sick for good one week".

"Sick?, Were you pregnant?".She asked and Kapella punched her arm.

"Ouch!".

"Yeah. Pregnant with stomach disorder".

"That's bad but I know you're fine now, babe, it will take more than a disorder to put Faceless down".

"Shhh, someone is coming". Kapella warned after noticing a teen boy who was approaching them.

"Kapella meet my little brother, Francis".

"I'm not little". He snapped.

"Francis, meet my best friend, Kapella".

"Oh she is..., nice meeting you, my sister talked a lot about you and she was right, you're beautiful, As she said, I'm Francis". She smiled stretching his hand for a shake but Cindy slapped it down.