Sirena Chapter 1 (Formerly known as Alexandra please review!)

Sirena

1

            All morning I had swam around pacing in my bedroom, hiding behind the dark curtain as I peeked down to the city below. My father, King William and mother Rachael, spend every morning, talking, about me, without my knowledge; or their knowledge of my knowing so. I kept pacing around the bedroom. Today wasn’t just another normal day of worry, today I believe isthe main day to worry. I continued to chew my fingernails as I peeked once more toward the city. What could they possibly be talking about today?

Today is my sixteenth birthday. My best friend, Joshua, is talking with them. When I inquire to him about their conversations, he dismisses the subject all together. Sometimes I am so jealous that he receives more attention than myself, their daughter and heir to the throne.  I can’t retrieve any information from him regarding anything they ever talk about.

            I tired quickly from the pacing in my darkened bedroom and from the peeking. I glanced into my broken glass mirror that stood upon the old wooden dresser. I combed through my long brown hair with my fingers as it tangles with every swimming turn. My purple eyes were irritated from the cold water. The water in the city was unusually cold lately. Rubbing my fin I could feel the coldness making my purple fin rough to the touch, even in the water.

Once my hair untangled, I headed down to the side castle gates. The castle stairs are made of gray and brown stones, as is the ceilings, walls, and floors. One exception is the ballroom. Even though we don’t walk but dance as we swim around, the ballroom floor is made of marble. It’s a swirly color of black and brown. It’s unbelievably beautiful to me. The castle doors are made of wood and most of the furniture in the castle is wood as well. If you’re not carful, you could get a splinter from the older pieces of furniture. I made my way through the brown side doors on the castle, to see them having a conversation.

            There stood my parents, Joshua, and Michael. They talked quietly in a circle.

“Hello father, mother, Joshua…and Michael,” I said, disappointed to say Michael. I hate him with a passion; he’s a very big annoyance to me.

“Sirena, I want you to go with Joshua and Michael out of the city and enjoy the day! There’s much going on in the city today and almost everyone is busy making plans for different things,” my father insisted. He enver likes me to leave the castle, let alone the city.

“Um, father, can Joshua and I go by ourselves?” I asked politely, not wanting Michael to get mad. He  gave a discerning look in my direction.

“No, no. I suggest you all three go. You hardly get to talk to Michael and you should all bond some more.” I didn’t have a chance. The only choice would be if Joshua and I could swim faster than this jittery being called Michael, but I knew that wouldn’t happen. He was faster than I was at swimming.

“No problem Sir, we will head out of the city very soon. I’ll be sure to keep my eye on her,” Joshua pulled me away, winking at father.

“Oh I’m sure I will keep two on her!” Michael said jokingly. Father smacked Michael’s arm. A smile instantly bestowed across my face. Father knew Michael had interest in me. Whether it be friendship, relationship, or what.  I have never intended to discover which.

My parents dismissed themselves to the castle.

“Well let’s go!” Michael said reaching for me. I was already swimming away from him.

“Go away Michael. I don’t like you. You’re annoying and need to learn your place!” I demanded and pointed my finger at his chest.

Joshua glanced at Michael but said nothing, and followed me to my bedroom, by the window, instead of through the castle hallways and stairs.

 “Are you in there Sirena?” Joshua questioned waving in the window without peeking. Our castle windows are just holes they left in the castle when it was built. No glass or wood windows. I was pacing the room.

“Yes Joshua?” I replied.

“Can I come in? I want to talk,” Joshua asked.

“Yes, Joshua, come in.” I stopped my pacing and focused on my reflection in the broken mirror. My violet eyes looked darker than usual. I kept pondering what  my parents were planning or talking about? Joshua pulled the maroon curtain back to keep out eavesdroppers.

“I’m sorry your father doesn’t negotiate well—.” Joshua tried to apologize for my father’s actions but I wouldn’t let him finish.

“—What was he talking about? It was about me wasn’t it?” I looked at Joshua through the mirror then found myself pacing around once more.

“Stop being so paranoid Sirena! It’s nothing you need to worry about right now,” Joshua said calmly, trying to stop my movements.

“How can I have nothing to worry about? The conversation changed as soon as I was seen. I heard my name from the hallway a couple of times and then my birthday is today –.” My bad habit of pacing wouldn’t hesitate to stop.

“Please stop Sirena,” Joshua put his hands on my shoulders and stood in front of me so I couldn’t move.

“Well, I guess if you say it’s nothing to worry about,” I took a deep breath.

“You’re probably right. You’re always right Joshua.”

“One thing he mentioned is that I will be moving into the castle…” Joshua paused. He didn’t want to say anymore.

“And? I mean, that’s great but finish your sentence. I can tell you have something else you need to say! What is it?” I know that whole conversation wasn’t just about him moving into the castle. And why is he moving into the castle?

“Don’t fret. Let me explain what I can tell you,” Joshua said slowly as if I were bad at comprehending his words.

“What is it?” I am beginning to get annoyed.

“I made sure Michael didn’t follow me because I know you would probably throw something at him if he did. Now, listen to me, OK?” Joshua tried his best at calming me down. He was pretty good at it. He knew me inside and out. But the mention of Michael’s name makes me uneasy.

“Okay, tell me,” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to listen. I waited…then opened my eyes. He was waiting on me to look at him.

Joshua gripped my shoulders tighter and with a concerned look he finished.

“I am moving into the castle…along with Michael. He won’t only be the jester from now on, but he’ll be living in the castle as well.”

I glared at Joshua angrily. I knew it wasn’t Joshua’s fault that Michael was moving in, it was my father’s decision. He knew I’d be angry when he told me the news.

“Why? Why does he have to let such a jerk into the castle?” I began ranting and blurting out questions aloud.

“I mean it’s my birthday! Why does he have to do something like that? It doesn’t make sense!” I threw my hands up in the air like nothing matters anymore.

I turned away from Joshua and looked in the mirror, seeing her eyes had lightened up a little. I began to calm down as I glared at myself in the mirror.

“If it helps,” Joshua began, “his moving into the castle doesn’t make me happy either. He is very annoying. I’m almost jealous about him moving in too.

I think your father wants me to take him under my wing and make him…nice and not so rude? I’m not sure. Maybe he’ll grow on us?” Joshua huffed, trying to come up with logical reasoning for Michael’s sudden move into the castle.

“Maybe he won’t. I don’t see it happening. I’d marry you before I would him. I always thought he liked me more than a friend. I could be wrong. He’s such a jerk.

He has no common sense and does nothing but try to make people laugh and he’s not even good at that! He’s a total waste of space and water.” I mumbled under my breath.

We heard a knock on my bedroom door. Joshua knew the routine. He quickly hid outside the window, so he wouldn’t be caught in my bedroom. Even though we were friends, my bedroom is supposed to be a private room, since I am a princess. It wouldn’t be good if the city knew there were mermen in my room. Even if it was just one best friend named Joshua. Rumors happen in this city. Everyone is always up for a good gossip story.

“You may enter,” I announced.

The door opened and entered a castle maid.

“Hello princess. I have good news to deliver,” she spoke peeking in the rooms to see that it was clear.

“Please, enter.” I motioned for her to come inside my door.

“Your mother has begun to have stomach pains and back pain. It looks as if she is now in labor. We will take great care of her. It looks like you will have a little sibling by tomorrow morn’.” The maid smiled, pretending to rock a baby in her arms.

“Thank you, I’m really excited about it. For once I won’t be an only child,” I smiled back with excitement.

“If you only knew,” Joshua whispered under his breath but only I heard him.

“You’re welcome Miss Sirena. Thank you and have a wonderful day,” The maid was very chipper and excited. She exited and shut the bedroom door.

“We’re clear, Joshua!” I said aloud to Joshua. He entered before I finished. I didn’t ask him about what he said under his breath.

“We need to head out soon. That’s exciting we will have a little sister or brother soon. I hope it’s a boy!” Joshua suddenly stoped smiling, realizing he said something he wasn’t supposed to.

“What do you mean ‘we’?” I caught how he said it as if we were brother and sister. How could we be? If we were, then why has he been living in the city and not the castle? Joshua startled and realized how he said it without thought.

“Um…” Joshua hesitated. He tried to think carefully and quickly for a good response.