Heart of Shell (The Mercrutian Chronicles Book 1) (7 page)

For my complete dislike
of school as an institution, I did happen to thoroughly enjoy my English classes, and had been looking forward to my afternoon English class since that morning. It also helped that since the beginning of the term we had been completing reading circles. We chose a book to read from a selected list, and then met daily with the same group to discuss our progress and our thoughts about what we had read.

There was a boy in my group named, Seth, who I had grown quite fond of, and was looking forward to seeing every class. It was more than just his cute face, it felt like we had meaningful conversations when we spoke, and he was thoughtful and intelligent. There weren’t many boys I had befriended, but I felt like he could be a true friend. He raised literary points and encouraged discussion that I found incredibly interesting, especially since he was so passionate about the literature.

Sometimes in the past I had found this off putting in my peers. Some of them were so competitive, too eager to prove themselves, but he was so charismatic that it was endearing. Especially since when he looked at me his expressions never dimmed, he continued to be remarkable and enthusiastic.

For that very reason, and Gina’s ugly uni-brow girl comment, I had finally allowed my mother to show me how to groom my brows. It turned out far less painful than I had initially thought, and when I looked at myself in the mirror, it was as if my entire face had been changed. I now saw myself in a new light, and felt that once my braces were off in a few weeks, I might actually look a little cute.

Yet, despite that glimmer of hope, Monday had arrived and the start of the week brought a foreboding feeling of revenge. Gina had it out for me, but I had managed to evade her all morning. I knew why, but she searched for me like the plague, according to Leah there was nothing worse than inciting the wrath of the G-dog. Evelyn and Leah had given her the misnomer one day when Gina had shown up fir school in her usual mini-skirt and tank top beneath a hoodie combo, only that with it she had five layers of chain necklaces- one with a big pendant that said 'delicious'. The image was atrocious, but I could picture her walking down the halls looking down upon the minions with her oversized jewels. 

She was looking for me now. That much I knew by word of Leah and Evie. It was lunch time, and I had avoided every hallway I knew she and the Mers used, to make my way to the cafeteria. I scolded myself for not bringing something to eat with me, but then I hadn't expected the grade ten queen bee to mark me as her next target. I glanced to where Evie and Leah usually sat.  They were waiting for me and waved.

Quickly, I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and grabbed an ice tea, paying and then placing everything on my tray. I was in the clear... or so I thought until I turned around and my jaw nearly dropped because Gina and her posse were seated at the first table in the row, the table I would have to pass to get to mine. They didn't even like coming to the cafeteria. She was seated on the table rather than a seat and was looking straight at me.

Merrick was noticeably absent, but Murdock was there, as well as Kai and Hurley. I cringed inwardly. I hadn't spoken much too the others, but I already knew that Murdock was not a fan of mine. He had been rude to me several times in our home period, which luckily he skipped half of the time, and was our only class together. Kai and Hurley seemed impartial, though I could tell they were surprised after they realized that I was Merrick's betrothed. There wasn't much I could do in response to their disapproval. I felt like a coward and walked really slowly with my tray. Would she try to trip me or something, luckily I hadn't left my iced tea open.

“Hey Anna,” she said stopping me from walking by the table by jumping in front of me. “I had a lot of fun last week with you at Merrick’s house.”

She waited for my response. “Great,” I replied, not knowing what else to say. I wanted to walk around her, but instead she leaned in closer.

“Listen,” she began in a whisper, “you don't have to worry, your secrets safe with me.”

“Secret?” I asked stupidly, dreading her response.

Her volume returned. “You know, that you wet the bed.” Everyone in the cafeteria grew silent.

My eyes darkened pinching together in a piercing gaze, but my voice was calm. “I don't do that, so you might want to check your sources G-dog. Especially since you left at six-thirty when your dad came to get you.” And then I walked around her brushing her aside.

“What did you call me?” Her sharp voice was like a spear into the back.

I hadn't realized what I had called her until that moment, and I heard a shrill harpy cry behind me before my head was drenched in lukewarm coffee, spilling all over my sweater. I turned around to face my tormentor, who actually looked pretty pathetic with her stare of seething hatred.

“Oops,” she said. “I slipped.” Her pale blue eyes rolled and her long auburn hair was twined in her fingers. I wiped the coffee from face pushing back my hair and I squirmed as it dripped down my back. Merrick, like a phantom, appeared behind her.

“What happened?” he asked, his words directed at Gina, but he was clearly looking at me. His face was blank, trying to decipher the situation. It wouldn't take much imagination to figure out what had gone on.

“Nothing,” I said before she even opened her mouth. “She tripped.”

“I.. I...” she stammered, then looked at me in awe, probably wondering why on earth I might cover up her heinous move.

Merrick continued looking passively at me, but I could tell when his jaw ticked slightly that he wasn't convinced by my explanation. He looked over to his friends, anger in his eyes, but Kai and Hurley shrugged knowing, that Merrick wouldn't be happy if he knew they played along with Gina's scheme.

“Blech.” I said shaking off some of the coffee. “Catch you later G-dog.” I couldn't resist the last jab and then began the awkward walk to the bathroom. I wasn't going to wait around during Merrick's inquisition. As I walked, I wish that I had the power of water manipulation. At least then I could bead the coffee and stop it from soaking into my clothes.

No one had laughed at me, instead they seemed to be mortified by Gina's actions and probably by my cheeky follow up to her childish act. I might have looked like an eleven year old, but I wasn't about to start acting like one.

I found my way to the bathroom and before ducking my head beneath the water stream, I rinsed the sink out to clear the debris. I massaged quickly so that I would be able to get the sticky coffee feeling off of me. Tears streamed down my face, but the water took them away as soon as they were spilled. I couldn't help but feel emotional, confrontation always left me a little disheartened, but still I knew I had been victorious. I was joined a few minutes later by Evie and Leah.

“Oh my gosh you were A-MA-zing!” Evie cried out in her sing-song way.

Leah chortled reddening to the same colour as her hair. Until at last she caught her breath. “I cannot believe you called her G-dog,” 

“Yeah, I wasn't going to be her victim,” I said to them, but then pulled at my drenched sweater. “Ugh, I don't have anything else to wear.”

“I have a t-shirt,” Leah said gleeful, and pulled out a black, oversized t-shirt, which had the words wetlands scrawled across the front in green. “I use it for my environmental science work after school, but today it got cancelled. We don't need to do water chemistry lab until later.”

It looked more like a tunic dress on me since Leah was taller, but it was far better than a wet sweater.  At least I had English and Art class in the afternoon- a lighter half of the day -so I could relax a bit more. The rooms that the classes were held in were usually boiling as they were on the third floor. I considered myself lucky Gina picked today to seek revenge and not the day I had Math for last class when I'd be stuck in the freezing west corridor.

I made a mental note to keep a spare change of clothes in my locker from now on. If I was going to be at this high school for the next two years with Gina, I might need them. I pulled out my emergency kit and used the comb in it to brush back my wet hair and decided to finally use the va va voom lip gloss Coral had given me.

“Ooo you should put on some dark eye liner with your hair slicked wet like that,” Evie said, and pulled out her make-up kit. She helped me with the eyeliner and when she was done I felt like I looked different, pretty almost. My eyes were smoky and I was pleased that I could hide behind them. My hair wouldn’t look like much by the end of the day since getting it wet meant it would probably wave, but I wasn’t going to stand beneath the hand dryer for half an hour with my comb for a half-straight, half-wavy mound of frizz.

Walking down the hallway again there were people casting me sympathetic glances. One of the girls in my science class, Pam, even stopped in the hallway. “You look great Anya,” she said with a smile.

“Thanks,” I said smiling back.

As I walked down the hall, I spotted Rayne and Pearl making their way over to me.

“Anya, are you okay?” Rayne asked subtly.

“I'm fine,” I replied, my eyes letting her know that everything had been taken care of and she shouldn't worry.

“Well you look great Anya. We knew we had to find you when we heard the rumours flying about what happened in the cafeteria today.”

“I totally wish I had been there to throw that coffee right back in Gina's face.” Pearl said. Something about Gina always seemed to bring out her violent side, which was comedic being how peaceful Pearl was.

“You and me both!” Leah said.

Pearl smiled at her. Rayne smiled too and then spoke to them.

“Thanks Leah and Evie for helping Anya out when we weren't there.” She had a saddened expression on her face I knew was the result of feeling guilty. Leah and Evie both looked surprised that Rayne knew their names, especially since she was considered to be a pretty, and popular senior. My human friends suddenly glowed from the small amount of recognition and I was happy for them.

“Of course we would help out our coffee covered girl.” Evie said with enthusiasm.

I wrinkled my nose playfully at her.

“Oh it wasn't that bad anyway. You couldn't have known she would plan to attack me Rayne,” I said. Then I sent a comforting light cloud of emotion to her before she could even apologize, which wiped away any bad feelings she had.

Rayne and Pearl both hugged me and I laughed. “We're so lucky to have a sister like you.” Pearl said, but then bit her lip when she realized she shouldn't have said that in front of Evie and Leah.

“Well we're like sisters,” she said explaining her words.

“Absolutely,” Leah said, “we feel the same way about Anya.”

Rayne and Pearl looked relieved, but I didn't think they had much to worry about. For a moment we were all in a cloud of happiness, and then I felt eyes on the back of my neck. Someone was staring at me and pelting rays of hatred towards the back of my head. I had quite a hunch about whom.

When I turned I could see Gina leaning against some lockers halfway down the hall. Her friends were with her and Merrick was at her side. Her eyes were fixed on me in a deathly glare and so were Merrick's eyes, only his had something wistful about them. I was thankful for the makeup I had put on, it felt like it was a mask I could hide behind.

When Merrick looked at me with such intensity like that, it left shivers along my spine and I felt like I could have melted. I turned away from them brushing back the waves in my face, but I knew I shouldn’t fuss because they immediately fell forward again into my eyes. There was no point in trying to mend things with Gina this early. I could tell there was no way she would agree to a peace.

The weekend was my
favourite part of the week and it was almost here again. I had managed to live down the rest of the week at school without anyone mentioning “the Gina incident”. In fact, I had several sympathetic words from classmates and they mentioned that each year there was an anti-bullying rally at the school they felt I should lead. By Wednesday, people were far too busy thinking about mid-terms. 

It felt like it took forever for school let out, but then I could spend time doing what I wanted in hiding, away from everyone. I had a paper to work on, but I had completed most of the research during the early week. I had delved into it on Tuesday to distract myself from the sick and weird love triangle that I had found myself in the midst.

My parents had mentioned to me that our new neighbour was looking for someone to help her with a few things in her bookstore downtown and that I should speak to her about having a little job on the side. Of course I knew that it wouldn't be an actual part-time job, probably just a few things needed to be tidied or sorted, or maybe even re-priced, but if it meant being paid, then I was definitely interested. I was trying to save up money for an e-reader and if my parents didn't decide to buy me one for my birthday any little bit would help.

So tonight I pulled on my boots, scarf and jacket and slipped my fingers into the red mittens that my mother had bought me. I was trying to add a slight bit of colour to my usually dark attire. It was a short trek across the yards. The muddy earth beneath my feet was similar to a mix of clay causing the brown to seem lifeless and grey. I kicked up a few pebbles closing my eyes and breathing in the moisture of the cool autumn day. It would rain later, I could feel it, and knew that soon it would be ice and snow meeting the ground instead.

The white porch had paint peeling from its surface and bits of wood grain peeked out from beneath its curling and bubbling twists. As she opened the glass door I observed my neighbour closely. Mrs. Keller had long gray curly hair and dark brown eyes. Her nose was small and pert and her high cheekbones quite striking and symbolic of her beauty.

“Hello there Anya,” she said pushing her hair back off her forehead. “It is nice to finally meet you my dear, though I suppose we've seen one another in the yard and said our hellos.”

Walking into her home, I could smell something baking in the oven, something that smelled delicious and sweet. I took a moment to observe my surroundings as I removed each boot. The walls were a mossy green, and there were periwinkle blue coloured pillows on her neutral couch and love seat. The curtains looked like they were
crocheted
in a shade of beige very similar to her sofa and there were lacquered wooden furniture pieces in white and baby blue. What I liked most about her home was that it still felt fresh despite its vintage decor.

She invited me in and offered me a seat in the kitchen, as I walked past the living room a trunk caught my eye. Its entire surface was encrusted with seashells in a beautiful swirl of pattern. Above it a chandelier had oyster shells enchantingly dangling from its surface. I wished that I could run my fingers over the textured surface of each object to feel the residue of the ocean, but it would seem odd.

“Want a chocolate chip cookie?” She asked removing the plastic wrap from the top of a green ceramic plate.

“Yes please,” I said, my stomach grumbling, even though I had eaten an hour prior.

“Well aren't you a cutie. Saying please and all,” She said to me and I smiled from her infectious warmth.

“Thank you. I'm too skinny,” I admitted  before I thought about my confession. The chocolate was warm and melted on my tongue and for a moment I tasted a hint of cinnamon before it was gone.

“Well, that will change soon enough, take two,” she said with a wink. Her earrings glinted from the light shining in through the window and I noticed that they were silver shaped fish with beaded scales.

“I think your earrings are lovely,” I said.

Her long nimble fingers ran over them causing a tingle of music to float into the room. Her grey cat hopped down from the counter and stretched out eyeing me as though I was a threat. It must have sensed my affinity for water, though it wasn't like I could manipulate it from thin air.

She laughed, “Oh, well, I've had these for ages. And don't mind Alvin there, he just gets finicky when all my attention is not devoted to him. So I hear you like to read, Anya?”

“I love to read.” I admitted.

“Well, I own a bookstore in Upper Tantallon, just a small little shop I run a few days during the week, and my son takes care of the rest of the time.”

“Oh lovely.” I said not really knowing what would be an appropriate response.

“Yes, it is a lovely little place. Anyway I'm looking for someone to help me organize the and sort through the piles of stock my son keeps finding for us when its not needed. I can’t walk down an aisle without knocking over twenty books.”

“That would be kind of a pain.” I said.

“You're telling me little lady.” She replied with a twinkle in her eye.

“Anyway Anya, your dad tells me you're a good helper, so I'm wondering if for the next couple of Sundays, you wouldn't mind spending a few hours with me to sort through it all.

“I'd love to,” I replied. My fingers started to tingle at the thought of going through all of those books and finding gems hidden in the piles. Immediately, I started to wonder about first editions and old romance paperbacks with outdated dialogue.

“Great,” she said with a smile.

On Sunday I brought
my camera with me. There was nothing I loved more than taking photographs of old books, especially hard covers. I had asked Mrs. Keller, the day before, if it would be alright and she had agreed immediately, saying that perhaps I could help her put some of the photographs on the website she had started for the store.

I admired Mrs. Keller, she was flexible and ever changing and when she looked at me it was as though she saw the same quality in me. We had managed to get through half of the boxes in the first two hours and had neatly placed them in piles near their appropriate section in the store, then we decided to take a tea break. Mrs. Keller had an ample supply of tea, I settled on blueberry while she filled the kettle.

In addition to paying me ten dollars an hour, Mrs. Keller had graciously offered for me to pick five books that I wanted, free of charge. I didn’t know why she was being quite so nice to me, but I appreciated it, and worked quickly and harder for her as a result. She pulled out a few mugs and I dropped our teabags into them.

“So your mother tells me you have a boyfriend, Anya.” I looked at her, surprised my mother had said anything about Merrick to anyone.

“Not exactly,” I replied. I hadn’t ever called Merrick my boyfriend, nor had I really considered the notion.

“Not exactly?” She asked amused, crow’s feet spreading out on her face with her smile. “I suppose things rarely are what they appear to be.” She continued on, “Especially with the other sex. Males are tricky, but when you find a good one, you’ll know.”

“Let’s hope so.” I said.

“
Ahh, well you have to kiss a few frogs before you meet your prince.” She chuckled. “That much I tell you is true.”

We sat while the tea steeped, taking a break from shifting the books around and bending to lift piles and piles of them.

“
So you like romance and adventure?” Mrs. Keller asked me, noticing the titles of the three books I had gathered and placed as my potential freebies.

“
Yes, I really do.” I said with a smile.

“
Oh well then, what would be your ideal adventure Anya?”

“
My ideal adventure?” I had considered it many times before, probably too many times. I wanted to swim the waters of the world, to explore oceans, and rivers, and lakes, and learn more about the Mer communities there.

“
If you could leave tomorrow, with a pile of money, and do anything you want, what would it be?”

I couldn’t say swim to each and every Atlantean city, so I settled for what would seem most appropriate to say. “I would sail the world. Explore the rivers and oceans; maybe study the wildlife.”

She smiled at me. “Makes sense that you’re a photographer then.” She was right I did like taking photos, though I hardly considered myself an actual artist.

“
I have something you would like,” she said rubbing her index finger along her mouth. “I don’t show it to many people, because it’s been waiting for the right person to come in here for it, and I’m starting to think that it just might be you, Anya. I saw the way you admired my chandelier and trunk. You’re drawn to the ocean like I am.” She disappeared into a small closet next to the cash and returned with something wrapped in string and thick parchment paper.

Setting it on the table a pile of dust flew out from the folds in the paper and I realized that it really had been there for quite some time. I reached forward to help her undo the twine and when she gingerly pulled back the paper to reveal the cover, I nearly gasped aloud in shock. The cover of the book was a seal pelt with an inner square on the front in mother of pearl. Black inky swirls of Mecrutian writing carved into the front of it, read Enchantments of Time and Disposition and around the square were individual pearls bordering like a frame.

“
I’m not sure what the language is, Anya, but it looks to me like it might be something in between Cyrillic and Sanskrit. Perhaps those parents of yours might be able to help you with deciphering some of it.”

“
It’s absolutely breathtaking,” I managed to say.

“
Oh you haven’t even opened the cover yet,” she said amused, “you should see the paintings inside.” Flipping open the cover, there was a word written in
Mercrutian
,
llyruio,
or as we would say modernly, a
grimoire
. T
here were beautiful drawings of Mers and sea life- intricate paintings of fish and dolphins. I ran my fingers over the melding colours impressed with how well preserved the book was.

“
When did you find this?” I asked wondering if she had any indication of what a treasure she had found.

“
A very long time ago my dear,” she said and then immediately began re-wrapping it up. “You mustn’t tell anyone, but your parents about it Anya, it’s a treasure to be guarded. You understand?” She asked firmly.

“
I do,” I replied, suddenly wondering just how much she knew about Mers and Atlanteans. This book had given her a glimpse into our world and I couldn’t gather whether or not she believed we existed.

“Thank you,” I whispered, taking the book from her hands. “I promise to protect it dutifully.”

“
You’re a good girl Anya. I know you will.”

How Mrs. Keller had known to give me such a gem, I didn’t know, but I was incredibly thankful for her brilliance.