Barely Breathing (Just Breathe) Page 2

  I shrug my shoulders. How would I answer that if it were even the truth?

  I tell him, “I guess it was a dumb idea.”

  His eyebrows raise, “You think so? Starting right this minute you are restricted from everything. You will go to school and come straight home. You will study and catch up, because if your grades are affected by this, it will get even worse.”

  I assent, “That sounds fair.”

  I hear a gasp and glance at my mom who has been silent the whole time. Tears are streaming again, oh great.

  I start to get up with my bowl but my dad grasps my arm, “James I am serious, don’t let anything like this happen again.”

  I nod. What else is there to say?

  Chapter 4

  Ever

  As I follow Alex through the gates to the castle I feel nausea wash over me. What will Seamus say? Am I making the right decision? I know I decided to shake my uneasiness but it is so hard not knowing everything. I tried to ask Alex about what Seamus wants from me but he changed the subject.

  We swim through a massive door that looks like it’s made out of frosted glass. As we continue down hall after hall and turn after turn, Alex glances back occasionally. I give him a thumbs- up each time, and he smiles. I hope I won’t have to find my way back out because I am completely lost. Each hall we turn down is a deep shade of teal that seems to glisten and glow in the water. The walls remind me of those luminescent jellyfish, I’ve seen on the National Geographic Channel, beautiful. Finally we arrive at another massive, glass door. Alex stops and lets me catch up.

  He glances over, “Are you ready?”

  I nod, as ready as I’m gonna get. He grabs the handle and pushes. The door makes a rushing sound as it pushes the water forth. As soon as I can see into the room I notice how immense it is. I am reminded of the ceiling in the entrance to the Erebus caves. It seems to rise forever up into the sea. Across the room are three intricately carved golden chairs with three mer-people sitting in them. This is unbelievable to me. It feels like a fairy tale in the throne room of a palace. Then I feel all three sets of eyes on me. One set I recognize, Seamus. He has traded his fishing get-up for what looks like a sort of tank top and a fin. The other two are strangers, women both to his left. Metea, I assume, seated right next to him is beautiful. Her skin is bronze in color and she has long black hair flowing all around her. The mermaid to the left of her, Mersa, is greying and aged but it is obvious she was once as mesmerizing as her daughter. Both have black halter tops dripping with jewels. Suddenly I feel a hand grab mine. I look down, then up and meet Alex’s eyes.

  He leans over and whispers, “It's alright, come on.” And he tugs me forward.

  I just stare ahead at the beautiful people in front of me.

  Once we are a few feet in front of them Alex bows his head and pulls gently on my hand. I follow his lead and bow my head. I look back up and meet the blue eyes of Seamus. He has a silly grin on his face that crinkles his eyes at the corners.

  He speaks to me, “Ah Ever I knew you would make the right choice. We are very happy to have you represent the Lior.”

  I have no idea how to respond to him so I decide, silence is best.

  He continues, “It is a shame, everything that has happened, but we must move on and learn from our mistakes.”

  I am assuming he is referring to the Jack situation. I start to feel anger settle over me but push it away. Everything that has happened is my fault. I put myself in this situation and now it’s my reality, like it or not. Ugh.

  Seamus brings me back, “Ever?”

  I look up again, “Um yes.”

  “As I was saying, Alex will oversee your training. You must be ready as the Erebus could try to attack at any time.”

  Then a sudden thought occurs to me and I blurt out, “Do you know anything about my brother?”

  He nods sadly, "Yes, unfortunately he has chosen the wrong side. I am very sad that you will have to fight against each other. Things would have been very different had you both chosen your true ancestoral line. But we must face what has been done.”

  With that he dismisses us. Alex pulls me in the opposite direction towards the door. I glance back and meet Metea’s eyes, she is glaring at me. I see a smile meet her lips, no not a smile, more of a grimace that doesn’t reach her eyes.

  Once we are outside of the room, I look down at my hand still in Alex’s and I quickly pull it away.

  He glances down at his empty hand, takes a deep breath and meets my eyes, “Do you think you are ready to start training?”

  I ignore his question and ask, “What will this mean for my brother? He's only seventeen. I can’t fight against him.”

  I cross my arms against my chest.

  He laughs, “Ever, you are really something else…”

  I cut him off, “Really, you’re laughing at this, my brother is my family. I refuse to hurt him.”

  He puts his hand on my shoulder to reassure me but I shrug it off.

  He sighs, "Can we just take it one step at a time right now? Today we will concentrate on some fighting techniques. Nothing is going to happen today.”

  I relax a little then realize what he said, “Fighting what? I can’t fight.”

  He smiles, “Sure you can, let's go to the training room and I will guide you through it.”

  I reluctantly follow him again down halls with twists and turns creating even more confusion about where we are in the castle. I never would have imagined looking at it from the outside, how big the castle actually is. We arrive at a wooden door. Alex pushes it inward and I am faced with a room similar to a gym on land but with every weapon imaginable covering the walls. Many Mer-people are training and they all stop and look in our direction as we enter. I wince taking a deep breath. Way out of my comfort zone right now.

  Chapter 5

  James

  School on Monday brings questions as to where I've been for the past week. In hindsight, I didn't think my story through very well. I go to school with my two band mates and they weren't impressed that I tried to jump ship. I had to keep my story cohesive though, so I fed them the same story as my parents, about joining another band. It's not as if I'm still in the band anyway, my mom has decided that one for me.

  During my third class of the day I am finally getting back into the routine of school. My teachers have all agreed to let me make up the assignments I missed last week. This will at least put my school situation at ease with the parents. As I am listening and taking notes, the classroom door opens so I glance up. The most incredible sight I have ever seen enters the room. She is tall and blonde with aqua blue eyes and a body with all the curves in the right places. Her peach dress stops mid-thigh and her legs go on forever. I can't take my eyes off of her. It's as if time has stopped and she is the only one in the room. She glances around the room. When her eyes meet mine, she smiles and looks away quickly.

  Suddenly I feel an elbow in my arm.

  I break my trance and glance over at Erica, an annoying girl to my right, "Dude, what was that for?"

  "Don't make it obvious or anything, your eyes might pop out." And she rolls her eyes.

  I glare and turn toward the front looking for her again. Where did she go?

  Then I feel a tap on my shoulder.

  "Is this seat taken?"

  I turn to the voice beside me that sounds so perfect and it's her.

  I can't find my voice.

  She stands there staring at me, those aqua eyes boring into me.

  She asks again a little impatiently, "Can I sit here?"

  I nod.

  She sits, leans over and whispers offering her hand, "Hi, my name is Sara Crane."

  I gently shake her hand, "Um... James Harding."

  She smiles and glances forward focusing on the teacher.

  I can't stop staring at her.

  When I see a smile rise at the corner of her mouth, I avert my eyes and look forward trying to concentrate on what the teacher is saying. I swear
all I hear is that Charlie Brown teacher voice.

  I can't stop fidgeting. I tap my pencil and it breaks in half. I pull my hoodie up and slink into my seat trying so hard to think about anything except the beautiful girl sitting next to me. I have enough problems right now to add a girl to the mess.

  As class is ending, I start to gather my things vowing not to look over. Then I feel a tap on my arm again. Oh great, guess avoidance isn't going to work. I glance over and she's staring at me with a questioning look.

  Before I can say anything she asks, "Can we go somewhere to talk, James?"

  Stammering, "Uh, well I have a class next, I um...really can't miss it."

  As I silently kick myself. This chick wants to go and talk somewhere and I am turning her down. What kind of idiot am I?

  She nods, "When will be a good time then?"

  I can't think. "Uh...How about after school, I can meet you in the courtyard."

  "Okay, I'll see you after school then."

  I quickly leave the classroom and wonder, did I do it again, with a 'will'? A month ago I asked a girl out and Ever was sure I influenced her somehow with a 'will', to agree to a date. If that's the case, I really need to get this 'will' thing under control.

  ***

  My last class ends and I am overwhelmed with the immense amount of work I need to make up. I head out to the parking lot where my friend Garrett is probably waiting. I've been hitching a ride with him to school and home this year. I was hoping to have my car soon. It will probably be longer than I'd planned, now that my parents are pissed at me.

  Then I remember, I was supposed to meet the new girl, Sara. I turn around and head to the courtyard. Garrett will probably leave me and I'll have to find another way home, but I need to find out if I used a 'will' again or if she really is interested. This is probably a bad idea, but whatever.

  As I walk out from the building, I spot her. She is sitting on a bench reading. Her hair has fallen across her face so half is shadowed. My breath catches just looking at her. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever laid my eyes on. She glances up and spots me. A smile spreads across her full pink lips. I smirk and start walking toward her.

  "Hi, um Sara right?"

  She nods and pushes her hair behind her ear.

  "James, I wanted you to know that I'm here watching over you, Jaspen's orders."

  My heart falls.

  "Jaspen sent you?"

  She nods, "Yes, he was very concerned that you just disappeared suddenly."

  I sink to the bench beside her, "So you are...a...um..."

  "A mermaid, yes. You seem surprised."

  I shrug my shoulders, "I just...uh...never mind. What does this mean?"

  She ignores my question, "Did you leave the sea on purpose?"

  I look down, "No, I mean I went to sleep in the caves and woke up in my bedroom. I don't know how I got there."

  "You probably' traveled' there while you were sleeping."

  She raises her eyebrows," Wow, that's pretty powerful."

  I look at her quizzically, "Traveled, what is that?"

  "Jaspen never told you about traveling? He was probably afraid this would happen."

  She laughs, "James, you can go anywhere you want in the blink of an eye, if you just 'will' it."

  I look at her incredulously, "Really?"

  She chuckles, "Yes, why don't we try it?"

  She gets up and grabs my hand pulling me to stand up. My heart sputters. She looks around to make sure no one is near, then up at me and tells me, "Okay, ready? Just focus on a place you want to go."

  Her hand tightens in mine.

  I brace myself, close my eyes and focus on the park across the street from the school. I hope no one is there. When I open my eyes, we are standing under the giant sycamore tree in the center of the park.

  She lets go of my hand and a smile spreads across her face, "See I told you."

  I look around still in shock that I brought us here with just my thoughts. Okay, so maybe this mer-man thing isn't so bad after all.

  She turns around in circles and says, "I never get tired of that."

  I ask, "Can you um...travel?"

  She stops and her eyes meet mine, she looks so sad, "No, that is not one of my abilities."

  I don't even know this girl and I just want to gather her in my arms and take any sadness she is feeling away. I hold back and try to think of something to say but I can't come up with anything. What is wrong with me?

  She fills the silence, "Anyway, I guess I will be around for a little while. Jaspen thought you could finish the year out and train on land."

  I ask surprised, "He is okay with me being here, when a battle could break out anytime?"

  She shakes her head, "I guess it could be anytime, but I think he knows more than he's letting on."

  I agree clueless, "Yeah probably."

  I change the subject, "About finishing the year, I'm in pretty deep trouble right now with the parents so I really need to get home before they realize I'm not there, you know come straight home, do not pass go..."

  She smiles, "Sure, how do you think we can work out the training thing then?"

  I shift uncomfortably not liking the only answer to this question that I can come up with, "It will probably need to be at my house when they aren't home, that way they at least know I'm there."

  "Sounds good, give me your address and I will see you tomorrow after school."

  I give her the address and we part. I have a really uneasy feeling about this arrangement. At least I know now that I didn't 'will' her to talk to me. In reality Jaspen did, even worse.

  Chapter 6

  Ever

  I couldn't catch my breath. When we walked into the gym, all the Lior wouldn't stop staring at us. Alex realized how uncomfortable I was and emptied the room. He yelled, "Clear Out" and they all scattered out the door. As I glance around the room my breath is still coming in short bursts. This whole fight thing makes me really uncomfortable.

  Alex grabs my hand and pulls me in the direction of the bows and arrows. I stop and pull my hand away shaking my head, "Alex, I can't."

  He turns to face me lifting my chin with his finger. My eyes meet his, I am terrified and if I don't calm down we all know about my frequency of fainting.

  He asks sincerely, "Ever would you feel a little more comfortable if we were in air instead of water?"

  I shrug my shoulders glancing away, "I don't know if it will make a difference."

  He moves into my line of sight, "I'm going to let the water go, are you ready?"

  I nod taking a deep water breath.

  As the water drains away, I will my legs as he does the same. It's been awhile and my legs feel awkward and weak. I stumble forward but Alex catches me before I can fall. My hand rests on his bare chest. A tiny flutter floats through my stomach, which makes me really uncomfortable along with the fact that I am wearing just my bikini and he is dressed only in a pair of shorts. I push him away and stumble back the other way ending up falling backward on my butt. He looks down at me with the biggest grin.

  I glare up at him, "What?"

  He offers his hand but I refuse and stand back up trying to recover from my bruised ego.

  He shakes his head and turns toward the bows and grabs one from the wall along with a quiver of arrows. He brings them over to me and shows me how to place the arrows around me. He hands me the bow which feels completely foreign in my hands.

  He walks away again and comes back with a set for himself and instructs, "Okay we are going to aim for the target on the far wall." I glance over and see the shape of a mer-person on the wall with a bulls- eye pattern on the head and on the chest. Nausea rises in my stomach and I grimace.

  Alex looks at me concerned, "Ever, are you alright?" I push it back down. I have to do this... Get over it Ever.

  "Yes, just, just go on."

  "Alright, hold the bow like this."

  He holds it out in front of his body and explains, "The middle
part here is the grip, this is where you grasp it with your left hand and take your aim. The sight right above the grip will help you hit your target."

  At this point my stomach is turning around and around. How can I aim this death weapon at anyone? How did it all come to this?

  He continues, "This is the bowstring, the force for the arrow, this is pulled back across your body with your right hand. The further back you pull, the further the arrow will travel. You got it so far?"

  I nod looking at the parts of my own bow.

  "Here let's practice a little before we get to the arrows." He places his bow on the floor and comes around behind me. He places his left hand over mine and his right hand rests softly over my right arm grasping the bowstring. I can feel his bare chest glance my back. That flutter is back in my stomach. I tell myself...Just ignore it, just ignore it...

  "Ever, are you ready?" I nod swallowing a knot in my throat.

  He pulls the bowstring back and moves with me as we release it. Okay I can't take it, this is too close for my comfort. I slide out of his grasp leaving him to hold the bow. He has a hurt look on his face but doesn't say anything.

  I pick up the bow on the floor and state, "Okay got that down, let's get to the arrow part."

  He recovers and pulls out an arrow from his quiver, "The arrow has four parts, the shaft is the main part here." He points to the middle of the arrow.

  "The head is here." He grasps the point.

  "And the last two are on the back, the fletching which causes the arrow to spin and the notch where you hook it to your bowstring."

  I take an arrow out of my quiver and feel all of the parts taking a deep breath.

  "Okay Alex, let's do this."

  He nods smiling. "Hook the notch into the bowstring and pull back like I showed you."

  I do as he says, everything feeling very awkward.

  I focus on the point he told me, right above the grip, pull back the bowstring and release the arrow. It sails through the air landing to the right of the mer-person I was aiming for.