The Heart of the Ocean
A String of Decisions

“It’s okay to be sad

after making the right decision.”

The bell rang loudly in the hallways of Seaworth’s High School, marking the end of yet another boring day. Aide returned to school after a few days, having successfully passed Alexandra’s supervision. Honestly, she loved her crazy grandmother and her intense personality, but she was happy to finally get out of the house. Let’s just say, overprotection leads to embarrassing questions that can make your ears blush with shame.

As she packed her books and got a hold of her bag, Aide couldn’t help but count the days until the weekend. Truth be told, she wanted to run to the beach and spend more time with her merman like she did these past few days. Sneaking away from Nana surely wasn’t easy but it was definitely worth it. However, now that she was back in school, things had gotten a bit more difficult for them.

Aide had to attend her classes in the morning and catch up with the homework she had missed. Apparently, her assignments had been piling up, creating an insufferable mountain she had to fill in. She wished they’d disappear or even better be done by themselves –perhaps, there was a chance if she meditated hard enough? Oh, damn! Who was she kidding? It was too good to be true.

Evander wasn’t in any better position either. He had told her during the last time they had met that he had a huge fight with his brother for losing training sessions. When you want to become a royal guard, you do not have the luxury of slacking –at least, in Amias’ opinion. His brother didn’t know he had found his beloved –he didn’t want to hear “the silly excuses” that have been keeping him away from the training fields. His dismissal and disappointment had fueled Evander’s anger –he’d been training like there’s no tomorrow just because he wanted to prove himself and rub it on his face.

Aide came out of her thoughts as she joined the river of departing students. She cringed internally at the people that surrounded her –they were pushing her and squeezing her. It was getting on her nerves. She let a breath of relief when she passed the school’s gates –she hated when foreign people were too close. Of course, she allowed people to hug her and be in close proximity with her –however, it was uncomfortable when they weren’t her relatives or friends.

“There you are”, a familiar voice greeted her.

A small smile appeared on Aide’s face as Aileen appeared in front of her. The red-haired grinned at her, before taking a hold of her arm.

“I thought we had different classes today”, Aide raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you supposed to be home?”

“Well, yes”, the red-haired bit her lip nervously, “However, there was someone that wanted to talk to you and asked for my help.”

Aide’s nostrils flared in anger.

“She can’t even talk to me by herself?“, she asked in frustration, “Why do you have to be a messenger?”

“Aide, please, just give P a chance”, Aileen sighed deeply, “I know she’s at fault, her behavior was awful. But you are the logical one –you’re the one that can make things right. She’s extremely stubborn but she did ask me to talk to you –you’ll have to recognize that this is a first step from her side.”

Aide shook her head in denial –her fingers combed through her chocolate locks in frustration.

“I’m tired, Ail”, she finally said, “Perhaps, I want to be illogical for once. Maybe I don’t want to deal with Petra’s bullshit anymore. I’ve been doing it for a while and it has exhausted me.”

“I understand that, it’s just...“, Aileen played with her fingers nervously, “...you’re both my friends and I love you. I don’t like when you two fight and follow separate ways. I don’t have many things that are constant in my life –everything is changing, people are leaving. I don’t want you to leave too.”

Aide’s chocolate eyes softened at her words.

“Oh, my dear”, she hugged the red-haired tightly, “We aren’t going anywhere.”

“You had a huge fight”, Aileen pointed out.

“We fight all the time, Ail”, she patted her back comfortingly, “That’s what friends do; they fight, and then, they forgive each other. We are just different people –it wouldn’t be normal if we agreed on everything.”

“I- I don’t like it”, the red-haired stuttered anxiously, “Please, just talk it out. I don’t want to choose between you two. I just want things to be like before –we can hang out at my house, watch movies, and eat junk food. Just, please, Aide, do something about it.”

Aide sighed deeply. She didn’t want to apologize –she felt like an idiot. She just wanted Petra for once to realize her mistake and act maturely. She was tired of her behavior –she had forgiven her time and time again but she didn’t show any sign of change. However, she knew she wanted her in her life –damn it, she was a dear friend to her. Petra was immature, wild, and stubborn but she was also a supportive and loving friend who made them often have fun and laugh until their cheeks hurt.

Aide did love her –flaws and all.

“I’ll talk to her, Ail”, she finally said, “I’m just not ready yet. She really hurt my feelings and I...I just need some time.”

The red-haired gave her a smile of relief, her emerald eyes seemed to glow with happiness. Aileen knew it wasn’t much but at least, both Petra and Aide wanted to solve this out. Probably, another person wouldn’t be so worried about an argument between friends – especially, if it was a frequent condition.

Arguing with the people we keep close to our hearts is not necessarily a bad thing. At first sight, it may seem that there is a rift in a relationship –that people drift away from each other. Nevertheless, fights are an outpouring of emotions that we have been trying to control for a long time. Sometimes, in our effort to protect those close to us, we behave in the wrong way. We use the wrong words, we shout, we cry, we leave-we hurt those that are close to us. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t love them.

As Amias watched his brother fight in the training fields, an overwhelming emotion of pride filled his chest. He knew Evander was pissed at him –he probably thought he enjoyed torturing him. Honestly, he didn’t want to pressure him. Amias didn’t enjoy fighting with his younger brother. He was hurt by the look Evander was giving him –a look of betrayal and broken trust. However, he had to be strict with him, no matter how much it hurt him.

This was his brother –the bond they had was stronger than the common blood flowing inside their veins. He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if something happened to him. Being a royal guard comes with a heavy price –it might be a great honor but it is also extremely dangerous. You put your life at stake in order to protect your city and your king. Perhaps, Amias was overprotective –maybe, he was too harsh on him. However, he’d be damned if he put him in harm’s way, while he wasn’t ready.

His golden eyes sparkled in mischief as Evander avoided the extended nails coming his way. He crouched swiftly down avoiding the tail that was coming with force toward him. With swift movements, he appeared in front of his opponent like a snarling beast that had been unleashed. He expertly hit him with his trident’s handle, making his enemy swim backward. Before he could move too far though, Evander’s hand wrapped around his neck, blocking his gills and making him gasp for breath. The merman was forcefully pushed to the rocky bottom, where he surrendered desperate for air.

“Well, that was impressive”, Osmond commented from beside him, “Your brother is an excellent fighter.”

Amias’ chest swelled with pride and his posture straightened.

“Thank you, general”, the brother nodded, “He’s been training more since the last time you saw him. His improvement is clear.”

“Indeed”, the general hummed, “When is his acceptance ceremony?”

Amias’ head turned so quickly, it was a miracle his neck didn’t break. His golden eyes widened in surprise –his mouth opened in a silent scream.

“M-my Lord?”

“He’s one of the best warriors I’ve ever seen and believe me, Captain”, a small laugh escaped Osmond’s lips, “I’ve seen too many mermen fighting.”

Amias shook his head in denial –a few brunette locks escaping his bun and floating in the water.

“He still has room for improvement”, he insisted firmly.

“You’ve tortured the boy enough, Amias”, Osmond patted him on the back, “There are less-skilled guards than him –Evander is truly exceptional. You’ve tested them for a shorter period of time too. It is time to move on and accept him in the royal guard.”

“B-but”, Amias whispered in despair, “He is not ready yet!”

“Is he not?“, Osmond raised an eyebrow, “Or aren’t you?”

The two mermen turned to the scene in front of them. Evander was surrounded by multiple guards who wanted to congratulate him on his victory. He seemed to be engaged in a comfortable conversation with them as he laughed loudly at a comment one of them made. He fitted perfectly with them, even though he still couldn’t wear their armor.

“You cannot hold him back forever”, the general pointed out, “You have to let go of him –give him the chance to make his own choices.”

Amias’ fists clenched –his heartbeat accelerated.

“I know”, he agreed, “I’m just scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“Scared of losing him.”

Worried golden eyes clashed with vibrant yellow ones.

“There are a lot of ways to lose a person, Captain”, the general said, “You’ll do well to remember that.”

Before he could answer, Osmond left his side. Amias watched as his purple tail led him away, leaving him with his thoughts. Confused and exhausted the captain of the royal guard, left the training fields shortly after. He just needed time and space to think clearly –he needed to overcome his fears and make a decision. He knew he couldn’t do this to his brother –he couldn’t refuse him a place he had rightfully won.

As he swam slowly through the streets of Atlantis, he realized Osmond was right. His brother was more than ready to join the guard, but he wasn’t ready to let him go. However, he’d have to realize that Evander wasn’t a child anymore –he couldn’t control him. He was a grown man –he was more than capable to take care of himself. And yet, for Amias, he would always be his younger brother. He’d have to eventually get over it and let Evander breathe.

Lost in his thoughts, he wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. He fell onto a solid surface, realizing it was a person when a small sound escaped them. Being a warrior, he wasn’t affected –in fact, he hadn’t moved an inch. Although, he couldn’t say the same for the other person, who was laying on the rocky ground while trying to realize what had happened. He offered a hand to help them.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t watching where-”

His nostrils flared.

Golden eyes met emerald ones.

Mate...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

End of chapter 13!!

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