Fractured+Fairytales-+LaLaLa

The Plump Mermaid By: Lauren Woodrell and Autumn Olinger

=Prologue=

Most fairytales begin with a, "Once upon a time..." blah blah blah, and end with an a, "Happily ever after." There is marriage, and unbreakable bonds of love yada yada yada. This so called, fairytale, is not all happy and lovey dovey. Now most of you have heard of The Little Mermaid and Swan Princess, but do you know where those fictional fairytales came from? I bet not! So here it is. The all true story of The Plump Mermaid, yes, plump, and the curse that forever changed me.

During one very doomed spring, I was shackled away by my very loving mother, to the dreaded shore. That was where it all began. The long talks between my mother and Queen Bertha of the kingdom by the sea and the ever growing hatred between me and the conceited Prince Aaron. Thus, bringing around the shear brilliant idea between our mothers. " I have an idea!" Queen Bertha enthused. "Whatever would that be my dear friend?" my mother inquired. "Every spring we shall keep this ritual, where we will talk the night away and our little lovelies will play until their hearts' desire." "What an ever so lovely idea!" My mother almost shouted. //See, when my mother and Queen Bertha come together they talk in this sophisticated talk which really annoys me.// "Darlings!” Queen Bertha shouted. "Yes ma'am?" Aaron and I said at the same time. "What do you dumplings think about spending every spring together here, where the shore meets the water?"

Reading the expression on my face my mother said, "She thinks it is a wonderful idea!" "Splendid! Just Splendid!" Queen Bertha yelped.

‍So, it finally came. The only time of the year that I absolutely dreaded. Here in around six minutes my mom will be swimming in with her face all cheery as she comes to drag me to the dungeon some people call the shore. Not only do I have to go, so does Aaron. I am so over him and his friend making fun of me for my weight, but every time I would tell my mom she would say, "I'm sure that's not true honey, I just think you don't want to go." She had half of it right. "You ready honey?" "Objects yes, mentally no." "You know what, maybe if you lost that sarcasm, Aaron wouldn't make fun of you," she frowned. "And maybe if he would get over his bad self I wouldn't want to strangle him every time I saw him. Plus my sarcasm has nothing to do with it. It's the fact that I am fat and all he likes is girls that are perfect height weight and size. Not to mention the fact he prefers boobs over brains. Heaven forbid he actually grow up and get over his materialistic mindset." "I always knew you liked him." "Really mom!" "What?" she asked all innocently, "I am always right." //Except the one percent of the time when you say stuff like that//. "Whatever mom. Let's just go before I make a run for it and you won't be able to catch me," and with that we were off.

‍"Hello there my dearest friend of the deep! How do you do? Splendid I hope?" ‍//Man she really annoys the salt out of me! Now I have to spend the whole spring with Queen Bertha, chip chip cheerio! Not.// ‍"Just magnificent my dear Bertha!" My mom answered. ‍"My precious Phoebe, why don’t we catch up over a cup of tea and you can tell me how you keep that marvelous complexion of yours. Lillabeth, Aaron is on the north shore anticipating your arrival." //Not.// "Why, thank you Queen Bertha. I have been looking forward to this all year long!" "I am quite pleased and I am sure my little Aaron feels the same," she gave me an unnecessary authoritative nod as she said this. ‍"Sweetheart, you can go find him now," My mom added. //Oh joy.// "I will Mother, have a great cup of tea" I commented as I swam away. ‍

//I can't believe that I am 16 and I am still having to-// ‍"This is just horrible!" I heard as I was swimming to meet up with Aaron, "I mean she is so fat and ugly! I swear she is a whale or something cause mermaid are supposed to be beautiful and, well, hot. She is most certainly not! I thought it was The Little Mermaid, not The Fat, Plump, and Tortuously Ugly Mermaid." As Aaron ended his crushing speech his friends just laughed. They laughed at me. I swam away with tear sting my eyes as I pushed further and further away

‍ I found a part of the shore that was abandoned. I was just sitting there, crying my eyes out when she came up. I had heard that Aaron didn't really like Maid Vicky but Aaron wasn't the person to like any imperfect person, but what always got my attention was that she never liked Aaron either. She came up and took a seat next to me and we just started talking. She gave me this drink and I had no idea what it was but she swore by it so I drank it. I suddenly became very tired and decided it was time for my mom and I to hit the shell and get a good nights' sleep. So I went to find her and I did then we headed to the underwater guest room that Queen Bertha had made just for us several years ago. Even though I was tired I was not hallucinating when my best friend, Charles, a lobster, swam up. After that though, it got murky.

‍I fell asleep that night not knowing what was wrong and when I woke up the next day I felt different but I couldn’t pin point why. I actually managed to avoid Aaron that whole day, with the help of Charles. All day he continued to tell me how much Aaron was wrong but I knew I was fat. I had lived with that for 16 years, I could live with it forever. With that said, why did the comment Aaron make hurt me so deeply? I don't even like the guy for heaven sakes! It did though. It wounded me more than any other comment made about my looks ever did. So why him?

‍It was approaching nightfall on a night of the full moon when I felt it. It was as if I was shrinking and it was then when I looked down and where my fins were I saw them, two legs, two feet, and ten ugly, little toes. Utterly confused, I tried to stand up, but with a wobble I fell with a splash. After multiple tries, I was able to stand long enough to see my reflection, but it wasn't me. There was the image of a tall, skinny red head. She was perfectly proportioned and stunning. She mirrored every move I made. It was then that Maid Vicky came out from behind a huge rock. "That drink really did you well. Didn't it honey?" she slithered. "What are you talking about?" I interrogated. ‍"That drink. Easily my best work, by far." "You did this?" "Precisely! It will only last during the night." "So you are saying that I will only be in this beautiful form during the night and be my fat ugly self during the day?" "Yes," before she walked away she said, "with all beauty, my honey bunch, comes sacrifice. You are not to lie and not to tell of this spell or you will die. To have the choice of fate, you are to be kissed by the one who can truly love you, flaws and all, before the next full moon. If not you will have no choice but to be destined as an ugly, fat mermaid for the rest of eternity. Though if the one meant to love you, pledges his ever dying love to another, you will disappear. Then you will be invisible to the living eye only to wallow in despair till your love perishes," with the snap of her fingers, she vanished.

Aimlessly, I wandered the beach thinking out loud, "So, now that I am beautiful, I can work it to my advantage. I have always said that Aaron was going to get what came to him, and now I was going to be just that. I will work him and then crush his heart all while trying to find my love. That can't be to hard now that I am beautiful . Right?" I was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. When I turned around it was Aaron.

"I am sorry to intrude on you and your thoughts madam, but I was quite certain that I heard the voice of this really wretchedly plump mermaid, Have you happened to see her?" He asked with annoyance. //*cough cough*// "Why no prince Aaron, I haven't." I almost sang. hearing his name he looked at me, and for the first time since he so rudely interrupted, he saw me. Entranced by my obvious allure he stuttered,"Why if you know my name i am sure I should know know yours, but since I do not would you mind gracing me with speaking your name?" "If my name is what you seek, I seek something in return," I challenged. "And here I was knowing my presence was enough to satisfy anyone, but I will match anything it is you quest for." "What if I asked for the a honest, truthful answer?" I dared. "Well then that will be what I give you. Your wish is my command." "What is the essence you treasure the most in a girl?" "Beauty," he answered easily. "What kind of beauty?" "You know. Beauty. There is only one type of beauty. Everyone knows that," he stated. //Obviously not anybody, otherwise I wouldn't have asked.// "Of course," I responded, "now are you gonna invite me to dinner or not? "Definitely!" Aaron enthused. "Lead the-" "Wait, you never graced me with your name." A sly look overcame me as I watched his jaw hit the floor when I said: "Lillabeth."

//Of course he would treat me to a fish buffet.// "Umm.. I don't eat fish. Do you have any other options?" I asked, mortified. "Why do you not eat fish?" "Long story." "I have time for you." "I know but- It's just this thing that links me to fish and I find it immoral to eat fish. Almost like I am being a cannibal. You now that feeling?" "Well. No. But what is this thing that links you to the fish?" he quizzed. I carefully though of an answer and blurted out, "fish are people too!" "Excuse me?" He asked under raised eyebrows. "Fish are people too," I repeated. "Okay as long as that doesn't include this mermaid I know." When I didn't answer he changed the subject. "Nevermind that, we will go somewhere else to eat," he continued. "Sounds great," I said in a short monotone.

Who would have thought that someone you hated with a burning passion could be the one person you relate to the most. After the long talks and silences I experienced that night I saw Aaron in a whole new light. As conceited and arrogant he is, he is also sweet, understanding, and capable of compassion (something I never thought possible). When I left his castle I yearned to tell him more. I yearned to tell him the truth, but I knew I couldn't. By the way he looked at me I had this gut feeling that he didn't want me to leave, or maybe that was just me wishing. I wandered the shore frantically as I searched for the answers I wanted, but I found nothing. Just as the sun began to set I began to feel parched. I went and put my feet in the water and as the sun emerged I fell with a splash and was me again. Right after I fell Aaron rounded the corner and appeared from behind the massive rock that Vicky had hidden behind not to long ago. "O, it's you," he muttered, noticeably disgusted. "Yeah it's me." Before he turned to walk away, I spoke out against my better judgment, "hey Aaron?" "What?" "Do you believe that people change?" "Well, I'm not sure. Why do you ask?" "I just, there is the person that I use to despise. Now though I saw yo- that person, through different eyes, and now I can't stop thinking about him." "Well maybe you found someone who you really like. Now it's the trick of finding out if he likes you." He spoke with such wisdom, I was almost speechless. Almost. "Maybe. Out of curiosity, who were you looking for?" I questioned. "Who said I was looking for anyone?"he said on the defense. "Well you obviously weren't looking for me, so that could only mean you were looking for someone else." I reasoned. "I will tell you if you promise not to utter a word to anyone else. Promise?" "Promise." "Well last night I met a girl, but calling her a girl really doesn't do her any justice. She is beautiful! Her eyes are like a freashly manicured meadow, her hair is a ruby red and hangs at shoulder length. Like yours. And she is tall and just bewitching." "She sounds perfect for you." "But that's the thing! I see more than that. She is smart, and funny. Her morals astound me. The thing that gets me is that i can talk to her and just be me. With no embellishments. Me. I have never been able to do that. I really like her. i think I am falling inlove with her," he finished. "You can talk to her?" "Yes" "Kind of like what we are doing right now?" Puzzled he said, " Yes, just like it." While he was walking away he turned,"i thought your name was like, a one and only. That your dad came up with it so that nobody would have it.' "It is," I pressed on, "Why do ask?" "That was her name." "Maybe you heard her wrong." "Yeah maybe," he said, lost in thought.

As soon as Aaron disappeared, I dived into the water to go find Charles. I found him not to far of shore working on his latest drama. "Charles!" With a jump he turned around, "You scared the shell out of me!" "O, sorry..." 'It's fine. Now what is so important that you bother me while I am in the zone?" "It's a guy." I said looking at the sea floor. "Well, who is it? Lill, you know I hate it when you don't just spit out what you are thinking." "It's Aaron." "What did that shark say to you know?" "Nothing bad... I think I love him." "WHAT?" he shouted. "You know you can't do this!" "But I can." "No you can't!" "Meet me at the surface before the moon rises tonight. It will be obvious." "Why can't you just tell me?" plainly annoyed. "I can't." "You could if you wanted." "Actually, I couldn't. I have found a loop hole and you will be able to know and help guide me. Just trust me this time! Please!" I pleaded. "Okay" he said in an ephithetical tone, "I will see you tonight." I swam to the surface once again and wondering why I thought this place was such a dungeon in the first place. Night began to fall and I watched as the moon began to rise. As weird as it was I had huge sea of shrimp in my stomach and I clutched my stomach and I was the new me.

"Oh. My. Trinton!" Charles yelped. I was caught off guard but managed to say, "yeah, I know. Weird, right?" "Amazing! How do you do it?" "I actually don't do anything, it just happens. I am under a spell by a maid in Aaron's castle named Vicky." "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, hurt. "I couldn't. “Why was that?” “It is part of the spell. I cannot lie.” “Well that is, challenging… especially if you love him.” “I said I think I love him. Not that I am one-hundred percent positive. There is a huge, no massive difference!” “But I am sure that you love him,” Charles said in a matter of fact tone. “How do you know?” “I can see it in your eyes. Plus you are more uncertain then you have ever been.” I knew he was right, I just didn’t want to admit it, so I walked away and went to find Aaron. Something I would find myself doing as a habit.

After about three weeks I got into a routine. My feelings became more evident to me, Charles, and surprisingly my mom. She still didn’t know about the spell but she had her suspicions. I began to worry that Aaron wasn’t catching on, or just thought of me as a spring fling. The clock began to wind down on me until I had a little less than 2 days for him give me a kiss of true love. I was supposed to be attending his birthday gala. Everything was going according to plan until I made one big mistake.

During the gala, Aaron stole me away for a walk on the beach. We walked and talked for around 30 minutes and then he turned to me. We stopped and he looked deep into my eyes. For the first time I felt like he was actually looking at me. Not the beautiful me, but the real me. He leaned into kiss me, I fell into his embrace and melted. When he pulled away he was frowning. "What? Did I do something wrong?" "No, you just taste like... umm... fish." "Oh my Triton! I am so sorry!" I yelped mortified. "It's o- wait only my Lillabeth says that.' "Your Lillabeth?" "Yeah, My mermaid friend." "I thoug--" then I collapsed. Breathing became impossible and when I sneaked peak down to where my legs should have been it was a tail! A victorious shout arose from nowhere, "I win!!!!" I looked up and Aaron was standing above me with a look of concern mixed with confusion. "You kissed another and now she will die!" An evil cackle came from her throat. "But he kissed me," I exclaimed breathless "No he kissed the fake you! not you." Aaron stood up and protested, "If I knew it was my Lillabeth i would have kissed he in her true form. It is her that I truly love." "It is too late!" "Not if I kill you before she gives her last breath!" "You are no match for me!" "O yeah?" "OOOOO yeah!" //Will you hurry it up please!// Aaron picked up a rock and threw it at her but Vicky dodged it and said some weird words and a beam of green toward Aaron. Aaron ducked with a role on the sand and charged her taking out Vicky's knees. With a flick of her wrist she had a wand and threw Aaron out into the water. All of the sudden my mom came out of the water and saved Aaron. My mom brought him to the shore where Aaron charged after Vicky once more and took her wand. He threw it out to my mom who through it even further out into the sea, never to be seen again. "I don't need a foolish wand to beat you!" Vicky cackled. She sent Aaron flying threw the air again and he landed against a rock. Thinking she won, Vicky began to celebrate but Aaron rose and catapulted a rock at the back of Vicky's head. Vicky lapsed to the floor and a huge black cloud blanketed Vicky and she was gone. Just like her wand she was never to be seen again.

Epilogue Well just as Vicky was promised had to be made for the curse to be broken. Aaron gave up his good looks and human legs and I gave up dessert. I am now in a size six tail and we are happy. I also was kissed by the one person who can love me flaws and all. Still no little merkids swimming around but like all the other fairytales (even the fictional ones like The Little Mermaid and The Swan Princess) We all lived... =Happily ever after!=