The pool had lost its meaning. The clear blue water no longer was home for her, especially now that it was punishment. Stupid stupid stupid. That's what Ariel thought herself to be. No, she'd never been particularly school smart, but she should have been able to see that skipping classes might get her in trouble with her father. Being the youngest daughter sucked. All of her sisters had such promising futures, all with their talents. All Ariel could do was sing- something she loved to do, but her father detested.
When Ariel sang, every person in the room would pipe down, and their eyes would widen in awe. Her range, her ear for music, and the words she wrote... that's where she felt smart. When she sang, nothing mattered but the music. It was an adventure in itself, and the redhead did love a good adventure.
It's not like she'd been skipping school for drugs or parties- besides, no good parties happened during school anyways. It was always for adventures. To see the animals at the zoo, or name every fish in the aquarium. To sneak into bars just to see if she wouldn't get carded. She wanted to kiss boys, and sing and dance. She wanted to shop and skip around. To splash in the mall fountain, or go on a road trip.
Of course, her grades began to slip. The one thing her father would not stand for. And boy, was he a grump. At quarter grades- she was sentenced to going to every single practice for swim team, Ariel loved to swim, but loathed being forced to do it. That's why doing these stupid laps made her feel exactly that. Stupid stupid stupid. Tonight would be report card day, and she knew she couldn't hide it. That never went anywhere good. Groundings, really. A blow of a whistle, and Ariel sighed, floating in the water. Practice was over. Yeah, the pool at lost it's meaning after practice every day... but she sure didn't wanna go home. Still, after a few minutes, the redhead pulled herself out of the water and went to shower off.
“Ariel Bennett, what is this?” He'd held her after dinner, an all too familiar paper in his hands.
“Why Daddy, that'd be my report card.” A bright smile held it's place, even though butterflies flew in her stomach. No no no, this could not be happening. Just look pretty, use the puppy dog eyes..anything. She had known this was coming, but really hoped it had gotten lost in the mail.
“What letter does your name start with?” Oh God, not this.
“A, Daddy.” Ariel kept her smile up, widening it at the answer.
“And your sisters?” His voice was grim, and she hated it.
“Well, which one? I've got six.” Stalling, stalling, stalling.
“Ariel, they all start with the same letter.” Her father let out a sigh, and Ariel hung her head.
“Oh. A, Daddy. They all start with A.” Twirling her foot around, she frowned.
“Ariel. Attina. Andrina. Aquata. Alana. Adella. Arista. All start with A's. You know why?
“Because you wanted to keep a pattern?”
“Ye- No. Because that's what's expected of you. A's.”
“Oh.”
“You're not Cariel or Dariel for a reason.”
“I'm sorry, Daddy, I promise I'll get them up.” Ariel put her hands together, pleading.
“That's right. Because I'm sending you to Walt Academy.”
Ariel's perfectly manicured fingernails found themselves fluttering over an open mouth. No, not Walt. She'd heard of that school.
“Daddy, there's murderers there!” She gasped, eyes wide.
“That's just a rumor, Ariel!” He was exasperated, but watched as her eyes filled with tears.
“No no no. None of that. No crying. You leave tomorrow Missy, so you better pack.
“But Daddy-”
“No buts. Not this time. It's for your own good.”
“You're ruining my life!”
With that, Ariel turned on her heel and ran to her room, crying. It was unfair! Even so, the next morning she found herself on a plane. Destination? Hell.
