It was now dinnertime, and I was at the table, my eyes fixed upon a hefty serving of meatloaf, overloaded with the rich texture of beef gravy, with mashed potatoes, also flooded with gravy.

"Why didn't you use ketchup?" I asked.

"Gravy is much better, that's why," snapped my mother.

"I prefer ketchup," I protested.

"Just shut up, and eat!" barked my mother. "Don't you dare argue with me, Lorraine Brewster!"

My mother always addresses me by my full name, whenever I'm in trouble. My life is boring. I'm not allowed to have friends over, and I'm an only child. My life is so boring. I hate school so much. I just want to run away. Somewhere far, that I can be me.

With an exasperated sigh leaving my mouth, I ate my meatloaf, soaked in gravy, and washed it down with some grape juice. My dog, whom I consider to be my best buddy, came up towards me, licking my red socks. He is the only friend I have, that keeps me company. What would I do without Bucko? Golden retrievers are the best breed of dogs I know of.

"When you're done eating, you can wash the dishes," said my mother.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Ahem!" said my mother, arms folded.

"Yes, Ma'am.

I don't understand why she has me address her Ma'am. We don't live in the South. This is Montana. I talk how I want to talk. Sometimes, my mother can be a real jerk. Yeah, I keep this to myself, to avoid getting slapped.

I was done eating my dinner, and added some dish detergent to eliminate the gravy. The water started splattering everywhere, dampening Bucko.

"You got the water on too high, you idiot!" hollered my mother. "Turn it down a notch!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" I turned the water down a notch, and made sure every dish was sparkling clean. I put everything away, and just trotted upstairs, with Bucko following me. I entered my room, and closed my white door, and collapsed onto my soft, but messy bed. I let out another exasperated sigh, while my eyes were gazed at the ceiling.

"I just want to to run away. I can't deal with my mom no more."

Bucko laid in the corner of my room, and dozed off. He was always out like a light, that canine buddy of mine. I got up and got my purple comb, and used it to smooth out my sunshine, blonde hair, with my mint green eyes, gleaming in the mirror before me, which made me resemble Avril Lavigne.

My mirror had no smudges of any kind. It was as clear as a windshield on a 1976 Lincoln Continental coupe. I touched my clear spectacle with my finger, only for it to ripple. My eyes were taken aback, as I witnessed this strange observation. I touched it again, only for the same thing to happen. It was like ripples on the ocean. Then, an idea suddenly came to mind.

I could dive into it!

I quickly dug into my closet, to get out my bathing suit, snorkel, goggles, and flippers. I quickly changed out of my aqua blue shirt, dark blue jeans, and red socks, and into my red colored swimwear. I sat down on my bed to put my green flippers on, and my snorkel and goggles.

"Good bye, Bucko, I whispered, fighting back any tears that would fall from my eyes. "Be a good boy, okay? I love you." I patted him gently one last time, and made my way to the mirror. I sighed heavily, and dove into the mirror.

I was now swimming underwater, bubbles coming out of my snorkel. The world before me was a whole lot different. I swam past a school of fish. So far, there were no man eating sharks. This is actually fun! Who knew that you can escape into an ocean from a mirror? This is definitely no dream, I'll tell ya that much!

Coming up, I saw a red headed mermaid, whistling a tune. Intrigued, I swam towards her.

"Hey, there!" I said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Hello!" exclaimed the red headed mermaid, in a jovial tone. "I can tell you are not from around here!"

"No, I am not!" I said.

"Where did you come from, pretty one?" inquired the red headed mermaid.

"This may seem kinda silly, but I came from a mirror!" I replied, bashfully.

"A mirror, you say?" said the beautiful redhead, her eyebrows raised in suspicion.

"That's right," I nodded.

"I see," said the red head. Oh, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself! I am Shreka! And what may your name be, pretty one?"

"Lorraine Brewster!"

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lorraine!" beamed Shreka.

"Likewise!" I chuckled. "Where am I?"

"This is the ocean world, known as Fashara!" explained Shreka. "As you are about to see, this whole world is inhabited by mermaids like me! Under Fashara law, none of our kind is to reach dry land. We are not allowed to engage with the human kind. And, also, we are not allowed to date or marry."

"That sounds kinda stupid, if you ask me," I snorted.

"This is the way of Fashara, pretty one," reasoned Shreka. "Anyone that breaks these laws, shall be sentenced to death."

"Tough, but fair I guess," I said.

"Come, you must follow me to see the queen!"

"The queen?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"That's what I said! Do you have soap in your ears? Come with me, if you please!"

I swam with Shreka, to see the queen. This world seems really strange, but exotic at the same time. At least, I am not a mermaid. I don't have to worry about these stupid laws.

We made it to this place called the Ocean Chamber. "This is where Queen Rosha resides," said Shreka. "This place is heavily guarded by mermaid guards"

"Where are the mermen?" I asked.

"As I stated previously, the only inhabitants are mermaids," replied Shreka, a bit of annoyance in her tone. "I wish you would pay better attention."

"Sorry?" I said, making it sound more like a question.

We swam past the guards, as Shreka told them I was with her. We made it to where an elderly mermaid was right before us, with long, gray hair, and wrinkly skin.

"Halt, who is this girl?" she said.

"Your Majesty, she is no enemy! She comes from a mirror!" said Shreka.

"What is this mirror you speak of?"

"I don't know, Your Majesty," said Shreka.

"You there, swim closer! I must speak to thee!"

I did as as I was told, and swam closer. "Are you the queen?" I asked.

"I am Queen Rosha, ruler of Fashara! And, what is your name?"

"Its Lorraine Brewster, Your Majesty."

"A charming name, if I do say so myself!" chuckled Queen Rosha. "Welcome to my world. Here, you will make lots of new friends with every mermaid here. You will learn to adapt to our way of life. I trust that Shreka has told you our laws?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," I nodded.

"Good!" said Queen Rosha. "Anyone caught breaking these laws, shall be sentenced to death by way of electrocution on the electric chair, which is comprised of electric eels. "Just yesterday, we had to sentence a mermaid for dating a human behind our back."

"Oh, wow," I said, with an uneasy chuckle.

"Here in Fashara, education is very important. Every mermaid aspires to be smart, and has a higher chance of a good life. Fashara Academy is an excellent institution for higher learning. Lunch is served at 11 am, and before you ask, the food is free."

"Cool!" I said. "Back in the real world, I always had lunch money, to buy my lunch!"

"You don't have to worry about that here," said Queen Rosha. "Are there any questions, young one?"

"Yeah, um is there any way I can go back to the real world?" I asked.

"I'm afraid that is impossible," said Queen Rosha. "You said you came from a mirror, yes?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Then, how do you expect to come back home, if you don't know how?"

"You mean I am stuck here in Fashara, forever?" I stammered.

"That is correct, young one," said Queen Rosha.

"What the fish?!" I snapped.

"Language!" scolded Queen Rosha. "Do not use that kind of language, for it is a violation!"

"I can't say fish?" I scoffed.

"Absolutely not!" said Queen Rosha.

"What a load of fish sticks," I said.

"Watch your mouth, young one!" warned Queen Rosha.

"Sorry, Your Majesty," I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"And, you cannot roll your eyes either," added Shreka. "Especially towards Queen Rosha, as that is a sign of total disrespect."

"What the heck kind of world is this?!" I screeched. "I hate it here! I want to go back home! Now!"

"Kindly mind your tongue!" Queen Rosha warned me again. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Yeah, but...."

"Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"You're on thin ice, young one. You just met me, and you're starting to make a bad impression. Now, tis late, and you must get some rest."

"Where, exactly?" I asked.

"The Voyager Inn," stated Queen Rosha. "Its where all mermaids have free accommodations, and they can have free breakfast, every morning. Miss Shreka, kindly show this young girl how to get there."

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Shreka.

"It was nice meeting you, young one!" said Queen Rosha, with somewhat of a creepy smile. "Be on your way! We shall meet again!"

"Yes, nice meeting you too, Your Majesty, heh," I said. I swam along with Shreka to The Voyager Inn. "Queen Rosha gives me bad vibes!"

"Do not speak of her name in vain, pretty one!" said Shreka.

"Is this another stupid law?" I scoffed.

"Yes, pretty one," said Shreka.

"As if I couldn't have guessed," I sighed. We finally made it to The Voyager Inn. There were big clams, that were meant to be as beds for the mermaids. What kind of world is this? How did I get roped into this mess? I wanted to run away from home, but not like this. Not like this! I'm so stupid! I miss the real world. I really do.

"Here is your room," said Shreka. Here is the TV set."

"Where is the remote?" I asked.

"We don't have remotes here. If you want the TV to turn on, just say, 'TV on, and if you want it off, just sat, TV off. Simple enough, isn't it?"

"I guess," I said, with a shrug.

"Well, you have a good night, yes? Be ready for school tomorrow morning. I'll let the school council know about you. Any other questions, pretty one?"

"Nah, I'm all set," I said, gazing at a photo of a mermaid, squeezing another mermaids lips.

"Very well then," said Shreka. "I am off. "Make it a good night, and sleep well, pretty one." With those words, she swam off. This so called bed wasn't the same. It was definitely not like my bed at home. I laid in my clam, experiencing an uncomfortable feeling. This felt like prison.

"So much for this adventure," I said, pouting. "How can someone live in such an environment like this? That queen is nuts. She is so scary looking. How can the mermaids bow down to such an old hag like her?"

If Queen Rosha heard me use her name in vain, I would totally regret it. And, to think, this adventure all started with a mirror. My own mirror, in my own room. Where are the telephones here? How am I supposed to contact my mom? Knowing her, she's probably worried sick about me. And what about Bucko? He cannot stand to be lonely without me.

I had a hard time sleeping. I couldn't take my flippers off, for fear they would float away to parts unknown. If there was a silver lining, it was this.

Glad I am not a mermaid.