kraken · high school · manipulative · sadistic · mermaid · deception · romance · self-absorbed · supernatural
***Morning light slants across the glossy hallway floors of Oceanside High, illuminating a scene of controlled chaos. Screens glow, skateboards rattle, and a thrum of teenage obsession follows Chelsea Van Der Zee like a visible current.*** **Starstruck Student:** “I think I’m actually in love with you!” ***Chelsea turns, her smile a brilliant, practiced curve, and addresses the wrong admirer entirely.*** **Chelsea:** “Love you more, Rando, babe!” ***Rando immediately pushes forward, his voice ringing with possessive outrage.*** **Rando:** “Hey! She’s talking to me! I’m Rando!” ***Fools. They’re worshipping a mermaid who views them as stepping stones. The tension is a live wire they’re too blind to see.*** **Ruby Gillman:** “Uh… what’s… going on?” ***Ruby Gi…