Once Upon a Faerie

Birthday Hangover

It wasn't until late the next morning that I was able to stumble out of bed and have a shower. Again looking in the mirror I seemed even more pale than I did yesterday and I my hair seemed more golden blonde rather than a sandy blonde. It must've been the product they used in my hair yesterday, I thought. Considering I had way too many drinks, I didn't feel too awful. I did feel slightly nauseous and was in dire need of a shower and greasy food. But I think once that happens, I will feel good as new. Mum had already sorted breakfast out for us, and I managed to choke some down without vomiting, which was a positive. Lucy ate breakfast and left pretty quickly, which I was slightly disappointed we didn't have time to debrief on last nights events. She said something about work calling her at the last minute for an afternoon shift. As we said our goodbyes, I wandered back into the kitchen where mum, Michael, and Ares stood waiting. I couldn't look Ares in the eye after last night. I wonder if he regretted kissing me or even wanted to in the first place. I feel like the drunk version of me was way too forward and kind of ambushed him into it. When I did meet his eye, he just smiled politely.

"Where is Tom and Kieth?" I said, noticing their missing presence.

"They just went out for a bit," Mum said. "Did you want to sit down? we have some things to discuss," She continued. I was starting to feel a little bit nervous. Like I knew all weekend there was something they weren't telling me, and now when I am feeling a little bit shady after last night, they were going to bring it up. All the possible things it could be started running through my mind as I sat down.

"I guess, what is this about?" I asked

"Uhh... so....." Mum started but couldn't quite finish what she started. "It's about your father, and where you came from," She continued while she was glancing at at Michael and Ares. She looked nervous. I have never seen her look like this before, even when I was learning how to drive and failing at it, she still looked cool as a cucumber.

"Oh my god, Michael isn't, is he... because" I started.

"NO," Mum and Michael said in unison. I looked to Ares, relieved that I didn't just kiss my brother last night. He just had a smirk on his face, obviously thinking the same thing i was.

"Is he alive?" I then pondered out loud.

"No," Mum said again.

"Then what is it?" I was getting nervous now. It seemed serious, but if he was dead, then what could be so serious to tell me like this.

"Well...." Mum was hesitating again. So was Michael infact they just kept staring at each other until it was Ares who broke the silence.

"You're a faerie, Harriet." Ares mused. "And so is your mum, and so was your dad" He continued. I just looked between the three and burst out laughing. None of them started laughing with me, however.

"Good tension breaker, Ares, but seriously, what was it, mum?" She just sighed before answering.

"Ares is right. We are faeries. We have been hiding out here for eighteen years after your dad died. However it was an agreement that you go back after your eighteenth birthday" I just was stunned, this was not a funny joke, I don't know why mum would ever go along with such a joke. "Michael and Ares are here to take you back," She continued. I needed to catch them out on this lie quickly so it wouldn't keep going. I mean, I know i'm obsessed with faeries, but this is just stupid.

"But you... we don't look like faeries, " I said with a smug look, I mean, how are they going to explain this away.

"We use a glimmer on ourselves to fit in," Michael said.

"Prove it then," I said, crossing my arms, this should catch them out. Both Michael and Ares looked at each other before their appearance changed right in front of my eyes. Although they were similar and you could tell it was them, they looked completely different. Their ears were more pointed, their skin pale, even more pale than mine, and their was a small glow about them. Their eye colour was more pronounced, and they did infact look eternal, unaged in a sense. You could tell Michael was older than Ares by more his demeanour than anything, but if you saw them in the street now, they would almost look like brothers. I was speechless. I just started to look between them. How did they do that.

"Do you believe us now?" Ares asked, laughing a little.

"But what about us, mum?" I looked over to Mum, who was still looking nervous.

"Well, because we had to fit in for some time, I had a witch help us make the glimmer more permanent. However, yours would have started to wear off on your eighteenth birthday, " She continued. Thinking back, that explains why I thought I looked paler in the mirror. I just sat there thinking over what was just said to me, what I was just shown. Thinking how all these years, Mum telling me stories weren't just stories, they were probably real-life experiences for her. I felt like I to, angry almost, but also I had so many questions. Why did we have to hide out? How did dad really die? What does she mean go back? But also curious questions like what court do we belong to, where do we fit into the social rankings? Although I wanted to stay and ask these questions, I was also mad and shocked.

"I... I think I need some time to think, " I said, standing up to leave.

"Honey, we need to talk about this," Mum said, tears coming out of her eyes.

"Yes... I know.. I have so many questions... But I need some time to process, " I replied.

"Before you go," Michael chimed in for the first time. "You can't tell anyone about this... not even Lucy. "

"But why?" I replied because that was the exact person I wanted to tell and work through this with.

"Many reasons," He continued. "Just promise." Well, that was vague if anything, I thought.

"Sure, whatever," I said, shaking my head before making my way outside... away from here.