There's always a price to pay, least that's what my mother says. The price my mother paid was high, she lost her status, her life, and found herself spurned by a handsome prince. And what about me? What price have I paid?

Well, as the daughter of Ursula the sea witch, I wasn't exactly loved. Although, I'm not sure if that's even real. Love seemed more like a concept for people, who are good. And I sure wasn't good.

My mother seemed to disagree, as she deemed me the consistent disappointment of her negligent eye. I would never be evil enough, never have her title as a Sea Witch.

I was no Ursula, thank gods. I couldn't live if my mother named me Ursula 2.0. The gods must have smiled down on me for once when she named me Uma. A name I was quite fond of and fit me perfectly. It was probably the best and only thing my mother has ever given me.

I excel in most everything I do, and yet it's never good enough for her. Okay, maybe my potion game wasn't exactly the best. In my defense, having a person screaming at you while you're trying to place the ingredients you need to add is not helpful, at all.

It didn't matter, soon I would no longer be paying any price. I would be free, free of my mother, and this dreaded cavern. I planned everything perfectly, I grabbed the enchanted potion from her shelf, the one I was never allowed to touch or make. The potion that caused her downfall, the one that would make me human.

I felt weird, I was going out into the vast unknown. I was so used to running away, Mother never letting us stay in the same place. We were always running, without a course, without a home.

It sounded so fun, who doesn't love a daily adventure? Well, I wasn't exactly ever allowed to leave, and my mother isn't the Mother/Daughter bonding type. Or into acknowledging my existence in general, or at all if we're being more specific.

The only thing I had available for social interaction, was my 'brothers' Flotsam and Jetsam. Both dreadfully annoying little creatures, my mother called her babies, although they were just glorified minions.

They were always watching me, a strange contrast compared to my mother's neglect. I hated them because they always managed to get my mother's attention. Something, I've tried for years to obtain, before finally just giving up.

Mother was gentle with them, although still cruel. She showed them affection, I'd never been familiar with. It made me furious. I didn't know why I was evil. I didn't need things like love and affection. And somehow, the emotions of anger and jealousy always seemed to cloud my mind.

Why was I thinking about this now? I'm so close, to my goal. I can't find myself brought down by silly thoughts of a past I'm trying to leave behind.

When I first went to the surface, I took a deep breath and analyzed my surroundings. I made the mistake of looking up and having my eyes burned by a bright yellow ball in the sky. I blinked rapidly looking down as my vision became clouded with strange colored spots.

I made a note to myself, hoping I'd remember to never look at that thing directly again. Now, I was laying on a rock next to a beach, the potion I held in my tentacle would be gone, I wouldn't have any trace of my old life. I take a swig of the potion, my head held back, and it all goes down.

I feel a strange sensation below the waist and feel a sharp pain. A light emits from my tentacles and almost in an instant, I see two human legs before me. I wiggle my toes excitedly, I was human!

I tried to get up, using my hands but the wobbling of my legs caused me to slip, my hand rubbing roughly against the rock cutting it. Ow!

I look down at the scrape on my hand and feel relieved it wasn't big. It was bleeding, but not fatally. It wasn't really noticeable either, it was just there. I spend a minute or so thinking about how I was going to get off the rock and onto the land before me.

I suddenly hear a shocked gasp behind me, and I turn hesitant, my dark brown eyes meeting ocean blue.

"Who-Who are you?" I hear a voice inquire afraid.

How do I handle this situation? I roll my eyes in annoyance, I didn't think I would have to deal with a human so soon. I couldn't come off as aggressive. I had to play it safe, I shutter internally, I had to act 'nice'.

"I could be asking you the same question." I imply with a prickly smile.

So much for nice. She looked at me shocked, unsure of how to respond. Her demeanor changes instantaneously, as she decides to go with a different approach.

"I'm Melody." She informs with a sunny smile, "It's okay if you don't tell me your name. I don't want to scare you."

Scare me? I looked at her and scoffed, slightly offended.

"Uma." I sneer flippantly.

"Uma?" She responds appearing to be in deep thought as if she was completely unaware of the contempt I felt for her,"I like it." She decides.

Aww, Thanks, I super needed your approval. Still, I felt a strange feeling of happiness at the compliment. A compliment I realize may actually be the first I've heard in my life. My mother's usual response to anything, well anything about me was an insult. I was never complimented, ever.

"Are you a mermaid?" She asks me excited curiosity evident in her voice.

"Maybe," I say uncomfortable with the question, this girl was too prying. I had to watch what I say. I couldn't lose my patience, and I definitely couldn't give this girl actual information about me.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologizes nervously. "I'm prying, I apologize."

"It's just," she continues, "Our world is so boring, I'm sure you have so much more fun under the sea." Her eyes glimmer in delight and she starts listing all the fun things to do down here.

"I see you're a fan." I note, "Why so much interest in what's going on under the sea?"

"Oh, I'm half human, half mermaid." She mentions shyly. "My mother doesn't actually talk about it, but I hear stories."

"Stories?" I ask, and she nods in response.

"The mermaids at our school, they talk about home a lot."

Wait, she's interacted with mermaids before? Then why is she acting so...well excited being in the actual presence of a real mermaid?

"From the way you speak, I'm surprised." I say feeling puzzled, "You must have a lot of experience with mermaids."

She looks down sheepishly and kicks the sand at her feet.

"Well, I um, I'm not exactly popular," she admits, "Or have any mermaid friends or any for that matter."

"I'm shocked," I respond sarcastically but she doesn't acknowledge it and continues.

"I don't really fit in, anywhere." She sniffs sadly, looking back up from the sand.

"I've never had the chance to try." I console, and she looks at me with pity and my anger flares. She wipes a tear, that must have leaked from her eye and changed her expression looking deep in thought.

"We could be friends," she offers, "I mean if you want to." She says playing with her hands nervously.

"I'm not really the friend making type." I clarify, hoping she'd drop this friend talk.

"I know how you feel," She responds sadly.

Oh gods, is she trying to relate to me?

"My life is really lonely." She claims, in a sullen tone.

I scoffed internally, no way her life could be as lonely as mine.

"How do I use these things?" I ask pointing to my legs and changing the subject.

"Oh, um," She speaks trying to think of an answer, " I guess you're kind of stuck there."

"Stuck?!" I exclaim, "Am I trapped here?"

"No, I'll figure out something." She says, "Maybe a rope to help pull you? You probably need clothes too."

I look down and thought how strange it was to not see my tentacles. I was human now, and humans wore clothes. I could no longer just rock a seashell bra. I was planning on swiping some clothes when I was inside a human village, but this option was much better.

"Yeah, I could do with some clothes."

"I'll be back." She says, "Wait here."

"Yes, because I'm so able to leave."

"Sorry," She says and runs off, leaving the beach.

I waited, reluctantly looking at the sea. I could never go back now. It wasn't like, I was able to do so much there. I spent most of my time trapped in my room, or studying, and occasionally catching dinner for the night. But still, I was a sea witch, the sea would always be my home.

She came back, with a rope in one hand and a bag in the other. She placed the bag on the ground and threw over the rope. She managed to aim it perfectly atop the rock I was now perched upon. I grabbed the rope and she pulled as I crawled.

I made it to the sandy beach, I lay down my body feeling warm from the hot sand. My body feels warm I was finally on land. Melody draped a towel over my lower region and took out the articles of clothing from the bag. She instructed me on how to put each item on and walked away to give me privacy. I stared down at the clothes, a teal dress the same color as my hair, and black shorts I had to use as something called underwear. Strange.

There was also something she called shoes, they were a pair of flip-flops, that was a little big.

"I'm done," I yell now fully dressed.

Melody runs over, and grabs her bag from the sand and puts the towel she placed over me earlier inside of it.

"We should go to my school." She encourages with a beaming smile, "Auradon Prep."

"School?"

"A place where people go to learn, with other kids." She says, "Did you not go to school?"

"No, my mother taught me."

"Oh," she mumbles, "I'm sure you'll love Auradon Prep, It's such a lovely school!" She gushes, although the excitement in her voice doesn't reach her eyes.

She lists everything Auradon Prep has to offer and smiles.

"I'll explain your situation to Fairy Godmother." She explains, "I'm sure she'll let you transfer." She informs confidently.

"Transfer?"

"Be able to go to our school." She states.

Going to school wasn't exactly, something I planned in my escape. But I was curious, to see what it was like. I was never allowed around other children, or have fun. It wouldn't hurt to try. Right?

Plus, the fact I had nowhere to go. I knew nothing of this whole new world. As much as I hate to admit, I'm not even sure if I'll manage to survive.

Mother was awful, and my home life wasn't ideal. But it was familiar and I was able to function. This world, you couldn't just find a cave and call it home. Or so I've read.

"Oh, sure I'll go with you, and try out this school thing."

She smiles brightly and helps me up from the sand. I lean on her and she supports me as we both walk.

Before we reach the exit of the beach, which was a barbed fence, I abruptly stop and look at her.

"You can't tell anyone, where you found me."

"Oh of course," she agrees, "My mother would kill me if she knew I was anywhere near the beach!"

"Why?" I ask confused.

"She always thinks Ursula the sea witch, is going to come out the water and kill me." She jokes and laughs.

Uh Oh, I had a feeling, I know exactly who this Melody was.

"Ursula?" I ask innocently, praying my face didn't show a reaction earlier.

She looks at me surprised, I didn't know who it was. I portray a look of naivety, praying she didn't catch on. I definitely knew who Ursula was her being my mother and all.

"Ursula is an Evil Sea Witch, she tried to kill my parents." She says, "She even tried to marry my dad!"

I remember that story going differently, my mother being the one that died.

"Sounds horrible." I comfort falsely.

"She even took my mother's voice, so she couldn't get my father to fall in love with her." She divulges sadly.

"Well, body language is always the way to a man's heart," I say and then bit my tongue.

Melody looks at me feeling skeptic and lifts her brow in thought. She shakes her head, whatever thought she had abandoned.

"She sounds awful, that Ursula." I offer, faking sympathy.

I did think my mother was awful, but because of her parents, I had to live with her abuse. To run my whole life.

"Yeah," Melody says and we walk again in silence.

By the time we got to Auradon Prep, my legs no longer felt stiff. I was still a little wobbly but I was able to walk on my own.

Auradon Prep was grandiose and ornate in appearance. The only real flaw was the people. There was no thrill, no lust for adventure in their eye. They were completely ok with staying in the same place forever.

I know, I should get used to it too. I couldn't go back to the sea, ever. It's just everything here seems so planned out, just like my life at home.

We finally reached Fairy Godmothers office and pleaded my case. Melody informed her I was formerly homeschooled under the sea and didn't really have any school experience. But she assures fairy godmother who looks at me hesitantly.

"It's the middle of the school year Melody." Fairy Godmother states with a look of frustration.

"I know, but you let the VK's go here." She argues, "Why not her?"

VK's? What did that mean? Fairy godmother had an exasperated look on her face as if Melody and she have had this argument regarding these VK's before.

"Fine, but she dorms with you." She reluctantly agrees.

"Thank you!" Melody says excitedly

"I'll figure out a schedule for you, Uma." She tells me with a welcoming smile. "You two come back tomorrow."

Melody nods, and excitedly grabs my hand and walks us out.

"We did it!" She says, "You're officially an Auradon Prep student!"

"That seemed suspiciously easy."

"I guess my status has some merits." She jokes humorously.

Oh yes, I forgot. She's a princess...All that power and she used it for me...

I can't let myself get caught up in silly emotions. I-Wait, what did I have to do?

I was no longer consumed by my mother's rules, I somehow managed to even make a 'friend'. Granted, I'm still debating whether I should get revenge for her family causing my mother's downfall. And the whole dooming me to my fate thing.

We walk the hallways and come across a group of people who stuck out like a sore thumb. Melody's body froze, and she turned in the other direction. I glance at her confused, and she whispers in my ear.

"Don't look, those are VK's."

"VK's?"

"Villain kids, they're exchange students, but..." She trails off, and I look back to the group.

One boy catches my eye, his eyeliner is dramatically overdone, and he's wearing a shirt full of holes. And he has a hook in his hand, he's holds on to it, as if he die without it. From the corner of my eye, I can see Melody's eyes widen in fear.

"That's the son of Captain Hook." She whispers.

She expects me to recognize him, but I don't and she explains.

"His dad is a pirate, although not a good one."

"Pirate?" I repeat curious.

"They steal, bring terror, sail the seven seas." She describes, "Basically, they're awful."

"Sounds fun," I say feeling my interest peek at the concept of piracy.

"Please stop looking at him." She begs but takes a look at him herself, turning around from her previous position.

His eyes catch mine, and he looks at me with an interest that could only be described as lustful. I give him a little smirk, as I break eye contact to study his face memorizing every detail.

Wait, what am I doing? Melody's gasp of horror breaks me out of thought, as I realize the boy was now coming towards us.

"Oh no." She gasps and fiddles her hands anxiously.

Every step he took, was a step closer towards us, and it gave me an intense feeling of uneasiness. No, not uneasiness...Nervousness? What's happening to me? I haven't even spoken to this boy yet, why was I so fascinated by him?

"Harry is insane, he's the last person you want to get involved with." She says quickly, her eyes widening as she realizes he's arrived.

"Well, Well, Well, are you talking about me?" A Scottish voice drawls seductively.

He winks at me, biting his lip and Melody grimaces looking on fearful.

"No!" Melody yells, "Not at all."

He feigns offense and turns to look at me.

"I haven't had the pleasure to make your acquaintance darling." He greets in a flirtatious tone, "What do they call you?"

I pretend to think and smirk. I couldn't give him what he wanted. That would give him control of this situation. And I hated not being in control.

"Why ever would I tell you that?" I questioningly cooed and he looks at me surprised.

"You're not going to introduce yourself?" He thinks for a moment, "I like you." He concludes his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Can't say the feelings mutual." I gloat with a twirl of my hair, that he eyes with interest.

"Do you stare at all the boys then lass?" He questions with a pout, "Here I was thinking I was the only one." He muses, quirking his eyebrow in a seductive manner.

"I-I was just curious, why do you carry that hook?" I nod nervously eyeing the hook in his hand, praying for a subject change.

"Now why would I tell you that?" He replies leaning close to me, "You won't even tell me your name." He chimes pulling away.

"You got me there."

"I'm Harry Hook, my father is Captain Hook." He introduces himself with a bow and another wink.

"Just heard about your dad 5 minutes ago, didn't really leave a big impression," I disclose, and he glares at me offended, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Well, I'm sure you only heard the cliff notes version." He eyes Melody, who gulps. "I can tell you a much more interesting version, say in my room?"

I pretend like I'm considering his offer.

"I'm going to have to say no." I tease patting his shoulder.

"No?" He repeats shocked.

"Come on Melody, let's go to your dorm," I remarked, "I'm tired."

"Are you leaving?" He asks astounded.

"I am."

"I don't even know your name."

"Hmm, not my problem," I quip, "Goodbye, Harry Hook, son of Captain Hook," I say with a wave and I walk away Melody trailing behind me.

We both wordlessly, walk to the dorm, and Melody opens the door still in shock.

"I can't believe you just..." She utters letting her words drift away.

"Hmm," I respond walking into the room.

"Harry Hook, of all the people."

"He seems sweet," I ponder, the image of his face flashing into my mind,"He's definitely a looker."

"I mean I guess if a psychopath is your type." She says closing the door.

"He seems a little lost." I observe, "Maybe he just needs some direction, he doesn't seem terrible."

I don't even know, why I'm defending this guy. I barely knew him. I just met him, and already my thoughts kept lingering to him.

Melody says nothing in response, and jumps into her bed, sighing heavily. She turns around on her bed and rubs her eye.

I take a moment to take a look at the room, it seemed very her. The room was sea theme, and color scheme sea green and dark blue. I liked it. As much as I hated to admit it, the girl had taste well when it came to this. Although, I had to admit the clothes she gave me are cute.

I sat on the empty bed at the other side of the room, it was so comfortable. Way better than the bed I used to sleep on. I lay back onto the bed and drift away into a dream, where I was a pirate who was never far from adventure. And as I sailed the seven seas only one pirate could rival me, Harry Hook.

A.N. Umafan1997 requested a fic where Uma/Melody are besties. This doesn't exactly fit the request...I know. But, I wanted to make a fic where Uma and Harry didn't know each other. I'm sorry, Melody and Uma will be besties in this. I'm just building up to it, hope you like it anyway! This will be a short series, I hope. I'm posting a one-shot later, so yay!