I surfaced to find the bright moonlight shining into the cove. It cast a pale light over everything inside. I hoped to see Serenity, that she would have some answers.
I quickly realized I wasn't alone in the cove. On the beach was someone else. It looked like a boy about my age. He was examining my beach bag. I watched him for a moment to see if he was preparing to steal it, but I soon concluded his interest was one of concern. He glanced around the cove, a confused and worried look on his face. That was when our eyes met.
"Hey!" he shouted. "Is this your bag?"
I'd been spotted! I thought about sinking back into the depths, but after some hesitation I decieded against it.
"Yes."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes." Other than not knowing why or how permanently I'd become a mermaid, that was true.
He stared at me for a moment.
"Melissa?"
How did he know my name?! As I was briefly gripped with fear, the moon moved completely clear of a cloud and in the extra light I recognized him as a boy from school . I'd seen him at the beach before once or twice too; he occasionally surfed. I also had a slight crush on him, but I'd never said anything to him about it. I had no idea what he thought of me.
"Oh, hi, Cody. I...uh...thought it was a wonderful night for a swim..."
"For skinning dipping you mean?"
He'd seen my bag, including my bathing suit next to it. No point in lying about it.
"Yes. I thought I would be alone here."
"Usually you would be. I swim here sometimes, but I don't think most people know about this cove."
"Do you ever see any mermaids here?" I asked, half-joking but half-serious.
"I've only seen one if you've got a fishtail" he replied.
"Funny you say that..."
"Why is that?"
Could she trust Cody? How would he react to seeing a mermaid, especially if it was one of his classmates? She thought she could trust him; she certainly wanted to. She realized her crush on him was probably clouding her judgements.
"Cody...if I show you something do you promise to keep it a secret?"
"Sure. I promise."
"Then have a seat and close your eyes because I have a little surprise for you."
Cody sat down quickly and closed his eyes. I wondered if he thought I was going to walk right up to him out of the water stark naked.
Kicking awkwardly with my new tail, I swam toward shore. Regardless of how permanent my transformation into a mermaid was I needed some swimming lessons from Serenity. The water was lapping gently against the shore as I pulled myself up the sand. I remembered my modesty and grabbed the bikini top from my pile of clothes and put it on. Then I crawled the short distance to right in front of Cody.
"You can open your eyes now."
He did and his jaw dropped.