I pulled my car up to the parking lot, grabbed my beach bag and made a beeline to the cove where Serenity and me parted ways yesterday evening. My heart was racing, and not from running, either. I saw the cove empty, but I knew she was there; somehow, I just knew.
Indeed, I saw a familiar light-blue mop of hair emerge from the water followed by a flawless body and a tail of metallic cyan. She perched on a rock and took a good look at my face. “So it did happen.” She said at last.
“Since apparently, you did know about this, start explaining.” I said with a huff. “What’s going on with me?”
“Melissa, I swear I only found out just last night; after we left.” Serenity began. “The kiss last night was not just an expression of friendship; it was meant to form a mystical bond between us. That’s why I said we’d be able to find each other again.”
“You failed to mention the kiss had magic involved.”
“Since that’s all I expected it to do, I felt there was no need to elaborate; but when I told my sister about you she told me kissing a human has certain side-effects.”
“Something tells me it’s more than just this.” I said, gesturing at my face.
“Yes, you’re now half mermaid.”
“HALF mermaid?” I said quizzically.
“A half mermaid can take human form and hide her mermaid features at will when dry; unlike full mermaids, who need an incantation or charm to do so. Fortunately, you don’t change into a mermaid unless you completely submerge your legs, so no need to worry about rain or those water gun things or whatever.”
“Still, I can forget swimming in public anymore.” I said.
“Melissa, I am so sorry about this. If I had known this would happen…”
I cut her off. “Stop, don’t apologize, you didn’t know, I believe that.”
“Well, you CAN still swim with me—if you want to.”
I knew she wanted to see me in my mermaid form; and to be honest, I was a bit curious myself, now that I know it’s not permanent.