Eventually, Melissa had crawled back into the bathroom. Although Stefanie tried to coax her into the tub, Melissa wasn’t willing to go back into the water just yet. She’d crawled over to the side of the tub though, and was currently letting her head rest against the cool porcelain, as Stefanie brushed a hand softly through her pink hair and massaged her neck.
Melissa felt miserable. She wished she could enjoy this like Stefanie was, but she just wanted it to be over with. She wanted her legs back, damn it. She wanted to be normal again. This would be fun if it was optional, but it had been forced upon her. Damn Serenity for tricking her! What kind of person did something like that?
And she felt terrible for what had happened to Stefanie. Even though she was clearly loving it, she hadn’t thought it through. If Melissa hadn’t transformed back yet…what did that mean for her?
She didn’t want to think about it.
Stefanie brushed a hand against Melissa’s cheek. Melissa reached up and took the hand. Their fingernails sparkled in the light, pink against purple.
“It’ll be alright,” Stefanie said.
Melissa smiled sadly and kissed her. Stefanie smiled back. But Melissa couldn’t bring herself to do much more. She felt drained. Defeated.
A half hour had already passed since Emily had taken off. They hadn’t heard anything. Melissa was starting to feel worried, and she could tell Stefanie was too. Had Serenity been waiting for her? What if she’d been transformed too? The way their luck was going, it wouldn’t surprise her.
More time passed. Melissa was officially beginning to freak out. She hated this. She hated not being able to do anything about it. She wanted so much to go look for Emily. But of course, with this stupid fucking tail, she couldn’t.
Stefanie had stopped rubbing her neck. She looked worried. Melissa wanted to comfort her, but she didn’t know how.
The door slammed open. Both of the girls jumped in surprise.
“Melissa! Stefanie!” Emily shouted, sounding out of breath.
“We’re back here!” Stefanie shouted.
Melissa felt like she was going to throw up. She was terrified at what Emily’s reaction would be when she saw Stefanie.
Footsteps pounded down the hall, and then Emily appeared, gasping for breath. She looked normal – no evidence of any scales or makeup on her face. But when she saw Stefanie in the tub…her purple hair, the blue makeup, the purple lips, the purple tail…she fell to her knees, eyes wide, looking desperate.
“Oh God, Stef! No…!”
“Emily…” Melissa whispered, feeling terrible, hating herself.
“Emily!” Stefanie said firmly. “This was my choice. Melissa didn’t make me do anything, I—“
“I know! DOES IT LOOK LIKE I FUCKING CARE?! Oh God! You…neither of you realize…oh FUCK…!” Both girls drew back in shock at Emily’s words. Stefanie’s eyes were wide. Emily hardly ever spoke like that.
“E-Emily…I…” Melissa whispered.
“I can’t…I can’t deal with this…” Emily said. The two mermaids watched her, silent and scared. Without warning, Emily turned and kicked forcefully at one of the cabinet doors. It broke off, clattering to the ground, a large hole in the center of the door. Melissa jerked back in fear, banging her head against the tile.
“Emily!” Stefanie shouted, sounding shocked.
Neither of them had ever seen Emily like this.
Emily looked lost. She ran over to the toilet, and threw up.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Stefanie asked, sounding terrified. “Emily?!”
Emily didn’t say anything. She was still for a moment. Then she wiped her mouth, took a breath, and handed a note over to Melissa.
“I’m so sorry,” Emily whispered.