As Ben and Nate drove off with Samantha and Frances, who offered to buy the boys some lunch before taking Nate home, Eric was enjoying Julie's company.
After hearing Julie explain more about weres, including the town history and possible origins for some of the species, Eric asked, "Just how does one ever go about deciding whether or not they want to be a were, let alone which group to join?"
"That can be complicated," admitted Julie, as she finished her chips and water. "If you're not automatically born into a group, it depends a lot on your personal preferences. Outsiders who come here have it easier, since most don't believe in weres until they find out we're real, but are already influenced by stuff like science fiction and fantasy."
Eric thought about Nate's interest in werewolves as Julie added, "About a fifth of the Moon Lake population is normal humans, but those parents go out of their way to make sure their children are tolerant of weres in general, and if they do express any interest in a specific group, try to stay neutral yet supportive enough to let the child make their own choice. Then again, all groups try to screen potential new members first, and no group accepts anyone under the age of 14, unless they're naturally born weres."
"Why 14?"
"Because by then, puberty has already started kicking in. It's got something to do with hormones and other science stuff that I'm not sure of the details on."
Then Eric asked the question he was dreading to hear the answer to. "Will someone like me, who already has a werefox father, a werecat mother, and is about to gain a werewolf brother; be forced to change, or be ridiculed for not changing?"
"No to both," Julie answered. "Now why don't we have some fun."
For the next couple of hours, Eric and Julie hung out in and around the pool. Eric was surprised to discover the pool was fresh water, "But did you honestly think mer-people would use chlorine and other chemicals?" asked Julie.
They talked about all their likes and dislikes. It turned out both were voracious readers, although Julie naturally leaned towards fantasy novels, while Eric liked mysteries, along with both science fiction and science fact. They shared opinions on current shows, movies, and music. Thoughts on school, the teachers and their fellow students; although Julie did add some insight into who was and wasn't a were.
They splashed about the water, and even raced across the pool a couple of times for fun. Eric actually won one of those races, but wasn't sure if Julie genuinely lost or threw the race.
Then again, did it matter?
Towards the end of Eric's visit, they were down in the deep end of the pool when Julie asked him to turn around for a moment.
Although not sure why, he did as requested. When told he could turn around again, Eric was surprised to see Julie holding her bikini bottom in one hand as her scaled legs fused to become her full mermaid tail.
"WOW!" said Eric, in full appreciation of the phenomenon. He also thought he caught a brief glimpse of his friend's hairless vagina as she transformed, but wasn't sure and never commented on it. Besides, that part of Julie's anatomy was no where in sight now anyway. Yet he also couldn't help noticing that Julie's breasts had grown bigger in the process, for it was all her bikini top could do to keep them covered now.
"I hope you appreciate this moment," said Julie, as her tail brushed up against Eric's legs. "You're the first person outside my family, our pod, and my doctor, to see the entire transformation."
"I'm honored, but why?" he asked.
"Because you're my friend, and I want you to not be afraid or nervous around weres. You unfortunately got off to a bad start in Moon Lake, but we're really good people who just happen to have extra talents." Then Julie asked him to turn around again.
Eric did so, and as Julie transformed back and put her bikini bottom on, he couldn't help noticing the bulge in his swim trunks, and hoped she didn't see it.
As they got out of the pool to rest, the alarm on Eric's cellphone began to ring. "Afraid it's time for me to go home for supper and get ready for Nate's ceremony," he said, after turning it off. "Will I see you there?" asked Eric, while trying to dry off.
"Afraid not," replied Julie. "Dad might be there doing his mayoral duty, but only immediate family and friends are invited to one of those."
"Oh," said Eric, as he gathered his things. "Well, I'll see you at school Monday then," he added, as they walked to the back gate.
"Till Monday," said Julie, as she gave Eric a chaste kiss on his cheek.
After Eric left, Julie started cleaning up as her mother came outside. Other than being taller and slightly older, the two ladies looked almost identical. "Well, how did it go?" asked her mother.
"Good, I think," replied Julie. "Eric still has worries, mostly about his parents now, but I think he'll be all right."
"You're father will be glad to hear that when he wakes up from his nap. He's been afraid the Andersons might sue the town over that stupid werevixen," said her mother, while helping Julie clean up.
"I can't guarantee that still won't happen, but at least Eric is more comfortable around weres now," explained Julie.
"Good. What about... that other matter?" asked her mother, while stopping to stare at her daughter.
"It was love at first sight for me from the moment I first saw Eric at school," admitted Julie. "Whether or not he'll ever feel the same about me remains something only the future knows for sure, but at least Eric's my friend, and that's good enough." For now.