I screamed at the top of my lungs. Ben just stood there with a smirk on his face. I heard the foot steps of my parents and Nico running towards me room in panic. Ben didn't run. He just stared at me with an evil look. He finally looked away when Nico came in. "Not this guy!" he complained, rolling his eyes.

       "Stop complaining and do something!" my mother screamed from behind him.

       I cried silently as Nico opened the window angrily. ben jumped at him, tackling him to the ground. Nico threw a punch as Ben choked him.  Nico continued to punch and kick, his face turning a dark purple.   Nico finally broke free of Ben's grip and threw him across the room. "You stay away from my sister!" he screamed.

       Ben had a bloody nose and Nico's jaw was swollen. Nico dragged Ben outside and to his car. From the sound  of the sirens, I could tell where they were going. I turned off my flashlight when my mother came over to me. She wrapped her arms around me and gave me small kisses on my forehead. We stayed like that until we feel asleep.

       The next morning, I was waken up by Nico. "Come on Joanne! We don't want to be late," he said, ripping off my covers.

       "Late for what?" I asked.

       "For Myst's ceremony," he said.

       They scheduled it so soon?, I asked myself. I shrugged to myself before getting out of bed and getting ready. They explained to me how they had called Myst's parents and had the ceremony set up last night before Ben came. "That's really cool," I said with a small smile.

       "It's a surprise, so don't tell Myst," Nico said smiling widely.

       I nodded before finishing my breakfast. When we were ready, we got in Nico's car and drove up to the lake. We were there an hour and a half early so we could set everything up. They brought me up to the top so we could go get Myst and the others. "What's going on?" Myst asked when she saw all of the equipment.

       I looked up at Nico, who gave me a nod of approval. I looked back at Myst with a smile.  "It's your ceremony Myst. You're becoming a mermaid," I told her.

       She gasped and started jumping excitedly. Then her face fell.  "Where are my parents?" she asked, her voice shaking.

      Before I could answer, a car pulled up.  Myst's parents stepped out. "Mommy! Daddy!" Myst squealed.

       She ran into their arms and gave  them each a kiss on the cheek. "Hey there princess. Are you excited?" her mom asked.

       Myst nodded with a big smile on her face.  "Let's get started!" Anthony said with sass.

       Myst's parents stood in their designated spots while Myst sat by the lake. She kicked her feet in the water, waiting for Rosette. Soon I could see the mermaid's figure swimming though the water towards us. Myst's parents gasped as Rosette popped out. "Hey there cutie," she said when she saw Myst, "I'm guessing you made your decision."

       Myst nodded and looked back us. Rosette looked at all of with a peaceful look on her face. "You just have to answer a few questions for us and then take the oath. Is that OK by you?" the judge asked.

       "Yes ma'am," Rosette replied with a nod of her head.

       "Do you accept the responsibility of watching over Ms. Myst James when she becomes a mermaid?" the judge asked.

       "Yes, I accept the responsibility fully and willingly," Rosette said, taking Myst's hand.

       The judge turned to Myst. "Do you, Myst, accept your duty to follow the laws of the world that you are entering?" she asked.

      "Yes I do," Myst said with wide eyes.

       I teared up as the judge asked them the rest of their questions and they each took their oaths. Then it was time for Myst to transform.  Rosette took Myst in her arms and held her as she floated in the water. She started chanting. Soon, Myst started to glow. There was a bright purple light and then a splash. When the light went away, we couldn't see Myst. I started to panic, thinking that maybe something had happened to her.

       The tensions was thick as we all waited for her. I sighed in relief when she popped up through the surface. "I'm a mermaid!" she squealed, obviously excited, "See?'

       She laid on her back and lifted her tail. I gasped. It was beautiful. It was pastel purple with pastel pink sparkles.  She did a backflip and resurfaced once again. This time, her hair was in tight curls that went just past her ears. "Myst! You look so pretty!" I said, choking up.

       "Thank you," she said, her cheeks turning bright red.

       I smiled and hid my face in Nico's chest as he gave me a hug. "My baby is changing so fast!" Mrs. James sobbed.

       "Mommy, it's OK. You can visit!" Myst said, "Right Rosette?"

       "That's right," Rosette replied.

       I could hear Mrs. James choke out a 'thank you'. I turned around and ran to Myst. "Have fun," I whispered in her ear.

       "I'll miss you," she whispered back, giving me a tight hug.

       I hugged her back, before giving her a kiss on the forehead. "I'll miss you too Myst, but I know you'll do fine," I said with a smile.

       I walked away and got into Nico's car as everyone else have Myst a hug. We all drove down the mountain in peace after dropping the others off at the cabin. "How come you can't stay?" Gabriella asked before I left.

       "I already told you," I said, "My mom wants to be able to watch over me and make sure that I'm safe"

       She sighed and walked back into the cabin. When we got home, we decided to have a Disney movie marathon.  We all passed out on the couch while watching Cinderella.

       And I wouldn't change any of it for the world.