{IX} S'mores.
Vanessa walked next to Adalyn when they stepped out of the supermarket. Adalyn was humming happily to herself as she moved things around in the paper bag, most of it filled with fruit, “You're father just loves my fruit salad. My ma—bless her soul—a way to a man heart is to his stomach.”
Vanessa face scrunched, “Adalyn, don't say that.”
Adalyn looked at Vanessa, “Nessa, you can't say it wouldn't be fun if I was your step mother. I mean, I helped you become a mermaid. I'll be a great mom.”
“No.” Vanessa said. “Even, my dad seems to be getting closer to Anita. Don't ruin that, he needs to be with her. She's good for him.”
“And I’m not?” she asked, her tone sounding hurt.
“Be with someone your own age.” Vanessa said.
“My own age? They're all buried and long gone from this world.” Adalyn said and Vanessa closed her eyes as she walked for a moment. “What is the real reason why you think I shouldn't be with your father? He's handsome, sweet, kind, and he can make me laugh.”
“His jokes are horrible though.” Vanessa said.
“Him trying is what makes it cute and funny.” she said. “The boys these days are not what I'm looking for. You're father, he is what I'm looking for.”
“And what about Anita?” she asked. “He really likes her.”
“If he didn't think I was your cousin, who'd you really think he'll go for?” she asked. “Her? A plain lady, or me? Beautiful and adventurous?”
Vanessa couldn't believe what she was hearing, but it wasn't very surprising. Mermaids were confident, competitive creatures. Adalyn probably really does believe she can easily push Anita out the way with no trouble. Anita was pretty with pretty short brown hair and even though she's in her mid thirties, she was in great shape. Vanessa wouldn't mark her as a girly girl, more like a tom boy who can tackle and hand cuff criminals. Adalyn looked like a beautiful blonde goddess though and compared to Anita—guys would choose her over Anita.
But that still doesn't mean it's right.
Adalyn gasped, waking Vanessa from her thoughts. She looked up at Adalyn who was looking at the poster on the wall of pharmacy, “I haven't been to a festival in such a long time! And look! There'll be dancing to! Why haven't you told me about this, Nessa?” she asked excitedly and she didn't even let Vanessa answer. “Oh, we have to go! It'll be amazing.”
The Coasta Sirenas festival was next coming up and it's nothing really new to Vanessa. Last time she went was when she fourteen and she went with her aunts family, so it wasn't very fun. Last couple of years she just really didn't have anyone to with. It's been awhile since she gone, that's why she hadn't thought about it.
“We have to go shopping for cute dresses.” Adalyn said as they continued their way back to the house.
“Why?” Vanessa asked.
“It's always important to dress nicely for events.” she said. “I love those modern dresses. Back in my day, we would have locked away in your bedroom if you thought about wearing dresses that short. They're so flowy though and comfortable. I saw one the other day in this shop outside the window and it was white with no straps with a sweetheart neckline and gold belt.”
Vanessa just listened to Adalyn who continued to babble about a simple festival that was nothing new to her. Vanessa can understand how Adalyn could be excited, she did say it's been a long, long time since she's been to one. She hasn't done allot of human things since she has gotten her tail was taken away. Mostly inside the house cleaning and eating. The only time she went out was either with Vanessa or her dad. Nothing in Coasta Sirenas reminded Adalyn of her Coasta Sirenas but a few stores.
Raphael
Raphael watched his uncle boat sail away from the pier of the boardwalk. He had this bad feeling in his stomach, this feeling of his uncle and the others weren't safe out there when he knew what was out there. He took his black t-shirt off and jumped into the water. Once his tail came, he swam forward towards his uncle fishing boat.
James had gone back to Lockhart to get his stuff and bring it back here. Raphael had just gotten off work and he knew his uncle was sailing out around this time. It's been on his mind the whole time, worrying Raphael.
He came up to the side of the boat and continued to swim next to it. When the boat stopped, Raphael swam away a little because he knew where his uncle was dropping the net. He didn't want to get caught under it. The bad feeling in his stomach didn't ease though when he saw a bunch of fish go into the net and his heart started to race. He brought his hands up to his ears and closed his eyes tightly. There was this horrible noise like a million people crying and he felt the fear in his chest.
He felt something brush against his arm and he opened his eyes to see a orange color tail swim past him. The owner faced him soon, it belonged to Zirina. Her dark hair cascade around her and he looked around to see two more mermaids.
Zirina brought something up for him to see and it was a knife with a wooden handle. She turned her head around to look at the net before looking back at him, giving him a small smile, Help them
A large lump formed in Raphael throat and he shook his head. He hasn't mastered that whole communicating threw his mind yet.
Can you hear their screaming? Their pain? They want your help Raphael. Don't let them down, save them, she said, taking his hand and placed the knife in his head. You want to deep down. This is what being one of us means. You're a warrior of the ocean, protect it.
Raphael looked down at his hand where the knife was and debated with himself if this was the right idea. Deep down, he did want to help them. The only thing stopping him was not doing it because if he did, the fish would get away and that'll hurt his family business.
Zirina swam behind him and he felt her press against him, her face near his, They're counting on you, Raphael.
Raphael nodded and swam over towards the net. He reached out and took it in his hand. He sliced against the rope and brought the handle to his mouth. He opened the cut net and dozens and dozens of fish swam out quickly.
When they all swam away, he turned around and the three mermaids were gone.
*
Raphael clapped when Vanessa had started a fire, impressed by it. Adalyn also clapped and James eyes just widen. They had gone out to the beach at night at their favorite rocky area since they were hoping if the girls see them, they'll come to land.
“I wanna show you something else.” Vanessa said. “I remember learning in science class what causes lightening and well—watch.”
Her hands formed into claws and parted them three inches away from each other. She stiffen her hands and she bit her lower lip, looking down at her hands. Soon like a zap, light flashed between her palms. Raphael took in a sharp breath.
“You just get scarier.” he said to her, chuckling and she smiled. “It was cool though, creating lighten. Yay, I never wanna get on your bad side.”
“Well good.” she said, chuckling.
“So how do you make these?” Adalyn asked as she opened a bag of big marshmallows and put in her mouth. Her eyes widen and she put another one in her mouth, “Oh my, these are so good! They feel like pillows and they taste delicious.”
Vanessa reached out and tried taking them from her, “Adalyn, slow down. We need those.”
Adalyn frowned, popped one more in her mouth, and handed them to her. She picked up a Hershey bar, “Hmm, chocolate use to be so gross and bitter back then. Not to mention expensive. I mean, it is good when helping make cake but I don’t know about it being the whole thing” she said as she opened the wrapped and put a piece in her mouth. “Again, her eyes widen, “Yummy!”
Vanessa snatched the Hershey bar from her and Adalyn gave her a hard look before slumping her shoulders. Vanessa helped show Adalyn how to make a s’more and Adalyn ended up making nine of them.
“Where does it all go?” Raphael asked, whispering in Vanessa ear and she just shrugged. She could barely finish her third one.
“So James, have you been out on the water yet?” Adalyn asked as she put a marshmallow near the fire.
“In the water? You mean, like swim?” he asked.
She chuckled, bring the slightly brunt marshmallow towards her and ate it alone, “What else? You should defiantly do it, it’s an amazing experience. Vanessa, Raphael, why haven’t you shown him?”
“Because I do have a life, no time to be a babysitter.” Raphael said and Vanessa hit him in his side. He gave her a ‘what?’ look as he shrugged.
“You might as well teach him, you know how stubborn Queen Severina is.” she said. “He’s stuck like this.”
Vanessa
Vanessa saw James standing only a few inches away from the bank, looking down at it, and looked lost in thought. She walked over next to him, “Raphael working?”
“Yup.” he said. “So how this exactly work?”
“It’s always better to start off running in and when you can’t no more, dive in.” she explained. “Swim as far as you can out, it’ll be a little difficult at first but it’ll get easier as time goes on. You’ll be able to breath under the water for a while. It won’t be dark under the water, it’ll be clear as if the sun was under the water so you’ll see clearly.”
“Anything else?”
“What out for sharks?” she said, remember Adalyn golden rule of sea safety. James quickly looked away, panicking and she chuckled, “It’s alright, Coasta Sirenas isn’t famous for shark attacks and I’ve been a mermaid for more than a month, I haven’t seen a shark yet. Ready?”
“Oh yeah, totally.” he said, shrugging as he ran his hand threw his blonde hair. “I mean, are you ready because I am? I’m actually excited to be able to go under the water and swim around without any air mask and have scales on me.”
“You’re procrastinating, aren’t you?” she asked and he nodded. “Hmm, Raphael was excited about going in. Yet, he loves the water.”
“I like the water, I surf.” he said. “I guess…I don’t know. What if they’re out there?”
“They won’t hurt you.” she said. “I know it’s scary, I’m the outcast mermaid and I always think about it, but it doesn’t stop me. You can feel the pull, can’t you James? The water?"
“So that’s normal?” he asked.
She nodded, “Yes, it’s a part of your soul now. Tell you what, I’ll show you how to swim out there without being caught and you teach me how to surf.”
“Really?” he asked. “You don’t know how to surf?”
She shook her head, “No. I wasn’t very popular in high school, I didn’t have really friends. If you had met me a year ago, I wasn’t the same girl I use to be. My mom died when I was young and well, I just grew a close bond with my dad and became very shy. I didn’t look like a model either while every girl in school looked like they could be on the cover of a magazine. So no one wanted to hang out with me, not even the surfers.”
He looked out into the water, “It’s not hard, once you learn the basics.”
“And swimming out there isn’t hard. It’s fun, amazing even.” she said. “You feel closer to the sea.
Raphael
Wade came over next to Raphael, “Weren’t you suppose to leave twenty minutes ago?"
Raphael looked out in the rain pouring hard outside, “It’s a storm out there.” Raphael hasn’t gotten the whole shape shifting mastered out, he can’t stay in human form for too long and one drop of water, he’s exposed.
“A little water never hurt anyone.” he said, chuckling. “Unless you melt. There’s umbrella’s over there, go home.”
“I’m fine.” he said. “Water and me—my skin gets dry enough from the hot sun.”
“You’re really complaining because it dries you skin? It’s called lotion.” Wade said. “A little rain wouldn’t stop me from getting out here, but hey if you want. Go on ahead.”
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