Vanessa was walking on the boardwalk when she saw someone near the beach in the corner of her eyes. She turned and walked over to the ledge to see James finishing putting wax on a surfboard and he picked up the surfboard. He walked towards water before he ran the rest and got on the board, surfacing. It was pretty early, about ten o'clock only other surfers around with a few tourist.

It was clear what happened to him didn't effect anything about being scared of the water. He was skilled on a surfboard, something like from a show. She leaned against the wooden rail and watched for a moment. A little wind blew her long hair around and she brushed her finger back to brush the hair out of her eyes.

And James turned his head to look at her. Her eyes widen slightly as he lost his balance on his board and he fell into the water. She took a small sharp breath and turned, walking away. She put her hands in her shorts and hurried down the boardwalk to a gift shop Raphael had applied for.

She found him at Sirenas Adventure where they sell t-shirts, surfboards, and everything you would find in a shop for the beach like towels and flip flops and other stuff.

Raphael shook the owner hand, ''You won't regret it Tony, I'll be here Monday.''

Tony smiled, ''Happy to have you, Raphael.''

Raphael turned and gave her that dimple half smile as he came over to her. He took her hand in his and they went down the boardwalk, ''So not only have I gotten a tail, but a job.''

She went in front of him and continued walking backwards, ''Your life has never been so completed.'' she said sarcastically and he grinned. She paused, making him pause to, and she leaned up to kiss him on the mouth for a moment before pulling away, “Why do I feel like we’re so much closer?”

“Because we are.” he said. “Not too many couples get to go on adventure like ours.”

“What now though?” she asked and his eyebrows furrowed together. “It seems to . . . peaceful. Like something in my stomach is telling me this isn’t over.”

Raphael chuckled, “It sounds sort of like you want something to happen. You little drama starter.” he said as he tapped his finger under her chin. “Look, our lives may have changed, but it’s back to normal."

“We’re not normal though, remember we stopped aging.” she said. “My birthday is in a month, but I’ll still be seventeen while you’ll forever be nineteen.”

He sighed heavily and walked passed her, “Nessie, stop with all that negativity. Why are you trying to bring this amazing fate down? Why can’t you be happy?”

“I am happy, but also being realistic.” she said as she walked next to him. “One day though—we’ll have to leave. People will start to question.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets, “Then . . . we leave.” He turned his head to look at Vanessa, “And we’ll be together, it’s all we will need. I choose to become a merman because I wanted to be with you, Nessie.”

Vanessa stopped and put her arms around Raphael. She rested her cheek against his chest and sighed heavily, “Just want I needed to hear.” she said.

*

Vanessa looked up from her chocolate milkshake when heard the bell of the diner ring and James walked in. He looked down the diner and saw her. She forced a smile on her face as she raised her hand in a gesture welcoming. He walked over towards her and sat in the booth across from her. A waitress came over, “Anything dear?”

“Uh—bacon cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, cheese fries, and a coke.” he said automatically and the waitress wrote it down as she walked away.

“Wow, think of what you wanted on the way here?” she asked as she chuckled.

He shrugged, “Same thing I get every time I go to a diner.” he said. “How long have you been here waiting?”

“Oh, I got here a little early. My boyfriend had to go do some stuff so I thought I just come here instead of going home.” she said.

“Well did you order something? I got money if you are—“

“No, no I’m fine.” she said. “Just uh—why did you want to talk to me about?”

“Well that you were right about going out last week while there was a storm coming.” he said and she gave him a stiff smile. “And. . .I know this is going to sound really crazy but my father boat had an accident.”

“Oh God, were you alright.” she asked, putting some concern in her voice.

“Yeah, yeah I was fine—I mean, no I wasn’t. My father yacht caught on fire and I passed out, but I woke up safely on shore.” he said and paused when the waitress brought him his soda.

“Hmm, that does sound crazy.” she said as her blood felt suddenly cold. A lump balled in her throat.  

“I swear I saw someone on the beach with me though.” he said. Vanessa furrowed her eyebrows and he cleared his throat, “I swear, I saw you.”

“Me?” she asked, chuckling awkwardly.

“I know it sounds crazy and I did say it would be, but I did.” he said. “Maybe I was imaging it or something, but I saw you standing above me for second and then you ran into the ocean. Maybe it was all the saltwater in my lungs or because you were the last person I talk to but it was really strange. Did I see you this morning to?”

Her cheeks burned, “Oh, uh, yeah you did. I was meeting my boyfriend and I noticed you. You’re a really good surfer.”

“Thanks. At least I feel a little less crazy now.” he said as he sat back against the booth bench. He ran his hand threw his blonde hair, pushing it back. “So you really do have a boyfriend.”

She chuckled, “Why would I lie about that?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know, pretty girls like you tend to lie so guys will stop hitting on you.” he said and Vanessa stopped laughing, shyly looking down at her table. “He seems pretty protective of you.”

She looked up and shrugged, “I guess so. He didn’t mean anything by it though, he thought I was hurt that’s all

“Are you sure? Because it looked like he wanted me dead.” he said. “Guess now I can’t ask you out.”

Her mouth formed a small ‘o’ shape and she pointed at herself, “Me?”

He chuckled, “Yeah. Why do you look so surprise? I’m sure lot of guys try to ask you out.”

Well they only stare because I’m a mermaid and we have this weird enchanting glow that draws anyone attention, she thought.

“I would be protective as your boyfriend if I had such a beautiful girlfriend.” he said as she pushed the right side of her hair behind her ear.

“Er, well thanks.” she said.

“Why so shy?” he asked, chuckling. “This may sound weird, but if you really were there to save me, that would have been awesome. Come out like from some movie. Doesn’t Coasta Sirenas have some legend about mermaids?” he asked, making Vanessa stare at him. He grinned, “That would be cool, to be saved by a mermaid.”

Vanessa felt like she was going to burst with the truth any moment with the pressure building up on her. Thankfully the waitress came with his food and gave Vanessa a few moments to breathe a little. But when the waitress left and the air wasn’t with her heavy cheap perfume, this disgusting smell filled the air. It was gross, making her nose scrunch. It smelled dead, like fish.

She looked down at the burger in James hand and he took a bit of it. He made a face and looked down at the burger, “This isn’t a bacon cheeseburger, they must have mixed up my order.” he said before calling over the waitress.

“Oh no, I’m sorry young man.”, the waitress said when James told her. “Our cook is pretty old and must have screwed up the order. I can get him to make you the right one.”

“You know, it wasn’t even that bad.” James said. “No sweat, but you better go warn the other customer before he complains to.” he said, giving the old women a charming smile which she blushed.

“Oh, thank you.” she said. “Free desert for the mistake.”

“I’ll defiantly take that deal!” James said as he chuckled. James picked up the burger to eat but Vanessa panic and she leaned over the table, grabbing his wrist, and pulled them away from his mouth before he could chew another piece of fried fish, “What the?”

“S-sorry.”, she said quickly as her face burned in embarrassment. “I-it’s just I’m—I’m—I’m a vegetarian and not quite comfortable.”

“So you would have done the same thing if this was beef?” he asked and she shrugged. “I hardly believe that. You freaked out as if I was about to chew on some puppy or kitten.”

“So I don’t like the sight of dead fish or it’s meat.” she said. “And I appreciate if you didn’t eat it.”

“I just spent the last couple of hour’s surfing.” he said. “I’m starving so sorry if fish doesn’t fit your diet but I’m hunger.”

“James, please.” she almost in a way begged. He rolled his eyes and took the burger in his hand again, bring it close to his mouth. Not thinking of her action, she started humming. James froze quickly and looked at her wide eyes, his eyes looking blank a little. “Put the burger down.” she said softly and he did as she said. “Now, you are going to enjoy you’re fries and soda, but leave the burger alone. You’re actually disgusted at the thought of eating anymore that involves any type of sea creature understand?” she asked and he nodded. “If you’re still hungry, order something else. And also, you will decide that what you saw last week wasn’t me and that you were just probably dreaming. You’ll move on, okay?”

“Okay.”, he said.

“Good. Now I’m going to go and when I do, you’ll wake up and just know I had an important phone call and had to leave.” she said and he nodded. “Goodbye James.”

“Goodbye, Vanessa.” he said.

She nodded and got up, hurrying out the diner before anyone will notice her clamoring James. She looked at the window and saw him inside putting some fries in his mouth. She breathed in relief and hurried down the street.

Raphael

“Okay, just a few more steps.” Raphael said as he led Vanessa out towards the water. He wanted to surprise her with the sunset since it was becoming the perfect time for the sun to beam down on the water and make it look twilight, the water and sky was purple and the orange sun going down like it was going into the water.

Vanessa chuckled, “Don't let me go into the water just yet.”

“I won’t.” he said. “Okay, one—two—three!” he said as he took his hands away from her eyes.

Vanessa took in a sharp intake of breath as her hand came up to her mouth. She turned to him smiling, “I always try to catch one of these. How romantic, Raphael.” she said as she put her arms around his waist and placed her head on his shoulder. They watched the sunset go down and soon it was dark. She faced him and held her arms up, “I could hear it, Raphael, the sea when the sea was going down.”

He nodded, “I did.” So the sea wasn't talking, but it was like it was singing. A soft hum he heard with the sounds of dolphins and wheals. “Race you inside.” he said as he ran passed her and he heard her scoff as they raced into the water. He dipped inside the water and felt the heavy weight of his tail. It was hard to keep it up but he managed as Vanessa and he swan through the water.

They soon rose up to the surface and his head was all over his face. They chuckled as he pushed his hair back that needed another haircut. Vanessa put her arms around his neck and kissed him, “Watch what I learned how to do.” she said as she took her arms back and he saw a rock in her hand. She covered the rock with both her hands and he soon some steams floating from her hands. He heard a noise like glass breaking and she quickly removed her hand. His eyes widen he start crystals sticking out like glass from the rock. She held the rock in her hand and smiled, “Cool trick huh?”

“You scare me sometimes.” he said, both of them chuckling.

*

“What is that?” Vanessa asked when they swam towards shore. Raphael looked at the direction she was looking at and he winced when he saw a figure laying on the ground. “Is that—is that a person?”

“It looks like it.” he said. “Maybe someone got drunk at the bar and passed out.”

When they got to shore, Vanessa legs quickly came back but it took him a minute to shake his tail away. He rolled his eyes at the thought but it was true, it's what you had to do. Vanessa was curious at the person that was 50 yards away. She got up and walked over towards the person.

“Nessie, wait.” he said as he finally got his legs back and he ran beside her. “You are too curious, you know?”

“What if he needs help? Like a hospital?” she asked.

“I'm sure he's fine.” he said. “Lots of people pass out on the beach.”

“I still just want to make sure.” she said. “It is pretty late though, we were gone for a while. No one around so maybe we should wake him up and—“

“Oh shit.” Raphael breathed out when they both gasped at the sight of James. He was the person passed out on the beach. He wasn't drunk, it was worse. His flannel shirt was open and on his sides were gills and under his belly bottom faded scales were that got bolder as it went down. Scales on his arms. “I don't get it.” he managed to say. He turned to Vanessa, “What did you do?”

“Me?” she questioned. “I didn't do anything, I didn't do that to him.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Of course I'm sure.” she said coldly to him. “I didn't do that. Only one other person could have done it.”

“Why would she do this?” he asked. He turned to look out into the sea, hoping to see any one of the girls but the sea was clear of any mermaids. He looked back at James who groaned in his sleep and turned his head, not waking up. “I think I might have seen some of them earlier.”

“Really?” she asked. “I didn't, I mean I wasn't very much paying attention if I was being followed.”

“She's planning something.” he said as he bent down and tapped James cheeks. “Hey, wake up.”

“Raphael, stop that.” Vanessa said as she bent down on the other side of him.

“He needs to wake up.” he said. He slapped James face, “Hey man, and wake up!”

James eyes suddenly opened and he quickly sat up. A wave crashed real hard against the bank, making Raphael backwards and his eyes widen as he looked at the spot it hit.

“Ah man.” James said as he rubbed his head. His back stiffen and he turned his head towards Vanessa, “Vanessa? What happened to me—o-oh my god!” he yelled when he looked down at his arms and started rubbing them, “What is this? Some joke? Who glued these on?” he panicked and there was another hard crash against the sand.

“James, James stop it.” Vanessa said as she grabbed his arms and he looked up at her. “What happened?”

“I-I don't know.” he breathed out. “All I remember is going out to surf again and I was pulled into the water. It's all blank after that.” he said as he brought his hand up to his forehead. “God I'm thirsty.”

Vanessa looked at Raphael concerned and he gave her the same look back.