The Mermaid in Me

Chapter 2 - Did He Really

I spot James talking with Luke. Wait! What? This can’t be! Well, there goes my luck, if I ever had any.

I’m sure Alison has him on her radar. She is one of the most popular girls here. Even with an older sister named Fish Legs!

I’m sure I will hear all about Luke. It is kinda good for me. I just won’t say anything about him. They would give me hell if they ever knew, he talked to me. That was my agreement after the fish legs scenario. I wouldn’t bother them in public, let alone at home.

Hence... Which is why I’m waiting for them in the car. I wonder how long this is will take? My heart is about to explode just waiting here. I slowly slide down the driver's seat. I don’t want to be seen by Luke.

Finally! They both get to the car, and I can hear them discussing Luke. This is my moment of secret pleasure, it's heaven!

James is explaining to Alison, how he’s going to get Luke to try out for the football team. I guess, because Luke played for his last school before he moved here.

I chuckle inside. A football player thought I was worth a moment of his time. This is crazy.

I can tell Alison is all ears. She has a giant grin on her face.

Alison exclaims with joy. “He’s in one of my math classes, James! He seems to be very sweet and the talk of the school.”

Well, maybe Luke was just being nice to me. I took that a little too far. Why on earth would I think he was only being sweet to me? How hasn’t heard I’m a freak of nature yet?

Alison asks. “Sandy, did you get a chance to see him?”

I knew darn well not to answer that with the truth. They would both kill me.

I reply. “Not really. I think he may be in one of my classes.” I see they both give each other a relieved look.

I saw that! Do they not realize I’m their driver and sister?

Wow! No one wants me to be happy. Of course, why would they? I’m the freak. I can not wait to get home. This feels like the longest car ride ever, and I wait on them every day like this. I can’t believe I thought someone would genuinely accept me.

Well, tomorrow Tasha doesn’t have to listen to me babble about him. I think I have had enough daydreaming for the day, week, and school year about romance in my life. One new guy and my heart went bolting out of my chest. What a cruel joke the world is playing on me. I can’t wait to get home and lock myself away.

But first, dinner with the family...

My mom has the table set and ready. My dad is complaining as normal about someone from work not doing their job right. My parents are truly loving. They might not know how to show it all the time, but I know they care.

I sit down at the table and mother asks. “Sandy, how was your first day back?”

She knows deep down how it appalls me, and I'd love to run away.

“Just another day in paradise, mom.”

She gives me the look and my dad huffs. “Cut it with the sarcasm, Sandy!" He shouts.

As normal, my sarcasm isn't anything new. I've never been able to please them. They hate that I’m sarcastic. It is who I am, I just can’t win. I’m a walking freak of nature and they know this. I am predisposed to this life.

Alison and James finally sit down at the table. Mom asks them the same question. James was quick to get dad’s attention with football season, and Alison goes on about Luke.

I can’t help but enjoy this dinner. Since normally, it’s reflected on how poor my choices are. Or, how I had done something in school to embarrass them. My parents are happy with them. One day I want to make them smile also. Maybe I will. When I move out and get my dream job.

“It sounds like this new boy will be good for the school. He sounds like my kind of guy.” My dad says proudly.

Of course, he’d be proud of a stranger and not me. I just lost my appetite.

“Sandy.” My dad pipes up. “Is it that hard to have anything to say positive about school. The others seemed to have had a wonderful first day.”

If only he knew?

“Well... DAD! Do I need to go there?” As I lift my leg and show my scales.

He lowers his head. He’s extremely blushed at this point, as he should be. Am I that great at hiding that he doesn’t understand that I’m not normal at all?

I think I'm done with dinner. I just can’t eat. I just want to sleep and get this year over with. I’ll finally escape this hell hole of a town. Somewhere in the world where I can be anything I want to be, even if it’s on my own.

“Mom! Dad! May I please be excused from dinner? I have a headache and homework to do.”

They both nod in agreement, and I go as fast as I can up those stairs.

I'll never be one of them.

I met Tasha at our lockers. Secretly hoping she spills the beans with her research on the new guy. I can’t just come straight forward with asking her. I didn’t have to, she blurted it all out.

“Sandy, I did find out about Luke after school. He isn’t as sweet as he portrays. He was kicked out of his old school for messing with some kids.”

“What do you mean!” I exclaimed.

Tasha starts to explain. “Well, he recorded people and then posted it online for everyone to laugh at. I want you as far away from him as possible. He is just another bully for our school. We don’t know what he will do to you.”

I stammer back, “I completely agree. I don’t need any more trouble, this being my last year, even if he is dreamy.”

She gives me a look, but we giggle.

I can’t believe my ears he’s a Monster! I also can’t believe two words, and a nice smile had me fooled. I definitely need to get away from here and explore life. This small town is nothing but trouble and always has been. Now we have an added person to our town of bullies. Thankfully, Devin is the only one that saw my leg, and thanks to Tasha and my family, we still deny it.

I play it off as being a weirdo, which is the truth. I am weird. I’m alone in a world that thinks I’m the monster. I’m not the one going around treating people as puppets like others.

I wonder how the last hour will go, knowing Luke doesn’t know, I’m aware of what he did. His reputation will be ruined if he even tries it with me.

Well, scratch last hour. Luke found me in the lunchroom. I guess it isn’t that hard to find someone when you are looking to avoid them. I’m shocked by his nerve, he sits down right next to Tasha and me.

“Well, Hello Ladies, how are we this lovely day?” He says in this deep voice that makes my heart melt.

Oh hell! Here come the red cheeks.

Tasha speaks up, “I think we both are doing just fine before you interrupted us.”

I love her honesty. I don't have a backbone like her.

Luke tries to explain, “I wasn’t trying to be rude, you girls are the only ones that don’t seem to be fawning over me, I just thought I’d be welcome here."

Perfect timing as Devin calls out. "Do not sit with the monster! Get over here!”

Tasha gets irritated in her tone this time, “Well, we aren’t here to impress anyone. It’s just high school and we have better things to worry about, unlike some people we know.”

Luke looks like a disappointed puppy and pouts. “Well, I guess, I will just go sit with the guys. I'll see you both in class.”

As he leaves the table, I look at Tasha and she looks at me.

She proclaims. “You will not be leaving my side, Sandy. That guy is up to something with you.”

She is probably right, this definitely would give him a story for the world.

Luke, as I’m realizing, is following me around. He made sure to wave at me in the hall today, even having the nerve to sit next to me in class again. Tasha is fuming, and I kind of secretly loved the attention I was getting. I mean, he is cute, he doesn’t seem to be bothered by me, being a monster. And I know he found out since he is now my brother's new friend.

Devin is also a part of that group of dumb boys, yes you heard me, I even called out my brother. It’s not like he has ever actually defended me. He avoids me and allows people to pick on me. Let’s be real, he’s friends with Devin, who told the whole school about my legs. All James could do, was sit with his head down, and when we got home, I got reprimanded for it being my fault. So... If James can be friends with Devin, why can’t I just be nice to a new guy? He might have done some bad things to other people, but not to me, and that was at his last school. Maybe, he wants a new chance at life.

“Hey, Hey you!” Luke nudges me out of my fantasy.

If only he knew it was about him!

I whisper, “What?” He replies, “What are you doing after school today?”

Oh my gosh! Did he really just ask me that?

I smugly respond. “Why?”

He politely says, “We can go for coffee and you can help me navigate around this school. You know I am new and don’t have many friends.”

I can feel Tasha’s eyes on me. He does have friends he has already been accepted by the guys and the girl.

“Why Me?” I spout.“I mean, I guess, but don’t you have James and Devin for that? And I’m sure there are plenty of other girls that would love your proposition?”

He says, “Nah, Devin isn’t laid back enough. Your brother always talks about football and how we are going to win the next game, and I’m not interested in the other girls. I just want to explore this town and get to know the place I graduate from. This is my last year too, Sandy.”

Oh, I can feel my face flush. I turn and look back at Tasha who is intensely listening to us. She gives me a look of death.

I can’t win this either way. Who cares? What can happen over coffee? I could even ask why he changed schools and see if he will lie to me.

I lean over to him and whisper in his ear, “Meet me at Toasties at 5 pm.”

He excitedly winks at me, and my heart melts.

Class is finally over, and Tasha is showing me how ticked off she is. She won’t even look at me now. “Tasha!” I scream, “I want to find out for myself what this guy is like. I know you are being my best friend, and I thank you for that, but I want to learn this on my own. He doesn't scare me and what can coffee hurt?”

She huffs at me in disgust.

“I’ll be able to find out if he’s lying about changing schools."

Knowing that will make her feel better about me going out with Luke.

She glares at me and says, “Fine, but if he even touches you, or makes any comments about your legs. I’ll make sure he regrets ever coming to this school.”

I believe her completely! Never get on Tasha’s bad side, she will win.

I can’t believe I’m going through with this my first official date!

I get to the car before my brother and sister. James and Alison better get to this car quickly. I’m about to hyperventilate just thinking about tonight. I need to think of a good lie or I’ll have questions from my parents. I don’t want anyone knowing about this. Things could go very bad, and I don’t know what I’m getting myself into.

I know my gut wants to know more about him.

Finally! I see them coming. I can get home, And figure this situation out.