The Mermaid in Me

Chapter 14 - What Just Happened

After the family day, Luke has been by my side. I haven't even been able to talk to Tasha about anything. I don't want to make my parents mad. They don’t want to hear about mermaids, they will most certainly think I’m crazy, so I am nervous to speak with her. I have a feeling that’s why Luke (as much as I love his attention) is making sure I don’t have much time for Tasha. She has been noticing and making comments about Luke being connected to my hip. I love his attention,and they all think I’m crazy, for thinking I’m a mermaid. I don’t know if I am one either. Tasha might have a patch, but I don’t know what's up from down. Maybe I want to be a human. It was really nice to have a family day and not feel like I'm a freak.

Luke greets me at my classroom door as I’m walking out with Tasha. “Hey, beautiful! How was class?”

Tasha interjects, “Well I think as good as the last class was. Did you not just see her an hour ago?”

The tension between them is boiling they both are so stubborn. I don't understand why they can't just be cool.

Luke gets boastful with his tone, responding to her. “So, What! Tasha! Are you jealous? I am her boyfriend and I think you put enough in Sandy’s head to last a lifetime.”

I look stunned at his comment.

James did tell him. I get huffy and stop Tasha, right before she attacks him with her words and says. “Excuse me? I’m standing right here! If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t know the truth about my parents. The mermaid talk is for another day. I’m not crazy, nor is Tasha.”

Tasha’s expression tightens up, I know she is livid and it’s aimed at Luke and me.

“Well, I guess I am the trouble maker then.” She huffingly says. “I’m obviously not needed since your boyfriend thinks so badly of me. I’m a burden and not help, since you couldn’t even tell me you talked to your parents. I am supposed to be your best friend, and this jerk can’t even allow us to talk without making up lies.”

He quick to respond. "Lies that you are feeding her about being a mermaid. It was hard enough on her to find out she was adopted. Why make it worse?"

She turns away from us, slams her locker, and walks away. I can’t believe this just happened.

I start yelling and attempt to go after Tasha so she will come back. But Luke grabs my hand and pulls me towards him. He looks down at me with his amazing blue eyes.

“Sandy, I know Tasha is your friend but don’t you think she did enough damage. I mean she said you were a mermaid. Mermaids don’t exist, they are a fantasy. She might have been right about your parents, but to make you look crazy is going too far. I can’t stand back and watch it after your brother called me.”

He pulls me in for one of his amazing kisses and I can’t help but agree. She is overprotective and I need to take my time. My parents said they would help and I believe them.

I wouldn’t have believed her story if it wasn’t for her hip. Maybe we do need some space until I can fully wrap my head around everything. I’m so confused and I don’t want to lose either one. I have known her for so long, but space might help because I like this guy, and I don’t know why I’m so attracted to him.

“You are right, she might be jealous because I didn’t tell her, but stop with the mermaid talk. She was here before you. And maybe we do need a friendship break until I find out more about my real parents.”

He gently says, “Whatever you want but I’m not going to let her mess with your head. I’m not leaving your side.”

I can’t help but smile and kiss him.

I am so lucky to have a guy that will do all this for me. If he’s still trying to make up for what he did at his last school, then his dues are overpaid. I have never felt better about myself, and he made the flame inside of me burn. He has kept his promise and hasn’t left my side other than his classes. I have been walking the halls with my chin up, as the whole school admires us. I have even noticed Devin giving me stranger than normal looks, and I’m not sure about that. Tasha said he was a merman, and he never wanted me to accept being a mermaid, he embarrassed me.

One day I’m going to get the nerve to have a good chat with him.

It’s odd to not have my friend, but it’s so nice to have a guy give me such attention and understanding. My parents have even noticed over the last few weeks that Luke has been around more, and my Father and James like it so much. Why is it easy for them and not Tasha? I just don’t understand. I’m not going to let her get to me. Every time I get to my locker Tasha slams it and walks away. I completely get it and I’m trying my best to ignore it. I didn't mean to offend her or these mermaids but I don't know what direction to go.

She just doesn’t make it easy and even Luke has noticed. “Why does she have such a nasty attitude towards me, and it started from the day I got here?” He asks me after she dripped him on the way out of class today.

I don’t have the answers unless I tell him the truth about her and the others. I can't do that!

I reply, “I don’t have the answers for her Luke. Just know, from the day we met, I have been more than into you than anyone else.”

He gets up with fierceness and laughs it off, as I have never seen a guy do. He proceeded to grab my hand and continues on. “She just bugs me, and I think you should get some classes changed, if all she is going to bully us. That is what she's doing, Sandy!”

I looked shocked at him and say. “I never thought of it like that. I just accept that's how she's handling it. I wouldn’t go to that extreme. I should talk with her first. I hurt her feelings by not telling her anything.”

He growls back at me, “I don’t think so! Did you see what she just did to me? Do you really want that in your life? Cause I won’t have it. She has crazy written all over her!”