Chapter 19 - What is Going On
1187 Words
He knows what I’m doing! This is not what I wanted!
I have to play it cool and direct, so I admit it to him. “In the four years I’ve known you, I have never come close to you.” I lean into him. “We both know why I’m here, even after you bullied me!”
He smugly responds. “Oh, so now you want to believe in us? That’s funny! Your human slammed me against the wall, for telling Tasha about how I felt bad for you. He overheard me and practically killed me in front of everyone. She told me you never knew you were a mermaid, so I felt really bad. We should all know, especially before we make our decision.”
He looks at me apologetically, I can’t help it, but feel the knot in my stomach is tightening as he speaks.
He continues, “I am sorry, I treated you like s**t. I didn’t realize till my birthday, how sacred we are, and how wrong I was for doing that to you. I want to help you learn more because it is cool. But... I don’t think the way you ditched your friend Tasha, makes you any better than me!"
My jaw drops! Did he just say that to me?
“Excuse me? I care for her! She is the one that can’t handle Luke, she won’t talk to me if I’m still his girlfriend!”
He pulls me over to the side of the wall, away from the people passing in the hall, and whispers. “Don’t you realize Luke is awful? He is controlling you! He is a hot fuse and I’ve seen it first-hand. He won’t let you hang out with your own friend, and she can’t risk exposing us. Why is it her that's bad, she told you us.”
I spit out in anger. “He is not controlling me! I deserve to know about mermaids!”
Devin smiles at me and states in a matter of fact tone. “Then talk to your friend Tasha and not me! I don’t mind you but, I’m not getting killed for talking with you. You have a crazy human boyfriend, and I finally got my tail. I don’t plan on losing it anytime soon.”
I am stunned as he walks right into the cafeteria like nothing was ever said between us. Is he really that afraid of Luke? Luke isn’t controlling me, I would know it. He has empowered me after Devin made me feel like crap. Devin is the bully, not Luke.
Ugh... I am going to have to talk with Tasha about Coral Beach. Obviously, my plan didn’t work with Devin, but I did get an apology. Why is he so scared of Luke?
I turn, and someone runs into me. I lose my balance and fall, and as I'm gathering my stuff, I look up to see...
“Luke! Didn’t you see me?” I yell, as pull myself together.
His eyes are so cold and haunting. I haven't seen his eyes that black before. He grumbles at me, “Why weren’t you waiting for me outside of class?”
He grabs my arm to lift me up, his grip is tighter than I have felt before.
“I had to use the restroom, and then the bell rang. I couldn’t find you until you crashed into me! Why are you acting like this?”
He loosens his grip and replies. “I was worried about you. I need to keep an eye on you. There are people out there that will destroy you. I’m just being your boyfriend. Trust me!”
His eyes soften as he looks at me, my fear vanishes.
I hate that I lied to him. I don’t care what people say about him. He just worries about me, if I could only tell him the truth. I wouldn’t have to act this way around him if I could be honest, without sounding like a fool. Why do I have to be a mermaid? It’s becoming so difficult.
I pout, “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Can you forgive me?”
He pulls me in for one of his delightful kisses and then releases me to go for lunch.
“Of course, I can! Let’s eat.”
I just hope nothing more comes of this situation. So many people all wanting something different from me.
I don’t feel like eating my nerves are shot, it doesn’t help that Luke is shoveling food in his mouth. He seems to be in his own little world also, we haven't said much since before lunch. I can't stop replaying what Devin said.
I really don’t know what to do anymore. A huge part of me knows I’m a mermaid and my soul is yearning to learn more. The other part of me wants to forget everything, including finding out who my real parents are. I know this trip coming up is going to be emotional for me. I want the truth, because for once in my life I feel a strength in me along with power and I haven’t felt it before. I knew I wasn’t normal, but this is so more than just adoption and finding my biological parents.
I can’t help but secretly take glances at Tasha and Devin at lunch, they seem to be involved in a very deep conversation. Everything Devin said is playing in my head, from him apologizing, to him telling me Luke is controlling me. I have a voice now and I’m not afraid been afraid to use it. Luke is being a protective boyfriend, and maybe it’s just not coming out in the right ways.
I stare at Luke while he eats, trying to figure out what to say to him.
He hasn’t said much about the trip, so maybe we can talk about that to distract me.
I decide to talk about our trip. “Are you excited about going with me to find out about my parents?”
He looks up from his food in confusion on his face. “I’m eating, and we don’t have much time since I had to find you in the hall. Are you going to eat, if not I’ll take it?”
Did he really just say that!
“I don’t feel like eating, I’ve been thinking about the trip coming up.”
He grabs my plate and starts to eat like I didn’t say a thing. I don’t think this is the right time to say anything at all. I guess I'll just keep my thoughts to myself.
“Well, I wouldn’t worry. It’s not a big deal, Sandy! It won’t change much.”
Is he kidding me? This is a big deal for me!
I huff at him. “It might not be anything to you, but it means a lot to me! I want to know more about my past!”
He looks shocked that I said anything, but I’m not going to downplay that I’m adopted, and I get to see where I was born.
He’s quick to respond. “I’m just saying. I’m with you, so no worries!”
Why is he acting like this? If he cares about me, he should want to know about my past, even if it doesn't include mermaids. He's been in a funk, or maybe I am. I just want to be on the beach where I was born. Luke sure doesn't seem scary like what Devin makes him out to be.
- Writer
