The Mermaid in Me

Chapter 8 - I'm Gonna Show Them

We go through each top she brought over. I’m amazed at how nicely they are fitting my body. The colors are so vibrant, they make me feel beautiful. I have never felt this way before about myself. 

 I look to her. “Is this what you stopped to pick up? These are beautiful!” 

 She nods her head and smiles. 

“I just can’t believe I look like this!” I exclaim. 

 “Like what?” Tasha laughs at me.

"You just have a few extra colors in your wardrobe, to match that glow you have going on. Which I think maybe due to Luke, that silly human of yours.”  

I can’t help but laugh. She called him MY human! I can't even believe I have a boyfriend. Let alone me now being a mermaid. 

 Tasha pulls out the makeup as I’m still in awe of myself in the mirror. 

“Are you going to keep starring at yourself, or can we move on to that face of yours? It needs to be brightened up.” 

“I can’t help it I feel so different now. Yeah, you are right my face needs help.” 

 Tasha laughs at me and says, “Get over here so I can show you more than lip gloss and blush. And don’t think I didn’t notice!  We need you to work on those eyes.  They are such a lovely shade of green like the grass, we need them to pop!  I made sure to have everything you need to feel and look good.” 

She starts applying golds and browns and the next thing you know,  I look in the mirror. I can’t believe the person looking back at me. I see this gorgeous woman standing there. I can’t believe my eyes!

 “Tasha, I don’t look like myself. I can’t believe what you did.” I say in amazement.  

I look like a completely different person. Somehow she made every feature of mine look beautiful. My life just changed, and I like the way it looks.  

She states so matter of fact. “I didn’t do anything but add some color into your gloomy life. You dear, are still the same person inside. It's called embracing the beauty in you. I think tonight may have opened some doors into your future, and who you are. You are a beautiful mermaid who is about to flourish."

I nod in agreement as I gaze at myself. “I think I’m going to shock Luke and the entire school tomorrow.”  

Tasha starts putting her things together to leave. “Remember Sandy, you can’t speak about what you learned tonight with Luke. He can’t know about anything about mermaids. I’m going to teach you more about us but seriously speak to your parents. They are hiding a part of you that you deserve to learn. I’ve got to get back home. My parents are going to have a doozy when they find out, you know nothing of mermaids. I know they will help you out also. We mermaids stick together.”

 I walk her out, knowing inside I’m not going to ask my parents anything. I’m just going to take in some knowledge and embrace myself before, I ask my liars of parents for the truth.  

I’m up and ready waiting downstairs before James and Alison. I want to surprise everyone with the newly empowered me. Thanks to Tasha and my human Luke for the push. It’s so weird to think, I’m a real mermaid. I did everything Tasha showed me last night. I picked the light purple top she brought over. I love the way it feels on me.

 My mom jokingly shouts, “Who is this girl? And where did my daughter go? Honey!!!  Come here and see your daughter now!” 

My Dad comes in, “Well now, is that boy the one who has you looking so beautiful? If he is, I demand a dinner with him.” I can't help but turn red at them. 

“Dad, stop! This is all me, I had a realization last night that I am not who I thought I was.” 

He looks at me weirdly and starts, “Hmmm... I don’t know what that means but I like the change in you.” 

Alison screeches, “Sandy, you look amazing!!! Where did you get that shirt? Your eyes are so beautiful! Luke has you feeling good and it shows!! I’m so happy for you.”

 Ha! I’m going to let them think it was all Luke. 

 James just looks at me in shock. “What James? Do I have you speechless, I’m going for that.”  I say teasingly but it's true. 

“You got that award, Sandy. I won’t deny that.”  He says in a condescending tone. 

 I think I got the reaction I was looking for from my family. Now it’s on to school and what Luke thinks.  I am doing this for him and myself.  I want him proud of his girlfriend, even if I’m secretly a mermaid. If mermaids even look like this. I'm not sure what to go off of.

  I haven't made my choice if I want to officially embrace my mermaid or if I want to be a human.  I can’t deny that I did enjoy knowing I could be normal and these scales will go away!  So many things to think about. I’m just going to embrace this rollercoaster ride of my life.  I don't need to make that decision until later.

I hop out of my car when we get to school, with more confidence than I've ever had in my whole life.

  Luke can tell, he has a huge grin on his face. “Sandy, you look HOT!! I just want to show you off to everyone in the world. You are mine and I'm the luckiest guy ever.”  

Did he just say HOT? I can’t help but turn red and look away.  “I’m glad you think that.  I want you to be proud of me.” 

Luke smartly remarks back at me “I don’t think you could disappoint me, Sandy. You are a very special girl. I want people to know your name and see that bright face of yours. It's beautiful and so are you.” 

 He knows all the right things to say to make me feel butterflies. He grabs my hand and proudly walks into school. Except for this time, I lead the way in with a huge grin on my face. Everyone is looking at me in shock like they have never seen me before. This was the reaction I wanted from everyone. Tasha definitely helped save me!  

Tasha is even at our lockers smiling at me with amazement in her eyes.  “Girl, you look so good, I’m proud of you! Luke, wouldn’t you agree our Sandy cleans up so well?” I wink at her knowing she helped with it all.

He nods and pipes up. “Oh, I'm loving what my girl is doing. She is showing everyone what I saw inside of her this whole time. I couldn't be more proud to have her mine.” 

I start to blush again. He is killing my heart it feels like it's going to explode in a good way. 

 What did he see in me I didn’t see in myself? Whatever he saw, I’m glad it’s showing. I think I’m starting to like all this attention for once. Tasha just laughs at him and winks at me. My life feels perfect and it’s only going to get better!