Once

Chapter 3

I swam as fast as I could, I needed to find a place to think somewhere I knew no one would bother me. I swam out to the reef, to the shelf I had found some months back. I came here often when I just needed a place to go to get away from everything and everyone. This was my safe space.

Was that really him, my mate? I thought to myself as I stared up through the water to the moon above.

Why did I run from him? All I've ever wanted is to find my mate and figure life out from there, but am I ready?

A sudden wave of exhaustion hit me, with one last look at the moon above I slipped into a blissful sleep.

A few hours later...

I woke up to the sound of swishing water. I groggily took in my surroundings, suddenly remembering where I was I hastily looked around in a panic for a place to hide. Someone had found my spot and was heading straight for me! I spotted a flash of an emerald green tail. I quickly swam to the surface to get my bearing about me and to hopefully buy some time before I was spotted.

I surfaced and took in a breath of fresh air.

What should I do? I don't want to be spotted out here. I'm not supposed to be out of the school building. If I am spotted and get reported to the school I could get expelled! My parents would kill me!

Oh s**t! I thought looking at the position of the sun in the sky. I'm going to be late for class!

With that thought in mind, consequences of being caught forgotten I pumped my tail as fast as I could and rushed back to town.

I arrived at class just before the bell rang. Walking in everyone seemed to turn and look at me almost as if they were seeing a ghost.

I probably look like crap maybe that is why everyone is staring at me?

The school day overall was fairly uneventful, although for some reason people kept staring at me and whispering when they thought I wasn't looking. Which had me curious. At lunch, I had asked one of my friends about it, but they seemed to be oblivious.

I was finally back at my dorm and ready to crash. I laid down and was almost asleep when someone rapped on my door.

I opened the door to a man, from the looks of him someone from the school staff.

"You are to go home for the weekend, Serena. Your parents wish to celebrate your 18th birthday." He stated before he left.

I went and grabbed a bag and packed the necessities I would need. I had a feeling there was something more on the agenda other than just my birthday.

This is going to be a long weekend.