Merhalle

Celebration

Camita's POV:

    I stood in front of my bed, staring at the pink cotton dress my mother laid out for me. It had spaghetti straps, and would only come down mid-thigh, exposing more skin than I ever have in front of my classmates. I slipped into it anyways. Tonight was about stepping out of my comfort zone, experiencing new things. I was going to let loose tonight, and enjoy myself. I was determined. The dress fit perfectly. It shaped my body into the hour glass figure I wanted, a thicker one, but still hour glass. I brushed my long brown hair, and decided it needed a slight curl. I don't cake my self with make-up like the other girls in my class, but I do a hint of eye make-up to stand out just a little. Once I was done, I admired myself in the mirror. For once, I was proud at the reflection staring back at me. 

    Mama wasn't home, so I grabbed a notebook and a pen, and wrote a short note. 

    "Out with Thamo at graduation celebration. Don't wait up. I love you. -Cami." 

    Mama usually went out at night to clear her head. She'd go talk to Malu or just go for a stroll. It seemed to really help her. I slid my sandals on and headed out the door. The breeze was blowing, sending the ocean's salty fragrance around the island. The peaceful sound of the waves crashing on the beach seemed to call to me. As I got closer, I could hear the crackling of a fire, and the sound of someone playing the guitar. Our class sat around the fire, sipping out of red plastic cups and quietly listened to the music. I scanned the crowd for Thamo but I couldn't find him. He'll be here soon enough. I sat down on the sand, ditching my shoes to bury my feet. Closing my eyes to enjoy the serenity.  

    "Here Cami, you should have some." 

    I opened my eyes to see Fanti standing over me handing me a cup. 

    "What's in it?" I asked. 

    "Who knows, " Fanti said, " "Mallie's father had the guards bring it down to us." 

    "And you guys trusted it?" I laughed taking the cup from her. I raised it to my nose and smelled of it. It has a sweet smell, kind of like coconut. I took a swig. It was nice, had a little burn to it but it was nice. 

    "Where's Thamo at tonight?" Fanti asked looking around us. 

    "I'm sure he'll be here soon." I said. 

    "Okay, thanks." Fanti smiled as she walked back to the rest of the class. 

    A few minutes went by and finally Thamo showed up. He looked nice. He was wearing a blue button down shirt, and khaki shorts. His black hair still hung down to his eyes, but he gently smiled.  

    "What's going on? Where have you been?" I questioned. 

    "Got caught up talking with my father." He said. 

    "Oh okay, well you'll never believe this, but Fanti was asking about you." I teased. 

    "Really? You're not messing with me right now?" He asked, a little too excited. 

    "Honestly, would I do that?" I laughed. 

    He looked down at the cup in my hand, chugged the rest of my drink and walked toward her. I laughed and shook my head, I needed some more to drink. I walked towards the refill station and helped myself. Tonight was already perfect. I walked back to where I was sitting on the beach and watched the waves wash up on the beach. For once, the guards weren't watching the beach and the waters. Now, would be the perfect time to take a swim, but it'd have to wait til tomorrow, I didn't even bring a swim suit. 

    We all sat around the fire for hours, sharing memories we all had together. We laughed, and we cried. We were kind of sad to see our years together end, but we were also happy that we were finished with school. The countdown for midnight began. 

    "Ten.. Nine.. Eight.. Seven.." 

    I smiled with joy, not just because it will officially end our last day at high school students, but also because, it was officially my birthday. We all cheered as midnight came. A whole new year, a new beginning, a new life. Everything was uphill from here. Thamo sat down beside me, pulling me close to him. 

    "Happy Birthday." He whispered in my ear. 

    "Thank you." I said, smiling at him. 

    It started to get late, those who could walk started to head home, helping those too drunk to stand.

    "You coming?" Thamo asked me, holding Fanti by his side. 

    "No, I'm gonna stay for a little longer, you two have fun." I teased.

    With everyone gone, I took this opportunity to take a peaceful swim by myself. I shimmied out of my little pink dress, exposing my strapless bra and lacy black panties. I let the waves brush over my feet, slowly wading deeper into the water. The bright moon reflected on the water, shimmering in the night. Once I was deep enough, I dove under the water. The sea water embraced me, welcoming me home. I've always loved the sea. I felt at peace in the water, like I belonged. I swam a little further out, careful not to go too far. I was well aware of the dangers that are in the ocean. Suddenly, I felt a weird tingle in my toes. I brushed it off, probably small fish or something playing with my feet. The tingling spread to my legs, stopping me in my tracks. I couldn't move. My legs, felt fused together. I was stuck. I moved my arms to keep me afloat, but suddenly I felt as if I was being drug under. I squeezed my eyes shut, begging to wake up from this nightmare. 

    I slowly opened my eyes, expecting the familiar sting from the salt water, only to find a comfortable feeling. I could suddenly see as if it was day light, but above, the moon still shined above. I had to think of something quick, I was running out of air. I looked down to examine my legs. I screamed in horror. My legs, where were my legs? What is this? I felt of my lower half. Scaly, and slimy. I rubbed my eyes. This can't be. An Emerald Green tail, shimmered in the moon light. I couldn't catch my breath. Am I about to drown? Is this it? 

    ..breathe.. 

    Like a whisper, a voice in the ocean, telling me to breathe. I calmed myself, and took a deep breath. Okay.. One problem solved, now how do I swim? I tried to kick, I tried to rock, and I tried to sway, nothing seemed to work. I closed my eyes. I had to focus. It didn't take long, I started swimming. I swam like it was a second nature. Without a second thought I swam to shore. This was crazy. I had to get home. Once I reached shore, I heard a familiar voice. 

    Mallie. Why was she still on the beach? I sunk myself as low as I could. She was on the phone, arguing with someone. I felt a familiar tingle in my tail. I looked down, legs. I have my legs back. I stood up and walked to where my clothes were on the beach, throwing my dress on as fast as I could. I held my sandals in my hand, hoping to escape before Mallie noticed I was there. Not lucky enough I guess. 

    "Returning from your natural habitat, freak?" Mallie beamed. 

    I could smell the alcohol reeking from her as she spoke. 

    "Just go home Mallie, and we'll only see each other on occasion, not like we have the past fourteen years." I pleaded. 

    Mallie laughed in her cocky way and stumbled down the beach towards her home, and I made my way towards mine. As I entered my house, mama sat in the kitchen waiting on me. 

    "I've been waiting on you Cami." She looked me over, shaking her head in disapproval. 

    Mama didn't like when I went swimming alone. "The sea is dangerous." She always warned. 

    "I went for a swim Mama that's all." I said. 

    "Sit down honey, we need to talk." Mama looked worried. 

    I took a seat, silently waiting for mama to explain what was going on. 

    "Cami, I don't know how to explain this, I don't even know where to begin." She started. 

    "What do you mean mama? Explain what?" I asked. 

    "Well, today is your eighteenth birthday, today you have come of age, and must fufill your destiny. Your mother, gave you to me, the day you were born, to protect you from the war. She had you on land, meaning you wouldn't sprout until today. She couldn't take you with her. I know if she could've she would've. Your mother loves you, and so do I. Which is why I must let you go. You must go to her, and become Merhalle." 

    My jaw dropped in shock. What the hell was going on? My entire life was a lie. Merhalle? I didn't want to actually be a mermaid. I've joked about it but who the hell wants to be part fish? How is this happening? I've got to be dreaming. I started laughing. I couldn't stop. I laughed until tears rolled down my face, and then I cried. I sobbed. How was this happening? Who was my mother? Why did she leave me? I feel so confused. My thoughts and emotions are all over the place. I can't wrap my head around it. I have to tell her, about the tail. 

    "Mama," I started, "Erm.. can I still call you that?" I said. 

    "Of course you can. I still love you, no matter what." She replied. 

    "Tonight, when I took a swim, I think I "sprouted"." I explained. " I went under the water, and before I could come up, my legs, disappeared. I had a tail, the same color of my eyes, except with more shimmer. I mean I knew that I felt more home in the sea, but this is ridiculous. I can't be a mermaid. Mermaids are legends to scare people from the water. I can't be evil." 

    "Legends are wrong. Mer-kind lived among us, protecting us, learning from us, and teaching us. We all loved each other. Until the general showed up, made them to be the bad guys, and sent them on their ways, making them feel isolated to the sea. They no longer trust humans, and humans no longer trust them. That's where you come in I believe. You are the key, to bringing peace between mer-kind and humans. You Cami, are princess of the Merhalle people, and you must return to the sea, and be who you were born to be." 

    I looked at Mama, I felt fear, and pain in my heart. I had to leave? Princess? Oh no... My vision grew blurry, and everything went black. I didn't even feel myself hit the ground.