An Autistic Mermaid Tail

Chapter Four: Amaya Noir

Mr Drew continued glaring at the Autism Speaks woman's retreating back. I wondered why this group is dedicated to destroying people like Mr. Drew. I watched the scene silently, running a hand through my messy black hair. Mr. Drew turned to me, and his brown eyes softened. "Amaya, you got to be more delicate." He admonished kindly. I nodded, but I knew that my short temper is getting me into trouble.

Anya jogged out, her gray ponytail bouncing as she jogged. "Charlie. Autism Speaks has just called to say that our restaurant needs to shut down due to unprofessionalism. They are sending health inspectors today."

We froze. This has happened before, and if Autism Speaks shuts down my favorite place, I'll be jobless. Mr. Drew called, "Clean up everywhere!" And that was when all hands were on deck. I scrubbed, polished and waxed every surface, and my autistic friends were busy sweeping, dusting, anything that can help them in the long run. I watched two of my coworkers race upstairs. I continued polishing as I heard Mr. Drew say, "Good afternoon, sirs. I-"

I heard a harsh voice reply, "Mr. Drew, we got a call saying that you have harassed an autism advocate. This place has to be shut down because of unprofessionalism and it looks like you are keeping vermin in your building." I knew that he was referring to the two hamsters that Mr. Drew has in the Stim room.

I glanced up as I saw a man with a health inspector coat enter. He sneered when he saw me, "And who is the sexy lady?"

I replied cruelly, "This is the 'sexy lady' who will ruin your career in a heartbeat, you disgusting sot. Don't preach what you don't practice." I balled my hand into a fist just to send a message. Mr. Drew appeared from behind, and his expression was shocked. I lowered my head. I let my mouth fly again, and this time, I knew that I was going to be fired.

Mr. Drew growled at the inspector, "I will be back, Harold. Next time would not be quite so fortunate. I will also press charges against your little friend Karen for telling you that I'm re-!" but he cut himself off when Anya glared at him. He sighed sadly, then he turned to me. His eyes shined brightly with tears, and he hugged me (something that he hates doing). Mr. Drew told me sadly, "I'm sorry, Amaya. I'm afraid that I'll have to lay you off. You are my best worker."

Then he handed me the pink slip of doom. I could feel tears sting, but before anyone could stop me, I slapped the health inspector as hard as I could. I raced out of there before anyone could stop me. I ran to the beach, the tears stinging my eyes. If my day couldn't get any worse, then I might as well cry on the beach.

I gazed at this too perfect beach, and I kicked off my sneakers. I didn't care about dying. Mom cut me off after realizing that I am not going after her dream of being a Broadway actress. I sat down and sobbed. I knew that I need to find a job- fast. I had no idea that having a job was going to be the least of my worries. I sobbed brokenly on the beach, feeling as if my world was just destroyed. And if that Autism Speaks has not stuck their nose where it was not wanted, this would have never happened, and if you kept your mouth shut, this would not have happened either! I chastised myself angrily.

I sat down in the sand, not really caring about how much of a pain it would be to get the sand off of me. I grumbled the worst things I could think of when something brilliant cobalt caught my eye. Hm? Sea glass? I wondered, moving towards the glittering thing slowly. As I got closer, I could clearly see that it was a tail. Not sea glass. I don't know what to make of this fish thing... Huh!? My own thoughts interrupted themselves when I saw where the mouth of the fish should be is instead, a human torso.

I eyed the beautiful thing carefully. It looked like she was having a bad day, too. I can see that she was crying. I approached slowly, not wanting to scare the poor mergirl. I knelt down, and I got a good look at her. Her small nose was almost perfectly bean shaped, and her eyes were shut. I had a feeling that this was the mermaid from my dream. I brushed a stray, cobalt hair out of her face, and I knew that I had to help her somehow.

I gently shake her shoulder, and she mumbled in a slight monotone, "No! I don't want to! Five more minutes." I grinned, tapping her gently again. This time, I was met with a green eyed glare. I was enchanted by how much like emeralds her eyes reminded me of. "What part of-!? Oh, no..." The mermaid began to snap, but her face paled when she saw me.

I grabbed her wrist, and she snarled, "Drop it!" 

I replied, angry and annoyed that this mermaid clearly didn't have a clue, "Is that any way to treat someone who is trying to help you!?" The mermaid's emerald green eyes dropped, then she shifted uncomfortably. "Listen, I don't know what your issue is, but I'm having a bad day," I scolded.

The pretty mermaid mumbled, "Sorry. It's just against mermaid law for humans to interact with us. I'm kind of having a bad day too. Since I just broke a law, I guess we can talk like civilized creatures." I knew that the apology was sincere, so I sat down next to this mermaid. I thought, If someone told me that mermaids are real, I'd look at them as if I was lying. The mermaid twisted one of her cobalt curls around sheepishly. "I don't know how to begin..."

I replied, my voice steady, "How about your name?"

She blinked at me, then she stated, "I'm Cassidy. Cassidy Lovetail. You?"

Since this mermaid did give me her name, it was only ettiquette for me to do the same in return. "Amaya Noir." I replied. I paused for a minute, letting this awkward moment sink in. Then I asked, "Wanna talk about your bad day?"

She nodded, then she stated, "I was supposed to be at Three Oceans College by now, but Raina had to shove me up here just because I couldn't take her crap."

I winced in sympathy, since her day sounded a bit worse than my own troubles. I asked, seating myself next to her and wrapping an arm firmly around her waist, "Is Raina a friend of yours?" Cassidy shook her head angrily, her blue curls bouncing furiously. Her face burned a deep cobalt color, as if she was sprayed in the face with blue paint. I realized that I knew exactly how Cassidy felt; I've been bullied myself because of my beauty surpassing the popular girls in middle school. I offered, "I could get you back in the water."

I watched those perfect green eyes light up with hope, then her eyes became downcast as if she had just been told to kill a cute puppy. I asked, noticing the change, "What's wrong?"

She muttered, her slight monotone upset, "The penalty for you helping me is me drowning you... or having you become a mermaid. It'll hurt like a motherpuffer, but if it means keeping you from drowning, then I'll accept your help."