On Our Side of the Forest (Short Story Compilation)

For the Water

For the Water

Another beautiful day for the beach. The sun was shining, the seagulls cawing in the blue sky. I ran to the bathroom from my window to brush my teeth and put on shorts and a t-shirt. My long ears flopped around as I rushed to get my shoes on and hurry down the stairs.

"Where do you think you're going in such a rush?" My mom was cooking breakfast in the kitchen. I stopped at the door.

"To the beach?" She turned to me with a smile.

"Eat first baby, then make sure you're home by nine okay?" I smiled and sat at the table. She set a plate of bacon and eggs in front of me with cinnamon toast on the side. I munch as quickly as I could, the toast was my favorite part. It was really sweet just like she always made it!

"Okay, I'll make sure I'm home on time!" I kissed her on the cheek and grabbed my backpack from the closet by the door.

"Be safe, and if you're home earlier you can help me make cookies!" I loved making cookies! I posted that sentence she said in my mind, grabbing my bike and rushing down the old road! You could see the ocean from where I lived. I could see the ocean from my room every night and morning! We didn't live far and the old fishing town was the nicest people ever! As I biked down the street, vendors were bringing in some of their stock to their shops. Many waved at me kindly.

I always made sure to lock up my bike on this old fence. There was this cluster of rocks I loved to go to, I have some of the prettiest shells I could find. I took my shoes off to run in the sand, plenty of other people and fishermen were out early enjoying the beach. When I had gotten to my spot, I noticed a little fish swimming around in the lower tides. I was beautiful with a tail fin that glittered purple and pink in the water. It's fins flowed behind it like lace. I moved in closer, carefully stepping in the water. I didn't want it to swim away!

The fish seemed to turn in my direction and watch as I watched closely. It didn't move. When I got close enough to look at it, I was dazzled by the color. It was an ombre of vibrant reds, purples, and pinks. I reached out to touch it, and then it changed into a young girl about my age. She wore a dress that matched her fins. I fell back into the water!

"You're a girl now!" I pointed at her, "How? You were just a fish!"

"I'm both! I just never get to go on the mainland, so I spend most of my time as a fish! I saw you come here all the time, you always collect the shells I bring up here!"

"You bring those here?" She had pretty purple eyes and red hair. It was unlike any person I had ever seen, but then again, she was just a fish.

"Yeah, I figured maybe I could meet someone to show me the mainland!" I stood up from the water.

"I could show you the mainland?" I blushed, "Do you have a name?"

"Aemi, do you have one?"

"Walter," She giggled.

"I like your ears Walter, and I would love it if you showed me around!" That began a different day than I expected. A day at the beach turned into showing this girl all sorts of things. I took her to my favorite book store with some of the best comics and records in the town.

We went to a little place that made fresh candy. The owner knew me, so he always gave me candy to eat! His candy was the best, and she giggled while she ate the soft panda-shaped gummies.

"These are soooo good! What are they?" I laughed as we walked down the sidewalk.

"That's gummy candy. They make that stuff by hand, fresh every day!" I took her to a few more places before realizing I forgot my bike back at the beach.

"Shoot, I left my bike!" I looked back toward the ocean.

"I have to get home soon anyway, it's getting dark,"

"I have one more thing to show you then before I take you back home!" We started back towards the beach, and on the way, I took her to my favorite beach cafe. They had some of the best boba tea, and they let you choose how you mix it!

"What's this?" She looked at the big menu in front of her.

"Boba teas, you can choose your flavors like strawberries and apples and stuff! I always get a honeydew and apple one!"

"What's lychee?"

"Kinda a strange flavor, my mom likes it," She looked for a little longer while I placed my order.

"Lychee and strawberry!" They made our drinks right in front of us. Aemi seemed to really enjoy it!

We walked back to the beach and sat on the dock for a while and watched the sunset. When we finished our tea, I took her back to the rock spot.

"We should hang out again!" She giggled and gave me a hug.

"Definitely, I'm around all the time as you know!" I blushed. She transformed back into a fish and swam back to sea. I grabbed my bike and headed back home. My mom had just started the cookies in the kitchen, so I hurried to get cleaned up and help.

"What did you end up doing today?" She smiled as she passed me the chocolate chips.

"I made a new friend, mom! She can turn into a fish!" She giggled.

"Then it looks like you have a story to tell me tonight, don't ya!" She hugged me and kissed me on my forehead, I loved that she was always ready to listen!