Cora

Chapter 1: "Great! Another amazing year ahead of me."

The birds chirp as my head pops out of the glorious blue waves. My morning swim reveals that today will be a perfect day. My tail propels me forward rather slowly this morning so I can fully enjoy the wonders of the sea. The coral sparkles beneath the water where the sunlight hits them and the fish swim around me, accustomed to my presence. Alas, the beauty has to end as it was my first day of high school and I don't want to be late.

After changing into a beautiful teal dress that goes down to my thighs, I make my way up the beach to my house. Caleb had promised that he wouldn't leave without me. Especially since he knows how I get in front of big crowds, even if I know most of the people from middle school. Opening the front door, I'm greeted with Caleb yelling my name, "Cora!"

"What?" I yell back, smiling to myself as I walk in, enter the kitchen, and grab a fresh cinnamon roll. Caleb must have made these while I was swimming. He must be keeping up the tradition of having these delicious biscuits whenever it's a special occasion. Not that this could count as special.

"Oh, there you are. We were supposed to leave ten minutes ago." Caleb comes into the kitchen wearing a light green t-shirt with an open dark green jacket and brown cargo pants. His green shirt helps bring out his ocean blue eyes that sparkle in annoyance as he gets a plastic container for the rolls.

His eyes match mine in their oceanic color, but while his shine brightly against black hair, mine contrasts with my deep red curls that go to my waist. "There, now can we go?" Caleb teases as he ruffles my hair.

"Hey! Stop messing up my hair!"

"It's already messed up from your swim this morning. I'm doing you a favor."

I try to come up with a come-back for my annoying older brother, but he is already out the door. I follow him to the car that is already packed with our suitcases and Caleb goes flying out of the driveway. Great! Another amazing year ahead of me.