The Waves Are Ours |Virgato|

Chapter 22: Wait For Me

Joel was exhausted and emotionally drained by the time he finally made it back to the cove. It was just starting to get dark, the sun setting just behind him. He dragged himself up onto the sand. It was difficult when his tail suddenly felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. He let out a small sniffle, the tears from having to leave Chris having only just stopped.

He couldn't help but think he should have done things differently, defended himself or Chris more. Yet he'd been so nervous and scared. He'd been especially thrown off when Chris had mentioned his idea that the two of them could somehow rule the kingdom together one day.

He would have enjoyed that. Spending every day by Christopher's side sounded like a dream come true even if it did mean he would have to remain under the water. Yet he knew that it wasn't worth thinking about.

It was never going to happen.

Now he wondered whether he would even get the chance to see Chris again. He couldn't help but think that Chris would slowly forget about him as he focused on his role as prince. His stomach twisted at the thought.

It was hard to believe that he was gone.

His eyes scanned the beach for where Richard and Erick had left his phone. He could see it in a reachable spot wedged between some rocks. He reached for it, convincing himself that texting Richard and Erick was the best thing to do.

Yet as he pressed send on the message, the harsh reality that Chris wasn't coming back hit him. What was he supposed to say to them? How could he explain what Christopher's father had done? He thought this over as he waited for his legs to return and for the other boys to arrive to collect him.

By the time that they did arrive, Joel's tail was just starting to disappear. He could see their eyes searching around for Chris as they approached. His throat tightened as he tried to come up with what he could say to them. Richard and Erick's faces both fell. They knew what had happened.

"He had to stay," Joel told them simply. He could feel tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

Richard kneeled beside him, his eyes awash with sympathy, "What do you mean Christopher stayed?" Richard asked. "Why didn't he come back with you?"

"He didn't have a choice," Joel told them.

Both Erick and Richard blinked at him in confusion.

"His dad didn't approve of me once he found out that I'd lived on land, tail or no tail," Joel explained. "Plus, the fact that I'm a guy didn't exactly help either..." Joel frowned, recalling the memory. "His father was so angry with him. He even sent the palace guards to ensure that Christopher didn't come back with me and that I returned to shore."

Richard and Erick were both shaking their heads, the two of them going into a state of quiet shock.

"Did Christopher seem happy with the idea?" Erick asked quietly.

Joel shook his head, Chris had seemed just as upset as he had. He figured that Chris had only stayed because it was his duty as prince. More so that it was the right thing to do for his people than anything else.

"Of course not. He seemed pretty miserable. I don't think he wanted to leave us at all."

Richard and Erick were both silent. They exchanged worried glances. Joel had been so nervous about what would happen when he told them. He couldn't help the little voice inside his head that told him that this was his fault. If only he had learned to use his tail sooner. If only he'd stood up for Chris a little more.

"Joel, you're swimming yourself back down there. You even said it yourself, he's going to be miserable down there," Erick spoke.

"I can't. Christopher's father clearly said that he never wanted to see me down there again," Joel sighed. "Besides, his father wants him to find a mermaid to marry, that way he'll be ready to take over as king when the time comes."