His Little Mermaid

Chapter 1

When I was a child, I loved the sea. 

My brother and I would play on the beach all the time - that is until... that day...

My name is Yoko Hamasaki, I am an average teenage girl about to start my first year of High School. Actually, right now I am in the car, travelling back to my old vacation home with my father. He is a kindly man and very hard working but... well let's just say he isn't the sharpest tool in the box when it comes to other people's feelings.

As I gazed out of the window, my stomach twisted as I stared out to the sea. I looked away and pretended it was not within my line of vision.

"You used to love it here Yoko. I'm sure you'll fit right in."

My father looked at me in the rear view mirror, grinning so intensely that it looked like his eyes had been melded shut by all the creases in his cheeks. 

I took a second to take a deep breath. I know I said I was average but I'm sure not all teenage girls have to deal with these problems, which makes me kind of abnormal I guess...

"Of course Dad! I'm not worried." I smiled back at him, trying to act just as oblivious as him.

Of course that wasn't true, because in case you haven't already noticed, I am terrified... of the sea...

My Dad is a great baker. He loves it and I can't remember a time when he wasn't making me little cakes and cookies and stuff. He finally decided to follow his dream and start up a shop, but back in the city our apartment wasn't really the best place to start. Our vacation house seemed like a perfect place, and the location was great too. Dad moved back and forth from the city for months renovating it into what he now calls "The Cove Cafe", and now we're finally here! And I'm happy for him, of course I am.

"Welcome to your new room Yoko!"

My Dad literally skipped into that tiny room. I will admit, he had done an amazing job on it. I guess what made it so great was all my personal possessions though - my red, retro looking quilt, my bookcase, stuffed to the brim with all of my favourite novels, except for the bottom self of course, that was preserved for my music box... the one my brother had given to me for my birthday one year. It looked just like my old room back home, only smaller, cosier and easier to keep clean. 

I smiled at my Dad, but he didn't notice, he was too busy looking all over the place. He literally crawled around the floor before getting up to face me. God, he could be so eccentric sometimes, especially when he's excited.

"Yup!" He cried along with a satisfied grunt. "A cute room for my cute little girl." 

His face was so happy and full of warmth all I could do was return the smile as best I could.

"Thanks Dad." I said as he ruffled my hair,

"I'll just let you get settled then." 

He took his hand off of my messed up hair and started to walk towards the door. Before walking out he turned back to me and said,

"I know I already apologised for this, but sorry again for sending you to school so quickly. I just think it would be best if we both tried to get settled as quickly as possible, ya know?"

I nodded, still trying to keep my smile plastered to my face. Dad nodded also and with one last overly excited smile, he shut the door with a definite finality.

He's finally gone, I thought as I felt the coolness of my tears hit the heat of my burning cheeks.

Dad, I turned with so much force towards the window that I almost fell down, You're just too carefree!