Norminah «One-Shots»

World Of The Unknown

Normani's POV

If you told me magical creatures with powers existed before this event-- I would've said you needed to stop watching fantasy movies. That it was messing with your head but with what I was shown... changed my entire perspective. That they can look like us but behind closed doors, in their environment, they are far from normal.

Growing up I used to adore mermaids. I thought they were beautiful. I even wanted to be one but as I grew up I lost interest in them when I kept being told they never existed. My dream of becoming one was crushed.

I forgot about that phase until I met this girl who was new around town. Her name was Dinah. She was beautiful with caramel-looking skin, brunette hair, and brown eyes. She was full of life. I never had a dull moment with her. She approached me when she needed help around the campus of our college and I didn't hesitate to help. There, she told me a little about herself but avoided my question about where she was from. She would just brush it off or say she was from California. Whenever I asked her what part, again, she would avoid answering it directly.

At first, I thought she was just being secretive but as I sat down and was left with my thoughts I found that extremely odd. When I brought it to her attention, she confessed saying she just wanted to leave that in her past. Something bad happened and she wanted to leave all of that behind. All I could do was respect her wishes so I dropped it.

Every day since then, we stayed by each other's side. We studied together, went out together, and just shared a lot of the same interests and viewpoints. She lived both on campus and off campus. So did I. However, we only spent time in my room or apartment. If we did go back to her place it was her dorm. Never her actual home or apartment but I didn't think much of it.

When it was time for the holidays I would invite her to come along with me. Unfortunately, she would say she had to go back home. So we would celebrate it separately but she never missed a chance to text me.

There were a lot of red flags that I should've noticed and pushed harder for answers but I didn't.

FLASHBACK

"Hey, since it's spring break there is a pool party going on. Want to join me?" I asked crossing my fingers hoping that she said yes. Dinah looked like she saw a ghost. She gulped shaking her head. "I don't think I should. I don't know any of them..." she started to protest but I quickly intervened. "Neither do I. It's a party. That's a place where you'll meet a bunch of strangers with a few similar faces. I'll be right there with you. Please?" I asked her with my famous puppy dog eyes. A face I do when I want to get my way. Dinah looked hesitant before giving in. "Fine" She mumbled softly. I smiled pulling her in a hug. "thank you!"

Dinah's POV

I sighed looking at my outfit in front of my mirror. I covered up as much as possible. I'd never been to a pool party but I knew what a pool was and I didn't want any parts. It was hot outside and getting in the water sounded nice. I mean it was the perfect way to cool down and have fun but I just couldn't. I grabbed my phone looking at the text Normani sent me telling me she was about to pull up and get me. Great. I couldn't pull out of this one. I hoped to the gods above that nothing went wrong but oh boy did I jinx myself.

Normani beeps when she was outside of my dorm building. I gathered my things and headed out of the door. When I got outside and into the car, Normani gave me a stank face. I raised an eyebrow. "What?" She shakes her head pulling out of the parking lot and heading to the pool party. "What are you wearing? We are going to a POOL PARTY! You're supposed to be in a bikini, a tank top, and some shorts or something. Not a long sleeve shirt, jeans, and sneakers." She read me to filth for my outfit choice. I didn't even stand a chance when it came to defending myself. "How was I supposed to know that?" I lied. "I've never been to one. Besides, I didn't want to get in the pool." I protested. "Even then, you could've worn something else that wouldn't have you sweating your ass off," Normani says. I knew she was right but again. I couldn't help it.