Tails (Transformations: Book 1)

1

     A mermaid with strawberry-blonde hair did a flip, her tail making the water splash a bit. She swam gracefully past a platinum-blonde mermaid and they took hands, doing a synchronized turn before swimming to the surface and taking a breath. Once their lungs were filled, they slipped back under water and continued the routine.
     A dozen happy tourists stood outside the tanks, watching the girls. The strawberry-blonde pressed her hands against the glass, low enough that one of the little girls outside was able to match it. The mermaid smiled at her and swam back up as the routine ended.
     They did several more shows like that before their shifts ended and they went to the dressing room to return to their human forms.
     "We were pretty awesome, today." Freya, the platinum-blonde commented.
     Aria, the strawberry-blonde, smiled. "Yesterday, you said we were fabulous and today, we're awesome." She carefully wrapped up her tail and put it in the storage closet.
     "What can I say?" Freya grinned. "We rule the sea."
     Aria laughed. "Well, the aquarium, at least." She looked at her friend, trying to determine, not for the first time if her hair was really that pale by nature. Freya insisted it was, but Aria had her doubts. "Today went pretty well, though."
     "We are on a roll!" Freya linked arms with Aria. "Together, there's nothing we can't do."
     "Well, I wouldn't say nothing." Aria smiled as she looked at her friend. They had met at the aquarium a few months before, when Freya had taken over for a mermaid who had moved away. The two were much more in sync than Aria's previous partner and had quickly become friends, even getting an apartment together. She found herself drawn to the girl's ever-bright personality. She was the most optimistic person Aria had ever met and always seemed to find a way to make things work out for them.
     "Well, I would and I did." Freya replied, looking at her friend. "Respect your elder."
     "Are you my elder?" Aria raised her eyebrows. "How old are you, again?"
     "Nine hundred and seventy eight." Freya replied, as usual. Aria hadn't been able to find out her real age and the girl always seemed to come up with the same number when asked. She couldn't be tricked into telling the truth, it seemed. They were paying attention to each other and accidentally bumped into someone.
     "Sorry." Aria looked to see who it was, just as he was kneeling down to pick up some papers he had dropped. She felt thoroughly embarrassed when she realized they had run into Frederick Grey, a biologist who worked out of a lab in the back of the aquarium. He studied the fish and had several papers published on the subject.
     "It's not a problem." He assure them, standing back up once he had his papers. "It's just some research materials and they weren't organized to begin with." He smiled at them. Dr. Grey was tall and slender. He had black hair, which had been quickly brushed, and a deep voice that made many girls swoon. He was rather pale from spending most of his days in his lab and he always kind of reminded Aria of a vampire.
     She returned the smile. "Just as long as we didn't cause you any trouble..."
     "No trouble at all." He replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be off to my lab. Important studies to do and all that." He gave another smile before taking off. It seemed he was always doing research of one kind or another. He was attractive enough to have a girlfriend, but he had no interest in such things. Sometimes, Aria wondered if he ever left the lab, at all.
     "That guy gives me the creeps." Freya commented, once he was out of earshot.
     Aria gave her a playful slap. "That's not very nice."
     "Doesn't he seem odd to you?" Freya asked as they started walking, again. "He cares way more about science than people. It's not healthy."
     "He's a little eccentric." Aria reasoned. "He's harmless, though. You shouldn't really allow yourself to be troubled by people being different. You won't make many friends if you can't tolerate quirks."
     "I have all the friends I need." Freya smiled and squeezed Aria's arm. "Why would I ever need to find more?"
     "You'll want a boyfriend, eventually, right?" Aria asked.
     Freya stared at her, blankly. "What would I do with one of those?"
     Aria shrugged. "Go on dates and stuff?"
     "Why can't I do that with you?" Freya caught her head, managing to look so adorable that Aria couldn't help but wonder if it was intentional.
     "It wouldn't really be the same." Aria replied. "It's not like we would ever get married."
     "You wouldn't marry me?" Freya pouted her lip. "I'd be a good wife."
     "And you think Grey's odd?" Aria laughed and shoved her away, shaking her head. "Sometimes, I think you really are as crazy as you act."
     "Of course, I am." Freya smiled. "It's part of my charm." She flipped her hair.
     Aria couldn't help but laugh. "You have charm, now? I think I missed that memo."
     A young man came rushing in their direction. He looked around, clearly flustered. He had brown hair, blue eyes and a baby-sweet appearance. He saw the girls and took a breath. "Have you seen Dr. Grey? We were talking and he suddenly took off. I'm his new intern and he forgot to show me where the lab is." His expression was desperate. "I don't want to make a bad first impression, but I have no idea where I'm going."
     The girls looked at him, wearing matching, amused smiles. This wasn't particularly unusual behavior for the absent-minded doctor. Everything came second to his work, even his interns. It wasn't the first time he had forgotten one and had to be chased down. Aria took pity on the boy. "It's towards the back. I'll show you."
     He gave her a relieved smile, then paused, staring at her. "You're really pretty." As soon as the words were out, he realized what he had said and his cheeks turned crimson. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean..." He faltered, having no explanation for the awkward compliment. He rubbed his neck, uncomfortably. "Sorry." He was half-afraid he might have scared her off, leaving him to find the lab by himself.
     Aria raised her eyebrows, suppressing a giggle. She often got compliments from strangers, since she was a performer. However, this one was a little more interesting. "No need to worry. It's always nice to hear that someone finds me attractive."
     "Right." He didn't look any less embarrassed. "So...about the lab..."
     "It's this way." Aria continued to smile as she led him towards the back of the building. "I'm Aria, by the way. I'm a mermaid, here."
     "I'm Eric." He didn't look at her, directly. "I'm an intern with Dr. Grey."
     "You mentioned that." She told him, the amusement clear in her voice.
     "Oh, right." He cleared his throat. "I guess I'm a little nervous. I've read several of his papers and I was really impressed by his work. I couldn't believe he hired me, at all."
     "Don't worry so much." She advised. "Dr. Grey is a little absent-minded and probably won't remember any screw-ups, as long as they are not too big."
     He frowned, not seeming to be terribly comforted by that idea. "He's not really what I expected."
     "He's not what most people expect when they hear he's a renowned scientist." She stopped outside the back door. "The lab is through here and to the right. He'll probably have his nose buried in his work, but don't get offended. He's always like that."
     "Thanks." He took a breath and stepped through the door, looking rather grave.
     Aria returned to Freya, who had waited patiently for her. Freya shook her head and sighed. "Poor boy doesn't have any idea what he's in for. I almost feel sorry for the kid."
     "Pretty sure he's too old for you to call him a kid." Aria pointed out. "AT any rate, he'll learn, quickly, I'm sure."
     "He'll have to if he doesn't want to get left behind." Freya smiled and took Aria's arm, again. "Now, then, I believe we were discussing how charming I am."