Tails (Transformations: Book 1)

8

Aria breathed a sigh of relief as she looked at her last report card of the year. She had a C average, but that was normal for her. She was just glad she hadn't failed any of her classes. The final bell of the day rag and she rushed out, eager to start her summer vacation, during which she would be able to work more at the aquarium and spend less time walking around with a bunch of humans she didn't understand. She stepped out of the doors and breathed in the sweet, fresh air of freedom.

"There you are!" An excited voice came from behind her.

Aria turned, in surprise and found Idun standing beside Cora and Astrid, who were holding a large package between them. She stared at them, blankly. "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you, of course." Idun replied, making the other two giggle. "We got you a little end-of-the-year present." She nodded to her cousins and they stepped forward, holding out the package, expectantly.

"Oh, uh, thanks." She took the box, but had to set it down, due to its weight and awkward shape. They were still watching, so she opened it and just had to stare, at first. "Wow."

They giggled and Cora spoke up, first. "Do you like it?"

"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Aria replied. She gently pulled out a long, blue and silver mermaid tail. The details were better than any other she had ever come across. She looked back up at the three girls. "It's too much. I can't possibly keep this."

"We will be terribly offended if you don't." Idun replied, firmly.

"Yes, incredibly offended." Astrid agreed.

"Unbelievably so." Cora added, grinning, brightly.

Aria stared at them and couldn't help but smile back. "Well, I wouldn't want to offend anybody, would I?" She gently placed it back in the box. "Thank you, all, so much." She paused, thinking for a minute. "Why would you do something like this for me? We barely know each other, after all."

The three exchanged glances and Idun spoke up, again. "You are very dear to our cousin, Freya. Therefore, you are dear to us. Besides, this would look really beautiful on you, especially in the ocean."

"The ocean?" Aria had never been able to wear a tail in the actual ocean because she'd never had one of her own before. She'd always just used the one at the aquarium. She looked back down at the beautiful tail and nodded. "That would be really fun."

"We could go, now, if you want." Cora volunteered. "We know a place that would be perfect, don't we?" She looked at the others, who nodded.

"I don't even have a swimsuit." Aria replied, incredibly tempted.

"There's a matching top with the tail." Astrid told her."But I would still need bottoms." Aria stood, doing her best to hold the clumsy package. "I'll need to go home for that."

They seemed a little disappointed as they exchanged another look. Astrid turned her attention back to Aria with a frown. "Well, Freya's been so dull, lately. We're afraid she wouldn't want you to go to the ocean with us and we really want to see your new tail at work. We had it special made for you."

"So quickly?" She knew custom orders usually took months.

"We know some people." Idun put in. She frowned at Astrid, then looked back to Aria. "We got a rush order. We wanted it to be here in time for your last day of school, you know?"

"Right." She wondered just how much they had paid for the tail. "Well, I'm not sure if I should go to the beach without telling her."

"Just this once?" Cora gave her big eyes and a pitiful look. "We'll buy you a new suit on the way."