Mermaids and Men [mlm]

32. The Moon Will Sing

It was the next day, which meant everyone had to go to school. Immediately, the rest of the group could tell that something was up with Nicki, but when they looked to Elijah for answers, Elijah couldn't give them any. Nicki assured them that nothing was wrong, but they could tell that was bullshit, too. It definitely seemed like a lot was on Nicki's mind right now.

Nicki was trying to come up with a plan. There had to be something he could do-- he was on limited time right now! Something has got to be different!

Anthony won't kill Elijah... He even said he'll let the girls live, but there's always a chance he'll go back for them. Once he gets a taste of a Siren's life force, he'll surely want more. Still... What Laachlan father has said they'll spare others? None. What Laachlan father has said that everything they do, they do for their son? None. What Laachlan father has actually felt genuine love for their wife and family? None. None... Except for Anthony. He's the only one who's ever acted like an actual human being. This life has proven to be extremely different, in the way of how the Laachlan father acts. So how is that difference going to change the ending?

What does Anthony want? Does he only want power? He needs it for something-- that much is obvious, but for what? What is he trying to do?

Nicki was tapping his foot and banging his pencil against his paper, really stressing about figuring all of this out. He didn't have much time left-- the full moon was in five days! What is he supposed to do?

Nicki sighed and covered his face with his hand, pushing his tongue into the inside of his cheek, foot tapping at a rapid pace. "Nicki?" the teacher called out, causing Nicki to quickly look up at her, an almost panicked sort of look in his eyes. Elijah looked over his shoulder at Nicki, frowning when he noticed just how anxious he looked right now. "Are you alright?" she asked, frowning at him. Nicki smiled through the pain, chuckling lightly. "S-Sorry, Mrs. Lowell... I'm fine," he reassured her. "If you're feeling unwell, you're welcome to go to the nurse's office," Mrs. Lowell told him, tilting her head at him. Nicki shook his head and looked back down at his paper, sniffling. "No, no... I'm okay," he mumbled, which had Elijah getting a bit worried.

He wasn't okay. Elijah knew this.

Mrs. Lowell nodded her head and went back to the lesson she was teaching the class. Nicki was like that even in PE, which Logan and Rose noticed. They tried to ask him what was wrong, but he just brushed them off and assured them that he was fine. Something was definitely wrong, though; they could all tell. At lunch, the entire group couldn't help but ask again.

"Nicki, babe... Are you sure you're okay? You look like something's bothering you," Aveline observed, frowning at him. "I'm fine... I've told you guys already-- I'm all good," Nicki reassured them, stabbing at his food with his fork. "Yeah, but... You're not really eating your food," Natalie pointed out, fidgeting in her seat. "He wasn't really eating yesterday either. He's been acting off ever since he came back from my house," Elijah informed them, which had Nicki tensing up. "Oh? What happened, Nicki?" Alex asked, frowning at the male Siren. "My dad had a chat with him. That's when I noticed he was acting weird-- it was right after I entered the room and they got done talking," Elijah said, which had the group's eyes widening. "What'd you guys talk about?" Logan asked, looking over at Nicki, who was very clearly getting overwhelmed by all of this. "Nothing... Nothing-- it was just him questioning me about my relationship with Elijah... You know, strict parent stuff," Nicki replied, leg bouncing from underneath the table. "You sure that's all it was?" Colin questioned, giving Nicki a concerned look. Nicki nodded his head, leg bouncing at a faster pace. "Yup. It's all good-- nothing I can't handle," he assured them. Elijah and Rose could feel the heat radiating off of him, which had them both frowning. 'Nicki... Did he say something to you? He didn't... Find out, did he?' Aveline broadcasted to her fellow Sirens. "Everything's fine!" Nicki yelled, standing up quickly and slamming his hands down onto the table, only causing the food on his tray to combust into flames. The entire group jumped at the sudden rise in tone, Natalie and Aveline even screaming slightly in surprise, staring at the small fire. "U-Uh--!" Natalie quickly leaned over the table and held her hand above the fire, conjuring up a small spout of water to put it out. Thankfully, no one else saw what had just happened. Elijah stared at the scene in horror, then looked up at Nicki, noticing the sweat dribbling off his body. "Baby... You gotta calm down," he soothed, reaching out and touching Nicki's arm, only to quickly retract his hand when a searing burn was inflicted upon him. "Sh-Shit!" he gasped, clutching his hand. "I-I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry-- everything's fine. I-I'm just tired a-and stressed... It's nothing... I-I'm sorry," Nicki stammered and backed away from the table, causing all of his friends to look up at him with worried, slightly frightened looks. Nicki's outburst wasn't the only reason they were frightened... They were worried something had happened with Anthony, and Nicki just wasn't telling them. "N-Nicki?" Aveline called out, getting ready to stand up, only Nicki quickly grabbed his bag and turned around, walking away. "I need some air," he muttered, leaving the group.