Hidden Froggie Hearts

Chapter 7

As Megan settled back onto her lilypad, the warmth of the sun embraced her, and she felt a lightness in her heart that came from the thrill of her earlier encounter. She couldn't help but let out a soft croak, the sound echoing through the quiet pool area. With a burst of playful energy, she decided to hop around the pool, her little legs bouncing with excitement.

Each leap was filled with joy as she playfully splashed water around, her tiny form a blur of motion. Megan reveled in her cuteness, feeling like the most adorable frog in the world as she explored her little sanctuary. With every hop, she kept one ear tuned to the lively chatter coming from the beach.

From her vantage point, she could see the Pogues gathered around, animatedly discussing the mysterious girl who had captivated John B. Their voices floated through the air, and she couldn't help but inch closer to the edge of the pool, trying to catch every word.

"Seriously, where did she come from?" Kie asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I've never seen anyone like her!"

"I know, right?" JJ chimed in, running a hand through his hair. "She was incredible. And did you see how John B looked at her? Like he was under a spell or something!"

"Maybe he was," Rafe teased, a smirk on his face. "He was totally entranced by her. I've never seen him like that before."

Megan's heart fluttered at the mention of John B. She could picture him now, his expression filled with wonder as he spoke about her. The realization that she had made such an impact on him filled her with warmth and a hint of pride. She giggles and wonders what was John B. thoughts of when she kissed him.

"She has to come back!" Sarah said, her tone earnest. "I want to see her again! John B has to find her. There's something special about her."

Megan smiled to herself, feeling a surge of happiness at Sarah's words. She had shared something beautiful with John B, and now it seemed everyone else was rooting for their connection. The idea of being that mysterious girl, the one they all talked about, filled her with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"What if she's like some kind of mermaid?" Kie pondered, her imagination running wild. "I mean, she swam like a pro!"

Megan giggled softly at that thought, envisioning herself as a mermaid with a sparkling tail. That might be a fun twist to her secret! But then she remembered she was still just a little frog, hidden away from the world.

"I wonder what she's like, though," John B's voice cut through the banter, more serious now. "I just... I can't shake the feeling that I need to find her."

Megan's heart raced at his words. He truly cared! Her tiny frog body filled with warmth as she listened intently, captivated by the way he spoke.

"You should totally go look for her!" JJ encouraged, clapping John B on the back. "What have you got to lose?"

"I know, I just..." John B sighed, frustration creeping into his tone. "I don't even know how to start. She just disappeared after that kiss, and now I can't get her out of my head."

Megan felt a pang of guilt wash over her. If only he knew that she was so close, just a hop away! She desperately wanted to reveal herself to him, to let him know how special that moment had been for both of them.

But she also felt a flicker of fear—fear of what would happen if he discovered her secret, the truth about her transformations. Would he still see her the same way? Would he understand?Hoping to distract herself from her thoughts, Megan decided to hop around the pool again, moving playfully from one edge to the other. She giggled to herself, finding joy in her cute antics, all while eavesdropping on the conversation.

As she made her rounds, she caught snippets of their conversation about her, and with each comment, she felt a swell of affection for her friends and their support. It was nice to know they were so invested in her happiness, even if they didn't realize it.

"Maybe we should have a beach bonfire tomorrow," Sarah suggested. "It'll be the perfect chance to see if she comes back!"

"Good idea!" Kie agreed enthusiastically. "We could have s'mores and music. Who knows? Maybe she'll be drawn to the firelight!"

Megan's heart leaped at the thought of being part of their gathering, even if it meant she had to keep her identity hidden. The idea of dancing and laughing under the stars with John B nearby was too tempting to resist.

As she hopped back toward her lilypad, she resolved to be brave. If they were having a bonfire, she would find a way to join them, to be there without revealing her secret—at least for a little while longer.

With the sun setting and the promise of tomorrow hanging in the air, Megan felt a renewed sense of hope. Her heart swelled with excitement at the prospect of the bonfire, knowing that it might just be the opportunity she needed to bridge the gap between her two worlds.