The Mermaid Spell

The girl

Terrified was definitely not a strong enough word to define how I felt as Adrian and I came in sight of the majestic castle.  I resurfaced almost immediately after, for my lungs were burning like hell.  Adrian followed close behind.

"How are we suppoed to do this?!  I can't even breath underwater!"  I whispered, a sour pout forming across my lips as we treaded water above, the sun rising over the horizon in the background.

"We'll make it, trust me," Adrian responded softly, but by the look in his eyes, I don't think he was so sure himself either.

"If I don't drown down there the merpeople are sure to hang me like they were going to Ian!"  My whisper was turning into a shout.

Adrian frowned.

"Just try to think positive El, we'll get through this.  Then you can go home to see your parents and forget that mermaids and mermen ever exsisted," his voice was like sweet honey as he spoke calmly.  He wrapped his arms around me, I buried my head in his chest as he held me above water.  I wished I was a mermaid again.  Maybe it would be better to just live here with Adrian instead of going back to my life on land.  I could swim through the warm tropical waters, not a care in my head.  I could be with Adrian and not have to worry about boy troubles back home and the bullies who made fun of me every day.  I could just be...myself.

No, I told myself hastily as I drew in a sharp breath.  I was not born to be a mermaid, that was the spells that did that job, I was meant to be human, whether it meant being a loser or not.  I sighed and pulled away from Adrian.  He tensed but drew back as well.

"What's the plan?"  I asked him.

"Let's find Armetta."

"What do you mean?"  I questioned with a slight raise of the eyebrow.

"You're right, we'll never make it down there, we need her advice, or we have to get your book, either way, you have to be a mermaid again." His voice was no longer serene, but determined and serious.  He had the same look in his eyes.

"How on Earth are we going to find Armetta?!"  I snapped.  He furrowed his eyebrows.

"How did you find her before?" he asked.

"I don't know, I walked into her bookstore."

"So she found you then?"

"I don't know!"  I bit my lip.  I was getting snappy with him.  "I'm sorry," I said quickly in return.  "I'm just stressed."

"I know you are, it's not your fault."  he took my hands in his.  "What other times did you see her?" 

"When I first changed, and that's about it."  I couldn't remember any other times.

"Okay, so when you needed her then, well we need her now so I guess we just wait until she shows up," he said eagerly.

"I don't think it works that way Adrian."  He sighed in defeat.

"Where's the book then?"

My eyes widened.

"Crap," I muttered under my breath.

"What?"  He asked.

"The book; I left it on the bus.  It's gone Adrian!"  I whispered frantically. He bit his lip.

"You sure?"

"I'm positive!"  I shouted.  Adrian shook his head slowly, his fingertips to his temples.

"Might as well just ditch the kid then."  He mumbled.

"Adrian!"

"Just an idea," he said defensively.  I rolled my eyes.