The Not so Small Secret [GOING THROUGH EDITING IN STORY]

4

"So do you have a job Brielle? You are occasionally not home," Julius wondered as he helped Brielle carrying the groceries back into the house. It's been about three weeks since Julius moved in and so far he hasn't noticed that she was a mermaid or the one that saved him. They have been getting along fine and sometimes make time to have a conversation if they both aren't busy. He would often stick around for dinner whenever Brielle was home and it was always nice to have company as Stella scored an evening bartending job–apparently she got into bartending during her free time.

"Kind of, I volunteer at the marine wildlife rescue center. They want to make me one of the actual workers there and give me a salary since I apparently am skilled and experienced," She responded as she began sorting the groceries on the kitchen table.

Julius gave her a curious look, "Oh? What did they mean by that?"

Brielle shrugged, "They believe I'm the marine whisperer or something. I just happen to be knowledgeable with marine life because I lived near the ocean back at my home also." Once again another lie, mermaids can indirectly and sometimes directly communicate with marine life.

Julius chuckled, "That's pretty surprising that you work at a marine wildlife center," He stated.

Brielle gave him a weird look, "What do you mean by that?"

He shrugged back, "I don't know. You seem to act like you afraid of any water touching you. Sorry, I noticed when the lawn sprinklers turned on or when you do dishes," He replied. "And when I asked if you wanted to come to the beach whenever I go out for a walk, you always seem to make excuses."

Brielle's heart stopped for a second and then cleared her throat, "Oh that... I, um, have really bad skin condition whenever I touch water. I think it's eczema and I have been going to the doctors so I probably won't have this problem next year. It just started happening." Another lie.

Julius suddenly turned a bright red, "O-oh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said such a rude remark," He stuttered as Brielle giggled, making her way to put perishables in the fridge.

"Oh no, don't worry. I will be good once they find out what's wrong. I just try to only endure it during showers. And during volunteer, I just wear some hydrophobic pants," Brielle replied as it was true that she bought some hydrophobic pants to not have to stop volunteering. Though she did mention to her coworkers that she had to refrain from getting in the water as she had an "injury".

Julius nodded, "Well do you want to walk on the boardwalk? I promise we won't go near the beach," He offered as he leaned over Brielle as she closed the fridge.

Brielle widened her eyes at his sudden physical proximity. She hesitantly made eye contact and then nodded, "S-sure."

Julius dropped his arm and grinned, "That's great. I will go upstairs and grab my stuff so do what you need to do."

Brielle nodded once more as she managed to get out an 'okay' from her small voice, "There's no way, he's interested right?" Brielle wondered as she went to Stella's room.

Stella, who was busy doing her nails, jumped slightly as Brielle entered, "Jeez girl! You could've knocked!"

Brielle immediately sat next to Stella on the bed, "He asked me to take a stroll on the boardwalk," She stated as Stella paused her nail painting and then grinned.

"Took you long enough to finally say yes to one of his offers. Brielle, I think he definitely likes you. He always tries to talk to you as much he can before you're off to volunteer. I think this would be a great chance to know more about him," Stella replied.

Brielle slightly blushed, "You sure about that?"

Stella nodded, "Yeah, he definitely seemed to take an interest in you. Like I said, guys do like you. You just never seem to notice."