Water Drop

2

*Warning, stronger language, as well as bullying. Don't want you getting triggered.*

We make it to the beach, so we grab our stuff and walk around to find someplace to work. One of my bullies from the school walks by us.

"Brandon, Nick, Elle!" He says happily. Then he notices me. "Why are you hanging out with this faggot?" The bully, Spencer, asks. He pushes me into the sand. The tide slowly comes in, and gets me wet.

I get up and book it to my hidden spot. I look behind me, and see Elle and Nick running behind me. I throw my stuff next to the old gym bag I keep there, and dive in the ocean, transforming.

I swim in a circle, so I make it back around to where my spot is. I see Elle, Nick, and Brandon all sitting there, waiting for me.

"He couldn't have gone out to far." Elle says.

"Who knows." Brandon says.

"I thought he was scared of water." Nick suggests. I leave them to their conversation, and I swim around to another little area, and get on the surface. I use my heating power, and quickly dry off.

Once I dry off, I walk back to the place where the others are. I feel my neck, and I feel something. Once I'm there, I open up my old gym bag and pull out a little mirror. I try to hold in a gasp, but I have gills.

I pull out a scarf I had in the bag and throw it on. Elle gives me a confused look. I hear my phone ring, and I see Mars texting me.

Of course she would. She jokes around ever since I told her I was gay, but it's just teasing, she's my best friend, even if I haven't met her in real life yet. We Skype all the time though.

Not the healthiest of friendships, being online and all, but she's my only other friend. Her and Quincey. I look up from my phone, and see Elle, Nick, and Brandon looking at me weirdly.

"Carter? Why are you wearing a scarf, it's 90° out." Brandon says. I remain silent, scratching the side of my neck where my gills are. I hate the damn things, and it doesn't help that I hide them with a scarf.

The fabric kept getting in them, scratching them, and it's just plain uncomfortable. I hate wearing the thing, but when my gills show, and I happen to be actually around people, I have to cover them.

"Yeah, are you alright? You look uncomfortable in the thing." Nick says.

"I-I'm alright." I mumble. This has got to be the worst time for me to get my gills. I stand up and look out into the ocean.

-:Flashback:-

I run to a random location on the beach, confused as always, but more than usual. I collapse onto the sand, in a spot where I see no one. I look to the ocean, and feel like I need to be there.

I stand back up and run in, leaving my bag and phone behind. I dive in, and transform. I stare in awe at the blue-green tail that is in place of my legs.

-:Two Years Later in Flashback:-

I throw up in the bathroom. It's been a week since I've even seen the ocean! I grab my scarf, because of my gills, and because it's 49° outside. I run to the beach, as fast as I can. Scales and fins are appearing on my arms and legs. Once I'm at the beach, I run to my normal spot, and take off my scarf.

I run and dive in the water, feeling a little better. After about an hour, I feel relieved. Once I get on the surface, I feel like something's missing. I feel my neck, and it's gone. My necklace.

-:Flashback End:-

I feel the spot where my old necklace used to be and sigh.

"Are you okay?" I hear Brandon ask. I turn my head and look at him, look down at the sand, and back at the ocean. I know it's out there. The chain was white gold, as well as the charm itself. It might be alright out there, so I can get it.

Brandon puts a hand on my shoulder, then walks away. I walk a few paces behind him to where we were sitting, and help with the project.

"So, we should meet back here tomorrow, after school." Elle says. "So we continue the writing." We got a small start on it. They all agree, and I just nod my head. I swear, if this starts making me deprived, and I can't get into the ocean.... Then I'm screwed.