The Mermaid Star [editing!]

Ocean

The next day, Eric and I both got up at six and went for a swim. Mom said that I didn't have to go to school today, anyway. Nowadays we were called to the ocean. When we went home for breakfast at 7:30, Eric's shoulder bumped mine. A wave of butterflies rolled into my stomach. I loved swimming with him now. The only thing that bothered me was Eric's constant avoidance of looking into my eyes. We went inside for a breakfast of pancakes and bacon. I sat down at the kitchen table next to Ocean, on her phone texting somebody. My mom finished cooking the food and Eric helped her pass out plates. River ran into the kitchen, pretending to be a plane. When we all started eating, I asked Ocean a question. "Do you remember dad?" She put down her phone and stared at me. "Wow. You really do have a talent for making all conversations awkward." I replied. "Haha. Seriously." She started texting again and avoided looking at me. "After breakfast, in my room." She hissed. I finished up my orange juice and helped mom with the dishes, while she talked about her meeting yesterday; obviously trying to change the subject. "Sharks." My tail transformed and I laid on the middle of the kitchen floor, talking like a true mermaid. Ocean and moms jaw dropped. My face turned tomato red as I dried my tail using my heat powers and left the room. Ocean met me in our shared room with her signature glare. "Okay, what was that about?" I shrugged and replied. "Answer my question first." "Crystal, I never met dad. A couple times, mom took me to the beach and said he was 'out there', whatever that meant." She answered, jaw tight and fist clenched. She was obviously hiding behind her 'teenager shell', as mom called it. "Seriously, tell me, Ocean." "Fine." She narrowed her eyes at me. "I might have snuck out one night and followed mom to the pier. I honestly don't even remember what he looked like. I think he was like.. dressing up for mom, or something. But I do remember this lady beside him. She was really pretty and she was, like glaring at mom. That's all I remember. Now, seriously, what was that?" For a split second, I saw concern flash through her features. "I'm a, well, I-I'm.." "Well, just tell me already!" She interrupted. I continued on. "I'm a mermaid. Oh, and Eric's a... um, he's a merman. Dad was, too." Her glare softened. "I knew it wasn't a costume!" "Yeah. And that lady who you were talking about, I think she's after me."