Simply a Siren

Chapter 7: Last Day as a Human

I woke up, still in my clothes from yesterday. Well, I might as well wear something good to pull attention away from this. Of course, I'd have to wear sandals. I put on a jean skirt and a peasant blouse. It was a peach color and was from Old Navy. I pulled my hair up into a high pony tail and put on makeup. I put my book from Miss Val, as well as my phone, wallet, and the my journal in a little tote bag and sat it on the floor near my dresser.
"Ugh, the blue is still there? He's gotta know something is going on! Why is this siren stuff so annoying and hard?" I did a dramatic sigh and fell backwards onto my bed.
"Aye, your talking to yourself. Something troubling you?"
"It's nothing Lara. Just stuff."
"Well, from living with you for nearly fourteen years, I kinda pick up signs. Like, you only ever do the dramatic flop when something is troubling you. Now have a talk with your big sister and tell me what's happening."
"I would really prefer to be alone. I'm trying to have one normal day." I said.
"It's not a choice. Now sit." Lara ordered. I sat down, afraid she'd do something if I disobeyed her.
"It's just, siren stuff. Nothing big. Now please, may I leave. I'll tell you later. I have important things to do." I tell her.
"Alright," I walked out the door. I snuck in the back door of the café. If my mom doesn't see me, I won't have to work. I just need to grab a bottle of water and go. I opened the fridge, grabbed the bottle, and started running toward the rocks. The sand hit the back of my legs and went in between my scales; the worst feeling in the world. I continued running but collided with something. My things spilled everywhere and both of us fell down.
"Woah, Lola! Are you ok?"
"Ohmygod! I'm so sorry Preston! Uh, I gotta go." He helped me pick up my stuff and grabbed the book!
"No!" I swatted it out of his hand and put it in my bag.
"You, um, can't see that! It's private. Sorry for slapping you."
"Ok? That's alright. But are you sure your fine? You've seemed...different the past couple of months."
"I'm fine! Completely fine." I answered immediately. He nodded. I started to run the other direction. And there they were. The rocks that my sisters--and soon will be--that they sing on. I started to climb to the top, being careful not to slip. I sat on the top rock and took off my sandal. I was trying to get the sand out. The sand was rubbing against my leg but I managed to get it out from under my scales. Then I put on the sandal and read my book. There's gotta be another way to turn human.
•••
The sun was starting to set. You know what that means: I will be a siren in a few hours. I looked at my legs. The scales were a little bit past the strap. My hair had even more blue strands and now I had scales on my neck. I could feel them. My phone vibrated, my sisters were probably texting me.

Where are you? It's almost night! Are you gonna come to the cliffs?

I'm there rn. Tell Loraine and Layla I won't be there. I'm really sorry Lara, I just have to do something.

Fine, but you MUST be there tomorrow night. The Sea Witch will be expecting you.

Bye sis, luv ya

Luv ya too, Lola :)

I put my phone back into the bag. I sling it over my shoulder and climbed down.
"Ah!" A sharp pain shot through my stomach. I better run, I don't wanna transform alone. I started to run, well, kinda. It was more of a pathetic limp home. I walked in and all three of my sisters were staring at me.
"What?" I asked.
"It's just that..." Loraine began.
"You look so different." Layla finished.
"I'm gonna be in my room. I think I just wanna relax until midnight."
"Your gonna do the transformation alone? You know, it's much easier to do at the cliffs, with us." Lara said.
"I understand. I'll be there." I said. They nodded.
"When are you heading out?" I asked.
"A few minutes; once it gets dark." Loraine said.
"Oh. I'll be there around 11. Got it?"
"Got it, little sister." Layla said. They walked outside and started to the beach. I went up the steps.
"So you are t going to find him? Does this mean I am right?"
"Why are you here? You know, this technically is like trespassing." Tonight she had on a tight red dress. It went down to her knees and she had red heels to match the silky dress.
"Are you gonna leave or not?"
"I guess I'll go. How long will these cramps last?"
"Until you transform. This isn't even the beginning, Lola. There's a whole lot of ugly coming your way." She said.
"Wow, that's very reassuring." Sarcasm rung in my voice. She smiled.
"I'd start on your way if I were you. They'll be gone before you make it." I got up and slowly made my way down the steps. My feet ached, my stomach hurt, and my legs felt numb. I had to see though. Even though it was 10:55, I wanted to prove that nasty witch wrong. I made my way to the rocks. I had to run no matter how hard it was. I heard something that made a splash.
"Hi, Preston." I peeked around the rock. And there she was, Jackie Hollister. My worst enemy, talking to Preston. Her tail was a fuchsia color and her dirty blonde hair was pulled back by a pearl clip. His dark green tail hung in the water.
"So, how'd your day been."
"It was alright. Like, Lola was being extremely weird again."
"Well, isn't that normal. She honestly is like an outcast. Her sisters are so popular and are legends, but Lola? She more of the before image rather than after." He laughed.
"Yeah, but she is kinda cool. She's a really good cook." He said. Jackie rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Hey can I ask you something?"
"Go for it." Preston replied.
"Who do you like better? Me or Lola?" There was a silence.
"You, I guess. I've known you longer and it's really fun catching up with you. Plus your not acting all paranoid like her. But why didn't you stay in land?" He asked.
"I don't know. One day I woke up and my mom just kinda dragged me here. We moved and never went back. My mom remarried and started a new family. But it's all great, I'm rich and I have a way better life then I did on land. No biggie!" She said. I was in tears. I heard all his deepest secrets and now I know that he was never even my friend! I looked at the time on my phone. Eleven thirty. My sisters may be wondering where I am.

Where are you? You are half an hour late!

And they clearly are.

I'll be there in a bit.

You don't have "a bit!" You have to be here NOW! Loraine, Layla, and I need you! And you need us for this transformation. If you do this wrong it can cost you your life.

I don't care! My life is already messed up as it is! No one cares about me anyway.

Lola, your over reacting.

No I'm not! Preston just totally spilled everything to Jackie! They don't even know I'm listening to their conversation!

Jackie? But she moved.

To the ocean! She's a mermaid, Lara.

Please come on! It's nearly 11:50. You have roughly ten minutes to get there, and that is if the witch is generous! She may have made it that the curse gives it to you a couple minutes early.

I got to go, bye

Wait..Lola!

I put my phone back into my bag and stood up. I walked over.
"Um..I gotta go. Bye, Preston!" She dove underwater and started swimming.
"Wow. I didn't know that you did this."
"Lola-"
"No! Preston, I thought we were friends. And friends tell one another what is going on! But talking about me behind my back?! What's happened to you?!" Tears streamed down my face.
"Lola, I didn't mean-"
"And if you like Jackie better than me, why don't you just make her your new best friend!"
"Lola, I like you! Your my best friend and Jackie would never replace you. Your quirky, and independent, and beautiful! I love you!" He exclaimed.
"Well I don't love you." I hissed. My legs gave out and I fell on the ground.
"Ah!" I felt like my stomach was being stabbed by knives. I felt my legs being mended together and bones shifting, cracking, and rearranging. A burning sensation shot through them and the scales were inching up my legs. I felt my feet stretching and turning into a fluke. The scales on my neck became more visible.
"Argh!" The blue streaks in my hair darkened. I heard something before I blacked out.
"You're-you're a siren." Preston knew.
I hope you guys enjoy this, I was up until 11:30 writing this. The plot is thickening! And 1600 word chapter! The longest yet! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!