Why Me?

Chapter 1: The Strange Boy

"Come on, Isla! You can't say in your room and read your books all day! Come to the beach with me just this once! Pleeeeaaaassseeee?" She tugged on my arm and I stared up at her. She looked so desperate.

"Oh, alright. Just this once. Do you have a bathing suit I can wear?" Her face lit up and she smiled a big smile.

"Of course I do! Here!" She looked in her drawer tossed me a light blue bikini with white polka dots on it. I went into the bathroom and changed into it. I came out with an uncomfortable look on my face. Serena, however, did not share the same expression. She opened her mouth wide and exclaimed "Isla! You look so gorgeous! How come you never show any skin?" I looked at her with a blank expression on my face.

"Because I don't feel comfortable wearing stuff like this."

"But you look so cute! It's really a shame. Anyway, are you ready to go?"

"Uh, yeah, I suppose"

Serena drove us to the beach and we set up our towels in the sand. She wanted to lay on her towel and tan before she went in the water but I really wanted to go swimming so I let her be while I waded into the water. It was slightly cold but that was good since it was such a hot day. I dove under all at once so that my body could get used to the temperature. When I surfaced I could have sworn I saw something move in the corner of my eye. I looked around but didn't see anything. I decided it was probably just me being paranoid so I went under the water again and did a powerful swish of my arms. My body sliced through the water and it felt almost magical. I wondered why I didn't come to the beach more and then my thoughts were disturbed when something grazed my leg. I opened my eyes and I saw a boy! No, not a boy... a.... merman? No, that's impossible! He grabbed my hand and led me behind a rock. We surfaced and I got a good look at his face. He had dark brown hair and eyes as blue as the ocean. Then I saw a glimpse of his tail-it was a magnificent dark blue. I stared at him in awe for about 30 seconds before he finally said something.

"So, uh, I know this is a little shocking for you."

"Shocking?! I'm staring at a merman! Mer-people don't exist! What is happening?!" He stared at me with his glassy blue eyes.

"Look, I know it's a lot to take in but calm the heck down! I can't give you this message if you're yappin' so loud!" I stared at him with my mouth open. "Right. That's better. I wanted to say that you'll be seeing a lot more of me whether you like it or not. Why was this so important? Ah, it wasn't. I just like playing with your mind." I started to talk but he already swam away. I stayed there with my mouth open wondering if I actually did just imagine that all. I eventually started to depart from behind the rock and I saw Serena on the beach yelling for me. I swam back to shore the fastest I could and when she saw me she looked like she was hit with a wave of relief.

"Where were you?? It's been hours!" I looked at her with wide-eyes.

"Hours?!" She looked at me oddly

"Yes, hours. Where on earth were you?" I turned my head towards the rock I just swam out from behind.

"I was just behind the rock for a few minutes..." Maybe I fell asleep and dreamt it all up.