'The sky had darkened and the moon and stars shone down on the tranquil ocean. It did look beautiful. Her eyes searched the gentle waves, looking for who knows what. A mermaid perhaps? Meri laughed at the thought. Until she saw something in the wave...
The girl-mermaid- looked up at Meri in confusion before making some weird sounds.
"What? I don't understand you."
The mermaid sighed. She pointed to herself and talked again. "Naia." And then pointed at Meri and made a noise.
Meri stuttered. "M-M-Mer-ri."
"Mu-mu-mare-ree." The mermaid said slowly and pointed at Meri.
"No, no." Meri pointed at herself again. "Meri."
The mermaid nodded and smiled. She pointed to herself. "Naia." And then she pointed at Meri. "Mumareei."
Meri nodded, satisfied with the mermaid's attempt and give Naia a small smile. "Yes, Meri and Naia."
The mermaid, Naia, took the smile as confirmation that she got the name right. She made a whistling sound and splashed her tale in the water. Meri let out a little giggle at the mermaid.
She truly was beautiful. She had beautiful tan skin. It was soft and clear. Her brown hair flowed down her back with slight curls at the ends. She had big brown eyes and beautiful lashes. She was chubby which added to her cute look. She wore a crown made of shells. The shells were different shades of pink that sparkled in the sunlight. She had a matching bracket on her left wrist. Her tale, as stated before, was pastel pink. It was decorated with shells that matched her crown.
Naia made a few more sounds and movements. She waved her hands in the air and made a quiet screaming sound. Meri laughed. Is this mermaid culture? Is it some kind of greeting?
Neechikala scrunched up her nose, lowered her brows, and scowled. Meri stopped laughing. Maybe this is a sacred part of mermaid culture.
"Sorry," Meri said solemnly. "I don't understand you."
Naia hoisted her self up farther until their eyes were inched apart. They stared into each other's eyes. Meri couldn't help but blush at the beautiful girl right in front of her.
Naia let out a breath of air and sunk back into the water. Meri didn't know whether she felt relieved or disappointed. Naia opened a small purse that was attached to a belt around her waist. She pulled out a pink pearl and held it up to Meri. She made a few more noises and gestured to the pearl.
"Yes. Pretty." Meri nods and points at the pearl.
Naia brightens and repeats it slowly. "Preee-teee. Pree-tee. Pretee!" She smiled.
Meri hadn't noticed before but the mermaid's teeth were sharp. Like a shark's teeth, but only one row. They glistened like pearls. How could one person be so beautiful?
"Yeah. Pretty." Meri whispered.
"Meri! Where are you?" Oki yelled.
Naia peeked around the rock. Oki and Kai were treading water and looking around for Meri. Naia looked up at Meri. She put a hand on her heart, which caused Mer to blush evermore, and said something. Then, she pushed off the rock and dove back under the water. Meri watched the beautiful girl swim away until she couldn't see her anymore.
"Meri!" Kai put a hand on Meri's shoulder. "There you are! We thought you drowned!" Kai laughed.
Oki pulled herself up onto the rock next to Meri. She then held out a hand and helped Kai up. Kai wrapped an arm around Oki and put her head on her shoulder and smiled up at Meri.
"No. I- I just needed a break from swimming." Meri smiled and blushed.
Oki and Kai nodded. They understood Meri had never swum in the ocean before. The three girls all sat on the rock together and talked to each other for about an hour. They talked about how school would be when it started and they talked about the people who lived here.
Oki told Meri about how she nearly won a surfing competition and Kai told Meri about some really cool pictures she took under the sea.
The three girls laughed and chatted and swam until the sun started to set. Meri's brother came down to tell her it was time for dinner. They all decided that now would be a good time to head home. They all said 'Goodnight' and 'See you tomorrow' and then walked home.
Meri ran up to her house and into the kitchen where her parents were getting dinner ready.
"Hey, mom, hey dad." Meri greeted.
"Did you have fun at the beach, Meri?" Her mom asked.
Meri nodded and smiled.
"See, I told you, Hawaii is going to be great." Her mom smiled and returned to the salad.
"Who are those other two girls you told us about again?" Her dad asked.
"Oki and Kainani."
"Did you meet anyone else?"
Meri's face flushed at the thought of the mermaid. "Yeah, kind of."
"What's their name?"
"Umm, thei-their name is," Meri thought for a moment before answering. "Naia. Their name is Naia."
"How about you invite Naia, Oki, and Kainani to a picnic on the beach tomorrow?" Her dad suggested. "Does that sound like fun?"
"I'm not sure if Naia would be able to come, she... she doesn't... I just don't think she could come."
Her dad quirked an eyebrow but didn't push any further. "Ok then. Well, dinner's ready, go get your brother."
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