Coral Reefs: A Mermaid's Story

The Tail Returns

{Lily's POV}

I woke up in the water, with Liam holding my frail body. 

"I need to go!" I screamed, dashing into the water. I splashed about and finally got deep enough into the water. I sunk under and tried to swim. What? My tail was gone and I was sinking faster and faster the more I struggled. I sucked in water, choking. I couldnt breath. I was going to die. 

I felt an arm wrap around my waist and pull me to the shore. "Liam?" I asked. " No, my name's Chris. What were you doing? If you cant swim then you shouldnt be trying to learn alone in deep water." he lectured. "No, I can swim. I was just practicing my deep diving. I'll just go and try to find my friend Liam." I sighed. "Is he over there?" he asked. I nodded my head and laid in the water, gliding towards Liam. "You can go now, Chris." I huffed. 

Liam turned to me, wide eyed. "Yeah, I know. I need help." I cried to him. He ran off the rock he was sitting and helped me onto the shore. "How can we fix this?" we both asked in unison. I sighed and fell back onto the sand. I decided to swim. I jumped into the water and sunk quickly, but I didnt care. Id rather be dead than not have fins. I inhaled water and started losing conciousness. It felt horrible. Suddenly, the water around me sparkled. What now? I felt my "legs" fuse back together, sparkling a light blue. I felt my lungs burning as I fell deeper and deeper. My brain pounded against my skull, the water pressure becoming too much. I breathed in deeply, praying to live. I blacked out, the burning in my lungs coming to a halt. 

{Liam's POV}

I swam after Lily, sinking farther into the water. I saw her laying there, her tail back. Could she breath now? I hope so. I decided to go up for air, and wait on shore. Me killing myself from lack of oxygen wouldnt be much help to anyone. 

{Lily's POV} 

I woke up at the bottom of the cove. My chest hurt and so did my whole body. I still had a pounding headache. I looked at my feet, and to my amazement, found fins instead! I wiggled my tail, feeling comfort as they moved in sync, without any problems. I felt my scales, smiling at how slimy they felt. Just like usual. My tail gives off a sort of slime, like catfish, that helps prevent disease and injury. Its also good if something grabs you for dinner. 

I swam upright, breaking the surface. Liam was waiting on the shore, sleeping. I dragged myself towards him and admired his features. His brown hair was in his face due to the wind, and his hazel eyes were ever so delicately closed. His chest rose up and down, with a calming rhythm. I dont know what I was thinking, but I closed my eyes and leaned towards him. I felt his dry lips come in contact with my slimy, wet ones. 

He bolted up, scared. He saw me and grinned. "Lily!" he laughed, hugging me. We both pulled back from the hug, holding eachothers hands. My gaze fluttered to his plump lips, forming a perfect smile. When I looked back into his eyes I caught him staring at mine. I didnt realize it, but we were both leaning towards eachother, waiting until our lips collide. I felt my lips against his, moving in sync, perfectly. I felt something weird and wet touch my lips, so I explored a bit. It seemed to want to play with my tongue, so I played along. It swiped the underneath of my tongue as I started to tense. I felt sort of off. Sort of threatened. I knew there was nothing to worry about, but my tongue wouldnt listen. I pulled back as soon as sharp barbs spiked out of my tongue. 

"Is something wrong?" Liam asked worriedly. I shook my head and laid down. He nodded and laid beside me. I laid in pure bliss.