The Mermaid Life

Chapter 18

Serena's POV

It was about ten o'clock at night and I had stopped crying about an hour ago. I was in the tub relaxing, trying to forget about everything that happened that day. Neptune slapping me and Hunter probably back with Aquata.

I wonder why Hunter is back with Aquata? Probably because she isn't engaged to some random guy, I thought as I got out of the tub.

I reached for the towel that was folded on the toilet seat. I looked down at my arms and gasped. There were very faint green scales on my arms. I looked down at my legs to see if there were any scales there. In fact, there was. "Wow," I whispered to myself.

I grabbed the towel, dried off and wrapped it around myself. I walked to my room and put on shorts and a green tank top. I slipped on my black flip flops that sat at the door and was about to rush out the door to tell Hunter, then I remembered he is probably making out with Aquata. I could go to Neptune, I thought, then I remembered I'm mad at him, too.

So, I just walked around Atlantis wondering what to do.

I wasn't watching where I was going and I bumped into someone. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going." I looked up to see Aqurissa. "Oh! Hi."

"Hello Serena. How are you?" She smiled.

"I'm ok, I guess."

"I can sense your mad at someone."

I looked up. "How'd you know?"

"I have the power to sense people's moods. Do you want to talk about it?"

"That would be nice, yes." I smiled slightly.

"Come. Let's go somewhere more private." She lead me down the hall and into a room. It had a single bed, a desk and a dresser. It looked a lot like my old room.

"Is this your room?" I asked looking around.

"Yes." She sat down on her bed and patted a spot beside her me.

I walked over and sat cross legged on the bed.

"So, what's wrong?"

"I was talking to Neptune after you brought me to him. He announced I'm engaged to a guy I don't even know. Jake, the guy I'm engaged to, left to let me and Neptune talk alone. Well, Neptune lost his temper and... he... he hit me." I looked down, tears coming to my eyes at the memory.

"Oh, Serena." She came forward and hugged me. On instinct, I hugged her back. Surprisingly, it felt normal.

"Of all the years I have known Neptune, he has never hit anyone. And for him to hit his own daughter. I don't even know what to say." She released me and looked at me. She ran a thumb under my eyes to wipe away the tears. It reminded me of when Hunter did that to me. More tears came. "What else is bothering you? I know there is something else."

I shook my head. "It's nothing." I looked up. Aqurissa looked at me like she knew I was lying. "Alright, it's Hunter. He told me that Neptune won't allow us to date. So after Neptune hit me, I went back to my room. I was about to go in when I saw Aquata come out of his room. Then he followed and put his arm around her." I sniffed. "I didn't know he could move on that fast," I whispered.

"Serena, Hunter hasn't moved on. He-"

"Well it sure looks like it." I crossed my arms, angry at Hunter.

"He told me today that he is only getting close to Aquata to keep Neptune from thinking you two are together."

I looked up. "Really?"

Aqurissa nodded.

"You don't seem too mad about it. Like the one time you ran into us in the hall outside my room."

"Well, I was once in love my self. I was in love with a human. Neptune never approved of it and said I can never see him again. You and Hunter reminded me of him and I."

"But he fell in love with my mom! He shouldn't say he doesn't approve of it!"

Aqurissa only smiled. "This was before he met your mother."

"Still, he goes and breaks his own rules. 'Don't fall in love with humans.'" I said in a mocking tone.

She laughed a small laugh. "Oh, yes! Before I forget. Neptune said that you have one day to go say a proper goodbye to your mom and friends."

"Really!? That's great! Yes! When can I go? Tomorrow?" I asked, really excited.

"Yes, you can go tomorrow." She smiled at how happy I am since what happened a few minutes ago.

"Yay!!" I did a little happy dance while still sitting in the bed.

Aqurissa laughed. "Though there is one condition. You must tell your friends and family this is the last time you can see them."

Hunter's POV

After having a late lunch with Aquata, which I dreaded, I walked back to my room. I was debating wether or not to go talk to Serena. It was eleven o'clock at night and I wasn't sure if she would be awake or not.

I was about to open my door when I heard someone call my name. "Hunter."

I turned and saw Serena coming towards me. "Serena, whatever you saw earlier-" I didn't have to time to finish cause she interrupted me.

"I know. Aquata means nothing. Aqurissa told me you are only getting close to Aquata to keep Neptune from thinking we are together." She smiled.

I was speechless. "Ya, I'm sorry. I meant to tell you but I never got the chance."

"It's ok, I understand. Hey, guess what?" She smiled the biggest smile I had ever seen her smile.

"What?"

"I get to spend the whole day with my mom tomorrow!"

"Wow, really? That's great."

"Ya, it's just gonna be me and her. But one thing I'm not looking forward to is telling my friends and family I can never see them again." She frowned.

"Everything will work out."

She smiled a small smile. "I gotta go. See ya later." She kissed my cheek.

I smiled back. "Bye."