It's My Life

Chapter 1 - Memories

The sound of the door slamming echoed through the otherwise empty house, making me wince at the sound. I knew my parents weren't home, both of them having to work today, but I wished they were both here. They would tell me all was okay. They would tell me I had nothing to worry about. Oh, I wished that were true. I wished that to the very core of my being. 
I headed upstairs to my room, intent on changing into my swimsuit to head down to the beach, but I lay down on my bed instead. The home phone rang in the distance, but I ignored it. I din't want to talk to anyone but Mum and Dad. I closed my eyes, an let memories swim into my subconscious as I drifted.

The first thing I remember from when I was little was water. All around me. My father and mother used to take me own to our private beach daily. If one could not, the other would. I needed to swim every day without fail back then, or I lost control, a splash of normal water would trigger the change. For I, Cassandra Louise Silver, am not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill girl. I look human, but when I am in the sea I can transform into a mermaid. I can almost see you all picturing a mermaid like Ariel from The Little Mermaid, but I am nothing like her. Firstly, I can transform at will, I don't need potions or magic spells, just sea water. Secondly, I can't talk underwater, nor can I communicate with sea creatures, though admittedly they do like to be near me. Lastly, my parents are human. Don't worry, it doesn't make sense to me either, but they are perfectly normal. How they managed to have me, freak of nature, will, for now, remain a mystery to me.
I was born at home, the labour a quick one, and I was checked over by a doctor. My details were taken down, and things have progressed from there. Of course as a baby my parents learned there was something different about me, though how they learned that sea water helped me has never been explained. It just "happened" as they put it. As I said earlier, I need the sea water daily, or I start to get sick, feverish, dry-skinned until I am immersed in sea water. Normal water doesn't work, for though I can transform in normal water, it doesn't give me the nutrients I need like sea water does.
Also, in the first few years, my parents learned many other things about me. I was smarter than kids my age, able to read by age 2, retaining information faster than other children. Also, I could heal almost instantly, provided I kept up my daily routine of swimming, and that nothing prevented the healing process, for example any foreign body. Any broken bones mended almost instantly, scrapes and cuts too. One day I had been running along the beach when I'd tripped over some rocks and landed on some jagged rocks. One lodged itself in my arm so the wound could not heal. I ran up to the house crying, finding Mum. She washed and cleaned the wound, but it wasn't until the rock had been taken out of my arm before the skin knitted together and healed. Mum and Dad were baffled by this, but were still extra careful to not let me get hurt. The last thing we needed was anyone finding out I could do that.
As I grew up, my parents felt it best that I get home-schooled instead of risking any mishaps that would either result in questions about my healing abilities, my intelligence, or what I was. Mum taught me at home and, as long as I passed end of year tests set by the Department of Education, I could be schooled at home each consecutive year. I admit, looking back, some interaction with other children would have been beneficial, so when I had more control of my transforming I was allowed to go to the local park and play once lessons were done for the day, and my swim was done. I started to make friends at the park, kids that would come there after school was done for the day, and it became a part of my daily routine. Lessons, then swimming, home to dry off, then wander the few blocks to the local park and play once the children arrived. Some parents stayed around to talk to other parents, but one girl always arrived alone and would wait for her father to pick her up. I would watch as she was collected each day, so I was able to judge how long from the time she arrived to the time she left. One day I plucked up the courage and went over to her. Up until that point we had played a few times, but had never really talked.
"Hello, my name is Cassi. What's yours?" I asked her. She looked at me, a little surprised, but smiled.
"Hi, I'm Tabitha, but my friends call me Tabby. I see you all the time here, do you come every day? Which school do you go to?" She asked me.
"I come every day, yes, but I don't go to school. My mum home schools me." I replied Her eyes widened.
"No school? That is so cool! I wish I could stay home from school, but I do love school as well. Don't you miss school?" She asked, and I could tell she couldn't quite understand what it fully meant to be home schooled.
"No. I have never been to school. What do you do at school?" I asked, sitting down on the bench that was to the side of the play equipment, and Tabby sat beside me.
"I read books, and draw, and play music, and during recess we play on the equipment, and eat lunch in the classroom. You should come one day, see what it's like. It's loads of fun." Tabby said. I nodded, wishing I could.
"I'd love to, if Mum ever let me." I replied. I had read many books about school - boarding schools and normal schools, and the entire concept intrigued me, but Tabitha brought that extra element to me, straight from the mouth of someone that attended. Without another word Tabby leapt from the bench and hurried over to the man I recognised as her father, for I had seen him collect her numerous times. He picked her up and gave her a hug, then she whispered something in his ear. He smiled and nodded, then Tabby looked over at me and beckoned me over. I knew better than to talk to strangers, so I shook my head and stayed put. To my surprise they came over to me.
"Why didn't you come over?" Tabby asked me. I looked up at her father, then to Tabby.
"I am not meant to talk to strangers. Other children are okay, but not grown ups. I am very sorry, I meant no disrespect." I replied. Tabby's father smiled.
"That is very good of you. I see your parents taught you well. My name is Brad, but you can call me Mr. Thompson if that is your wish. Tabitha just wanted me to meet you." He replied. I watched him, then nodded.
"Thank you, Mr. Thompson. You are very kind. It is nice to meet you." I said politely. I saw his eyes widen slightly at my formality, but he didn't seem to dwell on it.
"Come along, Tabitha. We best head home, you can see Cassi tomorrow." He said. Tabby gave me a hug then said goodbye, and they left. I watched them go, then stood up and walked the short few blocks home, pondering over the introduction to her father. I had a feeling that this day, this girl, would change my life. For the first time I had a true friend, and it felt wonderful.