I Am Different

Chapter 21

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"You have been gone for days." Emily responded.

"So? It'll take me months to find them."

"Yeah. But Dad told me to find you."

"Why?"

"My necklace is turning into violet."

"Why? What happened?"

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, but why?"

"Well, you do know that your soul turns into violet when it gets mixed with ocean soul."

"What do you mean by ocean soul?"

"I meant my tail. My soul necklace came floating deep in the sea and touched my tail."

"So, you're here to bring back your soul."

"Yeah. Guess what? Dad told me it'll turn into normal again once you come here."

"How does that help?"

"I mean, you have to find love in here."

I stared at her blankly. 'What does she mean find love?', I opened my mouth but was interrupted by a voice behind me.

"Who is she?" The voice spoke.

I turned around to find Jenny, she was holding a stick with a square shape at the end of the stick with number '83' in it.

"Jenny?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's me." She responded.

"I didn't know you were here."

"But who is she? Your friend?"

"Uhh..." I drawled out, "No, she's my sister."

"Really?"

Jenny stared at Emily and extended her arm.

"Hi, I'm Jenny." She introduced, "And you are?"

"Emily." Emily responded.

Emily shook Jenny's hand scaredly. Jenny felt weird around her but she didn't bother to ask. Jenny took another chair from the table at the left and made Emily sit. Jenny did also.

"I haven't really met you, but I will right now." Jenny said.

Emily nodded.

"So, what did you order?" I asked.

"Two drinks and their specialty." Jenny responded.

"What's the specialty?"

"It actually has a chicken and spaghetti along with fries."

"Okay."

"But don't worry, once the waiter arrives, I'll order another drink and their specialty."

"Is it okay?"

"Yeah, of course. My father gives me and Mike lots of money. More than a thousand."

"Thank you, really."

Jenny smiled and nodded. I turned to stare at Emily who was quiet and looked shy.

"So Emily, how are you?" I asked.

"I- I'm okay." Emily responded.

"Why are you nervous? Are you okay?"

"Nothing, it's just, yeah."

"Don't worry, I'll be with you."

Emily smiled and played with her hands quietly under the table. The waiter came with two drinks and two specialty.

"Excuse me, could you give us another drink and a specialty? We have another friend." Jenny asked.

"Alright then." The waiter responded.

The waiter then left and Jenny took her drink and food.

"You can eat this one, I'll wait for the other one." I said.

"Really?" Emily asked.

"Sure."

Then Emily took the plate and slowly reached for the food by her hand. Luckily, I saw her so I stopped her hand before she could even touched it and let go of it.

"Use spoon and fork, please." I said.

I took the spoon and fork that was given to us by the waiter. I handed it to her and she took it. She actually didn't know what to do with it. It's actually because we eat using our hands at the ocean. I went by her side and tought her how to eat using spoon and fork.

"Why do you have to teach her how to use spoon and fork?" Jenny asked.

I thought about what I was gonna respond to her, then I did.

"Spoon and fork doesn't exist on our family. Our parents are really strict and they don't act like a human." I started explaining, "They tought us to eat using our hands only."

"Then how do you know?" Jenny asked.

I thought about what I was gonna respond to her again, then I did.

"I had a friend, she tought me how to use them." I responded.

Jenny smiled and nodded.

I went back to my seat and watched Emily use spoon and fork while eating. She had difficulties using them but she was doing great. Then the waiter appeared behind me.

"Okay, here's another drink and our specialty. That'll be $2, please." The waiter said.

Jenny took out her purse and gave $2 to the waiter. The waiter then left and I started eating. Jenny continued eating also. Emily had finished her food first then the both of us. Emily started drinking and she stopped.

"This doesn't taste like salt water." Emily said.

My eyes widened as I heard what Emily said. I looked up at Jenny to find her looking at Emily weirdly.

"Salt water?" Jenny asked.

"Uhh..." Emily drawled out, "Yes?"

My eyes was still wide open. 'What am I going to do?', I kept thinking to myself. Then I was interrupted from my thoughts as Jenny stood.

"Elaine, can we talk? Privately?" She asked.

I nodded and Jenny took my wrist. We both headed to the restroom and Jenny rested her back to the wall. I only looked at the mirror and to Jenny.

"What is it you wanna talk about?" I asked.

"I'm sorry to say this. I hope you're not offended. But Emily is weird for me." Jenny responded.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I saw her almost eating her food by her hand, I know that that is what your parents tought you but I still feel weird."

"I'm sorry, Jenny. I didn't even know she was coming."

"And she thought the drink was salt water, don't tell me your parents only made you drink salt water, because it sounds like a mermaid thing."

I was shocked to hear her say the word 'mermaid', I think she's starting to feel suspicious around me.

"What's happening, Elaine?" Jenny asked.

I looked at her worriedly. I couldn't tell her that I was a mermaid. But maybe atleast just one person.

"Okay. I'll tell you." I said.

"You don't have to. I think I know already." Jenny responded.

"What do you mean?"

"You're a mermaid."