A Merman's Tale

Fates: Chapter Thirty-One

Seirra

     I watched Margaret while everyone was busy giving us their cheers of awe. She didn’t seem angry anymore but I knew she still didn’t want to believe in mermaids or mermen. It would have been a whole lot easier if she had no memories of me at all. Not even dreams. I could charm her, mystify her, or scare her. Hell, I could even seduce her into coming with me.

     But she had dreamed of me before we met ‘again’ and it made her confused. It caused her to doubt her own judgment. Besides, when it all came down to it, I would never be able to live with myself if I knew that Margaret went with me because of some underhanded tactic. I wanted her to choose to be with me.

     “That was the most amazing duet I’ve ever heard live, I swear!” Boyd exclaimed. “Pity the rest of the student body won’t hear it.”

     “Boyd.” Marge warned.

     He merely shrugged and grinned then went on to the member of the club who was holding the video camera. Marge shook her head at him and when she turned to look at me, I immediately smiled at her good-naturedly.

     “I guess the duet really was beautiful,” I told her.

     “You have a beautiful voice and I’ve been practicing that song for quite some time already. It’s bound to sound good.”

     “Or as Boyd said, it was thoroughly ‘amazing’.”

     “Well, of course.” And then she finally gave in and smiled back. 

     “You have a wonderful voice—almost like a mermaid’s.” My comment surprised her just as I wanted to. “Believe me, I know.”

     “What are you talking about?” she demanded, her voice incredulous.

     I wasn’t given the chance to reply because at that moment, Mr. Ramirez’s student assistant poked his head in and asked for Hannah.

     “Sir Ramirez wants you in the faculty room,” he told Hannah when he found her across the room. “Says it’s to finalize which section of the exhibit you’ll be in.”

     Hannah nodded in excitement and turned to me. It was time for us to leave. I glanced at Margaret who clearly hated the interruption. I decided she needed to hear some answers. But not now.

     “I’ll see you after your rehearsals,” I whispered just for her.

*****

     I was able to excuse myself from bringing Hannah home by saying that I needed to get back to a store near my rented apartment at the West End. She didn’t look too cheerful about the idea but judging from the lack of disappointment in her eyes, I knew the teasing we got from her friends in Grassfield had not gotten into her head.

      There were several food stands near the gates of Grassfield High where I decided to wait for Marge. Knowing her, she was probably torn between her need to get answers and her urge to escape from me. Since I didn’t have much time, I was not going to give her any other choice. I just finished the hotdog I was leisurely eating to pass the time when I saw her coming out of the school gates. It was always easy to spot her because of her red hair but it was her companion that gave her identity away. She was with Robert who was easier for me to discern because of his height and the canvas he was currently carrying.

     I went over to intercept them but they weren’t expecting to see me and I heard a part of their conversation.

     “You mean he told you he’s a real merman?” Robert clarified in a fierce whisper. There was disbelief and astonishment in his tone.