The Cut On Her Neck

s e v e n

All night I was tossing and turning thinking about what Anthony had said. Did he mean it when he said I was pretty? Was it a sick prank? Do I like him? Does he like me too? I had so many questions, I couldn't sleep.

The next day at school, my friends Rose and Gina came up to me after seventh period acting super excited.

"Aquaria! We have some super good news!" Gina yelled.

"We think Anthony is going to ask you out, today in the library, while you talk about your dreams! We heard him talking with David!" Rose said.

David is Anthony's best friend. The known each other since kindergarten. They are inseparable. They have no secrets, at least none they don't keep from each other.

Unfortunately, I have secrets. And no one can know.

"Are you serious! But I'm going to meet up with him now! What do I say?" I asked nervously.

"Just be yourself!" Gina said as Rose pushed me into the library.

I saw Anthony sitting down at a table. He looked really nervous, flushed, and he was sweating a lot. I sat down next to him and acted casual.

"Hey Anthony," I said, trying not to sound nervous.

"H-hey! Lets um get started, okay?" I mentioned.

Sweating and hot he suddenly said, "I have always loved swimming and the beach just like you, Aquaria. From the moment I saw you, you were so beautiful, sweet, and kind. I always admired that about you. So I wanted to ask you a question. Um, will you go out with me?"

Rose and Gina were right! Anthony does like me! Finally, someone that shares my feelings!

"Uhh, yes! Yes! Yes, I will go out with you!" I said excitedly. I hoped this was the day to finally find the boyfriend of my dreams.

"Really?! I didn't think you would say yes!" He said.

"Well, you were wrong!" I said, laughing.

"Let's go on our first date, to the beach!" He said, his grin a mile wide.

"Okay!" I said, not thinking about of what happened last time I was almost discovered with my gills.

After school we walked down to the beach. The good thing about my city is that, the beach is an arms length away. Which is why I go there a lot.

Plus, the water is clear and pristine, just like Anthiny.

We walked down to the beach. Without thinking again, Anthony and I jumped in the water, immediately, my gills opened up and I could breath.

Oh no. I am a mermaid! I can breath. I have to swim away!

I started to panic. What if Anthony sees me like this? Suddenly my legs fused together, and a bright light was on my legs. I had a bright, shiny, aqua blue tail! I couldn't believe it! I am a mermaid!

Before I could make my escape someone's hand snaked across my waist.

Suddenly Anthony's hand grabbed my waist and dragged me up.

"Are you ok-" he stopped mid sentence, looking at my tail and gills.

"You-you-your one of them! One of the ones who kidnapped my mom! You are a mermaid!" He said, his voice panicky.

"No, no it's not what it seems! No one in my family is related to a mermaid except me! I literally just transformed into one! Not all mermaids are bad!" I said, hoping he would believe me.

"No! I'm sorry, we are over. I can't date someone who is species who killed my mom! Goodbye!"

"Anthony, please! I only just transformed! Please not all mermaids are bad! Please! No! I want to stay with you!" I yelled, my voice shaky. He didn't do anything but walk away.

"This is only our first date!" I yelled after him.

He ignored me and continued walking away. Great. I lost the boy of my dreams.

He left me in the water, my blue tail, wet with tears.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I was crying and crying.

Why did Anthony's mom have to die?

I'd do anything to get her back!

But, I bet this is hopeless.

Anthony will never like me now.

I'll have to break his heart, the way he did mine.