Waterline

Ocean Affinity

Many hours have passed. Darrel chose to stay at Libby's house to help her get started on her present. He may have overstayed his visit. It has been four hours ago since they started on there project. Not much was done since they both had no clue what they were doing. The table that they worked on was a complete mess. All that was done for each portrait was the change in background. Darrel measured the sides of the construction paper to match the picture frames. Libby had to glue them in perfectly. It was tedious but eventually it got done.

Now all the picture frames had a colorful background. Darrel decided to label each picture frame to who they belong to. It would make it easier to decorate and pick the right pictures for each. Libby finished writing the names on the back of each frame. She then sighed before slumping down in her seat. "That was so tiring!" She exaggerated by stretching her arms out. Darrel smiled before asking, "where's your bathroom?"
"It's down that hall, there should be a sign on the door," Libby told him.
"Thanks," Darrel got up and went straight towards the bathroom.

Darrel did his business then went to wash his hands then his face. He felt quite embarrassed after being so awkward around Libby. He had to pull himself together. Darrel dried his face then walked out of the bathroom. "I'll help you clean up then I have to go home," Darrel said before turning the corner. That is where he saw Libby asleep on the table. Darrel could feel his face heat up as he gazed at her. Libby must be much tired then he was. He wasn't going to leave her on the uncomfortable table.

There was no way Darrel was going to leave Libby there. He slowly moved the chair then caught her before she could fall off. Then he picked her up and took her to the couch. Darrel put a pillow under her neck then searched the living room for a blanket. To his luck, there was a basket filled with soft blankets. He grabbed the top one then spread it apart. Then placed it on top of Libby. Darrel stared at her for awhile to make sure she looked comfy but how was he supposed to know.

The table was a mess with all the plastic bags, equipment, and small paper pieces. Darrel decided to clean it on his own to make Libby's life easier. First he put all of the equipment in a plastic bag. Then put all the bags under the table. Darrel has only been to Libby's house once or twice so he doesn't know where everything should go. Then he spent most of the time picking up the small pieces of paper and throwing them in the trash. It didn't take drastic time for Darrel to get everything done but it was still late. He should head home to get some rest.

Darrel grabbed his keys off of the counter then walked out of Libby's house. He made sure to lock the door before getting into the car. A big sigh escaped from Darrel's lips. He smacked his forehead on the steering wheel with shame. Why does he always act like this? He hated himself for being like that. It also angers him. Darrel just can't control his feelings. What is he supposed to do now?

The next day, it didn't turn out to be a bright day. It was cloudy with a chilly wind. Mae was glad to have her day off but it has to be on the worse day. She sat on the bench beside Allen as they both wait for Conor and Nelson while they were in the store. Not much words were exchanged between them. Both wore a jacket to block the cold wind against there skin. The boardwalk was quiet, not many people want to go swimming on a windy day. It made the situation awkward but it was going to get worse.

"Fancy seeing you here," Mae looked up to see a familiar woman with black hair. "Surprised to see that you survived," Clare spoke. Allen scrunched his face at her, Mae looked back down at her hands. "Lay off her, succubus," Allen insulted.
"Your a man of weak words. Nothing like my last man. Now where is Nelson? Better yet, where is Conor?" Clare asked.
"Wouldn't you want to know," Allen said in a sarcastic tone.
"They are both pushovers, too weak for this world. That's a perfect target Mae,"
"Don't say that about Conor," Mae looked up and warned Clare.
"You forgot about OUR plan, didn't you?" Clare sighed.
"Mae?" Allen turned his attention towards Mae.

"I gave that up when you left me," Mae told Clare. The secret was now out so there is no point in hiding it.
"Mae, face it! You need me, these humans will never understand our pain. Sirens, like us, have to stick together that's the only way to survive this world. No one truly loves us, they can just learn and that's it. Don't even attempt to create a new life or you'll be back to being a siren. And that's my final lesson for you," Clare spoke with a fierce tone. In a way she still cared for Mae but they both have different ideas. They are the ones that can't understand each other.

"Mae, explain?" Allen questioned her, he was confused by the whole conversation. Mae let out a soft sigh before looking at her fingernails. "Clare and I had history when we were sirens. I guess I got too close to her and her schemes," Mae simplifies it as much as she could.
"I hope we didn't take too long," Nelson said as he walked out of the store with a bag filled with candy. Conor also has a bag that was filled with candy.

"You missed something, Mae has something important to tell us," Nelson told the others. Conor took a seat next to Mae while Nelson sat on the other side of Allen. "What's wrong, Mae?" Conor asked her.
"I need to tell you something about me and Clare," Mae confesses.

Mae told them all they should know about Clare and her as a siren. It all began with Mae first becoming a siren. She was all alone and afraid. A lot of her time was spent sitting on the ocean floor, completely clueless. Then one day someone found her. It was none other than Clare. She was nice to her and introduced them to her friends. Clare made Mae not feel lonely anymore. Both of them became close friends and got along well. They both agreed to help each other out when they were plotting something. It explained why Clare wanted Mae to be a heartbreaker, it was because of the pact they made.

The relationship between Clare and Mae was strong. One day it all changed. Micah left his cave for the first time in a long time. Clare found immediate interest in him. She would follow him to his cave then try to talk to him. It was hard at first but once he felt secure with her, he won't stop talking. As the relation between Clare and Micah grew, Mae no longer talked to Clare. Their relationship died. Mae didn't try to fix it, she had her other friends that still love her. Clare was extremely influenced by Micah. Then one day Clare walked out of the ocean. Mae no longer heard from her friend again. But, that is what Mae thought.