Falling For Your Fins

Five- Blame yourself, diner boy.

Fiona's P.O.V

Two weeks later....

I got up early this morning, which was an odd thing for me to do, but I was just itching to go back into the water. I could barely stand it at this point. I jumped out of bed and slipped on a swimsuit, and put on a baggy knit sweater with my short shorts. I snuck down the stairs and I grabbed a towel on my way. I scribbled down a note to my mom of where I went and I slipped out the door.

The morning summer breeze blew cooly on my face as I pedaled down the familiar road to the marina. I rode past the Lakeside Tavern and I smiled just a little as I passed. That's where diner boy worked. I helped him out some days I knew he was there. When he went on break we drank Dr. Pepper by the lake and talked about nothing. Too bad I would be leaving soon to the water.

I shrugged and kept riding along. When I parked my bike, I instantly stripped off my knit sweater and pulled off my shorts, wadding them up and throwing them into the shrubs. I smiled, looking at the rippling water. My eyes narrowed as I sprinted down the dock, my footsteps echoing down the pathway.

I then saw the edge of the dock and I jumped, pointing my toes and leaning forward, diving perfectly straight into the water.
The water swallowed up my body, and I closed my eyes in pleasure as I felt the water start to transform me.

My thighs tingled and joined together.

My calves merged into one.

The tingling traveled up and down my legs now and I looked down to see thousands of tiny, shimmering, deep purple scales popping up all over my body.

I felt my ankles join and soon after, my toes stretched out into a giant tail fin. I smiled, sending bubbles floating up to the surface. I surfaced, drew in a breath, and then dove down, waving my tail fin up to the early morning sky.

I twisted and turned throughout the cool, calm lake waters, feeling free. Being on land is like being in a prison, so here, I felt alive. I did a backflip through the water, blowing bubbles out from my mouth for fun. I surfaced and got some more breath.
I dove under until the pressure started to hurt my head.
I glided along through the water, imagining that I could swim like this every day.

I circled around docks, looking at all the boats. It was then when I heard someone's footsteps on the dock. I dove under and quickly sped off to the tree cluster where my towel and clothes were.
I could not be seen today.

***********

When I was fully dry and clothed I looked at my wrist watch.

12:14.

Had I been swimming that long?!
It just seems like every single time I'm in the water, my thoughts just wash away... I shook my head and wobbled a bit on my stupid human legs as I walked out from the tree line. I got onto my bike and started to pedal away from the marina and enjoy my Sunday afternoon somewhere where my secret wouldn't be exposed to the entire world.

"Hey! Clumsy!" A familiar voice rang out to me. A faint smile plastered itself onto my lips. I stopped my bike and turned my head to see Alex.

"Diner boy? Shouldn't you be working?" I scolded him with a smirk.

"Today is my day off. Wanna hang out?" He asked me, scratching the back of his neck and looking at me expectantly those brown eyes of his.

"Sure," I smiled.

"Cool. I've got the Dr. Pepper," he laughed, holding up a six pack of minis. I couldn't help but laugh too.

**********
We walked around the marina for quite awhile, talking and ranting about the most random things.
We ended up sitting on the grass by the lake in silence, sipping our Dr. Peppers by the lake, when he suddenly asked,

"Why are you afraid of the water?"

I panicked. Every time someone asked that, I always got worried they knew my secret and I would be sent to a lab or something...
He obviously knew I was afraid of the water because every time he would wash dishes, I would stand as far away as possible, not to mention that time I ran out on him when I spilled water on my leg...

"I- uh- I'm not!" I lied, taking a sip of my doctor pepper.

"If you're not, then let's go for a swim!" Alex beamed, pulling off his shirt and grabbing me. I gasped and started to scream. I flailed in his strong, tan, arms, beating against his back with my fists. I started to scream as he edged closer and closer to the edge of the water.

"ALEX STOP!!" I shrieked. He stopped and then put me back onto the grass. I backed away from the water edge and sat back down, shaking in fear.

"I'm sorry..." He apologized, putting his shirt on.

"It's okay... I just... I... Should've told you that I was actually afraid..." I sheepishly said.

"Yeah. If you don't mind me asking, why are you?" He asked, tilting his head.

"Well... My dad drowned a long time ago... Ever since then, it's been sorta like.... I don't know I just get scared by the water," I partially lied once again. My fatter's death wasn't the water's fault. It was that darned boat.

"Oh... I'm so sorry..." He apologized, turning towards me and looking deep into my eyes with sympathy.

I smiled weakly.

There was an awkward silence but Alex then broke it.

"Well... I was going to ask you if you maybe wanted to help me with my 2 hour shift tomorrow, and then maybe we can like, hang out like we did today...?" he asked looking at me expectantly.

"Sure, sounds fun. But if you make me wait tables, you owe me BIG time," I replied, narrowing my eyes teasingly.

"Oh, no. I have to sort the silverware and clean the bathrooms," he said with a chuckle.

"I call silverware!" I shouted a little too loudly.
He lightly punched my arm.

"No! I don't want bathroom duty!" He yelled back at me laughing.

"Blame yourself, diner boy. I'm not the one who crashed into that golf cart," I retorted with an eyebrow raise.

He just laughed.

*********
I eventually had to say goodbye to diner boy because if I wasn't home by 3, my mom would have a heart attack.

I got on my bike and started to pedal down the street. As I rode, my stomach kept on fluttering and I had no idea why.

I pulled into the driveway, my stomach kept on tingling like my legs do when I transform.
I confusedly unlocked the door and stepped inside.

"Fiona! Where were you?" My mom asked, hugging me.

"I went for an early morning swim and then helped my friend with his shift at lakeside tavern," I explained. My stomach gurgled even more at the thought of him.

"Oh, alright. Well next time, bring your phone. I was worried!" She said, shaking her finger at me.

"Will do," I muttered out. My stomach was really bothering me now. I reached in the fridge for some water and I started to gulp it down, in hopes of getting rid of this stupid stomach problem.

That was when I finally understood.

I dropped the water bottle instantly, spilling it all over the floor.

I maybe sorta kinda liked Alex.

Oh god!

*********
Whew! That was SO LONG!!!!

Lol sorry. But yeah.

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Peace out, Beautiful Dragons! 💚

-ThatDerpyPegasus