A Ripple In The Ocean

Chapter 12- The shallows

I waded in the shallows.
The waves brushed up against my warm skin, sending chills up my spine.
The water shimmered like a fine price of jewelry hung around a deep blue dress. It was beautiful until a wave came smashed into me; soaking me thoroughly.

I yanked off my shirt, tossed it behind me and onto the beach before slipped lower into the water.
Unfortunately, I was well overdue a bath and was unlikely to get another for a while. So I took advantage of the good weather and have decided to go for a swim.

When I was younger my older brother used to teach me to swim in the small bay nearby our old house...but after he...left I never got an opportunity to do it again.

Quickly washing away the thought, I clamped by eyes close and slipped under the salty waves.

Underneath the surface it was quiet, excluding the air bubbles that tuckled my warm as they slid past me.
Something poked my nose. I panicked but I calmed I knew who it was.

As soon as I resurfaced I was immediately bombarded by Ceto. "You cut your hair!" He gasped but before I could reply he began firing questions again, "Why did you do that?" The siren gave a slow kick of his tail and moved around to get a better look. he ran his webbed hand gently over the back of my head; I tried to ignore the gesture try not to let my sunburnt cheeks any more red. "It's so short" he added.

The wind swept across my skin and cooled my warm cheeks. I ducked my head away. Looking back down to the gentle waves.

Ceto paused before removing his hand, "What?".

I shook my head and he didn't press further.
I stepped further out until the waves brushed against my bare chest

A small splash behind me told me that ceto was following me, "What are you doing out in the water?" He asked.

Letting out a shrug I said; "I was just going to have a swim".

"Not trying to drown yourself again?" Ceto's smile grew into a mischievous one. He slipped a hand under the surface and splashed me.

"Rude" I laughed and sent a spray of water toward him.

He threw his arms up in defense and let out what sounded like a squeal.
I laughed again.

Ceto cautiously lowered his hands with a smile. His midnight eyes had a glimmer of mischief left in them.
Without a warning he lent back and sent a wave over me using his tail.

I didn't have time to protect myself, the sea water went everywhere. Somehow I managed to inhale some of it, this lead me to a coughing fit.

He threw his head back letting out a loud laugh. I sent a much smaller splash toward him but Ceto just shook it off with a chuckle, "anyway, i-" A wave crashed into him sending seafoam everywhere. "Leave me be" he hissed to the ocean and I could have sworn the waves backed down.

I let out a chuckle of amusement.

The siren smiled at my amusement. He paused as his eyes held mine. "I have to go retrieve something from the mermaid kingdom" he stumbled out and ran a hand through his dark hair.

I raised an eyebrow and slipped lower into the waves. The cool water embraced me.

The sunlight reflected off the waters surface sending glittery light shards across his skin. "They stole something a while back so I'm just going to steal it back" he sighed letting out a shrug.BA string of hair had broken loose from his usual bun,

I wasn't thinking when I brushed it out of his face. I only just realized he had finished speaking. I quickly search for something to say, "A-are you going to be ok?" I asked cautiously.

Ceto ducked further under the water as well. "Yeah..." he smiled as another wave gently brushed against his shoulders.
He was now close enough to feel his slow breathing against my skin.
Despite the cold water I felt like I was burning from within and not in a painful way.

We waited there for a few heartbeats, for what...I'm not quite sure. His eyes met mine. I froze but my heart began to quicken.
I hadn't noticed until now how stunning his eyes actually were. They looked like someone had taken a little circle from the night sky and placed it in his eyes.
Unlike his scales these had a slight navy tint to them. Little flecks surrounded his pupils like shooting stars. They looked beautiful and yet there was still sadness within them.

The siren dragged his gaze away from mine and looked away; more strands of hair fell into his face as he did. "I-Ive left more than enough food for when I'm gone- on the rocks" he said as he ran a hand through his dark hair.

He moved backwards so I took this a que to step away as well.

A wave brushed past us again.
I suppressed a shiver. The water now seemed colder without his warmth in front of me. "How long will you be gone?" I asked softly.

Ceto let out a long sigh before turning around."Not long hopefully" he sounded sad almost pained. I felt guilty, did I cause that?

"A-are you going now?" I quickly added and reached for him but stopped.

Ceto shook his head but didn't turn around, "I'm leaving tonight" he whispered over his shoulder. "You should go back to shore" he said as a goodbye.

I just nodded.

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Note:

Finally we're getting some where. Next chapter is gonna be great so stay tuned. Who's your favorite character? Let me know!
Also thank you so much to everyone for reading.
Have a great day 👋