Mermaid

The Phone Number

  Josie awoke later that night to the credits playing on the tv. Hope's head rested against her shoulder, and her sister had curled up into her father's recliner at some point during the night. She hadn't remembered falling asleep, but she wasn't surprised at the fact that she did. With everything that she had been undertaking and the events of the week, she had been feeling beyond drained. She sent a quick text to Hope's mom, Hayley, so that she wouldn't worry about her eldest daughter's whereabouts all night. She was just about to head upstairs to her bedroom for a better night's sleep when she realized she had yet to read the new note her Mermaid left her. Suddenly, Josie felt wide awake. She gently removed herself from under Hope, taking the note into the hallway where she would have some privacy. She unfolded it, reading what it contained:

Dear Jojo,
Please don't think I'm a stalker or something. I just happen to walk the same way as you after school, and I saw you and your sister go inside one day. Okay, that still sounded stalker-ish. God, I'm screwing this up, aren't I? Here, let me start again. I heard what happened on Wednesday. Even though you lost, I thought you were the best swimmer there. You always look the most at peace in the water, I noticed. Like there's nowhere else in the world you'd rather be. You must have guessed by now that I also am a swimmer. While I enjoy it well enough, there's something about your passion for it that is inspiring to me. It's the most breathtaking sight I have ever seen, watching you swim. I was furious to hear what those girls from Bellmont said about you. You'll be happy to know that I have it on good authority that she got demoted from co-captain because of it. But, Josie, you should never doubt your beauty, okay? It is unparalleled. While some girls are beautiful outside, they have ugly insides. I've seen that kind of girl a lot. But you? God, I don't think I've ever seen someone that is so beautiful both inside and out. Your heart is one of gold, your eyes galaxies. Your hands are gentle, and your smile is kind. And don't get me started on what your body does to me...

I wish I could give you the answers I know you want, but it's too risky. One day, I'll be able to tell you who I am. Until then, I decided on the best way that we can both communicate together. Listed below is my phone number- seriously, it's a real number. Maybe send me a text? I'll be looking forward to it.
Always yours, Mermaid.

  Josie looked at the number scrawled on the paper, the butterflies in her stomach fluttering ten-speed. After six months, she finally had a way of saying something back to her mysterious penpal. Still, she was nervous. What if she wasn't what they expected? What if she was too awkward and said the wrong thing? She paced around the room, almost dialing the number before deciding against it at the last second. It was risky to have a way to contact her Mermaid; She would be vulnerable. In the end, however, her curiosity won over her nerves. She typed in the number and a small message before quickly hitting send before she could back out. "Here goes nothing.", she whispered to herself, biting her nail nervously. She didn't expect Mermaid to reply so quickly, but- to her surprise- only a few minutes passed before she got a reply.

Josie- 1:17 AM- You know, only a stalker would have to keep stating that they're not a stalker.
1XXX0429- 1:23 AM- Well, hello to you too.
1XXX0429- 1:23 AM- I started believing that maybe I got the wrong house
Josie- 1:25 AM- Right address, but the wrong twin. My sister found it first.
Josie- 1:25 AM- That was an interesting thing to explain.
Mermaid- 1:29AM- Yikes. Sorry about that.
Josie- 1:31 AM- It's okay; You couldn't have known my sister would be so nosy.
Mermaid- 1:33 AM- You know, it's nice having a reply from you. Normally it's just me, sleepless nights, and badly written letters.
Josie- 1:34 AM- Hey, I like your notes. They're honestly the highlight of my day.
Josie- 1:34 AM- Wait, does this mean no more locker letters? :(
Mermaid- 1:36 AM- No, of course not! Can't disrupt our routine now, can we? ;)
Josie- 1:37 AM- Okay, cool. I was worried we'd turn into normal penpals now.
Mermaid- 1:38 AM- Honey, we're anything but normal.
Mermaid- 1:38 AM- Besides, I like writing to you. I always imagine that cute little smile on your face when you read them.
Josie- 1:40 AM- Hey, It's not that cute.
Mermaid- 1:40 AM- Oh, it very much is. Your smile is infectious, Jojo. I think you should embrace it.
Mermaid- 1:45 AM- You're blushing now, aren't you? ;)
Josie- 1:46 AM- ...would it matter if I denied it?
Mermaid- 1:48 AM- No, not really. I know you too well, babe.
Josie- 1:50 AM- That's completely unfair. You know exactly who I am, but I know nothing about you. I don't even know your gender.
Mermaid- 1:51 AM- Last I checked, I'm pretty much a female. But, gender is just a social construct, my dear.
Josie- 1:52 AM- You make a good point. Still, I wish I knew more about you. :(
Mermaid- 1:56 AM- Hey, I'm sorry; You're right, I'm being unfair. Tomorrow, okay love? You can ask me as many questions as you want, apart from my name. For now, you should sleep. I know I practically am.
Josie- 1:59 AM- Alright. Have a good night.
Mermaid- 2:03 AM- Goodnight, Jojo. Sweet dreams.

Josie returned to the living room, curling back under the covers. She could hardly sleep, knowing in the morning she would learn more about the mystery girl that just might have stolen her heart.