The Eighteenth Year

Chapter 6

5:46 a.m.

I was in the harbor. Derek, Julia, my mom, and my dad were standing on the dock right where I was. My mom and dad were crying into each other’s arms. Julia was trying to be strong, but she was turning away to hide the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. Derek was just staring at me. I told him that I loved him and he said that he loved me too. The sun was starting to come up. My mom said that I had to be in the ocean by the time the sun was up so I didn’t get caught. They all bent down to where I was. I told them that I loved them and would miss them like crazy. Then I started balling.

“Mom, I don’t want to go.” I was trying really hard not to do this for my mom’s sake, but I couldn’t help it. Then, she lost it. She looked at my dad, then back at me. She started sobbing.

“I know this is hard,” she wiped her eyes. “but this is the right thing to do. If you stayed on land you would have to live in your bathroom, and you would most likely be seen and get tested on. Like in Splash. We’re going to miss you, but you’d be miserable here on land.” They were right.

5:57 a.m.

I kissed my parents goodbye and told them I loved them. I hugged Julia and said that I would miss her tons. I kissed Derek, hoping it would never end, but I had to leave. I pulled away.

“Well, this is it.” I said. “I love you guys.”

With that I dove into uncharted territory, where was I going? I didn’t look back. I couldn’t look back. I wonder, is it possible to cry underwater?