Dea Shattered

⎈Chapter 22: Butterfly garden

I let out a ragged breath as I finally hit the surface, fresh air running into my throat. Even though I was a mermaid and could breathe water, I couldn't help but feel like I had been choking down there. Like the water had turned against and was trying to drown me.

I took in deep and panting breaths, glad to be breathing air. As I look up towards the sky I find no sunlight. Just a towering moon. I float on my back for a little while trying to regain the energy I needed to find my way back to the beach.

As I search the constellations for the north star I feel the ocean surface shake. It got more and more violent until I saw two bright yellow headlights ramming right at me. A whoosh of air blasts past my ear and my heart skips a beat. That boat nearly hit me. I feel myself shake, the water seems to have gotten much colder.

Nene had tried to warn me, I know that now. The ocean was not one to share, and this was its first warning. Next time it won't miss.

It had taken me two hours to find the shore and get home, and the whole way the ocean seemed to be fighting me. My bones and muscles ached and protested at every movement, almost refusing entirely near the end. Yet I had made it home.

I snuggled up in my blankets and lay my head on my white silk pillowcase. This pillowcase was one of the few things I took with me when I left home so long ago. It's supposedly really good for your hair or something. I don't entirely remember, it seemed important at the time.

Sab must have been asleep and Nene must have left because there was no sound left in the house. Just the buzzing of the old refrigerator downstairs. Then my phone buzzed, breaking the peaceful silence. I pick up the phone and find a text from Khode.

'Can I call you real quick? It's urgent' The text was followed by three large wide-eyed emojis with a blush on their cheeks and a line for a mouth. I glanced at the time and my eyes widened as I realized how late it was. Whatever Kodhe wanted to talk about was important if he needed to chat about it right now. I replied with a quick 'Sure' and the phone rings within seconds.

"Hello?" I answered trying to hide the small tremor in my voice that had refused to go away since earlier.

"Dea! Okay so don't freak, I have something I need to tell you."

"Uh, okay?" I laugh nervously, fiddling with a strand of my hair. Wrapping it around my finger.

"So my parents were rather... thrilled about meeting you and want to like actually meet you. That didn't make sense... okay so basically they want to meet you face to face." Kodhe stumbled over his words and I could recognize the worrisome tone he tried to hide.

"When?" I asked, interrupting his disarray of words.

There was an extensive pause before he replied, "tomorrow." I practically fell off my bed when he said that. My heart rate increased as I took in this information. "My parents are flying in tonight and have invited us to their beach house which is only an hour away. They are planning some sort of 'get to know each other' lunch on a boat we have."

I rubbed my temple and it took me a second before I could reply, "boat ride. Like on the ocean?" I asked slowly.

"Yeah, is there something wrong with that?"

"No not at all," I replied with as much enthusiasm I could muster. On the inside, though I was freaking out, my stomach felt like one of those butterfly gardens at the zoo. I was so doomed.

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Published: May 19, 2020, 3:20 PM

Words: 665