Someone slap me. No I'm serious, please. Why do I keep starting new stories without finishing my current ones? Dishonor on me, dishonor on my family, dishonor on my cows!

...I just can't help myself :( It's so funny because when I first started on this site I swore to myself that I would never do that and now... hahaha... ha

Anyway, if any of you read those comics on Webtoon, this is inspired by Siren's Lament. LOVE IT! Okay now on to the story.

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Chapter 1: Shall I Be The One For You?

Gray wasn't sure why he was here. He was never one for the beach, the sand burned his body and it was always too hot. Whenever Natsu and Lucy tried to plan a beach trip, Gray would always politely decline, but with Natsu 's loud mouth and over-bearing personality, he would end up agreeing to go just for the sake of shutting him up. Lucy always cheered on Natsu, telling Gray he needed to leave his house more often. Gray refused, thinking his air conditioning and Play station 4 held more entertainment than sand.

But of course he would go. And end up having a blast. There was nothing he loved more than spending time with his friends, even if it was Natsu, who was not his best friend even if everyone else said otherwise. Natsu would insult Gray, Gray would insult Natsu which would result in a fight between them while Lucy would just completely ignore them, focusing more on getting a tan than breaking up their fight. Even the lifeguards said nothing because they had grown used to it. They would say, "Oh it's just Natsu and Gray at it again." Lucy wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Hey look, Erza's finally here!" That made Natsu and Gray's blood run cold as they immediately ceased their fighting and acted like the best friends they refused to admit they were. Even if they were the same age, Erza managed to strike the fear of God within all of them, and they knew better than to mess with her. She says she wants a sandwich? You better go make her a fucking sandwich.

"Sorry, we're late. Blame Jellal." She pointed to the handsome blue haired man next to her. Jellal looked at her for a moment then smirked, "Yeah I guess. But you're the one who wanted to go another round." Everyone just stared in shock as Erza turned as red as her hair. Anyone else made a joke like that and Erza would have ripped their head off with her bare hands, but Jellal managed to turn her into putty with just a smile. "Oh you're going to get it." Erza warned, although it was hard to take her seriously with her flushed cheeks. Jellal winked at her, "I can't wait."

"Alright can you two get a room?" Gray groaned. Not only was he sour from a fresh break up, but he was never one for PDA.

"What's going on over there?" Natsu asked Lucy who was still on her chair getting her tan. "Something that doesn't happen over here." She replied bluntly.

Erza looked guilty at Gray, "Ah right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't act in-" Gray groaned, "No, forget about it. I'm need to stop being petty. It's over between me and Cana, I'll let it go." It was as if saying her name brought a shadow over Erza's face because her guilt increased tenfold, "I know I shouldn't have, but I asked Cana if she was coming and she said no. I just thought that because she always did... but then with you and her..." Seeing Gray's crestfallen face, she immediately added, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have." So much for getting over it.

"It's alright. I didn't expect her to."

Coming to the beach just before the semester started was a tradition between them. They had all been best friends since high school, some even before that, and they vowed to always remain close no matter where life takes them. So even for those like Jellal and Erza who didn't go to Magnolia University like Gray, Natsu and Lucy did, they all met up at the beach to hangout and catch up. It was like there was never any distance at all, no awkwardness, no uncomfortable silences, just a group of friends who stuck by each other through anything and everything.

Cana had also been a part of this group, as she had met them during their high school years. During junior year, Gray and Cana had been dating and just before the end of their first year in college, she had decided to break up. When Gray had asked for a reason, she gave him none, only the excuse of distance being too much for her. Gray knew she was lying but never said a thing, deciding to move on. Although she had been part of the group, the others shunned her for her poor reasoning. Gray told them such actions weren't necessary, but they waved him off, telling him "If you mess with one of us, you mess with all us". Gray thanked them, and he knew he couldn't have asked for a better group of friends.

"Anyway, Cana is in Crocus now right? Who cares. Where are Gajeel and Levy?" Natsu asked, not caring about Cana and bored of the conversation. Erza looked around, realizing the 'Iron giant' and the 'Shrimp', as they so fondly called each other, weren't there. "Gajeel got called into work. Officer Redfox never gets a break does he?" Lucy pinched Natsu, "It's Detective Redfox now. Remember he got a promotion? That's why, he's always so busy now. And Levy got a new job so she's on probation right now and couldn't call off. She called me this morning and almost blew my ear off with her screaming. They promised to come down for Christmas though."

"Gajeel and the police huh? Considering he was always the one starting the fights, it's hard to believe he's now in charge of keeping the peace. He always said he had his reasons but never told us why." Gray chuckled. Natsu scratched, his head, "You know, he told me why once, but I was pretty drunk I think. I don't remember anymore." Lucy kicked him off her chair, "Useless!" They then started arguing but no one paid them any heed.

"Anyway, enough about serious talk! We're here to have some fun!"

"And eat food!"

"WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS EATING!?"

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It had been a great day. They all got good tans, Natsu had tried to drown Gray, Gray tried to drown Natsu, Erza had whooped both of their asses, then Erza and Lucy covered Jellal's sleeping body in sand, of course leaving his face untouched. The poor man's whole body felt as if it was on fire. As an apology, Erza place a seashell on the stomach part of the sand. Nobody knew how that helped, but nobody dared to ask.

Erza and Jellal left first, saying they still had to finish packing because they were leaving in two days. Natsu and Lucy had left shortly after because they both had work in the morning. They offered to give Gray a ride back but he politely refused, saying he felt like walking. The air had become cool and there was a gentle breeze in the air. If the beaches temperature could always be like this, then he would have no problem going.

"I miss you Cana." And he truly did. She had been his first girlfriend because he had never been very good with women. Them being friends beforehand had been a plus for Gray. Although he never showed much affection, he was absolutely in love with her and would do anything for her. He thought she had felt the same about him, and maybe she had, but college must have changed her.

Gray shook his head. It wasn't the distance. She had met someone else and decided Gray wasn't worth it. But could Cana really be so cruel? He couldn't see it. Or could he? Had he been so blind by his love for her that he overlooked her true personality? Gray didn't want to believe Cana was like that.

"Darling so there you are."

Gray's head perked up. Was someone singing? He looked in the direction of where he heard the beautiful voice and realized he was facing the ocean. "Maybe I need to go to sleep now." Gray thought out loud, he must have been going delusional if he thought the ocean was talking. He tried to turn around but his feet wouldn't heed him.

"With that look on your face."

Look? What look? Gray wanted to ask but he couldn't find the person. Was it a look of pain? Sadness? Those were the emotions he constantly felt but never allowed himself to show. He didn't want others to worry about him. He didn't want anyone's pity. He didn't want to be a burden to his friends.

"As if you never hurt."

How could Gray have so many emotions swirling around his brain with just a few words. Words sung by a stranger, no less. He finally started to take a few steps forward, deciding to find who this person is. If they had something to say, or sing, to him, they could say it to his face. As soon as he stepped into the water, it was as if someone or something had taken over his body. Was the water calling to him? It almost felt like it was pulling him in, freeing him from his sadness. What was happening? Gray tried to stop himself but he soon found himself fully submerged into the water. Why couldn't he get his body to surface? He would drown at this rate!

"As if you never doubt."

How could this strange singer be making him feel so insecure yet so safe? Gray felt safe in the ocean, as if he could stay here forever. Gray shook his head, but why would he want too? He had his friends and his own life? Sure he was heartbroken, but life went on. So why did he feel so possessed?

"Shall I be the one for you?"

Finally the singer showed herself and Gray's jaw almost dropped from her beauty. She had large, cat like eyes that could stare into your soul and plump lips that Gray felt enthralled by. Her cerulean hair seemed like it was a part of the water itself. Was she some sort of goddess? He did notice her large breasts that were barely concealed by her clam bra. Wait.Clam bra? Was this woman a mermaid? Gray trailed his eyes lower and noticed that she had a fin!

Before he could retreat or even think to ask her anything, she kissed him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and just kissed him. Why? Gray didn't know. Gray also didn't know why he wasn't doing anything. That pull he was feeling earlier? It was to her, he knew that now. How had she managed to pull him like that into the water, how had she managed to get him into the water at all? Did the song she sang have anything to do with it? How did she know those few words were literally the story of his life? So many questions and not a single answer.

All Gray could think about was kissing this strange woman back as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

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So what do you think so far? Let me know! I'm sure you all know who the 'mermaid' is right? This chapter is shorter than how long I usually write them. But it's not too short I hope?

So I don't know what it actually feels to be covered in sand like they do in the movies, but I do know how hot the sand is, so I just assumed hah. For those wondering what the song is or for my fellow gamers wondering why it sounds familiar, its Eyes on Me from Final Fantasy 8. This song and a few others will be included in this story but you will find out why later ;) And even if you aren't a gamer, listen to the song. It's beautiful and you will love it.