Lalita's P.O.V

Lalita knocked on the Danish style house that Teri lived in. The beautiful dark oak door opened to reveal Teri's face, as she cautiously peered out. "Come in, quickly." She whispered, fractically beckoning. She opened the door a little bit more, just enough for Lalita to squeeze in. As soon as she had planted her feet in the frayed red rug Teri's parents had gotten in India, Teri slammed the door, a terrified expression on her face. "Something really strange happened last night at Mako." She said in a low voice.

Lalita groaned. "It happened to you too?"

Teri shuddered. "It was terrible. It was long and orange, and covered in scales!" Her eyes widened, and her face paled. "I look like a fish!"

"We look like fish." Lalita corrected her.

Teri's face fell. "What about my Summer Swim team? I can't compete in the finals looking like that!"

Lalita thought for a moment. "Maybe we can control it?"

Teri stared at her." How do you suppose we do that?"

Lalita shrugged. "How long did it take for the tail to appear for you?"

"About 10 seconds, " Teri replied.

Lalita nodded. "Me too. Don't you find it weird that our parents always warned us not to go to Mako on a full Moon, then we do,and we grow fish tails?"

Teri bit her lip " That is a bit strange." A clanging noise sounded next to the window. Teri whipped around to look at said window. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes. Should we go check it out?" Lalita asked.

Teri nodded. " It could be the wind, though." Lalita opened the front door, allowing Teri to step through first, before following. Teri made her way around the house, until they reached the window.

No one was there. Lalita glanced around. "Strange." She mused. She knelt down, and picked something up, her face twisting into scowl. She held it up to Teri. A piece of purple marble gum shone in the sun. "James' homemade gum." She said, dryly.

Teri bit her lip. "That little bi-"

Lalita cut her off. "Teri! Control your mouth!"

Teri blushed. "Oops."

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Lalita stormed through the open door into the bright orange room dubbed her brother, James', room. "JAMES SHEPHRON!" She snarled.

James sat up, pulling his headphones off his head. "Oh hey, sis. You need something!"

Lalita turned white. "Oh, I need something alright. I need you to tell me why you were spying on me and Teri!"

James visibly paled, and gulped. "ME? Spying?" He squeaked.

Lalita glared at him. "Don't play dumb."

James sighed, and hung his head. "Alright." He said quietly. "I was spying.

Lalita stared at him. " Why? How utterly stupid can you be?" She shouted.

James flinched. " Bella wanted to." His eyes widened, and he slapped his hands over his mouth.

Lalita's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Bella Benjamin? The new girl. Hm. Interesting." She murmured. At that moment, two people burst into the room, smiles decorating their faces, lighting up the room. Any trace of suspicion was erased from Lalita's face, and a well practiced smile. " Mom! Dad!" She cried, moving towards them for a hug. As they wrapped her up, she gave James a look that said "You do exactly what I say, and we won't have any trouble".

James groaned to himself. It was going to be a very long weekend.

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Bella sat at her desk, drawing an intricate design for a new dress. Measuring a piece of cloth next to her, she wrote some numbers down. A knock startled her, and she looked up from the paper. Her dad stood, leaning against the wall. "Hi dad! What are you up to?" She asked.

Her dad shrugged. "Thinking about your mom."

Bella looked at him sympathetically. "I'm sorry." She said softly.

Will Benjamin sighed. "When I look at you sometimes, I'm reminded that she just left us, the second you turned one. It hurts."

Bella patted his arm. " That's why you named me Bella. To remind you she did love you."

Will smiled. "Yep. It suits you well. You're a lot like her, you know."

Bella smiled. "I know. In more ways than you know." She turned back to her design. "I love you, Daddy."

Will smiled fondly. "I love you, too, Bella."

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James stood at the edge of the water, watching the waves roll. He didn't dare go in the water, as there were far too many people around. James breathed in deep, relishing the salty summer air. James glanced around, taking in the view. His sister and Teri were sunbathing down the beach, his parents were sitting in the warm water. Several people, the only others on the beach aside from his family, got up and left, laughing as they went. James looked longingly at the clear ocean. Glancing around, he stepped back, caught his mother's eye, smiling when she nodded, and ran and dove into the water.

Hey, peeps! Nice to "see" you all again! I will have the next chapter up soon!

Alright, nice chat! Bye!!