It's a known fact about me that I don't usually do what I'm supposed to. Whether it's defying my parents (No, you can't go out tonight), annoying my sister (Who drew this mustache on Harry's face?!), or simply getting into something I wasn't supposed to (Why is the frosting can empty?).
I guess I should have seen it coming that one day, my bad judgement would actually get me into trouble.
It really was nice out that day. The sky was blue, the grass green, and the water cool, although a bit more salty than I was used to. To me, it looked like the perfect day for a swim.
Before that, though, I remembered that I had promised to call Carter when I reached our new house. So, I found my cell phone, made sure it was charged, and looked through my contact list for him. The phone rang within seconds.
"Hello?" said the person on the other end.
"Hey, Carter," I said with a smile. I hadn't spoken to any of my friends since the day before I left on the plane. "How's things?"
"Oh, man!" he answered, laughing. "I should be asking you! How's Australia?!"
"Um, hot." It was true. Even with swimming shorts and no shirt on, I was still baking in the heat. "But get this; our house is literally twenty feet away from the ocean."
"Dude! That's crazy! Have you gone, like, surfing or something yet?"
"I wouldn't have the first idea on how to surf. I'll stick with swimming for now, thanks."
"Have you gone for a swim yet, then?"
I looked out the window towards the beach. I imagined it calling out for me and snickered. "Not yet, but I will when I hang up."
"Oh, sweet. I better let you go then, I don't want to deprive you of your experiences in a different fucking country!" I rolled my eyes. Carter could get pretty animated when he wanted to.
"Well, I don't need to go right-"
"Yo!" I heard Carter shout in the background. "Keep it down! We don't want to wake my parents up!"
Something in my chest panged at those words. I wouldn't say it was my heart- that's just corny- but it was definitely something. And I recognized the feeling too: jealousy.
"So… what were you saying?" Carter asked when he came back to the phone, completely oblivious to the effect his earlier words had on me.
I cleared my throat. "Nothing. Just that you were right, I'm probably gonna go for a swim now."
"Sick, bro. Have fun!"
"Yeah, you too." The phone clicked as one of us hung up. I don't know if it was me or him.
I stared at the phone in my hand for awhile, thinking of what I had heard at the other end of Carter's line.
Sounds like he moved on fast, I said to myself. I quickly ignored those thoughts, though. I mean, what was I expecting my friends to do? Mope around all day?
I set my phone down and slipped on my flip flops. Carter was right. I should take advantage of the beachside literally right across from my house.
The way I saw it, there were two options in front of me. Well, more than that if you count any options that don't involve swimming (which I didn't). I could either go swimming right in front of the house, where I could be easily spotted in case there was any danger, or go along the path outside my window towards the rocks that kept me enclosed from the rest of the world. It didn't take a lot of thought before I made up my mind.
One thing I'd like to note is that the rocks were a lot pointier at the top than I had originally thought. It was difficult, to say the least, trying to maneuver between them with bare feet. I eventually reached a rock that I climbed over which sloped downwards. This one was smooth and wet, and I almost slipped walking over it. Almost, meaning… yeah, I slipped.
"Ouch," I winced, touching my head that had bumped the rock. My hand rubbed that spot for a moment, trying to tame the swelling.
I heard a splash just then, from the water. But when I looked, nothing was there. I wondered to myself, as I continued comforting my bruise, if there had been a sea turtle or something. Investing in a waterproof camera suddenly seemed like a good idea.
When I was sure I was fine, I stood back up and faced the water.
Despite the lacking of sea turtle sightings, it was a beautiful, crystal-clear blue. It lapped at the shore in a rhythmic pattern, back and forth, back and forth. When I stepped forwards, my toes felt wonderfully cool, a break from the intense heat this entire frickin' continent lives in. I walked forward into the waves. It was so exhilarating, I hardly noticed when my legs wobbled from the force of the currents.
I looked up, and saw that a large wave was coming. I probably should have been frightened, but instead, my eyes widened with excitement. With a huge grin, I shouted out and jumped into the wave.
It was like nothing I've ever seen before. I'd been to wave pools before at waterparks, but they couldn't compare. I was tossing and turning and there was salt in my mouth and nose and I didn't know which way was up and down and somehow I didn't drown which is good and when it was done I stood there, muscles like jelly and my body shaking all over.
It was crazy, and I loved it.
Swimming out deeper into the sea, I kept going farther and farther out, until, eventually, when the waves came there wasn't any ground to push up off of. Some part of me, I suppose, realized that I was heading into dangerous territory when there was at least a football field's length between me and the shore, but I took that part of my consciousness and squashed it flat. It was just too damn fun.
Eventually, the waves stopped. When that happened, I took to lying on my back, just enjoying the summer sun (was it even summer? I couldn't be sure in this strange place. It seemed like every season was summer). Not thinking about the move, or my friends, or even the fact that I'd have to start school next week. Just floating with the tide.
Something caught my eye, however. Quite a ways away, there was a large island in the middle of the body of water. I thought about how long it would take me to swim there, and then decided that even I have a limit to my stupidity.
I sat back up, treading water and getting ready to head back. What I hadn't noticed, though, was how strong the waves had been getting while I was relaxing. And by the time I did notice, it was too late.
A large wave, one of the largest I'd seen yet, crashed over me, pushing me deep into the surf. I came back up, coughing and spluttering for breath. Before I could catch my bearings, I was put back under again.
The waves were higher and stronger, and there was no longer any ground to stabilize myself with. What had seemed fun earlier was now nothing short of frightening.
"Shit…" I gasped when I came back up for air. The waves were coming at an even faster pace, and my stomach was starting to hurt. I didn't know if I was going to be able to make it back up after a few.
My head turned around towards the shore. I didn't know how long it would take me to get there, but I had to try. I frantically swung my arms forward, using the front stroke to get me closer. But I was tragically overwhelmed by the violent ocean, and I hardly made it a few feet before I sunk into the water.
Under different circumstances, the experience would have been amazing. There were all sorts of small, brilliantly colored fish, with coral and other sea life inhabiting the floor. It was beautiful… although came at the price of me having no air to breathe. When I tried to get back up for oxygen, the currents pushed me back under again. Inside my head, it was starting to throb. I knew I didn't have long until I'd either pass out, or have to open my mouth.
For reasons I cannot begin to fathom, I thought of my family then. Which is something I find disappointing. I would have thought my dying thoughts would have been of something at least a little more interesting.
My second thought was, however, I wonder how my friends will react to my death. I also noted how bitter it felt.
No… I thought to myself. I can't have my last thought be of revenge either… even though coming back as a ghost would be the sickest thing, like, ever.
My third thought was Damn, I forgot to clear my internet history!
Better… but still, I was opting for something more exciting.
This would have continued for some time had not something even stranger than my dying thoughts of my family occurred. I know it was probably from oxygen deprivation, but I could have sworn I saw a streak of gold flash by me.
Is that a fish? I asked myself, but I didn't think about it as much as I would have, had I not been mere moments away from drowning.
Aw, shit! I thought as I realized that now my dying thoughts were something as blatantly stupid as "is that a fish?"
Then I saw it again. My interest in the flash of color grew, and I struggled to look around me to see what it was. Instead of gold, however, I found something that was black. And it kind of looked like… hair?
The next thing I knew, arms- human arms- were lifting me out of the surf, and I gasped as my lungs were filled with air. Pure, wonderful, air.
Relief was short-lived, however. Before I could take another deep breath, or get a good look at my savior, there was another wave coming down over my head. Before it could crash, though, the same arms took hold of my waist and pulled me out of the way. I sped away from the turbulence at an incredible speed. Water sprayed in my face, and I coughed some up more than once.
All of a sudden, I was back at the shore. Although my eyes were squeezed shut from the ride, I knew I was out of the water when my back hit warm sand, the heat of the sun caressing my face. I took some deep breaths and then, with a groan, tried to open my eyes, which were crusty from the salty ocean.
To my surprise, above me was a girl. Her bright cerulean blue eyes were looking into mine, and her hair- the same deep ebony I had seen in the water- draped over the sides of my face.
"Are you alright?" she asked nervously. Her voice was like an angel's.
Oh my God, I groaned internally. Did I seriously just think that?!
"Um…" I cleared my throat. "Yeah, I think so… Did you just save me?"
She pushed a section of hair behind her left ear. She still looked kind of nervous. "I'm pretty sure."
Groaning again, I attempted to sit up, but the girl pushed my chest back down to the ground.
"Are you going to let me get up?" I jokingly asked. She shook her head. "Uh… why not?"
"No, just… wait, will you?" She glanced behind her. I had a feeling there was something she didn't want me to see.
"Are you naked or something?" I questioned.
The girl laughed. It sounded beautiful. "No, I'm not naked."
"Then why can't I sit up?"
"I don't need to explain myself to you," she said. "I just saved your life."
"That's true."
"Just… do me a favor?"
"Anything."
"Close your eyes." I did as she asked, and, to be honest, can't deny I was hoping she was going to kiss me. Or that she really was naked.
"Now what?" I asked her.
I'm not sure what she was doing, but it was definitely not kissing me. In fact, I think she was scooting away.
"Wait, where are you going?" I started to sit up.
"You said you'd keep your eyes closed!"
"They are closed!" I protested. My hands went up to cover my eyes even further. "See?"
"Okay. Thanks." I could hear a splash in the water and knew she was back in it.
"Hey! I had some questions to ask you! Like, how did you get me here so fast? And, where are you going? What's your name? Are you free this Friday night?" That last one was only partly a joke.
"Sorry. Can't answer any of those."
"Not even your name?"
"Well, what's yours?"
"Dylan."
"Nice to meet you Dylan."
Another splash. Unable to help myself, I removed my hands and looked. What I saw almost made my jaw drop. Yes, like in Sunday morning cartoons. All the way to the ground.
A large golden tail, larger than anything I've ever seen except for maybe in dinosaur exhibits at the museum, fell into the water after the strange girl. When she swam away deeper into the water, I could have sworn that the tail branched off right from her waist. Like a…
"Mermaid." My eyes widened as I said it aloud. "She's a mermaid."
Then, just when I thought I've seen it all, a giant wake in the water suddenly shoots away from the shore. All the way to that island I had seen earlier.
When the wave disappeared, I blinked. Then I blinked again. And again. And again. And then again. I still couldn't make sense of what had just happened.
Farther away from me and my utter confusion, I heard something that sounded like a car driving into a driveway. In my state of mind, it took me a while to realize that's exactly what it was.
"Crap!" I got up and ran as fast as I could back down the path towards the house. In all the commotion, I had forgotten I was on a time sensitive schedule.
The rocks were as treacherous going over the second time, but I braved through it all and made it back to the house in record time. Opening the door, I grabbed a towel I had forgotten to take with me and dried up as best as I could. I put my flip flops near the door and ran up the stairs towards my room. Just as I shut the door, I heard the door downstairs open.
"That place was amazing!" gushed Claire. "Best smoothies of my entire life!"
Must have been, if she's that excited about them, I thought to myself. This was while I was changing out of my swimsuit as fast as possible, into the same outfit I had been wearing that day.
"They were good, weren't they dear?" I heard Mom say, probably to Dad.
"Mmhmm… hey, do you think Dylan'll still be sleeping?"
"No… see, look, he hasn't even brought his mattress up. I wonder what he's up to."
I panicked. Due to the fact that none of the furniture had made it yet, I had no where to stash my wet suit. The towel was okay to stuff in my duffel bag since it wasn't too wet, but if I put my swimsuit into one of my bags it would be too easy to see the water leaking from it. So, I did what any logical person would do.
"Honey?" asked my mom after she opened the door. "Why is your window open?"
I looked downwards to where I had thrown my suit. "Just wanted to get some air." I shut the window behind me. "I'm good now."
"Alright." She smiled at me, oblivious to the lie (like always). "So, how did you spend your afternoon?"
"Well, I… went for a walk."
"Really? Did you like what you saw?"
"Uh…" I thought of the mysterious girl- or whatever she was- that had saved me. "Yeah. Definitely."
"Good, good." She walked closer to me and put her hands on my shoulders. "I mean, I know how difficult this move is for you. For everybody, really." Her arms brought me in for a hug. "I just hope that we all enjoy ourselves here. You know?"
"Yeah… I know." My thoughts once again returned to the girl in the water, and the strange tail she had. "And I think you're right. I think I will enjoy it here."
"Really?" She pulled back and looked me in the eyes. Her smile took up her whole face. "That's amazing." She pecked me on the cheek, causing me to blush.
"Mooom!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she laughed. She let go and walked towards the stairs. "Now, come on. We brought home dinner. You'll be happy to know there are plenty of fast food joints around here. Although, the accent is certainly something I'll have to get used to…"
I stopped listening as she trailed off. My mind was on other matters.
Turning back towards the window, I looked out at the path towards the rocks, and then even farther, out towards an island that couldn't be seen from this distance. An island I intended on visiting very soon.
(A/N: So? Tell me what you think! Leave me reviews please, I live off of them! You can now start to see where this story is heading... kind of? Maybe? Well, don't doubt that there will be some form of plot twists. I'm not completely boring. Anyways, for those of you that also read my first H2O story, you should be happy to know that the next chapter is almost done! However, I won't be posting it until I finish all of the other chapters until the story is finished. That way, everyone will know there is no wait in between chapters. Well, there will be a little wait, but not much. Maybe a day or something. Once it's finished, I plan on doing a redo of it, since my writing has greatly improved since I started writing it, which was almost two years ago. And for this fic, I wouldn't expect another chapter as quickly as this one got up, but do expect it soon. I've got a lot of inspiration for this story!)
