Mermaid's Destiny by Samara Fitzgerald (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📕

"First of all, he talked to me first. After both of you left me alone in that college party, I start looking around for you. He was singing and playing his guitar and afterwards, he jut introuced himself. That's it." I snapped back. Well, that was a lie, but they don't need to know everything. Nerissa glared at me a little more before she finally gave up.

"Fine, I believe you. Let's just get back home. Salacia and Nerissa start running toward the beach. Before I followed them, I looked behind me and see Alex standing on the balcony of the house, looking at me. This warm feeling start forming inside me.

"Alana!!" Nerissa and Salacia yelled.

"I'm coming." I yelled back. I took one more glance behind me and ran to the beach and stripped out of the clothes and jumped in after my sisters, hopefully leaving those feelings behind.

It was a long night last night. I was having a hard time falling asleep. All I can think about is Alex. This sucks. I need to get him out of my mind. I got out of bed, which is a enormous clam. I swam around in the castle until I get to Dad's room. When I got in there, dad was in his usual spot in his studies, talking with the Council. Everyone automatically looked my direction, causing me to feel uncomfortable because I don't like this many eyes on me. 

"Yes Alana?" Dad said as he got up from the table. 

"Sorry dad. I just need to talk to you." He look behind him at the Council.

"Sweetie, can this wait? I have to finish this meeting." he said. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. He never have the time for anyone. All he do is work all day. I tried not to show my disappointment by forcing a smile on my face.

"Sorry father. I did not mean to disturb your meeting." Before he got to say anything back, I swam out of the room. I love my father, but it seem like his work more. Dad is the head of the Council. They are the ones that run our society and they are the ones that make the rules. What luck I have to have a father who has more control and more work in their hands. I need to talk to someone. I can't talk to Nerissa or Salacia because all they going to do is laugh in my face. All I know, I need to get out of here. I swim as quickly as I can. 

"Alana, where are you going?" I hear Nerissa ask. I turn to see her standing in a middle of a group of mermen. All of them are all over her, like usual.

"None of your business." I yelled as I kept on swimming out of the palace. I kept swimming until I got near shore. I lifted my head up out of the water, making sure that the coast was clear. There are some people on the beach, but there was no people near the secret shack. I took one more look before I swam to the shore near the shack, my legs forming. After the transformation, I ran the rest of the way out of the ocean to the shack and got inside. I dried myself off and put on a loose, short peach colored dress with black leggings and black flats. With my hair still a little wet, I ran my fingers through it, leaving it out. As soon as I was finished, I walked out and start walking. I kept walking until I got to destination I came here for. It is the only bookstore near here. My friend, Robin, owns this store. She is one of those mermaids who rather live in this world on dry land instead of our world in the ocean. She is also against the rules made by the Council. I walk in and the door makes it same usual sound of bells. Robin looks up from her book, with her blue eyes, smiling.

"Hey Alana. It have been a while since I have last seen you." She squeled as she ran to me and gave me a hug.  She is always hyper. Robin is still cute with her 5'0 figure and her golden blonde hair. She look really young for a 25 year old woman.

"Hey Robin." I said as I hugged her back.

"What brings you here? How are things at home?" she asks as she bring me to the counter. 

"Everything is all right. It's not the same without you there, though."

"I know. I bet it is all boring down there without me. But you know I can't go back."

"I know." I sighed and looked around the store.

"You sure did good decorating in here." I said. 

"I know. I'm proud of myself. What is wrong? I can tell that you are upset."

"Nothing. I..." That is when I broke down and start crying. 

"What's wrong, Alana?" Robin led me to a chair and sat me down. She got the tissue box from the counter, gave it to me and sat next to me. She look so concerned.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know what is wrong with me. I just have so much on my mind." I wiped my tears with the tissue.

"It's okay. You have nothing to apologize for. But, you know you can tell me anything."

"I know. It's just so many things are going on in my head and things at home." Robin sighed and gave me a hug.

"Well, it will be okay. My store will open in a few minutes. I would like it if you can stay. Just please don't attack any of my customers."

"Of course. But you know I won't hurt any of them or eat them." I said as I wiped the rest of the tears. Robin also hate the eating human thing. Instead of hunting them, she hunt animals. Our bodies can't digest human foods, such as their preserved meats, their fruits, vegetables, grains, etc. Robin got up, went to the door and turned the sign, showing that the store is opened.

"I know. Hey, can you go in the back. Some books just arrived yesterday. The books are in a small box and they need to be put on the shelf. The box is not heavy, so it will be real easy for you to bring it in here." 

"Okay." I walked to the back into the storage room and grabbed the box. I start walking back to the front. I don't know what is wrong with me. I tried controlling myself in front of Robin, but I couldn't hold the tears in. I just have to stay calm the rest of the day. I know Nerissa and Salacia are probably wondering where I am. I know it will be fury when I get home and Nerissa and Salacia would go run to tell "daddy" and so on. My life is a mess, but I am used to it.

I get near the front and I hear Robin talking to someone. The voice of the person was of a guy. 

"Hey Robin. How are you?""

"I'm good. What book are you looking forward to buying today? You was here last week."

"I know. But you remember you told me that more books was coming yesterday and I just want to check them out." I leaned over the door opening back into the room and looked to see who was Robin talking to. The guy was turned around, so I couldn't see his face. Robin saw me and smiled. The guy start to turn around, but I hid back against the wall.

"I'm sorry Alex. The books did arrive. My friend is suppose to be bringing in the box, but she don't seem to be coming." As soon as she said the name, I felt my whole body freeze. I was in so much shock that I accidently dropped the box. Robin knows the Alex I met last night.

"What was that?" I hear Robin say. Next thing I know, I hear footsteps rushing in my direction. Great, now he is going to see me. I automatically bent down and start putting the books back in the box. 

"Are you okay?" Alex said as he bent down and start helping me put the books back in the box. I got kind of happy that my hair was hanging in front of my face, hiding it.

"Yes." I said as I start to grab the last book, but he grabbed it too. Shocked, I quickly let go and he put the book in the box. He grabbed the box and stood up.

"Let me get that for you." he said. I got up, my heart beating fast, and pushed my hair behind my ear, from my face, and looked up into his familiar blue eyes. 

"Thank you for the help." I said as I grabbed the box from him. Alex first looked surprised and then smiled. 

"You welcome. Hey, aren't you the girl from last night? Alana, right?" 

"Yes." I said as I start walking into the front of the store. Robin looked over at me with a concerned look on her face.

"Alana, are you okay? All I know is that I hear this thud."

"I'm alright. Thanks to Alex." I said, trying not to look at him.

"Well, I guess both of you already me. Alex, this is my little sister, Alana." Alex look between the both of us, looking a little confused.

"I didn't know that you was at the party last night, Robin." 

"Wait, what party? I didn't go to a party last night."

"Oh, it's just that you  said Alana was your sister and that is where I met Alana and she was with her sisters." Robin looked taken back and she looked at me.

"No, I meant Alana is like a sister to me. She's my best friend."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Well, that is where I met Alana."

"That's interesting. I did not even know that." Robin said as she gave me side glance. I walked over to the table and put the box on it.

"Here is the box you asked for." Alex walks over and look through the books. I walk over to Robin and pulled her to the back.

"What was that?" she asked.

"What was what?"

"What Alex told me."

"He came to me and talked to me. I just answered. I would like to forget about that."