Page 4

Chapter 2

Hot, angry tears blur my vision. I blink them away and focus on the road. How can my parents throw this at me? My uncle’s sudden death and us moving to Valora!

There’s no way I’m going back.

Not happening.

I’ve built my life here on the land. Blended in with the humans. Made friends. Created dreams. I have a full life ahead of me that has nothing to do with an underwater city or their politics. I’ve managed to push aside most thoughts about being a mermaid. As long as I avoid the beach, I’m fine. Nobody’s ever questioned anything.

Well, not ever. Ivy’s definitely noticed my avoidance of the water. She’s my best friend, and she knows everything about me. Well, almost. I can’t tell her this. Not like I think she’d sell me to science if she knew my true nature, but it sounds so ridiculous. Unbelievable. If I hadn’t lived the mermaid life as a child, I wouldn’t believe it myself.

Honk!

Green light. I wave an apology and hit the gas. Time to focus on the road. Once I get to school, I can figure out what to do. There has to be a solution, even if I have to run away. I can make it on my own. Sure, it won’t be ideal, but it’s doable. It’ll be harder without my parents’ money, but I can find a way. Even if I have to live in Ivy’s closet for a while. Even that would be preferable to Valora.

Shorecrest High comes into view. I take a deep breath. I can pretend everything’s normal until I get home. Mom and Dad will be furious at me for storming off, but they’ll get over it. Just like they’ll get over me staying on land. Eventually. Maybe. Even if they don’t, does it matter? It’s not like I’ll ever bump into them on the street.

I park in the lot and make my way to the main building.

“Marra!” Ivy waves at me from the courtyard.

I wave and plaster on a smile. If I act like everything is okay, maybe it will be. At least until I get home. I have until tonight to figure out what to do. How to get out of this mess.

Ivy catches up to me and looks me over, a smirk crossing her face. “You want to impress Roman.”

In all the madness, I’d forgotten about him.

“You should wear skirts more often.” She nods with approval. “You’ve got killer legs. Could use some tanning cream, though. Want to use some of mine? Or we could get a spray at the salon.”

“Yeah, sure. That sounds great.”

She tilts her head and studies me. “You okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I try to push aside all thoughts of Valora. Good luck with that.

“You seem distracted.” Ivy puts her hands on her hips.

“Got that Spanish test and the meet today. Lots on my mind.”

She arches a brow. “And Roman Lewis.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Ivy glances at my skirt. “But you’re trying. And he already likes you!”

I grab her arm and drag her toward the entrance. “Let’s go. I need to get a folder from my locker.”

She stops, forcing me to also. “What’s the matter? Something’s definitely wrong.”

“Nothing is.”

Ivy narrows her eyes. “Liar. I’m your best friend. You can’t hide anything from me.”

Except I’m a mermaid.

“What is it? Why won’t you tell me?” She pouts. “Don’t you trust me?”

I pull her beyond the courtyard, where we have some privacy. I’m going to have to fess up. “You can’t tell anyone.”