Chapter Seventeen

Chloe’s POV

The lads were taken by surprise and stared at me. “…too?” I nodded at Calum. “He said it first.” I messed with Ashton’s hair and he smiled weakly. I nuzzled my face into his soaked tee shirt and whispered, “…and I always will.”

*******the next day*******

I was making lunch while the boys sat in the living room watching some well needed television. I slapped the last sandwich together and put it on the shiny metal tray. Carrying it to the living too to the boys, I drew my attention to the news broadcast.

“Scientists have discovered the unbelievable! They have found what we call a Merman in an unidentified submerged building. The mythical creature was unconscious underwater when the ‘Sydney Marine Biologists’ were out scuba diving to search for new fish species last night, and boy did they find what they were looking for.”

Taken by surprise that these idiots would seriously announce that to the world, I dropped the tray of sandwiches and turned to face the guys; who were just as shocked as I was. “Do you know what this means?!?!?!?” I said, raising my voice. “They are getting cooer and closer to finding me…and that means more people find out about me and I will die!” A tear trickled down my cheek as I breathed heavily.

Ashton stood up and pulled me in for a warm hug. “That won’t happen if I can help it.”He kissed the crown of my head and then rested his chin there.

~~~+~~~

I thought back to when I was only fourteen years young. I had a friend named Iris. We had the strongest bond because she had been a mermaid (long before I was). I was the only one who knew until that horrible day when the scientists came to our school. They came for Iris because they had scientifically figured out her secret and announced the reason for taking her in front of the principal at the school. (100-10{me} = 90-70 {7 scientists}= 20 - 10 {principal} = 10). That was it. She was fourteen and she had no more years left.

I watched from the door outside and saw the fear that bubbled up in her system. She had certain death any minute now and she could do nothing about it. She was a young mermaid, so she didn’t have powers yet, so that was out of the question….

The principal seemed sceptical, so the scientists threw water at my friend. She transformed for the last time in her life as the nosey class behind me watch her tail form before them.

She began to gasp for air as her lively tanned skin turned to a sickly pale shade. Her hair began to shed rapidly and her hands began to dry up. A pain filled tear ran down her cheek and her eyes glued to me as she slowly died

~~~+~~~

A new wave of tears rushed over me as I hugged Ashton tighter thinking, ‘I don’t want that to happen to me!!!!!’.

Snapping me out of it, a hand was set on my back. I turned in Ashton’s arms to find Michael standing there. “Are you okay? We’ll make sure no one finds out. What’s got you so upset?” I look at the floor, embarrassed at the scene I made. “I was just thinking of things I shouldn’t be.” Ashton drug his fingers through my hair as I spoke. “Do you want some alone time with Ashton, because we’d be happy to leave you two alone….” Luke chirped in with an annoyed tone. “But I am trying to watch—” he stopped as Michael whipped around and gave him a death glare. What has gotten into him lately? He seems a lot more caring than he did before. “No you stay here; I kinda wanted to get some fresh air…” I kissed Michael’s cheek and then grabbed Ashton’s hand and lead him outside.

We strolled along the beach with interlocked fingers. The sand moved with each soft step as we walked down the beach. Ashton suddenly stopped and stared off out into the ocean and smiled. “Chlo, I wish we could just run away. Escape from here…away from all of the people who threaten you.” He took his eyes off the water and stared deep into mine. “I do too, babe. I do too.” He kissed my cheek and I smiled from ear to ear.

“Wanna take a swim?” I nodded and ran towards the water, but he stopped me. “Slow down…” He grabbed me and held me bridal style as he walked into the water. Once we were deep enough, he set me down and my tail formed. His clothes now drenched in water, he shed them and let them float away with the tide, leaving him in just boxers. I dragged my palm across his abs and smiled. “Race ya..” he immediately began to swim and I waited around for a little bit to give him a head start. I began to move my tail smoothly. I smiled, enjoying the slight natural movement of the waves.

“OH SHIT! WHAT IS THAT — A MERMAID?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?”

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