"Melinda Caesar, I really do hope you have a good explanation regarding this," dad says in a controlled voice, arching his eyebrows at the sight of a drenched Valerie. 

I open my mouth to start explaining when Val cuts me off. 

"I sneaked to the beach to see Mel in her Siren form. It's my fault, Mr. Caesar. I have been wondering about how she's look like for years now," Val responses. 

Dad looks started for a moment and then stares pointedly at Valerie. "I have a feeling you're not telling me the whole truth, Valerie."

"That's what I'm sticking with," Val says firmly. She steps forward so she's protecting me from my father's gaze. She knows that I can't help but tell my father everything. He has always told me that the truth is better than lying. 

"Fine, wash off the seawater scent. And don't tell anyone. You girls stay indoors while I do my usual scout, just in case," dad orders and then stalks off.

Val looks a bit surprised at how he responds and I shrug at her. "You heard him."

The next few hours passed and Val is no longer smelling like she encountered a Siren. We spent the day talking, just like the old days when we weren't at a human school. Aunt Beth came home to check on us before she also left for god-knows-what-reason. Uncle Seb was in his room sleeping the entire time. 

"You know," Val says when I am in the middle of making toast for tea. "I know that you're not comfortable in our new school. I am so sorry for not helping you cope. I have been so busy enjoying the fact that I fit in that... I have forgotten that you're struggling to."

I shrug. "It's not your fault. Both humans and supernaturals give me an uneasy feeling. If both groups notice I'm not human... I'm scared, Val. I don't want to be trapped in a tiny cage and being experimented on."

Val stands from her high stool and give me a hug. "I'm not going to let that happen. You're my best friend, that's not going to happen."

"You can't promise that," I whisper into her shoulders, breathing in her usual perfume. "There are Siren hunters out there. You saw how I look like; they'll think I'm one of them. This is my stupid biological father's fault."

Val pulls away and gives me a sad look. "But Mel... I'm glad you exist. If you weren't around, I don't know what I would have done. Being the only misfit, you kept me company and grounded. I mean, yeah, I get that you have your father and you - against all odds - exists. There must be a reason why you turn out this way."

I manage to save our toast from getting burnt and then we eat in silence until Aunt Beth bursts into the house looking sweaty and worried. 

"Aunt Beth, are you alright?" I ask in concern when I notice that a few trees are making their way to the front of the house and stays rooted protectively. I run after her as she keeps looking out of the window.

She was whispering something under her breath when she keeps her focus on one of the trees. 

"Melinda, your father has information that there may be a mermaid entering the beach territory," Aunt Beth says, looking pointedly at Val who is shoving her toast into her mouth. "You should head back home, Valerie. It isn't safe here."

Val frowns and then nods obediently. "Okay, Miss Beth."

"Wait," I say worriedly. "We should accompany her, at least. For Val's safety."

Aunt Beth agrees and then she woke Uncle Seb up to send Val home safely. He grumbles in complaint but does as he was told. Once the two left, Aunt Beth turns to me.

"Linda, please go to your room and stay there until your father returns. No matter what, do not leave the house. Do you understand me?" Aunt Beth grabs my shoulders as she says this. 

"Okay," I agree. 

I keep myself busy in my room while the house is empty. I can tell dad and Aunt Beth are making sure that the territory is safe from intruders. The thought of being captured frighten me to core, but I believe that dad will check thoroughly. 

My phone rings with dad's name on the screen. 

"Hey, dad."

"Bubbles," he sighs. "Listen, I won't be home for a few days because of this mermaid. Beth and I have agreed that it's safer for you to skip school tomorrow. Can you do that?"

"Sure." I try to hide the fact that I'm happy to miss school. 

"It's for your safety to lay low for a while. I'll be back before you know it, okay?"

"Sure, dad. Love you."

"Love you too. Now go to bed, it's past your bedtime." 

I laugh out loud and hang up on him. Not five minutes have passed, Valerie is trying to reach me. 

"Hey, Val," I respond lazily, laying on my bed. 

"Hey. So no one knew, right?" 

I roll my eyes at her. "Obviously."

"And the mermaid? Has your dad or Miss Beth caught him yet?"

I roll onto my stomach. "My dad thinks it could just be a lost mermaid trying to find his way or something. Oh, and I won't be going to school tomorrow."

"Yeah, I know. Do you think that your singing made that mermaid come?" Val asks softly. She's probably trying to make sure that no one can eavesdrop on her. She complained to me a few times that her dad or her brother eavesdropped on her and would tease her endlessly.

I scrunch my eyebrows in concentration. "I don't know. It only attracted you because you're human and you were nearby. The mermaid had to be nearby if he heard me. Maybe I should tell my dad about this..."

"But Mel, if you tell your dad, he will tell my dad that I was there too," Val says. "I can't lose you, Mel."

I am torn. Should I tell dad about how my singing skills attract people nearby or keep it a secret so Val's dad will not ban Val from ever seeing me again. Knowing Val's dad, he'll do everything in his power to keep us apart since he never really likes me. 

"Okay, I won't tell."