After the game, I watched as Jack and his teammates emerged from the school, the scent of sweat mingling with the crisp evening air. Their laughter echoed, a vibrant reminder of their victory, but I couldn't shake the unease curling in my stomach. Jack climbed into Eli's truck, and I hesitated, debating whether I should follow them to the party.

The thought of blending in with a sea of strangers made my heart race, but something inside me urged me to go. What if I missed out on something amazing? I clutched the steering wheel of my car, squeezing it tightly, and finally made the decision to go.

As I arrived at the party, the pulsating beat of music washed over me, and I was met with a cacophony of laughter and chatter that spilled from the open door. Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the smell of beer and the sweet scent of some kind of fruit punch.

Everywhere I looked, people were having the time of their lives—playing beer pong in one corner, laughing and splashing in the pool, and swaying to the music on the dance floor. I felt like an intruder in this world, an observer on the outside looking in. I stayed near the edge of the kitchen, where I hoped to blend into the shadows, but my eyes were drawn to a couple making out on the counter, their bodies pressed together as they lost themselves in each other.

Just then, the girl on the counter tipped over a half-empty water bottle, spilling its contents everywhere. My heart raced as I instinctively stepped back, panic bubbling within me. I didn't want to attract attention, but the sight of the pooling water made my throat tighten. I couldn't let anyone see me lose control.

I needed to get out.

I squeezed through the crowd, the music vibrating in my chest and the chatter becoming a blur. Outside, I found a moment of solace on the porch, the cool night air washing over me like a balm. The noise faded slightly, and I leaned against the railing, trying to steady my breathing. This wasn't how I imagined my night; I should be at home, cozy in my bed, watching Netflix and scrolling through Jack's Instagram stories.

But curiosity kept pulling me forward.

From my hidden spot, I saw Jack standing alone with his back turned, a beer in his hand. The sight of him sent a mix of thrill and anxiety racing through me. I wanted to be close to him, yet the fear of being noticed kept me rooted in place.

Just then, Eli strolled out, breaking the moment. "Hey, man, the party's in there! We're celebrating our win," he called out, clapping Jack on the back. The girl in the jersey popped into view, practically bouncing with excitement.

"Yeah, yeah," Jack replied, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone. "I know. I'll be in in a minute." He took a swig of his beer, a casual demeanor masking something deeper.

"Come on, dude! She's waiting for you in there," Eli teased, nudging him playfully.

Jack rolled his eyes, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Yeah, and I hope she doesn't think this is anything more than a fun night. Her heart's gonna be broken soon if she does."

My heart sank at his words. There it was—his vulnerability, hidden beneath the bravado. Jack was the star quarterback, adored by everyone, yet he felt the need to keep everyone at arm's length. The weight of his carefree attitude masked a deeper fear of commitment, something that was evident even from afar.

As Eli laughed and pulled Jack back inside, I remained outside, grappling with my emotions. I couldn't help but wonder why he felt this way. Why wouldn't he let someone in? The question nagged at me, making me feel more connected to him than ever.

But the pulse of the party continued without me, and I felt that familiar tug of wanting to be a part of something—yet still, I stood there, uncertain and afraid.

After Jack and Eli walked away, I stood outside for a moment, the cool night air hitting my flushed cheeks. I needed to calm down, but as I reached for my phone, my heart sank. A text from my mom flashed on the screen: Heading out on a work trip. Love you!

I sighed, feeling the familiar ache of abandonment. They came and went as they pleased, more focused on their jobs than on me. I pushed the phone back into my pocket, fighting the urge to return to the party. The noise inside pulsed like a living thing—laughter, music, the clinking of glasses—a chaotic symphony that felt foreign and overwhelming.

Steeling myself, I opened the door and stepped back into the fray. The music blared louder than before, drowning out my thoughts. I scanned the room and spotted Jack, a beer in hand, laughing with the girl who had his jersey. Brent was on the couch, locked in an embrace with a girl who seemed to melt into him.

This was a mistake. The sight of couples lost in their own worlds, the energy of the room—it was too much. I turned on my heel, heading back outside, but before I could make my escape, I collided with someone.

"Watch it!" a girl exclaimed, her eyes flashing with annoyance.

"Sorry!" I murmured, glancing up to see her face. It was then that I heard a voice call from behind her.

"Lila! Are you coming in?"

My breath caught. Lila. I hadn't seen her yet, but I knew she was someone who would soon enter my orbit, a name whispered among people around the school.

I didn't stick around to find out more. I stepped away from the party, feeling the weight of their world pressing down on me. The distant sound of laughter faded as I climbed into my car, the engine humming to life under my fingertips.

The drive to the beach felt like an eternity, the road winding under the starlit sky. As I parked and ran towards the shore, the cool night air wrapped around me like a comforting embrace.

With each step on the sand, the party faded further away. I dove into the water, letting the chill wash over me. My body transformed instinctively, fins gliding through the dark waves. I swam with urgency, racing towards the moon pool where I could finally breathe, away from the noise and the pressure.

Once there, I floated in the water, letting it cradle me. The moonlight danced on the surface, illuminating the serene space that felt more like home than anywhere else. Here, I could be invisible—just Aria, the mermaid, free from the weight of expectations and heartbreaks.

In this moment of solitude, I couldn't help but reflect on the party—the laughter, the love, and the heartbreaks that were so familiar yet so distant. I felt lucky to escape unnoticed, but I couldn't rely on luck alone. I needed to find a way to balance my two worlds before one of them pulled me under.

The moonlight shimmered on the surface of the water, its soft glow wrapping around me like a blanket. Floating in the moon pool, the gentle current washed over me, its rhythm a stark contrast to the chaos of the party I had just escaped. Here, in this hidden sanctuary, I could breathe.

As I let the silence envelop me, my mind drifted to a time when things were different. I wasn't always this invisible.

I was six years old, sitting on my dad's lap while he read me stories. Back then, everything felt so simple, so full of love. My mom would be in the kitchen, laughing while she cooked dinner, calling me to set the table. My parents were always there—until they weren't. As time moved on, little things changed. My mom would answer her phone in the middle of a conversation, promising, "I'll be right back." My dad started carrying his laptop everywhere, always typing, even during family dinners.

I remember asking them to play with me, to come look at something I made, but they'd brush it off with an absentminded, "Later, Aria," or "Not now, sweetie." Those promises of "later" turned into never.

By the time I was nine, I learned not to ask anymore. I'd retreat to my room, keeping myself busy with books and schoolwork. I didn't expect much from them anymore. It was easier that way, not to expect anything at all.

That was the beginning of my invisibility, I think. I didn't socialize with anyone. The teachers loved me—I was the perfect student, the quiet one who got good grades—but no one really noticed me. And honestly, I was fine with that. Disappointment and expectations seemed to come hand in hand, and love... love was something I didn't believe in anymore.

But I found something else that gave me a sense of belonging, even if no one knew about it. It was around middle school when I first stumbled upon vloggers on YouTube. They seemed so confident, so sure of themselves, showing off their makeup routines and outfits like they were made for the spotlight. I started watching them obsessively, learning their tricks, studying their fashion sense, their flawless personas. That's when I decided to start my own vlog—my secret vlog.

It wasn't meant for anyone else, just for me. A little bubble I could retreat into, where I could be confident, bold, and someone else entirely. The camera became my comfort, just like my cloak of invisibility did at school.

I floated on my back in the moon pool, the memories swirling in my mind like the gentle current. My life had become a balancing act, one I'd been perfecting since I was ten.

That was the year my parents decided to take me on a family trip—although it felt more like a work trip. They were there, sure, but they weren't present. I wandered off on my own most of the time. That's how I found the cave.

I shivered, even now, remembering that moment. My foot slipped, and I tumbled into a hidden lagoon deep inside the cave. At first, I thought it was just an accident. But when I woke up the next day and brushed against water, everything changed. My legs disappeared, replaced by shimmering scales. I panicked, locking myself in the bathroom for hours until the scales dried and my legs returned.

I couldn't tell anyone, of course. My parents didn't even notice anything was different. They were too busy with their work, their endless schedules. I had to figure it all out on my own.

Even now, I was still learning to balance it all. Keeping my secret while trying to live a normal life. Except my life was anything but normal.

I swam slowly in the moon pool, the water cool and soothing against my skin. The past seemed like a distant dream, but the memories stayed, lingering just beneath the surface.

And then there was Jack.

I first saw him during my freshman year. I was at my locker, fumbling with my books, when he strode down the hallway with his friends. He was a sophomore then, but he already had that air of confidence, the kind that made people stop and stare. I watched him from the corner of my eye, trying not to be obvious.

I still remembered the way he laughed, so effortlessly, as if nothing in the world could faze him. It was in that moment, that one split second, that I knew I'd be watching him from afar. Admiring him in secret, just like I did everything else.

The moonlight flickered as a cloud passed overhead, pulling me back into the present. I took a deep breath, letting the salty air fill my lungs.

The moonlight flickered across the water as I floated in the moon pool, trying to steady my breath after the rush of memories. This was my haven, the one place I felt I could truly relax. But something about tonight—the party, seeing Jack—had left a lingering tension I couldn't shake. It clung to me like seaweed, wrapping around my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I couldn't stay here forever. I needed to get home.

Taking one last deep breath, I dove beneath the surface and sped through the water, the cool ocean pushing past me as I swam back toward the beach where I'd left my car. The current carried me smoothly, my body gliding with ease through the waves. It was always a relief to move like this, in my element, as if the ocean understood me better than anyone ever could.

As I neared the shore, I slowed down and prepared to shift back. But just as I was about to swim up to the beach, I froze.

Voices. Loud, familiar voices.

I peeked over the surface, my heart racing as I spotted a group of high school kids not far from the water. It didn't take me long to realize they were from school—some of them had probably been at the party earlier. And that's when I saw him. Jack.

My heart jumped into my throat as I saw him walking by the shore, his arm slung around the girl from earlier—the one wearing his jersey. Only now, she had his hoodie on, too. They were holding hands, laughing with the others as they headed closer to the water.

I didn't know what to do. Panic surged through me. I couldn't go ashore, not with them right there. If they saw me... if Jack saw me like this—

I ducked back beneath the water, trying to calm the wild beating of my heart. Think, Aria. Think.

From the distance, I could hear their voices growing louder. Someone shouted something about skinny dipping, and my blood turned cold.

Oh no.

I swam further away, moving toward some rocks to hide. But just as I settled behind them, my tail accidentally brushed against the rocks, creating a splash. I froze in place, holding my breath.

"Did you hear that?" one of the guys asked, looking around the water suspiciously.

My heart pounded in my chest as two of the guys stripped down and ran into the ocean, their laughter echoing in the night air. One of them swam closer to the rocks, his eyes scanning the dark water.

"I swear I saw something," he muttered, his brow furrowed.

"Dude, it's just us out here," the other guy laughed. "You're seeing things."

"No, really! I saw something over there!" The first guy pointed toward where I was hiding, and I felt the panic rising again. He was coming closer, and I didn't know how long I could stay hidden.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the power within me. I raised my hand and curled my fingers into a fist, concentrating on the one gift I could count on in moments like these. Slowly, I twisted my hand in a half-circle motion, willing myself to disappear.

The water shimmered around me as my body became invisible, blending seamlessly with the darkness of the ocean.

The guy swam closer, his face mere feet from where I was hiding. My pulse raced as I held my breath, praying he wouldn't get any nearer. He stopped, scanning the water one last time before shaking his head.

"There's nothing here," he finally said, his voice uncertain.

"Come on, man. I'm freezing," his friend called from further out. "Let's go."

After what felt like an eternity, the guy sighed and swam back to join the others. I let out a silent breath of relief, waiting for the sounds of their voices to fade before making my move.

Once I was sure they were gone, I cautiously emerged from my hiding place, my body tense with lingering fear. I swam toward the shore, the cool water slipping past my tail as it shimmered under the moonlight. The moment I crawled onto the damp sand, I felt the familiar tingle of transformation. My scales glistened in the pale glow, fading as my legs reappeared, tingling as they solidified. I stood shakily, the wet grains of sand clinging to my skin.

For a brief moment, I stood still, catching my breath, my heart still hammering from the close call. The distant hum of the ocean seemed so serene compared to the storm inside me. I glanced back at the waves, their steady rhythm lapping against the shore as if the sea held no memory of my secret. But I did. I could still feel the tension in my limbs, the adrenaline that had coursed through me.

With a quiet sigh, I hurried to my car, the cool night air brushing against my damp skin. My footsteps barely made a sound as I crossed the deserted beach, grateful—no, relieved—that no one had seen me. Tonight had been too much. The noise, the chaos of the party, Jack's careless laughter with his friends, and now this—nearly being discovered. It felt like a warning, a reminder that I couldn't count on luck to keep me safe forever.

But for now, at least, I had made it through. I had survived another night unseen, my secret still intact—for now.

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A/N: At least we got a glimpse of Aria and her life. Yep, she was living her life for a moment, but I got to bring her back in. Hehe!