Page 37 of Shifting Tides

“And?” I coaxed, desperate for details.

“I didn't drown.”

“Duh.” I smiled and gave her a good-natured nudge.

“It kinda felt like I was slipping into my own skin for the first time.” Her eyes twinkled as she said, “My tail's pink.”

I chuckled. “Of course it is.”

Arya laughed but grew quiet again, looking at her hands as they rested in her lap.

“But?” I prodded.

She let out a long breath. “Let’s just say being a mermaid isn't all it's cracked up to be.”

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it, trying to give her an encouraging smile. I didn't know what she was going through, but I wanted to reassure her that I was here to listen if she wanted to talk about it.

I managed a playful smile. “Made any friends yet?” I asked, though I kinda hated to hear the answer.

A “no” meant that Arya still needed me, and there was nothing I could do to fix that, but a “yes” meant that I might lose her to a world I could never really be a part of.

“Not yet, but it was only my first day. I’m used to it.”

We continued to chat amiably as the train carried me away from my dreams, The Dome shrinking and fading until it disappeared entirely. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

Still, all of it hurt more than I cared to let on. But I knew Arya was hurting more. She was strong, and I had a feeling she wouldn't give in to her grief until she absolutely had to.

I just hoped Arya would be surrounded by friends, if—or when—she finally broke.

Chapter 10

Arya

How was it possible that after the incredibly long day I had and how exhausted I felt that I couldn’t sleep?

So many thoughts and questions were whirling through my head. Why did Caesar take such an interest in me? Why did all the other mermaids hate me so much? It seemed like new students arrived at the school all the time, and yet I was the topic of discussion on everyone’s lips. What was so special about me?

And then, there was the topic of Shea. How on earth was I going to get Shea accepted at this school? Having her here would mean having a true friend. Shea had been there with me through all the stuff with my mom, and she knew me as someone other thanthat new mermaid girl.

Transforming into a mermaid had been the most profound and magical experience of my life, and yet it was tainted by the fact that Mom had kept it from me all this time.

Caesar said that mermaid DNA was hereditary, so either Mom was a mermaid, or my father was, and Mom had definitely known about it. I couldn’t figure out why she tried so hard to keep me from that part of myself. Being in the water,twisting and twirling in my natural form, I’d felt more myself than ever before. How could Mom keep that from me?

I felt guilty for being angry at her for it because she was dead. I hadn’t even begun to mourn her loss yet. I wasn’t ready to feel the pain of knowing I’d never see that bright smile again. Hell, I’d even miss hearing her recite the rules for the billionth time.

I wondered, if Mom came back to me right here, right now, would I even bother to ask her about any of this shifter stuff? Or would I just hug her as tight as I could and never let go? Would I give up all this knowledge about myself and where I fit in the world and go back to life as an ignorant, sheltered teen if it meant having her back?

A sigh escaped me as I opened my eyes for the umpteenth time. I looked at the digital clock on my desk. It was past midnight. My stomach started to rumble, and I remembered that I’d skipped out on dinner in favor of saying goodbye to Shea. Well, maybe a full belly would ease my body enough to push me over that sleep threshold.

I got out of bed, slipped on my shoes, and crept out of my room. The mermaid common room was empty, and I was grateful for that. The last thing I needed right now was to run into another mermaid who hated me for absolutely no reason, and I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to tell them to fuck off if I did.

The grand hall was so empty and silent that my steps echoed as I made my way down the stairs and toward the dining hall. It was strange to see the usually buzzing dining hall vacant and dark. Almost haunting, really.

I knew the buffet station would be empty, but I hoped I could at least find a vending machine or something. As I looked around, the walls of the dining hall were disappointingly bare. I frowned. There had to be food in here somewhere.

Behind the buffet station, I saw a door I assumed led to the kitchen. I crept around the counters and tried the knob.

Yes!

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