Read Online Beyond the Sea by Emily Goodwin - Free Book Online Page B

Connor said, grinning.
    “Please,” Kaitlin snarled. “I don’t even care about her.”
    “Then why are you talking about her?” Connor laughed.
    “Because someone needs to point out her weirdness!”
    Peter rolled his eyes. Ok, so Melia was a little strange. He was sure growing up in a super rich family with parents that were rarely around would make anyone seem a little strange. And he liked it. He liked not knowing what to expect from her, he liked how different she was from anyone he’d ever met.
    “Well, Pete,” Connor began, in a mocking tone. “I expect a full report of her weirdness then. And stay away from bodies of water tonight. She might drown you and eat you.” He and Peter laughed.
    “Wait!” Janet cried. “You’re going out with her tonight?”
    “What does it matter to you?” he asked, not even looking at Janet.
    “Uh, why would you even waste your time with her?”
    Connor said, “Maybe ‘cuz she’s super hot!”
    Janet turned to Kaitlin. “I bet she’s a slut.”
    Peter rolled his eye once more. He was so glad Melia wasn’t like them.

    *

    The rest of the day dragged on for Peter. He was slightly nervous; he didn’t want to say anything wrong. He met Melia at her locker at the end of the day.
    “I have to pick up my brother and sister and take them to soccer practice,” he said apologetically, opening the passenger door for Melia. “I hope you don’t mind.”
    “Not at all.” She smiled. Peter’s heart skipped a beat.
    “Good.” It would work out perfect, that is if his siblings would keep their mouths shut. He set his and Melia’s bags in the back and put the top down on his Mustang.
    “Janet doesn’t have the power of the evil eye, does she?” Melia asked, spying Janet’s icy gaze from a few cars over.
    “Uh, not that I know of.”
    “Good, because she looks like she wants to curse me.”
    Peter laughed.
    Adam and Ava stared admirably at Melia after Peter introduced her.
    “You’re really pretty,” Ava told her. “I like your hair.”
    “Thanks. You’re pretty too. And so is your hair. I like blonde.” Melia smiled.
    Ava beamed. “You do?”
    “Yes. It’s like shimmery gold.”
    Peter smiled. Janet loathed his siblings. Yes, they were only eight and somewhat bratty (it was his parents’ fault for giving them whatever they wanted), but they were his little brother and sister, and Peter was very protective of them.
    “How did you do that?” Ava asked, pointing to an intricate braid in Melia’s hair.
    “This?” she asked, separating it from the loose waves. “It’s called a fish tail braid.”
    “I like it!”
    “I can do your hair like this.”
    “Really?! Can she Peter? Can she?!”
    Peter turned to look at his sister. “Only if she wants to.”
    “It’d be fun!” Melia told her. Since she’d been on land, her interactions had been with adults or people her own age. She missed talking to the young merrows. Braiding was the only thing merrows did to their hair, since styles were very limited, being underwater. Melia knew how to do a large variety of complicated and interesting braids.
    After Peter parked, he and Adam got out, carrying Ava’s bag.
    “See you inside!” Adam called to his twin. He looked up at Peter. “Is she your girlfriend?”
    “No. Well, not yet. Hopefully,” he answered. “Listen, you can’t tell Mom or Dad, ok? You know they’re already mad at me.”
    “I won’t.” He smiled. “She’s smokin’!”
    Peter couldn’t help but laugh. “You shouldn’t say that. She’s ten years older than you. But she is, isn’t she?”
    Melia gently raked her fingers through Ava’s messy, long hair. She divided it into two sections and started braiding.
    “Do you like my brother?” Ava asked.
    “Yes,” Melia said honestly. Ava tried to turn around. “You have to keep your head still, sweetie.”
    “Ok, sorry. Peter’s a good brother. Sometimes he plays Barbie’s with me.”
    “That’s really cute and nice of