Read Online Teenage Mermaid by Ellen Schreiber - Free Book Online

experiences—Earthdudes in blue jeans, Earthdudettes with different-colored toenails, and me walking through a crowded corridor instead of swimming through a winding tunnel. But worse, I’d have to confess to the crime of borrowing and losing a family heirloom. Take all that was due me, and remember my Earthly experience with melancholy, far underneath the waves in a frigid boarding school in the Atlantic.
    I could feel the ocean’s waves inside me. I took off my shoes and walked down Seaside High’s warm paved road, wanting to feel all there was to feel through my Earthly feet for the last time. I found the warm, grainy sand comforting, yet sad. I was leaving my dreams behind, as I made my way down the sandy beachfront. I passed the lifeguard stand and raced along the tide, not letting it catch my feet. Out ofbreath, I climbed up on the rocks underneath the pier, my sandals swinging from my fingers. I leaned over the water’s edge, imagining what it would be like to have the water tickle my toes.
    I wondered if I would now be a famous merexplorer, celebrated throughout Pacific Reef’s history as the one who made it back, winning awards, featured on talk shows, pictured in encyclopedias—but knowing in reality that I’d only be able to tell Waverly of my experience. I stood up and, for one final time, gazed back at my new world and all its beauty—Seaside High peering over the hill, palm trees extending their branches to the sky, happy tourists sunning underneath the glistening sun.
    And outside Mickey’s Surfboard Hut—one Earthdude with illuminating blue hair!
    It couldn’t be.
    I raced back over the rocks, jumped onto the warm sand, and ran as hard as I could.
    â€œIt’s me!” I proclaimed, waving my arms. “It’s me!”
    Out of breath, I finally reached my Earthdude, who stared wide-eyed, like he was drowning again.

Spencer
    I didn’t recognize her sweet voice at first. I’d only seen her—glistening underwater, sparkling through an algebra classroom window, and giggling in Hanover’s class. Now she was standing in front of me almost out of breath herself.
    What could I say to her now that I had the chance? I had waited what seemed like an eternity to see her again. Hadn’t I made a fool of myself enough today?
    Still, I was elated. While she recovered her breath and pushed back her hair, I wished it were my hand exposing her perfect face. A million questions raced through my mind. Had she seen my ad? Where was she from? What was she doing in the ocean yesterday? I could barely believe that this beauty hadpressed her savory lips on mine! But the words turned to alphabet soup when I opened my mouth.
    â€œYou know who I am, don’t you?” she asked forcefully.
    I now realized why she was here. Not to let me thank her, like I’d originally intended, but just to get her necklace back.
    I nervously fingered the chain in my pocket, as if I had ripped it off from a jewelry store. “I waited at the stadium. Did you get my note?”
    â€œYes, but I overslept. I looked all over school for you,” she said, agitated. “But I thought your hair was dark red.”
    â€œI change it every week.”
    â€œIs that normal? Do you change your name every week, too?”
    â€œIt’s normal for me. But my name’s always Spencer.”
    â€œWell, Spencer, can I have the necklace?” she asked suddenly.
    If I returned it to her now, I’d lose her. She’d show up for school tomorrow, hand in hand with Calvin Todd. I’d be destined for the rest of my high-school days to watch her sparkling smile radiate toward him at football games as he scored touchdowns and more. I only had one choice. “You saved my life, and I don’t even know your name,” I said urgently.
    â€œWell…people around here call me Candy.”
    â€œCandy, I wanted to ask you something first. Before I give you back