Arlen ran a hand through his dark brown hair and moaned at the ceiling. He hadn’t slept a wink.
Aliyah was gone. Why did that bother him so much? Shouldn’t he be happy for her? He even made a point to tell her he wanted her to be happy. And he did. So why was there a pit in his stomach?
Alren sighed and rubbed his eyes. Memories of Aliyah’s laugh flooded his mind… again. He couldn’t take it anymore.
Alren rushed over to a simple dresser and pulled out a fresh top and skirt. He had a long day ahead of him. Why did both of his friends have to leave him behind? Finally Carlson was visiting Westtrench and Arlen wouldn’t be there to show him the ropes. He remained in the Sandstrum Kingdom with his mother. He sighed and thought of the last time he hung out with both his friends. Maybe practicing his whale call would distract him enough from his loneliness.
There was a knock at his door. “Arlen, the King requests your presence this morning. Are you up yet?”
His presence? Why would the king need to see him?
“Yes, Mom. I’ll be right out.”
Arlen swam into the throne room. King Evan was talking with his brother, Daniel. Oh, no. Were they going to ask him about Aliyah? Did she not tell them where she went?
“Arlen! Thank you for coming.” The king gestured for him to come closer. “I assume you knew about Aliyah’s intentions this morning?” His eyes were filled with worry.
Arlen swallowed hard. He looked at Aliyah’s dad hovering next to the king with his arms crossed. He was very intimidating.
“Uh yes..” Arlen cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, your majesty. I thought she was going to tell all of you.”
Daniel snorted, “She merely left a note for me. Practically said she wants to marry a land-dweller.”
Marry? Why did that word sting?
King Evan spoke next. “I messaged Carlson, but he didn’t remember much. Did Aliyah tell you anything about this land-dweller, Arlen? Is she safe with him?”
Safe? Arlen was so focused on Aliyah’s gloomy mood, he didn’t even think about her safety. How could he?! How could he recommend she become a land-dweller? Sky and the sea, indeed. That couldn’t be love. They knew nothing about this guy!
Arlen tried to focus. “Um, he treated her well enough when she met with him -um 4 times?- in person, um… She said he belongs to a group called ‘school.’ It’s harmless, just a group of land-dwellers his age meet up and learn stuff together…I don’t know anything else,” Arlen stammered.
Daniel’s face was as red as his hair. “How dare she run off like that! No one has met this guy. We don’t know anything…” He covered his face with his hands and took a deep breath.
“Um I don’t know if this would help,” Alren offered, “but she told us she would be staying with Rita? Auntie Mara arranged it all.”
Daniel didn’t look up.
“Mara will be here shortly, Daniel. We can ask her more questions,” King Even said. “Thank you for your time, Arlen.”
Arlen turned to leave.
“Oh and Arlen, do you think you could take a group to see the whales tomorrow? My niece, Beatrice, will be visiting and her children have never been. Connie should also go with you. She could use some company.”
The king wanted him to give a royal tour? The display of trust was an honor.
“Of course, your majesty.”
Derek crumpled up a piece of paper and threw it at the waste basket. Augh, so close! Heber followed suit, carefully crumpling paper with his big African American hands. Time stood still as he lifted the wad higher, winding up for the shot. Derek held his breath. Swish.
Heber did a fist-pump. Derek shook his head. “You just had to show me up, didn’t you, Heber?”
Heber flashed his brilliant white smile. “Hey, it’s payback for leaving me for a pretty girl this morning.”
Derek knew Heber would bring up Aliyah eventually. He got up from his desk to retrieve his paper ball, preparing himself mentally for the conversation ahead. “Hey man, she was freezing. What did you want me to do? Let her get hypothermia while we finished our run?”
Heber laughed, “No, no. I’m just upset you didn’t introduce us sooner. I want to know my best friend’s girlfriend, ya know?”
“She’s not my girlfriend, Heber.” Derek threw his rejected math paper again and missed. Rats.
“Yeah, but you want her to be. I can tell, man.”
Heat rose to Derek’s cheeks. The thought had come to mind while Aliyah was a mermaid. Uh. Sea-dweller. But he knew that would never work out… Now things have changed… He tried the shot again and hit the rim.
“So, ya going to ask Aliyah to Prom this weekend?” Heber put his arm around the brunette sitting next to him, pulling her into the conversation. She had a highlighted bobbed haircut and was wearing a leather jacket. Her light complexion glowed against Heber’s dark skin. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and gave him a warm smile.
“I’ve got my date,” Heber said.
Derek sighed. “You and Cara have been dating the whole school year. Of course you’ll be going together.”
Heber had it easy. Having a girlfriend made him off-limits. He wouldn’t break anyone’s heart. Derek, on the other hand, was single and very likable. He was certain it was a curse. Many girls had hinted at prom, but he didn’t ask anyone out. How could he? If he asked one girl out, how would all the others feel? No, it was safer to go alone and be everyone’s friend. Avoid the drama… But Aliyah wasn’t from their school. She could be a safe candidate. Derek shook off the thought.
He gave Heber a reasonable excuse. “Besides, the dance is Saturday, man. That’s not very much notice for Aliyah…”
Heber held up a hand in self-defense. “I’m just saying, a prom prince shouldn’t go stag. You should ask her out, dude. Let her decide if it’s enough notice or not.”
He had a good point.
Cara excused herself from the conversation. “I’d love to chat with you guys, but I need to finish this math assignment before it becomes homework. The flower shop is going to be hectic this afternoon.”
Derek nodded. “Yeah, I probably should get back to work too.” Not that he had a burning desire to do math, but he didn’t want to talk about dating anymore. It made him feel sick to his stomach. Would Aliyah even say yes? He made a final attempt at the wastebasket. There was only one way to find out.
Aliyah got out of bed and walked over to the bureau in Rita’s guest bedroom all by herself. She was getting better at that! She stared at herself in the mirror. She looked so different in Rita’s old clothes. The jeans were a little big, but a belt helped them stay up. The shirt didn’t fit quite right. Rita said she would take her shopping tomorrow if Aliyah was feeling up to it.
She was already feeling so much better! Her nap had done wonders for her headache, but it had done crazy things to her hair! She picked up a brush. Maybe this would help? Wrong move. Her hair puffed up like a blowfish. .
She tried to send her aunt a telepawave, but couldn’t feel a connection. Oh…yeah. Land-dwellers couldn’t use telepawaves. Shouting would have to do.
“Auntie Rita!”
She could hear her aunt’s footsteps coming up the stairs. “Yes, sweety? Oh my!” Rita put a hand up to her mouth and chuckled. “You have lovely curly locks, my dear. Probably shouldn’t brush them out. Here, let me help you, darling.”
She walked over to a glass display case and opened the double doors. Every shelf was filled with hair products. “I also do hair in this room occasionally. I hope you don’t mind, dear. Just a few friends who want a trim or some styling done.” She pulled out a few colorful bottles and set them on the bureau. “Come this way dear. Let’s wash that strawberry-blonde delight first.” She gestured to a door just outside her room.
Aliyah stepped into the bathroom and Rita turned on the shower. Land-dwellers controlled the rain? Why would they want rain inside their house?
Rita explained how to adjust the temperature and how to wash her hair properly. She gave her a towel and left her to it.
After redressing, Aliyah found Rita waiting for her back in the guest room. She smiled and pulled out the chair for Aliyah to sit.
Aliyah couldn’t believe it. When Rita finished, her hair shined in long, loose ringlets.
“You’re simply gorgeous, darling!” Rita looked at the cat analog clock on the wall. It was 4:10 PM. “Oh my! We’d best get you out back, dearest. It’s almost low tide!” Aliyah looked down at her pearl bracelet. It had turned deep blue. How long was it like that?” She tapped it once in reply. She had a daunting feeling she knew who wanted to speak with her today.
“Aliyah Sandstrum, what in the 5 oceans were you thinking?” Daniel said.
Aliyah sat on a large rock covered in mussels in Rita’s private backyard. She stared at a large bubble that formed from the tidepool in front of her. Inside was her father and mother’s reflection instead of her own.
“I, uh…” Aliyah’s stomach twisted in knots. She worried that her father knew she intentionally ignored him this morning.
“Why would you go behind our backs?” Sarah asked.
“Well… I told you about Derek. I even let you know when I was going to meet with him, except for today…”
“I was under the impression you were visiting a sea-dweller, young lady. One that lived at the edge of our kingdom. Not a land-dweller on shore.” Sarah stated.
“You lied to us. Why don’t you trust us, Aliyah?” Daniel asked.
Aliyah’s cheeks burned. “I never said he was a sea-dweller and I told you he’s a nice guy. Why don’t you trust me?”
Honestly though… Did they not believe she thought things through? She was with Auntie Rita. She’d be alright.
“Aliyah, you’re coming home now,” David said.
Technically she could… She could immerse herself in the ocean right now and regain her tail. But she had come so far already.
“Dad, I’m 18 years old… I’m staying.” That was the second time Aliyah defied her father that day.
There was a long pause. Sarah covered her mouth in shock. Aliyah crossed her arms and waited. She knew they couldn’t make her come home.
Daniel talked slowly and deliberately, his jaw clenched. “Aliyah, there are consequences to your actions… But we will always welcome you back home, if you choose to come.”
Sarah nodded, “We love you, Aliyah. I hope to see you soon.”
Aliyah’s heart knew she would never see her parents in person again. After she got her kiss, she’d only see their reflection in Mara’s magic bubble. That hurt a little, but that was how it needed to be.
Why are things so complicated? Derek thought. He tried to think of a cool way to ask Aliyah to prom during track practice, but had come up short. Even if he showed up to her door with a big poster, would she understand? Do they have prom under the sea? By the time Derek was walking up the steps to Rita’s front porch, he had given up altogether. Or so he thought.
As he raised his hand to knock, the door opened. Aliyah was standing there with his red hoodie neatly folded in her arms. Derek glanced at the large front window. How long was she waiting for him?
She gave him a sweet smile and placed the hoodie in his arms. “Thank you for letting me borrow it.”
“Um… yeah, no problem.” Why did she make him so nervous?
Aliyah walked onto the front porch and closed the door behind her. “I’m sorry about the whole singing thing this morning. You see, I can’t sing the same way I did as a sea-dweller, but Auntie Rita says she learned how to sing like you guys. So… maybe someday I’ll sing for you again?”
What did she mean? Isn’t singing… well, singing? How was it different?… And she wanted to sing for him again. Did she like him? The thought increased Derek’s confidence.
He opened his mouth to accept her apology, but instead blurted out: “Do you want to go to prom with me?”
Smooth Derek. His inner voice rang with sarcasm. He’d better explain things.
“It’s a dance. This Saturday. I wondered… if you’d be my date?” He bit his lip.
A smile started in Aliyah’s eyes. Derek watched as it spread all over and made her countenance bubbly and light. “Yes! I’d love to dance with you.”
Derek let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Okay, sounds good. Um… you don’t have a phone, do you?”
Aliyah shook her head.
“Well, maybe I could get your aunt’s number? I’ll text her the details.”
“Oh, okay. Yeah, you can ask her.” Aliyah led him inside.
Derek walked down the porch steps in disbelief. Did he really just do that? Now what?
He took out his phone to text Heber.
Hey man! You still going to Depoe Bay for your day-date? I’ll go with you guys after all, if that’s alright. I asked Aliyah out.
DUDE!!!
So we can come?
Heck yeah!
Aliyah climbed into bed wearing Rita’s pink pajama dress. She smiled at the ceiling and sighed. Day one, and Derek had already asked her out! He also didn’t seem bothered that she couldn’t sing anymore, so that was a plus. She wrapped a finger around a curl. What would the dance be like? Would he kiss her then? It all sounded so romantic… It was cutting things a little close though. If Derek didn’t kiss her that night, she’d have to go back home. She gave her word to Auntie Mara that she would. Aliyah turned off the lamp beside her. Fate brought her and Derek together. If it was meant to be, he’d kiss her… Right?
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