The Ocean's Call: Part One | ✔

Part Twenty Two

"I'd love to help."

I smile when Austin agrees to come. My stomach swirls with excitement at the thought of going diving with him. I wonder if we'll do it as humans or not. It would be nice to see him as a merman outside of my dreams. He looks just as beautiful as a merman as he does as a human.

I look over my shoulder and find him approaching me, nana beside him. "We'll probably be going to Moon Wreck Island, won't we Isla?"

I nod, looking down at the jewellery box in my hand. I tuck it into the box on the ground and reach for more. "Yeah."

Moon Wreck Island is always one of my favourite places to go diving for shells and trinkets. It's only recently that it's become less appealing. I've run into that blonde mermaid a few times there. My hand pauses above a jewellery box as her face flashes before me.

She took Emily. If Emily hadn't banged the silver baton on the boat, I probably wouldn't have my best friend anymore. I frown, grabbing the box and put it away.

"Are you okay? I don't have to come if you don't want me to." Austin pulls my attention to his face. I meet his green eyes and wonder what he's seeing. Can he see the fear in my eyes? Can he feel the terror now worming its way into my system?

I shake my head, looking away because I suddenly feel exposed. "No, I do want you to come. It will be fun."

"You're thinking about that mermaid, aren't you?"

I shrug, stacking more jewellery boxes into the bigger box. "A lot of our interactions have happened at that island."

"I won't let her hurt you."

I nod. "I just...I'm never going to feel okay going back in the water in general while I don't know who she is or what she wants."

He grabs my hand before I can grab another jewellery box. I stare at his warm hand holding mine for a beat before I look up his green eyes again. "What if Anya comes too? She can search the waters nearby, maybe the mermaid lives nearby."

"She would do that?"

He nods. "We look out for each other."

It does feel comforting to know that there would be other merfolk in the waters that I actually know don't want to hurt me. I squeeze his hand once before I let go to keep filling the box. Nana joins us just in time for the conversation to become more positive. She shares stories with Austin about some of our previous trips, some including Emily and others just us.

The reminder of Emily makes me wonder if I should invite her for the diving trip. She'd probably kill me if she found out we planned it and never invited her. I'm sure she has a million and one questions for Austin as well.

With Austin's help our pack up time is cut in half. Nana waves, blowing kisses as she drives away to head home. I clutch my drawing pad to my chest as I stand near Austin wondering what we should do now. For the first time since meeting him I feel a little awkward, unsure of myself. I want to spend more time with him, but I know he has work soon and I don't know if he wants to spend time with him before he goes.

"Hungry?" he asks.

I nod gently. "I could eat, yeah."

I follow him to the canteen next to the Main Beach arch and wait in line with him. I order myself a chicken wrap and stand off to the side, waiting for him to join me. Harley comes back into my mind as I think about my plans tonight. Alex is bringing his new girlfriend, Harley Banks, to dinner and I've recently learnt some explosive news about her.

"Is it possible to have more than one mate?" I ask Austin as we sit down to eat.

He raises his brows. "Ah no...well not that I've ever heard. Why do you ask?"