The Ocean's Call: Part One | ✔

Part Twenty Four

She told him everything, that's good. He does deserve to know everything, have all the facts before he agrees to be with her. Wait?! "And what exactly do you mean by everything?"

She laughs. "What do you think I mean? I told him I was a mermaid, actually I showed him."

I cover my mouth in time to stop the squawk from escaping. She laughs louder, looking up at my family before pulling me down the beach. "I wouldn't have done it if I knew you were one too. Trust me, I would've let you do those honours."

Alex knows. He knows. He's standing up there with my family right now with the full knowledge that his girlfriend is a mermaid. He seems so calm and collected, not on edge at all like I'd expected.

"When did you tell him?"

She frowns. "About a week ago. I think he's doing rather well with the knowledge."

Oh my god. I drop onto the first big enough rock to sit on and stare at my feet in the sand. Three down, three to go to tell. At least it won't be a huge shock for Alex when I tell him that I'm a mermaid. Can't be any worse than learning his girlfriend is a mermaid, right?

"You know I'm here if you need help with anything. I'm sure Austin is doing a great job at showing you what it's like being a mermaid, but I can give you a different perspective if you ever want it."

I nod several times, taking in a deep breath. Pull yourself together, Isla. "Actually, I might take you up on that offer."

She smiles, patting my knee. "Absolutely, anytime."

I gasp. "Oh my god, wait until Emily hears about this. She's going to lose her mind when she finds out the Banks are merfolk."

Harley laughs. "I'm guessing she's one of the first people you told."

I nod. "And nana knows too."

"Wow, I guess this might just be an easier transition into the family than I first thought."

I chuckle. "No kidding. At least we can do it together. I do plan on telling my parents soon...I just have this teeny tiny problem I have to sort out first."

"Can I help with anything?"

I glance at her. Actually, she might know who the blonde mermaid is. but the family BBQ is not the time or the place to be bringing it up. "What are your plans tonight?"

She frowns. "I don't know, probably something with Alex."

"I'm going out with Austin and Anya tonight, for a night swim. I can fill you in with my whirlwind journey so far."

She smiles. "Absolutely. First night swim?" I nod. "You are going to love it. where are we meeting? Here?"

"I don't know, Austin is going to text me later."

"Excellent. We'll swap numbers and you can text me the details." She hands me her phone as I reach for mine. "This is not how I expected this to go when I saw you standing there. I'm glad it did though."

"Yeah, me too."

She sets her own contact's name, and it makes me giggle as we walk back to the deck. She's put the mermaid tail emoji next to her name. Alex spies us coming first and hops down the stairs to greet Harley with a quick peck.

"Hey, you two, where'd you sneak off to?" Alex asks, giving me a curious look.

I grin. "Nunya."

Alex looks to Harley for the answer, but she just shakes her head, pretending to zip her lips shut. We've returned to the deck just in time for the food to finish cooking. Dad declares the BBQ cooked and ready to be devoured.