Merfolks ⚢

Chapter 36 Fishing

If that wasn't the case, then what was the point of covering my head with the jacket?

She did say it was to hide my face from someone who might do ill to me if they saw me with her.

The kiss, however, confused me. Had it been a cover or a distraction? She had needed someone to think that she wasn't alone, that she was just some girl escorting her girlfriend to ride a taxi.

* * *

Today, Jeon invited me to go fishing for our dinner. I really don't get fishing as a sport so much but I guess it's because it's free food and you would only pay for the entrance fee. In a way, Jeon did me a favor by pulling me out of the loft, away from the happy couple.

There was a cool breeze in the air as a small layer of mist hovered above the lagoon the early morning sun was slowly rising in the distance and already the lake and its surroundings were alive. Dragonflies danced above the water performing their mating rituals unaware that hungry fish watched them from below. Occasionally a fish would break the surface in hopes to grab a spot of lunch and on most occasions succeeded.

My hands gripped hold of a handmade fishing rod Jeon carved from strong bamboo and laced with strong silk to form a handle. Strong woven string hung from the tip of the rod as did a small weight, buoy, and a sharply curved hook. It was a simple yet reliable rod and he had only made two of it. One for him and one for someone he wanted to invite.

Somehow, I didn't like his advances. It feels like now he was still hung up on me as well and he was being extra kind and sweet to me. And now that he learned I had no chance with my feelings for Kaylor, now he has this chance.

It would be a good proposition really. If I had any attraction for men.

I decided not to think too much into it. Jeon and I were here for a purpose anyway; to catch some tasty fresh fish for dinner which was why the handmade fishing rod Jeon made for the two of them was grasped tightly in her hands

Jeon showed me how to prepare my rod by placing a fresh live worm on the tip of the hook before quickly casting it into the blue below. Now we are playing the waiting game.

There was a slight ripple around the small float as the line moved in the current of the water but nothing to indicate that a fish had been lured by the delight of a wriggling worm. We continued to wait in hopes that some large yet stupid creature below would take the bait allowing us to pull and catch the morsel later allowing us to enjoy a portion of lovely baked fish but so far our hopes were still very much a dream so we had no choice but to wait further.

"Hey, we ran out of soda," Jeon said, he started losing his accent but we never mentioned it to preserve his feelings. "I'll head to the store nearby and get some. Want something else?"

"Some salty crackers, I guess."

"Okay! I'll be back, ye?" Jeon said. As he slowly walked along the wooden pier, there was an occasional wooden plank creaking under his weight.

Every day was actually a fishing season here, and Jeon and I weren't the only fishing enthusiasts in the area. Some were in the pier with us, some were scattered on boats around the lagoon.

We were situated in a small pier that stretched into the lake and down to the ground. There was a bigger pier in the distance where expert fishermen ride a medium-sized pine boat to get there and tied it to the side so it didn't float away.

I looked at my reflection in the water. My face rippled in the water distorting my features. It made me unconsciously brush my hair to the side of my face.

Distracted slightly, I heard a large splash from behind, a few water droplets impacted with my back causing a slight chill up my spine. Quickly turning from curiosity, I was confused to see nothing spare a few ripples in the lagoon.

There were no fishers behind me, most of them had enough distance and they didn't seem to be curious about the big splash as I was. I shrugged it off and continued waiting as another large splash echoed behind me, turning round brought the same conclusion as the first.

I wasn't prepared; however, when something caught on my hook. I tripped slightly as someone bumped into me.

A pair of strong yet delicate arms wrapped around me, and pulled me steady, a hand wrapping over mine, helping me pull in the game.

Turning my head, I found myself staring into the same pair of brown eyes of the girl who kissed me and left her coat with me. Today she was wearing a leather bomber jacket, a white shirt, and a pair of faded ripped jeans that fit her nicely. Her brown hair was still slightly disheveled as if the wind had combed through it. One of her arms still banded around my waist, holding me tightly ashore the bridge, lest I fall into the waters.

There was a small smile on her face as I stared at her

"Hi," I managed to grind out, even though my mind froze and I could barely breathe.

"Don't get distracted." She said.

Her demand seemed impossible. I am so distracted by her.

As she gave one final pull upwards, I felt my back pressed against her chest and I hoped to which higher entity out there watching me for her not to notice my blush.

It was wagging along, struggling to survive. It was literally a fish out of the water. The fish was rather huge and round. Neither one of us said anything, just stared at one another. She let go of me. I couldn't bring myself to react, so I just stood and stared back at her.

I was so perplexed and frozen that she threw the fish into our icebox.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked.

No words were forming in my mouth, except for one. "Hi."

She arched a fine eyebrow at me. "You already said that."

"I have your coat," I manage to muster next.

"Hold onto it for me," she replied.

I gave her an unsure look, "It's a really nice coat. You need to have it back."

"It's fine, I've got others." She threw her chin down, indicating what she was wearing.

"Hey, Empress!" Jeon yelled from afar, making us jump. "Sorry, it took me so long! The line was unbelievable!"

Mystery girl suddenly looked like she had to be far away from here and I could see it in her eyes that she has to flee. I opened my mouth to say something, to make her stay a little while longer, even though I had no idea what it was. Before I could make a sound, she leaned forward and kissed me.

It wasn't rushed like the other one, and she wasn't tense. Her strong hands lay on the sides of my face as her mouth lazily captured mine, tasting me, her fingers tangling in my hair. I reached forward to try and touch her, but there was a loud gasp that told me Jeon was close and saw us.

Mystery girl pulled away, leaning away from me and Jeon. I stared in a daze as she ran away.

"My name is Empress!" I screamed my name at her over the distance. I stared at her and there was a surprised look on her face as she stared back.

"Empress?" he asked. "Who was that?"

I had trouble concentrating on fishing for the rest of the day.