How to be a Mermaid: A Falling in Deep Collection Novella Read Free Page B

iridescent scales and dorsal fin, it made me feel like a real mermaid.
    “Here you are.”
    I looked up to see Neptune handing me my air hose. His expression was distracted and grim, not the usual look that he had before any of our shows. When he stood up, he cast his eyes over to the quarantine pool, his frown deepening further.
    Yeah, I feel that way too . I felt awful for the little guy, and with the strange voice in my head, I couldn’t quite get all my thoughts together.
    I forced them from my mind. I’d have to think about it later and see if I could help Kai. For now, the show must go on.
    I sucked in some air from my hose, testing it as the sweet oxygen filled my mouth and lungs.
    “Okay, I’m ready.”
    Christine nodded and signaled to a volunteer, who relayed that information. The audio system on the other side of the arena wall boomed as the announcer went through introductions about the wondrous mermaids of Neptune’s World.
    My heart pounded in time with the music.
    When our cue sounded, Christine was the first to move, dragging her air hose with her.
    As I submerged my head, ready to swim for the staging area, I heard one last mournful cry.
    Focus, Tara, I reminded myself.
    I dolphin-kicked my way underneath the curtain to the performance-side of the pool, where spotlights blinded me and the cheer of the crowd deafened me. I took my spot on the front glass to the right of Christine. I surfaced and graciously waved to the crowd.
    “Here are your Neptune’s World mermaids!” the announcer roared.
    Caribbean-style music echoed throughout the arena, and after a four-count rest, I dove underwater and began my performance. They blasted the music underwater, too, so we could clearly hear our cues.
    When I was five, my mother had enrolled me in ballet class right after my dad died to take my mind off his death. At the time, I didn’t know how much it would help in my professional mermaid career, I just really liked the tutus. While my mermaid performance was underwater, a lot of the principles were the same; it was an underwater dance. Instead of pointe shoes and leotards, I had my mermaid tail, the water, and my breathing hose.
    Because the viewing glass was relatively shallow, our performance was a lot less complex than they usually were. At Neptune’s World, we’d twist and turn and do underwater somersaults, although here, we were highly limited. We were basically doing an elaborate port de bras, or arm movements, smiling and waving graciously at the audience.
    I tried to avoid using the breathing hose much at all. When I had started, Neptune made me promise to breathe as much as I needed to. Apparently, one mermaid tried going as long as possible and ended up nearly drowning. As a result, he’d been paranoid ever since. Christine and the others used their breathing hoses almost as much as we do when we breathe outside the water. Yet, I clung onto this notion that using it less made me more like a real mermaid. I held my breath and used it only when necessary.
    We mermaids worked well as a unit. We kept an eye on each other, both for keeping ourselves synchronized and to be there in case one of us got into trouble, keeping us in tune with one another. We all enjoyed our jobs. Here in the water, we were right at home, living out our dreams.
    Some girls wanted to be mermaids. We were mermaids, and that made all the difference. I couldn’t believe that I was here. Regardless of what happened in the future, I’d always remember this as the happiest time in my life.
    The music swelled for the climax all too soon, meaning that we were coming to the end of our routine and our performance for the crowd. Underwater, Christine signaled for us to head towards the front glass to wave our goodbyes.
    I swam up, breaking through the water. I grabbed onto the edge and hauled myself up as far as my arms would take me. I grinned and waved.
    The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.
    My wave became less enthusiastic