Sidney had always felt the claustrophobic in Port Bastian city centre, the way the port city shrunk around them the more years they spent here. But watching Thalia experience the city for the first time, gave them a new appreciation for the crooked streets with the broken cobbles, and the constant haze of fish, brine and sea salt.

  The first twenty minutes she just had her neck craned up, staring and gaping at the vast blue sky and clouds, and she jumped at every car noise, brush of fallen leaves and fruit, pitta patter of pigeon feet, cats jumping and running, and seagulls swooping and soaring.

  Thalia held the steaming chips in its cardboard takeaway box, her brown eyes widening, and she loped along in Sidney’s old too small sandals cos their Dad never threw anything out.

  Sidney kept leaning towards Thalia to grab the ends of the long skirt she had borrowed, stopping her from tripping over her new legs.

  “So this is the future.”

  “Yep.” Sidney smiled, tugging her by the arm to make sure she didn’t walk into people as they made their way down the street. Now they knew she was staying for a while, to stop the creatures and to figure out how to get home, they needed a plan.

  Ever since she had burst from the water and the fight had ended, Sidney had been spinning a speech around their head of how to explain this to their friends. They knew they were in way over their heads seeing her massive spear and the way she had fought those monsters.

  And there was no problem that Fisher and Eva couldn’t fix.

  Sidney winced as they tried to figure out what to say.

  Hey, guys! So I’ve accidentally found an thousand year old mer girl who is cursed to repeat her life over and over and was trapped under water, and somehow I’ve convinced her that I can help her battle these equally ancient terrifying sea monsters that keep trying to destroy our city?? So how was your weekend?

  They were meeting Eva and Fisher in town soon, and they had to get their story straight. Otherwise their closest and oldest friends…would think they were crazy.

  Sidney face palmed just thinking about it, and Thalia noticed them literally dragging their face with their hands. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Sidney sighed. “This is just a lot to process, all of this,” They gestured at her. “You.”

  Thalia smiled at them. “You are a lot to process too. We’re both going to have to adjust to each other.”

  They stopped walking and Sidney opened their mouth to say something else to her, but they were cut off almost immediately by a screech of—

  “SIDNEY—-.”

  And they turned, and Eva crashed into them, all long blonde hair and strong perfume, holding tight onto them. Fisher followed a millisecond later, knocking into them and crushing Sidney and Sidney was hit with a whiff of sea salt and the powered scent of a sweet shop, like strawberry laces and lemon drops, the sickly sweet and sour scent that always surrounded Fisher.

  Ada let go first, going on and on about how last nights tsunami was in the news, and thank goodness they weren’t hurt, and that they should of called, but of course Sidney was way too busy finding out the girl that saved them was a water spirit—-

  And Fisher was still holding onto their arms, they had taken a step back, but Sidney was staring into their green eyes, just the tiny sensation of their hands on Sidney sending goosebumps all over their neck.

  “We got really scared,” Fisher said, “We didn’t know if you were okay,” Fisher swept their eyes away from Sidney’s after what felt like too long and not long enough. Sidney’s face was burning, and they don’t think anyone else noticed. Thalia was stood a little off to the side, not knowing how to approach or look at Fisher and Eva.

  Other real life humans, on land. She felt over a thousand years out of touch. “Hello.”

  Eva stopped talking and her eyes widened. “Oh my gosh hi! I was so busy worrying over my friend, you were there yesterday too? Oh my goodness it must have been awful.”

  Thalia nodded. Eva was talking so fast she wasn’t sure when to put a word in. Fisher’s arms fell to their sides and they gave Thalia a little salute. “Hi, I’m Fisher and that’s Eva.”

  “Yes, Eva.” Eva blushed. “Sorry I didn’t even ask your name I got so carried away with myself.” She stepped back a bit, to Sidney’s side, trying to almost hide behind them shyly.

  “I’m Thalia.” Thalia smiled, a warm look passing over her face at Eva’s bubbliness.

  She raised and eyebrow at Fisher and tried for his greeting. “Hi.”

  Thalia turned to Sidney. “Sidney saved my life.”

  Sidney turned to their friends. “And Thalia saved mine.” They grabbed both Eva and Fisher gently by the arms, but started urgently dragging them towards the sea front. “And we have something we need to tell you guys.”

  ***

  Eva’s face was wrinkled adorably in confusion and Fisher just stood there gaping and blinking.

  Sidney was stood in the ocean with the bottom of their jeans rolled up, the ocean to their knees. Thalia sat in the shallows, the fins of her cerulean tail poking out of the ocean.

  Fisher had gone sheet white. “Sea monsters, gods, spirits…they are all real.”

  Eva stared off into the distance, and then back at Thalia. While Fisher stood there shaking and unable to meet Thalia’s eye, Eva finally looked back and locked eyes with her, and thrust herself forward and hugged her tight, not knowing this girl, but so grateful.

  “Thank you for saving my friend.” She smiled. “And for sticking around to save our town. I’d be so scared and I still am.” She took a deep breath, and when Eva looked back at her, there were tears in her eyes. “Sidney could have died.”

  Thalia hugged her back tightly, wanting to comfort her and reassure her that everything would be alright. She was going to protect them all, right Kamaria’s wrongs and destroy the monsters. “Everything that is happening right now with the monsters could have been avoided.” She looked at her fiercely. “I promise I’ll stop them,”

  Fisher coughed and finally looked at her. “Thanks for saving Sids. What do you mean partly your fault?”

  Thalia dropped her arms from around Eva, but Eva was still holding onto her. She looked ashamedly down at herself. “I could have stopped her from releasing the monsters.”

  Eva drew back, letting Thalia go. “Her who?”

  “My lover.”

  Fisher’s eyebrows shot up so high they almost disappeared from his face.

  “She was angry, and I didn’t listen.” Thalia sighed. “I could have stopped her from taking things too far.”

  Sidney shook his head. “No,no,no, no one is blaming you for the actions of your psychotic ex. Come on.”

  Thalia rolled her eyes. “She’s not psy-chot-ic.”

  Sidney raised an eyebrow, “She isn’t?”

  Eva and Fisher exchanged an amused look. It’d been less than a day and Sidney and Thalia were already acting like siblings.

  Thalia moved to push at them playfully, but almost tripped over her skirt.

  Eva’s nose wrinkled. “Maybe its better if she has clothes that will fit her better?”

  She turned to Sidney. “Is it okay if I take her to my house to give her some of my clothes?”

  Both Fisher and Sidney turned and raised their eyebrows at her. “You would give away your clothes?”

  “Oh that’s not necessary.’ Thalia stammered, but Eva took her hand.

  “Nonsense! We seem to be of a more similar size anyway, plus I have some clothes I think you’ll look really cute in!”

  Thalia looked away, blushing slightly.

  Sidney shook their head, knowing there was no changing Eva’s mind now she had grabbed hold onto this idea. “Okay, just be careful. Try and keep her just in your room, away from your parents and brother okay? We can’t have too much attention or people looking too closely. Please keep her safe.”

  Sidney turned to Thalia. “Are you okay to go?”

  Thalia nodded. “I trust Eva, even though I’ve just met her, I trust her. I will see you soon.”

  Thalia surprised Sidney by giving them a hug. “Me and Fisher will go by the fish and tackle warehouse and see if we can buy you a tank, I have some savings—-.”

  Fish shot Sidney a look. “Wasn’t those savings for you know, that important thing?”

  Sidney sighed. “Thalia’s safety is more important, I can work more and save up again what I’ve spent its not a problem.”

  They released Thalia, and Eva held firmly onto her hand and started walking them down the beach, away from the others. “I’ll bring her back later!” Eva called over her shoulder to Sidney and Fisher.

  Then it was just the two of them.

  “Sid—-.” Fisher started. “I genuinely don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you, I—-.”

  Sidney held up a hand, stopping what Fisher was saying. “Now’s not a good time,” They looked around the street.

  Fisher exhaled a long breath, frustratedly. “Eva’s gone. No one’s here.”

  Sidney sighed, looking up at Fish. “I don’t want to do this right now, have you telling me how much I mean to you and then going cold on me the next day.”

  Fisher looked away, ashamed. “This is hard for me, you know that.”

  Sidney shook their head. “Let’s just go, we need to get that tank.”

  They began walking, a pointed amount of space between them, but every so often their hands swung and brushed against each other, for a split second, barely noticeably if anyone was looking.

  “I know you care,” Sidney whispered. “I just don’t think I can think about everything between us right now. I want to keep Thalia and the town safe from these monsters. I don’t think I can focus on that if I’m lost in you.”

  Fisher nodded. “I understand. Let’s get this tank, and everything else can go on the back burner for another time.”

  It was always lets get back to this another time, with Fisher, thought Sidney.

  ***

  “The best place for clothes is always…the charity shops!” Eva beamed, as Thalia walked unsteadily beside her. She was so used to the water, it was so bright here, and dry. She hadn’t walked on land in a thousand years.

  She nodded at her, unable to focus. Her mouth felt dry, and she felt shaky. She was so glad that Sidney and their friends were helping her. She didn’t know this long legged woman in the bright clothes with the hair as stark and musty yellow as the sun when it steamed through the water. Eva made Thalia’s chest thump uncertainly as she hit her with bright carefree smile. No one had just smiled at her like that for a long time. Just to say hello. Eva had no reason to help Thalia, she didn’t know her, this was just purely out of the kindness of her heart. It unnerved Thalia, because she wasn’t used to being helped. As if to make up for how quiet Thalia was being, Eva was chatting about everything and anything, and Thalia was hearing the words but they were flying here there and everywhere around her.

  She could hear her but among st everything else Thalia couldn’t take it in. The buildings and streets were many and sprawling, the sun was hot and cracking the pavements. The roar of the mechanical beasts and the cries of the birds overhead the the splashing of the sea around them was just too much. All too much. But Thalia didn’t know how to explain that to Eva, she didn’t know what words to say. The human world was too much for a mer, so how could she make a human understand?

  Eva stopped for a minute, staring around town, puzzling over which were the best shops to take her, she didn’t notice how much Thalia was wobbling until the other girl practically fell into her.

  But Eva moved so gracefully, catching Thalia around her waist, and back gently pulling the other girl up. Thalia stared up at her as Eva’s warm arms held her steadily, securely.

  Deep brown eyes stared into hers. “Are you okay?”

  “Dizzy,” Thalia murmured. “Hot, can’t walk too well.”

  Eva nodded. “Okay, I think you are very dehydrated, lets get you to the beach. How often do mermaids get dehydrated? Why didn’t Sidney think of this?”

  She had pulled Thalia upright now, and let out of her hands. “Climb on my back.”

  “What?”

  “I’ll give you a piggy back to the beach, and don’t worry, I’m strong. I’m a dancer.”

  “A piggy-what?”

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  Eva crouched down. “Climb on.”

  “Okay,” Thalia said hesitantly, but she knew she was struggling to walk anymore. Note to self, she thought, long distances on land are a struggle.Thalia sat herself on Eva’s back, and immediately the other girl grabbed her legs and pulled her up, instantly terrified, Thalia gripped her neck. Eva giggled. “You’re cute.”

  Thalia turned her head sideways face burning. “Can we continue towards the ocean please?” She just needed a little bit of water, a splash of it, then she could focus, on getting to know and making use of her allies on land here. Planning to fight the monsters and how to keep them safe. How to save them, save them all—-

  Thalia let out a shriek as Eva started to walk quickly, bumping her up and down as she went. Thalia then realised it was a shriek of delight. She hadn’t horsed around and had fun well—since before age ten when she wasn’t apprenticing for her father in haberdashery. Before her mother died, when she had no responsibilities and she could just be a kid.

  Thalia shrieked all the way down to the beach as Eva ran them there, and for a few moments she could just pretend she was any other 19 year old, enjoying the day in the sun.

  ***

  Port Bastian – 4 months ago

  Eva was turning 19. And being kids who grew up in a beach town, they celebrated her birthday like they celebrated every birthday, or really, any occasion. The five of them, the beach, a bonfire, and cheap beer. The family celebration with the cake and the dinner had been early in the day, but now Addie could lay back and chill with her friends. Well, the five of them and Addie’s boyfriend. Who was Fisher’s brother.

  Sidney had tried, this time. They usually put more effort in when spending time with their friends, but they felt like they really pulled out the stops tonight. Cute eyeliner and some eye shadow, boot-cut black jeans rolled up and a white crop top, fabric friendship bracelets around both chestnut brown wrists, their hair in a cute up-do bun, black curls spilling out of the sides and into their almond brown eyes.

  Eva and Fisher danced on either side of them, Eva wearing a sunset pink faded tee and a flowing flowing skirt, a silver cute hairband in her hair. Fisher was wearing a sleeveless blue hoodie t shirt, and black shorts, his blonde hair coming out in tuffs around his cap.

  Eva had left her boyfriend to dance by himself for a few minutes. And Sidney was glad Eva had drifted over to dance with them for a little bit, because it took their attention off Fisher for a bit.

  Every few beats of the song Fisher’s eyes would drift over to Sidney and every time their eyes met, Sidney scorched. From every inch of their face down to their toes.

  Fisher had come back from his surfing camp last summer, and things had just felt different between them. For one thing, Fisher had bulked out a bit, and was insanely tanned. And yes, there was lots of attractive guys at college that set Sidney’s brain spinning. But being in such close proximity to one, now, all the time.

  Was driving Sidney a bit insane. When they were at college, all Sidney could think about was how attractive Duke was, and how badly they wanted to ask him out. And that was normal.

  He was the most well known guy at their college, he was okay to fantasise about about he was completely unobtainable.

  Having a crush on Duke wouldn’t blow up their life.

  But when Sidney was just with Eva and Fisher, it was hard to keep their thoughts about Fisher at bay. But they had to, because Fisher was forbidden territory, they’d been friends since they were 11, and well, after they finished college, Sidney was leaving.

  For that and many other reasons, Sidney wished they weren’t watching the way Fisher was moving to the music, abet, in an awkward white guy way, but, it was cute. And they HAD to stop thinking about it.

  Eva kept bumping hips against Sidney and shimmying to the music, but they could tell her attention wasn’t in it. Eva’s eyeline kept drifting to the other side of the bonfire, where a redhead and a brunette girl were dancing, Eva’s friends she invited from dance class. “I’m gonna say a quick hi,”

  She said, and danced away.

  And Sidney was alone with Fisher.

  And they gave up and just gave them a grinned at Fisher, and Fisher grinned back, and they danced not together but next to each other, and they couldn’t take their eyes off each other.

  ***

  Everyone had gotten increasingly more drunk.Fisher had never felt so desperate. So helpless, like he needed to laugh it off but this wasn’t a joke. And this wasn’t a moment where he had too much to drink .He’d felt like this whenever they looked at each other.

  Whenever they’d spent days or hours following message after message when they couldn’t stop talking.

  Those days when Sidney wasn’t there and Fish felt like his heart had literally been ripped out.

  Friends shouldn’t feel like their heart was being ripped out when their buddy was missing.

  Maybe he’d been pretending to himself for just too long. Sidney wasn’t just a buddy.

  What he felt for Sidney was more than anyone felt for a friend. It felt like oceans.

  It felt like drowning, and surfing on the highest wave. And it was pulling him under, under, under way UNDER. He felt heady.

  This was too much.

  Too much emotion.

  Just too much.

  How can one person make you feel this much?

  His body longed to close the space between the two of them, scoop the side of Sidney’s face with his hand and press his lips to Sidney’s—

  Fisher blinked. No. No. He had to take himself back to reality.

  “Guys.” Eva said, and it broke Fisher and Sidney out of their dancing bubble, and they both turned to her.

  “I’m taking Carlie home.” Right the redheaded girl, who was hanging on Eva like she was a lifeboat, clearly very wasted.

  Fisher nodded. “See you later birthday girl!”

  “Thanks for an awesome night!” Sidney added.

  The girls stumbled away, and Fisher’s brother stomped past him. “Staying at a friends tonight,”

  That was odd, he seemed in a really bad mood, but Fisher was too drunk to follow it up. “See you tomorrow then.”

  He turned back to Sidney. “You ready to go?”

  Sidney was spending the night at Fisher’s because Fisher’s parents were away, and they didn’t want to go home drunk while their Dad was there.

  Sidney nodded. They smiled at Fisher, and it lit him up. “Let’s go,”

  ***

  “Are you comfortable?” Fisher asked. Sidney shuffled a little in the sleeping bag on the floor. “Yeah, I am.” They were still a little drunk, but they had mostly sobered up. The beach and the bonfire and the rest of their friends were gone now. It was just them in Fisher’s room. The rest of the house was quiet.

  Sidney had spent the entire evening looking at Fisher but trying not to. They may have been afraid of getting caught staring but now with only the two of them in the room there was no more pretending. Sidney was on the floor and Fisher was on the bed, and Sidney could swear the gap between them was as big as the ocean.

  Fisher was in a thin tank, barely hiding the new bulk of him from surf camp. The salty sweet scent that clung around him that was so familiar was so achingly close.

  Sidney was dying from it.

  They didn’t know how they could sleep, let alone act normal. “I’m just going to get a glass of water.”

  They stood, and immediately swayed. Fisher arms came up and caught them, and they stumbled out their hands against his chest. So firm. So warm. Sidney’s eyes met sea-green ones of Fisher’s and it was all over for them.

  Sidney felt a pull towards Fisher, like the tide crashing into the shore, their lips met. Fisher’s lips were soft and buttery, and the kiss was sweet and yearning. Sidney pressed their lips over Fisher’s cupping them, slightly brushing, pulling back, catching his lips again.

  Fisher pulled back. “Is this? Do you want this?”

  “Yes,” Sidney breathed. “I’ve liked you for so long.”

  “Same.” Fisher responded, breathless too. Fisher took hold of Sidney face and gentled pulled them into a kiss again. Sidney’s hands rested on Fisher’s shoulders, continued kissing them. Fisher was so gentle and considerate, and Sidney felt like they were soaring.

  They were into Fisher, and Fisher was into them too.

  Fisher pulled back. “Wait, Sidney, I know we are both drunk, but I want you to know that this isn’t like when I hook up with people at parties. I want to date you…and see what happens.”

  Sidney stroked the side of Fisher face, the boy looking at them adoringly. “I feel the same. I just don’t think I would have had the confidence to kiss you sober. I do want to, kiss you sober.”

  They smiled sheepishly. “I’d like to kiss you drunk a little while longer though.”

  Fisher grinned, and there weren’t any more words to be had as they got lost in each other.

  ***

  Port Bastian, now.

  Sidney bought a large tank for quite a good price from the aquarium shop, ready made, with all the accessories and hose pipes needed. Fisher helped them load it into the back of the truck, and they drove back to Sidney’s house. It was a good thing their Dad was out trading in the market today, with renting a bigger commercial truck, and wouldn’t return until very late evening.

  It was mid afternoon when they arrived back, and Sidney knew that Fisher was upset, but mercifully was focused on the tank buying, loading and set up. Sidney knew their time to put this off was running out though, as they finished the last of the set up, and Fisher brushed his hands together and gave Sidney the look. “Can we talk?”

  Sidney nodded. Fisher leaned against the wall of the shed, arms crossed. “I know we agreed to keep this low key, and causal, but I–.” He ran his hand through his sandy locks, frustrated. “I don’t know how I can act like your friend when I hear you almost died–I can’t.”

  Sidney felt all their frustration melt away and they crossed the space immediately, taking Fisher’s hands in theirs and kissing his knuckles. “I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t think about how you would feel. But you know what it’s like being queer here. With my Dad, and your family.”

  Fisher looked away. “I know. I just wish that I could hold you how I want to, and god today was so much harder than I thought it would be.”

  Fisher and Sidney had been dating secretly for at least four months now. Which had been wonderful, but had slowed things down massively emotionally. Each moment they spent together wrought with urgency, that they wouldn’t have much time. And pretending all the time in front of Eva, was exhausting. But once they stopped pretending with her, it would get so much harder to hide their relationship in other ways. Hiding from everyone was best for now, and kept them safe.

  And it made moments like now feel like Sidney’s chest was burning, with impatience and want and fear and frustration. All the things they felt and wanted to say to Fisher had to be condensed into squeezing Fisher’s hands and hoping the boy they cared so much for understood. Sidney was terrified. That once they started talking about it it wouldn’t stop, and an endless tide of thoughts and feelings that would be impossible to put back in that box. That people would just look at Sidney and know exactly how they felt about Fisher.

  Fisher didn’t say a word either, just leant his forehead against Sidney’s, craning his neck cos he was just too damn tall. Sidney chuckled softly, their mouth twitching upwards in a smile of quiet content. And just held their hands together, and in the silence of the shed, with a light hum of the water tank’s filter and the soft ebb and flow of their heartbeats, it was enough for now.

  It was enough to just hold each other.

  ***

  Eva led her to the beach, slipping off her shoes. Thalia followed, shucking off the ill fitting sandals.

  “Do you wanna dip in the ocean?” Eva asked her.

  Thalia nodded. “Quickly, I do not want to submerge.”

  “Here,” Eva passed Thalia her water bottle. When Thalia looked confused she said. “Fill it with sea water so you can keep topping up while we go around the shops. God I can’t believe that Sidney didn’t think about this stuff.”

  Thalia grinned as Eva followed her across the sand, holding onto both of their shoes. “I did show up into their life unannounced after a sea monster attack. I don’t think anyone can prepare for that.”

  Eva chuckled.“No I suppose not, well I’m one of their best friends, I’m allowed to heckle them.”

  Thalia reached the beginning of the tide, the surf pulling in and out, reaching closer to her toes with each second. She closed her eyes, putting one foot in front of the other. As soon as she felt the cool sharp splash of the water on her skin, her head cleared, her senses sharpened, and she could breathe easier. She didn’t realise she had started charging further into the sea until she was waist deep and Eva was calling her to come back.

  Thalia waved at her with both arms, signaling she’d heard, turned, unscrewed the cap, scooping the canister into the ocean, then putting the cap back on once it was full. Then she turned and waded back to Eva.

  “Better?” Eva smiled.

  “Much.” Thalia nodded, and the other girl took her by the forearms leading her further away from the surf. “I have taken dance lessons since before I could spell, I want to help you feel more balanced on land.”

  Thalia winced. “I am much more used to being underwater, and there being less…”

  “Gravity?” Eva chuckled. “Its okay, we can do some balancing exercises.”

  To start, Eva held her arms, her waist, as Thalia practiced standing on only left leg, only right leg, Eva holding onto her if she lost balance and wobbled, and they walked up and down the beach, for at least half an hour, trying different exercises. As Thalia got used to distributing her weight across both feet.

  Eva gave her a squeeze once they stopped. “I could also teach you how to dance?” She said. “It would definitely help with your balance.”

  “Lessons?”

  “Something like that, yes.” Eva said. She linked her arm through Thalia’s. “Let’s go to the shops now.”

  Thalia was learning that Eva was very physically affectionate, taking hands, hugs and linking arms. She didn’t hate it. She let Eva led her off the beach front back towards town.

  ***

  “This is my favourite charity shop.” Eva said. “Sidney’s just sent me some money across, so pick out whatever you like.”

  Thalia nodded, eyes wide as she took the shop in.She gasped. As a seamstress, this place was kind of her paradise. Rows and rows of clothes, hanging on odd little metal rails. Tinny music was playing and Thalia didn’t know where from. She walked quickly down the aisles, running her hands over the top of the clothes, running her fingers through each different kind of fabric, so different, coarse, soft, scratchy, silky. A massive grin slid into place across her face, her heartbeat beating fast. She didn’t realise she was pushing her new legs to the limit a bit until she almost fell down again, but Eva was there, grabbing her arm and pulling her to her side.

  “Easy on okay?” Eyes crinkling as Eva gave her a warm smile. She slid her hand through Thalia’s. “I’ll keep you steady.”

  They walked around the rest of the shop like that, hand in hand. They reached the counter, and a girl with dark red hair in a small bob greeted them, her eyes sliding to their joined hands.

  Eva went bright red. “Oh hi! Carlie.”

  “Hi,” The girl smile, but it was more an awkward grimace. Thalia gave her the items, watching in wonder as Carlie rang them up and then gave them the bag.

  As they left the shop, Thalia bouncing up and down with the bag, Eva had pulled away a little. She had gone quiet, and in the little time Thalia had known Eva, she hadn’t been quiet that much. “Is everything alright?”

  “Yeah…” Eva mumbled. “That was just Carlie, the girl from my dance class. I invited her to my birthday party on the beach, and well lots of things happened. We kinda of kissed.”

  Thalia squealed, but Eva didn’t look happy. “Is that bad?”

  Eva sighed, “Yeah, cos even though I broke up with my boyfriend at that same party, I kind of haven’t told Sidney or Fisher about it, or even know what to do cos she hasn’t messaged me since that night, and that was like four months ago, and its very awkward.” Eva covered her face with her hands. “It’s just a mess.”

  Thalia sighed. “I also have a girl does not return my feelings.”

  Eva peeked through her fingers, and then moved off them away, wriggling her eyebrows. “The princess?”

  Thalia nodded. “We were in a secret relationship, and now I have to fight the sea monsters that she unwittingly released on the world.”

  “Tell me about it.” Eva huffed. “We have a lot to talk about.”

  ***

  Eva pressed her keys as they approached her car. Thalia squinted. “This is a lot smaller than Sidney’s cart.”

  Eva laughed, high and tinkling like small pealing bells. “Sidney drives a proper pick up truck, this is just a used Honda civic. It’s definitely smaller.” She opened the door for Thalia, who climbed into the passenger seat. “It’s also bright yellow.”

  She grinned at Thalia, climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine. “My favourite colour.”

  They set off, driving further away from town and the main roads than Thalia thought they were going. She favoured the view out of the car window, in the drive in the pick up truck it was dark and she was so exhausted and wounded from the fight she didn’t have a proper chance to take in their surroundings. But it was sprawling, the land, the deep green grass and the palms that reached up to the dazzling blue sky, and the sun.

  She tipped her head up so she could soak as much of the sun up as she could. She would go back to the sea when this was all over, that is where she belonged now, where the curse had placed her. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy being human for as long as she could.

  Gods, she had missed this. The natural beauty and the sounds and smells of the earth. The deep blue above her that was the actual sky, and not the surface of the sea trapping her down below.

  They hadn’t driven into town this morning, her and Sidney, and she was so focused on walking and clinging onto Sidney and jumping at the sounds of the cars streaming by the the honks of the horns ad the smell of the exhaust and the general noise of it all.

  But now in the quiet containment of Eva’s car she could enjoy it all. She was on land again after thousands of years. She was alive, and she was free.

  ***

  Before Eva and Thalia arrived at Sidney’s house, Sidney was reading a thick book on African mythology, the tome balanced on their lap, adjusting their glasses and the page intermittently as they read. Fisher sat on the other adjoining sofa, and Sidney’s other arm was outstretched over the small distance, their hand joined with Fisher’s. Fisher was scrolling on tik tok with the volume on low.

  They heard the car pull up by the house, and Fisher looked out of the window and saw it was Eva’s car. A knee jerk reaction, they had immediately let go of each other’s hands.

  Now as they walked towards the door, Sidney’s shoulders brushed against their torso as they walked down the narrow corridor, and Fisher sucked in a small breath.

  The door opened and they had to just be friendly now.

  “Hiii,” Eva came in and hugged Sidney and then Fisher.

  “How was the shopping trip?”

  Fisher and Sidney stepped back so the girls could come in, closing and locking the door.

  Thalia looked so happy. She was practically beaming. She lifted a blue plastic bag. “I have new clothes now.”

  “That’s great.” Sidney wrapped her into a hug, and they all gravitated towards the sofa.

  Fisher started towards the kitchen, going to the fridge and laying out food to heat up while they discussed their next moves. Sidney went to the curtains and drew them.

  Eva raised her eyebrows. “Secretive much?”

  “We do have a vengeful ex-girlfriend of Thalia’s and a bunch of sea monsters to deal with.” Sidney said. “Can’t be too careful.”

  Fisher came back in, and the food was reheating, delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen. All day, Thalia hadn’t even thought about how hungry she was, and now her stomach grumbled, and suddenly it was all she could think about. She reached for her sea - water canister and drank a bit more to keep herself going. Sidney steepled their hands together, glancing around the room, now everyone was sitting down, it was time to lay out their plan.“So I’ve been doing some research and I think the only way to find out when the next attack will be is to have some help.”

  “Help?” Thalia’s face wrinkled in confusion. “How can anyone help us? I’m the only mer willing to leave the city unless?”

  It dawned on her. “The gods?”

  Sidney nodded. “We’re gonna try and summon Mami Wata.”