1 Secrets no more(1)

"It's the final round of senior high school men's freestyle begins now."

Jessica stood in the stands watching along with everyone else. Her eyes were full of sadness as she watched the team get ready to jump into the water.

"And they're off. Mike Cliff in first, Calum Way catching up, oh no. Calum Way has slowed down and is now in the last place."

Calum Way breathing deep, going as fast as he can, but it's not enough for him to win.

Jessica stood in the crowd watching the water move around as the team jumped out of the water. She didn't move, cheer or clap like everyone else.

Calum sighed as he wrapped himself in his towel. He lost again and this time the coach wouldn't be happy.

"Calum! See me in my office after you change."

"Yes, coach."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jessica. He turned around and she was gone. He frantically looked around for her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Calum's P.O.V

I walked into the coach's office and sat down on the couch while I waited for him. Who was that girl that I saw standing near the edge? She looked longingly at the water like she wanted to jump in but couldn't. Maybe I'll see her again and hopefully soon.

"Good, your here early."

Coach Myers sat down and sighed.

"Calum your training records are good but your meet records, not so good. You didn't even rank this time."

"I'm sorry coach. I'll try-"

"You must be more disappointed than I am. Please do better next time."

"I will and-"

"Look what happened when you were overconfident."

I remember. I had just aced my morning practice and I felt ready for the meet. Placed 9th out of 10.

"I will be much better next time, I promise."

"Good, or else I'll make you clean out the pool and suspend you from the team for a month."

I stood up and walked out of his office.

"Calum over here!"

I smiled at the sight of Xander and Tamara. They have been my best friends since grade 7, it's been 6 years since we first met.

"What did Coach Meyers want to talk about? How amazing you were?"

"No. He just wanted me to be less confident and try harder. If I fail next time he will make me clean the pool and suspended me from the team for a month!"

"Yikes, that's gotta suck."

"Just ignore him Calum. Xander's in a bad mood. I thought you were amazing, and when you did that flip underwater. I almost choked on my water."

"Thanks, Tamara, at least I know you have my back."

"Hey! I do too."

"I'm just messing with you."

I gave Xander a nuggie and wrapped my arm around his shoulder. Tamara wrapped hers around my waist. These guys are like my family and family is everything.

Jessica's P.O.V

The water looked so beautiful as it flowed across the floor and back into the pool. I miss being free without worrying about someone finding out who I really am.

Why can't I be free underwater, just like everyone else?

Everyone behind me cheered as the swim captain got into first place. He was skilled, but I've seen better. I sighed as everyone jumped out of the water and shook off the water droplets. I looked over to a boy standing by the edge drying himself off.

Calum Way, the worst member on the team, according to everyone else. I think he's pretty good, but you can tell he puts too much effort into it. Swimming should be calming and it should be for yourself, but then again who am I to speak.

Ever since I was born, my tail hasn't worked properly and everyone back home made fun of me for it. My mother and sisters did the best they could, but it wasn't enough. My father took me in and I've been living on land ever since I was 4.

I stood against the railing, watching the team lift Mike Cliff into the air and cheer for him. Calum glanced in my direction and I quickly rushed out of there. If anyone saw me there, they may suspect something.

I walked down the halls, heading towards the doors where I parked my car. I'm used to having legs now, but every so often my body lingers for the feeling of water flowing around my body and through my hair.

When I got my legs my hair turned brown. My father said that when his best friend got legs his hair turned a different colour too. I always say that my hair turned brown because that's the colour of my father's and when I'm in the water it's blonde, the colour of my mother's hair.

My father agreed with me and said that maybe my hair turns colour because my mother is a mermaid and anything that has to do with mermaids, as a little bit of magic.

Next Day

I sat in my seat, picking around at my food. My focus was directed at the seed in the numbers, but it stopped when someone grabbed a chair and pulled it in front of me.

"Hi, Jessica! I'm Calum, I saw you at the swim meet yesterday. Did you like it?"

He was literally bouncing in his seat as he waited for my answer.

"How do you know me? That must have been someone else because I was at home."

"You're in my science class, you sit in front of me. And yes it was you. I can recognize those dark green eyes and long brown hair anywhere."

I blushed and quickly looked to the ground.

"How come you looked so-"

"Calum, there you are. We've been looking all over for you. You have a practice today!"

"Oh, man. I forgot. Oh, it's Jessica, the girl I saw at the swim meet."

I looked up and gave a small wave to them. I don't really know anyone too well so It was a little awkward.

"You must like swimming too, you want to come to watch me practice."

"No. I don't like water."

Everyone looked uncomfortable. I picked up my fork and moved the cucumbers around some more.

"Calum let's go. You need to stop making girls uncomfortable, and you suck at flirting with them."

He was trying to flirt with me? I guess I didn't know because no one has ever tried with me.

"Ok. It was nice seeing you again Jessica. I hope you come to the next meet!"

Xander pulled him up and they quickly rushed out of the room.

I sighed and started to pack up my things. I needed to get out of here.

After School

I walked down the halls, towards the exit. A door flew open and my math teacher rushed out.

"Miss Fin! Are you busy?"

"No, but I was-"

"Good. Can you talk these folders to Coach Meyers? If he's not there just leave them on his desk."

"Ok."

"Thank you," she called to me as she rushed down the hall.

The swimming pool. Calum is going to be there. I just have to pray that we won't run into each other.

I managed to get into his office without being seen. I carefully placed the folders on his desk and walked out. I stared at the exit door, but my mind was telling me to go to the water.

I walked closer and kneel onto the tile. I slowly dipped my hand into the water. I love the feeling of water. When your underwater, you can't feel it but when you're just getting in the water clings to your body like it's giving you a hug. It makes me feel less lonely like I'll always have someone around.

I said I don't like water but it may the other way around. I wish I could swim freely like swimmers.

I was silently muttering things to myself and someone tapped my shoulder. I shouted and quickly whipped around, as I was my foot slipped on the edge.

Everything felt like it was going in slow motion. I can't fall in, not now, not when anyone's around. I saw someone standing at the edge of the pool and their arms were falling around like a maniac. My body slipped into the water and I sank to the bottom.

My whole body felt magical. My feet were starting to go numb and my breath was beginning to shorten.

I closed my eyes as I laid on the bottom. The water stayed quiet for a couple of seconds but then there was a big crash. I slowly opened my eyes to see Calum swimming to where I was. He came closer and stopped where he was. His eyes widened and it looked like he was about to scream.

I heard him try and talk.

"Mermaid?!"

I nodded my head and slowly reached my hand out towards him. Now he knows and I just hope he's good at keeping secrets because with this one I could die if everyone knew.