The Bad Boy And The Mermaid

Blue

When I touched Tyler’s hand, I could see snippets of his life. His tragic past, bits of his childhood, so much pain and the face of a beautiful woman. I pulled away abruptly and he stared at me in confusion. I took a step back, then another. He had his hand raised towards me. “Are you alright?”

I was panting. If I had kept the connection much longer, it probably would have taken a toll on me. That is one reason why I tried to block away people’s memories when they touched me.

“Blue?” Hannah asked, she was clearly anxious. “What happened?”

I plastered a fake smile and turned to him. “Can...Can I start with my work?”

“Of course. I’m sure Max briefed you about what you’re supposed to do. I’ll be out of your way.”

I just smiled, not sure how else to respond.

“Great.” Tyler said and then turned his attention to Hannah, “You and I need to have a serious talk.”

Hannah rolled her eyes. Tyler kept the door open for the both of us. I walked out followed by Hannah right behind me. She took my hand in hers, a reassuring smile on her lips. “I’ll be in the lounge if you need me. If in case you didn’t enjoy working, you can let me know, okay? No pressure. You’re doing it for fun.”

I smiled back at her. “Kay.”

“One more thing. Max knows you’re my friend but the others don’t, if anyone else asks, I’m going to tell them you’re my cousin okay? You gotta tell them the same, and no talking about being in Hunter’s bed.”

“Got it.” I said.

I had a warm fuzzy feeling inside, Hannah was so nice I could feel her energy. I knew if I was a man, I would have asked Hannah to marry me.

But I was a girl...a woman as Hunter put it and I was so completely attracted to him, it was hard to ignore this feeling. I had never felt this way towards mer-men and I wondered why.

I tried to concentrate towards the work at hand. I had a job now even if it meant just for one day and I needed to be really good at it, good enough for Maximus to hire me for a long time, at least as long as I stayed on the land.

I straightened up my appearance and walked towards the bar where the bartender was preparing drinks.

“Hi!” I said.

He was an angry looking man with a facial expression that said ‘be gone’ but I kept the smile on my face plastered. He was tall too, and silky black hair, and his nose was too pointed. Both his arms were covered in tattoos, from his biceps, all down to his fingers. Overall he was nice looking. Kind of reminded me of my mermaid best friend Adrian, the only difference was Adrian had silver hair and no tattoos.

“Can I get you any drinks?” He asked me politely but his face was still the same. No smile. Stoic.

“I would have loved too, but I’m not allowed.” I said cheerfully. “You see, I’m working as the waitress here tonight.”

“Oh, I see.” He said, pouring drinks in a tall glass and then shaking it.

I leaned against the counter. “I’m Blue.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I guess we all are feeling a little blue today, what with I had to cancel my weekly off just to cover that jackass.” He also had a round silver metal in his tongue. Didn’t that hurt?

I laughed. “No silly, I mean my name is Blue. What’s yours?”

That’s when his lips cracked into a smile. A real smile. “God, I’m so stupid. Sorry. I’m Alec.” He raised his hand towards me for a handshake.

I didn’t want to shake his hand and look into his past, I’ve had enough of that for today but not shaking his hand would also be rude right?

I slid my hand in his and before I could have any visions, I pulled my hand away.

He stared at me in surprise. “Uh-okay.”

“They said Max’s friends are here and I need to be their host.” I informed Alec.

“Yeah, well, that’s the whole point of you covering for Holly.” He muttered. “Just give me a minute, I’ll make a few drinks for you to serve them.”

“Uh..hmm. Say Alec, did it hurt when you got that metal in your tongue?”

but nothing I can’t

another question in my mind and it was bad that I couldn’t

you put that tongue in a girl’s

to look in my direction. Alec’s face was red, as red as a tomato in Hunter’s refrigerator. He produced a broom and began cleaning the pieces

help

shaking. I wondered if it was shaking because I had

did you

what Hunter said about the Askanda

from around here.” I said, laughing with him. “You didn’t answer my

me one sec.” He

expressions were clearly amused, he leaned in close. “How could you say something with a straight face? Actually, I

my question.” I

me to kiss you so you

about that round metal, but would kissing this man be appropriate? Considering the fact that I liked kissing Hunter. For instance, if I were to see Hunter kissing other women like the way

touching him had disturbed me so much that he had promised me he wouldn’t

that meant me kissing other boys

shook my head. “No. I don’t think my boyfriend would

I was just kidding. Who is your

shook my head again. “Sorry Alec. I’m not allowed

“Are you sure you have a boyfriend or you’re just saying that because that’s what girls say nowadays to ward off flirty

a moment. “I don’t know what you mean. Ward off flirty

like others do when I talk to them. I was afraid he would break the

good laugh.” He

hope he does too. It would be fun.”

filled with...I did a mental headcount, say five

one of them. One of the boys smiled and one of his eye fluttered at me.

eye like yours.” I said to

“What?” He looked dumbfounded.

know how to do it with my eyes.” I confessed. “Is it like this...” I proceeded

it, girl!” He pointed at the embarrassed boy who had supposedly “winked” at me and laughed. “Haven’t seen a girl call you

There’s the word again.

Flirting.

what Hannah had told me before. They were paying me to laugh and

back to Alec who was serving drinks to some people.

me a grin. “Well, flirting is exactly what you

“And what’s that?”

by the way they compliment them or make em smile.

I said as realization dawned in. I made Hunter smile a lot too, that means I flirted with him. “Well, does that make

“Of course. We are friends. Hey listen, I have like two tickets for a movie on Saturday,

“What movie?”

you like horror?”

think I have seen horror before.” I admitted because Hunter never

think

that what friends do?” I asked

do. And then we could some grab dinner, I mean, only if you’re free that is. If your

my hand. “I don’t think

pulled out his phone.

“Sure.” I said.

that almost melted my heart. Alec was a sweet

couldn’t even fit all the money that the Lockhart brothers had given me. I liked Tyler and Max but

ordering pizza. We had pizza and coke while

But something felt missing.

could share everything with him.

I knew he would only get furious. I didn’t know what I would do if I asked