The Ocean's Song (pt. 1) (Going through edits)

~44~

"Sure thing, I'll text it to you. If you don't mind, when you get there, tell Betta I won't be able to swim today, my boss called in and wants me to work in a few hours." Riden asked and a few seconds later he sent the address.

"Sure thing, thanks." Naida hung up and let Mist take her phone back. This whole thing would be over faster if she just obeyed their rules, besides, it's not like she could take her phone with her into the sea.

She sat behind North on her bike and they followed Mist's car as she leads them to the beach thanks to Naida's phone.

By the time they got to the beach, Naida had started to feel a little nauseous, probably because the brother's gifts only worked in the water, and she would still become sick outside of it.

Naida hopped off the bike and walked down the docks until she was as far as she could get without being in the water.

Bowen walked up behind her. "Why are we here again?" He asked, looking out at the horizon; the sun would be setting soon.

"I have to check in with the mermen," Naida replied, restating the truth they refused to accept. "I won't be back for a while, so..." Naida drew herself up, then quickly placed a kiss on Bowen's cheek. While he was stunned, she sat down on the edge of the dock but hesitated to plunge right in. Was she ready to leave already? Sure, she had to, but maybe she could find a way to stay longer.

Suddenly, she was grabbed by the ankles and pulled into the water.

"Naida!" Lionfish's gleeful voice hailed and he embraced her in a tight hug. He laughed and spun her around, then let go of her. "Sorry, I really missed you!"

Naida was still recovering from the daze of being dragged underwater, when she was pulled into another hug, this one a little less energetic and tight, but still meaningful. Ray ran his fingers through her hair as he finished off his lingering hug.

"Your hair feels nice, what'd you do with it while you were up there?" He asked and turned her around, playfully splitting it into sections and running it through his hands.

"I used conditioner for the first time in a month." Naida laughed and waved at Lionfish, who was obviously eager to hug her again. "Where's Mako and Betta?"