popsicles and past summers.

ch.4***
When Mikey starts coming regularly, Pete is surprised. He didn’t think the human would even come around at all. Pete flips happily around while Mikey visits, often asking questions about Pete’s life. “What do you even eat? Do mermaids have to eat?” he asks, curious and shy. Pete rolls his eyes.

“Well yes, I am a living thing. I do have to eat to survive, idiot.”
Mikey looks hurt and shocked. Pete instantly eats his words. Mikey opens his mouth and retaliates.

“Well excuse me, Guardian of the water, but not everyday is there a fucking mermaid in your favorite childhood lake.” Mikey crosses his arms. Pete opens his eyes wide.

“Ask me another question.”

Mikey rolls his eyes.
“Were you human once? Did you do a Jack Frost and fall through the ice? Ooh, that’d be cool.” Mikey gushes, and Pete looks confused. Mikey blushes and mumbles an apology.

“I don’t remember anything before the lake, so I guess I was here my entire life.” Pete sulks. He had once remembered a life he had lived on land, but it was a dream and when Pete woke up, his tail twitched, almost to confirm the crashing and burning of his dreams. He doesn’t tell Mikey that. He doesn’t tell Mikey he woke up with a strange wetness in his eyes, unlike the muddy lake water.

Mikey’s eyes soften.
Pete looks down.

“Maybe there’s something you can do to become human?”

“Don’t dream Mikey.”

Later that day, Mikey leaves. Pete pretends he doesn’t miss him.

Notes

hi. i'm sorry i disappear.