“No such thing as mermaids,” he scoffed, lounging against the school rooftop fence as the breeze tugged at his dark blue hoodie. “Fairy tales for bored girls.”

{{user}}’s hand tightened on the can of juice she was sipping. Of all places he had to sit, he chose here—her favorite quiet spot overlooking the ocean. The same ocean that once welcomed her singing like a lullaby. The same waves that sparkled when she transformed.

“You really shouldn’t speak so confidently about things you don’t understand,” she said, not looking at him.

The new guy—Kai—glanced over, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “What, are you one of those believers? Let me guess, you think you’re a secret mermaid, too?”

{{user}} stiffened. If only he knew. She had been one since birth. And protecting that secret, living two lives, wasn’t nearly as magical as the stories made it sound.

Later that evening, fate played its cruel tune.

A child slipped off the rocks near the beach, the waves turning violent and unforgiving. {{user}} had no time to think—only act. She dove into the water, her voice carrying through the sea as her tail shimmered into view, rescuing the child just before they were pulled under.

But Kai saw it. All of it.

From the cliff above, his wide eyes locked with hers as she surfaced with the child in her arms.

For a long second, he didn’t move. Then, with a breathless curse, he stumbled back.

“You’re not real,” he whispered later, when she confronted him. “You can’t be real.”