Tony Pham sits on the edge of his bed, nervously eyeing the glass of water. His brown eyes dart from the glimmer on the desk to the beach visible through the window. He rubs a hand through his tousled brown hair, debating whether he dares a sip before school.
"Just one sip. What could go wrong this time?" he mutters to himself, but deep down, he already knows the answer.
Tony gasps as his legs fuse together, scales rippling into view in shades of teal and gold. His hair lengthens, and his features soften, transforming him into a girl mermaid. Panic surges as he clutches the edge of the sink for support.
"Not now, not before school!" he cries, voice now lilting and unfamiliar. The sound echoes against the tiles, amplifying his distress.
Sliding open the back door, Tony slithers across the grass, careful to stay hidden behind rose bushes and tall ferns. With a final anxious glance at the house, he slips into the pond, feeling the familiar embrace of cool water. The transformation stabilizes, and with a flick of a shimmering tail, Tony hides beneath the lily pads.
"If only there was a way to control this," Tony whispers, watching dragonflies skim the surface.
Maya Lee[/@ch_2], Tony’s closest friend, sits cross-legged with a sketchbook in her lap.]
Tony, now back in human form and dry, approaches cautiously, glancing around to make sure no one is listening. Maya looks up, concern flickering in her warm brown eyes.
"You look like you haven't slept in days. What's going on?"
"Maya, you have to promise not to freak out. I... I turn into a girl mermaid every time I touch water. Even if I just drink it."
"Wait, what? Like, actually? How is that even possible?"
Tony[/@ch_1] stands under an awning, clutching his backpack, heart pounding.]
A drop of rain lands on Tony’s hand, and instantly, the tingling sensation begins. He ducks into a nearby alley, desperate to stay hidden as the transformation overtakes him. He feels the familiar weightlessness in his legs, the shift in his body, and the uncertainty of who might see.
"Not again. I just want to be normal," he whispers to the empty alley, tears mixing with the rain.
Tony[/@ch_1], in mermaid form, sits on a rock, watching the world in quiet contemplation.]
Maya appears at the water’s edge, her voice soft and reassuring.
"You know, maybe this isn't a curse. Maybe it's something special. I've never met anyone who can be two things at once,"
"Maybe you're right. Maybe I can learn to live with both sides of me," Tony replies, a gentle smile playing on his lips as the waves shimmer with promise.
