LEGEND OF THE MER by Sheri L. Swift Read Free Book Online Page B

he relent ed, “Okay, I guess I have to let you go, just make sure you have fun and dance at least once for me.”
     
    “If you insist, I wasn’t really planning on doing any dancing.  I’m not sure anyone will ask me,” said Lana a little timidly.
     
    “Trust me kid, they’re gonna ask,” said her father as he opened the door for her with a smile.
     
    “Well, here goes . ” Lana kissed his cheek and headed out.
     
    ~~~
     
    The night was warm and the sky was clear with a million stars.  What a perfect night for a prom under the pavilion.  It was the first dance ever held there since they had constructed it two years before.  A hurricane had taken out the wharf with a few shops.  The shop owners decided against rebuilding and allowed the island to build the pavilion instead.  It was at the end of a pier and sat a few feet off the water ’ s surface.  The pavilion was large and octagon in shape.  It had a bench all along the railing inside.  It held at least two hundred, which was more than large enough for the senior class prom.  Some of the kids were upset when they heard th at the theme was Under the Sea , it was so typical, but Lana really liked it.
     
    As Lana reached the pavilion, she glanced at all the tiny white lights.  They were wrapped around the beams, railings, and even all along the edge of the roof.  There were so many sparkling fish and plants hung everywhere.  Lana thought that the best thing was a statue in the center that looked a lot like King Titan.   Wow, they got that down pretty good .  Lana smiled as she look ed at it.
     
    “Hey Lana, we’re over here!” Elaine called from across the other side.
     
    “Hi, they really went way out on the decorations,” said Lana as she walked over to her .
     
    “Yeah, I even got to help a little . ” Elaine smiled .
     
    “Now why does that not surprise me,” Lana said with a wide grin.  Then Elaine was asked to dance.  Lana was left alone and decided to sit on the bench.  Her other friends were already dancing themselves.  As she sat there, she heard someone say,
     
    “You look lovely tonight.”
     
    “Why thank you, that is so...” Lana turned to tell the boy sitting next to her, but the boy only shrugged his nose at her and scooted further away.
     
    “Have you forgotten me already?” the voice said again.
     
    Lana looked around and couldn’t find anyone looking in her direction.  Suddenly she realized that it was Prince Titus speaking to her in her mind.  “Where are you?” she allowed her thoughts to ask.
     
    “Beneath you, I am glad that you finally recognize me.”
     
    “Sorry, I’m not used to this new type of communication , ” she said with a giggle.
     
    “Again, I want to say that you look very beautiful.”
     
    “Thanks, I think this dress is perfect, my dad said it reminded him of my mother.”
     
    “Yes, you do look like her, she was beautiful as well.”
     
    “I wish you were able to come to the dance,” said Lana a little sadly realizing that he couldn’t.
     
    “Yes, I wish I could also, but you will have to dance for the both of us.”
     
    “Okay, if someone asks me,” she said a little timidly.
     
    “They will ask, and when you do, will you stay by the side so that I can watch and imagine that it is I dancing with you?” he asked a little sorry that it would not be him.
     
    “Sure, I can do that.”
     
    “Now there is a true friend of the mer,” said the Prince.
     
    Lana looked up to see Miss Perry coming towards her, “Hello Lana, you look so pretty tonight.  You look the perfect mermaid,” she said as she sat down beside her.
     
    “Why thank you, I suppose I was inspired by the theme.”
     
    “Is everything going alright between you and your dad?”
     
    “Yeah, everything’ s great.  We’ve talked a lot about things these past two weeks.”
     
    “That’s wonderful, I’m glad to hear that . ” Miss Perry smiled tenderly .
     
    “Miss Perry, you