Teenage Mermaid by Ellen Schreiber Read Free Book Online

lilies, then the next it smelled like an old finball. I read the signs hanging on the walls: M ATH C LUB M EETING C ANCELED . C ONGRATULATIONS , S HARKS , ON A W INNING Y EAR ! FESTIVAL OF FIREWORKS—F RIDAY NIGHT .
    I was mesmerized by all the Earthly activity—laughing, shouting, running, kissing. Some Earthteens dressed as if they’d come straight from the Underworld—tattoos, pierced ears, noses, eyebrows, and tongues. Others dressed as if they’d come from a finball game. Many looked at me as I walked by. Could they tell I was a mermaid? I felt dizzy and leaned against a cabinet to catch my breath.
    A guy in a G O S HARKS ! shirt approached me, leaned in, and reached his hand to my side. I jumped away.
    â€œThat’s my locker, chick.”
    Shocked, I raced away and was thrust into themiddle of a crowd of briskly walking teens. I scanned their faces but none was my Earthdude.
    I noticed a wall clock. Nine fifty-five. I was way late for our stadium meeting. And where was the stadium, anyway? Where was he? I peered into a laboratory classroom. Then I looked into an office where a flustered woman was sorting papers at a cluttered wooden desk. Apparently I looked lost.
    â€œMay I help you?” the round Earthwoman asked. She seemed to be helpful and trusting.
    â€œI’m looking for—”
    â€œYou must be Candy Hartman!” she exclaimed. “I’m Mrs. Linwood, the school secretary. We’ve been expecting you! I have all your paperwork here.” She reached among the papers scattered on her desk. “Welcome to Seaside!”
    â€œBut I’m not—”
    â€œPrepared? I know. It’s hard joining school at the end of the year. But with your father being with the government, I’m sure you’re used to it! Quite exciting, really. But mum’s the word!” she said, strangely motioning her hand over her lips.
    â€œWe’ve assigned you to Mr. Costello’s class. I’ll show you the way,” she said, taking me by the arm. “You’ll fit right in!”
    Fit right in? But I just learned to walk an hour ago!
    I was supposed to be in predators and prey classright now. My out-of-water tardiness was turning into a full-day’s absence.
    My cherub-faced escort stopped at a crowded classroom. Is this where Earthdude studied? A thousand wide-eyed sharks were staring at me! All I wanted to do was get my locket and leave. But suddenly I not only had legs, but new clothes, and now a new name.
    â€œGood morning, Ms. Hartman, take a seat, please,” the teacher said to me. He looked like Mr. Dorsal in cheap pants.
    The room was fascinating. Everyone sat on wooden seats with small tables attached, in neat rows. Lights hung from the ceiling, and the walls were plastered with pictures and maps.
    I folded my new legs together under my chair and quickly became stuck. Students stared at me as my legs banged against the desk. I noticed their legs dangled, their feet touching the floor.
    â€œThis isn’t yoga class!” said the leering girl who sat next to me.
    The clock read ten-thirty! I was stuck here, trapped from moving forward on my mission. But suddenly my new surroundings engaged me, tantalized me with the reality of all I’d ever dreamed of. I, Waterlilly, was suddenly an Earthdudette myself! I immediately became engrossed with my Earth-school environment.
    I finally untangled my legs and peered around the room, making mental notes. A map of Earth, pictures of a pasty man with fluffy white-coral hair, and a thin man with a huge black hat and beard. Another darker man with a mustache and the words, “I have a dream.” If Mrs. Current could see me now!
    I had learned a lot in Earth history, but a lifetime of study couldn’t have prepared me for a real Earthee class. And the Earthees themselves were interesting—blonde girls with blue makeup on their eyelids, shorts, short skirts, dresses, chunky canvas shoes