Mermaid For You: A Man of the Month Club Novella: Small town work place romance (Magnolia Point)

Chapter 1

The perfect way tostart every morning is with a cold cup of coffee and a steaming pile of dog shit. To make it even more fantastic is to carry the aroma into class with you, then sit there in humiliation as everyone continues to sniff, wrinkle their nose, and proceed to look around to see where the horrid smell is coming from. All the while, you sit there knowing you’re the guilty party.

Where’s the smell coming from? What’s that smell? Oh my God, what is that?

It’s me. I’m the culprit. I have dog doo-doo on the bottom of my shoe. I didn’t have time to go back to my dorm and change, and apparently, I didn’t do a great job of trying to wipe it off in the grass or playing in a muddy puddle to rinse it off. Nope. It’s holding on strong. And I do mean strong.

I’m seriously having a shitty day. All I have to do now is get through the next forty minutes of this class, and then I can change my shoes. I wanted to skip, but it’s the end of semester, and I’ve never been late for or missed a class in any of the four years I’ve been at this university. But now I’m starting to think if there was ever a reason or cause, today was it and I should’ve taken it.

My forehead smacks my desk when the love of my life calls out, “Somebody stepped in shit.” Not only is he beautiful, but he has a keen sense of smell. “Mr. Hopper, I’m not going to be able to focus with my nose hairs burning.”

If my soul mate Blake Doozer discovers that I’m the one causing his precious nose hairs to curl… that’s it. My life will be over. Okay, maybe not over,but it’d be a little more sad. I’ve been shamelessly drooling over Blake since the beginning of last year. When I walked into this class and saw that my odds of finally getting his attention had finally improved, it was one of the happiest moments of my college career. I never believed in love at first sight or any of that nonsense until my eyes locked on his big honey-colored ones. Of course, ninety percent of the campus is also hoping to snag his attention.

As the star quarterback of our university’s football team, with Hollywood good looks, he’s already been recruited for professional football. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be on a cereal box in no time. And in advertisements for sports gear. And in toothpaste commercials, complete with the ding as a twinkle appears at the corner of his smile.

Little does he know that his future also includes me. Not that I’m a stalker or a crazed fan or anything. I just know that we’re meant to be together. There’s a slight snag with him being unaware of my existence, but I don’t like to dwell on the negative or get hung up on minor details. Unfortunately, this has been a one-sided love affair, and I only have a few days before graduation, and then I’ll have lost my chance with him.

If today is the day we finally connect, and it’s only because of this foul odor… No. I must maintain a positive attitude.Then again, it could make for a fun story to tell the kids one day. Right?

“Hey, it smells strongest over here.” Westin Rhodes, Blake’s annoying friend, calls out as he walks toward my side of the room.

Go away. Go away. Please don’t?—

“Oh yeah. It’s over here.” Sweet heavens, no. That’s Blake’s voice. “Y’all need to check your shoes.”

“Or take a bath!” Westin a walking stereotype of a frat boy and jock. He’s big, mean, and I’m ninety percent certain he’s crushed one too many beer cans against his forehead. If he had a completely different personality, he’d be attractive.

“That’s enough,” Mr. Hopper’s voice cuts in.“Take your seats.”

I feel their presence next to my desk as I press my forehead harder against the wood. Thankfully, I wore my hair down today, so I can use it as a curtain to hide my face behind. My cheeks are burning hot.

Is the smell getting stronger? Oh my gosh… I think it is! How? How is it becoming more potent and rank?

“Class.” Mr. Hopper’s voice doesn’t raise but definitely takes an edge. “Be seated or be dismissed immediately.”

When they finally return to their seats, I slowly raise my head and focus on the professor, who’s beginning our class lecture. However, it’s not long before whispers begin. Trying to be discreet, I turn my head enough for my eyes to cut to see Westin and Blake whispering and looking directly at me.

My heart is hammering in my chest, and I’m on the verge of a full-blown panic attack. Sweat gathers at my temples as the stench suffocates me.

Mr. Hopper must notice his class is distracted so he decides to end the class early.“Read the entire chapter, and I want an essay summarizing it and your thoughts. A thousand words due by midnight.”

The class groans. Great. Not only did I distract the entire class with a gag-inducing odor, but now I’ve garnered them unwarranted homework.

“See you next class.” He calmly closes his laptop and then slides it into his leather satchel.

Seeing as class has ended, I don’t waste any time in grabbing my bag and sliding out of my chair. I hurry toward the classroom door when my, still-wet shoes slide and I lose my balance. Mr. Hopper reaches out to catch me, but he’s not fast enough. My hip stings as it slams against the hard floor, but it doesn’t hurt as much as my pride. I’ve never been so humiliated.

“Well, we found the source!”

Correction. Now I’ve never been so humiliated. Westin’s declaration is the cherry on top to my mortifying day.

He looks down at me and smirks. “Didn’tyou smell that, or is this a smell you’re used to?”

Mr. Hopper claps his hands. “That’s enough! Out. Everyone. Before I double the word count.”

Snickers and muffled words pass by me as I debate if I should even bother standing up. A few people woof at me, and a large hand appears before my face.

“Come on.”

My heart soars as my eyes travel up the thick, bulging arm to see Blake’s gorgeous face. He’s coming to my rescue. Blake Doozer is my knight in shining armor. This is like every meet-cute from romance movies. It’s happening!

His hand is warm as it wraps around mine and then effortlessly pulls me up. Our eyes lock as he steadies me on my feet, one corner of his mouth tilted up. “Now you be a good girl and go take a bath.”

Laughter erupts as my heart drops to the pit of my stomach. Not only do I smell like shit, but I feel like it.

He chuckles. “That’s not how I meant it, guys.”

Yes, it is.There’s no remorse in his eyes, only laughter. He leaves me standing there as he swaggers off with Westin. I spin on my heels and hurry in the opposite direction of Blake and Westin. I’m ready for this semester to be over. I just have to get through this last two weeks and then it’s time to leave and go back to my summer job. Magnolia Point in South Carolina is my safe haven. There, I get to spend my days in paradise, and I definitely never have to worry about getting shit on my shoes. Because, there, I don’t have feet.

* * *

The funny thingabout childhood dreams is when you achieve said dream, not everyone respects it the way they did when you were eight years old. Telling my teachers, friends, and parents that I wanted to be a mermaid was met with excitement, encouragement, and most importantly… a resemblance of respect. Fast forward sixteen years, goal achieved, and I’m met with mockery and snide comments. The most frequently asked question, at every opportune moment: “When are you going to get a real job?”

I get a paycheck. I have a schedule. I clock in and pay my freaking taxes! This is a “real” job. I’m more or less an actress, but I get to play my dream role. During the summer months, I get to be out in a lagoon and swim up to the boats. The rest of the year, I work in the indoor aquatic center, and occasionally at the pool for parties or events. Children and women adore me. Men find me exotic and enjoy admiring the view. I crave the love I receive as one of the Hayes Resorts mermaids. All feature mermaids get a plush doll and a children’s book based on them. It’s amazing that there’s a book based on the character I created, Nerine. It’s an incredible feeling and surreal I get to live out a real-life fairy tale while making so many others happy.

Every summer since I was sixteen, I’ve become Nerine. But I had the name picked out way before that. Growing up, my family could never afford to stay at one of these resorts, but they’d drive to Magnolia Point every other weekend just so I could see the mermaids. I’d dream about joining them. What I’d look like if I were a mermaid. What my name would be. I wanted to swim with them and live in their world so badly.

They were so beautiful that I can still feel how in awe I was of them. It wasn’t until later that I learned they weren’t actual mermaids, but I was captivated by them nonetheless. The iridescent tails that sparkled in the sunlight. The bikini-style tops bejeweled with a mixture of stones, gems, and seashells. Shimmery skin, with the most elaborate eye shadow of vibrant colors and stones on their temples. Their hair would sometimes be slick and smooth, with a sea-themed crown, or it might be wild and wavy, with an intricate design of scattered bling and shells.

The idea of getting to dress like a mermaid and be in the water all day, making people happy while getting to swim, sounded like paradise.

It’s not an easy job to acquire. I had to pass several health tests, background checks, and prove my ability to be a strong swimmer. They have their own mermaid program because all the mermaids have to meet the criteria they’ve set. It requires being both an athlete and an actor, and physical health is extremely important because the job can be dangerous. We swim with our legs basically tied together while being under water for lengths of time. Let’s not forget being personable and always remaining in character despite how rude people can be.

Yet I’m mocked by those closest to me. My friends. Family. Especially my father. I can’t blame him. He doesn’t get the idea behind it or how happy it makes kids. He only sees a young woman in a skimpy costume, wet and flopping around for people’s entertainment. His daughter in a revealing costume while men ogle at her. But that’s not how it is. And what if some men do? They’re going to leer no matter what I’m wearing. I’m not worried about some perv’s fantasies. I might as well have fun and be the reason children still believe in fairy tales and myths.

“Ava! Is it possible you’ve gotten more beautiful?”

I turn from the mirror in the mermaid dressing room and smile at Margie’s face, which is bright with excitement. She’s a unique woman, and someone I greatly admire. Margie Cash has been the staff manager for over forty years. Before she got one of the most respected and highest positions in the management department, she was a mermaid, like me. Which proves that I’m not a joke, and this is a real job. It does have the potential to go somewhere. I don’t want to work at this resort for the rest of my life, even though the management position is nothing to turn your nose at.

“Hey, Margie!” I squeal as I get to my feet and rush to her with open arms. Another thing about Margie, she insists everyone call her by her first name. She treats everyone as family and as an equal. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t run a tight ship and require respect. Margie is an incredible boss and leader, not to mention a savvy businesswoman who doesn’t speak down to others or use fear on her team.

After giving me a squeeze tight enough to make breathing difficult, she steps back to take my face in her hands. “It’s been too quiet without you.” She kisses my forehead with a loud smack and then turns away with a giggle. I watch her retreating back as she calls out, “I’ll let you finish getting ready. Drinks in the bar after your shift!”

Once I’ve finished my hair and makeup, and applied lots of glitter around my scalp and shoulders, I put on my costume, which is basically an elaborate and stunning bikini. I throw on my robe and grab my scandals and tail before exiting my dressing room.

I hurry through the staff hallway to the back entrance that will lead to the private docking area. I squeal with delight when I see my fellow pirates, sailors, and mermaids. They all cheer in return.

“Ava! Welcome back!”

This is such a welcome relief after a horrible last semester at the university. I love Magnolia Point, but more than anything, I love working at Hayes Resorts. This is home.

I climb aboard the little white boat, and we take off to our lagoon, careful to follow the strict course to ensure we’re not visible to any guests. That would, of course, take away the magic. And in a world full of ugliness, disappointments, and heartache, it’s these little moments I help create that become lasting, beautiful memories people can return to when they need a smile.As we bounce along, feeling the light mist mixed in with the wind, I sigh. It feels good to be back. It feels good knowing I’m going to a job that’s going to bring magic and joy to others.

Screw whatever anyone else thinks. And definitely screw the immature jerks from school. Looking at you, Blake Doozer.