“No!” Kiki said.

“Yes!” Shelly said. “And you can do it too.”

“I would never,” Kiki said.

“If you don’t do it, you’ll never know the fun you’re missing,” Echo said. “This may be your only chance to do something this exciting.”

Shelly held out her hand. “Come on, Kiki.”

Kiki looked at Shelly’s hand and made her decision. “I can’t. I’m terrified of such a large creature,” she said in the humpback dialect. “I’m sorry, Mortimer; I’m sorry, Orman, but I just can’t help myself. Maybe it’s because I’ve always been so little for my age.” Kiki began to cry. “And… I lost my lucky starfish charm.”

“We’ll help you look for it,” Shelly said immediately.

“No,” Kiki said, wiping her tears. “You go have fun. You may never get this chance again.”

“I’ll help you,” Orman told Kiki.

Kiki couldn’t help smiling at the cute whale. Once again, she held on to his tail. He swam toward the bottom of the ocean. Every couple of yards, he would stop so Kiki could look behind the red-and-yellow coral reefs, on the spiny purple sea urchins, and around the sea cucumbers.

“Orman, do you think we’ll ever find it?” Kiki asked him. “It’s special because my mermom gave it to me.”

And just then, on top of a barrel sponge, Kiki spotted her shell purse!

“Stop, Orman! I see it!” Kiki said. She swam to the barrel sponge, picked up her purse, and took out the starfish.

“This is my lucky charm, Orman,” she said, showing him the five-pointed star. She knew she would never have found it without his help. “And you’re my lucky friend. Now let’s go for that ride!”

Flying

CAREFULLY, KIKI GOT ON Orman’s back and grabbed a knob on his head.

“Don’t worry, Kiki,” Orman said. “I won’t go too fast.”

Up they swam, back to Shelly, Echo, and Mortimer. Kiki’s friends couldn’t believe their eyes!

“Kiki, you look awesome!” Shelly cheered. “Are you ready? Hold on tight.”

“Ready!” Kiki answered. “Thanks for waiting for me.” She was still a little nervous, but she knew Orman and her friends would look out for her.

Mortimer spoke to Orman, and Orman slapped his tail. Suddenly water zoomed past the girls’ faces and they were propelled toward the surface much faster than any merperson could ever swim.

“Aaaaah!” screamed Kiki, her eyes shut tight.

“Mrs. Karp!” Rocky yelled. “Look at Kiki, Shelly, and Echo!”

A huge gasp came from the rest of their class. “Girls!” Mrs. Karp called.

Kiki heard Rocky and Mrs. Karp, but she couldn’t let go. She held on as Orman cleared the water and they soared into the air.

“Wow!” Shelly said from Mortimer’s back. “This is amazing. Kiki, open your eyes. You don’t want to miss this.”

Kiki opened one eye as the wind blew her long dark hair. Mortimer and Orman had breached together. “It’s beautiful,” Kiki breathed.