“No, that makes total sense.” They take a step back, but then inch a tiny bit closer, like they still want to be close enough to catch me in case I topple over as we slowly make our way up the sand. “I’ll just stay back here.”

We shuffle along in an awkward silence until Lifeguard asks, “So, why were you on the beach?”

“Just arrived.”

“From where?”

Flick, this person gets right to the details. But we were given a backstory in case anyone asked this very question.

“Indiana,” I grunt. There actually is a mer colony named Indiana. It’s one of the four main colonies: Pacifica, Arctis, Atlantis, and Indiana. There also happens to be a state named that, and the Elders thought it’d be easier to remember the name of a place we’re familiar with than try to come up with something entirely new.

“No kidding,” Lifeguard says. “My aunt just moved there last year. Says it’s way quieter than LA.”

Great. Somebody who knows the human Indiana that I really know nothing about. But I’ve got another practiced response to change the subject. “I finished high school early while homeschooling on a farm and now I’m living in Los Angeles to take a gap year before deciding what college I’ll go to.” And by college, of course I mean jumping straight back into the ocean as soon as I can get my Journey over with.

“Cool,” Lifeguard says. “You must be pretty smart to graduate early. How do you like LA so far?”

The response gushes out of my mouth before I can stop it. “I hate it.”

Lifeguard laughs, their round stubble-covered cheeks pushing up against their eyes so hard they practically close. “You’re really honest, huh?”

“You say that like it’s unusual.” Yet another reason to hate humans if they’re all liars.

“It’s just that most people are so fake when they first meet. Like, just giving you shallow smiles so they can go about their day.” Their face drops. “If only everybody was honest up front, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”

That’s all I need to hear to be sure the Blue absolutely dumped me on this beach for a reason. This person’s life is a mess. They need help.

Go with the flow, right?

     Sean