| For a Moment by Christy Chapter 2 Melody shivered slightly as she stepped from the warm ocean onto the breezy shore. She shaded her eyes and looked around for the girl. At first there seemed to be no sign of her, but then Melody noticed a pair of long thin tracks in the sand. Only a pair of wheels could have made those. Sure enough, Melody followed the tracks and found the girl a little further down the beach, again gazing out at the ocean. Melody slowly approached the girl. "Uh, hello," she said, "My name is Melody." The girl stared at her. "Well, this is indeed an event when the princess greets me in her underwear!" she grinned. Melody grinned back. "You recognize me?" "Of course," the girl said, "I see you out here all the time. You carry on some fine conversations with the sea creatures!" "Oh....I didn't know someone was watching me," Melody said with a hint of embarrasment. "Don't get too flattered," said the girl, "I never intentionally come looking for you. You just always seem to be here when I come out looking for....something else." "What?" asked Melody. The girl scrunched her face. "It's silly...." "You can tell me," said Melody. "Everyone makes fun of me for it," said the girl. "I won't," said Melody, "I promise. And I won't tell anyone." The girl sighed. "All right..." she finally said, ".....I come out here looking for mermaids." "Mermaids??" "Yes," said the girl, "I've always been facinated by the legend of mermaids. They seem so wonderful, so amazing, so.....so.....free. My legs don't work right, thus I'm kept in this chair. How I'd love to have the freedom mermaids have...." Melody's mind was a blur. She felt like she had run into her long-lost double. This was exactly what she had thought a year ago! Back before she even knew mermaids really existed, she had longed for the freedom that only the ocean can bring. She imagined that her desire would have been even greater had she been unable to walk. And then she thought about the absolute joy she had felt a year ago when for one brief moment she had that freedom to fly under the water as a mermaid. She had always held that wonderful memory deep in her heart. "Hello?" the girl suddenly said, "Are you thinking about something?" "Uh.....nothing," said Melody, realizing her mind had wandered off. "Um, anyway, what's your name?" "Esther," the girl answered. "Well, pleased to meet you, Esther," said Melody. "MELODY!!!!" Melody jumped at the sound of her mother calling. Oh no, she had forgotten about lunch again. Someday she'd have to learn how to stay focused. "Was that your mother?" asked Esther. "Yes," said Melody, "I think I'm late for lunch..." "MELODY!!!" Melody looked at Esther, unwilling to leave her. She wanted to learn so much more about this girl who shared her secret dreams. "MELODY!!!!" "Hey, Esther," said Melody, "I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind if I invited a friend for lunch. Would you...would you like to come?" "MELODY!!!!!" Esther's eyes grew wide, like she couldn't believe her good fortune. "I'd love to!" she said. She paused and gave a mischivious grin. "I'm sure my parents won't mind me having lunch with the princess!" Go to Chapter 3 Back to Non-HoND Fanfic Back to Index |