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So what if they didn’t like me? That’s fine! I don’t like them either!
He grumbled as he picked at his bruise. His whole left arm looked like a black berry field
What does it dam matter if he has a crush on a boy? What does it matter if his hair is naturally blue? What does it matter if he doesn’t like any of the “boy stuff” they do?They’re all jerks so their opinion doesnt even matter!
Or that’s what he tried to tell himself as he sniffled and stubbornly wiped away any tear that dared to show
His aunt always told him to be brave. That you don’t have to cry if you tell yourself it doesn’t matter
But what if what they said really hurt? What if my arm really hurts?
Then again when she sees it she’ll probably just say ‘Scot major! Don’t get in fights! God why do you start trouble where ever you go!’
I didn’t even start this! I never start it! They went in my locker and found my valentines note for one of the other boys and then cornered me. That’s not my fault!… I hope.. it might still be my fault
He curled tighter in his little ball. Sitting on the dock, one leg to his chest and the other swaying in the cool water. Scales trickiling down his legs, arms and face.
Small little gills showing on his cheeks.
They all glimmered in the low light. Shifting blues, purples and pinks. Mer folk, mer hybrids and fish hybrids of all kinds, a lot of the time don’t favour living on land. Instead living in “caves” by the ocean. Blocking the Sun from drying them up, and letting water be under their feet and around them.
This was its own little part of the cave. Nothing but rock walls around it. The water was pretty deep, and really cold. But it was Scot’s little place. It had a broken dock he’d always sit at when upset, just like this
He just tries his best but they all hate him, which gets him bruised and aunty would do anything but believe it wasn’t his fault
He tried to push down the tears. Be brave and not cry like a baby, but it was really really hard when his arm hurt so much. He just wanted to be alone, broken off from the rest of this dam cave and just be here, in his little pond.
“So this is where you sneaked off”
Scot’s head snapped back, seeing a bit bigger of a boy then him, messy half long blond hair and a bandana tieing it his face
It was the human boy. No one really talked to him cause he’s human and they didn’t what he would do. And if you tried to go near him, there was a 50/50 if he’d ignore you or snap at you.
So with that said. Not Scot’s fault when a growl started to form, scales flaring defensively and pulling his claws forwards
“Wow wow! I’m not here for a fight” the boy raised his hands in defeat. Even if he was here to pick a fight, Scot’s barely useful claws couldn’t do anything, he’s always been a small boy
“Then what are you here for?” He hissed back. Claws dropping but still held in attack
“I… you…. Ugh” the boy sagged his head, fiddling his fingers all nervous but… annoyed? Why? At who???
Scor just sat there staring, making sure he wouldn’t see the bruise on his arm. Luckily he appeared behind him on his right, so he shouldn’t have seen anything so far
The boy continued to stay quite, biting his lip, twisting his fingers around and staring annoyed at the ground
“You oka-“
“I saw what happened!” The boy barked
Scot’s eyes turned… confused?? Okay, most boys in their class saw, they were all there, it happened in the boys changing room after P.E after all, your point is???
“I.. ugh. I got worried for you! Are you okay!”even if what he said was nice, he sounded really mad. But he was closing his eyes and braising like he was gonna get hit
Didn’t really know anything about this boy expect the fact he’s human. But grandma used to say boys who yell and shout, but braise, probably have it ruff themselves. And might seem mean when they don’t want to be. So you gotta give them time and space to let them get out their shell
Hope you’re right grandma
“I’m.. okay. My arm hurts a bit but I’m okay”
“Good!” The boy barked at him. Still braising
Well. He didn’t seem to do much but stand there and brace… best give him time. Turning his head back to his beloved little pond, only thing that can’t leave him. Swaying his foot in the water. He would jump in, but his aunt would be really really mad from getting his clothes wet.
They continued to sit there in their awkward silence for a while. Eventually the boy realising scot wasn’t gonna say or do anything against him. Taking a few deep breaths and opening his eyes again, unwinding his shoulders and calming. (At least a bit
“How… how bad’s the arm?”
Scot shrugged. Even if it really really really hurt. He was still sniffling his tears after all
“Can… can I sit next to you….?” He said it just as a whisper, the tiniest little whisper.
“Sure”
After a few seconds the boy carefully stepped on the dock. Slowly making his way forward, flinching at any little sound or creak. Ever so slowly getting next to Scot and sitting down. Criss crossing his legs.
Staring at the water he eventually landed on Scot’s leg in the water.
“Do you wanna go in the water?”
“Maybe.. a bit. But I’m not allowed.”
“Why not? You’re a mer hybrid you almost belong in water”
“Yeh but my aunt just finds it a waste of time having to wash my clothes. And she’s always busy so she never lets me out to swim”
“Sounds like she’s a real brick in the road to me”
“Ay it’s not her fault… her plan wasn’t ever exactly adopting me so. Don’t blame her”
“You’re a mer hybrid! Yet you can never swim! What logic does that make??”
“Idk”
The boy just sighed. Staring back into the water
“Hm.”
“Hm?”
“Would you go in the water if someone needed help?”
“I mean yeah probably”
“Good. Cause idk how to swim”
“What-?”
With that the boy just slid right into the water
And it was in fact true. He had absolutely no clue how to swim. Barely moving enough, basically starting to sink. At least he held his breath
Scot, of course, panicked and jumped in after him.
If the school swim test was anything to learn from, the boy will quicker drown then try to get out the water and Scot had no clue how to do cpr or anything like it
Grabbing onto the boy he hoisted him right back onto the dock. The boy coughing as he reached fresh air. Scot leaning on his arms next to him, legs and lower body still in the water.
The boy continued to cough for a while but eventually stopped. Looking up at Scot, starting to say something but stopping. Staring at Scot’s scales and gills. Completely on display. The colour in them going far brighter now that they’ve been in water.
“You okay? Got any water in you?” Scot rather cautiously asked. His voice snapping the boy out of staring
“Oh! Yeh I’m okay.. you’re in the water now”
“Yeh and I’m still gonna get hell for it… but thanks.”
“You’re welcome”
After a few seconds of just looking at each others eyes. The boy got up, getting out the water fully now and sitting on the dock
“If you’re gonna get in trouble no matter, best you savour what you can now. So stay in the water, imma stick to the dock tho. Can’t swim”
“Did no one ever teach you?”
“Nope, orphanage just presumes most to already know it. So they don’t care if I can swim or not”
Oh. So he comes from an orphanage. Huh. Never knew that about him. Then again didn’t know anything about him
“Hey hold on! You shrugged like your arm didn’t hurt, it’s completely black and blue! Hold on”
He said as he reached for something in his pocket. Pulling out bandages. Stubbornly grabbing Scot’s arm and wrapping it, grumbling under his breath
“Martyn”
“Huh? What?”
“That’s my name. Martyn. You?”
“Oh. Scot”
“Then nice to meet you Scot. But also screw those guys cause you’re nice! You have no reason to go black and blue. I actually start fights, you’ve done nothing but just be there. And so far you’ve just been nice to me. Those boys make absolutely no sense hurting you like this!”
“Heh, yeah I end up like this a good amount… but thanks Martyn. Nice to meet you too”
“Hey if they give you any trouble go to me. You’re built like a stick but I know how to throw a punch. And you’re my friend now Scot, so I’m protecting you”
“Whatever you say Martyn. Sure”
If this is what hes like a little bit out his shell.. I’m sure he’s nice
For a while they just chatted about whatever. Martyn periodically grumbling that he’ll beat up those guys for hurting him so much.
Scor stayed in the water the whole time. Staying in his lovely little pond. Now. He also has a friend here. Martyn. An odd boy. A human boy with green eyes, blond hair and cuts and scraped scattered around him. Sure he has a shell around him, but Scot’s fully sure he’s sweet on the inside
As much as they’d love to stay chatting here forever. A alarm’s ring came from his backpack
“Oh fish! I gotta get home”
“I’ll walk you home, make sure non of those jerks go near you”
“Shouldn’t you be heading to the orphanage?”
“Nah they don’t care when I show up as long as it’s before supper. Need a hand out the water? I got a towel from P.E I never used if you want it” he said reaching out his hand
“Sure, I’d like that. Thanks Martyn” he replied, grabbing onto Martyn’s hand and Martyn with what seemed like ease pulling him out the water.
From there Martyn dug in his bag, letting Scot borrow his towel as they headed out this small section of the cave. Sticking tight by each others side
This friendship was gonna last a long while wasn’t it?