The mermaid’s daughter

The sun is sinking down over the horizon as I gather up a hand full of sand and then release it, watching as it cascades down like a gentle waterfall. Ceony sits beside me glancing toward the ocean and towards her. Serena and buttercup gallop along the beach, kicking up sand as they go. She is pressed close to Buttercup's back, her golden hair mixing with Buttercup's pale blonde mane.  Looking at her now you would not think that she could ever have been in any danger, but she was and still is. 

As if reading my thoughts Ceony murmurs, "we almost lost her today." 

I nod, a feeling I don't often get rising in my chest.  Serena whips around, joy clear on her face. When Serena is happy her whole face lights up and her eyes sparkle like the sea when the sun shines down upon it. I feel myself begin to smile and glance down at the sand, sifting through it with my fingers.  She's so bright, so full of life and to think that she will not always be around brings an aching feeling to my heart. I can feel Ceony's eyes on me, watching me closely. Ceony and I have been spending more time together than usual, bonding over the impending loss of Serena. Sometimes I think she hopes there will be more than just friendship between us, but her hope will be in vain.  Though they are sisters, Ceony and Serena are nothing alike in regards to personality. If Serena were the sun, then Ceony would be the moon. 

It must be tough on her to be the responsible one, to have to stay so strong when your family seems to be falling apart.  I pity Ceony and I value her friendship, but I could never love her, not after Serena. I do not think I could love anyone after her. Serena shines so brightly that everybody around her seems so dull in comparison. 

"Do you love her?" Ceony asks.

I do not reply. It's a question that does not need answering. What does it matter if I love her? It will change nothing. 

"She is going to leave us. One day we won't be able to stop her and she will go. All the love in the world could not stop her from leaving. Heaven above knows that I love her, but she will leave me too," she says, grief filling her voice. 

I pull my cap down to cover my eyes and lean back into the sand. Ceony's words sink in and suddenly I do not feel like watching Serena ride anymore. She burns too brightly for this world so one day, all too soon, she must leave it, and I must let her go. 

I am in love with a girl who is destined to be a mermaid. She has made peace with that fact. It is time I moved past it as well.