“Aibne!” The teacher yelled as he slammed a book on my desk.

I shot up and looked at the teacher, with a horrified look. I rubbed me eyes hearing the students giggle near me. The teacher sighed as he shook his head and walked off. I sighed right back at him while leaning back in my chair. I chewed on my bottom lip. I looked around the classroom, which was a perk of being in the back, and saw everyone was either talking, taking notes, or on their phones. And yet, I get in trouble for a small nap.

I rolled me eyes and looked down at me fingers, seeing me Grandfather's silver ring. A small smile crossed me face. I remembered his tall tales about mermaids. I shook me head, looking towards the clock knowing the bell was about to ring. I began to pack me bag and started tapping along the zipper doing so. Waiting for the bell to ring, only cause me to think about my Grandfather, how he was a fisherman, always telling me tales of mermaids. He would make sound effects for the story, making sure that I could add in stuff whenever I wanted too. I smiled as the bell rang, allowing me to jump and wait for everyone to leave the classroom.

Being the lonely kid in school has its advantages, especially whenever the school isn’t the stereotype school. Everyone here doesn’t care if you're homosexual or even a goth kid. If someone likes you they will talk to you or otherwise, you have to make a move. For me, I had people approach me but I brushed them off. I don’t need or want any friends. I would rather have me Grandfather’s old tales to remember than have friends.

Having friends just wasn’t me liking.

Seeing the bus was being loaded up, I shoved me hands in me pockets and ran towards the bus, dark clouds forming into view. I smiled, taking a seat in the front, and grabbed the white earbuds and plugged them in. Me eyes looked out the window. Me blue eyes looked out the window and saw people were walking or running in the rain. So, they can come home. I chewed me bottom lip as I thought about what me Papa said.

The whole town thought he was mad since he was the only coming back from the fishing ship they thought he killed them all. Yet, they never found any body parts, to me, me Papa was a great man. He was there for me ever since my parents died and made sure that I was safe in me bed. Now I had to live with me aunt, which made me move from Ireland to the United States.

I felt the seat dip down, I looked and saw a smiling boy. His curly hair moved every time he did the slightest movement, his bright blue eyes looked like he could make any war stop. Yet he wore bathing suit shorts and a ripped up tank top all that complimented his brown skin. I stared at him and wondered how his parents would let him out wearing that.

“Hi! My name is Dylan. What’s yours?” He asked.

I just stared at him.

“Well I can tell that you’re new on this bus, I’m guessing that you’re also new to town?” He asked.

I just blinked.

He sighed, “I’m going to take that as a yes! But don’t fear, I’m here to help!”

“Why?” I asked.

He jumped. I never meant it to be rude but he just smiled. He grabbed me by the arm and started to shake it. I licked me lips staring at him, hoping that he would understand that I don’t like to be touched. Instead, he just laughed and let go of me arm, falling back in his seat.

“Man, everyone thinks that you’re mute. But you just talked, am I the first person you talked to? Or like the second one. ‘Cause I’ll totally be cool with that, I mean my brother says that I talk too much but I don’t believe him.” Dylan went on some more.

I stared at him but felt meself getting squished against the window. I looked and saw another boy sitting next to Dylan. They had the same bright blue eyes but this boy has thick brown shoulder length hair with dyed pink tips. His hair tied back in a bun, but somehow I couldn’t stop looking at him. His brown skin was perfectly smooth, he had long eyelashes but I saw a black eye. Which made me frown.

“Cause you talk a lot, little bro.” The perfect guy said.

Dylan pouted and hit him on the arm, “Why are you here? Aibne is my friend now.”

I raised me eyebrow, but his brother chuckled. He looked at me, I felt me face turn red and I looked away. I didn’t feel like being judged again, because I already have enough of it at home. Dylan taps on me arm and looks at me, with confusion on his face.

“Don’t mind Cove, he’s always in a sour mood,” Dylan said.

“How do you know me name?” I asked.

“Cool, you even have an accent,” Cove said.

“Oh, everyone here knows your name! I just asked you that question just in case I sound creepy. Don’t wanna be creepy, ya know?” Dylan said.

I shook me head. I don’t know what he is talking about.

“So is it true? Are you really from Ireland?” Cove asked.

I nodded, “You think it was fake?”

“No, no one usually moves from another country, you know? Especially here in the town of Hapi.”

“It wasn’t me choice! You think I wanted to leave me homeland?” I yelled.

I could feel some eyes looking at us. Me face burned bright as me red hair. I huffed at them. Me arms crossed over me chest, waiting for one of them to say something else. How could they think I was lying? Why would I lie about that?

“My,” Dylan said.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“You said, ‘me choice’ not ‘my choice’. Not wanting to be rude or anything, you know?”

“I shall say me because I want too. It’s me choice.”

Cove smirked, “Got a lot of spunk, huh?”

“Why are y’all sitting here anyways? Shouldn’t y’all be with friends talking craic?” I snapped.

“Craic?” They asked.

I sighed, “I meant gossip. All you do is gossip in this town.”

“You mean your Grandfather?” Dylan asked. “Is it true that he was crazy? I mean, he believed in all that mermaid junk.”

I jumped up and looked down at them. Thankfully, it’s me stop. I stared at them waiting for one of them to move. Cove seems to get the message and moved out of me way. I had to climb over Dylan's legs.

I turn back to look at them, “Why don’t y’all, eff off!”

I climbed down the steps. From behind me, I heard the boys arguing with each other. Then footsteps followed me. I turned around and saw the brothers. They are calling out me name but I turned around. I seriously wish they would eff off. Don’t they at least understand what that means?

Everyone should know what that means! It’s very easy to understand.

“Look, Aibne, I’m sorry for what Dylan said. He doesn’t think before speaking!” Cove called out.

“Sod off!” I yelled back.

Then a hand grabbed me wrist. I was flipped around to face the perfect looking boy. His bright blue eyes stared into me blue eyes. Some of his hair fell out of the bun from him running after me. Me heart slammed against me chest from him touching me.

Man, these brothers are really thick, aren’t they? They can’t seem to take a hint. I’m trying to run away from them not be near them. So, why do they keep following me?

“Let me go.” I hissed.

“You’re quick. I almost didn’t catch you.” Cove said.

Completely ignoring me request.

“This complete murder for you to listen to me huh?”

“What?”

“Hard! Why don’t you understand any Irish slang?”

“‘Cause you are the first Irish man around here.”

“Me Aunt is Irish.”

I regretted the moment it left me mouth. Me Aunt is trying everything to be like everyone else around here. I think it’s completely mental but I couldn’t tell her otherwise. She wouldn’t let me. Her kids, me cousins, have no idea what I’m saying either. They stare at me with the same confusion like how Cove is right now.

“Aibne, I’m sorry! I didn’t make it sound like your Grandfather is crazy. It’s just the talk of the town or what you call it. Craic of the town.” Dylan said.

“As I said before, sod off,” I said.

“No,” Cove said as he leaned forward.

Our breaths mixed together. We are both staring at each other with glares. Neither of us is backing down. A feeling told me that this could last all day. Blue eyes both staring at each other with hatred. But a voice broke us.

“Aibne?” Shannon, me cousin, asked. “Are you okay?”

“I’m just deadly!” I yelled back.

Shannon suck in a short breath, “Want me to get Mom?”

“What does deadly mean?” Cove whispered.

“Fine,” I replied.

Then I heard me Aunt’s voice, “Aibne? Is that a friend of yours?”

“No. I would rather be in me room and listen to me music. He’s a real dosser, Aunt June.”

“Aibne! You will apologize right now.” She snapped.

“Why should I? He’s acting like it.” I hissed.

Cove narrowed his eyes at me. A playful smile spread across his face. He let go of me wrist with a sigh. He grabbed his brother’s arm and walked away. He waved back to me Aunt June, Shannon and finally me. Our eyes lingered for a moment longer than it should be but I could care less.

I stomped up the steps to the house. I passed Shannon and Aunt June and made it to the living room. I set down me bag on the chair. Grabbing a cup and stared at the wine sitting on the counter. Back in Ireland, I can drink it freely. After all, everyone in Ireland loves to drink. It’s our favorite thing to do.

I reached out to grab the wine but Aunt June slapped me hand. There is a reason why I can’t drink. Aunt June won’t let me. Something about the law not allowing me too. Stupid law.

“Who was that?” Aunt June asked.

“No one,” I replied.

“Aibne, I don’t want Shannon or Rosie to see that. They shouldn’t be seeing their older cousin fight with people from the town.”

“I wasn’t fighting. I just told them to sod off and they didn’t listen.”

“Aibne! You will not use that language in this house.”

“Why not? It is to Irish for yer? Should I not be allowed to wear green, also? Tell me the rules again Aunt June. I could also deepen me accent for yer, also. Just to make sure you don’t forget where I come from.”

Aunt June sighed, “Aibne, I know it’s hard since Papa passed away but you need to move on. Your parents wouldn’t want you to stay in the past.”

“Don’t talk about me parents like you know them! You left the homeland breaking me father’s heart!”

She flinched, “I told you my reasons.”

“I heard them all before. How you couldn’t handle it. How you were ashamed to be a part of our family. Well, guess what? I don’t care!” I yelled as I stomped down the hallway to me room.

I slammed the door to get me to message across. That I don’t want no one to bother me. Me fingers pressed the play button and the sounds of the ocean filled me room. I turned the knob higher until it no longer turned. I sighed as I sat on me bed listening to the soothing sounds of waves crashing against each other.

Me eyes went to the window staring outside. Me thoughts filled with the stories from Grandfather. I laid back on the bed, slowly closing me eyes. Allowing the dreams to fill me brain with the tales of mermaids and sirens.

“Aibne, tell me again why mermaids can’t touch silver?” Grandfather asked me.

“It takes away their tails!” Thirteen year old me exclaimed.

He smiled, “That’s right.”

“Papa? How come people think you’re insane?”

“‘Cause they are afraid.”

“Afraid?”

“Yes, Aibne, afraid. Some people don’t want to admit the truth because then everything falls apart. They don’t want to believe in fairy tales like our people before us. They’re afraid.”

“I’m not afraid, Papa. I believe.”

“Good, good. Ye shouldn’t be afraid. As long ye keep silver around yer neck then nothing calm harm ye. Remember that for me?”

“Of course, Papa.”

Grandfather smiled as he tucked me in bed. On me chest laid a silver necklace. The small charm that hung around me father’s neck when he was alive. Grandfather pulled the blanket to me chin and rubbed me hair.

“Don’t let others control what ye believe in, Aibne. Be proud that ye know the truth while others don’t.”

“And if I find a fella who I really like?”

Even at a young age, Grandfather and I both knew that I never had an eye on girls. Me eyes were only on boys. I could never feel the same for a girl like I do for a boy.

Grandfather nodded, “Ye makes sure he believes. Otherwise, ye will have an unhappy relationship.”

“Like Aunt June and her husband?”

“Yer Aunt, my daughter, threw away her beliefs willingly. No one forced her. She never believed in my stories anyway.”

“Did father?”

“Of course he did. He was proud to wear silver to keep away the bad creatures. Yer father was brave like ye, Aibne. Never forget that also.”

“I won’t, Papa.”

“I won’t,” I mumbled.

I opened me eyes to see that it’s almost time for the sun to rise. I thanked God for making it Saturday and then I noticed I slept through the whole day and night. Just what I needed. I hopped off the bed for a quick shower. No one in the house is awake aside from Rosie, she is sitting on the couch watching movies, and I took the jacks for a shower.

Jacks means bathroom.

After taking a shower, I walked back to the bedroom for new clothes. I changed into a pair of grey skinny jeans and a simple white t-shirt. I slipped on me shoes and walked out of the room. Rosie looked up from her movie to look at me with a smile.

Just like Shannon, Rosie takes the physical features of Uncle Manny. Long black hair, she is tall and slender with dark brown eyes. Her olive skin is matched with her nighttime clothing, shorts and a tank top.

“Going on a walk again?” She asked.

“Yes,” I said with a nod.

Rosie nodded, “What do you call mom in Irish slang?”

She is one of the only people who want to know certain phrases. Every morning she would ask me questions for a certain term. I would answer for her. Rosie is one of the only people I can be near without wanting to go bloody insane.

“Oul Dear,” I replied.

“And taxis are called, Jo Maxi, right?”

I nodded.

“Thanks, Aibne. I’ll tell Oul Dear whenever she wakes up.”

“Thanks,” I said.

I walked out of the house with me bag against me back. I closed the door quietly so no one would wake up. I can’t have Aunt June taking away me morning walks. It’s the only time I have time for meself without people staring or gawking at me.

“Aibne!” I heard someone yell.

I looked around to see Cove looking at me. He is waving like a moran. I slapped me forehead to show me frustration. I cursed every single deity out there. How did Cove even know that I’m out here?

I stopped walking and waited for him to run towards me. Cove stopped in front of me with a large smile. I couldn’t help but think how pretty he is. How pretty his eyes are with the dark grey sky behind him.

Then I slapped meself. Cove jumped back from shock. I actually put me hand against me cheek.

“Are you okay?” Cove asked.

“Why are you here? Are you following me?” I asked.

“No,” Cove said as he looked away. “I just usually see a redhead boy walking out here every morning. So today, I just followed him.”

“You’re a bloody stalker, aren’t you?”

“Aibne, you can’t miss red hair. No matter how hard you try.”

“What are you doing here anyway? This me walk and me time to be alone.”

Cove rubbed the back of his neck, “I wanted to make sure everything is cool between us. Dylan didn’t mean to say those things. He never thinks before speaking. I try to warn him all the time.”

“Listen here Cove, I don’t have friends for a reason. The town thinks me Papa was crazy. I refuse to be near anyone who thinks that.”

“I don’t think that. Neither does Dylan.”

I stared at him with a frown.

“Look, it may sound crazy but I swear it’s true. I know something is off about this town.”

I rolled me eyes.

“Your Grandfather isn’t insane! I saw them too.”

“Them?” I asked.

“Mermaids. Sirens. Whatever you call them but I saw them. Why do you think our town is named Hapi?”

“If you are pulling me leg then I will bloody hit you. I promise that!”

Cove grabbed me arms, “I’m not! They hang around the rocks of the ocean singing something. I don’t understand but sometimes it fogs up my mind. Is that what happens, Aibne?”

I pulled away from him. I looked at him like he was insane before shaking me head. Me fiery red hair bounced along me forehead. I turned away from him and walked down the sidewalk. Cove called me name but I could less.

I don’t want him to make fun of me or tell everyone at school that I believed him. I rather not have this to be a sick joke. I will rather be the loner kid who believes in the tales Grandfather told me. Not be the loner kid who gets picked on for this.