After telling Chloe everything, she basically stares at me like I’m Medusa.

“Say something,” I urge. We’re lying on my bed in the basement and instead of talking, she reaches for my hand and presses it to her belly.

“She’s kicking,” Chloe says softly.

“That’s a miracle,” I say. “But--”

“No buts,” Chloe says, sitting up. “My point is, whatever happened to you is a miracle too.”

“Okay, you realize how crazy that sounds? Losing my virginity isn’t a miracle.”

“Sure, having sex with four hunky sailors isn’t a miracle. But swimming for miles, breathing underwater, talking to a shape-shifting seal? Harlow, that’s basically the definition of miracle.”

I squeeze my eyes closed. “You’re right. It is. But, Chloe, why me?”

“Why not?”

“Shouldn’t you be freaking out right now, calling your BFF a liar? Why do you even believe this insane story?”

She twists her lips. “Take off your sweats.”

“What?” I scowl.

“I mean it. I want to see your legs. You said they sparkled. If your story is true, they should still be all glittery.”

I stand from the bed, suddenly scared that I made it all up. That when I take off my sweats my legs will be nothing but sun-kissed.

Which would mean I am crazy.

I undo the knot on the tee-shirt, so the hem hits me mid-thigh. Then slip off my pants.

Chloe gasps. “Holy shit.”

I look down. My legs shimmer, all the way from my toes to my-- I turn from Harlow and open my dresser drawer, pulling out a pair of panties, and putting them on. Then I lift my shirt to my belly button.

“Your tattoo,” Chloe whispers. “It’s ...”

“I know.” We both stare at it, the golden outline, the green shading, it doesn’t look like a tattoo anymore. It looks like a glowing brand on my leg.

“Does it hurt?”

I shake my head. “No, but I don’t understand what’s happening.” I sit on my bed, finally letting my emotions free. Sobs wrack my body and I try to calm down, but I can’t. Beside me, Chloe runs her hand in a circle on my back.

“Shhh, sweetie. It’s okay. Whatever you are... Whatever this is...you are still you.”

I shake my head. “Don’t you see? I’ve never known who I am. And now it’s more confusing than ever.” I sniffle a cry, wiping my eyes.

She shakes her head. “Harlow, before I met the fathers of my child, I didn’t understand who I was either. I spent my life ashamed of my past, embarrassed by my story. I know you carry the pain of being abandoned as a baby, but I understand because that happened to me, too.”

I nod, knowing Chloe was in foster care for most of her life.

“And the thing is, Harlow, I’m not scared of you, or for you. I’m happy more than anything, that you’re finally getting answers.”

I snort. “Answers? Chloe, I’m further from answers than I’ve ever been.”

“That’s just not true,” she says. “Look at you, you’re changing--literally. It might not be the answer you expected, but this is happening for a reason. You can’t hide from that now just because this part is scary.”

I shake my head, incredulous. “You think I should just go back to the ocean and swim until I find some magical form of clarity?”

Chloe sighs. “I think things happen for a reason. Maybe relax and trust that everything will work out perfectly.”

“Perfectly?” I roll my eyes. “I know you have the picture-perfect life, Chloe, but I think you’ve lost your footing in reality.”

Instead of pushing back in offense, she just smiles. “You’re wrong. Perfectly might not mean what you think perfect is but this will all play out how it is supposed to.”

“And you just trust in that, impossible as it sounds?”

“What’s the alternative?” Chloe smiles, placing her palms on her belly. “Stressing out constantly? Worry and second guess everything? That’s no way to live.”

I exhale, staring at my legs. “So, what’s next?”

Chloe shakes her head and laughs. “You’re the one who wants to be more badass. I’m not giving you any answers.”

“Fair enough.” I stand from my bed and look in my full-length mirror. “I really need a shower.”

“Yep. And we have a dinner date, remember?”

I nod. “Has to be early because I have a sunset cruise at seven.”

“Okay, then go shower, and let’s rally at five at the Maui Brewery, okay?”

“Sounds good.” I give her a smile. “And maybe I’ll wear a maxi dress to cover this leg situation.”

I swallow, I may be able to make it sound light-hearted, but deep down it isn’t. The whirlpool was real. The dolphins singing to me was real. All of it was.

And if my legs are changing, what else is going to change?

Tears suddenly flood my eyes.

“I’m scared.” I wrap my arms around myself, wondering what might happen to me next. The guys called me a mermaid. Their siren. My voice was hoarse last night from a call I don’t really remember making.

What am I becoming?

“Oh, Harlow,” Chloe says, wrapping her arms around me. But it doesn’t work that well with her nine-months-pregnant belly. “It’s gonna be okay. I mean, maybe...,” She takes a shaky breath. “Maybe you are made for something a lot bigger than you know.”

“I’m just scared of losing the life I have ... my family and friends...what if ...” I start crying again and can’t finish my thoughts.

“Hey,” Chloe says softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and fixing her eyes on mine. “No matter what happens--if you become some fish or mermaid or whatever--you’ll still be my best friend. Always.”

“Promise?”

She smiles. “Yeah, but it also means you can’t shift into some sea creature before I have this baby. I need you at the hospital.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Okay. Then go get cleaned up. I want to buy you a birthday drink, even if it’s a day late.”