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“Stop whining and put on your outfit,” Nova orders. “I don’t want to miss the opening ceremony.”
I put on the outfit, but I don’t stop whining. I reserve the right to be a grumpy mermaid for at least a year. Maybe two.
Once I’ve changed, I scowl at myself in the mirror. “I think Mom got the wrong costume.”
“Why? You look sexy,” Maya says.
“I’m not sexy. I’m slutty.”
The blouse barely covers my breasts. Making matters worse, the boned corset pushes them up. The skirt isn’t as short as I feared but it has a slit on the side nearly to my hip.
The door opens. “Girls! We need to go.”
“Coming, Lily!” Nova pushes me toward the stairs. “Let’s go. You don’t want to disappoint your mom.”
“She went to all the trouble of picking out an outfit for you,” Maya adds.
Fine. Whatever. I trudge up the stairs.
“Hurry and stand in front of the front door. We need our annual picture.” Mom herds us outside and Dad snaps our picture.
“I expect a bathtub of Mermaid Moonshine to get me through this day,” I say as we begin walking toward downtown where the opening ceremony of the Moonshine & Merriment Festival takes place.
Chloe links her arm with mine. “I’m in.”
Paisley frowns at us. “Aren’t you worried about your livers?”
“Not today.” Chloe begins to skip.
I pull on her arm. “What’s the hurry?”
“I want a good seat.”
When we arrive at Main Street, a crowd is already gathering, but we manage to find five empty spots on the bleachers.
“I love the opening ceremony.” Maya is practically bouncing in her seat. “It’s so romantic.”
“It’s an act,” I remind her. I stand. “I’ll get the first round of drinks.”
Nova tugs me down. “Too late. It’s starting.”
“I can miss the first few minutes. I’ve seen it before.”
The opening ceremony of the Moonshine & Merriment Festival hasn’t changed since I was a kid. It’s always the same thing. A pirate appears and declares his love for a woman. But the woman is married to another pirate. A sword fight ensues. Yada yada yada.
It’s more fun to watch after drinking Mermaid Moonshine.
“Hear ye, hear ye!” The mayor, Lana, speaks over the microphone. “It is time to begin our—”
Flynn arrives and snatches the microphone from her. “I have come to declare my love for my wench.”
“He didn’t tell me he’s playing the pirate this year,” I mutter. I’ll add this to the list of things Flynn didn’t tell me. Right beneath him choosing my brother over me.
Maya places a finger over her lips to quiet me. “Shush.”
“Sophia Milton!” he shouts and I startle.
“Why is he calling my name?”
