A True And Lifelong Love

20250811

Prompt from DailyPrompt.com

Being the only non-human in your school was tough. Muriel knew that she was lucky, nobody here was mean about her being so different, there was no deliberate exclusion, they just… didn’t get it. Sometimes they really didn’t get it. And then the fact they didn’t mean any harm almost made it worse because it was unfair to be upset at them.
Still, despite all the stress and uncertainty of moving here, it had been worth it just for the ocean. She vividly remembered her awe and delight standing on the beach for the first time. Seeing the light twinkle on the water, awash in the rich briny scents, the roar and hiss of the waves calling her to dance.
Without thinking she rushed forward into the spray, the utter rightness of the cold salt water enfolding her body filling her with giggles and the need to move. To splash, to swim, to dive under and be fully embraced.
Those primal seconds had felt more like home than any house she’d ever lived in.
That had been… a decade ago? But all she had to do was close her eyes and sniff her seashell necklace and the brine-scent let her escape back to that beautiful rush. It was her comfort blanket.
And every time she walked into the ocean, that memory was with her. If ever she found herself tuning out, or even thinking of skimping on her swimming practice, she’d cast her mind back to the wholehearted wonder of that first time and look at the sea with renewed appreciation.
After all, while swimming came as naturally to a siren as breathing, becoming a certified lifeguard still took a lot of work. Being part of the rescue crews who sailed out to rescue ships required even more qualifications, but that was what she’d set her sights on.
She wanted everyone, no matter their species, to be able to enjoy the sea as much as she did. To be safe to float and splash and dive.
Not only because it was the most blissful joy she could imagine; the more people loved the sea, the better they’d take care of the sea, and so the more they’d be able to enjoy the sea, and so they’d have more reason to love it… A cycle without end, and no losers.
Muriel kicked off her shoes, the neon orange rubber clogs standing out like a beacon on the grey-brown rocks. Easy to find. And now that she was at the water’s edge she didn’t need to worry about sharp stones.
Webbed feet were so awkward on land! But here…
She took a moment to splash her freed toes in the water and admire the view. Then she threw herself forward into the chilly welcoming embrace of her true love.
Ahhh.
Every time called back to that first time. Each new memory held less marvelling but more joy.
She hoped to never lose that wonder entirely.

Prompt was “Write a piece that shows how a single moment in a person’s childhood still affects them to this day.”