Saltwater Kisses: His Merman Prince

Chappter 1: Avel Lockwood

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

SILVERGLADE ACADEMY

AVEL

A rush of excitement coursed through me as I stepped off the jet at Silverglate Airport. I couldn’t believe I was finally here, ready to start my varsity journey and embark on a new chapter of my life.

Jett and I hurried to the curb, where our ride awaited us. As we got in the car, I could not help but feel both nervous and excited. This was the first time I was so far away from the familiar comforts of home, but the excitement of all the new experiences that lay ahead quickly drew me out of it.

As we began driving through the city, I realized it was even more beautiful than I had imagined, and there was a sense of freedom in the air. My cousin Jett was in his fourth and final year, and he told me that life was fast here.

"Wow!" I marveled at how the city sparkled at night. It was one of its most beautiful features, and as someone from a small, quiet town, it captivated me.

Silverglate was synonymous with glitz and glam because it was a center for the entertainment industry and home to some of the world's wealthiest people.

"How long until we get to the Academy?" I asked Jett, and he told me we were about 15 minutes away. Taking out my phone, I called my friend Fia, who was already ahead. I saw messages from her on my phone, asking if I had landed yet. She immediately called me back, yelling for me to hurry and get to campus.

I told her I was almost there and explained that we had been delayed at the airport and finally calmed down. With a sigh, I hung up the phone and slid down the window. Jett then spoke again, saying we were almost there before asking what I thought of the city.

I told him it was beautiful, taking in the magical atmosphere as we drove past billboards and marquees advertising the latest blockbuster films and upcoming events.

Suddenly, a massive sign reading Silverglate Academy appeared in front of me, causing my eyes to widen as I gazed at the largest and most beautiful university I'd ever seen. Seeing it in person was a completely different experience than the images I had seen.

Reporters swirled around us, illuminating our surroundings with their cameras as our car came to a stop and tour guides wearing university insignia welcomed us. As the tour guides led us through the campus, Jett explained that he wasn't staying on this side but wanted to see me in my room first.

The guides were fine with it, and we took the elevator to my dorm. We arrived, and they showed me the code before ringing the bell since someone was already inside.

The door flung open after a moment, and Fia lost it when she saw me. She leaped into my arms, screaming, eliciting smiles from the guides, who had already formed an incorrect impression of us based on her reaction.

People frequently assumed Fia and I were a couple; we pretended to be when she received unwanted attention, but that was where it ended, on pretense. I was gay, but only she and I knew that, as I hadn't had the balls to come out to anyone else yet.

My luggage was brought in, and I introduced her to Jett once again. She had met him before, but I was not sure if she remembered him.

Jett left after we confirmed our plans, promising to catch up later. Fia wanted to take a shower, but just then the door opened, and Jett entered again, saying he had forgotten to ask about the party.

“What party?” I asked but Fia replied instead. "This party," she said, walking to the closet to retrieve a gift bag and hand it to me. She explained that the party was for first-year students and would begin in two hours.

I had forgotten about it. The bag contained an invitation to the party, and we responded in the affirmative to Jett who was still awaiting our answer. There was no way we would miss it. I asked if he was going, and he said yes, and agreed to meet up with us there.

"Are you going to shower first?" Fia asked and I replied she could go first.

"This is going to be epic," I muttered as I walked to my closet to unpack my belongings, excitement bubbling in my chest.

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TWO HOURS LATER

Fia's jaw dropped open in surprise as we entered the club where the party was being held, taking in the pulsing lights and thumping beat of the music.

The air was thick with excitement as students danced and socialized, their enthusiasm contagious. This institution went all out for its parties, booking the most prestigious clubs to host them.

The atmosphere was electric as we made our way inside, the bass vibrating through our bodies as we spoke and moved toward the bar, where we ordered drinks and enjoyed the scenery.

“Come, let’s sit down!” Fia said, and we took our seats, turning away from the bar and toward the dance floor. But just then, I felt a magnetic pull towards the entrance, as if someone was watching us. I looked up, and there in the doorway was the hottest guy I had ever seen.

“s**t!” I cussed wide-eyed.

“What? What is it?”

“I think I just found him.”

“Who?”

"The guy who yanked not only me out of the closet, but the hangers, shoe rack, and last season's wardrobe."