Coral Ripley - Coral Reef Rescue

Grace took a deep breath and looked down at the bright blue water. She was standing with her toes at the edge of the swimming pool, the familiar smell of chlorine in her nose, and her swimming cap tight over her long blond hair. At the side of the pool, her coach gave her a thumbs-up. Grace never normally felt nervous, but her team, the Dashing Dolphins, had been training for this competition for ages, and she really wanted to do well. She shook her hands and legs, trying to loosen up.

Go, Grace, go! Go, Grace, go!

Grace grinned as she heard her best friends chanting. She looked up at the stands and finally spotted them. Layla was wearing a glittery top that caught the light as she jumped up and down, and Emily was twisting her curly hair around her finger. Next to them was Graces mom, her hair in a messy bun and her glasses perched on the end of her nose, her granddad with his bushy white hair, and her little brother, Henry, who was in his swimming shorts and waving at her. Just do your best! Mom called, crossing her fingers. Grace nodded and pulled the goggles down over her eyes.

Take your marks, the announcer said. Grace raised her arms over her head and focused on the water. Readygo!

As the horn sounded, Grace dove into the water and kicked as hard as she could. She knew she was a fast swimmerbut was she fast enough? She was aware of the girl in the next lane pulling ahead of her. If only she had a mermaid tail, she could have won the race without any effort at all!

Grace tried to concentrate. She couldnt be a mermaid, but maybe she could think like one. Shutting her eyes, she imagined that she had to swim as fast as she could, because there was a shark chasing her! Grace kicked her legs and pulled her arms through the water, imagining sharp teeth gnashing right behind her. She kicked her feet harder and harder, swimming faster and fasteruntil suddenly she touched the side of the pool. Catching her breath, she heard a cheer from the stands. Shed won!

That was incredible! her coach said, hurrying up to her with a towel as she pulled herself out of the pool. That was your personal best!

And the winner is Grace Ryback! the announcer cried.

In the stands, Graces friends and family were all cheering. Grace rushed over to them, dripping and grinning.

You swam like a mermaid! Mom said, wrapping her in a big hug.

Theres no such thing as mermaids, Henry scoffed.

I wouldnt be so sure! Granddad said, his eyes twinkling. Did I ever tell you about the time my fishing boat was caught in a storm and I heard the most beautiful singing

Mom grinned and shook her head as Granddad started telling his tale, Henry staring up at him wide-eyed. As Granddad talked, Grace caught Layla and Emilys eyes, and they shared a secret smile. They knew that mermaids were real, because they had met them!

It had started when theyd rescued a dolphin from a fishing net. But Kai was no ordinary dolphin. He was the pet of a mermaid princess. Princess Marina had taken them to Atlantis, an underwater kingdom, hidden from human eyes by mermaid magic. Atlantis was in grave trouble, because an evil siren called Effluvia was threatening to take over the kingdom. To everyones surprise, the three human girls had been chosen to become Sea Keepersthe only ones who could find the magical Golden Pearls and use their power to stop Effluvia.

Go and get changed, Grace, Mom interrupted her thoughts. Henrys going to have his first lesson, and then well all go home for dinner.

I thought you could already swim, Henry, Emily said.

Henry stood up and showed her his flippers, waddling along like a penguin. I can! Im learning to be a scuba diver! he said excitedly, giving her a gap-toothed smile.

Hes not old enough to actually scuba dive, Graces mom told them, but hes going to start snorkeling. Hes got his assessment with the teacher today, and then he starts lessons next week.

Its going to be great. Im going to see lots of fish. HeyI bet you dont know why the jellyfish blushed. Henry put a snorkel on. Mmm-mam bur bua GAH!

What? Layla said, laughing.

Why did the jellyfish blush? Emily asked curiously. Theres a jellyfish called a pink meanie, but I dont think its pink because its blushing She watched a lot of nature documentaries and knew lots of animal facts.

Noooo! Henry took the snorkel out of his mouth. The jellyfish blushed because the sea WEED! Laughing, he waddled over to where the sub-aqua club was setting up their scuba diving gear. Layla giggled.

I cant believe I fell for that! Emily groaned. Grace laughed as she took off her swimming cap and shook out her wet hair. As she did, she noticed something amazingher shell bracelet was glowing!

Layla gasped, and Emily turned to them both with wide eyes. Their bracelets were shimmering too. That meant it was time for another mermaid adventure!

Um, I need to get dressed, Grace said hurriedly.

Ill come with you! Layla said.

Me too! Emily agreed.

Great, see you back here. Henry wont be long, Mom said.

Okay! Grace called as she, Emily, and Layla hurried away.

The Mystic Clam must have remembered where another Golden Pearl is hidden! Emily whispered as they rushed into the changing rooms and ducked inside a stall. No time would pass in the human world while they were away, but they didnt want anyone to see them magically disappear.

Grace grabbed her friends hands as they looked down at their shining shell bracelets.

Together, they chanted:

Take me to the ocean blue,

Sea Keepers to the rescue!

Bubbles appeared in the air, swirling and surrounding them with magic. The air sparkled blue as the bubbles spun faster and faster. Then POP! they were underwater, the scales on their tails glittering in the crystal-clear sea. They were mermaids again!