Coral Ripley - The Sea Unicorn

Hey, wait for me! Layla flicked her turquoise tail and swam after her mermaid friends. She laughed as she caught up with them and they spun around in a circle

Layla! Stop daydreaming! Grace laughed.

Layla shook her head and looked around. She wasnt underwater; she was in her kitchen, sitting at the table with her best friends with their homework spread out in front of them.

Were you thinking about the mermaids? Emily asked.

Shhh! Grace said, looking over at where Laylas dad and her big sister, Nadia, were making dinner.

Luckily, Dad was busy reading a recipe, and Nadia had her earphones in. Oooh yeah, I looooooveeee you , she sang, dancing around as she chopped an onion.

The girls giggled. Layla beckoned to her friends, and they put their heads so close that Laylas straight, dark hair was almost touching Emilys black curls and Graces long blond hair. I was thinking about the mermaids, she whispered. I wish our bracelets would glow so we could visit them again!

Layla didnt just daydream about mermaids; she really did have adventures with them!

It had all started when she, Emily, and Grace had rescued a dolphin called Kai, who had turned out to be the pet of Marina, a mermaid princess. Marina was the coolest person Layla had ever met. She had taken the girls to her palace in the incredible underwater kingdom of Atlantis. There, to everyones surprise, Layla, Grace, and Emily had been chosen to become Sea Keepersthe only ones who could find the Golden Pearls and save Atlantis from the evil siren, Effluvia. Ever since they had returned home, the three friends had been waiting for the magic shell bracelets Marina had given them to glow and take them on another mermaid adventure!

Youre daydreaming again! Grace said.

Layla stuck her tongue out at her friend.

Come on, Emily told them, weve got to figure out what were going to do for our project!

Layla gave a dramatic sigh, but she picked up the homework sheet and tried to read what it said. There were some really long words.

Okay, so maybe we could do a poster, or a presentation Grace started.

Wait a second, Layla told her, frowning as she concentrated on the words.

Oh, sorry, Grace said. I forgot.

Whats wrong? Emily asked.

Sometimes Layla had to remind herself she hadnt known Emily that long. Emily had only moved to their seaside town recently.

It takes me a little longer because I have dyslexia, Layla explained. The letters get all muddled. But Im good at other thingslike solving problems.

Do you want me to read it for you? Emily offered. Layla shook her head.

I can do it, she said. She ran her fingers under each word, like shed been taught, breaking the tricky words into smaller parts.

Around the world, children have been going on strike from school to protest about global warming , she read. Make a project to tell people about environmental challenges. Be imaginative .

Whats global warming again? Grace asked.

It means the worlds getting hotter because people are polluting it by producing too many greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide. The gases stay in the atmosphere and make the whole world warmer, Emily explained.

Oooooohhheeeeehhhhoooohhh! Nadia sang from the kitchen. The girls laughed.

Maybe we can write a global warming song? Layla suggested. She loved to sing and dance. We could perform it at school!

No way! Emily shook her head.

I dont have a very good voice, Grace said.

Thats not stopping my sister, Layla joked. We need to do something fun, though. Ooh! How about a video? she suggested. We can film it with my dads phone. I can be the star! She held her arms above her head and did a wriggle that made her friends laugh.

Sounds more fun than a poster, Grace said.

And less writing, Layla said, grinning.

Ill be the one who films it! Emily agreed.

Hey, Dadcan I borrow your phone? Layla asked.

Her father shook his head. Sorry Lay, Im on call tonight. Laylas parents were both doctors. Ask your mom.

Mooooom! Can I borrow your phone? Layla called, leading Emily and Grace into the family room. Moms hands were on the floor, with her bottom stuck up in the air. Oops, sorry, Layla giggled. Can I borrow your phone? Its for our homework.

Layla, Im doing yoga here, Mom grumbled, but she pointed to where her phone was lying on the sofa.

Thanks! Layla grabbed it, and the girls ran upstairs to her room. Sorry about the mess, she said. Emily and Grace grinned at each other. Laylas room was always a mess. Today there was a slime-making kit scattered all over the floor, unicorn stuffed animals piled on the bed, and a feather boa spilling out of her wardrobe.

Maybe we can dress up for the video! Layla said, flinging things out of her dress-up box. I could be a news anchor. From the future! she added as she put on a sparkly sequin hat.

Layla, Emily said.

Okay, you can be the news anchor, Layla said, still rummaging through the box.

Layla! Grace said urgently.

Layla turned to see her friends hopping around excitedly. She gave a squeal when she realized why. Their bracelets were glowingthey were going on another mermaid adventure!

The girls held hands and looked down at their shell bracelets. They remembered exactly what to do because theyd talked about it every day since their last adventure. Nobody would worry about them while they were gone, because no time would pass here while they were in the mermaid kingdom.

Together, they chanted the magic words:

Take me to the ocean blue,

Sea Keepers to the rescue!

Instantly, blue bubbles appeared in the air around them, swirling like a magical whirlwind. The air sparkled with magic, and Layla felt a tugging on her clothes. Then POP! they were underwater!

Layla looked down at her beautiful turquoise tail. It was covered in tiny scales in all shades of blue and green, and her fins were coral-pink with sparkly turquoise tips. She swished her tail happily and admired how it shimmered in the water. Then Grace and Emily grabbed her hands and the girls swam around in a circle, whooping in delight, just like Layla had imagined. They were mermaids!