Jessica

Sunlight fractures through turquoise waves as Jessica arcs upward, tail shimmering like crushed sapphire. She breaches with a soft ploop, seaweed tangled in her brown undercut, blue squinty eyes scanning the coral reef’s neon pulse. A curious octopus drifts nearby, ink swirling playfully. She grins, flicking saltwater from her nose. “Alright, Kelpie—let’s see if you’re faster than last Tuesday.”