Delphine delved into the small collection of books on Atlantis within the library's hallowed halls and she found herself captivated by the amount of theories, legends, and historical accounts surrounding the enigmatic city.
She grabbed some of the books and flipped through them quickly, trying to figure out if they might interest her and if they were about what she was looking for.
Each page turned seemed to unlock new fragments of information, telling about the story of that mysterious realm that had fascinated scholars and dreamers for centuries.
The books spoke of an ancient civilization that thrived on an island.
The authors differed on the details, but there were commonalities that tied all these stories together.
Delphine discovered tales of a highly advanced society, renowned for their architectural marvels, sophisticated knowledge of science and technology, and deep spiritual connection to the sea.
It was such an advanced society that it was known even in distant places.
And then she read the stories about the inhabitants of the island.
Ancient texts hinted at the remarkable capabilities and characteristics of the Atlanteans.
They were intelligent, wise and dominated in many fields.
Legends also whispered of their mastery over mystical arts, their ability to communicate with creatures of the deep, and their guardianship of ancient wisdom that transcended the boundaries of human understanding.
She was curious as to whether, being a mermaid, how she related to them.
Moreover, Delphine was looking for accounts that linked her own lineage to the tales of Atlantis.
She read about some references to mermaids and mermen, their ethereal beauty in the pages of historical records and mythical accounts.
Then she looked for information on mermaid in general and the amount of information about it confused her.
She remembered the story of Odysseus she had studied at school, who while trying to return to Ithaca with his fellow soldiers, came across the mermaids.
He managed to save himself because he put plugs in his ears and had himself tied to the boat, otherwise they would have seduced and killed him.
She wondered if there was some truth in these stories or if they were just the fruit of the author's imagination.
There was so much information that Delphine also found conflicting narratives and unanswered.
Delphine realized that to learn about her mermaid heritage and understand her place in the legacy of Atlantis, she needed to talk with Ethan and ask him to tell her the truth about what she read in those books.
Then, she closed each book and turned to her laptop to further exploration and discovery.
She connected to the library's Wi-Fi, with the intention to delve into digital archives and online resources that could provide additional insights into the enigmatic city.
She navigated through scholarly databases, academic journals, and reputable websites dedicated to archeology, mythology, and maritime history.
She delved into scholarly debates and scientific analyses, studying theories about the possible locations of Atlantis and the circumstances surrounding its fabled demise.
She examined geological studies, underwater explorations, and satellite imagery, searching for any clues that might support or challenge the existing narratives.
She examined the overlaps, discrepancies, and gaps in the knowledge, piecing together fragments of the puzzle to form a more comprehensive understanding of Atlantis and its connection to her mermaid lineage.
As the hours ticked by, Delphine's laptop became a gateway to a world of information and discovery.
She opened a blank document, her fingers poised over the keyboard, ready to write a summary of of the sea of information she had just discovered.
She found herself losing track of time within the walls of the library.
When she finally tore her gaze away from the screen, she found out that the afternoon sun cast long shadows, signaling the passing of hours.
With a quick glance at her watch, Delphine realized that she had spent hours there without even noticing.
Gathering her belongings and carefully stowing her laptop back into her bag, Delphine made her way towards the library exit.
The hustle and bustle of the morning had transformed into a calmer ambiance, as students had already left at lunch time.
Stepping out into the warm afternoon air, Delphine felt a gentle breeze caress her face.
After a few minutes, she found herself waiting at the bus stop.
She took a deep breath, summoning her courage, and reached for her phone, determined to take a bold step forward.
With trembling fingers, Delphine composed a message to Ethan.
"Hey, what's up? I was wondering when we can meet again".
She carefully crafted her words and when she pressed send, hoping he would answer as soon as possible.
Delphine stepped off the bus and made her way home.
She knew she had to face her mother's questions about her being so late, and she was already thinking about which excuse she could use.
Her mother was waiting for her in the living room, a concerned look etched upon her face.
"Delphine, why didn't you tell me that you wouldn't have lunch here? I've been waiting for you!"
Delphine's heart raced.
With a heavy sigh, she summoned her best acting skills and replied "I'm sorry, Mom. Dorian told me that he was in the city center too, and we ended up having lunch together. Then my phone died, so I didn't call."
After she mentioned Dorian, her mother's expression softened, her concern giving way to understanding and relief.
"Oh, I see. Well, I'm glad you had a chance to spend time with him, but next time, please let us know. We worry about you."
Delphine nodded, with an expression that showed her sorrow.
"I'm sorry, mom" she replied, her voice filled with remorse.
Her mother's eyes softened.
She didn't want her to feel guilty.
"Don't worry. Did you have fun?"
she asked.
Delphine nodded and smiled.
The more she talked with her, the more she felt guilty about lying to her mother and just wanted to walk away to avoid doing it.
Then, she excused herself, making her way to her room, her heart heavy with the weight of her deception.
Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced at her phone and saw a notification from Ethan.
He had answered her a few minutes before, when she had just arrived home.
Her fingers shaked with a mixture of excitement and nervousness as she unlocked the message.
Ethan had replied proposing a meeting the following day.
Delphine read Ethan's message in her mind again and again, and then replied. "Yes, but please, let's meet in the afternoon. My mother is a bit suspicious already."
As she hit send, a surge of anxiety washed over her.
The meeting would be an important moment for both of them, a chance to bridge the gap between her hidden mermaid identity and her life as a teenager.
Delphine's mind buzzed with countless questions she yearned to ask Ethan, desperate for his guidance and understanding.
The evening wore on and Delphine found herself lost in a sea of thoughts, contemplating the multitude of questions that swirled within her.
What did it mean to be a mermaid? What secrets did Atlantis hold? How did her existence intertwine with the ancient city? Why didn't she knew about it and why didn't she live there?
The thirst for knowledge burned brightly within her, fueling her determination to uncover the truth.
Sitting at her desk, Delphine opened the notes on her laptop and her eyes scanned the words she had diligently typed during her library research.
The more she read through the information about Atlantis, the more she felt a surge of curiosity.
There were so many uncertainties filling the gaps left by ancient legends and fragmented historical accounts and she wanted to know as much as possible.
How much of what she had read was true? How much was embellished or distorted over time? And perhaps more importantly, how much knowledge had been lost or remained hidden beneath the ocean's depths?
Suddenly, she realized that in those days she was neglecting her been friend, Dorian.
She was so caught up in thoughts and the desire to know more that she thought of nothing else.
She decided to send him a message, hoping to meet him soon again.
"Hey! When is the next boat ride? I can't wait. Miss you!"
She anxiously awaited his response, hoping he would understand that she missed him and wanted to spend some time together.
Moments later, a notification chimed, indicating Dorian's reply. "Miss you too. Do you want to meet tomorrow after lunch?"
She instantly realized that she couldn't, because she had already settled a meeting with Ethan.
Regretfully, she decided to decline and apologise. "Oh, Dorian, I wish I could meet you tomorrow, but I'm actually quite busy with some things. Can we reschedule for another day?"
She felt the urge to tell him the truth about what was happening, why she was so busy and why she had been less available, but she couldn't.
But she trusted him implicitly, knowing that their
bond was built on honesty and understanding.