Of course you cannot go out

From the water, Magi saw May gesturing to her with his hand. It wasn't a gesture of approval, but a silent command. "Keep going. This is part of the show." Magi felt a knot tighten in her throat. Was it really part of the show? Being this... exposed?

Her heart was pounding hard. She remembered it was only her second day and how hard she'd worked to get this job at the aquarium. She couldn't risk losing it. Not because of this. Not now.

She gritted her teeth under the mask and tried to ignore the burning heat on her face. She kept moving awkwardly, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She no longer waved naturally; every movement was calculated, every turn an attempt to conceal her chest.

It was no use. She noticed visitors raising their phones. The glow of the screens illuminated their faces—smiling, curious, some even mocking. They were taking her picture. Magi felt the air escaping from her tank faster than normal.

She tried to find cover behind an artificial coral and a rock covered in algae, but the tail kept her from moving with agility. The water, now cold, made her nipples erect, visible through the transparent fabric. The more she tried to hide, the more attention she seemed to draw.

May was still watching from outside, his arms crossed. He was no longer smiling. He was watching her carefully, as if evaluating her performance. Magi felt she couldn't disappoint him. She couldn't give him a reason to fire her.

Just hold on, she thought. Twenty more minutes. I can do this.

So she continued. Swimming. Smiling weakly. Feeling every bubble that escaped her lips was a choked sigh of shame. And even though the water completely enveloped her, she felt more naked than ever.