James had always been different. Ever since he could remember, every contact with water transformed him into a merman. He had managed to keep this unusual secret hidden, but today, he faced a real challenge.

His online friends, Eric, Matt, and Dallas were coming over. They had never met in person before, and James was terrified they might discover his secret. He wondered how he could avoid any contact with water.

The day arrived, and his friends showed up at his doorstep. They were excited to finally meet, and James, despite his anxiety, was happy too. The day started with video games and pizza.

Everything was going well until Matt suggested they play a water balloon fight. James froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He tried to persuade them to play something else.

Eric and Dallas, however, were already enthusiastic about the idea. They started filling balloons with water. James could only watch in horror, his secret teetering on the edge of exposure.

The water balloon fight started. James dodged and ducked, but he could see the inevitable. A balloon was heading his way, and he braced himself for the transformation.

Just as the balloon was about to hit him, Dallas intercepted it. The water splashed on her instead of James. He sighed in relief, his secret still safe.

The day moved on, and James was able to steer the activities away from water. His friends were none the wiser, and he was relieved. The day ended with a movie and popcorn.

As they left, James felt a sense of accomplishment. He managed to keep his secret and enjoy the day with his friends. He knew he could handle whatever came next.

Little did he know, his friends had sensed something unusual about James. But they decided not to press him. After all, everyone has secrets, and they respected his.

Despite the challenges, the day strengthened their friendship. It was a day of laughter, bonding, and shared secrets. And for James, it was a day of triumph over his fears.