Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rikki Chadwick stood at the entrance of the small coastal town of Gold Coast, her heart pounding in her chest. She had only been here a week, and already she felt like an outsider. As she walked through the bustling halls of the local high school, whispers followed her. The students were all abuzz about Zane Bennett, the reigning motocross champion.
“Did you see Zane’s latest race?” a girl gushed to her friend. “He’s so amazing!”
“He’s totally mine!” another chimed in, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Rikki rolled her eyes. She had heard enough about this Zane already, and from what she gathered, he didn’t sound like her type. In fact, he sounded like trouble.
“Hey, Rikki!” Cleo Sertori called out, her bright smile cutting through the noise. Rikki had been paired with Cleo for a science project, and they had formed an instant bond. “You coming to the race this weekend?”
Rikki raised an eyebrow. “Why would I want to watch a bunch of guys on bikes?”
Cleo laughed, her eyes sparkling. “It’s not just ‘a bunch of guys. It’s Zane. You must see him in action. Trust me; he’s different on the track.”
“Different how?” Rikki asked, sceptical. “I’ve heard he treats everyone like trash.”
Cleo shrugged. “He can be a bit of a... troublemaker, but he has his moments. Lewis, my boyfriend, has known him forever. He’s not all bad.”
“Yeah, but isn’t that what everyone says about bad boys?” Rikki replied, crossing her arms. “I’ll pass.”
“Come on, Rikki! Just give it a chance. You might be surprised!” Cleo insisted.
Reluctantly, Rikki agreed, not wanting to disappoint her new friend. Maybe it would be entertaining to watch the so-called ‘champion’ in action, even if she didn’t expect to be impressed.

----------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------

The weekend arrived with a buzz of excitement as Rikki found herself at the motocross track, surrounded by the loud engines and the roaring crowd. She stood next to Cleo, her boyfriend Lewis and their friend Emma, who were practically vibrating with excitement. The air was thick with adrenaline, and Rikki couldn’t help but feel a sense of thrill herself.
Finally, Zane appeared, clad in his racing gear, looking every bit the part of the champion. The crowd erupted in cheers and Rikki found herself crossing her arms again, trying to appear disinterested. But her heart betrayed her as she watched him mount his bike, the confidence radiating off him like heat from the sun.
As he sped off, Rikki couldn’t deny the thrill of watching him race. He was skilled, weaving through the course with a grace that was almost mesmerizing. When he crossed the finish line first, the crowd went wild. Zane basked in the spotlight, grinning like a devil as he raised his arms in victory.

“See? Isn’t he amazing?” Cleo squealed, her eyes shining.
“Yeah, he’s got talent,” Rikki admitted grudgingly. “But it doesn’t make him a good person.”
After the race, Zane wasted no time making his way over to them, his charm turned up to the max. “Hey, ladies! Enjoy the show?” he asked, flashing a smile while putting his arm around Lewis’ shoulders
Rikki stood slightly apart, crossing her arms tighter. Zane’s gaze landed on her, and a smirk spread across his lips. “And who’s this? The new girl? You must be Rikki.”
“Yeah, that’s me,” she replied coolly. “I’m not impressed.”
Zane raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh really? Not even a little? I’m usually pretty good at winning over new fans.”
“Maybe you should try harder, you know I’m not a fan” Rikki shot back, turning away. She could feel his gaze on her, a flicker of challenge sparking in the air.

“I like that girl” said Zane to an astonished Lewis.
“Really?” Lewis raised an eyebrow. “She made it clear that she’s not interested”.
He could see something different in Zane’s look, something he’d never seen. “I know, but she’s different”
Lewis laughed. “You can’t lose your mind over a girl just because she’s the first one not to fall after you smiled at her”. “Well, we’ll see,” said Zane.
Next to them, Cleo and Emma shared a knowing smile.

--------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------

The bustling hallways of the Gold Coast High School were alive with the chatter of students, lockers slamming, and the occasional burst of laughter.
Among the throng, Zane Bennett sauntered confidently, his trademark smirk plastered on his face while he was on his way to one girl in particular—Rikki Chadwick.
Rikki, with her wild curls and sharp tongue, was the only one who seemed immune to Zane’s charms. He found it infuriating and exhilarating all at once. As he spotted her leaning against her locker, arms crossed, a playful glint sparked in his dark eyes.
“Hey there, Rikki,” he called out, striding over with a swagger that would make any other girl weak in the knees.
Rikki rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, please, Zane not today. I have already to deal with a math test this morning.”
Zane chuckled, undeterred. “You know, I think you could use a little excitement in your life. How about I take you out for some ice cream after school? We could even have a ride on my bike.” He raised an eyebrow, leaning in closer, his confidence unshaken.

Rikki’s friends, Cleo and Emma, were nearby, trying to stifle their laughter. Cleo nudged Emma, whispering, “He’s really trying hard this time.”
“Yeah, but it’s just not working,” Emma replied, her eyes twinkling. “Rikki’s not one to fall for the classic bad boy routine.”
Rikki shot them a quick glance, and they both gave her encouraging thumbs up, clearly enjoying the show. “Nice try, Zane,” she said, a teasing smile on her lips. “But I prefer my ice cream without a side of cheesy pick-up lines.”
Zane feigned hurt, clutching his chest dramatically. “Ouch! C’mon, Rikki! I thought we had something special. You know, we could be the power couple of the Gold Coast.”
“Power couple? You mean like a superhero duo? Because I’m not sure even Superman could save you from this embarrassment,” Rikki shot back, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Lewis, who had been observing from a distance, joined the conversation, trying to salvage Zane’s pride. “Maybe you should just stick to the basics, Zane. You know, like asking her if she’s seen your lost charm bracelet or something equally lame.”
“Very funny, Lewis,” Zane replied, rolling his eyes. “But I’m not giving up that easily. Rikki just needs to see the real me.”
“Yeah, the ‘real you’ that spends most of his time flexing in front of the mirror?” Rikki quipped, her tone light but pointed.
Zane leaned against the locker beside her, his posture relaxed. “Okay, okay, but you have to admit, I could be fun. And seriously, underneath this charming exterior, I’m a pretty great guy. Just give me a chance.”
The bell rang, signalling the start of the first period, and Rikki turned to walk away, her friends trailing behind. “No thanks, Zane. I think I’ll pass on the ‘great guy’ experience. I prefer my adventures to come without the drama of a high school romance.”

Zane watched her go, his smirk fading slightly as he processed her words. He knew she was different from the other girls, and that intrigued him more than anything. Just then, Lewis nudged him, breaking him from his thoughts.
“Dude, you’re really trying hard, huh?” Lewis said, a hint of admiration in his voice. “But she’s not going to fall for the usual lines.”
“I know,” Zane admitted, running a hand through his hair. “It’s just… I don’t know what it is about her. There’s something there that I can’t quite figure out.”
“Maybe you should try being yourself” Lewis suggested, shrugging.
“Yeah, maybe you’re right,” Zane muttered, watching Rikki walking away, her laughter ringing in his ears. “But how do I do that without making a fool of myself?”
“Just be honest, man. It might be what she’s looking for,” Lewis replied, patting Zane on the back before heading to class.
Zane took a deep breath, glancing down the hallway where Rikki had disappeared. Maybe it was time to dive deeper than just the surface.
With a newfound determination, Zane decided he’d keep trying. This time, he’d approach Rikki with sincerity instead of charm. Because maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for something real between them—if only he could find the right way to show her.
And who knew? Perhaps in the pursuit of capturing Rikki’s heart, he’d discover a little more about himself along the way.

Chapter Text

Rikki leaned back against the cool wooden railing of the porch, her bare feet dangling over the edge as she stared out at the shimmering expanse of the water; The night was warm, the stars twinkling like diamonds scattered across a velvet sky. Cleo and Emma were inside, rummaging through Cleo’s bag for snacks, leaving Rikki to her thoughts.

As she watched the moon reflect off the water, her mind drifted, but it wasn't long before her peace was interrupted. Laughter floated through the air, and Rikki's gaze snapped toward the source. It was Zane—his dark hair tousled, his signature smirk plastered on his face as he leaned casually against the railing of the dock with a girl at his side.

Miriam.

Rikki felt her stomach drop.

"Seriously? Not him again," she muttered under her breath, crossing her arms defiantly. She had lost count of how many times Zane had tried to flirt with her. He was charming, no doubt about it, with an easygoing personality that made it hard for most girls to resist his advances. But something about Zane rubbed Rikki the wrong way.
Maybe it was his overconfidence or the way he seemed to enjoy the thrill of the chase, but no matter how handsome he was, she had never found herself falling for his charm.

“Rikki? You okay?” Cleo's voice broke through her thoughts as she and Emma stepped onto the porch, snacks in hand. They followed her gaze, and Rikki could feel the curiosity in the air.

“Just... Zane being Zane,” Rikki replied, forcing a nonchalant tone, though inside, her heart raced. She didn’t want to care, but she couldn’t help stealing glances at the scene unfolding before her.

Zane's laughter was infectious, and Miriam leaned closer, her hair catching the moonlight as she tossed her head back in delight at whatever Zane had just said. Rikki clenched her fists, the irritation bubbling within her. Why did it bother her so much to see him with someone else?
“What does he see in her? She’s such a pick me kinda girl”

“Rikki, I think you might be a little jealous,” Emma whispered, a teasing smile on her face.

“Jealous? Me? Please,” Rikki scoffed, forcing a laugh that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I just don’t see what’s so great about him. Or her.”

“Right,” Cleo said, raising an eyebrow. “Because being the only girl he’s never been able to charm is definitely not a factor.”

Rikki rolled her eyes, but deep down, she knew they had a point.
Zane’s pursuit of her had always been relentless, and while she enjoyed the banter, she had never intended to fall for him. Yet, the sight of him with Miriam, the way he leaned in closer, the way he seemed so involved with her—it made Rikki feel something she couldn’t quite place.

“Come on, let’s go inside,” Rikki said, her voice sharper than she intended. She turned away from the scene but couldn’t shake the echo of Zane’s laughter as they retreated into the house.

As the night wore on, Rikki found it impossible to concentrate on anything else. She joined her friends in a game of cards, but her mind kept drifting back to Zane and Miriam. The way they interacted felt too intimate, too easy. She hated that she cared, that it made her feel small and insignificant.

“Rikki?” Cleo's voice pulled her back to reality. “You’re really not here right now, are you?”

“Sorry, just… distracted,” Rikki admitted, her heart racing as she thought about Zane. She hated that he could have this effect on her, that he could make her feel this way when she had been so determined to keep him at arm's length.

“Is it Zane?” Emma asked, her eyes keen.

“No! Absolutely not!” Rikki exclaimed, frustration spilling over.

Cleo exchanged a glance with Emma, a knowing smile creeping onto her lips. “Maybe you should give him a chance.”

Rikki shot her a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I think he really likes you and maybe you could see a different side of him.”

Rikki scoffed again, but the words lingered in her mind. Was it possible that he was drawn to her because she didn’t swoon at his every word? She shook her head, dismissing the thought.
It was ridiculous.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, Rikki finally excused herself, claiming she needed some air. She stepped back out onto the porch, the cool breeze ruffling her hair. She stared at the water, her heart pounding as she recalled Zane’s laughter. Why did it feel so important to her? Why couldn’t she shake this strange mix of jealousy and annoyance?

----------------------------- -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------

One evening, Rikki found herself on the beach, the sun setting behind her as she fought back tears. An argument with her father had left her feeling defeated and alone. The waves crashed around her, mirroring the turmoil within.

“Rikki? Why are you out here alone?” a voice broke through her thoughts. “Are you okay?”
Rikki looked up to see Zane approaching, his usual cocky demeanour replaced with genuine concern. “Fine” she snapped, wiping her eyes. “I just can’t do this anymore”

He sat down beside her, his presence oddly comforting. “Can’t do what??”
Rikki hesitated, then sighed. “This. Everything. It’s too hard, no one understands.”
“Yeah, I know exactly how it feels.” He said “What happened? You’re a mess”
“It’s just... my dad and I had a fight. He doesn’t understand me. I feel like he doesn’t even care.” Rikki answered on the verge of tears
Zane nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “I get it. My dad and I argue all the time. He has these expectations that I can’t meet. It’s frustrating.”
Rikki glanced at him, surprised. “You? Mr. Perfect? Really?”
He smirked, but there was a vulnerability in his eyes. “Believe it or not, I have my struggles too.”
“So that’s why you’re such a jerk?” She said with a little laugh.
Zane smiled. “Shut up”
As the conversation flowed, Rikki began to feel a connection with Zane that she hadn’t expected. They talked about their families, their dreams, and the pressure they faced.

When the night grew darker, Zane stood to leave. “I’ll walk you home.”
Rikki hesitated but decided to let him accompany her. As they walked, she felt a warmth growing between them.
At her doorstep, she turned to him, her heart racing. In a moment of impulse, she leaned in and kissed him softly.
“Thank you,” she murmured, pulling away.
Zane looked stunned, but there was a spark in his eyes. “Anytime, Rikki.”

Chapter Text

After that night, things became complicated.
Rikki tried to avoid Zane, not wanting to confront the feelings that were starting to blossom. Determined to keep her distance, she was caught off guard when Zane called out to her one afternoon as she strolled along the beach.

“Rikki!” he exclaimed, catching up to her. “Okay, so when?”

Rikki furrowed her brow in confusion. “When what?”

Zane flashed a playful smirk. “When are we going out?”

Rikki shook her head, incredulous. “The two of us? Forget it.”

“Oh, come on!” he urged, eyebrows raised. “We can’t disappoint everyone like that.”

“Disappoint who?” she challenged even more confused.

“Your friends! How are they ever going to tell you I’m not good for you if we’re not going out? And my mates? They’re just waiting for the chance to tease me about hanging out with the weird freaky chick. C’mon, a lot of people have a lot riding on this!”

“Wow, you have friends?” she retorted with a laugh.

“Rikki…” he began, his tone turning serious.

“Zane, we can’t. Just forget it,” she insisted, trying to walk away.

“You might be saying no today,” he countered, stepping in her path, “but the other night when we kissed, your lips they were saying yes.”

Rikki hesitated, her heart racing. “Zane, the list of reasons why we should never, ever go out is endless. On the top of it is the fact that up until a few days ago, the thought of you made me want to hurl.”

“And now?” he pressed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I… I find you less repulsive,” she admitted reluctantly.

“Progress!” he declared, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. “So, about my offer?”

“Let me think about it,” she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Really?” he asked, his excitement palpable.

“No,” she shot back, a smirk tugging at her lips.

“Come on, Rikki. I’m not all bad you know?” he said, trying to take her hands in his

Rikki took a step back “Zane…”

“Just give me a chance”

Rikki felt a flutter of annoyance mixed with something unidentifiable.
Zane was relentless, and while she appreciated the banter, she wasn’t about to let him think he could win her over that easily. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that. But I’m not into thrill-seekers who think they can charm their way into anyone’s heart.”

“Maybe you just need to see me in action once again,” Zane said, his eyes sparkling with a challenge. “How about I take you to my next race on Friday?”

“Or I could find anything else to do instead,” Rikki replied. “Whatever could be much more interesting than your stunts.”

“Come on, Rikki,” he said, leaning in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s just a race. It’ll be fun.”

Rikki looked into his eyes, debating whether to give in to the thrill of spontaneity. But she quickly shook her head, her resolve strengthening. “You really think I’d enjoy that? Watching you show off while I sit there, bored out of my mind?”

Zane smirked, clearly enjoying their back-and-forth. “Bored? You’d be screaming for me to do a backflip.”

“Not a chance,” she shot back, laughter bubbling up. “If you think I’m going to cheer for you, you’ve got another thing coming.”

“Fine, how about this? Let’s make a wager. If I win the race, you’ll come out with me.”

“And if you lose?” she asked, a hint of curiosity creeping into her voice.

“Then I’ll leave you alone forever. No more flirting, no more anything” he replied with a grin.

Rikki considered it for a moment. The thought of Zane disappearing from her life wasn’t exactly unappealing, but part of her was intrigued. “Alright, you’re on. But don’t come crying to me when I don’t show up.”

Zane stepped a bit too closer, a triumphant gleam in his eye. “Just wait. You’ll be there, cheering for me.”

Before she could protest, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a quick, surprising kiss.
Rikki's heart raced, caught off guard by the sudden boldness. She leaned back, eyes wide, a mixture of shock and annoyance flooding her senses. “What was that for?”
Zane shrugged, a smug smile on his face. “Just wanted to see if I could make you blush. See you at the race, Rikki.”

As he walked away, Rikki shook her head, half-amused, half-annoyed. Maybe Zane Bennett was more than just a charming motocross champion. But no matter what happened, she was determined to keep her guard up—at least until after the race.

---------------------- --------------------------------- ---------------------------------------

Friday arrived, and the air buzzed with excitement.
Rikki stood at the edge of the racetrack, her heart pounding in her chest for reasons she couldn’t quite decipher. The sun dipped low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the gathering crowd and the sleek machines lined up for the motocross race.
She had agreed to come, not because she wanted to, but because Zane had issued a challenge—and she had never been one to back down from a bet.

Cleo and Emma flanked her, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. “I can’t believe you're actually here!” Cleo exclaimed, bouncing on her heels. “This is going to be epic!”
“Epic? More like a glorified testosterone fest,” Rikki muttered, crossing her arms defensively.

She glanced over at Zane, who was chatting animatedly with his friends, a confident grin plastered on his face. He looked so at home in this environment, surrounded by the roar of engines and the thrill of competition.

“Come on, Rikki,” Emma chimed in, nudging her playfully. “Could you at least pretend you’re having fun?”
“But I’m not” Rikki rolled her eyes. “I still don’t like Zane, even after you’re all trying to convince me he’s not that bad”

Lewis joined the conversation, with a knowing smile on his face. “You might be surprised, Rikki. Zane can be a lot more than just a thrill-seeker. He’s passionate about what he does, and that counts for something.”
“Passionate or reckless? There’s a fine line,” Rikki countered, glancing at Lewis as if he could help her make sense of her mixed feelings about Zane.
“Just keep an open mind. You might find that there’s more to him than meets the eye,” Lewis replied with a shrug, his tone encouraging.

As the crowd began to gather around the starting line, Rikki’s heart raced for an entirely different reason. The energy in the air was palpable, and she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement.
She was here because Zane challenged her, that’s what she continued to repeat in her mind, but the truth was her gaze kept drifting back to him: he looked stunning in his racing gear, his confidence radiating like the sun setting behind him.

“Alright, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Gold Coast Motocross Championship!” the announcer’s voice boomed over the loudspeakers, cutting through Rikki’s thoughts. The crowd erupted in cheers as the racers revived their engines, the sound echoing in her ears.

Rikki was standing on the sidelines, her heart caught in a whirlwind of emotions. She watched as Zane climb onto his bike, his demeanor shifting from charming flirt to serious competitor. The transformation was striking, and for the first time, Rikki felt a flicker of admiration for him.
As the race began, Rikki found herself leaning forward, her breath catching in her throat as the bikes tore off the line. Zane surged ahead, weaving through the other racers with the ease of someone who had spent years mastering his craft.
The way he handled the bike was mesmerizing, and despite her best efforts to remain indifferent, Rikki felt her heart race in time with the thundering engines.

“Look at him go!” Cleo shouted, jumping up and down. “He’s going to win!”
“Yeah, if he doesn’t crash first,” Rikki mumbled, but even she had to admit that Zane was in his element. He maneuvered through jumps and turns with a grace that was almost artistic, his focus unwavering.
As the race progressed, the cheers grew louder, and Rikki found herself clenching her fists, caught up in the excitement. Zane was leading, and with every lap, Rikki felt her resolve slipping. She had come here to scoff at his antics, but instead, she was rooting for him—something she never thought possible.

The final lap approached, and Zane was neck and neck with another racer. The crowd roared, and Rikki’s heart raced alongside them.
Then, in a flash of speed and skill, Zane pulled ahead, crossing the finish line first. The crowd erupted into applause, and Rikki found herself clapping along, a smile spreading across her face despite her efforts to remain aloof.

As Zane dismounted his bike, his face flushed with victory, he scanned the crowd until his eyes landed on Rikki. He grinned, his triumphant expression making her heart flutter. “I told you I’d win!” he called out, striding over to her, his confidence practically radiating off him.

“Yeah, well, you haven’t been that bad” Rikki said, trying to sound annoyed, but her smile betrayed her.

Zane leaned in closer, a cocky grin plastered on his face. “A deal is a deal, Rikki. What do you say? Dinner tomorrow night?”

Caught off guard, Rikki hesitated, the reality of her situation crashing down on her. She had never intended to actually go out with him, but there was something about the way he looked at her that made her heart race. “I don’t know, Zane. I mean…”

“You aren’t afraid of me, are you?” he teased her

Rikki rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth twitched up. “Fine. One dinner. But it means anything.”

“If you say so,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the crowd began to disperse, but Zane lingered, clearly reluctant to let her go. “I’ll pick you up at seven. I will impress you.”

“Impress me? Now you’re really pushing your luck,” Rikki shot back, but there was a lightness in her tone she couldn’t hide.

As Zane walked away, Rikki felt a mix of excitement and dread. She had agreed to go out with him, and the thought sent her heart racing.
She turned to her friends, who were grinning like Cheshire cats.

“What was that?” Cleo exclaimed, throwing her arm around Rikki’s shoulders.

“Nothing,” Rikki replied, trying to mask her growing nerves. “Just a little talk”

----------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

The next evening came faster than Rikki anticipated, and as she stood in front of her mirror, she felt a whirlwind of emotion. Excitement, anxiety, and a hint of anticipation danced in her chest. She wore a simple yet flattering sundress, its light blue color reminiscent of the ocean she loved so much.
“Just a dinner,” she reminded herself as she adjusted her hair. “It doesn’t mean anything.”
But deep down, she felt a nagging voice whispering that this was more than just dinner.

When the doorbell rang, Rikki’s heart raced. She took a deep breath, smoothed down her dress, and opened the door to find Zane standing before her, looking effortlessly handsome in a fitted t-shirt and jeans. The playful grin on his face sent a rush of warmth through her.

“Wow, you look incredible,” Zane said, his eyes widening in genuine admiration.

Rikki felt the heat rise to her cheeks. “Thanks, you’re not that bad too.”

“Ready for some fun?” he asked, extending his hand toward her. She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in his, feeling a jolt of electricity at the contact.

The evening unfolded in a blur of laughter and conversation. Zane took her to a casual diner that was a local favorite, filled with quirky décor and the smell of burgers and fries. They shared stories, teasing each other about their lives, and Rikki found herself relaxing more than she thought possible.
They finished their meals, and as they walked outside, the night air was warm and fragrant. Zane led her to a nearby park, where the soft glow of streetlights illuminated the path. They talked and laughed, sharing more about their lives.

As the stars began to twinkle overhead, Rikki felt strangely at ease. Zane was charming in a way she hadn’t expected, and she found herself enjoying his company more than she thought possible.

Zane walked her home and then he turned to her, his expression shifting. “I’ve had an amazing time tonight, Rikki,” he said softly, stepping closer. “I really like you.”

Rikki’s heart raced, her breath catching in her throat. She felt the warmth of his body close to hers, and her mind raced with the implications. “Zane, I... I...”

Before she could finish, he leaned in, his intentions clear.

Rikki’s heart fluttered at his words. She felt a rush of warmth, but uncertainty twisted in her stomach. She took a small step back, her mind racing. “Zane…”

But he stepped closer, searching for her eyes. “I know it’s fast, but I can’t help how I feel. You’re incredible.” He leaned in slightly, his heart pounding in anticipation.

Rikki hesitated, feeling the pull of his earnestness. The way he looked at her made her heart race. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the hope. For a moment, she thought about the risks, the vulnerability of opening herself up to someone new. Yet, something deep inside her urged her to embrace the moment.

Taking a breath, she leaned back in, closing the gap between them. The world around them faded as their lips met softly, a tentative brush that quickly blossomed into something more. Rikki felt a rush of warmth as she kissed him back, a smile forming at the corners of her mouth.

In that fleeting moment, time stood still, and the world around them faded away, leaving only the promise of what was yet to come.

Chapter Text

Rikki stepped onto the school grounds with a sense of trepidation she hadn’t felt before.

She’d barely had time to process the whirlwind of her date (and kiss) with Zane, and now she was back at school, where she was sure everything would be different.
Maybe people would notice the way her stomach fluttered when she thought about him? She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. She wasn’t ready for the world to know.

She walked through the front gates, trying to act casually, "Hey Rikki!" Cleo called, spotting her from across the courtyard, and Rikki winced. Her best friend practically skipped over, her bright smile almost too wide. Emma was right behind her, walking at a more leisurely pace but with a knowing look on her face.
They were teasing her with their smiles before they even opened their mouths.

"So," Cleo started, raising an eyebrow, “you and Zane…?"

Rikki felt her cheeks turn pink, her mind racing for a way to downplay it. "Me and Zane what?" she muttered, a little too quickly. "Nothing…"

Emma cut in before she could finish. "Oh, come on. Nothing happened? Really?" She shot a glance at Cleo. "Zane told Lewis about your Saturday night out. And of course Lewis told Cleo who told me and… I swear, Lewis told us everything the second he found out. You should have seen his face. He couldn’t wait to tell us."”

Rikki groaned inwardly, "I might kill him,"

“Zane or Lewis?” asked Cleo laughing

“Probably both, just to be sure” and they all started laughing.

Cleo and Emma exchanged knowing looks. They were clearly enjoying this.

"Well, someone had to spill the beans," Cleo teased, nudging Rikki in the side “or you would’ve go on saying you hated him”

“Never said I hated him,” she argued, though it sounded a little weak. "I just… I wasn’t interested. But you know, people can change."

Cleo smirked. "Mmhmm. You really weren’t interested, huh?" She gave Rikki an exaggerated look, and then glanced over at Emma, who giggled.

"I don’t know what you're talking about," Rikki said, shaking her head as if to dismiss their teasing, but she couldn’t help but smile.

"Sure, sure" Emma said with a smirk. "How did he convince you?”

Rikki looked away, glancing down at the ground. "A bet. But really, it’s not such a big deal" she muttered, though she wasn’t sure why she was trying so hard to convince them. She liked Zane—she knew that much. But she wasn’t quite ready to have everyone know, especially not with how complicated things were.

Just then, as if to make her words sound even more hollow, Zane appeared in the hallway. Rikki’s heart skipped a beat when she saw him; his signature smirk was in place, but there was something in his eyes that made her feel more than a little self-conscious.
Zane spotted her immediately and his lips curled into that familiar grin. He walked up to her with the usual swagger, and before Rikki could do anything about it, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her right there in the hallway.
Rikki's eyes flew wide open in shock, and she froze. She could hear Cleo and Emma laughing behind her, but she was too stunned to react properly. Zane pulled back with a playful gleam in his eyes.

"Guess that makes it official, right?" Cleo said with a wink, looking at her friends.

Before Rikki could protest, she heard the unmistakable sound of a few students gasping and giggling. Her heart raced, and she felt like she was under a spotlight. She pulled away, but Zane didn’t seem bothered by the attention.

"Oh, no," Rikki groaned, looking around. Her worst fear had just come true.

Cleo and Emma were trying to stifle their laughter, their faces flushed with amusement. Even Lewis, who had wandered over to see what was going on, was chuckling as he gave Rikki a teasing look.

"So much for keeping it low-key," Emma teased, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

"Maybe it is in fact a big deal," Cleo added, grinning at Rikki’s flustered expression.

Rikki shot them a mock glare, though she couldn’t help but laugh a little. She hadn’t expected Zane to kiss her like that—especially in front of practically the entire school.
Zane, clearly enjoying the moment, draped an arm around her shoulders. "What’s the matter? You didn’t think I was going to kiss you in front of our friends?" he asked, his tone just a little too casual, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
Rikki tried to hide her smile, still a little dazed. "You could have waited until we were alone," she muttered “or maybe just avoid it in front of half of the school”.
"Oh, I’m pretty sure that would have been boring," Zane teased, lowering his voice just enough for Rikki to hear. "Besides, I don’t really care about all these people."

The whispers started almost immediately, spreading like wildfire. Girls shot Rikki envious glares, and a few tried to get her attention, only to be met with her indifference. She couldn’t even look at Zane without feeling both embarrassed and excited at the same time. He made her feel like she was in the middle of a dream—or maybe a nightmare.

"Well, that’s one way to make sure everyone knows," Cleo said, nudging Rikki again. "How do you feel about being the center of attention now?"
Rikki shot her a look, but the smile on her face betrayed her. "I don’t know," she said dryly, "but I guess it will be over soon."
The bell rang, signaling the start of the first class. The group slowly began to disperse, with Cleo, Emma, and Lewis still joking among themselves. But as they headed to class, Rikki couldn’t shake the feeling that things had changed—maybe not just with her and Zane, but with everyone around them.

------------------------ -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----------

By the time the bell rang for the end of the school day, Rikki couldn’t wait to get outside. The last few hours had been a blur of whispered comments and stares from classmates, but she was glad to finally leave the building behind.
"Hey, Rikki, you coming to the beach with us?" Cleo asked, walking up with Emma, Zane, and Lewis. "Zane says we can take his boat out."
“Yeah, why not?”

Rikki looked at Zane, “No training today?”. Despite the chaotic morning, she couldn’t help but feel a little excited about spending the afternoon with him.
Zane put an arm around her shoulders pulling her close “I’m good enough, and I deserve some relax after a race. I have plenty of time to get ready for the next one”
"You’re so full of yourself" she said with a grin, her voice low so only he could hear.

Spending the day having fun in the ocean was a chance to get away from the gossip.
The group piled into Zane’s boat, the wind whipping through their hair as they headed toward Mako Island. As the boat pulled farther away from the shore, the conversations lit, and Rikki allowed herself to relax, laughing with her friends as they made their way to the secluded island.
As the boat skimmed across the water, the sound of the engine roared in Rikki’s ears, but it didn’t drown out the laughter of her friends. The sun was setting, casting a glow over the water, and the air was warm, thick with the salty breeze. Rikki felt her shoulders relaxing, her earlier anxiety from the school day melting away with each passing second. The group had settled into a comfortable rhythm, teasing one another and enjoying the perfect afternoon.

Zane steered the boat confidently, one hand on the wheel and the other draped casually over the side. Every now and then, he shot glances at Rikki, his smirk never quite fading. She couldn’t deny the pull he had on her, even though she had promised herself that things would stay casual. Still, there was something about him that made it hard to think straight, especially when his eyes locked with hers like that.

"Hey, don’t get too comfortable," Zane called out, as they neared the island. "We’re about to hit land."

"Can’t wait!" Emma said, practically bouncing in her seat. "This place looks so cool. I’ve heard so many stories about Mako Island. Some of them sound crazy."

Rikki raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Emma lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, stuff about strange creatures in the water and legends about people disappearing."

Rikki laughed, brushing it off. "That sounds like one of those 'don’t go in the woods at night' stories. Like the kind you tell little kids to scare them."

"Trust me, it’s not just a story," Emma said with a wink. "I’ve heard it from people who swear they’ve seen things. You might just get lucky today, Rikki."

“Yeah,” Cleo agreed “people around here never go to Mako for a reason”

Before Rikki could respond, the boat came to a gentle stop, the engine sputtering as Zane eased it up to the shore. The group jumped out, each of them finding their balance as they stepped onto the sandy beach.

"This is it!" Zane said, looking around with a satisfied smile. "Mako Island. Let’s explore."

They walked along the shore, the sand warm under their feet, while Zane led the way, eager to show them more. Rikki stayed close to Cleo and Emma, her eyes scanning the scenery. The island was beautiful in a rugged, untouched way, with its dense trees and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. It felt almost too perfect—like a place no one had touched in years.
"Zane, are you sure we’re allowed to be here?" Cleo asked, her voice full of concern. She glanced over at Rikki, as if wondering if they should turn back.
"Relax," Zane said, flashing a grin. "I’ve been here plenty of times. We won’t get into any trouble."

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the path as Rikki, Emma, Cleo, Zane, and Lewis made their way deeper into the woods. The day had been filled with adventure, but they hadn’t expected to stumble upon the narrow tunnel hidden among the thick trees. It was small, almost forgotten, and it piqued their curiosity.

“I think we should check it out,” Zane said with a grin, stepping forward as though the tunnel was calling to him. His eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Cleo asked, glancing nervously at the dark opening ahead of them. “We don’t know where this leads.”

“Why not?” Rikki said, her voice carrying the same thrill that had driven them all to explore the island’s secrets. She was already moving ahead, confident and daring. Emma followed closely, her steps slower but filled with anticipation.

The boys hesitated for only a moment, but when they saw the girls pushing ahead, they followed without a word. They crawled through the tunnel until they emerged into a small, open cavern. The air inside was thick with moisture, and the sound of dripping water echoed off the walls.

“This is incredible,” Emma whispered, looking around at the walls, glistening with minerals. “I didn’t know Mako had places like this.”

The group wandered deeper into the cave, their footsteps echoing, until they reached a wide, hidden cavern. And there, in the center of it all, was a sort of natural pool. The water, blue and still, seemed to call to them, glowing faintly with an eerie, otherworldly light from the cracks above.

“It’s... beautiful,” Cleo breathed, kneeling at the edge of the pool, her fingers just skimming the surface. "We're inside the volcano"

Zane and Lewis were already exploring the rest of the cavern, but the girls were mesmerized by the pool. Rikki, always the adventurer, was the first to step into the water, testing its coolness with her toes. “You only live once, right?” she said with a sly grin.

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick swim,” Emma agreed, her hesitation melting as she watched Rikki wade further into the pool.

“I don’t know,” Cleo said, still uncertain. “What if it’s dangerous?”

“Dangerous?” Zane’s voice came from behind them, as he approached with Lewis, his arms raised in mock surrender. “It’s just water. You’re gonna be fine.”

The girls exchanged glances, and finally, Cleo gave in, stepping into the water alongside Emma. The coolness of the pool was refreshing, and the soothing sensation made the tension of the day dissolve into a quiet calm.

They floated for a while, enjoying the stillness of the cave, the gentle ripples in the water, and the faint glow that seemed to grow stronger as the night progressed. The full moon began its climb into the sky, and as it slowly rose over the mouth of the volcano, the light hit the opening just perfectly, casting a brilliant beam across the entire pool.
For a moment, the girls were entranced by the sight, the moonlight shimmering on the surface of the water like liquid silver. But then something began to change. The water, which had been calm moments before, started to bubble gently, as though something beneath the surface was stirring. The shimmering glow grew brighter, and the entire pool seemed to pulse with an energy the girls couldn’t explain.

“What’s happening?” Cleo asked, her voice trembling as she tried to keep her footing in the now-churning water.

“I don’t know,” Emma replied, eyes wide as she watched the water writhe and shimmer. The calmness of the cave was gone, replaced with an eerie tension that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. “This... this isn’t normal.”

From the edge of the pool, Zane and Lewis had been watching. Their expressions shifted from curiosity to alarm as they saw the water beginning to bubble and glow.

“That doesn’t seem good,” Zane muttered, his voice tense. “You guys need to get out of the water, now.”

Rikki glanced back at him, her heart pounding in her chest, Cleo nodded, her panic rising. “Let’s go. We need to get out of here, right now.”

As soon as the bubbling and glowing started it soon faded. The girls were still in the pool, the panic clear on their face.

“We should leave,” Lewis said, his voice tight with urgency as he turned to the others “But there’s no way out”

“There’s a tunnel” said Emma, her voice trembling “underwater. I think it leads to the ocean, from there we can go back to the boat”

“Okay, let’s go,” said Zane jumping into the pool followed by Lewis.

Without hesitation, the group dove into the dark waters of the tunnel, swimming quickly toward the ocean. The shimmer of the pool seemed to fade as they left the cave behind, but the lingering sense of dread stayed with them as they made their way back through the twisting underwater path.
Finally, they surfaced in the open ocean, gasping for air. The night was calm again, but the feeling of unease had not left them. They swam to the shore, their thoughts racing with unanswered questions.

“What…has…just…happened?” Cleo asked breathlessly

“I don’t know,” Rikki said, her mind still reeling. “It was weird.”

Emma shivered, the water now feeling cold against her skin as she stood on the beach. “That was... Was it about the moon? The pool? I don’t get it.”

Zane and Lewis exchanged uneasy glances, but neither of them had any answers.

One thing was certain: they had uncovered a mystery, one that was far bigger than any of them could have imagined. And somehow, they knew they would have to face it again.
Without a word they all went back on Zane’s boat to make their way back home.

------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

The sun hadn’t fully risen when Rikki, Cleo, and Emma each experienced something strange in their own bathrooms. Each of them, alone and still groggy from a night of restless sleep, felt an unusual sensation as they washed their faces.

Rikki had been splashing her face with cool water when a tingling sensation coursed through her arms and legs. Her skin prickled, and for a brief moment, she thought she could almost feel the water changing the texture of her skin—like something inside of her was awakening. But when she quickly wiped her face and dried off, the feeling faded, and she dismissed it as just a weird morning sensation.

Cleo, just a few minutes behind, felt the same odd rush of energy while rinsing her hair. She paused, staring at the water swirling around her fingers as if something was trying to communicate with her. She shook it off, figuring it was a combination of sleep deprivation and the stress from school.

Emma, meanwhile, felt it while brushing her teeth. The tingling feeling in her legs made her stop mid-brush, and she gazed into the mirror, convinced something wasn’t quite right. But as quickly as the sensation appeared, it was gone, leaving her confused and unsettled.

None of the girls knew what had happened or why, and they didn’t discuss it that morning. The weird sensation seemed to disappear as quickly as it came, leaving them to focus on their study session later in the day.

Later that afternoon, the group gathered at Zane’s house for their “study session,” though everyone knew it was just an excuse to hang out and relax. They all lounged around the living room, the large windows letting in the soft, late afternoon light. The pile of textbooks and notebooks was mostly ignored as everyone chatted, shared jokes, and caught up on their schoolwork in between breaks.
Zane had set up a makeshift study area outside by the pool, under a large patio umbrella. Rikki, Cleo, and Emma sat on lounge chairs with their books open, though no one was paying much attention to the material. The air was warm, and the scent of the saltwater breeze drifted in from the ocean. Even Lewis seemed to be distracted from his homework, throwing the occasional glance at his phone as he chatted with Zane.

“So, anyone want to go for a swim after this?” Zane asked casually, resting his feet on a nearby chair.

Rikki smiled but didn’t respond. She still had the strange feeling from the morning lingering in her mind. Something about the day before—about Mako Island—kept circling in her thoughts, like an unanswered question. She glanced at Cleo and Emma, but they seemed to be equally distracted.

The sudden sound of a glass shattering broke the quiet conversation; Lewis had hit his water glass with an elbow and, as it splashed across the floor, the water fell on Zane’s clothes and against Rikki’s arm as she sat nearby.

Before anyone could even react, the same strange sensation Rikki had felt that morning exploded through her. Just a few seconds and she had grown a tail. A very long, orange, scaled and shimmering tail.

She couldn’t breathe for a moment, her mouth open in shock.

"Oh my god!" Cleo shouted, jumping up from her seat. "Rikki, what just happened?!"

The others turned, wide-eyed, as they watched a very confused Rikki.

"What the hell is this?" Emma gasped, staring at her friend. “Rikki, you... you’re a mermaid!”

Rikki was in shock, her heart raced as she stood there, half in disbelief and half in awe. "I—I’ve never been before," she stammered, her voice thick with confusion. "This—this can’t be real."

Cleo and Emma moved closer to her, their eyes locked on Rikki’s sparkling tail.

"I felt something this morning," Cleo said, wide-eyed. "But I didn’t think it was anything important."

“I did too,” Emma said, her voice shaking a little. “When I was washing myself, I felt this… weird feeling. But I didn’t think it meant something.”

Lewis and Zane’s expressions mirrored the girls’ shock.

“What the hell?” said Zane after a little

“Do you think you girls might be…you know, like this too?” Lewis asked Cleo and Emma.

“You think we could?” said Cleo, a note of panic in her voice “You think we could be…mermaids?”

“Maybe we should try to jump into the pool?”. Emma’s voice was thoughtful “Rikki’s tail appeared when Lewis splashed her. Okay let’s do this together” and grabbing Cleo’s hand she jumped into the pool.

It occurred just a few seconds and they both grew a tail, the exact copy of Rikki’s.

The girls, still processing everything, exchanged confused glances. Rikki seemed now excited “We… we turned into mermaids?”

"I think we did," Cleo replied, her voice shaky. "But how? And why?"

There was a brief silence, and then Rikki looked down at her tail again. “What if it’s because of yesterday? Mako Island…” She paused, her mind racing. “We were in the water there, and something happened, you know, with the moon and the bubbles.”

Emma nodded. “That could be it. That water—it was strange. Maybe it’s like... this now?”

The others stood in stunned silence for a moment, still processing. The boys stood at the edge of the pool, staring at the three of them in awe.

"This is insane," Lewis muttered. “I mean, this is literally happening right in front of us."

Zane looked at the girls, his face serious but with an edge of curiosity. "You guys were already different the moment we got back from Mako. Maybe... maybe you were chosen for this. I don’t know how or why, but it’s real."

"I don’t know what’s happening," Rikki said, shaking her head. "But we need to figure this out. What if we can’t turn human again?"

“There’s always the circus” mumbled Lewis. “Just kidding!” he added fast, the girls looking at him with murderous eyes.

"Well," Cleo added, glancing around. "This is huge. But we need to figure out things as soon as possible”

The tension hung in the air as the group tried to process the impossible.
One thing was clear: whatever had happened at Mako Island had changed everything. And now, they were no longer just teenagers—they were something else entirely.

Chapter Text

As soon as Rikki dried herself under the sun she went back to her human form.

“Well, at least now we know that it’s not permanent” said Lewis with a smile. “We should do some research to find out what happened”

Emma and Cleo were still in the pool, laughing while discovering their new swimming abilities, now relieved to see that they weren’t stuck forever in their mermaid tails.

Zane looked at Rikki, who seemed still a little bit concerned “Hey, how do you feel?” he asked her reaching for her hand.

“I really don’t know,” she said shrugging her shoulders “I…I just need a minute alone”. And with that she walked inside, her footsteps soft on the cool tiles as she left the others behind. Zane stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing with everything that had just happened, the shock still hung in the air, thick and heavy.

He glanced at Lewis, who was absorbed in his own thoughts, and then his gaze followed Rikki. He hesitated, then muttered something about needing to check on her before he turned and walked toward the house. He found her standing by the window, arms crossed tightly over her chest as though trying to hold herself together.

"Rikki?" His voice was softer than he meant it to be. "Wanna talk?”

She didn't look at him immediately. When she did, her expression was a mix of frustration and confusion, the same emotions swirling inside her as her mind raced to comprehend everything they had just discovered.

"I…" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "It’s a lot to take in, Zane."

He stepped closer, his brow furrowed. "Yeah, it is. But we’ll figure it out."

"Not the best way to start a relationship, right?" she muttered, looking down at her feet. “We’ve been together for what, three days? And now I’m half-fish”

Zane leaned closer, his tone soft but steady. “Hey, look at me.” He gently put two fingers under her chin to make her raise her head, so their eyes met. “I know this is a huge deal, but I’m still here, okay? I’m not going anywhere.”

Rikki felt a twist in her chest. “But how can you still want to be with me? I’m—different now, Zane. I’m not even human anymore. I’m part… fish." Her voice cracked slightly at the end.

Zane’s expression softened. “Rikki, you’re still you. You’re still the girl who didn’t give a damn about impressing me or anyone else. The girl who has this amazing, fiery attitude and knows how to stand up for herself." He smiled, a little more genuine this time. “Now, you can probably swim to Hawaii in a bunch of minutes or making friends with dolphins, but that’s pretty damn impressive, if you ask me.”

Rikki couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, though the worry didn't quite fade. “Yeah, but I’m a freak. And I’m just… wondering if you’re still interested, now that everything’s changed.”

Zane leaned back, looking thoughtful. “Hey, I like you for who you are, not for how you look. It occurred me weeks to convince you giving me a chance and I won’t let you go easily.” His voice lowered a bit, getting serious. “Yeah, you’ve got a few more scales now, but you’re still the same stubborn, sarcastic girl I’ve been getting to know. And that’s what matters to me."

Rikki met his eyes, searching his face for any sign of doubt. There was none. He seemed… certain.

“I don’t know, Zane,” she said quietly. “What if it gets worse? What if I can’t control it? What if it changes me more than I realize?”

Zane took a deep breath, his hand brushing against hers. “I’m not going to let you go through this alone. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together. Plus, Lewis is kind of a science genius and Cleo is involved so he will find out something”

Rikki laughed softly. “Thank you” she said leaning in to kiss him—a soft, tentative touch, to show him how much she cared. But as if sensing the fragile hope she had let slip through her lips, he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer, his hands finding their way to her back as if to anchor her to him.

When they parted, needing air, Zane rested his forehead against hers.

"Maybe we should go back outside," Rikki said, her voice low. "I don’t want the others to get worried."

Zane smiled at her. "I think they can wait a little bit longer," and kissed her again.

-------------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------

The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden sheen over the soft sand. Cleo, Rikki, and Emma had just come back from a swim. Their newfound abilities were still a mystery, but every day seemed to reveal something new. They had already realized they could swim faster than any human and stay submerged for over half an hour without needing air.

They were on their way to Cleo’s house when Cleo told them she had figured out something new. Something really cool.

Rikki and Emma exchanged glances. Cleo’s excitement was contagious, and even though Rikki was feeling a little tired, she couldn’t help but feel curious.

Emma looked at her raising an eyebrow, “Cool? Like how cool are we talking here? You gonna turn into a mermaid and start singing to the fish?”

Cleo rolled her eyes but smiled “No, not singing to fish yet”.

When they arrived at her house, Cleo led them to her bedroom and closed the door behind, then, without a word, she held her hand toward a glass of water which expanded towering over them.

“And it grows even more” said Cleo “I was arguing with Kim this morning and I turned on the sink without touching it, just flipping my hand”

“Where’s the extra water coming from?” asked Rikki confused

“I don’t know,” Cleo laid her hand down and the water almost splashed Rikki and Emma, who raised her hand like to protect herself and closed her eyes.

Rikki gasped. Emma opened her eyes, just to see the water had turned into ice. “Did I do that?” she asked surprised.

“It wasn’t me,” Cleo shook her head.

“So now we have magical powers?” Rikki’s voice was full of excitement when she stretched first an arm out and then both. Nothing happened.

“Not fair. Why don’t I get to do the cool stuff?”

“Maybe you just need some more time to find out which is you power,” Cleo tries to reassure her

Rikki sighed. “Maybe I just... don’t have anything special.”

Emma squeezed her shoulder “Don’t give up. You’ll figure it out. We’re all in this together, remember?”

Rikki nodded absentmindedly, “Guess I should get going,” she muttered, glancing at the clock.

Cleo looked up, a mischievous grin already creeping across her face. “Going somewhere, Rikki? Got a hot date?”

Rikki gave her a side-eye. “No, not a hot date. Just some stuff to do.”

Emma snorted, lowering her phone. “Uh-huh, stuff to do. Sure, sure. You mean Zane, right?”

Cleo's eyes widened dramatically. “Ooh, can you see that sparkle in her eyes just at the thought of him?”

Rikki narrowed her eyes but couldn’t help the flush creeping up her neck. “You two are ridiculous.”

Emma leaned forward, practically vibrating with curiosity. “Come on, admit it. You’re totally meeting him, aren’t you?”

Cleo joined in, grinning ear to ear. “Yeah, go ahead, tell us all about your ‘important things’ with Zane.”

Rikki rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she tried to hide her smile. “You're both unbelievable. No, I'm not meeting Zane. I don’t always have to be doing something with him.”

Emma and Cleo exchanged exaggerated looks before speaking in unison, teasingly, “Sure you don’t…”

Rikki shot them both a glare, but the pink tint on her cheeks gave her away. “Okay, fine. Maybe I am going to meet him. Happy now?”

The girls erupted in laughter, Cleo giving her a playful nudge. “Knew it! You can't hide it, Rikki.”

Emma grinned wide. “You two are so obvious. But I think the stuff you do with Zane... it’s probably way more interesting than all the mermaid stuff we get up to”

“You guys are the worst,” Rikki laughed “Maybe I do enjoy spending time with Zane a little more than you two. Ever thought about that?”

Cleo gasped, dramatically clutching her chest. “You wound me, Rikki!!”

Rikki huffed dramatically but couldn’t suppress the amused smirk on her lips. “You two are insufferable, you know?”

The salty breeze from the ocean ruffled Rikki’s hair as she walked down the beach, her hands tucked into the pockets of her shorts.

Her mind was still lingering on the teasing back at Cleo’s house. Emma and Cleo’s playful comments about Zane had been fun, but underneath the jokes, something about it still felt off.

When she reached the spot where she’d agreed to meet him, Zane was leaning against the railing of the pier, his usual smirk already in place. His eyes softened when he saw her, but he didn’t hide the slight glint of curiosity.

“You’re late,” Zane teased, pushing off the railing with a grin.

Rikki smirked, trying to keep her mood light. “I didn’t think you’d mind waiting.”

Zane studied her for a moment, his expression shifting from playful to more thoughtful. “What’s up with you today, Rikki? You’re quieter than usual. Something on your mind?”
Rikki shrugged, trying to brush it off. “I’m fine, just tired. Nothing to worry about.”

Zane didn’t buy it. He took a step closer, his brow furrowing. “Come on. I know that look. Tell me what’s going on.”

She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she wanted to get into it. But there was something about Zane’s calm presence that made her feel like she could let her guard down. After a long breath, she looked at him, her voice quieter than usual.

“It’s just... Cleo and Emma,” she started, her words coming slower now. “They’ve got new powers.”

Zane raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but still trying to keep it light. “New powers? What, like... super strength or something?”

“No,” Rikki sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Like, they can control water now, really control it. And I—I don’t have anything new. It’s like I’m just... stuck.”

Zane’s expression softened, and he stepped closer, his hand gently brushing against her arm. “Hey, come on. You’ve always had your own thing, Rikki. What you can do with the water is incredible. It’s not about having some new flashy power. It’s about what you can do with what you’ve already got.”

Rikki glanced at him, but the doubt was still there, lingering in her eyes. “I don’t know. It just feels like they’re moving forward, and I’m... not.”

Zane studied her for a moment, his tone serious now. “Maybe you’re not seeing it, but you’ve always been ahead in your own way. Don’t let what they’ve got make you feel less.”

She gave him a small, reluctant smile, grateful for the way he always knew just what to say. “You’re right,” she said, though her voice was still tinged with uncertainty.

Zane reached out and gave her a playful nudge. “Of course I am. Now, how about we go grab that iced coke? You can tell me all about how your best friends are basically turning into superheroes while you’re stuck being just awesome as you are.”

Rikki chuckled, the weight on her shoulders lifting a little. “Alright, alright. You win.”

As they headed to their usual café, the tension in her chest eased just a bit more, knowing that, even if she wasn’t sure where she fit in with all the changes, Zane was there to remind her that she didn’t have to do it alone.

The clink of ice cubes against glass and the soft hum of conversation filled the cozy café. Rikki felt a little more at ease now, the weight on her shoulders lifting with each passing minute. She took a sip of her iced coke, the cool sweetness of it helping to calm the lingering tension from earlier. Zane sat across from her, his usual carefree smile still present, though he was quieter now, letting her enjoy the moment.

“So, how’s Lewis’ research going?” Rikki asked, trying to steer the conversation to lighter ground.

Zane leaned back in his chair “Nothing new I guess, but he said you’re for sure cuter than mermaids in books” he said swirling his drink with a grin.

As they continued to chat, the door jingled as it opened, and Miriam walked in. She was a familiar face, always around, though Rikki had never really gotten along with her.

Miriam’s eyes immediately flicked toward Zane, and her lips curled into a slight smirk as she caught sight of the pair.

Rikki noticed Miriam’s approach right away, the way her gaze lingered on Zane with that unmistakable look of interest. Rikki’s grip on her drink tightened, but she didn’t say anything at first. Miriam’s presence had always made her uneasy, but this time was different.

Miriam strode over to their table, her heels clicking with each step. She flashed a dazzling smile, “Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Zane Bennett,” she cooed, leaning slightly toward him. “I wasn’t expecting to find you here”.

“I heard the next motocross race is coming up soon,” Miriam continued, her tone smooth and suggestive as she fixed her gaze on Zane. “You’ve been training for it, haven’t you?

I’m sure you’ve been working really hard... Maybe you could use a little motivation from someone other than your team.”

Zane’s eyes narrowed just slightly, the amusement in his expression fading as he glanced up at Miriam. “Miriam, I’m not really interested in talking about the race right now,” he said bluntly, his voice lacking the usual playfulness.

Miriam didn’t seem to take the hint. “Oh, come on, Zane. You’re a champion, always pushing the limits. I could help you... I’m sure you could use someone to take your mind off all the pressure,” she said, leaning closer, her eyes gleaming with an almost predatory glint while acting as if Rikki wasn’t sat at the same table.

Rikki’s jaw clenched, her vision blurred slightly with irritation as Miriam continued to flirt, completely ignoring her presence. The ice cubes in Rikki’s glass rattled as she fought to keep her composure, but something inside her snapped.

Without thinking, her fist tightened, and a sudden rush of heat surged through her. "Excuse me?!" Rikki said with an agry tone but Miriam totally ignored her.

The next moment, both her and Zane’s drinks were boiling, steam rising from the surface as the coke bubbled. Neither Miriam nor Zane seemed to notice immediately. But Rikki’s grip was still tight, her knuckles white, and the anger inside her was only growing.

Zane didn’t look at Rikki, but he could feel the tension in the air. When he answered his tone was firm, almost cold. “Miriam, I don’t need you. And I’m not interested in spending my time talking about the race. Or... about anything else. Not with you for sure,” he added pointedly, his gaze hardening.

Miriam faltered for a second, clearly thrown off by his directness. “Oh, well, I was just trying to be friendly,” she said, her voice still smooth but now tinged with a little frustration.

“I thought you’d appreciate the support. But if you’re too busy...”

Zane glanced at Rikki for a moment, then back to Miriam. His voice didn’t waver. “Yes, I’m busy with my girlfriend. We’re just enjoying our day. So, if you don’t mind... maybe you could let us be.”

Rikki shot Zane a glance, her heart fluttering a little with the way he had defended her, so effortlessly shutting Miriam down. Miriam, however, wasn’t one to back off easily. She gave one last look at Zane, her smile forced, before finally turning to leave.

“Well, you sure know how to make a girl feel unwelcome,” Miriam muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she made her way to the door. “Have fun, you two.”

Zane let out a breath, his gaze returning to Rikki. “She just doesn’t know when to quit, huh?”

Rikki nodded, her hands still clenched, though the boiling heat had faded from her drink. “I don’t get why she’s always so... pushy,” she said, her voice a little tight with frustration.

“Like she doesn’t care who’s around, she just... wants you.”

Zane raised an eyebrow, his usual smirk reappearing. “Yeah, well, that’s her problem. I’m not interested, Rikki. I’m with you.”

Zane tried to take a sip of his coke, but he put the glass down quickly “It burns,” he said confused.

“I think it might be my fault” Rikki said with a soft laugh, “I guess…maybe I’ve got some power too”

"Remember me not to make you angry" he said laughing with her.

As they stood and walked out of the cafe, the cool evening breeze ruffling their hair, Rikki took a deep breath. The salty air calmed her nerves even further as they made their way to the beach.

“So,” she asked after a few quiet moments, glancing at Zane, “how are you feeling about your next race?”

Zane’s expression shifted, his usual confidence creeping back into his tone. “I’m confident. But it’s a big one. The score will define my ranking for the semifinals. I need to be on top of my game.”

Rikki nodded, understanding the pressure in his voice. “So, more training?”
“Yeah,” Zane sighed. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll be back at it every day, pushing harder than before. It’s important. But... it’s not just about winning. It’s about proving something to my dad.”

Rikki raised an eyebrow, curious. “Proving something? What do you mean?”

Zane’s jaw tightened, his gaze distant. “He doesn’t support my racing. He thinks it’s just a waste of time, something for kids. He wants me to focus on... well, whatever else he thinks is 'more important.' But I’ve been racing since I was a kid, and I’m good at it. I want to keep my champion title and show him that I’m not just playing around. I want to prove I’m serious about this, that it’s more than just a hobby.”

Rikki could see the fire in his eyes, the way he spoke about it with such determination. She squeezed his hand, her voice soft but firm. “Zane, you are great at racing. I’ve seen you race, and you’ve got what it takes. And I’m always going to support you, no matter what. You don’t have to prove anything to me or anyone else. You’re already a champion.”

Zane grinned after hearing Rikki’s compliment, a smug glint in his eyes. “Ah, so you admit it now. I knew you loved watching me race. You can’t hide it forever, Rikki.”

Rikki rolled her eyes playfully, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe I’m just here to make sure you don’t break anything this time. You know, like your pride when you crash and burn.”

Zane raised an eyebrow, his grin widening as he leaned in slightly. “Ouch. Harsh. But I’m sure you’ll stick around to cheer me on when I take the podium. By the time of the final race, you will be my number one fan”

Rikki leaned in close, her smirk deepening as she slid her arms around him. She kissed him softly on the lips, lingering for a moment before pulling away just enough to meet his eyes. “Maybe,” she said, her voice low and playful. “But I think you’ve got other ways of keeping me entertained.”

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she added, “Let’s just say I know how to distract you… better than anyone else.”

Zane chuckled, the smile still tugging at his lips as he shook his head. “Alright, I’ll admit, you’re probably better at distracting me than any race I’ll ever be in.”

Chapter Text

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the motocross track, warming the dirt and painting everything in hues of gold and rust. Zane was crouched next to his bike, sleeves rolled up, a streak of grease on his cheek as he adjusted the chain. His focus was intense, but relaxed — like he was completely in his element.
Rikki sat nearby on a stack of tires, legs swinging slightly, watching him with a half-smile.
She wasn't much for engines, but there was something about Zane when he was working — all serious and sweaty and completely oblivious to the world around him — that made it worth hanging around.

“You’ve been at that for like an hour,” she said. “You tuning it or building it from scratch?”
Zane shot her a grin. “She’s got quirks. Takes patience.”
“She?” Rikki raised a brow. “Do I need to be jealous?”
“She’s high-maintenance and temperamental. I’ve got a type.”

A little way off, Lewis sat under a tree with three books open in front of him, scribbling in a notebook while muttering to himself.
“Hey, guys —
“Still working on your deep dive into mermaid mythology?” Rikki called.

Lewis looked up, distracted. “It’s not mythology. There’s got to be a scientific explanation. Energy fields, lunar pull, something...”
“Or maybe we’re just magical sea creatures now. Ever think of that?” she teased.
Zane smirked. “The science guy can’t handle that magic might be real.”
“I can handle it,” Lewis said defensively. “I just want to understand it. For example, did you know there’s a whole section in this book on ancient sea spirits that transform under the full moon? Maybe this stuff is significant.”

Zane chuckled. “You mean aside from the obvious? Girls touch water, turn into fish.”
“Not fish,” Lewis corrected, “mermaids. It’s different.”
“Still slippery,” Zane muttered, earning a smack on the arm from Rikki.
Lewis flipped a page. “I found this old story — some sailor’s tale about sirens dragging men into the sea during moonlit nights. Kind of poetic. Kind of creepy.”

Before he could say more, Rikki’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it and made a face. CLEO: “You were supposed to meet us at the beach. Where are you??”
“Crap,” Rikki muttered. “I forgot I had to meet the girls.”
“Mermaid club business?”
Rikki gave Zane a look. “It’s not a club”
“It isn’t?” He grinned. “Don’t you have secret meetings? Initiation rituals?”
Rikki stood up, brushing her shorts off. “Only if we decide to drown you one day.” Then she stuck out her tongue and gave him a quick kiss. “Try not to blow yourself up while I’m gone.”
“I make no promises.”
Lewis waved her off without looking up. “If you see anything weird tonight, let me know. Like… lunar anomalies.”
Rikki raised an eyebrow as she walked away. “You’re so weird, Lewis.”

--------------------- ---------------------------------------------

The beach was starting to shift into twilight when Rikki arrived. Waves lapped gently at the sand, and Cleo and Emma were sitting on a dune.
“You’re late,” Emma called, her arms crossed.
“Sorry. Lost track of time.”
Cleo rolled her eyes. “You know, this whole secret-mermaid thing doesn’t really work if you keep getting distracted by boys.”
“He was distracted by me,” Rikki corrected with a grin. “There’s a difference.”
“Anyway…what did I miss?”
“We were just about to take a walk,” Cleo said, tossing her sandals aside.

They strolled together along the shoreline, their talk drifting between Lewis’s latest theories and their own growing fears.
“I mean, he might be onto something,” Cleo said. “What if the moon does change things? The tides, the weather — why not us?”
Before Rikki could answer, a voice cracked through the quiet.

“You shouldn’t be near the water tonight.”
An old woman stood a few feet away, cloaked in shadow. Her long gray hair blew in the wind, and she wore a dark coat that seemed far too heavy for the warm evening.
“The moon is full,” she said. “You must stay away from the water. It calls to you. You’re not safe tonight.”
Emma hesitated. “Excuse me?”

The woman’s eyes met each of theirs in turn. “When the full moon rises, it will awaken something in you. Something you won’t be able to control.”
Rikki frowned. “Okay... creepy.”
“Beware the water,” the woman said, voice like gravel. “Don’t look at the eye of the moon”
Then she turned and walked away, disappearing into the trees.

The girls stood in silence for a beat.

“Okay, what was that?” Cleo whispered.
“Some random weirdo with a flair for drama,” Rikki said, trying to shrug it off.
Emma bit her lip. “Still… how would she know anything about us?”
“I don’t know”. Rikki looked out at the horizon, suddenly quiet. “Come on. Let’s not make it a thing.”

Later, at Emma’s house, the sleepover was in full swing. Popcorn scattered across a blanket, a romantic comedy played half-watched in the background, and the girls lounged in pajamas, painting nails and giggling over celebrity gossip.

Everything was normal.

Until it wasn’t.

Rikki had gone quiet again, sitting beside the window. The moon was rising now — full and perfect — its silver glow washing over her face.
Rikki’s pupils had gone darker, nearly black. Her breathing slowed, then quickened. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

“I… I don’t feel right,” she muttered. “It’s hot.”
The room began to grow warmer — unnaturally so.
The air thickened like a sauna. The popcorn bowl melted slightly on one side.

Emma stood. “Rikki, what’s happening?”
“I need… I need to cool off. Fresh air. The water… it’s calling me…”
Without another word, Rikki bolted for the door.
Emma and Cleo exchanged a terrified look and scrambled for their phones.

Zane was pacing outside the garage when Lewis answered the call.
“Rikki’s gone?” he said, alarmed.
“She just ran out!” Emma’s voice came through the speaker. “It was like she wasn’t herself!”
“She was burning up! She said the water was calling to her.” Cleo said, frantic
Zane was already moving. “I’m going to the dock.”

Moonlight turned the dock into a scene from a dream — glowing water, hushed silence. Rikki stood at the edge like a statue, barefoot, her hair rippling in the breeze. Her skin shimmered faintly in the silver light.
Zane froze.

“Rikki?”

She turned slowly. Her smile was… unfamiliar. Slow, sensuous.

“You came,” she murmured.

Zane stepped closer. “Are you okay?”

“Come with me.”

Her voice melted into the air — musical, enchanting. Zane’s mind blurred. Logic dissolved. He stepped forward, mesmerized.

She reached out her hand, and Zane stepped forward like he had no choice. His body obeyed her voice before his mind could catch up.

When she took his hand he didn’t feel the heat. His skin should’ve screamed at the heat rolling off her — she was burning up — but he felt nothing but warmth. Comfort. Obedience.
All logic fell away. He’d follow her anywhere.

Her eyes locked on his as she leaned in “Kiss me,” she murmured.

And he did.

The second their lips met, everything changed.

He gasped — but no sound came out. His throat dried instantly. His skin tightened. His vision blurred. It felt like the heat of the sun had been poured straight into him.

Rikki stepped back as Zane collapsed onto the dock, unconscious.

Her eyes fluttered, confused — then she turned and dove into the water, vanishing beneath the surface.

Not long after, Lewis reached the dock. He spotted Zane sprawled across the wooden planks, unmoving.
“Zane!” he shouted, rushing over and kneeling beside him.
Zane groaned softly, opening his eyes in a daze.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

Zane blinked slowly, skin flushed red like a sunburn. “I... I saw her. Rikki. She was here.”
Lewis glanced around. “Where is she now?”
“I don’t know,” Zane said, voice hoarse. “I... don’t remember. I touched her hand, and then... nothing.”
Lewis helped him sit up. “You look like you’ve been in the sun all day.”
His hands were dry and cracked, and he looked visibly dehydrated. Lewis pulled out his phone, already dialing.

Cleo picked up. “Lewis? What’s going on?”
“I found Zane. He’s okay but... something happened. He says he saw Rikki, but he doesn’t remember. And he looks bad, like he was out in the sun too long or something.”
There was a pause.
“And now she’s gone?” Emma asked in the background.
“Maybe. He’s not sure. But she’s not herself, that much is clear. We need to find her.”

Cleo’s voice was firm. “We think she’s on Mako. Take us there — by boat. We’re not touching the water tonight.”

--------------------- ----------------------------------------

The boat ride to Mako was tense. Cleo and Emma huddled together, dry and shaking. Zane was quiet, his hand now bandaged.

They found Rikki in the Moon Pool — floating while mumbling an unknown song, her eyes blank.
Cleo and Emma didn’t wait. They stepped into the water and swam to her.

“Rikki,” Cleo whispered. “Come back. Please.”

Emma touched her shoulder. “We’re here. You’re not alone.”
But Rikki didn’t respond. She just stared upward — until the moon began to descend.
Then slowly — her breath caught. Her eyes blinked. She inhaled.

“Why are we here?” she asked confused.

“You don’t remember?” Cleo asked softly.

“I think…” Rikki shook her head. “I was looking outside the window. I saw the moon, I guess… then nothing.”

Zane stepped forward. Rikki noticed the bandage instantly.
“What happened to your hand?”
He hesitated. “It’s nothing.”
She stared at it, then at him. “It was me… wasn’t it?”
Zane didn’t answer. But she saw the truth on his face, his skin burned like he spent a whole day under the sun
“I kissed you and I… I hurt you.”
“It wasn’t really you,” he said gently. “It wasn’t your fault, Rikki”

But Rikki looked shaken. Like she’d just seen a part of herself she didn’t understand — and wasn’t sure she wanted to.
Emma stepped forward. “That woman on the beach — she knew something. We need to find her.”
Cleo nodded. “We have to know what the moon does to us.”

Rikki didn’t say anything. She just stared down at her hands, still trembling faintly in her lap, the moonlight finally fading around her.

And deep inside, a fear was settling in her chest — a fear that this magic they carried might be more powerful, more dangerous than they ever imagined.

Chapter Text

Rikki sat perched on a rock, her knees drawn up to her chest, the ocean breeze tugging at her hair. Her eyes were still distant, rimmed with exhaustion, haunted by the pull of the moon the night before. She could still hear the echo of her own voice singing to the waves — or was it something else singing through her?

The sun had barely risen, casting gold across the quiet, empty shoreline. The tide whispered across the sand, and the air was cool with the trace of morning mist.

Cleo sat cross-legged on a towel, sipping juice. “Still thinking about last night?” she asked gently.

Rikki nodded. “I don’t remember all of it. Just flashes. I felt... like I wasn’t myself.”

“You weren’t,” Emma said as she emerged from the water, drying her hair and tail with a towel. “Full moons do something to us. I don’t think we’ve seen the worst of it yet.”
Emma held something small in her hand, strung on a long chain.

“What’s that?” Cleo asked, as Emma slipped the chain over her head.

Emma let the delicate silver locket rest against her chest. “I found it in the Moon Pool.”

Cleo leaned closer. “It’s beautiful... and old.”

“I think it belonged to someone. Maybe someone like us,” Emma said. “We need to go back to Mako. There’s more down there. I can feel it.”

“I’m not so sure,” Rikki said, eyes scanning the horizon. “After what happened last night... We don’t know what we’re dealing with.”

Emma nodded slowly. “That’s exactly why we have to know.”

“You were in the Moon Pool?”

The voice came from behind them. The girls turned quickly.

Standing near the dunes was the same mysterious woman they’d seen the day before — her silver-blonde hair flowing loose in the breeze, her sea-weathered shawl billowing around her.
Her eyes went to the locket. “I was right about you three.”

Emma instinctively touched the necklace. “You know what this is?”

“I do,” the woman said softly. “It belonged to someone I once knew. Someone very important.”

Cleo stood up, cautious. “You warned us. About the full moon.”

“And you were right,” Rikki added, her tone edged with frustration. “But a vague warning wasn’t enough. You could’ve told us what it would do. You could’ve helped.”

The woman’s gaze didn’t flinch. “And would you have listened, truly? Or would you have gone into that moonlight anyway?”

Rikki’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t reply.

Emma stepped forward. “Who are you?”

The woman gave a small, wistful smile. “I’m Ms. Chatham. Once, a very long time ago... I was just like you.”

Cleo’s breath caught. “You were a mermaid?”

Ms. Chatham nodded slowly. “Yes. Me, and two others. We discovered the Moon Pool by chance... but nothing about it was an accident.”

Rikki crossed her arms. “Then tell us. What’s happening to us? What do we need to know?”

Ms. Chatham looked at them with an unreadable expression — part sorrow, part reverence. “You’ll find the answers when the time is right… and in the place where they’re meant to be found.”

Emma blinked. “That’s not an answer.”

Ms. Chatham gave a faint, almost secretive smile. “It’s the only one I can give — for now.”

Cleo exchanged a glance with the others, clearly frustrated. “So what are we supposed to do? Just wait?”

“No.” Ms. Chatham said gently. “Watch. Listen. Trust the sea. It speaks to those who are willing to hear it.”

She began to walk away, her silhouette fading into the sea mist once again, leaving behind a silence more confusing than reassuring.

Rikki shook her head. “That was... nothing. She told us nothing.”

Emma touched the locket at her throat. “Or maybe she told us just enough.”

Later that afternoon…

The sun was high now, beating down on the dusty track where Zane was reviving his bike, helmet off, sweat gleaming on his forehead. Rikki waited just beyond the fences, arms tucked into her hoodie sleeves, still thinking about Ms. Chatham’s words.

Zane cut the engine and pulled up beside her, tossing his helmet aside with a grin. “You’re late.”

“I had a weird morning,” she said, already smiling a little as she stepped closer.

Lewis was standing nearby, fiddling with a timing watch. “Weird how?” he asked.

Rikki glanced at both, then lowered her voice. “The old woman — the one who warned us about the full moon? She showed up again. On the beach.”

Lewis looked up. “Seriously? What did she say?”

“She recognized a locket Emma found in the Moon Pool. She said she used to be a mermaid too.” Rikki crossed her arms. “And then when we asked for answers, she just… went all cryptic.”

“Let me guess,” Zane said, smirking. “Some ‘you’ll know when the time is right’ nonsense?”

“Exactly,” Rikki muttered. “She told us nothing. Just made everything weirder.”

Zane rolled his eyes, then leaned in, voice low. “You okay though? After last night?”

“Getting there.” Rikki gave a small nod. “And you?”

“Don’t worry about me” Zane swung back onto his bike. “Watch this, gonna beat my lap time from last week.”

Before he sped off, Rikki grabbed his arm and pulled him into a kiss. “Don’t crash, hotshot.”

He grinned and gunned the engine.

Lewis, chuckling, headed toward the vending machines. “I’ll grab drinks.”

Rikki climbed the stairs of the bleachers, finding her usual spot. She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, eyes following Zane as he tore across the track, then she heard a voice.

“What are you doing with him?”

She turned to see a blonde guy leaning on the railing a few feet away, arms folded, smug expression in place.

“Excuse me?” Rikki asked, frowning.

“Zane Bennett,” the guy said. “He’s all ego and money, thinking the world turns around him. Not exactly quality boyfriend material.”

Rikki stood, already irritated. “That’s none of your business.”

He tilted his head. “Just saying. You could do better.”

“Hope you’re not talking about yourself.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Just think about it” then turned and sauntered off like he hadn’t just tried to provoke her.

Lewis returned with two bottles of water and noticed the stormy look on Rikki’s face. “What happened?”

“Some jerk decided to trash-talk Zane,” she said, accepting the drink. “Said I could ‘do better’.”

Lewis blinked. “Blonde guy? Kinda smug?”

“Yeah, you know him?”

“That’s Will,” Lewis muttered. “He races against Zane, they’ve hated each other for years.”

Rikki took a long sip, then sighed. “He was watching me like... weirdly. I don’t like him.”

They sat in silence for a few seconds, the roar of Zane’s bike filling the space between them.

Then Rikki asked, “What do you think about Ms. Chatham? Can we trust her?”

Lewis frowned. “I don’t know. She didn’t really tell you anything, did she?”

“Nope. Just enough to get in our heads.”

Lewis shook his head. “Until she gives us real answers, I say we keep our guard up.”

Rikki nodded slowly. “Yeah... I think you’re right.”

Out on the track, Zane hit the last curve and raised one hand in victory as he passed the finish line.

The engine went quiet as Zane coasted to a stop, pulling off his helmet with a triumphant grin. His hair was damp with sweat, his chest rising and falling beneath his jersey. He looked up toward the bleachers, searching — and there she was.

Rikki jumped down the last few steps and made her way over. The second he saw her face, his grin faded slightly.

“You okay?” he asked, walking the bike toward the fence.

“Better now,” she said, slipping through the gate and stopping in front of him.

Zane immediately set the bike aside, his arms around her waist giving her his full attention. “What happened?”

“Will,” she said. “He came up to me while you were riding.”

Zane’s expression darkened. “What did he want?”

“To insult you,” she said flatly. “And to flirt. Badly.”

Zane’s jaw tensed. “Figures. He always was good at two things — losing races and acting like a tool.”

Rikki put a hand on his chest. “Hey. Don’t let him get in your head.”

“He’s not in my head,” Zane snapped. Then after a beat, “I just don’t like him around you.”

She smiled, eyes bright with that familiar spark. “You’re jealous.”

“I’m not—” he started, but she kissed him before he could finish — a long, deliberate kiss that made him forget whatever comeback he was about to offer.

When they pulled apart, she looked up at him, serious now.

“You don’t have to worry about him,” she said. “I don’t care what he says, or what he thinks. You’re the only one I want.”

Zane looked at her for a second, like he was memorizing every word, then nodded “Well, you didn’t even like me at first”

“But you were hot” she said grinning, “And our friends were rooting for you”

“Just keep reminding me of that,” he said softly, holding her closer and brushing her lips once again.

Up on the ridge above the track, partly hidden behind a tree, Will watched them. His expression was unreadable — somewhere between interest, frustration, and something colder. His fingers flexed at his sides.
He turned and walked away.

Monday morning at school always felt like a slow-motion slap to the face. Cleo was leaning against her locker, Emma beside her, both watching the flow of students like they were judging a fashion show.

“So,” Cleo whispered, nudging Emma. “Did you see the new guy yet?”

Emma grinned. “Will something? Not yet but I’ve heard a lot of girls talking about him. He must be hot”

“I heard he’s into free diving,” Cleo added. “Like, swims solo near the reef. And he’s also a racer.”

Rikki appeared beside them, dropping her bag on the ground. “You should keep your crushes in check.”

The girls turned toward her, eyebrows raised.

“What?” Cleo asked.

“I’m just saying,” Rikki said flatly. “That guy’s a jerk.”

Emma blinked. “Wait, you know him?”

Rikki crossed her arms. “He was at the track a few days ago. First, he trashed Zane, then he hit on me. Like, five seconds apart.”

“Ew,” Cleo wrinkled her nose. “That’s gross.”

Emma laughed. “Okay, but let’s be honest. You used to trash Zane every five minutes.”

“And you and Lewis still do at least once a week,” Cleo added.

Rikki shrugged with a smirk. “Exactly. We’re allowed. You know, girlfriend and best friend, it’s like family privilege.”

Emma snorted. “So, no one else can insult your charming boyfriend?”

“Not unless they want me to boil them,” Rikki muttered.

Cleo raised an eyebrow. “Bit intense.”

“Not really. He was awful.”

Right on cue, Will Benjamin appeared across the hallway. Tall. Blond. Casual smirk. His shirt slightly untucked in a way that said he didn’t care — but totally did.
He spotted Rikki immediately and made his way over, weaving through the crowd like it parted for him.

“Hey, Rikki,” he said, smiling like they were old friends. “Small world, huh? Looks like we’re schoolmates now.”

“Looks like the universe is having a laugh at my expense,” Rikki replied.

“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” he added, eyes roaming just a little too freely. “But I’m not complaining.”

“You should be,” she snapped.

He leaned casually against the locker beside her. “Come on. Don’t tell me I’ve made a bad impression.”

“You did. You do.”

Emma and Cleo exchanged a glance, unsure whether to step in.

Will leaned a little closer. “You know, you’re even more interesting when you’re mad.”

Rikki was about to unleash a signature burn when an arm slid around her waist.

Zane.

He didn’t say anything at first. Just stepped in between them, one arm casually looping around Rikki. His body language screamed mine.

Will raised his eyebrows. “Oh. Hey, Zane. Didn’t realize you were here.”

“You never do, that’s why you can’t beat me racing” Zane said flatly. “What are you doing here?”

“Transferred. Guess we’re in the same school now.”

“You’ve got a real talent for showing up where you’re not wanted.”

Will smirked. “Not what Rikki seemed to think.”

“Back off,” Zane growled.

“She can speak for herself.”

Rikki rolled her eyes and “And she already told you she’s not interested.”

Will tilted his head, still playing it cool. “You’ll come around.”

The bell rang, slicing through the tension.

Zane kissed Rikki’s temple. “I’ll see you after class.”

She nodded and turned to walk off. Will watched her go, but the smug grin had thinned.

By lunchtime, Rikki had almost shaken off the annoyance of seeing Will’s face again. Almost.

She was just rounding the corner near the vending machines when — surprise — there he was again.

“Hey,” Will said, popping up like a bad commercial. “So, about what I said earlier—”

“Don’t.”

He kept pace beside her. “Look, I get it. You’re into Zane. Fine. But he’s... not exactly the best choice.”

Rikki stopped walking. “You don’t know anything about him.”

“I know enough.”

“Listen, Will. This school is plenty of girls who might find you attractive, why don’t you go bother them?” Rikki tried to stay calm, her shaking hands in her pockets.

Will flashed that irritating half-smile again.

He raised a water bottle and offered it toward her. “Truce?”

Rikki looked at it. Focused. Felt the heat flicker under her skin.

The bottle hissed.

Steam coiled up through the plastic.

POP.

The cap flew off, a jet of boiling water splashing across Will’s hand and chest.

“OW! What the hell?!”

Will jumped back, dropping the bottle.

Rikki didn’t blink.

“Rikki!” Zane was there in a heartbeat, grabbing her hand and pulling her away before things got wetter — or weirder.

They ducked into the library, past hushed students and bored librarians, winding through the back until they were out of sight. Zane let go of her hand just long enough to grin.

Rikki pressed her hands to her face. “I didn’t mean to do that.”

Zane laughed. “Tell me that wasn’t on purpose.”

She raised an eyebrow. “If I said no, would you believe me?”

“Not even a little.”

They both laughed, leaning back against the shelves.

She peeked at him between her fingers. “I didn’t plan it. He just—gets under my skin.”

Zane stepped closer, his voice dropping. “He gets near your skin, and I want to knock him out.”

“That would get you suspended,” she said, smiling now.

“Totally worth it.”

He reached out, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You’re not allowed to be that hot and dangerous, you know.”

She grinned and reached up, pulling him down into a kiss. It was warm, slow, and just the right kind of rebellious.

“You’re cute when you’re jealous,” she whispered against his lips.

“Don’t push your luck.”

She kissed him again, laughing softly, her fingers tangled in his collar, his hands gripping her waist like he couldn’t get close enough.

They broke the kiss only when someone coughed behind a stack.

Zane grinned against her lips. “I think we’re scaring the nerds.”

“Good,” Rikki whispered. “Let’s give them something to talk about.”

Somewhere outside the library walls, Will Benjamin was nursing his hand and his ego.
But Rikki? She was exactly where she wanted to be — flushed cheeks, pounding heart, pressed up against bookshelves with the boy she actually wanted.

--------------------- -------------------------------------

The final bell had long since rung, and most students had scattered. A few lingered near the gates, waiting for rides or killing time before heading home.
Across the street, leaning casually against a black convertible, a red-haired girl sipped an iced coffee. Her sunglasses hid her eyes, but her smirk was impossible to miss.

Next to her, another girl spoke animatedly, gesturing with manicured hands.

“I’m telling you, it doesn’t make sense,” the girl was saying. “Zane never looked at anyone that way before. Then suddenly he’s, like... obsessed with her?”

The redhead’s smile widened. “Boys are simple. Distractible.”

“She’s not even his type. And now she acts like she owns him.”

The redhead didn’t reply. She just took another sip, eyes fixed on the school entrance. Moments later, Zane walked out, Rikki by his side. They looked like they were arguing about something — in that quiet, couple-y way. Rikki laughed, brushing hair behind her ear.

The redhead tilted her head slightly.

“I just think,” her friend said, crossing her arms, “if someone were to… shake things up, it’d be kind of fair. Karma, you know?”

Finally, the redhead spoke again. Calm. Intentional.
“Don’t worry,” she said, smiling. “I’m very good at shaking things up.”

She pulled her sunglasses down just enough to watch Zane one last time.

Then she turned and stepped into the waiting car.

Chapter Text

“Seriously?” Rikki raised an eyebrow. “That’s not even a milkshake. That’s, like… grass in a cup.”

Emma gave her a look. “It’s healthy. Just because I’m not swimming competitively anymore doesn’t mean I should let myself go.”

The three girls strolled down the promenade, sipping on milkshakes under the warm Sunday sun. Rikki was happily working through a tall chocolate shake, while Cleo had gone for strawberry with extra cream. Emma, however, held a slim green cup that looked suspiciously more like liquefied spinach than anything sweet.

“Healthy is code for disgusting,” Rikki shot back, swirling her straw with a grin.

Cleo giggled, nearly spilling whipped cream onto her shirt. “She’s kind of right, Emma.”

Emma rolled her eyes, but her lips curved into a reluctant smile. “Fine, laugh all you want. But when you two are still half-asleep tomorrow morning, I’ll be the one ready for the day.”

Before Rikki could make another jab, a voice drifted from behind them.

“You three ought to be careful.”

They turned to see Ms. Chatham, leaning on her cane. Somehow, she had managed to appear without them noticing which, by now, wasn’t even surprising.

“Careful about what exactly?” Rikki asked, crossing her arms.

“The full moon,” Ms. Chatham said simply, her tone sharper than usual. “It’s coming again soon. Don’t forget what I told you before. The moon reveals more than you want it to.” Her eyes lingered on them in that unsettling, knowing way before she turned and walked away down the street.

The girls stood there in silence for a beat.

“She does that on purpose,” Rikki muttered. “Drops a creepy line, then disappears. Like she’s in a spy movie or something.”

Cleo chewed her lip nervously. “Well… she’s not wrong. The last full moon was…” she glanced at Rikki “…kind of intense.”

Rikki shifted uncomfortably but shrugged. “I’m fine now. And we’ll deal with it if it happens again.”

Emma frowned, adjusting the chain of her locket. “We should at least have a plan this time. Being caught off guard isn’t an option.”

A little later, they found Lewis at the café, hunched over a notebook with diagrams that looked suspiciously like tidal charts. He perked up when the girls joined him.

“Perfect timing!” he said, pushing the notebook toward them. “I’ve been working out the lunar cycles. The next full moon is almost here, and I think I’ve cracked it. I’ve built this device” he pulled a small, handheld gadget from his bag “that’ll tell us the exact time the moon rises.”

Rikki blinked. “So, it’s a clock?”

“It’s not just a clock,” Lewis said indignantly. “It’s calibrated with tidal and lunar data to predict when the moon’s gravitational pull is strongest. That’s when you’ll be most vulnerable.”

Emma leaned forward, interested despite herself. “We just met Ms Chatham, she told us to be careful. Again.”

“Well,” Lewis said. “No moonlight, no going outside, no water. Close the curtains, keep the lights on. Easy.”

Cleo frowned. “And if something happens?”

“Then I’ll be there to help,” Lewis said, straightening proudly.

Rikki raised an eyebrow. “You? What are you gonna do, throw a blanket over us?”

Lewis hesitated. “Well… if necessary, yes.”

The girls exchanged a look, and Cleo tried not to laugh.

“Fine,” Cleo said finally, smirking. “I’ll ask my mom if you can sleepover. Curtains closed. No night swims.”

Emma nodded firmly. “It’s settled, then.”

The roar of engines filled the air as Zane cut across the dirt track, weaving sharply around a curve before pulling up near the side. Sweat glistened on his forehead as he yanked off his helmet, tossing his damp hair back with a cocky grin.

“Not bad,” came a voice, smooth and amused.

Zane looked up. A redhead stood just beyond the fence, her arms folded as though she’d been watching for a while. She was striking, tall, sharp smile, eyes that gleamed with mischief.

“You’ve got a style out there,” she said, sauntering closer. “Fast. Aggressive. I like it.”

Zane raised a brow, skeptical. “And you are…?”

She offered a hand, nails painted a glossy dark red. “Sophie.”

He took it, short and polite. “Zane.”

“Oh, I know,” Sophie said, eyes flicking over him with deliberate slowness. “Everybody knows you. Champion boy, always the one to beat. My brother’s a racer too and my family works in pr”. She laughed softly.

Zane smirked faintly. “Sounds cool.”

Sophie tilted her head, studying him. “So, do you always train this hard, or are you just showing off for me?”

“I’m training for the next competition,” Zane shot back dryly. “And just so you know, I’ve got a girlfriend.”

Sophie’s smile didn’t falter. In fact, it widened. “Good to know,” she said smoothly, stepping a little closer. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t be… friends, does it?”

Before Zane could answer, she leaned in for a lingering hug, her perfume strong in the air. Sophie pulled back slowly, smirk in place.

“See you around, Zane,” she purred, giving him a little wave as she sauntered off toward the parking lot.

Zane pulled off his gloves and tossed them on the seat of his bike just as Rikki came striding up. He grinned, leaning in without hesitation to kiss her, but she turned her head at the last second. His lips landed on her cheek.

Zane frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Rikki pulled back just enough to give him a pointed look. “You smell like her perfume.”

He blinked, then let out a short laugh. “Seriously?”

“Who’s she?” Rikki shot back, folding her arms.

Zane didn’t back off instead, he slid an arm around her waist and tugged her closer, smirk tugging at his lips. “I just met her. She said her name is Sophie and her family works in pr”

Rikki’s eyes flicked toward the parking lot, her gut twisting. She didn’t trust that Sophie girl for a second. She sighed, trying for casual but unable to keep the edge out of her voice. “Well, she seems older. Beautiful. And she looked like she was into you. Maybe you’d like to go after her.”

Zane barked a laugh, shaking his head. “Not a chance. You’d boil me alive before I got near her.”

That drew the laugh out of Rikki at last, soft but real. “You’re not wrong.”

“Now…” He lowered his voice, teasing. “Can I kiss you properly? Only perfume I want on me is yours.”

Rikki rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched. “Smooth.”

He leaned in again, slower this time, and she let him kiss her. For a moment, her hand fisted in his shirt like she was claiming him back.

When they broke apart, he grinned, satisfied, but her expression turned more serious.

“Full moon’s in two days. Emma and I are having a sleepover at Cleo’s. We’re locking it down this time.”

The smirk slipped from Zane’s face, replaced with worry. “Good. Just…don’t take chances, Rikki. I don’t like this moon business.”

She brushed her fingers over his jaw, softer now. “I know. But we’ll handle it.”

---------------- -----------------------------

Will was leaning against his bike outside the garage when Sophie appeared, her smirk firmly in place.

“I saw you,” he said flatly, crossing his arms. “With Zane.”

Sophie’s eyes sparkled. “What, jealous?”

“Don’t play games, Sophie. He’s trouble. Always has been.” His jaw tightened.

“Trust me, I know what I’m doing”

“You know he’s got a girlfriend.”

“Oh, you mean that Rikki girl you’ve been blabbing about for the last month?” her eyes glittering.

Will stiffened. “I haven’t…”

“Yes, you have,” Sophie cut in smoothly. “You like her. Anyone with eyes and ears can tell. And you’d be a lot happier if she was yours.”

Will’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer.

“Don’t bother denying it. I’m your big sister. I know exactly what to do.” She said walking away. “And maybe at the end you will have Zane’s girl and even his title”

She left him standing there, his frown darkening, caught between irritation and something he didn’t want to admit.

------------------------ -------------------------------------

two days later, full moon night

The living room looked like a fortress.
Every window had been covered with dark sheets, the curtains pinned down, and the sliding glass doors layered in cardboard that Lewis had insisted on taping from top to bottom.

“There,” Zane said, brushing his hands together, proud of the work. “Not even a sliver of moonlight’s getting through.”

Lewis adjusted his glasses, muttering, “Actually, if the refraction angle…”

Rikki cut him off with a grin. “Lewis. Relax. Your inner nerd is showing.”

Cleo laughed and grabbed both boys by the shoulders, nudging them toward the door. “Thanks for the help, but… no boys allowed. Girl rule.”

“Unfair,” Zane complained.

“House policy,” Cleo shot back.

Lewis still looked reluctant. “Are you sure? I could monitor things.”

“We’ll be fine,” Rikki assured him, smirking. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

Zane gave her a look. “Really? After last time?”

Rikki raised a brow. “Go home, Zane.”

Reluctantly, the boys left, muttering about “emergencies” and “phone calls at any time.”

Once they were gone, the girls sprawled across the couch in pajamas, surrounded by bowls of popcorn and snacks.

They gossiped about school, laughed about Zane trying to look tough with duct tape, and then Cleo said what had been on all their minds. “Do you think Ms. Chatham ever had friends like us? Like… mermaid friends?”

Rikki tossed a piece of popcorn in the air and caught it in her mouth. “If she didn’t, no wonder she’s so weird. I’d go crazy keeping all this to myself.”

“Maybe she did,” Cleo said softly, almost hopeful.

Emma, who’d been sitting cross-legged on the floor, frowned. “She’s still not telling us everything. I hate that.” She pushed to her feet. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

Upstairs, Emma closed the bathroom door behind her. She turned on the light, glanced in the mirror, and froze.

The cardboard that had been covering the small bathroom window had slipped, just an inch, but it was enough. Moonlight streamed through, bouncing in the mirror.

Her eyes glazed, silver light reflecting in them.

Back downstairs, Rikki and Cleo were arguing over which DVD to put in.

“Comedy,” Rikki insisted. “We need to laugh.”

“No, no,” Cleo argued. “Romantic drama. Crying is cathartic.”

Emma padded back into the room. Her expression was serene, almost dreamy

“So… anyone else starving?” she asked, already rummaging through the kitchen.

At first, Rikki and Cleo exchanged an amused glance. But it got strange fast.

Emma tore open a bag of chips, then cookies, then started spooning peanut butter straight from the jar.

“Emma, are you…uhm…okay?” Cleo asked.

“I’m fantastic,” Emma chirped, mouth full, her eyes glazed in that same silver shimmer Rikki had once worn. “You know what would make this better? Fish.”

Before they could stop her, she was ripping open a tin of sardines Cleo’s dad kept for bait, shoving them into her mouth like candy. The smell filled the room.

“Okay, gross!” Rikki snapped, trying to pull the can from her.

Emma just laughed, lips shiny with oil. “You should try it, it’s amazing!”

Then she bolted for the back door. Rikki and Cleo shouted, but Emma was already outside, her hair streaming behind her as she dove head-first into the pool with a perfect splash.

The water shimmered unnaturally, her mermaid tail flashing as she spun and flipped, laughing in eerie, echoing tones. She wasn’t Emma anymore. She was wild, untamed, and utterly hypnotized by the moon.

Emma’s laughter echoed across the backyard as she surfaced, her tail shimmering under the moonlight. For a second, she looked beautiful, otherworldly. Then she flipped backward, sending a wave crashing against the patio furniture.

“Emma, come back inside!” Cleo pleaded from the doorway, her voice breaking.

Emma tilted her head, her wet hair clinging to her cheeks. “Why would I want to go inside? Out here I’m free.” Her voice was sharp, almost mocking, nothing like her usual calm tone.

Rikki’s arms crossed over her chest, but her voice trembled. “Yeah, well, you’re going to be free enough to get caught if you keep splashing around like that. What if someone sees you?”

Emma’s eyes narrowed, glinting silver in the moonlight. She swam close to the edge, gripping the tiles with wet hands. “Let them. Maybe it’s time people saw what we really are.”

Cleo gasped, horrified. “You don’t mean that.”

Emma smirked, water dripping from her chin. “Don’t I? We’re powerful, Cleo. Stronger than anyone else out there. Why should we hide?”

The words sent a chill down Rikki’s spine. This wasn’t just silliness, this was dangerous. Emma pulled herself halfway out of the pool, water streaming from her shimmering tail, looking wild and unpredictable.

“Rikki” Cleo whispered urgently. “We can’t… we can’t get near her. The moon”

“I know.” Rikki’s face hardened. She pulled out her phone and punched in a number. “We need backup.”

When Zane picked up, she didn’t waste time. “You and Lewis come here. Now.”

The knock at the front door was frantic, followed by Zane’s voice. “Rikki! Open up!”

She ran to let them in, relief washing over her when Zane and Lewis burst through, both out of breath.

“She’s out back,” Cleo said, her eyes wide and glistening. “We don’t know what to do.”

The four of them rushed outside, the girls covering their eyes to avoid the moon. Emma was circling the pool now, flicking her tail like a predator. Her eyes locked onto them, unblinking.

Zane muttered under his breath. “Bloody hell…”

“Emma,” Lewis tried, stepping forward cautiously. “It’s us. You don’t want to stay out here. Come on, let’s get you inside.”

Emma tilted her head with a sly smile. “Maybe I do want to stay out here. The water… it’s perfect.” Then, with frightening speed, she slapped her tail against the surface, sending a spray that almost drenched them.

Zane darted forward, not hesitating. “She’s not thinking straight. We’ve got to get her out.”

Lewis tried to block Emma’s flailing arms while Zane hauled her slippery body from the pool. She thrashed, laughing one moment and growling next, but finally they got her onto the living room carpet.

“Okay, okay, dry her off!” Lewis said, fumbling for towels.

Rikki knelt beside Emma and swept her hands across her skin, evaporating the water in a hiss of steam. The air filled with heat, and soon Emma was dry. But… her tail didn’t fade.

Cleo’s hands flew to her mouth. “Why isn’t it working? She should’ve changed back!”

Emma lay sprawled on the rug, tail glinting, still caught in that eerie trance. She whispered something none of them could quite catch, a word that sounded like “power.”

Zane glanced at Rikki, tension in his jaw. “What’s happening to her?”

Rikki shook her head, scared. “I don’t know. The moon’s got her too strong. She won’t go back until it’s over.”

So they set up camp in the living room. Rikki sat pressed against Zane’s side, his arm wrapped protectively around her. Cleo curled close to Lewis, who kept scribbling worried notes in his journal even as his eyes flicked nervously toward Emma.

All night, Emma remained half-awake, tail shifting restlessly, eyes sometimes flashing silver when she opened them. They didn’t sleep, none of them dared.

Finally, just as the first rays of dawn bled into the sky, Emma’s tail shimmered… and vanished. She stirred, sitting up groggily, rubbing her forehead.

“Good morning” Her voice was soft, confused. “Why are you boys here?”

The others exchanged uneasy glances.

“It doesn’t matter,” Cleo said quickly, forcing a smile. “You’re okay now.”

“Why are you all looking at me like that?” Emma frowned at their expressions. “It’s been the moon, right?”

No one answered. But the fear in their eyes told her more than words ever could.

Cleo looked at her friends, her voice small. “What if this keeps happening every full moon? What if we can’t stop it?”

Rikki reached over and squeezed her hand. “Then we deal with it. Together.”

Zane gave Rikki a sideways look, quiet but steady. “Whatever happens, I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

She smirked at him, but there was warmth in her eyes.

Lewis looked from one to the other, then at Emma still half-asleep and confused, and let out a sigh. “We really need answers. Ms. Chatham better start talking soon.”

------------------------- ---------------

School felt heavier than usual the next morning. Cleo kept yawning through every class, Emma walked with her head down and avoided questions, and even Rikki, who normally brushed things off, was quieter than usual. The memory of Emma’s silver eyes and the tail that refused to vanish still clung to them like fog.

Rikki was shoving books into her locker when she heard a too-familiar voice.

“Hey, Rikki.”

Her shoulders stiffened. She turned slowly, already bracing herself. “Hi Will, bye Will”

He leaned against the locker beside hers, casual but with that smug grin that made her blood boil, blocking her way. “Thought you might be interested in something I found last night.”

“Not interested,” she shot back, slamming her locker shut.

Will didn’t move. “I was diving near one of the smaller islands. And I found this… natural pool. Really deep. The water was bubbling, like it was alive. And there were these little lights everywhere under the surface. Beautiful, actually.”

Rikki froze, her breath catching in her throat.

Will tilted his head, watching her reaction with interest. “I thought maybe you’d like to check it out with me. You like mysteries, don’t you?”

Her face drained of color. She forced out a laugh, sharp and dismissive. “You should work on your material if you’re trying to impress me. Fairy lights in a magic pool? Please.”

And before he could answer, she turned on her heel and stormed off down the hall.

She found the others huddling near their usual spot by the courtyard. Zane’s arm was slung over a bench, Lewis flipping through his ever-present notebook, Cleo whispering nervously to Emma.

“You’ll never guess what Will just said to me,” Rikki blurted, dropping onto the bench right next to Zane. Her voice was low, urgent. “He was on Mako. Last night. During the full moon.”

Everyone’s heads snapped toward her.

“What?” Lewis nearly dropped his pen. “You’re joking.”

“I wish I was,” Rikki muttered. “He described the moon pool perfectly. Bubbling water, glowing lights, the whole thing.”

Emma’s face went pale. “Do you think… do you think he touched the water?”

Cleo’s voice was barely above a whisper. “If he did… does that mean…?”

“A merman,” Zane finished grimly, jaw tight. “That’s the last thing we need.”

They all sat in silence for a beat, the weight of the possibility sinking in.

For the first time, it wasn’t just the girls’ secret at risk. It was the thought of someone else becoming part of their world, someone who wasn’t ready, and who definitely couldn’t be trusted.