Chapter One

Cleo was covering up the last window in her house. Tonight was the first full moon since the moon pool had been destroyed. No one was sure if the moon would affect the girls or not so they decided to play it safe. Rikki was sitting in the living between Bella and Emma. Emma had only gotten back the week before, and to say things were rocky between her and Bella would be an understatement.

Emma was shocked beyond belief to find when she got home that her two best friends had met another mermaid and befriended her. She felt replaced, and no reassuring from Cleo or Rikki would convince her otherwise.

Bella, on the other hand, was worried now that Rikki and Cleo had their best friend back that they would just throw her to the side. She was just a replacement until their real friend got back.

Naturally Cleo took a hold of the situation with grace. She told Emma and Bella that Rikki and her wanted to be friends with both of them and that she thought the two of them would be great friends if they tried.

But even that had done little to help the situation. Rikki could barely handle the tension and awkwardness in the air in the room.

"Cleo, are you almost done," she called out, wanting Cleo to come relieve some of the awkwardness.

Cleo walked into the living room a moment later. She took in the scene. Emma and Bella sitting on opposite sides of the couch. Emma had her arms crossed over her chest and was currently glaring at the floor. Bella was examining her nail with intense interest. Rikki had gotten off the couch and was leaning against the wall as far away from the two girls as possible. It was no secret that Rikki had been annoyed throughout the whole ordeal between Bella and Emma. She had made many biting, snide comments that did little to help the problem.

Cleo knew that Rikki wasn't just irritated with the situation, but also with Zane. The two had decided to try one last time, but were keeping it secret. Rikki had no clue that Cleo knew of this secret relationship.

"Okay, we are set," Cleo said, brightly. Her plan was to make this night bond Emma and Bella and make them see how stupid they were acting.

"Yay. House arrest," Rikki said, dryly.

"Come on. It will be the old times," Cleo said. The last thing she needed was for Rikki to be in a mood all night.

"Yeah, when it was just the three of us," Emma added, shooting daggers at Bella.

"Too bad you weren't here the last year," Bella bit back.

"She's got a point, Em," Rikki said. She had never got over the fact that Emma left them in their senior year.

"Rikki, kitchen, please," Cleo said, grabbing Rikki's arm and pulling her into the kitchen.

Cleo felt like she was babysitting a bunch of five year olds. Two were fighting over a toy while one was throwing a tantrum for no reason.

"What the hell, Cleo?" Rikki yanked her arm out of Cleo's grip.

"Rikki, can you, please, just help me out? I don't have time for your attitude. We need to get Emma and Bella to get along."

Rikki rolled her eyes and opened her mouth, but Cleo cut her off before she could say a word.

"Did something happen with Zane?"

Rikki's eyes narrowed. She hadn't discuss Zane with anyone since their breakup. It was an unspoken rule. People knew better than to bring it up.

"What are you talking about?"

"I know you two are together again."

Rikki bit her lips together. She hadn't want anyone to know about that. Bella and Cleo had been there throughout Zane and hers fallout, and she didn't want a lecture on how stupid it was for her to give him another chance.

"I'm not mad. I'm just worried about you. You're acting really…" Cleo trailed off.

"Bitchy? I know. It's just that Zane…well he…he kind of, sort of-"

Rikki never got to finish her sentence. There was a bright flash of light, and then blackness.