A/N: Hey I am huge H2O Fan and I wanted to see if it was possible for Cleo and Charlotte to be a couple, together. Which is what I am doing with this story, I hope you read and like it, and hopefully want more because I do have more if you want it. The first chapter is basically warming up to more drama, more romance and more everything; so I hope you like it! ~KJ99

Can You Handle The Truth?

"Why is it such a big deal?" I ask as we enter the JuiceNet Café. Emma and Rikki had been pestering me all morning, all week really about mine and Lewis friendship turn 'relationship.' We both make good friends but we're just not into each other that way, which other people can't see because they only see what they want to see.

"Because it's you and Lewis," Rikki replied with as we found a booth to sit in and Emma goes to order our usual drinks.

"So?" I asked, I was getting really annoyed with this conversation but I couldn't avoid it like I had pretty much all week.

"So you two are liked destined to be with each other," Emma slide into the booth next to Rikki nodding her head agreeing with Rikki; which was a rare sight in itself.

"Have you ever thought that maybe things aren't as clear as you think they are," I was going to regret saying that but I just wanted them to leave me alone.

"What does that mean?" Emma asked, yep definitely regret that.

"Just what I said, not everything is what you think it is."

"Okay, now you're just not making sense," Rikki said as she grabbed her drink off the tray. Emma grabbed hers before I grabbed mine and smiled a thanks at the maybe cute waitress for bring our drinks over for us. I took a sip of my orange juice and hoped they would drop it. Thankfully for me they drop it and went onto talking about their boyfriends and the dramas they were having. Rikki was dating the towns refined 'bad boy' Zane and Emma was dating the complete opposite of Zane, she was dating the JuiceNet Café manager Ash; they both seemed like good guys for both of them. People had me and Lewis paired together but we just weren't that interested in each other, we had a great friendship but we just weren't each other's type.

Rikki then said "Zane just text me asking if he wanted to hang out."

Emma smiled and replied with "Ash, just text me too."

They then both look at me and I say "Go, it's fine."

"Thanks Cleo," they both say as they slide out of the booth. They both put money onto the table for their drinks before saying their byes and leaving. I sat there alone in the booth drinking my juice and trying to think of new plans for the day. The cute redhead waitress that had given us our drinks, came over to my booth but I didn't notice until she spoke.

"I'm Charlotte."

Looking up, I reply with "Cleo," she nods and scoops up the money that the girls left. I grab my wallet from my pocket and go to get money out but she placed a hand over mine.

She then said "On me," I smile at her and watch her walk away to put the money in the till. She severs more costumers and I watch her every move every closely.

I then hear "Hey Cleo," breaking connection with looking at Charlotte I turn and find Lewis sitting where Emma and Rikki had before.

"Hey Lewis, have you been sitting there long?"

"No, you just looked really in thought."

"Not really."

"Well I try to make you openly check out the girl sound better than it does."

"Lewis," I smiled and reach over to slap his shoulder.

"No, no its okay Cleo, she doesn't seem to mind but I thought blondes were more your type."

"Well that's clearly not going to work."

Lewis asked "Why not?"

I answered with "Because of Ash, because she is straight and because it's Emma."

"Have you asked her?"

"No, you know that. They don't even know I go for that team, they think I'm into you and you're the only one who knows."

"Why haven't you told them?"

"I don't know, I'm scared of rejection from them."

"They would never do that Cleo, they love you."

"I know, I just can't and I'm not ready."

"Understandable, I'm not either."

"Yeah, do you want a juice?"

"No, I was just stopping into see what you were up too."

"Well nothing, the girls are with their boyfriends."

"Do you want to go for a swim?"

I thought before replying with "No, I'm not in the mood."

Lewis said "To swim, since when?"

I replied with "Just not now Lewis."

Lewis nodded and said "Well I have to go study for that science test we have Monday."

I groaned, Lewis asked "What's wrong?"

"I completely forgot about it."

"Don't worry, you'll figure it out."

"Cramming session, before the test?"

"See told you, you would figure it out." I smiled and shook my head at him; he then stood up and left the JuiceNet Café to go study for the test.

Charlotte the waitress then sat down and asked "I'm new in town, what is there to do in this town?"

"Well there's a beach, I hear it's pretty good."

"Really, want to show me?"

"Sure," I took the finale sip of my juice before standing up and we both left for the beach together.

I say as we get to the beach, "Well here it is."

"I see that," she looked around while I sat down on the sand that was really hot but dry; thankfully.

"Do you want to swim?" I looked out at the water and I could tell I had gone totally pale.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, the water just isn't my thing."

"Well that's okay," she said sitting down and putting a calming hand on my shoulder. I smiled at her nervously not really knowing what else to do.

I said "You can swim if you want."

"No, I'd rather get to know more about you."

"Well there's not much to know really."

"I don't believe that for one second Cleo," she smiled at me and I smiled back.

Charlotte asked "Favourite colour?"

I answered with "Green, you?"

Charlotte asked "Green as well, favourite genre of movie?"

I replied with "Rom-com, you?"

Charlotte said "Same, favourite food?"

I responded with "Chicken, you?"

Charlotte replied with "Potatoes, I love my potatoes," we both smiled and continued getting to know each other and soon found out we had a lot in common.

Walking out of the Science room, I felt like my brain had been splattered across the walls. I had revised all night for it, this morning and again with Lewis before class, my brain was tired and it wanted sleep.

"See you in PE Cleo," Lewis said to me before leaving. I nodded my head from where I was standing leaning up against the wall, I was so grateful for my free period right now.

I then hear from a distance but getting closer "Wow, you look like hell," I look up to see Charlotte walking towards me. When I had told her about my science test when we were getting to know each other, she had said she was really good at Science and offered to help me study. She had come over on Sunday night to help me study, I had no idea what she was talking about and half the time she was having to stop and explaining it to me.

I reply with "Yeah, I feel like it too."

Charlotte asked "How did you go?"

"Okay, I think."

"That's good."

I nodded and said "But I'm super tired."

"What time did you go to bed last night?"

"Four, five in the morning, I don't actually remember falling asleep but my sister had to wake me which she just loved to do." Kim thought since she had to take time out of her getting ready for the day, just to wake me she would tip a full bucket of icy cold water onto me, I woke up fast and moved quicker to the bathroom than any girl in the history before.

Charlotte slapped my shoulder lightly and said "What did I say to you about getting sleep."

I answered with "To get some."

Charlotte said "Exactly."

"And technically I did, two or three hours at least."

Charlotte said "Don't get all technically with me, smart ass."

"Oh but I'm so good at it."

"Just for that, you can buy me a juice after school."

I asked "What is it like free? Since you work there."

"No, sadly you'll be paying full price."

I gasped and said "You hurt me Charlotte, you hurt me," we both looked at each other before laughing.

I then hear "Hey Cleo!" Stopping laughing I look to see it was Emma and Rikki walk in over to me, I internally groan knowing something bad will happen.

Rikki asked once they both get to me "What happened to our morning swim?" Dammit Rikki why couldn't you have said anything other than swimming.

Charlotte looked at me and said "You said water isn't you thing."

I replied with "Yeah, I have water anxiety and yesterday it was really bad," I saw the shocked look on both Emma and Rikki's face and the concern on Charlotte's.

Charlotte said "Hey it's okay, I totally get it. I have total stage fright."

"No you don't."

"Do too, I get up onto a stage and nothing comes out, one time I ended up crying."

"Okay, now you're just making that up."

Charlotte gasped and said "Now that's two juices full price."

"Okay, now your just hurting my wallet."

"Your wallet will live Cleo, it will live."

I smiled and said "Not if I have to keep buying you juices."

Charlotte smiled before saying "I'll take them after school, thank-you."

"Fine, see you at the JuiceNet?"

"You know it, see you Cleo," I smiled and waved at her as she walked away.

"Water anxiety?" both Rikki and Emma said at the same time.

"What did you expect me to say?"

Rikki replied with "I just didn't want to swim with you so back off," I couldn't help but roll my eyes at Rikki before yawning.

"What happened to our swim this morning?" Emma asked with some concern.

I replied with "I totally forgot about it because I was studying for my Science test I had this morning, then I slept in and Kim woke me up very rudely."

Rikki asked "How rudely?"

"Tipping icy cold water over me."

"Did she see?" Emma asked more concerned than before.

"No, I was able to move very fast, cold water tends to do that to you."

Rikki said "Your sister is evil."

"You think? I didn't notice."

Rikki put her hands up in defences and said "Wow, what side of the bed did you wake up on."

I replied with "Sorry, I'm just really tired."

Emma asked "It's okay Cleo, do you want to swim after school?"

I answered with "I can't, I'm hanging out with Charlotte and probably catch up with Lewis too."

"And you say there's nothing going on with you and Lewis," Rikki said as she started to walk with Emma and I following her.

"There's not, he is just a friend and nothing more."

"Yeah right, Cleo," Emma said. I groaned internally just wishing they would believe and without needing to be a reason.

"We are just friends, how many more times do I have to say it?"

Rikki replied with "Until we believe it Cleo." I groaned out loud this time and just kept following them but smiled at the thought of hanging out with Charlotte after school.

Charlotte meet at the JuiceNet café like we had planned, ordered a juice each with me paying for both of us and when we got them we took them to go and went to private area to hang out and talk.

"How long have you known?" Charlotte asked.

Swallowing my sip, I asked back "Known what?"

"Come on Cleo, how long have you known that your gay?"

"Dude keep your voice down."

"Sorry, but it's just here Cleo there's no one listening in."

"Well you never know."

"So I ask again, how long have you known?"

"My whole life really, I just didn't see the appeal in boys that I did in girls."

"Right but no one knows?"

"My friend Lewis knows and now you."

"Why him?"

"I've known him my whole life, plus people keep saying him and I should be in a relationship together but that's just not happening."

"Because your gay."

"Yeah but people don't know, they see what they want to see, they don't see something that's right in front of them."

"Does Lewis want a relationship with you?"

"No, I'm not really his type just like I'm not his," I take a sip of my juice and watch as the realisation comes over her face.

Charlotte said "He's gay?"

I nodded my head and replied with "Yep, but people don't know and you can't tell anyone."

"I couldn't do that to someone Cleo, coming out should be when that person is ready."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

I asked "How did you know, I am gay."

"I see between the lines and I have great gaydar."

I smile and say "Lucky you."

"So which one of your friends to you fancy?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well it has to be one of them, normally your first crash is someone your close too."

"That is so not true, your just making it up."

"Maybe but I know I'm right with you."

"Maybe so but I think that crush has gone and moved onto someone else," I took a sip of my juice and allowed her to think about what I meant by that.

"Oh yeah, do I know this person?" Charlotte asked in a flirty voice.

I replied with the same flirty voice "You might."

"Spill."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to make a fool of myself especially if they aren't interested."

"They might but you'll never know, unless you go for it."

"Maybe but I don't know if this person would be okay with having a secret relationship, I'm just not ready to come out and deal with the outcome of it."

"You'll never know unless you tell them, until then you'll be left with the questions."

"Fine, it's you. I like, like you." I watched as she faked the shock on her face, I had feeling she already knew but it's still really scary putting your heart out on the line for it to then only get rejected.

"Well, I like, like you too."

"Really?"

"You sound surprised."

"Well I am, not many people like, like me."

"Well more people should because you are definitely an amazing person."

I smiled and replied with "Thanks."

"I'm not out either and I'm not ready to either."

I nodded and asked "So where does that put us?"

"Well we could keep being friends and ignore our feelings for each other or we could date in secret pretend to be friends to the outside world but behind closed doors we are more than friends."

I replied with "I like the second option better but we can't hang out at my house."

"Why not?"

"Kim, she likes to spy on me and use things against me."

"Right and we don't want her finding out about us, I don't have any siblings which is a good thing so my place is definitely the better place to hang out."

I nodded my head and said "So Charlotte will you be my secret girlfriend?"

Charlotte smiled and replied with "Thought you'd never ask."

"That's a yes right."

"Yes Cleo, it's a yes."

"Well you can never be too sure," we both laughed before Charlotte put her arm around me for a side hug and I wished it could go on for longer but it didn't.

"So do I still owe you one more juice."

"Ah yeah," we both looked at each other before cracking up laughing.

Something I should probably have mentioned earlier is that Emma, Rikki and I aren't like normal girls or other people for that matter. We are mermaids, I know you're probably thinking they don't existed but they do and that's what we are. Lewis, Zane and Ash are the only ones to know, they all think it is pretty cool. Emma and Rikki took to it quicker than I did at the start but I have come to accept and embracing it. We also have these magically powers Rikki can make all things with water boil and heat up, Emma is able to cool down and freeze water, from water molecules in the human body and I have the ability to create, control and manipulate liquid water, mold it and other liquids however I want them to be.

After spending most of the afternoon yesterday with Charlotte, then spending the day at school with Lewis because the girls were busy doing homework they had forgotten. Lewis was really excited when I told him about Charlotte and I, he was just as excited as I was and he promised not to tell anyone. I swam out to Mako Island, the place were Emma, Rikki and I became mermaids and changed our lives; for the better I think. Swimming in through the entrance of the water pool before coming into the opening of the volcano, where I found both Emma and Rikki already there; we had agreed to meet here and catch up.

Rikki said "Hey, what took you so long?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to enjoy my journey here," they both look at each other and roll their eyes before smiling at me. Pulling myself out of the water, I grabbed the towel that we always left here for us too dry off and I used it to dry myself.

Emma asked "So anything new with you?"

"Nope," I shook my head and looked at them too answer as well.

"Zane wants to take me out on his boat for a date," I smiled at her, I was actually happy for her.

"Ash is going to take me out horse riding one day this week," I smiled at Emma this time happy for her as well. I had gotten myself dry enough that my tail disappeared and my legs reappeared again, I was always really fascinated with how it happened but there was nowhere I could really get the information for it. My phone then started to ring, looking at the girls before digging in my pocket for it and when I found it; I brought it out to see it was Charlotte.

Answering it I say "Hey."

"Hey, I was just calling to see what you're up too?"

"Just hanging out with Emma and Rikki that's all."

"Oh should I be jealous."

"No, there is no need for that."

"There was also something else I had to ask you."

"Okay, go on."

"My Mum is going away for the weekend and even though I am older enough to stay home alone, she wants me to have someone over just so I'm not alone and I was wondering if you might like to come over."

"Are you sure I'm the safest person for that?"

Charlotte laughed and replied with "I'm pretty sure we can control ourselves, if you don't want to its fine."

I say "No, I do, I just wanted to make you stew for a bit."

"Just for that, add another juice onto your total."

"You are seriously hurting my wallet."

"Your wallet will survive, I'll let you get back to your friends and we'll discuss this at lunch tomorrow."

"Yeah sounds good, see you tomorrow."

"That you will Cleo," I smiled as we did a little more talking before hanging up from each other. I was really excited to spend some alone time with her and I started to wonder what we'd do.

Emma asked "Who was that?"

I replied with "Charlotte."

Rikki said "You ditching us for her?"

"No, we just hang out from time-to-time, you know when you two ditch me for your boyfriends."

"Sorry," Emma said straight away."

"It's fine really, just don't be all upset if I started making other friends."

"Okay we won't and sorry."

Emma then said "Wow, Rikki I didn't know you knew that word." Rikki gasped before she starts to splash water at Emma, whom then started splashing back and somehow I managed to get pulled into the water and we had this massive water fight.

Walking inside of the massive house, it made mine look like a caravan; which I didn't think was possible. I jumped when I felt hands on my shoulder, only to realise they were Charlottes and she was pulling my jacket off for me. I had been nervous about coming to her house for most of the week and trying not to show it around Charlotte was hard, since we had spent most of the week together; helping each other study and me buying her juice after juice.

Charlotte said "Sorry, I didn't mean to scary you."

Taking a deep inhale, I reply with "It's fine, just wasn't expecting it."

Charlotte said "Right, Mums left already so it's just us," I nodded my head still taking the house in.

"Would you like a tour?"

"Maybe later," I saw Charlotte smile before we both just stood there; awkwardly.

Charlotte then blurted out "Do you want to watch a movie?"

"Yeah that sounds good," Charlotte nodded her head and told me to follow her. I followed her into a really big room which was the lounge room, it had two large cupboards full with DVDs, two reclining chairs and one really big lounge which you could lay down on.

"Why don't you chose the movie and I'll get us some popcorn?" Charlotte suggested. I nodded my head before placing my bag on the ground and moving to look at the DVDs. There were so many DVDs to choose from but I was able to choose the movie 'Pitch Perfect' in the end, it's a really good movie. Placing the DVD onto the coffee table and taking a seat on the lounge while waiting for Charlotte to come back.

Charlotte said as she walked in "We are out of salt, so there is only butter on the popcorn."

"That's fine; I don't really like salt on my popcorn." Charlotte smiled at me, placed the popcorn bowl back down on table before walking back into the kitchen. When Charlotte walked back into the room she had two glasses of water, I stared at the water and I was immediately scared of it.

Charlotte asked "Are you okay?" I nodded my head really quickly but I was still really freaked about the water. I saw Charlotte look at me before following my eye sight and seeing what had made me so scared and I could just hear the realisation.

"I am so sorry Cleo, I completely forgot." She placed the glass down, sat down on the lounge next to me and places her hand on my shoulder. Her wet hand was on my shoulder, her wet was on my bare shoulder, water was on my skin; shit was all I thought.

I asked really steadily "Where's your bathroom?"

"Just down the hall from here," I nodded my head and took off running as fast as I could. I saw the kitchen as I went, I really wished I had said yes to that tour of the house; there are so many rooms in this house. Finally finding it, I got inside locked the door and just as I finished my tail appeared and I fell onto the ground. I am now lying on the floor in the bathroom of my first ever girlfriends house, in mermaid form; having Rikki's power would be so helpful right now. Hearing the doorknob turning on the door freaked me out but I let out a sigh of relief when I remember I was able to lock it.

Charlotte asked "Cleo, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I completely forgot. I'm so sorry; please tell me you're okay." I could hear the concern and sadness in her voice, I immediately felt guilty for lying to her but I just wasn't ready for her to know; we hadn't even been dating for a week.

I replied back with "I'm okay, it's fine Charlotte; really." I look around the room for a towel; I shimmy over to the only towel that I could see in the room and start to pat myself dry with it.

Charlotte said "Can you come out here or can I come in to make sure you're okay?"

Freaking, I say "I'll be out in second."

"Okay, I'll wait here," I could still hear the concern in her voice. I patted myself all over trying to dry myself, as soon as my leg reappeared I sighed with relief; they had gone away quicker than normal. Standing up off the ground, I hung the towel back up and after taking a deep breath I opened the bathroom door and was hit with Charlotte straight away. Wrapping my arms around her waist and tacking my head into her shoulder, I took a deep breath and smiled at the scent of Charlotte; it was definitely a smell I was going to like. Having Charlotte's arms wrapped around me, mine around her and my head tucked into her was the best thing in the world; just this simple thing made me so happy.

Charlotte leant back to look at me but I stayed where I was, Charlotte then said "I am so sorry, I have no idea what I was thinking when I brought out the water."

Leaning back I replied with "You were thinking that I am okay with drinking water."

"But you're not."

"No but you didn't know how about my water anxiety is."

Charlotte asked "How long have you had it?" Stepping back from Charlotte, I moved to the wall just next to the bathroom door and sat down; leaning against the wall and Charlotte sat in front of me.

I reply with "Most of my life, I've just never liked being around the water. Which I know is weird since our bodies are made up of 70% or something of water, I have enough water a day to keep hydrated but I just freak out about having anymore."

"I don't really know what to say."

"I'm a freak, I know that."

"You are definitely not a freak."

"I am too and I'd understand if you didn't want to be with me because of it."

"You are not a freak; I don't like hearing you talk about yourself like that. You having water anxiety doesn't change anything, you are someone I want to be with and I see this going somewhere, don't you?"

"Yeah, I see this going somewhere."

"Good," I smiled before I leant forward and pressed my lips to Charlotte's for our first kiss together. Pulling back from the short kiss, we looked into each other's eyes as we started to lean back and away from each other. I watched as I smile slowly appeared on Charlotte face and sparkle grew in her eyes.

Charlotte said "That was nice."

I smiled and replied with "Yeah, it was," we then just sat there in silence staring into each other's eyes.

I then asked "Do you want to go watch that movie we were talking about?"

Charlotte replied with "Right, yeah okay," we both stood up and went into her lounge room where she put the DVD in and I got comfy on her lounge.