Chapter 2

Rikki's POV

"So in Hawaii, I learned that there are sixteen places in the world where you can be changed to become a mermaid. I really want to find the other 13 because I know where the one in Hawaii is, Bella knows where the one in the sea caves of Ireland is and we all know where Mako is. Myths say that all the secrets are linked to the sixteen and when you find them, you know everything. The last person to have found out the secrets lived from 1623-1659 so they're long gone. But I think we can do it. It's not too hard, you know! But we'll need 13 months because you have to be there at a full moon to figure out whether it really is what you think because it could be misleading. Besides, after 13 months Lewis will be back!"

I finished my little speech and looked around the room. I could tell Cleo was trying to not cry and Bella was processing the idea. This was off to a good start.

"Wow you've surely done some research on this, Rikki, you sound very determined." Bella said hesitantly.

"Yeah, I have, but seriously guys, are you in? Will you do this with me?"

Bella and Cleo exchanged looks and Cleo sighed. Bella started fiddling with her necklace and Cleo did the same. They both seemed hesitant and nervous to respond. After several more moments of silence, I couldn't stand it anymore.

"Okay, so what?" I said suddenly.

Cleo had been so immersed in what she was doing she bolted upright. Bella continued playing with the gleaming blue stone on her necklace. Bella looked up, exchanged one more look with Cleo and then spoke.

"I'll do it."

Cleo looked taken aback but nervously stated, "Same. Team?"

I slowly nodded and launched into my thoughts about preparation.

"Anyways, I was thinking that before we went we needed to do some preparations. Since we'll need to know generally where all the caves are, we can find likely areas and search them. We can go to the ones close to each other during every month and at the time of full moon, one of us will go to one cave and the other two of us will go to the other to make sure it really is magical. So there are thirteen we have to find and they could be anywhere but I have some general knowledge of where. I found a mermaid myth book and some myths are in certain areas and I think that there might be a cave around there. So what do you guys think?"

"Woah, not so fast. What about money, food and all that?" Bella said.

"I also read that mermaids can survive on an ocean diet but we'll have to test that theory out. And why would we need money? We'll just swim in the ocean and if possible, use an ocean diet. It's perfect!" I said grinning.

Cleo hadn't spoken for a while and she seemed nervous about her decision.

"I don't know guys, so many things could go wrong! Is it really worth doing? Is it really worth doing? Is it? Is it?"

By now, she was just talking to herself because her nerves had gotten the best of her. She was just nervous about the other parts, like if she'd survive to see Lewis again and whether we'd actually be successful in finding the caves. It was obvious to me because Cleo tended to worry in situations like this.

"Anyways, we better start researching on the general areas." I said ignoring Cleo's question and breaking the tension from earlier.

Bella and Cleo nodded and we started researching. Whenever we found a likely location we would call it out and Bella would write it down. I called out another one and I heard a laptop close. Bella looked satisfied, as if we were done.

Bella's POV

Rikki looked very surprised when I closed my laptop.

"What's wrong Rikki?" I asked curiously.

"We're not done and you close your laptop and look all happy as if we've finished EVERYTHING!" Her tone was rude and she looked disgusted, almost.

"Ummm..I have thirteen different places written down. I think we are done..?" I said nervously.

She looked down at her laptop embarrassed "Oh." Cleo was smiling and said "So read them out Bella!"

"Sure, just wait a second." I glanced over at Rikki and her face was all red. I attempted to ignore it. "Anyways, so here's the list!"

"1. Nereo Cave
2. Portbraddon Cave
3. Caves of Nanumanga
4. Blue Grotto (Capri)
5. Grotta Dello Smelraldo
6. Gortham's Cave
7. Animal Flower Cave
8. Blue Grotto (Bisevo)
9. Blue Grotto (Malta)
10. Smoo Cave
11. Sea Lion Caves
12. Vanguard Cave
13. Fingal's Cave"

"Oh, and of course Mako, Sea Caves Of Ireland and the place in Hawaii." I finished.

Cleo smiled and walked over to take a look at the list. I knew what she was feeling. We actually had a chance. We could actually do this. This trip would be the seal to our friendship once again. We may have finished school but it didn't mean that we couldn't still have those perfect high school friendships. And besides, we were mermaids, something most people weren't. We could maybe discover things that no one had discovered for more than 360 years. And what do you know? Anything could go wrong. Anything. Absolutely anything.