"See you around." Cleo hung up with Nina, before placing her phone on the side of her desk. She took the acceptance letter in her hands before rereading the first line.

Congratulations! We are so happy to inform you that you are one of our top applicants of our exchange program to the UK!

Cleo could barely believe she'd gotten in. She knew her grades were really good, and she'd worked so hard for it but there was always a small part of her that had thought she didn't stand a chance at getting in. She'd gotten the letter this morning and nearly cried when she opened it. The school had one of the best biology programs in the UK and she knew that was what she wanted to major in when she went off to college. It was imperative for her that she got this in order to help her get into a good college and be able to study the best way possible.

She picked up her phone to text Rikki, and Bella. She forgot to mention to Nina that Emma had moved away. She and her family were off travelling the world. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. A month or two after Emma left, the two of them had met Bella. Long story short, they were up to three mermaids once more.

Cleo knew she had to tell Bella and Rikki her news. She hoped they'd be excited for her and not to disappointed. Especially for Rikki; losing two friends in the span of three months had to be difficult. She knew however, that if Cleo just up and left tomorrow, she'd never hear the end of it. So Cleo took out her cell phone and texted both girls to meet her at the moon pool.

"What do you mean you're going to the UK?!" Rikki exclaimed while leaning against one of the rocks at he base of the moon pool. Bella bobbed at her side while frowning softly. Even though she'd only just met the towo, she was still disappointed in the news of Cleo's departure.

"Look, Rikki, I promise I was going to say something sooner-"

"Yeah, well why didn't you? You can't just leave use here! After everything we've been through."

"Well it's not my ideal option either." Cleo yelled before swimming over to the two. "I didn't even think I was going to get in. I applied on a whim; saw it as an amazing learning opportunity that was too good to not even try for."

"Well, why not say anything? You could have told us. Maybe then we wouldn't be as upset as we are."

"I'm sorry." Cleo whispered. She had no idea this was how Rikki would react. "If it's really an issue, I won't go-"

"Like hell, you're not." Rikki exclaimed. "Look, I just wish you said something sooner. It's going to be a big change, but you need to go and do this for yourself. I'm not going to stand in your way."

"I think we just both wish, you weren't leaving so suddenly." Bella explained.

"You think I want to leave early? It's not my first choice." Cleo rested her arms on the moon pool rock. "This place is my home. It's my safe haven. Whenever my dad and Kim get in a fight, when school gets tough; I get to come here and everything suddenly feels safe. Alright in the world."

Cleo looked over at Rikki.

"This is where we first changed. When we became mermaids." she looked around the dormant volcano. "Were a part of this place. It's my home and I have to leave it all behind."

"Mako will always be here for you." Rikki consoled her before swimming over to. "We'll always be here for you."

"Yeah." Bella replied. "Besides, it's just a quick swim over. You might just get cold on the way."

Cleo chuckled before pulling both girls into a hug.

"I don't know what I'd do without you guys." They pulled out of the hugs before continuing to lounge around in the moon pool.

"So, what are you going to tell Lewis?" Bella asked before resting her head on the rock.

"I dunno." Cleo sighed. "He's been acting kind of off lately. Really focused on his studies. I don't know if he'd be all too upset if I left."

"Of course he'd be upset." Rikki yelled before going over to Cleo. "Lewis worships the ground you walk on. He's going to miss you, Cleo."

"I guess you're right." Cleo exclaimed. "I'll probably see him before I finish packing."

The girls continued to float there in the water; talking about this and that every now and then. Cleo knew she'd probably miss this place more than anywhere else in the area. The moon pool provided so much comfort and stability for the three mermaids that it was practically a second home; if not their first. She didn't know how she'd be able to handle living somewhere as land locked and cold as the UK. She'd just have to adjust herself to it. Hopefully, it all worked out for the best.

Cleo made her way down to the dock where she spotted Lewis fishing. Around him were notebooks and note cards scattered. She picked up one and set it aside before sitting down next to him. He placed his arm around her before she rested her head on his shoulder. They sat like that for some time; not talking. Just enjoying the moment.

"I got accepted to the school." Cleo explained softly. Lewis turned towards her with a gentle smile which in turn made her smile right back.

"I knew you would." he said softly. Cleo took one of his hands and intertwined their fingers. "So you're going then, I take it. When do you leave?"

Cleo was silent for a moment before looking Lewis in the eyes; a sad smile on her face.

"Tomorrow."

Lewis nodded before turning back out to the sea. "You're going to do so well there."

"So, you're not mad?"

"Mad? Why on earth would I be mad?" Lewis asked her.

"I just thought you'd be upset that I'm flying half way across the world."

"Yeah but it's important. It's going to help your future." Lewis explained.

"So you're totally okay with me leaving?" Cleo asked.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Lewis planted a soft kiss on her head before wrapping her in his arms tighter.

Cleo and Lewis parted ways after a few more moments of sitting on the dock together and shared kisses. A small part of Cleo was upset that Lewis was so okay with her going to the UK for the remainder of the school year. She knew however how focused on his studies he could get, so she passed if off as him looking out for her education.

She spent the rest of the night packing all of her belongings. She knew she was going to have to get used to the cold and chilly weather of the UK so she packed as many of her warm clothes as she could. Along with that she remembered to pack her toiletries, school supplies, and a whole bunch of other things she knew she would need. Eventually all of her things were packed up and place at her bedroom door; ready for the next morning.

Nina was in her room with Amber; finishing up with the rearranging. When Cleo came to the school, she had needed a place to stay. Seeing as Nina and her were cousins, she'd begged Trudy to let her move in with Amber and herself. It took some convincing and the promise of doing the dishes all of this week, but she finally said yes. They'd spent the entire morning trying to set up a bed for her.

"I can't believe that you insisted on her living with us." Amber said as she place a fitted sheet onto the new bed. "What if she's weird? I don't want to bunk with a weird girl."

"Well, you seem to have no problem with me." Nina chucked while dusting off the mirror of the vanity they'd grabbed from the attic. "Besides, she's not weird. She's my cousin. I promise you'll love her."

"Well, I'd better love her if it means bunking with another person."

While Amber and Nina, finished setting up their room, Cleo on the other hand was sitting in the back of a cab on her way to the school. The flight itself wasn't too awful. She' ended up on a delayed flight do to some mix up, so they allowed her to sit in first class due to the mix up. She mostly slept on the trip, but she did catch views of Mako island just before they left. She almost felt something inside of her give out as she flew away from the magical island. She knew she was going to miss it so much.

Eventually, the cab drove up to the school and stopped in front of it. Cleo grabbed her things, gave the man his payment, and then made her way up to the school. It truly as a beautiful school. With old brick buildings and a lovely courtyard. There were students all over the courtyard; playing Frisbee, sitting around on the grass; it looked almost like a college. Cleo really hoped she would like it here.