"What?" Will wasn't sure he'd heard Rikki correctly. He hadn't thought for a second that Bella might not be happy for him. "Why would Bella hate it?"
Rikki sat down close to him, speaking gently. "Will, she's always talking about what what a relief it is to date someone normal. I mean, she lives in an apartment with two other mermaids, Her home doesn't have any windows because we have to be careful about the full moon, she can't even take regular college classes in an actual classroom because she'd always have to miss on rainy days." She smiled sadly. "Or even if it just threatens to rain. She really liked that, with you. She could just relax and play human for a bit."
Will frowned. "But Bella loves being a mermaid. She doesn't actually want to be human."
"No she doesn't." Rikki agreed. "Do you like chocolate ice cream?"
"Um, yes?" Will was confused by the random question.
"Would you even say you love chocolate ice cream?" Rikki said lightly.
"I guess." Will shrugged. "Why?"
Rikki waited a moment, composing her thoughts before speaking. "Would you want to eat chocolate ice cream for every single meal, every single day, forever?"
"No... I'd want a break." Will suddenly realized where Rikki was going with her ice cream questions.
"You were her break from chocolate ice cream." Rikki said simply.
"But do you think she'll be angry with me?" Will let himself lay back on the floor as he spoke. "I love her, Rikki, I don't want to lose her."
"She definitely won't be thrilled." Rikki said grimly. Suddenly her face twisted into a terrible scowl.
"Will..." She spoke very slowly. "Earlier today Sophie was very adamant about not letting us see you. And she seemed pretty agitated about something." Rikki shot Will an accusatory look. She spoke calmly and quietly, which was far scarier than if she'd started yelling. "Will, does Sophie know what you are?"
Will was too scared to answer. He jumped to his feet and hurried to the kitchen.
"Will!" Rikki followed him. "Answer the question!"
"Ok, she knows." Will gave up. "She caught me when I was pulling myself out of the water earlier. But she won't tell anyone." He added quickly.
"What?" Rikki screeched in disbelief. "Will, how could you? We've all worked so hard to keep this a secret from Sophie and you go and let her find out on your first day as a merman?"
"I'm sorry, Rik. It wasn't on purpose, I swear." Will held his hands in the air in surrender. "You have to believe me, I didn't want anyone to know. Especially not my sister."
"And does she know about us?" Rikki paced angrily with her arms crossed over her chest. "How much does she know, Will?"
"No." Will answered automatically. "She doesn't know a thing about you guys. She just thinks I was in the moon pool after a long dive and it happened to be a total coincidence that it was a full moon. She thinks it's some weird science miracle or something."
"And do you think she's actually going to keep that a secret?" Rikki asked pointedly.
"She's my sister." Will answered pathetically. "She would never do anything to hurt me."
"Oh Will," Rikki shook her head sadly. "You have no idea what your sister is capable of."
Will had no answer for her. He hadn't wanted Sophie to find out, but she had. There was no point in wishing things were different, he couldn't turn back time. All he could do was hope that Sophie would be loyal to her only brother.
"I need a swim." Rikki rolled her head, stretching the muscles in her neck. Her eyes landed on Will. "Care to join me?"
Will looked at Rikki in surprise. "Really?" He stammered. "You want to swim with me?"
"Sure, why not?" Rikki shrugged. "Bella's rehearsing with the band tonight and Cleo is studying for a huge exam. I don't want to swim alone, and at least we don't have to worry about them seeing us."
"Ok." Will said, suddenly incredibly excited. He had been itching to get back into the water. He loved the way it felt to swim so freely. He looked at Rikki anxiously. "I promised Sophie I wouldn't leave."
"So break that promise." Rikki raised one eyebrow mischievously. "Come on, let me show you the ropes. We'll be back in no time at all."
Will's mind raced as he tried to decide what to do. "I guess I could just leave a note? In case Sophie comes by?" He shrugged one shoulder.
"Fantastic." Rikki smirked. "But it's more than she deserves. Come on, let's go."
Will jotted down a quick, vague, note and left it on the side table. If Sophie stopped by at least she would know he was safe. He and Rikki hurried out the front door. They paused at the edge of the deck.
"You scared?" Rikki taunted him lightly.
"I can't wait." Will's voice dripped with anticipation as he looked out over the water.
He jumped, not waiting for Rikki to give the signal. Seconds later his long blue tail stretched out behind him. He looked back at it, unable to keep a smile from stretching to the corners of his mouth. Rikki appeared beside him in the water a moment later. She looked Will up and down, an approving look on her face. She pointed up to the surface and led the two of them to the air.
"You don't look half bad, merman." She said playfully. "See if you can keep up!" And with that, she took off through the ocean.
Will couldn't shake his smile as he followed her. Faster and faster they swam, having the time of their lives.
Rikki loved the chase, keeping just out of Will's reach. This was somehow even more fun than swimming with Bella and Cleo. Will was fast, faster than she'd expected him to be for such a new merman.
The two chased each other through the sea for hours, having a ton of fun. Will enjoyed testing Rikki's speed and Rikki enjoyed weaving fast and complicated trails for Will to follow.
After what seemed like forever, Rikki led the pair towards the moon pool at Mako Island. The two surfaced in the familiar cavern, allowing their lungs to take a much-deserved break.
"Wow." Will breathed, looking up into the opening of the cave at the stars. "I never thought I'd get to do that. Just like you. It's amazing."
"Yeah it is." For once Rikki wasn't being cocky, she was speaking honestly. It was amazing to swim the way they could.
The two floated there, on their backs, for several moments before speaking.
"I never want to get out of the water." Will murmured, gazing up at the stars.
"Me either." Rikki agreed. "Some days I think I could just swim forever."
The two floated side by side, looking up at the sky for a long time.
"We should probably head back soon." Rikki said quietly, not moving a muscle.
"Yeah." Will didn't move either. It felt so good just to float, rocking with the tiny waves, next to a good friend.
Hesitantly, Will let his fingers brush Rikki's. Slowly, waiting for Rikki to push him away, he entwined his fingers in hers and squeezed them tightly. Rikki allowed him to. In fact, she squeezed him back. It wasn't a romantic gesture on either part, just two friends enjoying a perfect night. Both of them relaxed at the contact.
"No electricity." Rikki breathed.
"You're right." Will had forgotten all about the electrical experience from earlier when they touched.
"Good thing, too." Rikki spoke. "Thanks for not frying us."
Will laughed. "Thanks for showing me the ropes."
He still isn't answering." Bella angrily snapped her phone shut. She flopped down on the couch next to Cleo.
"Maybe he's sleeping?" Cleo raised her shoulders as she asked the question.
"Asleep?" Bella practically shouted. "For a day and a half?"
"That does seem unlikely." Cleo admitted. She threw an arm across Bella's shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "He's probably just out training with Sophie."
"Yeah, sure." Bella said bitterly. "I'm sure that's where he is."
"Well don't worry." Cleo yawned. "I've been studying all day and I am so glad to finally be home. Let's just relax for a bit."
The front door swung open and Rikki breezed inside.
"Hey guys." She said casually. "Look who turned up."
Will stepped inside, trying not to look too nervous. He gave an awkward wave. "Hey."
"Will!" Bella jumped up and ran to him. "Where have you been? I was so worried about you." She pulled him in for a tight hug. "What's with the gloves?"
"Uh... it's chilly outside." Will stuck his hands in his pockets. "I'm so sorry, Bells. Sophie's got me on a really strict training regimen." He lied." She thinks I need to stay away from any outside stimulus and just focus on my training."
"You couldn't take two seconds to call and tell me that?"Bella stepped back, relief quickly changing to anger.
"I know, I'm so sorry." Will apologized. His phone rang angrily. "It's Sophie again." He groaned. This was at least the tenth time she'd called him in the last thirty minutes. She must have stopped by and realized that he'd left without telling her.
"Don't answer it." Bella said quickly. "Sit down with me, let's watch a movie."
"I'm so sorry, I can't." Will was careful to keep his voice level. He hadn't accidentally flown in a couple of hours, and he and Rikki had decided that he really needed to make an appearance with Bella so she could stop worrying. Still, he was too nervous to stay here long.
"She said she wouldn't be back to my place until tomorrow morning." Will explained. "But she must have stopped by to make sure I was doing my exercises. I have to go."
"Exercises?" Bella frowned. "Will, it's after midnight."
"Yeah, well..." Will scrambled for a plausible response. "It's a whole thing, I do a different exercise every hour four times a night."
"That makes no sense." Cleo piped up, confused.
"I've heard of it." Rikki chimed in. "Yeah, it's all the rage in... China."
"Ok then." Will gave Bella a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, ok?"
"Sure." Bella tried to fake a smile.
"Great." Bye guys." Will left, shutting the door behind him.
"You know, I've just remembered that I left my phone at the cafe." Rikki tossed on a light jacket. "Be back in a few!" She hurried out the door, leaving Cleo and Bella sitting in somewhat stunned silence."
"Something's up with those two." Cleo frowned slightly.
"Yeah." Bella agreed. She didn't feel better after seeing Will. She felt uncomfortable and more than a little insulted. She was a smart girl. She knew when she was being lied to.
"Think they bought it?" Will waited for Rikki to catch up with him.
"Not for a second." Rikki said quietly.
"Good call with the gloves." Will pulled them off and stuck them in his jacket pocket.
"Can't have you doing your electric thingee on Bella by accident, not until we figure it out a bit." Rikki walked beside him. "Are you really going home? Sophie is going to kill you."
"I'll get there eventually." Will couldn't keep a smile from spreading across his face. "I want to try something first. Follow me." Will cut off the sidewalk and began jogging toward a patch of trees set off from a playground. It was completely deserted at this time of night. Will pushed his way though the trees, followed closely by Rikki, until they reached a clearing.
"What in the world are we in here for?" Rikki brushed dirt off the leg of her pants.
"This." Will stood in the middle of the clearing, closed his eyes, and focused all of his energy on one thing.
Immediately, he shot up high into the air, practically so high that he was out of sight.
"Will!" Rikki half shouted, half whispered. "Get back down here!"
Will hovered high above the ground, taking it all in. "Wow..." He exhaled.
This was almost cooler than swimming, though not quite. He looked down to where Rikki stood, so far below him. Exhilarated, Will pointed himself towards the ground and flew back, landing neatly on his feet.
Rikki's jaw fell open. She couldn't decide if she was impressed or furious.
"Are you crazy?" She hissed. "What if someone saw you?"
"There's no one around, it's too late." Will extended a hand to Rikki. "Come on." He said, a sparkle in his eye. "You're going to love this."
"No, Will, it's way too risky." Rikki backed away from his outstretched hand. "You barely know how to control your power."
"What better way to learn than to practice?" Will walked to stand right in front of her. Wordlessly, he held out both hands.
Unsure of her decision, Rikki reached out and took Will's hands in hers. The pair gasped as their skin came in contact. Though not nearly as strong as before, the electric tingling was back. Their hands vibrated slightly in one another's, and the faintest glow of electricity flashed across their fingers.
"Ready?" Will could barely contain his anticipation.
In spite of herself, Rikki nodded.
