Chapter 10: Going on Dates

Wednesday. The day it all came to. Sara was going to go out with Farley. She was increasingly nervous all day, unable to focus. What's wrong with me? It's only a date with Farley. She reminded herself throughout her classes. But still, why am I feeling so anxious for it? She wasn't the only dealing with that anxiety, as that day was the date of Mia's date with Blake. So, both girls were nervous that day.

The school day passed without too much problem, allowing Sara some relaxation, only to bring out the anxiety again as soon as the final bell rang. She, alongside Mia, walked out of the last class, nervously chatting about any topic they could think of. Sara could tell that Mia was just as nervous about her date with Blake. Katy left them. She had made an excuse before they left the school grounds that she had to meet with a teacher. Sara guessed she was lying and just didn't want to hear about both Sara and Mia going on dates possibly out of jealousy, so Sara didn't blame her or push the envelope.

Soon, Mia split off from Sara, heading to her date with Blake at a coffee house away from the school, leaving Sara alone with her thoughts as she continued home. She didn't see Farley at all on the walk home. Trying to avoid doing or saying something awkward before the date. Smart plan. She chuckled to herself.

At home, she scoured over her closet, unsure of the right thing to wear. She usually went in athletic clothes or dressed casually to school. But this was a date. What was right to wear on a date in Australia? She scowled at her clothes for a while, attempting to find a solution, before she settled on a nice floral sun dress she had picked out with Mia and Katy one day while out shopping. She hadn't bothered to wear it until then, but this seemed as good a time as any. She touched up her makeup as well, adding a bit more to it than usual.

When she was done, she checked her watch. 3:45 shown up at her. It would be forty five minutes until Farley came and got her. All she had to do was wait.

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Farley was having equally trouble with anxiety. He had made their sandwiches relatively quickly. He threw in some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hoping that Sara would like his attention to detail on her American life. Or, maybe she would think it was cliche and stereotypical? Farley just tossed in some regular ham and turkey sandwiches as well. He put in some potato chips also, hoping she would like that along with some fresh fruit. When he was done, the clock was nowhere near time. So, he paced back and forth, waiting for time to pass.

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Katy knew she was lying to Mia and Sara when she told them about meeting a teacher, and she had a guess they both thought that as well. Even so, they wouldn't expect what she would do next. She waited on the school grounds for fifteen minutes, killing time. Then, she took off. She memorized the way to Mitch's boat shed, and it was relatively easy to find if you knew the path. She made it there in just over ten minutes.

She knocked on the door. Mitch opened the door instantly, his jet black hair slicked back. He was so much taller than Katy, but she didn't mind. He smiled at he when he saw her. "You made it," he stated. "Please come in!" Katy smiled, and followed him into the boat shed.

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Mia was skeptical about her "date" with Blake. She didn't really feel that it was a date, no matter how much Sara or Katy teased her about it. It was just her and a boy getting coffee. Nothing more complicated than that right? But, there was a problem. Ever since she had left Sara and continued on her way toward the coffee house at which she was meeting Blake, she had to fight the incoming nostalgia from elementary school of all the fun times they had. Playing sports in the yard, going to the beach with their parents, and even her first kiss. Well, it was just a kiss on the cheek, but still, it felt real to Mia, and that's what she was dreading.

She didn't want to admit she missed Blake. She had built up her walls over many years in case he ever came back to her. Now that he had, her walls were already starting to crumble. She just had to keep her defenses up for one day, and then she could go back to hating him. That was, until she entered the coffee shop and saw him sitting in a booth, staring away from her. He had a dark, and brooding look about him, a different expression from what he usually looked like. She gulped and started toward Blake, sliding into the booth across from him. He looked toward her and smiled. "Mia. I'm so glad you came here today," he stated enthusiastically. Mia managed a half-smile back. Now, time for some answers from you Blake.

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At 4:30 on the button, Farley knocked on the Meyer's household door, holding the picnic basket and blanket in one hand. Sara heard it even up in her room. She raced downstairs in a jiffy, pushing her hair into place, steadying herself. Then, she opened the door.

Farley was dressed cleanly, in a nice polo shirt and tan shorts. It began to show the slight muscle growth on his upper body. His eyes grew wide as he saw her in the floral dress. "You look amazing," he complimented her. "I've never seen you in a sundress like that, but it suits you." Sara smiled at his compliment. Farley turned, offering his free arm to her. "Shall we?" he smiled.

"We shall," Sara replied as she took his arm, and they were off on their date.

Soon, they were at Farley's chosen spot. It was in a more secluded spot on top of a rise overlooking a smaller beach, the ocean laid out in front of them. Farley shook out the blanket, laying it's full area out cleanly. Sara sat onto the blanket, folding her legs behind her. She stared out over the ocean, taking in its great beauty. "Would you like a sandwich?" Farley asked, sitting down and placing the basket between the two of them.

"Yes please! I'm very hungry," Sara spoke.

Farley opened up the basket toward her. "Now I have some of the usuals like turkey and ham. But, I hope it's not cliche since you're an American, but I did make some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."

Sara immediately plunged her hand into the basket, pulling out one of the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, holding it up to show Farley. "Even though it's cliche and stereotypical, I do love a good PB and J." She smiled. "Although…" Sara slammed her hand back into the basket, grabbing some potato chips and putting them into the sandwich as well. "I used to do this all the time when I was a kid. I loved putting chips into my PB and J." She chowed into the sandwich. "Where did you find the peanut butter? I didn't think they sold it much outside of the US?"

"There's a special American section at the supermarket. Most of the stuff is stereotypical I will admit, but if those sandwiches make you happy, I'm all for it," Farley replied.

Sara smiled at him, turning back and staring at the ocean. I wonder where Mako Island is from here. I don't see it. NO, focus on the date with Farley not Mako. Farley stared at her eyes scouring over the ocean. "Sara, since you've been here in Australia for over month, what do you think of the ocean?"

Farley wondered what her answer would be. He knew she loved the ocean of course. She was a mermaid after all! He wouldn't blame her if she lied to him, but he was just curious what she would say. He scrutinized her after his question, hoping to see a kind of give away on her face. But, nothing happened. Farley scowled softly for a moment, before returning his facial expression to a neutral. Sara began. "Honestly, I'm not sure. It's almost scary because it's so unknown. You never know what could be just under the surface."

Farley nodded following her gaze out over the ocean. Like mermaids? He pondered to himself. "What do you miss most about Gibbon and the rest of America?" he asked.

Sara sighed. "Mostly being able to drive." They both chuckled. "But, in all seriousness, I do miss my friend Jenny. We were best friends for years. But, when you're from a small town like me, you need a best friend, and she was that for me. But… She was unwilling to try new experiences. And, although it sucks to leave her back in Gibbon, I would say Katy, Mia, and I are closer than I was with her." Sara paused for a second. "You mentioned something before about your parents' divorce before? Do you want to talk about it? Or…?"

"I just… It's still some family stuff. I don't really want to go too much in depth into it. My parents just decided to go their separate ways."

"Ok. You don't have to," Sara replied.

Farley was happy to be there with her, and together they continued to watch the ocean waves come crashing in. "Thank you for understanding," Hestated, squeezing her hand softly in his hand. Sara's heart fluttered at the contact, feeling the connection between the two of them.

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"How was your day Mitch? Still acting the part of the dickwad?" Katy joked playfully. She was sitting down on his couch, while Mitch was up at the refrigerator grabbing a couple fizzy drinks for the two of them. Katy made sure to ask for a straw. She didn't want to get any of the liquid onto herself at all. Having her tail appear now would be awful.

Mitch just chuckled. He didn't take too much offense to it. He was the one living the double life after all. He got the drinks ready and sat down next to Katy on the couch, placing the two drinks on the small table half a meter off the ground next to the couch. "Oh you know me. Biggest arse hole of the world right here! I should get an award for it." He joked back.

"In all seriousness, will you ever give in and just be your normal self in school?" Katy asked. "Sure, I know about the real you. But what about your rugby friends? What about Marian? Will they ever find out about who you actually are?"

Mitch just sighed, hanging his head. "I don't know. Right now I'm trying to maintain the status quo. Like I said, I want to finish high school first. I don't want anyone at school catching on to my position here, that I live in such shite. They'd either give me an insane amount of pity which I couldn't take. Or, they'd blatantly use it against me. No. Better to keep it unknown like this for the time being."

"But why do that? You won't ever be truly happy being so fake all the time. I can see the real you Mitch. And that Mitch is wonderful, thoughtful, and kind," Katy shut her mouth quickly afterward. She had said too much. Mitch would catch on that she was crushing hard core on him.

"Thank you for seeing that in me Katy," Mitch stood up suddenly and began pacing back and forth. "I… I just don't know about telling people about my situation. Most of my rugby teammates would understand. They would be ok, although some would laugh and think I was pitiful like I said. As for Marian? She'd dump me in a second if she knew about it. I'm not the rich and shallow boyfriend she'd want."

"Then why not just dump her already? You're so much better than her!" Katy exclaimed, standing up as well, standing at the opposite side of the large table from Mitch. "You deserve much more than that."

"It's much more complicated than that, although I regret to admit. There's only one person I can think of who would see me as I am now and treat me with wonder and be on my side. To treat me as… I guess a tragic hero of some sort. Their happy-go-lucky attitude always makes me smile. They're the one I really want," Mitch explained, a slight quiver of hope in his voice.

"Well who is it? Come on Mitch, spill it!" Katy spoke up. Who in the hell would understand Mitch more than me? I've been nothing but understanding to him!

"Katy. It's you."

"Oh." Was the only thing that came out of her mouth.

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Mia stared across at Blake. They had gotten coffee and sat back down at the same table. Blake seemed only interested in small talk, but Mia had waited on this moment for years. Finally she'd be able to see what the hell was going on in that brain of his. Blake took a slow sip of his coffee. "Ok Blake. We have coffee. You said you wanted to talk. Let's talk. Why have you not been in contact with me for years and now all of a sudden want to get coffee? What's your angle? And why back with me? Don't you have some other hot girl who's yearning for your attention?"

Blake took another sip of his coffee. "I can only answer one question at a time," he spoke, calm and collected. "Which question would you have me do first?"

Mia was furious at Blake's calm demeanor. He was always so peaceful. There was nothing wrong with him at all. Oh no. He was Mr. Perfect. "Ok. Blake, fine. We were good friends when we were kids. What changed as we got older?"

"Well, when we went to Middle School, I started doing sports at the time. I got really good at them, rugby especially. Then, I had made other friends on me team, and when I got good at rugby, I started to get more popular. I didn't want to leave you behind, but I got caught up in all of it. By the time it was too late, I was already too far in, you had become best friends with Katy, and it was too late to take it all back."

"So that's your excuse? It was all just a big mistake?"

"I never meant to hurt you Mia. I would take it all back if I could. Popularity isn't as great as people always assumes it is."

"Oh I'm sure it's terrible being well-liked by everyone. Yeah who in a million years would ever want that?" Mia snapped sarcastically

"People only care about you because you're popular. Not because of who you are. It just took me too long to realize that." Blake took another sip of his coffee. Mia studied his face while he was looking at his cup. There was something… melancholic about it. It was the first time she had seen him show negative emotions. He was always a person who was happy all the time, like Katy, while adding in a touch of arrogance disguised as altruism.

"So, what made you realize that you wanted to ask me for coffee after all this time?" Mia asked, almost softening her anger.

"About, four weeks ago, I went on a date with this girl. She was nice, cute, and funny," Blake began. Mia just rolled her eyes. "I could tell something was off about the date. She kept sneaking texts under the table, acting like I wouldn't notice. When I confronted her about it, she said 'I'm just making all my friends jealous that I'm on date with Blake Everton.' I felt disheartened. She only cared about me for the position it gave her among her friend group. Who I was as a person didn't matter."

"She actually said that? She seems like a bitch," Mia joked.

Blake smiled. "Yeah. She was. And she was the final straw. As I lay in bed that night I began to think about my life choices and what being popular meant. I didn't have an answer. Then, a few days later, Farley asked me about helping him with Sara. Over those next weeks, I began to admire his courage, tenacity, and hard work."

"Let me guess, you figured out that you're gay and attracted to Farley?"

"What? No that's not it. It's that… Well... I taught Farley about being confident, working out, and things like that. But, Farley taught me what it meant to be caring, gracious, and tenacious. I gave him the courage to ask Sara out. And, he gave me the courage to reach out to you again."

"So that's it, you've learned your lesson? All is well in the universe?"

"Mia, I'm done being the, what you said, 'popular pompous arse clown.' I never liked me around those popular people. It just took me till now to see it. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I just wanted you to understand." Blake got up, tossing his coffee into the bin and headed toward the door.

Mia felt slight pain for Blake. She began to feel her feelings want him. She kept most of them at bay, but in that moment she wanted to give Blake a second chance. "Wait!" she exclaimed, scampering out of her chair. Blake stopped at the door to look back at her. "I may be crazy. But, I want to continue this date."

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Sara continued staring out over the ocean. She and Farley had finished their sandwiches, and so they stared over the horizon. Sara felt weird in the silence. Usually, silence on the first date was a bad thing. But, Sara felt oddly comfortable their next to Farley in the quiet and stillness. Farley spoke up after a moment, "Since coming here, what is the most fond memory so far in Gold Coast? I know it's only been a month, but there must something that sticks out."

Sara pondered for a moment. Well, besides mermaid stuff I'm not sure. That wins out over anything. "The moment I met Mia and Katy I think," she finally spoke. "When I became friends with them, I immediately felt that moving here from America wasn't going to be so bad. I felt like I didn't have to worry as much about fitting in and making friends. Now we're really close and I love it."

"That's beautiful for you. People miss out on having good friendships and relationships. It pains me. It's great that you have friends like them."

"Like you are with Blake too?"

"I mean… I wouldn't say we're friends. But we are very good acquaintances." Sara raised an eyebrow at Farley. "Ok fine, I'm friends with him, to my own surprise."

Sara got bold and asked, "Why did you start doing the early morning workouts with him? You've changed into something completely different with him, not that that's a bad thing at all. It's actually pretty great. But still, what made you want to work so hard and actually listen to his advice? What's your plan with that?"

Sara watched Farley's face change into a thoughtful scowl. It had a deep brooding, yet thoughtfulness about it. Farley turned to her, staring directly into her eyes, refusing to make eye contact.

"So that one day I could be able to do this." And Farley leaned forward unexpectedly, and kissed Sara directly on the lips. Sara's heart took off, racing away as she tried to get her mind about what was happening. She just couldn't. She couldn't bring herself to pull away. He tasted sweet, and his lips were tender. So, Sara gave in to the kiss, and pulled Farley into her.

The kiss lasted a full minute, before Farley broke it away. He continued staring into her eyes. He stroked her cheek, a smile on his face. He leaned away, landing back to where he was sitting a minute ago. Sara sat there in shock. Her heart rate continued racing. She had never expected Farley to be that bold. But, she absolutely loved it, and she had to admit she was falling for him hardcore.

For as fast as Sara's heart was racing, Farley's heart was beating eight times as fast as he sat back down. Holy shit! I did it! I actually did it! OH MY GOD! He screamed into his own head. He had done it. Ever since he saw her on Mako Island he wanted to kiss her like that. Who knew it was now a reality.

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Katy stared in shock at Mitch. He had just dropped the bomb on her, and the room fell silent after she only mustered up "Oh" as a response. Mitch paced back and forth across from her. "I'm sorry to drop it on you like this. I just didn't want to live that lie without telling you how I feel. You must think I'm an idiot for admitting it." Mitch spoke.

"N-no! I just... It's a lot to take in Mitch." Katy approached him. "Are you saying… that… well you have a…"

"Yes Katy. I have a crush on you if that's what you want to call it. It's true. It's all true." Mitch turned away.

"What about Marian? You're dating her still."

"Screw Marian. She doesn't care about me, and she never will."

Katy walked up and tapped Mitch on the shoulder, he turned around swiftly. Katy looked up at him with her glistening green eyes. "You're right Mitch. I do view you as a tragic hero. But, a hero nonetheless." Katy stopped for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I… I really like you as well… Even before I learned about you. I was enamored by your bad boy attitude. But, I like the real you even more."

Mitch's eyes twinkled. He placed a hand against Katy's face. Katy knew what was gonna happen almost immediately and her heart fluttered. Mitch leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. It was a beautiful moment, and Katy only hoped it would last. But alas, Mitch broke away, a spark of rebellion in his eyes. "I want to date you," Katy blurted out when he released.

Mitch sighed, twisting away. "Katy, I'm still dating Marian. I have to break up with her first. But… I still want to date you too…"

"Then let's be together in secret! At least until you break up with Marian."

Mitch smiled. "Look who's being the rebel now. But… I'm working to stop being that person. I don't want to go behind people's backs."

"Just as no one knows who you really are?" Katy questioned. "Face it Mitch. You like me. I like you. Don't complicate things too much. Just be with me and break up with Marian."

"Ok. I'll do what I can," Mitch replied, pulling Katy into a big hug.

Katy couldn't help but agree. And as she left his boat shed that day, she leaped into the air, ecstatic with the excitement to come.

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Mia and Blake had walked toward Rikki's Cafe, ending their walk outside of it and staring out over the marina. "So there you go Mia." Blake explained, "I'm not the man I used to be. I hate popularity just as much as you do, maybe even more so."

"I'm conflicted. I'm remembering all the fun times we had together when we were kids, but I'm also remembering that you left me all those years ago." Mia replied. "I don't know what I should think about that."

"We don't have to remember though. We can look forward toward the future. Yes, I cannot change the past. No one can. You can only look to the future with a hunger for making your life better."

"Is that some stupid motivation you're corrupting Farley with?" Mia joked.

Blake chuckled. "Maybe a little bit. It was important to give him something to strive for Even so, he reminded me what it was like to work for something… He reminded me of ambition of fortitude."

"And so, here you are with me. Wanting to win me back so to speak," Mia stated flatly.

"I never wanted to 'win you back' or anything like that. I wanted to have a new chance with you. I want to forge a new future, barring the sins of the past."

"I am still here with you right now, so I guess you have improved somewhat I will admit." Mia spoke. "Don't get too excited yet though."

"I do miss this Mia. I wish we had a more of a chance before we split apart." Blake reached out and grabbed her hands. Mia wanted to pull back, but something about Blake just made her want to stay there.

"I wish we did too. But, like you said, we cannot change the past."

"Then let us decide the future." Blake leaned in toward her, trying to kiss her.

Mia pulled away, breaking out of Blake's grip. "I-I'm sorry Blake. I can't right now. If… we are going to talk again, we need to take this slow."

Blake's eyes dropped in shame. "I'm sorry, I-I shouldn't have done that," he stammered, somewhat humiliated.

"Blake. Right now, you've inspired me to give you a second chance. I want to start talking to you again. But, don't push it too much. If you're willing to be humble, than I will give you a second chance."

"I'm willing to work for it." Blake stated.

"That's good to hear. Goodbye for now Blake." And, Mia turned tail and fled. She would've loved to kiss Blake right then and there, but it would've been too much, too forgiving, and too soon. She was gonna make him work for her. If he still wanted her after that, she would open her heart to him. But only if he was willing to give effort.

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Some time later, the three girls were lying on their backs in the Moon Pool. They all had a busy day, and it was good to relax and recharge on Mako. Sara felt comfortable to be in her tail again. Her kiss with Farley made her giddy, and she couldn't wait to talk about it. Katy got up first. "Alright you two. Talk. How did your dates go? What happened? Spill it"

Sara spoke up first. "Farley kissed me!" she blurted out suddenly.

"Wow. Never expected that from him honestly. Well done for him," Mia joked. "So what's next with you two?"

"I-I don't know. We didn't really talk about it. I want to keep seeing him. But, we'll just take it as it goes I guess."

"I'm so happy for you Sara!" Katy exclaimed.

Sara turned to Mia. "Ok. You next. What happened with you and Blake?"

"I've forgiven him. And we've decided to take things slow. Nothing else happened. But there's something there at least."

"That's a pretty good start," Sara concluded.

"I think so too. But, it'll take some time though. Either way, I'll be ready for it."

"Now if only I can get a boy," Katy joked nervously, trying to throw off any suspicion about her and Mitch.

"Don't worry Katy, you'll find someone eventually!" Sara reassured her.

The three girls laughed to themselves. They were happy in the turmoil that was that evening, they had each other to talk to. It made them feel grounded, despite the fact they were floating in water as mermaids.

The turmoil wouldn't be over. Unbeknownst to Sara, Mia, and Katy, three figures swam swiftly through the ocean waters from the mainland. They were heading straight for Mako.

"It was my first kiss too!" Sara beamed to the other two. "It was different than I imagined it to be. Well, I never expected it to be with an Australian guy first of all."

"See? Everything is going so much better here in Gold Coast!" Katy added, grinning.

Suddenly, Sara felt a disturbance in the water. Something was coming through the cave toward the Moon Pool. She looked at Mia and Katy. They felt it too. The three of them looked at each other in utter fear. Something was coming in.

Sara, Mia, and Katy yelped simultaneously as out of the center of the pool, three women, a few years older than them emerged, staring straight at the three of them. Sara looked down only to see that the three women each had a tail. They were mermaids. Who are they…

The woman in front looked directly at each of them. She had an air of confidence about her. The sight of Sara, Mia, and Katy didn't seem to affect her. She spoke up with conviction. "Nice tails. Looks like we need to have a little chat."

I'm continuing to write the story, and I am several chapters ahead. So, you don't have to worry about ever running out of chapters to read for some time. So, keep on reading!