A/n I am sorry I haven't updated except yesterday I started college this past week and I had to work the weekend and stuff so I didn't get to update I do have some more chapters hand written I just have to type them. And for those who might think this will get boring I have some twists up ahead that I hope you'll like stay tuned and please review.
Chapter 11: Reactions
Rikki's POV
Wow Charlotte really is stupid… the fact that she really thought Bella was just bidding her time was just dumb. After every test and after all the pictures, tomorrow would be the day that the world will know about us.
Charlotte woke up screaming, and before she could run, they put her in the pool. In order to keep her there, they hired someone to keep watch on her. She was so shocked that we could trap her like this, and do this to another mermaid. Our response to that was that she would have done the same thing without any second thoughts, and not to mention the fact that she didn't mind trying to turn Bella on us.
"Hey girls, you guys are done for today. I will do all the tests that are necessary, and it might take a few days to get the results back. Oh and realize that I will test your blood for any diseases and stuff too. It is important to make sure that an illness isn't causing this, and get ready for tomorrow, since it will be on the TV, and in the paper, things will be very different. Charlotte on the other hand will have to do her own tests, and it will be a long night. Bye girls," Dr. Denmen says.
I quickly pull myself out of the pool, and dry off my tail, and then helped each of the other girls out of the water to dry them off. Unfortunately, as I pulled the last one out, I myself feel down with a tail, and we all laughed. After we were all tailless, we waved to Charlotte, and walked out of the park.
"I can't believe she fell for it," Bella says.
"I know, she is so dumb," I say.
"So, Tomorrow the whole world will know about us," Emma states.
"Are you guys scared about people's reactions?" Cleo asks.
"A little I guess, I mean it's just scary. People could think we are animals or something," I say.
"Really, Rikki, a little positive thinking wouldn't hurt you," Emma says.
"But she's right, they could think we are freaks or awesome and amazing, it just depends," Bella says.
"Well, let's just hope that most go with it being awesome and amazing," Cleo says.
"Well, I guess that we better get sleep to prepare ourselves for a big day," Emma says.
"We all say good bye and walk in our separate directions. As I head home I think about tomorrow, and the fact that more than 1 person is going to try to put water on us to make us turn into mermaids. I bet Sophie is the first in line, but at least none of us have to hide it anymore. I walk my door, and to my room as I start to fall asleep I think about what a day tomorrow's going to be…
Next morning
Emma's POV
I got up early as usual, I really enjoy waking up in my own room again, not some hotel room. I got into the kitchen to eat breakfast, and see my dad reading the paper. "Anything good in there?"
"Well, you girls made the front page."
"Well, I guess she had some connections."
"That's not all. They have it as the number one story on the TV news for every hour."
"Really? Like there's nothing better?"
"Obviously not. Just be prepared for a rough day."
"Okay, I'm going for a swim. Bye."
I start to job towards the beach when I hear a male voice yelling "Emma"! Behind me. I turn around to see that it was Byron. "HI, Byron."
"Hi, Emma. So, this why you quit swimming, and didn't want to be my coach," he says holding up the front page of the paper.
"Yes, but it's not necessary to ask since the proof is right there."
"Have you run into any of the girls from the swim team?"
"No, why?"
"They all really want to see you swim."
"Well, they will just have to catch me to see."
"Can I see you swim?"
"Sure, I was going for a swim anyway."
We had reached the beach and I start to run into the water, I hear Ash's voice yelling "Emma don't do it!"
I turn around and yelled, "What?" Then I fell in the water as a mermaid.
"Thanks Ash, I really appreciate you yelling to me."
"Why are you running into the water on a public beach?"
"Because everyone knows haven't you seen the news?"
Byron shows Ash the newspaper. "You were seen?" Ash asks.
"Yes, in a way. It's hard to explain, but I was going for a swim anyway. Do you want to meet me at the café in an hour? The others are meeting there," I say.
"I guess; besides it's been some time since I saw you other than that brief visit, see you then."
He walks away, and Byron asks, "Did he know before this?"
"Yes, he did. I told him willingly. It's time for my swim. Byes."
If this is just the start…today might not be so bad at least one person thinks it's cool.
Cleo's POV
I had to get up early to pick up Lewis from the airport. He had come back to Australia for graduation, but then had to go to his Aunt's house on the other coast for important family business, and today of all days I had to come pick him up. He is probably going to start freaking out about the recent happenings. Suddenly, I hear my phone going off, and its work.
"Hey"
"Cleo, how come you didn't tell me that you are a mermaid?"
"This already? I just didn't want to get found out."
"Well, Mrs. Getty's wants to talk to you about raising your pay if you'll do one mermaid show a day."
"Is it an ultimatum? Like is it I have to do it or I lose my job?"
"I don't think so, but it would really help out business."
"Tell her I'll talk to her at work."
"Okay, but Cleo this could be big."
"BYE!"
I hung up the phone frustrated that they want me to do a mermaid show at the Marine Park… and so it begins.
Bella's POV
I saw the news right away this morning, and it reminded me that Will doesn't know that we've been found out. I quickly decide to go to Will's boat shack and tell him what's been happening.
I yelled good bye to my parents, and practically ran to the boat shack. As I was walking up to the door, I heard yelling so I rushed inside.
It was Sophie and Will, obviously they had heard. They both looked at the doorway where I stood and then Sophie yells, "She's a fish, how could you still want to date her?"
"Because I love her, and she's not a fish, she's a mermaid."
"Sophie, will already knew about me and still wanted me," I say.
"This is true, Sophie. Bella, how were you girls discovered?" Will asks.
Before I could answer Sophie threw a huge glass of water on me saying, "Someone probably did this, and she couldn't get away."
As I fall to the floor I say, "That's not how it happened. But it is quite the story. I wanted to tell you myself, but I forgot with recent developments. If you come to the café with me we will tell you about it."
"Alright, are the others going to be there?"
"Yes, we are all meeting there. Me with you, Rikki with Zane, Cleo with Lewis, and Emma with Ash. Could you get a towel please?"
He goes to get a towel, and tells Sophie to leave, and then to me, "Well, now let's go."
Rikki's POV
As I was walking out my front door to go to work and chat with the girls I yelled, "Bye dad." He replied with, "Good luck today, love."
I was almost to the café when I heard Miriam behind me say, "So, that's why he choose you. You're his not-so-mythical creature."
"That's right I'm not mythical or fake for that matter. I'm all real."
"Oh yah, a mermaid is considered real."
"We are. In fact, we saved your life so I wouldn't push your luck."
"You lied to Zane; you knew about mermaids… and led him away from them."
"What was I supposed to do? He would tell the world, but he knew before this happened."
"well you are still a freak," she pours water on my head then says, "and now you have no choice, but to lay there and sundry."
"Oh really, check this out," I say then slowly turn my hand into a fist so as to steam dry my tail. The look on her face was priceless. I got up, and went to the café.
Zane was there working, and Bella was sitting with Will obviously waiting for the rest of us. I walked over to them and asked what juices they wanted.
I went to get their juices and say hello to Zane. As I came back with their juices Emma bad Ash walked in with Cleo and Lewis following closely behind.
No one's POV
"Hey Zane, come here," Rikki says.
They all sat down at the booth.
"So, what's the story? How did everyone find out?" Will ask getting straight to the point.
Rikki immediately starts in with the picnic, and how she and Zane were at her house, and had gotten back together, and went for a swim. Bella takes over from there explaining about Denmen. Cleo then explains about the deal, and telling the parents about them being mermaids. Emma then explains about the tests, and the fooling of Charlotte.
Zane having already knew everything just gazed off into space until Will said, "So, his is your fault."
"It is not!" Zane yells.
"it kind of looks that way," Ash says.
"It's not his fault, it's mine. Besides Will, it's the same as when you got Bella wet at a public pool, only at least people couldn't see us unless you came in the back yard," Rikki says.
"I'm sorry Will, but I agree with Rikki. At leas it was in the safety of his own backyard," Bella says.
"Yes, but was it really safe? Obviously not," Will states.
"Look arguing about this won' do us any good. The world knows and each person's reactions are going to be different," Emma says.
"Yah Sophie thinks we are freaks that should be locked up," Bella says.
"So does Miriam," Rikki says.
"My boss wants to exploit me," Cleo says.
"The swim team and Byron really love this," Emma says.
"So, it's just a toss-up for people," Lewis says.
"Now we don't How to hide if an accident happens," Rikki says trying to make things seem better.
"Well, yah that's one way to look at it," Emma says.
"This is our life now…no more secrets."
