A/N: I'm glad I'm able to upload today, cause school has been really brutal. I have so many exams to study for and I have to write a 20 page report. Not fun. At least knowing that I've uploaded makes me feel better. A thanks to all those that read and review. Here is chapter 13. Enjoy!

Previously... After blaming Amber for what she did during the new moon and making her run away, Sarah feels guilty. They're finally able to find her and make up. Also Rachel's childhood friend Alex appears as an exchange student and tells her that he loves her. On another note, a class trip is being planned. Now on to the chapter.

Chapter 13: Two Faced

"So, what did he say?" Amber asked, curiously, giving Rachel an intrigued look. They were walking to school the next morning.

"Who? You mean Alex? Not much. He told me that everyone back home is doing fine," Rachel answered. Amber rolled her eyes and Sarah questioned, "Did he tell you anything else?"

Rachel shook her head and replied, "No, what should he have said?"

"I don't know. Something that might be important to him," Emily suggested.

"Well… He did say something," Rachel finally confessed, "He said… He said that he loved me."

The other three mermaids grinned broadly, closed in on Rachel, and asked, "And? What did you say?"

"Nothing," Rachel said and quickened her pace.

"Wait. What do you mean nothing?" Amber demanded as they hurried after Rachel.

"Exactly what nothing means. I didn't say anything," Rachel replied.

"Why not?" Sarah inquired.

"What was I supposed to say?" Rachel retorted.

"How about I love you?" Amber suggested.

"It's not that simple. Alex and I have been friends since we were in diapers. Suddenly saying that I love him could ruin everything. I mean even if we did get together, what if we have a fight and break up? We could never go back to what we were before," Rachel objected.

"Alex said it to you. He wouldn't have said it, if he wasn't sure that you could weather anything," Emily told her.

"Or could it be that you don't see Alex as a lover, but just as a friend?" Amber asked, "Cause if that's the case, then tell him. It's not fair that you leave him hanging like that."

"I'm just not sure. I never thought about Alex like that. In my head he's still that little boy who I would play hide and seek with," Rachel answered.

"Well, I have a newsflash. That little boy has grown up," Amber said, a little annoyed, making Rachel uncomfortable.

"That's enough, Amber," Emily interrupted.

"No, she's right. I can't pretend like nothing has changed since back then, but even if I do realize that I love him, there is still a problem," Rachel replied.

"Which is?" Sarah asked.

"I'm a mermaid, remember? How can I go out with him, if I always have to look out for water?" Rachel answered.

"That's your problem? That you're a mermaid? We've all told our boyfriends that we're mermaids, so why shouldn't you?" Amber pointed out and Sarah and Emily nodded, "Or do you not trust Alex? If that's the case, then you can forget your relationship."

"No, that's not. I trust Alex implicitly. It's just, it's not my secret to share. It's just as much your secret as it is mine. I won't tell him, if you have anything against it," Rachel said.

"We don't have a problem with it, do we?" Sarah asked, looking at her friends, who both showed they were fine with it.

"Thank you," Rachel smiled, "Once I know how I feel, I'll tell Alex."

"Don't take too long, cause here he comes now," Amber told her as she pointed forward to Alex, who was waiting for them at the school gate. Seeing him Rachel's face flushed bright red.

"We'll be going on ahead," Emily said and quickly they hurried off, leaving Rachel alone.

Alex walked up to her and said, "Morning, Rachel."

"M-Morning," she muttered, unsure.

"So have you thought about what I said yesterday?" he asked, making Rachel's heart beat twice as fast.

"I… Well…," she stammered, but then said, "I have to get to class. See you later." Quickly Rachel ran off before Alex could do anything.

Reaching her classroom, Amber, Sarah and Emily eyed her. "And?" they asked.

"I couldn't do it," Rachel replied and Amber shook her head, sighing.

"We'll work on that," Sarah assured her.

"It's not easy, but together we'll get you there," Emily smiled.

"Good morning, everyone," Mr. Martin said as he walked into the classroom and his class chorused a reply, "I hope you all have a good morning. I won't keep you in homeroom long."

After he talked about a few things, he dismissed them. The girls were almost out the door, when Mr. Martin called, "Rachel, Sarah, Emily, Amber, could you come here for a moment." Confused they walked over to the teacher's desk.

"I want to remind you that you haven't handed in your permission slips for the field trip yet or are you not coming? Everyone else has already handed theirs in," Mr. Martin asked.

The girls stood there shocked, exchanging nervous glances. "We didn't forget," Rachel began, carefully, not sure how they were supposed get around explaining that water and them didn't mix.

"Is it possible that one of you has financial problems and you don't want to expose her or make her feel left out?" the teacher questioned.

"No, that's not it," Sarah protested.

Mr. Martin eyed them, confused. "Very well. You have until tomorrow to hand in the permission slips or you won't come along," he told them. The girls nodded and took that as their sign that they were dismissed.

"Ah, Rachel," Mr. Martin called after them and she turned around, "You are friends with the new exchange student, Alex, right?"Immediately Rachel's face turned bright red, but she nodded. The teacher handed her a permission slip and told her, "He'll also be in your science class. I thought he would also like to come along. If you hand it to him, he'll have more time to think about it." Rachel nodded, took it and then the girls left.

"Well, aren't you lucky," Amber smiled.

"Why?" Rachel asked.

"Now you have a reason to talk to Alex and you can carefully change the subject to the confession," Sarah explained, grinning.

"Listen, I agree that we have to help Rachel find her feelings for Alex and be able to express them, but we have to make a decision," Emily reminded them.

Just then the bell rang. "We can think about it during class and decide during lunch," Rachel said, glad for Emily's change of topic and with a wave, left her friends.

A few periods later it was lunch time. Rachel was at their usual lunch spot a bit earlier and found it to still be empty. Sitting down she looked at the sky. Did she love Alex? Now that he had confessed to her she didn't see him as the little child that he had once been, but did she love him? Sure, her heart now raced when she saw him, but that could just be embarrassment. What would it be like, if they did go out? What if she rejected him? Could they still be friends? In a way she wished that he had never confessed, that he had never come to the Gold Coast.

"Earth to Rachel," someone said, waving their hand in front of Rachel's face, making her snap back to reality. She looked at Alex's face that was only a few inches from her own. Startled Rachel jumped up.

"You startled me," she breathed.

"Sorry, but I called you several times," Alex replied.

"It's not your fault," Rachel said, "What do you want?"

"I wanted to know, if you would like to go swimming after school like the good old days?" he asked.

"No way," Rachel answered, a little too quickly and too fiercely, "I mean, thanks but no. I have a lot of stuff to do."

"Are you avoiding me? Is it because of what I did?" Alex asked, looking into her eyes. Rachel blushed and looked past him to see Emily, Sarah and Amber. Amber was shaking three fingers in the air and Sarah mouthed the words I love you. Emily tried to stay neutral, knowing it was hard enough for Rachel, but she too had the look of, say it.

Rachel's mind was going haywire and finally she answered, "Look there's the girls."

All three girls shook their head, but then walked up to them. "Hey," they greeted, "Hope we're not interrupting anything."

"No, nothing," Alex said, visibly disappointed, "I'll get going."

"Oh, wait. Mr. Martin, our science teacher, wanted me to give you this," Rachel remembered and handed him the permission slip, "It's a trip to the Great Barrier Reef."

"Thanks. I'll think about it," he told her and left.

"That chance was gold. You should have taken it," Sarah hissed when Alex was out of range.

"I know, but I'm not sure, if I like him," Rachel replied.

"Rachel, if you keep this up, you'll drive him away," Amber said.

"I agree with them. Alex is a great guy and I think he's getting fainthearted," Emily agreed.

"I know," Rachel whispered, but then changed the subject, "So what will we do?"

The girls sighed, but didn't say anything else. Rachel needed time. "So do we hand them in?" Sarah asked.

"I have to say that although there is a full moon, I think we should go. It's the Great Barrier Reef for crying out loud," Amber replied.

"Like I said before I was there before. I'm fine with either decision," Rachel said.

"I have to be honest. I think that going during the full moon is dangerous, but…," Emily began.

"But?" the other three smiled, hopefully.

"But I think we should go. Swimming through the reef would be real nice," Emily ended and the rest cheered.

"So it's official. We're going," Sarah cheered.

"That was almost too easy," Rachel said, thoughtfully.

"You're right. Why is that?" Sarah asked, turning to the two blondes.

"Because, I've learned that trust is the most important thing. I trust you. As long as we trust each other, nothing will cross our path that we can't conquer," Emily explained, smiling at Amber.

"And I trust you. We may bud heads from time to time, but we'll always be there for one another," Amber replied.

"Trust, huh," Rachel repeated, thoughtfully.

"Is something the matter, Rachel?" Sarah asked, looking at her friend.

"I have to go. There's something I need to do," Rachel replied and the others understood.

"You can do it," they smiled and winked at her.

Having asked her way through several students, Rachel finally found Alex at the beach, staring out at the waves. "Alex," she said, coming up to him.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, not turning to her.

"I still owe you an answer," Rachel replied, making Alex whirl around. "You are my best friend. I trust you from the bottom of my heart. That trust is not only important for the secret, but for things that are even greater," she thought, looking at Alex.

"Only a while ago I only looked at you as my childhood friend, but when you confessed that veil was lifted," Rachel said, "I was very unsure what I felt for you, but now I know… I love you." A smile spread across Alex's face and he hugged her, whispering, "I'm so glad."

"I'm sorry, Alex. I can't tell you the whole truth just yet. I'll tell you the secret once this has settled down a bit," Rachel thought as he hugged her.

Finally they separated and they walked to school, holding hands the entire way. When they reached the school, Sarah, Emily and Amber were waiting at the gate. "I think you're being awaited. I'll go on ahead," Josh said, gave Rachel a peck on the cheek and walked off.

"So? Do you have good news?" Emily asked.

"I guess you could call it that. We're now together," Rachel beamed.

"Congratulations," the girls said, smiling at their friend.

"So how did Alex take the whole mermaid thing?" Sarah questioned, curiously.

Rachel's glowing dimmed a bit and she looked to the side. "You haven't told him? Why?" Amber demanded.

"I think it's too much at once. What should I have said? Alex, I love you and by the way I'm part fish. Not really the best way to start of a relationship," Rachel retorted and the others had to admit she had a point, "I'll tell him soon, but not yet. First the confession has to sink in."

Just then the bell rang, signaling the end of break. The girls said their good byes and walked to their respective class.

That evening Sarah, Emily and Amber were at Sarah's house. They were in the kitchen, sitting around the table. Sarah and Emily were talking together, while Amber sat a bit of to the side solemnly. "I'm glad Rachel finally found the courage to tell him the truth. They look really cute together," Sarah smiled, still thinking about Rachel and Alex's beaming faces.

"I agree. They make a good couple. I bet Alex will be fine with the fact that Rachel is a mermaid, once she tells him. I'm sure Alex won't betray the trust she has put in him," Emily agreed and turned to the other blond, "Right Amber?"

"Hm? What?" Amber asked, snapping out of her daze.

"What's the matter?" Sarah asked, looking at her friend a bit worried.

"It's nothing really. Just can't get this feeling out of my head," Amber answered, slowly, not wanting them to worry.

"Feeling?" the other two repeated, confused.

"Have either of you been to Mako in the past few days?" Amber questioned.

"No, Rachel was when she was looking for you, but not us," Emily recalled, "Why?"

"When I ran away, I was at the moon pool for a bit. It seemed weird. Colder and darker. Something was off, but maybe it was just the setting sun. I think I might just be crazy, but I can't get it out of my head," Amber explained.

"Well, I won't argue with you about the crazy part, but I can't think of any reason why the moon pool would change," Emily teased Amber, granting her a playful glare from the blond.

"Why not ask Rachel? She must have noticed it too, since she was there," Sarah suggested and the blondes nodded.

They got up to leave when Cleo called from upstairs, "Sarah, could you dry the dishes for me? I'll put them away, you just have to dry them."

"Sure," Sarah replied and stepped over to the drying rack, where the dishes were stacked, "This should only take a second." She raised her hand and activated her power. A small wind began to blow. Sarah frowned and turned her hand more. Finally she stopped and turned to her friends, saying, "Something isn't right."

"What do you mean?" Emily asked, confused.

"It took way too long to dry. I remember that the last time I did this I nearly knocked the dished over and now my full strength barely gets them dry," Sarah explained, thoughtfully.

"Maybe you're imagining things?" Amber suggested.

"You try," Sarah replied, taking a glass of water from the counter and dumping it over Amber's head. Emily's eyes widened, surprised at Sarah's action, as Amber dropped to the ground as a mermaid.

"What was that for? Just wait until I get back up," Amber snapped and balled her hand. Strangely enough she didn't almost instantly turn back into a human. Only a good moment later did she stand in front of her friends again, staring at her fist. "That took way too long. You're right, Sarah," Amber agreed, perplexed.

"Let me try," Emily said and turned to a second glass on the counter, which's content was still in it and not on Amber's head. Putting out her hand as a stop sign, Emily began freezing the water. Just like Sarah and Amber it took a good time longer. "Something is definitely wrong," Emily muttered.

"It's like we're losing out powers," Sarah said, worried.

"But why? There's no new nor full moon today. Plus it's more like our powers are fading, not going away to come back later," Emily replied, thoughtfully.

"Well, now we have two reasons to look for Rachel. To ask her about the moon pool and now about her powers," Amber told them and the others nodded.

They set out towards Rachel's house. On their way they saw a still beaming Alex coming towards them. "Hey, Alex. Have you seen Rachel?" Emily asked.

"Rachel. I think she said that she wanted to go to the beach for a bit," he answered.

"Thanks," Sarah smiled.

"I should be thanking you. It was thanks to you that Rachel realized how she felt, right? When it comes to love Rachel can be pretty dense," Alex replied and the girls had to smother a laugh. Alex really knew Rachel inside out. They were perfect for each other.

Walking up to the beach, they saw it was deserted, except for a lone figure a bit further down the beach. Rachel. Her back was turned to them and she was looking at the water. They walked towards her and were about to call out to her when they saw what was in front of her, causing them to freeze in horror. A tentacle rose from the water, towering over Rachel.

"A tentacle. We have to help her," Sarah said, but something was strange. The tentacle wasn't attacking Rachel, it was just floating there, moving from side to side. Only then did the girls see that Rachel was using her powers, the tentacle following her hand motions, but sometimes doing things on its own.

"How?" Emily muttered, confused. It was clearly the same tentacle that always attacked them. It had a similar darkness to it.

Suddenly Rachel turned to them and a creepy smile crossed her lips. "So you found out," she said, but somehow she seemed different.

"What is going on here?" Sarah asked.

"Can't you tell? I'm controlling the tentacle," Rachel replied, nonchalant, not taking her eyes of her friends.

"But that's not possible. At least not unless…," Emily began as it dawned on her, but Rachel interrupted, "Unless I created them. Bingo."

"You're behind those tentacle attacks?" Amber asked, shocked.

"You're pretty slow," Rachel remarked, coolly.

"But why? You're our friend," Sarah protested, confused.

"Take a good guess," Rachel smirked.

"You're just as twisted as your mother was," Amber spat, getting angry.

"It runs in the family, I guess," Rachel shrugged, "Then I guess you won't be surprised, if I do this."

With a motion of her hand, the tentacle shot towards Amber, Emily and Sarah. They threw up their hands and activated their magic, but it didn't seem to have any effect and the tentacle knocked them to the ground. When the girls got up, Rachel and the tentacle were gone. "What just happened?" Sarah asked, taken back.

Amber looked at her friends and replied, "I think we've just been backstabbed."

A/N: The girls' powers are most likely fading and Rachel is apparently not the friend they had believed to be. With their enemy now unmasked and the class trip coming up, what will Sarah, Emily and Amber do? Please review.