Chapter 3: Misery Business- Paramore
Although Rikki was confident in herself and was certainly the rebel in her friend group, she didn't much enjoy confrontation. She would do it if need be, but it wasn't the highlight of her day as some might think. Especially those who saw her push Miriam to the floor of the cafe the other day.
She had been having a wonderful day with Zane at the mall that morning when she saw the locket in the window. That damn locket changed the fate of her day. It was linked to her mermaid identity, it was bound to do so. Rikki hardly had any money from her allowance, there was no way she could afford the 250 dollar item. She figured if she got her friends together, they could raise the money to get the locket. She didn't anticipate Miriam showing up with said locket around her neck. She assumed Zane had bought it for the blonde bimbo which made her blood boil even more. She was relieved to hear he didn't care about Miriam outside of that cafe.
When Rikki returned to the cafe later that day, she thought Zane might have been wrong. After all, Rikki did walk in on him kissing Miriam. Why would you kiss someone if you didn't have feelings for them? Her heart broke watching him kiss his ex-girlfriend. She really thought he had changed. Once he knew Rikki was there, he looked shell shocked too. He told her Miriam had manipulated him into kissing her. Rikki wanted to believe him, she really did. Words wouldn't be able to soundly convince her though and Zane seemed to know that. He stepped outside where Miriam was facing the water, flinging the locket carelessly in a circle. He seemed to be yelling at her. Rikki took that as a good sign. As soon as Rikki walked out onto the patio, Miriam gave her a glare and threw the locket into the sea. No matter, Rikki would simply retrieve it later. She held back a laugh, thinking of how surprised Miriam would be if Rikki walked into the cafe the next day wearing the locket.
Miriam pushed past Zane, keeping her eyes glued to Rikki. Rikki did the same until Miriam was inside the cafe. Zane pleaded with her and volunteered to go get the locket. He wouldn't need to, Rikki was already planning on coming back later that night. She did think he might wonder how she got it if she did wear the locket around him. Maybe it would be safer if Zane was the one to retrieve it.
It only took two dives before he came back up to the dock with the locket in one hand. Rikki reached out to take it, letting him drop it on the ground before she dried it off. Zane took his exit shortly after. Rikki was sure he would be disappointed he didn't receive a hug or a kiss as a reward for his chivalry. He certainly deserved it and she made note to give him such once he was good and dry.
The three girls walked back into the JuiceNet, the locket in Rikki's hand. The floors were wet so they would have to be careful of where they walked. Zane had his back turned to the girls as Nate gave him a towel to dry off. Rikki's eyes moved from Zane to Miriam, who was sitting in front of her with her mouth hanging open. Between the soaking wet Zane and the locket secure in Rikki's grasp, Miriam must have figured out what was going on. Rikki looked over to Zane as he removed the towel from the top of his head and rested it on his shoulders. She gave him a smile which he returned. It was a silent rule in their relationship if either saw their friends the moment was usually over. Rikki knew that would bother most but she loved having her space.
The three girls approached the bar and placed their orders. Rikki noticed a photo album Wilfred had recently put together of regular customers. Cleo had picked it up, searching for a picture of the three of them. Rikki hoped she could enjoy her juice in peace but she didn't think she would get that lucky.
"That locket's mine." Miriam said as she approached Rikki. The other girl was fuming. Zane had to have noticed Miriam approached Rikki and he left his mates' sides to make sure a cat fight wouldn't ensue.
"As I recall, you said you were parting with it." Rikki said. "Zane found it and gave it to me so it should be mine, right? I know these situations might be a tad complicated."
"I know you're broke but you can't go stealing things you want, Rikki." Miriam said.
"What have I stolen?" Rikki asked. "And don't say the locket, we just established that's mine, just in case you weren't keeping up."
"You stole my boyfriend!" She finally exclaimed, as if a three year old was just told they couldn't have any candy.
Rikki laughed. "I think Zane is well off enough to decide who he does and doesn't want to be with."
Miriam turned bright red. Zane had also turned red but his flush was not due to anger rather Rikki's flattering statement. Rikki figured between his father and Miriam, Zane didn't get much of a mind of his own. She was happy she could give him that freedom.
The song in the JuiceNet changed just then to one of Rikki's favorites. Paramore was one of her all time favorite bands. Even though this song was slightly over played, it was still one of Rikki's favorites and the timing of the situation happened to be perfect.
"Ironic this song is playing, isn't it?" Rikki told Miriam. Miriam let out a strained yell and pouted out of the cafe. Rikki shared a smile with Zane as he returned to his friends and she returned to hers. She glanced at him throughout the night and enjoyed watching him laugh and smile with his friends like he never had before. It was like she was watching his wildest dreams come true, not one of them involving Miriam.
As Rikki was listening to the song on the bed of her trailer, she couldn't help but be reminded that Haley Williams didn't like the song anymore. The lead singer thought it was in poor taste. Now, Rikki couldn't help but feel the same way.