Chapter 9: Be Careful Who You Trust
Mermaid lessons resumed the next day for Rikki and Liv. Although Liv had a decent handle on speeding through water, she still had to work on her control, making sharp turns and ensuring she didn't run into any marine animals. Rikki was pleased with her progress though, she was getting the hang of the mermaid life.
"I promise, you're doing great." Rikki told a disgruntled Liv as they entered the moon pool. "Although you running into that manatee was pretty funny."
"I hope he's all right." Liv sighed.
"He looked fine to me." Rikki said. "A bit annoyed but who can blame him?"
Liv chuckled and rolled her eyes in response. She was grateful to have Rikki around. The older mermaid was very knowledgeable but was also very down to earth and cool. Rikki filled a gap in Liv's life that was much needed. She never thought she would be so thankful as to become a mermaid.
That didn't mean her new lifestyle didn't come with its cons. Liv had yet to officially unenroll from her P.E. class. It had always been her favorite class but it was starting to present too many water threats. They would be swimming all next week so she would have to switch classes soon. She reckoned she would take Drew's advice and start taking art classes. Although her friendship with the long haired boy was blossoming, the same couldn't be said for her life-long friend. Liv had debated telling Leah her secret but had gone back and forth so many times. The thought alone was too daunting. What if Leah didn't accept her? What if she wanted to expose her? Liv didn't know what she would do then.
"What's on your mind?" Rikki asked as they relaxed on opposite ends of the moon pool.
"Nothing, really." Liv said. "It's silly."
"Try me." Rikki requested.
Liv gave half an eye roll. She reckoned if one person would understand her dilemma, it was Rikki. "I've been debating telling my best friend I'm a mermaid."
"What's holding you back?" Rikki asked.
"I think I'm just… scared." Liv sighed. "Our friendship hasn't been the strongest since I've transformed. We met when we were on a diving team as kids, it's been the core of our friendship ever since. Now, that obviously can't continue."
Rikki nodded. She knew all too well about having friends with only one common interest. In retrospect, she was still surprised at how much they protected and helped each other.
"It does help to have friends know." Rikki said. "Especially when this is all just starting for you. I've also learned if you're thinking about telling them your secret, fate has a funny way of interrupting your plans.
"Besides," Rikki continued after a moment. "You can always dive again, you can only do it one time."
Liv's eyes suddenly lit up. She knew exactly how she was going to tell Leah she was a mermaid.
"Liv!" She heard her name as she clutched her new schedule to her books. Liv turned around to see Leah running towards her. Liv was walking in an opposite direction than normal, it made sense why Leah was running after her.
"Hey, Leah." Liv replied once the girl caught up to her.
"Where are you going?" Leah asked. "Science is the other way."
"Oh, right." Liv said, shuffling her books. "I actually just got my schedule changed so I don't have science during second period anymore."
"What?" Leah asked. "Why did you change your schedule?"
Liv tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "There was just a class I needed to get out of and the rest of my schedule got shuffled around."
"What class did you get out of?" Leah asked.
"Um, I just wanted to try art this year is all." Liv said partially dodging the question.
"You signed up for art?" She heard a male voice from behind her. Liv turned around to see Drew standing there. He had been the one to encourage her to further her talents initially and over their late nights texting. "That's great, Liv!"
"Since when do you like art?" Leah asked her friend.
"I don't know." Liv replied. "Drew saw a drawing I did in class and said I should pursue it so I figured I would."
"You figured you'd drop a class just because some guy said you should?" Leah asked.
"First off, he's not just 'some guy'." Liv defended, feeling herself turn redder than a tomato. She was thankful Drew was still behind her. "Second, I've been wanting to get out of this class for the past few weeks anyway, art seemed like a good replacement."
"What class was it, Liv?" Leah repeated her question from a moment ago.
"Er…," Liv started. She was finally going to have to bite the bullet. "I dropped P.E.."
Leah's eyes turned as wide as saucers. "P.E.?! Liv, that's been your favorite- our favorite class since… I don't know when! It's… I don't know what's happening to you but it feels like I'm loosing my best friend!"
"Leah, wait-" Liv exclaimed. It was too late. Leah was already sprinting down the halls to escape her friend. Who knew if Leah still thought of Liv as a friend? Liv sighed. This mermaid stuff was getting out of hand. Thankfully, a resolution was on its way.
"That was a bit dramatic." Liv heard from behind her. She jumped slightly, forgetting Drew was still behind her.
"That's Leah." Liv shrugged. "You get used to it."
Drew simply nodded in reply. "Hey, when do you have art?"
"Um, fourth period." Liv said after referencing her new schedule.
"Oh, perfect!" Drew said. "I think my sister, Kate is in that class as well. She's great. Well, as far as sisters go anyway."
"Great." Liv said. "I'll be sure to look out for her."
Drew nodded as an awkward silence hung in the air. "Well, I should get ready for class."
"Yeah, I should talk to Leah." Liv replied.
"Good luck." Drew said before he disappeared into the crowd.
Liv took a moment to gather herself. She wasn't used to being this struck by boys. She had rarely dated before and the feelings she had for those guys couldn't compare to what she felt for Drew. Liv guessed Leah would still be at her locker so she sprinted after her friend. It would be a bit awkward to have this conversation in a classroom full of people.
"Leah!" Liv shouted as she thankfully found her friend by her locker. Leah didn't seem to hear Liv and continued adding books to her book bag.
"What do you want, Liv?" Leah finally said as she closed her locker door.
"I know I've been acting weird." Liv said. "Believe me, I know things are changing super quickly but I promise I have a good reason."
"What is it then?" Leah asked.
"I can't tell you." Liv replied.
"Whatever," Leah said with an eye roll. She turned away from Liv to walk to her next class.
"Wait!" Liv exclaimed, grabbing Leah's shoulder and jumping back in front of her. "Wait, I can't tell you. I don't think you'll believe me."
"Fine." Leah replied.
"But I can show you!" Liv exclaimed again. Leah lifted her eyebrows in response. Liv sighed before continuing again. "I was going to see if you would like to dive with me after school."
"You're… you're serious?" Leah asked. "Liv, I haven't seen you dive in almost a month."
"I know, I miss it." Liv said. It was the furthest thing from a lie. "I just thought you might be able to help me get back on track."
"What about everything else?" Leah asked. "How weird you've been acting lately, how are you going to explain that?"
"I'll tell you after our dive." Liv said. "If you don't figure it out by then."
"You promise?" Leah asked.
"I promise." Liv replied.
Leah's face turned from stoic to thrilled in a blink of an eye. She let out a squeal before grabbing Liv in a death grip of a hug.
"Oh, Livy this is so exciting!" Leah exclaimed. "I-I finally feel like I'm getting you back! I can't wait for this afternoon."
"Yeah, me neither." Liv replied quietly, finally feeling the impact of everything come crashing down on her. By the end of the day, Leah would know Liv was a mermaid. What she would do with that information, Liv had no idea.
"Don't worry," Leah said. "I know your dives probably won't be perfect but I guarantee you could still make the team if you wanted! I see much worse every practice."
"Right, yeah." Liv said. "Well, we should probably get to class, right?"
"Oh, right!" Leah said. "I'll see you after school!"
"Catch you then." Liv said, still feeling her heart beat out of her chest.
The next two class periods weren't too different from Liv's previous schedule. It was a little odd taking math in the morning rather than the afternoon but she doubted it would take her much if any time to get used to it. Art came later in the morning. This was the first class she would have that was different from her regular schedule. Liv walked past the English classrooms she knew Leah and Drew were in, into a hallway that was brightly decorated. The walls were covered in what she assumed were works of the art students, ranging from paintings to ceramic vases sat on shelves. Liv spotted the room number at the beginning of the hall, right across from the girl's bathroom.
"Can I help you?" A friendly teacher in a loud outfit asked Liv once she entered the classroom.
"Oh, yes, I'm Olivia Bennett." Liv said, only using her full name so the teacher could find her on the attendance sheet. "I just transferred into this class."
"Great, we're happy to have you!" The teacher said, brightly, checking a name off the sheet. "You can go sit right there, Olivia."
"Oh, I go by Liv." Liv told the teacher as she took a seat next to a pretty girl with hair as dark as Liv's own.
"Liv?" The girl said once Liv sat down. Liv gave her a nod. "Liv Bennett? So you're the girl my brother won't shut up about."
"Sorry?" Liv asked. She couldn't recall seeing this girl before.
"I'm Kate." She said. "My brother is Drew. I hope you know him and he's not being a creep-"
"Oh, right." Liv said, trying to hide her blush. Drew talked about her at home? "Yeah, I know Drew. He mentioned you."
"Only good things, I hope." Kate said. "Here, you can sit by me. We're getting starting on water color painting today so you picked the perfect day to transfer."
Water color painting? Liv hoped that wouldn't be detrimental to her mermaid identity. She left P.E. because of the water dangers, would she have to leave art as well? The more Liv thought about it, the more she realized every class had some sort of water threat. Art had water color painting, P.E. had swimming and diving, science could have water in their labs. Even a class like history or English could present a threat if a student beside her spilled a water bottle. Even if she did want to be homeschooled where threats were next to none, what was she supposed to do once schooling was over? This mermaid life couldn't dictate her.
Ms. Myles, the art teacher, began her lecture on water color paintings. They viewed famous paintings such as 'Great Yarmouth Harbour, Norfolk' and 'Left Wing of a Blue Roller'. Liv was surprised at how one medium could produce such different results. Sure, P.E. had been fun but art was proving to be a new contender at Liv's favorite class.
"All right, that's enough examples for today." Ms. Myles said as she turned the projector off. "Today, I'd like for you to start working on your first water color project. It can be whatever you would like, that we can display in our halls. That project is due next week. Then, we'll do a further dive into water color paintings and create your final projects for this unit. I'll be walking around if you need me but feel free to get started."
Liv nodded as she stared at the canvas ahead of her, wondering what she could paint. The options were virtually endless. The bright blue from the last painting still stuck out but she didn't want to copy the last piece. Maybe something abstract? She then remembered a school of Regal Blue Tang on her last swim with Rikki and wondered if she could paint those.
"We can sketch our design first, right?" Liv asked Kate.
"Of course." Kate said, as she grabbed a pencil herself. "It makes it easier actually."
Just then, Kate lifted her leg from the floor to the first level of the stool she was sat on. Her knee bummed the cup of water that was placed between her and Liv. Liv felt as if her life had entered slow motion. The water flew from the cup, landing directly on Liv's jeans and soaking into her leg. She stood instantly. She knew all eyes were on her but she couldn't be bothered to care. She needed to find a paper towel or a dryer of sorts. Someone could have put one right in between her eyes as she wouldn't have been able to find it. She had wasted too much time already.
"Liv, are you all right?" Ms. Myles asked. That seemed to snap Liv out of whatever trance she was stuck in. Without answering, Liv dashed out of the room, heading for the bathrooms. She heard Ms. Myles calling for her, asking her to stay, but Liv had to make this quick. Who's to say the bathroom was even going to be empty? What was she supposed to do?
Liv made it into the bathroom, trying to get to a stall before the transformation happened. She still wasn't sure what she was going to do. Even in the large stalls, she wouldn't be able to hide her tail. The dryer was right in front of her but the vision was soon blocked by someone coming out of the stalls. Someone Liv could thankfully trust.
"Leah!" Liv exclaimed. Leah looked startled at her friend's outburst. "Are we alone?"
"Yeah, it's just me." Leah replied. "What's going-"
Leah wasn't able to finish her sentence. Liv felt her legs give out and her heartbeat slow ever so slightly. At least it was just Leah in the bathroom. At least Leah could lock the door while Liv dried off. Liv fell against the bathroom wall, feeling cool air on her back and stomach. She didn't need to look at her lower half to know she was now in her mermaid form.
Liv looked up to see what reaction Leah was having. Her jaw dropped and she looked like she was debating pointing a finger at Liv's tail or not. It was a similar reaction to Zane finding out Liv was a mermaid but perhaps worse. Liv was far from the first mermaid Zane had seen.
"Leah, listen carefully." Liv said as Leah still looked on with shock. "I will explain everything to you but I need you to lock the bathroom door. I can't let the whole school see me like this."
Just as the last words left Liv's mouth, the bathroom door opened. Liv felt her heart drop as she knew someone aside from Leah was going to learn her secret today too.
"Liv, are you all right?" The familiar voice said. "Ms. Myles asked me to-"
Liv was met with Kate this time. It was the older girl's turn to look shocked although Leah still didn't look any more put together. Liv had to act fast unless she wanted the whole school to know her secret. Who knew how much longer it was going to be kept that way? Liv could trust Leah but she had only just met Kate. What would she do with this information?
"Kate, please lock the door." Liv begged.
"Um, right." Kate said, snapping out of her shock induced comma before Leah did.
"Thank you." Liv replied. "Would you two mind helping me get to the hand dryer? I need to dry off."
"Yeah, sure." Kate replied, grabbing Liv's hand. Leah as stood closest to Liv's fin. She looked between the fin, Kate and Liv as if she was asking one of them what to do.
"You can touch my fin." Liv said. "I won't hurt you."
Leah shook her head before grabbing Liv's fin and placing her under the dryer. Liv punched the button to turn it on and lifted her leg as close to the dryer as possible.
"Liv!" Leah finally exclaimed. "What the hell!?"
"Shh Leah." Liv requested. "You're going to cause a scene."
"Cause a scene?" Leah repeated. "Oh, I'm so sorry. This happens all the time, doesn't it? One day you have a normal best friend and the next she's a fish!"
"Only half fish, technically." Kate interjected.
"Thank you." Liv said to Kate before turning her attention back to Leah. "Leah, I've wanted to tell you. I was going to tell you today actually, not quite like this but later, during our dive."
"Wait," Leah said. "Is this why you quit diving?"
"Well, yeah." Liv admitted, as if Leah had asked her the most obvious question in the world. "This happens every time I get a drop of water on me. Everyone would know if I continued diving."
"What's so bad about everyone knowing?" Leah asked. "Do you know how many girls our age would love to be a mermaid?"
"Do you know how many adults there are who would love to know this as well?" Liv asked. "Do you know how many would put my life in danger and not even care?"
"I reckon you have a point." Leah said.
"So you haven't always been like this?" Kate asked.
"No," Liv replied as she turned the hand dryer on again. "It happened a few months ago. I got in a fight with my dad and went out to Mako Island on my own. I fell down an opening in the volcano and found this pool of water at the center. It was the only way out so I got in as soon as the moon passed over. That was when the transformation happened."
"I guess that explains why you quit diving," Leah said. "But why are you always so busy? You never have time to just hang out anymore."
"I've been training." Liv said. "My dad's friend, Rikki, has been helping me adjust to this new life. She's a mermaid too."
"A town full of mermaids." Kate said. "How cool."
"I wish it was as cool as you'd think." Liv replied. "Listen, no one can know about this, not even your brother, all right?"
"All right." The two girls said simultaneously.
"Great." Liv replied. She felt the transformation back to human begin to happen. Once her legs were back, she stood from the floor. "Thank you guys. Ready to go back to class?"
Both girls nodded and the three exited the bathroom. Liv sighed as she felt yet another weight lifted off of her shoulders.
Zane was working from his at home office when he heard the front door open and close. It was nearly 3:30 so he knew it had to be Liv. He hoped she would come to the office and take his mind away from work. His daily responsibilities and his stupid speech where taking up his day.
"Dad?" He heard from downstairs. He sighed in relief knowing he could take a well deserved break.
"Up here, sweetheart." He said back. He was about to leave and meet Liv on the stairs, maybe see if she would like to do something this evening until his computer starting ringing. Someone was trying to request a video call with him. This only happened if it was something important. He sighed still wishing to take a break and spend time with his daughter. He hung his head even further when he saw who was calling him.
"Hi, Dad." Zane said as he answered the call. Harrison Bennett sat on the other end from his much more regal looking office in a full suit and tie. For a retired man, he sure looked like he put in a full day's work.
"Hello, son." Harrison replied. "I wanted to give you a quick call about the ga-"
"Hey, Dad." Liv said once she entered the room, quickly noticing Harrison on the video call. "Oh, hi, Grandpa."
"Hello, Liv." Harrison said, giving his granddaughter a huge smile. One Zane couldn't remember his father wearing until Liv had been born. "How has my favorite granddaughter been?"
"Life has been crazy." Liv replied. "But I'm managing."
"I think your grandpa called me about something to do with work." Zane told Liv. He wanted to spend time with her but he knew Liv and Harrison would end up talking for hours if he let this go and he would never truly be able to clock out.
"Oh, sorry to interrupt." Liv said. "I'll just be in my room-"
"No, Liv not to worry." Harrison said. "I'll be quick, you can have your father back in just a moment."
Liv nodded, excusing herself to her mother's bookshelves. Zane turned his attention back to Harrison. "What is it, Dad?"
"I needed to mention something about the gala." Harrison said.
"I know, I've been working on the speech." Zane replied. That was a bit of a lie but he was hoping Rikki didn't just talk a big game.
"No, it's not the speech." Harrison said. "It's a bit of a sensitive topic so I've been waiting to bring it up."
"Okay, what is it?" Zane asked.
"You do know it is tradition to bring a plus one to these events?" Harrison said. "A date of sorts."
"Yeah, but I figured the line 'my wife just died of brain cancer' would be enough of a reason to attend alone." Zane replied.
"I mean no disrespect to Hannah," Harrison started. "You know I loved the girl. But this is a gala of salesmen and saleswomen. It's supposed to be happy and lively. Besides, I figured you wouldn't want to talk about it so bringing a date wouldn't raise any questions."
"I'm not bringing a date, Dad." Zane said. "Besides, who would I even take?"
"You've been to these events, Zane." Harrison said. "It's strictly business, nothing romantic has even come close to happening at these events. Why not take Liv?"
"Liv, do you want to spend your Saturday night at a gala with me?" Zane asked.
"Hell no." Liv replied, just loud enough for Harrison to hear. Zane motioned to Liv, raising his eyebrows at his father as if to say 'I told you so'.
"But you could always take Rikki." Liv continued. Zane shut his eyes, knowing his daughter had just opened a messy can of worms.
"Take who, now?" Harrison asked. "Did you say 'Rikki', Liv?"
"Liv, why don't you go downstairs?" Zane asked, after muting his audio to Harrison. "I'll come down in a moment."
"Did I do something wrong?" Liv asked.
"No, I'll explain later." Zane said, Harrison was begging to be taken off mute on the other line. "Your grandpa and Rikki didn't exactly see eye to eye but it's fine. I'll be down in a few minutes."
Liv nodded as she took her exit. Once Zane heard her footsteps going downstairs, he took Harrison off of mute.
"Zane, who was Liv talking about?" Harrison asked.
"I think you know who." Zane replied.
Harrison took a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why are you hanging around that girl again?"
"She's a woman now." Zane said. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to clarify that but it felt necessary. "And she's changed a lot since the last time I saw her. She's got a successful career of her own. She's smart, funny, pretty… and she's been helping a lot since Hannah's passed."
"So what?" Harrison asked. "You hire your high school girlfriend to be a babysitter?"
"It's more complicated than that." Zane said.
"Then explain it to me." Harrison said. "I'm a retired, old man. I have all the time in the world."
"Well, I don't." Zane said. "I'll have a date to the gala, okay? If that's all, I'll be going."
Zane ended the call much to his dad's distain. He pulled his chair back and leaned his forehead onto his desk, taking a deep sigh. Tomorrow was sure to be a fun day at work. He forgot how much of a headache it was having Rikki and his father co-exist in his life. After another sigh, Zane stood from his desk to head downstairs and spend the evening with Liv. As he turned, he saw her standing in the doorway in front of him, looking guilty.
"I'm sorry, Dad." Liv said.
"You really don't need to be, sweetheart." Zane replied as he took her in a hug. "Like I said, your grandpa and Rikki just didn't get along back in the day."
"What happened?" Liv asked.
"It's a long story." Zane replied.
"I have time." Liv answered.
Zane smiled and shook his head. "You are very much a Bennett, you know?"
"I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult." Liv stated as the pair dropped their arms.
"I'm not sure either." Zane chuckled. "But I do have a question for you."
"Shoot." Liv replied as they faced each other in the hallway.
"Why did you suggest Rikki as a date?" Zane asked. "I thought you weren't comfortable at the idea of the two of us being together."
Liv shrugged in response. "Grandpa said it was the least romantic event possible. I figured there was no harm if you took her as a friend."
Zane nodded in response. "I know it wouldn't be your grandpa's first choice but he won't be there and I'm sure he'd be happy I simply bring a date. I'll think about it."
"Can we order a pizza?" Liv asked after an air of silence hung. "I'm starving."
"Sure." Zane replied, watching his daughter bound down the stairs. 'Least romantic event possible' huh? 'Nothing close to romantic has ever come close to happening'?
"Please, Holly," a young Harrison said on the phone outside of Zane's room as the fifteen year old boy straightened his tie. This was the last thing he wanted to do with his Saturday. Zane wished he had an out like Holly did.
"You know Candy won't talk to me and I really need a date." Harrison continued. "It's the least romantic event possible, nothing romantic has ever come close to happening!"
The call ended moments later and Zane threw on his uncomfortable jacket.
"Are you ready for the seminar, son?" Harrison asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be to spend an entire day off of school stuffed in a hotel." Zane sighed.
Oh, how wrong those pesky Bennetts could be about him and Rikki Chadwick.