"So, you're a... mermaid? Is that what it's called? How is it even possible?" Chris asks after Mimmi jumped into the water, revealing her secret.
"Okay, I understand that you have a lot of questions and I'll answer them, but we should get out of here first. Come on, there's a place I know where we can talk. I just need to dry." She says, getting out of the water.
"D-do you need help? Want me to take a towel?" He asks, not knowing for sure what to do, how to act, or how anything works in his girlfriend's world.
"No, it's fine. Just make sure no one is coming." The mermaid says while using her powers to dry herself. In a matter of seconds, her legs are back, and she's leading the way to a very special place.
"Where are we going?" He asks, amazed with all the incredible things he saw in the last few minutes.
"To Mako. Use your boat and I'll meet you there" She says, jumping into the water when they arrive at the pier, facing Chris' boat.
It only takes Mimmi a few seconds to get there. She dries herself once again and waits for Chris, who doesn't take much longer to show up either.
"Come on, it's this way. I promise we're almost there." She says with a smile on her face. He smiles back.
They walk through the island holding hands and talking about everyday subjects. Chris can't keep his curiosity hidden, but Mimmi insists that he needs to wait. They arrive after 5 minutes of walking.
"Wait, we've been here before, haven't we?"
"Yes, but you have no idea of just how magical this place is. Come on, let's go inside." She says.
They get in a cave and sit on the edge of a natural pool. Face to face, to talk about a secret, and to dive in on an amazing and magical universe.
"This is the moon pool. It is a very special place for mermaids. When there's a full moon in the sky, anyone who falls in the water becomes a mermaid or a merman. It's our responsibility to protect it." Mimmi explains.
"Is that how you became a mermaid?" Chris asks.
"No. I'm a real mermaid, which means I was born like this. People who fall in the moon pool are just part-time mermaids or mermen." She answers.
"So, you're telling me there's a whole world under the sea, full of mermaids and mermen. And that some of them are humans who fell in the moon pool. And that nobody ever found out about you?" He asks, trying to make sense of all the new information.
"Yes, there are mermaids all over the world. Each place has its own group of local mermaids. That's what we call a pod. I'm part of the southern pod, but I was born in the northern one, which is in Canada. Mermen are not that usual though. There was a war years ago between us. Mermaids won and mermen were banished. Since then, they are feared, but we're trying to change that. Merpeople also have powers. Nobody ever found out about us because we can get invisible." She says and cloaks herself, then reappears after some seconds.
"Wow! That's amazing. Can you do anything else?" He asks.
"Yes, we can control water, move objects, and a hundred other things. All of this without a moon ring. They hold the power of the full moon, which makes them very powerful. We can also communicate with some animals, like dolphins." She answers.
"Then that's why you have such a strong connection with dolphins. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be able to communicate with them." He says, amazed.
"Yes, it is pretty amazing, really. But being a mermaid on land does have its downsides. I'm sorry about our date and well, you know, everything else." She explains.
"Hey, don't be sorry. I understand now. It must be a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, having to be so careful wherever you go. God, I can't even imagine what people would do to you if they ever found out." Chris says, and Mimmi can see he really means it.
"Yeah, it can be really stressful at times. But if I hadn't come to land, I probably wouldn't have met my brother, my friends or… you. So I guess it is worth it in the end." Mimmi says.
They share a passionate look before slowly getting closer to each other and sharing a slow kiss. A meaningful one, resting on each other's forehead as they fall apart.
"Thanks for trusting me, Mimmi. Your secret is safe with me." Chris says, breaking the silence.
"I really appreciate that." She declares.
"So, does anybody else know? About you? A-and do I know any other mermaids?" He asks.
"Yes, well, Ondina and Weilan are also mermaids, so they obviously know. And there's also Zac, who's a merman." She answers.
"Wait, Zac is a merman? I see him hanging around with you guys all the time, but I would never have guessed. I mean, wasn't he in the school swimming team?" He asks.
"Yes, he is. Zac is my brother, so it means he was born a merman, but since they are forbidden in the pods, our mother casted a spell that gave him legs. That's how he was able to be on the swimming team and live a normal life on land. But then, one day, he came to camp on Mako, fell in the moon pool, and the spell was broken. At first we thought he was only a normal land boy that had gotten merman powers, but around 6 months ago we found out that he's a real merman, and my brother." Mimmi explains.
"Cool. Does anybody else know?" He asks.
"Yes. Carly, Cam, David and Evie. She was a part-time mermaid, but the water dragon took her powers away. It was… very sad." She answers.
"A water dragon?!" He exclaims.
"Oh, right, you don't know about that. So, there was this giant water dragon that takes away mermaid's tales and powers we were trying to destroy, but turned out it was actually my mother, who was under a powerful spell. But we were able to save her, so the dragon is gone, and I have my mother back! Crazy, right?" She tells him.
"Yeah, I mean, what a story you have!" He says.
"Thanks for taking it all so well. I wanted to tell you a long time ago, but I had to wait for the right time, you know?" She explains.
"Hey, you don't have to worry about a thing. I completely get it. I'm just glad you trust me enough. And from now on I will be more than happy to help you however you need me to. You can count on me. Always." He declares.
And, in that moment, Mimmi felt peace. She knew that they still had many challenges coming their way in the future. Their relationship would never be as any other. But, as she sat there, side by side with Chris, she couldn't help but feel… excited for all the new experiences that they would, as well, go through. Maybe she had been looking at them, at their relationship the wrong way. Maybe their differences would only bring them closer, make them love each other even more. And as long as there was love, she would be more than happy.
