The Black Dress

They had broken up their fourth year of high school because he was a stupid, jealous idiot. They tried to be friends after that but neither tried as hard as they should've and they drifted apart. She attempted to go to college in Gold Coast but figured it wasn't for her. She was inspired by an ad on her phone to dive for a missing antique in the ocean. She'd be much more careful searching for relics and antiques this time than she was the last. She found the missing item in the ad several miles under the surface and then found more and more and somehow managed to use her mermaid identity to create a career.

He didn't have a reason to stay in Gold Coast so he took his father's advice and went to Oxford. When he returned, he couldn't find a job and didn't have much motivation to so he started working for his dad. He never thought he'd be good at this business thing but he was now second in charge at his father's business.

They were both at the museum for the night's gala. Zane had the advantage because he knew Rikki was a keynote speaker. He remembered laughing in a cold manner when he had received the invitation that said she had become a deep-sea diver. He had debated on going but knew he couldn't bring a date. Thankfully he was single at the time anyway. His father had convinced him to go, saying it was a good opportunity.

"It's not all about the business, Dad." Zane had said to him at the time.

"I wasn't just talking about the business." Harrison had replied. "Maybe you just need some closure."

Zane was beginning to think his dad was right. Maybe he just needed to meet up with Rikki a few more times. He had been incredibly hesitant to get into any relationship with strings attached or labels since high school and a part of him knew it was because of Rikki. Why else would he have gone broke to buy and protect Mako Island from rich investors?

He walked into the ballroom at the museum alone. He usually brought a date with him so it was awkward at first but then he started seeing people he knew from work and other functions like this and he started to feel more comfortable. He kept conversations with them, all the while looking for a flash of white blonde hair before he found it heading to the bar in a black dress.

He laughed internally as he saw her. She dressed the part of socialite well but he knew she'd still be rebellious however subtly she could. Her dress almost came down to her knees at it's longest point but was at her mid-calf at it's shortest.

Just like the red dress.

The top of the dress was a tank top style but still very business appropriate. He did notice the center of the dress had a silt in it and was somewhat low-cut.

Just like the pink dress.

He didn't know if he had to shake these memories from his brain or use them to get closure. He did know he had to talk to her when she was alone, like she was now.

"Quite an event, Ms. Chadwick," he said as he approached her. He could tell she was annoyed and wanted to be left alone but turned around to talk shop with him anyway. That is until she saw who was standing behind her and nearly choked on her drink.

"I-" she started, clearly shocked that he was here. "What are you doing here?"

"I got invited." Zane replied simply. "And I thought I'd come hear about the adventures of the deep-sea diver of our generation."

"Well, it's not much that you don't know." She said quietly. "Minus the relics. Although I haven't used crates to lift anything in a while."

She was joking with him. That was a good sign wasn't it? She was starting to feel more comfortable.

"Fair enough." Zane had replied with a chuckle. "So about that-"

"Ms. Chadwick." He was interrupted by a small man wearing all black and carrying a clipboard. He must have been part of the event staff. "We need you backstage for rehearsals now."

"Right." She replied as she left her drink at the bar and went to stand up. "It was great seeing you again, Zane. I'll be back after the speech and we can talk then."

He watched as she was lead back by the man to what he knew to be a holding room. It wasn't the first time he had come to a gala at this museum.

About twenty minutes later, Zane was settled at his table when the presentation for the night had gotten started. Someone came up to thank everyone for their time and money, essentially and then made an introduction for Rikki. It all seemed to happen so fast but also in slow motion. As Rikki so expertly walked across the small stage, a waiter was carrying a large tray of drinks had tripped, basically tossing the liquids on Rikki. It vaguely reminded him of the time he was having a great pool game at the JuiceNet and crashed into her while celebrating, causing her to spill all the drinks onto herself. Thankfully she ran to the fridge before anyone caught her. The only problem was there wasn't a fridge this time.

Suddenly he was sixteen again, dashing across the room to get to Rikki. He took her hand and pulled her off-stage as she ran with him, seemingly trusting him with wherever he was taking her. He had been to this museum plenty of times before and knew there was a bathroom across from the astrology exhibit that hopefully wasn't closed for this event. As soon as he closed the door, he felt her transform for the first time in years.

They were both panting from running so quickly. He was glad he thought to lock the door because they were soon met when pounding and men yelling "Ms. Chadwick, Ms. Chadwick" over and over.

"Thanks." She finally said and started to dry herself off.

"No problem." Zane replied. "I guess you could have just done that."

"Yeah, but this is more fun." Rikki said. "I love what I do but I hate these stupid events."

"Tell me about it." He replied as she finished drying off and transformed back into her human form. He too, loved his work but hated having to put a face on for events like these.

"What if we just left?" She suggested, motioning to a window on the side of the bathroom.

"You're serious?" He asked.

"Yeah," she said. "You wanted to catch up right? Why don't we leave and just go walk on the beach like we used to?"

Zane had to admit, that sounded way better than going back to that stuffy gala. He might get in trouble for it later but who's to say when he was going to see Rikki again.

After they climbed out the window, they ran too his car before anyone could notice them and drove out to the beach. The sun was starting to set so the water was a beautiful orange color. There didn't seem to be too many people on the beach which was perfect.

Walking on the beach with Rikki felt so normal he thought he might have been dreaming. When they were younger, they'd usually walk with their arms around each other but that didn't seem appropriate now. That was until she grabbed his hand in hers and he realized how much he still wanted her.

They talked about anything and everything they had been through since they had seen each other last. He learned Rikki was a vegetarian and he told her he played in a rugby league from work since she noticed how fit he had become, with a small blush that didn't pass him by. They also reminisced from their time as teenagers. They talked about the dance she and the other girls had disappeared from and the their failed cafe. He never thought he could laugh about that and how silly of an idea it was and especially not with her but time seemed to heal all wounds.

He didn't know if he made the first move or if she did but they were now walking with their arms around each other just like they used to. Zane wasn't quite sure how long they were walking but they decided it was time to take a seat in the cool sand. He kept his arm around her shoulder and she didn't protest.

"Is it weird that this still feels normal?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

"I don't know." Zane had replied. "And if it's all right with you, I don't really care."

"Yeah." Rikki had said softly and nodded her head before his lips captured hers.

He felt alive again for the first time in years and he knew he didn't want closure.