A/N: We're back! Here's the second chapter! Please R & R

"Well, it was a pleasure to have met you," Emma concluded in the most polite way she could manage.

"And you as well," Bella replied, in one of her typical worried expressions. Bella was an introverted sort, lucky enough to have landed Cleo and Rikki as friends. Now who was this Emma who unexpectedly came to them, claiming to be an older friend? Bella would just have to take the initiative and win her friends first, before Emma could get to them. No doubt Emma would be a handful.

"Hey, how about we go for a swim today, bring Emma along! A great way to kick off our new friendship," Bella proposed, beaming at everybody around the table for approval. Emma was at a loss of words, but surely her friends would take care of this pesky human.

"Sounds like a plan," said Cleo first, looking to Rikki to garner her support. Bella was pleased with herself. This would be too easy.

"Yeah, sure. Let's just do it after my shift," droned Rikki. She didn't seem quite interested. Bella thought, She'll be the toughest of them all to get on my side.

"It'll be so much fun! We'll all have a great party, and I'll make sure to bring supplies..." Bella was musing to herself, deliberately overwhelming Emma within the first five minutes of having met her.

"... oh gosh, I gotta go, I'm supposed to meet Will in five minutes at the pool!" Bella was checking her phone's schedule for all her upcoming meetings with Will after the current one. Never would she forget about arrangements with Will. He was the light of her life, the sun in her sky.

"See you later!" Cleo waved to Bella. Emma watched as Bella rushed out of the cafe... out of earshot.

"She's definitely an interesting one."

"Yeah, you'll love her! The party is going to be great." Cleo assured her anxious friend. Emma narrowed her eyes, placed her hands on the table and leaned in closer to the two.

"Does she know?" Emma asked.

"Know what?" Cleo inquired, and furrowed her brow.

"You know," Emma started then lowered her voice, "That we're mermaids." Rikki seemed to find this amusing: she had to clamp her hand over her mouth to stop the waterfall of laughter that was pouring out of her mouth. Cleo nudged her, but Emma could see the smirk on her face. She watched as realization finally hit the two of them.

"Em, she is one." Rikki whispered. The words hit her like an elephant had fallen on her.

"Oh, I see. You took her to the moon pool to replace me. How could you do this? I thought I was your friend. What, does she have all of our powers? Like Charlotte?" She hissed, feeling tears beginning at the corners of her eyes.

Rikki rolled her eyes, "There she goes, with the water works." Emma shot a glare towards Rikki, as Cleo crossed her arms.

"Honestly, Emma!" she exclaimed. "Did you honestly believe we would befriend a clone of Charlotte?"

"Maybe."

Rikki snapped, "Well, Bella is no clone of Charlotte, and she does not have all of our powers."

Cleo placed a small, sad smile on her face, "Lighten up, Emma. Once you get to know her, you will definitely agree that she is meant to be-"

"Listen to me, for just a moment," Emma barely whispered, as her eyes stung. "Did you or did you not bring her to Moon pool?"

"Gosh, Emma! No! It's a long story of how we became friends with her, but she has always been a mermaid," Cleo replied rather calmly.

Emma lowered her eyes, "So, since she is no clone of Charlotte...What is her power?"

"Oh, she can turn water into rock or a jelly-like substance," Cleo explained, matter-of-factly. Rikki rolled her eyes at Cleo, who was trying to sound intelligent (and failing horribly). Emma felt as if someone stabbed her heart. So it's basically my power, great, just great.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that. She seems nice, I should give her a chance." Emma apologized, in a rather slightly bitter tone, not meaning a word. However, this went unnoticed by the two other girls.

"So, tell us about your trip." Rikki, not able to stand the awkward silence, changed the subject. Emma grinned and began to share her memories.

A/N: No flames, I have pyrophobia