Thank you all so much for the nice reviews! I'll take some time here to address some of the reviews that I got sooo:

Azlyn: Thanks! It took a while to think of a title and I hope you like what it coming up soon.

Izi: Thanks! I tried and I do have foster siblings, that will unfortunately not be in this story though.

Guest: Thanks! Well, they probably would, I do watch a lot of Disney sitcoms. They were supposed to be acting a little awkward and yet like they were friends. I'm still working on a little on their characterization in editing.

I also have a Simpson's reference in here, see if you can catch it.

Chapter 2

Mimmi had a fun day with Chris but something was clearly bothering her and that was seeing Erik at the park yesterday. What could he possibly be doing here? She rushed into the grotto before sensing something in the air. She didn't hear the mindless chatter that Ondina and Weilan might have.

She peaked in before noticing who was in there. Besides, Ondina and Weilan there sat a fair haired and a brunette girl there. Mimmi silently cursed under her breath, there sat Lyla and Nixie. Neither she nor Ondina got along with either of them. Not only that, but Weilan would have no clue who they are. Crap, she really had to tell them about what she saw.

"Hi Lyla, hi Nixie," she said carefully to the blond and brunette sitting in the grotto. She could tell what the feeling was now. Nerves and uneasiness. The mermaid counsel must have let them come back to land. Veridia had learned that Zac was harmless and the trident was gone. He had become part of the pod along with Evie, before she lost her tail. Veridia had to have given them permission. Forget about telling them about what she saw, this was going to be much worse than seeing Erik today.

"Hi," mumbled Nixie and Lyla said nothing. Of course, Lyla wouldn't say anything. She always kept her distance from everyone. Always found herself mingling with the fish then other mermaids. Nobody said anything until Ondina broke the ice.

"So why are you here?" she asked rather abruptly. Mimmi couldn't help but think that the next words out of her mouth were going to be rude. Sure enough they were before Mimmi could warn her to be nice. "I mean, I thought you went to go help the pod find a new home. Not come back to land."

"Well, I didn't see you follow us onto land to help take away Zac's powers," said Nixie sweetly. Figures that they would bring that up. "You fled with the pod."

Mimmi felt her cheeks go warm at the memory. They had willingly left with the pod and didn't bother to try to help the out casted mermaids. Her eyes narrowed thinking that she could have figured out everything a lot sooner. Why exactly were Nixie and Lyla here? Yes, they did live on land before Ondina and herself. Lyla's clothes were passed onto Ondina. Ondina looked like she was going to flare up at Nixie for even suggesting that they were cowards.

Lyla only looked around at the grotto and noticing the new decorations. Rita had gathered quite a bit since Nixie and Lyla lived on land.

"Where's Rita? She wasn't teaching classes with the pod today," she asked finally speaking up, "We came to visit her and the others."

Oh, so that had to be the reason why they were on land. Nixie and Lyla didn't have to cause a fight between herself and Ondina. Who exactly were the others supposed to be? Unless, of course, it had to be Zac, Evie, Cam, David, and Carly. Those were her friends not theirs. As far as they knew Cam didn't redeem himself and Carly didn't even know about them.

"I'm pretty sure the others like me and Mimmi a lot more," snapped Ondina. Ohh, Mimmi was going to have to talk to Ondina. She did not have to be dragged into this and get caught. And Ondina and Nixie don't exactly get along.

"That's not fair," snapped back Lyla finally speaking up. "We have every right to be here. Besides we liked each other after everything was cleared up."

This is something Mimmi reasoned to be true. Evie had gotten along fine with them once everything had been sorted out. Carly and Cam not so much. They probably didn't even know that Carly and David knew about their mermaid-ness. Then Cam forgiven about the trident. Quickly, Mimmi stood next to Ondina before a fight broke out. There is a very good reason Ondina and Nixie weren't in the same classes in mermaid school.

Now Mimmi wished that Rita was home. She went on a date with Dr. Ross today and they were hitting the town. It was Nerissa that took some time to teach the young hatchlings how to use their powers today.

"Besides, I'm pretty sure they took some time to get used to you," said Lyla. "I'm pretty sure you're just as hardheaded as I was."

This can't be good. "Listen, we don't have to fight," said Mimmi as the others ignored her. Right now, she really wished that Sirena was with them instead of David. Why did this have to be so complicated between them? Couldn't Lyla and Nixie just see that they were kind of like Ondina and they could get along.

"Mimmi's right, we don't have to fight," said Weilan.

"Weilan stay out of this, you don't know these girls," snapped Ondina. "One never shuts up and the other would rather be friends with kelp."

"At least we weren't afraid of the moon when we were hatchlings," said Nixie defending herself and Lyla. "That was you afraid and hiding under a clam."

By now they were standing and staring at each other. They were just about the same height, so they weren't very menacing to one another. Weilan and Mimmi looking at each other before at the girls. Mimmi just wanted to slowly back away before they were thrown rude words toward them.

"I got my moon ring first before either of you. You both were pretty dumb to be behind."

"Ondina," started Weilan.

"At least we weren't the ones that laughed and bullied everyone else in the pod. You made fun of Mimmi's accent when she first came here."

"Ondina," said Weilan now a bit alarmed. Mimmi only rolled her eyes. She figured Ondina would at least at first. Everyone else did. Well, from what she could tell. A couple of the older girls didn't seem to really care.

"At least I became friends with her instead of going off alone or with Sirena all the time."

"Ondina," said Weilan again.

"Weilan, shut up. You can be rude and unpleasant to be around too."

Everyone stood still in shock at Ondina. The blond put a hand to her mouth at what she said. She didn't mean to say that about either of her friends. Even Lyla and Nixie didn't go that far about her. They were just bringing up embarrassing moments and her hardheaded nature.

Weilan only looked at her before running off into cavern. She didn't need to be around Ondina right now. She bit her lip before she heard the footsteps and she dived right in. Rude and unpleasant was right.

Nixie only stared at Ondina picking up the cruel words about her. Shooting her a disgusted look she turned to go back up to the book case. Right now she just wanted to be alone as she made her way to the pier.

Lyla had raced behind Weilan trying to catch up with her. Mimmi gave Ondina a slow look before going after Nixie. It was going to be one long weekend.

"Listen, hey, wait," cried the blond as Weilan just stalked off. She needed to cool down and just started to walk in a different direction. Mainly to get away from Ondina and not talk to the girl. Lyla looked like she might be okay, but she didn't need anyone right now. About the time the girl tried to catch up to her, they were near the entrance of the marine park. Which Weilan didn't really understand why she was here, Mimmi wasn't working today.

Ignoring the girl, she just kept walking away. She did not need to keep talking to the girl that kept insulting Ondina and Mimmi. Her words weren't as hurtful as Ondina's though. She sighed and looked for a distraction. That was when she realized that Karl was coming toward her. Which was worse? Getting insulted and fighting or being stared at by a weirdo.

Actually, the idea of someone acting like a love sick puppy sounded like a good idea right now. Karl it is. Lyla stopped as Weilan strolled up to Karl with a purpose. He hoped that he would jump to the idea. He would have around the first time that they meet.

"You, me, date right now," she said as he looked surprised. Then his features softened at the sight of her. He actually looked cute or was she seeing things.

"Whatever you say," said Karl with a starry gaze and immediately took her hand. Oh this was going to be a long day. "So a movie?"

A movie sounded great actually. A dark theatre to hide in and they didn't even have to really talk to each other. With any luck Lyla would ditch them. Plus, he could be paying so it meant a free movie and snacks. Just so long as he didn't make out with her, she'd have her distraction.

"Perfect," she said with a smile. She let him put his arm around her waist as she smiled at Lyla. That didn't stop the girl from following them into the theatre. That meant that Weilan actually had to go through with his date. She stood near the ticket taker ready to try to talk to her.

What was this girl's problem? Did she have no other place to be rather than standing around and waiting for her? Weilan only looked frustrated at her before turning back to Karl. He got the reusable cups and her favorite Reese's pieces. He must have saw her face light up that he got two more bags. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Just as long as he didn't kiss her.

"Two for The Smell in Room 19," he said again with the touching as he tried to hold her hand. Might as well let him if they were going this far. Lyla just parked herself just outside the cinema doors. Weilan told herself to just enjoy a free movie.

Lyla waited outside the cinema for the Asian girl. She wanted to say something to the girl for being so mean to Ondina. It was a horrible way to meet someone the first time. She wanted to explain to the girl that she wasn't like that anymore. Instead, she seemed to have meet some boy to go on a date.

So now she watched a group of people leave a showing across the hall. People threw garbage away and head back to where they came from. An employee went in carrying a broom. A blond girl put her sunglasses on as she walked out into the parking lot. An elderly couple walked out still holding a cup. Finally, two boys straggled out, a redhead and a boy with features like Weilan.

"So did the movie get boring?" asked the redhead as he walked by her and stopped. The other boy nudged him to be quiet and gestured to get going. The other boy didn't really pay attention to his friend. The redhead only rolled his eyes. They were mermen not kelp people. Sides, he never had a problem keeping the secret.

"I'm waiting for someone," said Lyla not looking at him. She wished she had a phone or something to do while waiting.

"Well, would you like to get a lunch?" asked the redhead.

"Dude!" cried out his friend as he nudged him. He started to whisper and the other guy only looked relaxed if just slightly amused at him. Lyla only looked up with her eyebrows raised. The Asian boy looked at him with a don't go there look on his face.

"She's cute," he said as he turned back to the blond, "That movie just started about fifteen minutes ago. And we still have a half hour left of our break if you want to join us."

His friend sent him a look and rolled his eyes. He remained quiet in front of her but sent his friend an annoyed look every so often. So much for keeping a secret.

"If you ignore him, he goes away," said the Asian boy. The blond girl looked up and actually smiled at him. She didn't say anything or get up to go with them. "I'm Ryan by the way. This idiot goofball is Tanner."

Lyla looked up at them and sighed. She looked at the closed doors and thought of Weilan inside with that boy. Then at the boys in front of her. It didn't sound like a bad idea to get lunch. She didn't eat lunch yet today. The boys didn't look like they would easily hurt her. They were very friendly as well, well Tanner was anyway.

Alas her stomach made her choose.

"I don't have any money," she finally said hoping that they made the decision for her. She got up and walked away from the two.

"It's on us," said the redhead before reaching for her. "We'll have you back by the time your friend's movie ends."

Lyla bit her bottom lip and looked at the door of the theatre. She heard some laughter and figured that Weilan wouldn't be coming out anytime soon. Lyla looked at the boys with a skeptical look on her face. Well, if Weilan was going to be hanging out with a boy, she could too. In fact, she could hang out with two boys.

"Sure," she said finally looking at the two boys. She looked away from the door and went with them to get some food. "I'm Lyla by the way."

"Nice name," said Tanner being genuine. "We have roughly a half hour left of break. Maybe grab something on the walk back? I saw a place called Rikki's."

With that Lyla and Ryan simply followed Tanner and made conversation. For land boys they were pretty cool. Tanner made them both laugh and Ryan kept them on the right path to where they needed to be without saying much of anything. They had all become comfortable with each other, but still distant. Ryan had told them stories of when he grew up on a military base every once in a while. Tanner did little scenes from a show and kept talking.

Until of course, someone with a jet ski splashed water on them. A male voice shouted out sorry as he sped away. Water droplets fell on top of the three teenagers and dripping down them. Forgetting that they were in Lyla's presence and she forgetting that they were in the boy's presence, jumped straight into the water.

All three of them landed in the water before looking up hoping that no one had saw them. Then they turned and stared at Lyla as she stared at them both. Tails? All three of them? What? When did this happen? Shrugging it off, Tanner only swam to his left looking for a place to dry off unseen. Not only that, but it didn't take long to do to the surface.

"You have a tail?" asked a surprised and pleased Tanner.

"You have a tail?" said a stunned Lyla.

"When did this happen?" demanded Ryan. "Tanner this is why we don't interact with people much. Stay silent and keep a distance."

"Ryan, you know that's not me. And second of all this is awesome! So you're a real mermaid right? Anyway, what's for lunch? I'm thinking salmon burgers."

Ryan and Lyla just shared and incredulous look with one another before staring back at Tanner. They just witnessed each other turn into a mermaid and a merman and he could just think of food in a time like this?! Not only that, but they had just meet and getting to know each other.

"You're not the slightest bit concerned?" asked Lyla, "because I am!"

"Well you shouldn't," said Tanner as he ordered a juice and some sandwiches. "My psychologist said I'm pretty harmless. His words were that I 'mask my insecurities and problems with jokes and drama.'"

"Well you do," observed Ryan, Tanner was always this way for as long as he knew him. He really does have a psychologist, some woman named Emma. The boy didn't shut up and acted like a cartoon character. Granted, if they were in a police lineup and you had to guess which one was the merman, Tanner would be the last one you'd guess. "But yea, we're actually not supposed to talk to mermaids. It's one of the rules-"

Before Lyla could ask about these rules and point out they talked to her first. They were interrupted by Tanner.

"Oh come on, rules are meant to be broken and easy to get around. Lyla's pretty cool and I don't want to just abandon her," he said smiling warmly at her. In response, Lyla just flushed. They walked into Rikki's and sat down at a table. Both of the boys squeezed into one side of the booth and Lyla one side to herself.

A woman with orange hair took their order and ordered a juice. Lyla looked over the boys and they only looked at her. Well, Ryan did. Tanner was busy mixing the salt and pepper on the table. For being mermen neither of them acted like one. Then again, the only one she ever knew was Zac. They watched as a boy came in all wet. The very same one that got them wet.

They ducked their heads hoping that the boy didn't notice and hid a smile behind their hands. Lyla took the drink she ordered and so did Tanner and Ryan. They eyed each other but said nothing. Then the food came as Tanner played with his straw. Wow, so two mermen and a mermaid sitting at a table usually meant quiet and some laughter here and there.

"So we you're a mermaid," said Tanner biting into his burger. "And we're mermen. You have any questions? I love answering stuff so lay it on me. If you want tomorrow you can meet us at Seaworld, I'll give you directions."

And so it begins.

Nixie sat at the marina like she did last time. The last time, she had meet a boy she had Aquata's present delivered. She only stared out into the water and thought of the sea and land. It was nice to be on land even though everyone was fighting. She flared up at the thought of Mimmi telling her that they had no place on land again. They had made some friends on land. Evie, once they got to know her more. David sure loved Sirena. Zac liked Lyla and vice versa.

The sea wasn't that bad either. Sure she missed the others, but she had her tail and a way of life that she knew. She had more friends in the water. No distractions and just watching everything.

She heard a step behind her as she turned around.

"Oh sorry," he said as he looked around but not at her. He looked about her age as she only stared. She hesitated and looked around wonder if he was talking to her. He contemplated and didn't know what to say. "Mind if I sit here? I won't talk I swear, I just wanted to go somewhere quiet."

Nixie only nodded hoping that he meant it. Right now she had to think of ways to get back at the other girls. Or if it was even right to fight back. It stayed quiet until about a half hour later.

"So what brings you here?" asked Nixie to the boy finally. He looked somewhat attractive with a bashful look on his face. She looked at him before looking back at the water. Okay, so maybe they didn't have to talk. It was just peaceful sitting there not making a conversation. "Why are you here?" Nixie repeated right back after a minute again.

Dean only chuckled at her sudden question. His honest side always won in the end as he ran a hand through his brown hair.

"My friends and I got in trouble and I'm stepping away from my punishment for a while. It's a well-deserved break in the middle of a long shift. You?" he asked hoping she would be just as honest as he was. The girl only seemed to be laughing at him judging by the look of her face.

"What could you have done to get into trouble? You look harmless to me at least," she said still laughing a little. Dean only pretended to look hurt with a fake wounded look on his face and a hand on his chest but he laughed anyway. The girl only laughed again at him as he acted up. She had pretty smile that made him smile. Then she got a sober look on her face. "My friends and I got in a fight."

Dean only looked sympathetic, he understood fights as he and his friends get into a lot of them. Dean for being truthful, Erik for being over confident, Tanner for his dramatics, and Ryan's rather serious nature can get them into all sorts of trouble.

"I know all about those. The last time I got in a fight with my friends I threw a pizza at Erik's face. While it was still hot and he had a burn on his forehead." The girl just smiled and threw her head back laughing. She had a pretty laugh and smile.

"Well I didn't do that, but they said some hurtful things," said Nixie frowning before laughing again. She could only imagine what could have gone down. She playfully punched his shoulder as he teetered and nearly fell into the water. The look of panic on his face only startled her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's the fact that I can't swim if I fell in," he tried really hard to lie about. He felt his voice go slightly high and he started to breath out of his mouth. The others could always tell that he was lying because of these two reasons. The girl didn't know that though and she only looked concerned.

"What? They didn't teach you how to swim wherever you get your funny accent from?" she asked as he tried hard to think up a funny convincing story. To no effect either, he either told her the truth, or run away. Sooner or later she would pick up the mouth breathing or higher voice.

"I'm from North Carolina," he said picking his words out carefully. She was going to figure out that he was lying. "I was taught how to swim twice actually." He was going to tell her the story and she would be laughing at him. He found that he couldn't stop himself though. "The first time I was a three I had a fear of the water. The second time I was 6 and I had problems learning my breathing techniques. I never got in the water since."

Technically the truth. Mermen generally got their tails during their thirteenth year. Oh he remembered when he got his tail. It was the best feeling in his life. What was better was that his foster parents knew and they kept it a secret for him. Dean's thoughts turned back to the girl. She only smiled but didn't laugh at him.

"Well, I guess I can understand that," she said with uncertainty.

"It's alright, at least you're here, you could save me," he said actually being genuinely honest. Who wouldn't want to be saved by a pretty girl? Nixie only blushed a slight ting to her cheeks.

"So what about you?" she asked looking at him. "I never did catch your name or anything."

That's right, he just sat down next to her and they started a conversation. What if she was some kind of scientist? Or she was some kind of serial dater? What if she was as old as his mother?

"I'm Dean," he said in a quick breath before calming down.

"Nixie," said the girl. Nixie, what an unusual name. He kind of liked it though, it was cute and she's a cute girl. No, no, no, he shouldn't be thinking this way. He would be leaving for North Carolina and he would never see her again.

"So a North Carolina boy, that doesn't know how to swim, and is in trouble for something. What else should I know about you?" asked Nixie snapping him out of his thoughts. That was when he noticed that he was sitting closer to her. Was it her or him that moved?

"I'm a seventeen-year-old foster kid," he said. Stop talking, you'll only reveal yourself to her, he cautiously warned. "My parent's wanted children but couldn't have one. Something about a hostile environment. And I'm their only child. I love to fish and a habit I have is to count how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop. What about you?"

Nixie hesitated before thinking of something. She had to think of something about her life on land that she could remember. "I'm seventeen and live with my aunt. I like to think I can talk to dolphins and I love lobster."

Not entire lies but Nixie could have made something better up. Tell him that she was a good singer like Sirena. Besides, it's not like she'll actually see this boy again. There was something that she found charming about him, though. He certainly didn't seem to be anything like Cam. He was kind of cute in a white tee shirt and shorts. Then there was a beep from his pocket.

"My break is over Nixie," he said as she felt a tingle in her stomach. First hearing her name come out of his mouth. Then at the thought of him leaving. She actually found herself to be a little depressed at the thought! "Can I see you again while I'm still here?"

"That'd be great, Dean," she said surprising herself. He smiled goofily at her as he stood up. However, not before his foot missed stepping onto the dock. Dean failed his arms around a bit before hitting his head and falling into the water.

That was when their conversation flashed through her mind. He couldn't swim! She had to go in after him. Looking around, she dived in looking for Dean. He was bobbing just above the sandbar as she noticed the tail. He has a tail just like Zac. How? Why? What? She couldn't think as she noticed that he was bleeding from hitting the wooden dock. Sharks would be coming to look for the source. So she only did what she could. Taking his hand, she swam him to Rita's. It was the only place that she could properly heal him.

As soon as they got there she pulled him out of the water. "Hello?" she called before realizing that no one would be here. Rita had a meeting with someone. Weilan, Lyla, and the others would be at the café duking it out. So she used her powers to dry him. He's harmless. How could he possibly have a tail? Frustrated, she just made a mental note to ask him after healing. She wasn't going to do it in the grotto either. Nixie knew that taking him there could only mean trouble. So she helped him stand to take him upstairs to what was called the kitchen.

He started to stir before looking at her with those brown eyes. Nixie had to admit the tail made her like him a bit more.

Nixie only handed him a glass before asking her first question.

"So when were you going to tell me you had a tail?" she asked right away. Crap, thought Dean. There goes the secret. It had to be rotten luck to be terrible at telling them. Then he thought of when she jumped into the water after him.

"When are you going to tell me about yours," he said wincing as he felt his head. So she was a mermaid. Now he had to go tell Mitch and the others. Especially since he was going to be late.

"I asked you first," she challenged and he only chuckled.

"Alright, I should tell you," he said. "Being honest is actually my forte. You see mermen are usually raised on land in the foster system. We don't get our tails until we are actually thirteen. That story that I told you is true. My dad even has a video of me screaming that I hate water at three years old. He loves to show people at parties whenever the subject comes up. I take it that you were born a mermaid? They don't normally pop up in the foster system."

Nixie thought of lying. She thought of feeding him Zac's story just with her in it. She hated the idea of lying to him after he had told her the whole truth, though. Maybe stretch it a little?

"Yea," she just said surprising herself as she put a band aid on his head. Both of them went quiet before Dean pulled out his phone to text Erik that he would be late. The back door opened and Rita walked right into the kitchen.

"Is she really your aunt?" he whispered into Nixie's ear as she felt herself warm up. Nixie only shrugged her shoulders. She sure acted like one but they weren't really related.

"Welcome to my home," said Rita turning to the boy. "Nixie, who's your friend?"

Nixie's eyes grew wide at what to say before something popped out, "He's, uh, Dean."

"We meet at the café," quipped Dean. Nixie shot him a look that only said, you know about that place? Then she only nodded along with his story. "Your niece is really great. Good company, I mean."

Rita only raised her eyebrows at his fumble. A few hours on land and Nixie is reeling in a boyfriend. He had a nice American accent as well. Maybe he just moved here to Suncoast. Dean's phone beeped before turning to both of them.

"It's nice meeting you both. I've got to go meet my friends. We're at meeting at Seaworld. That is if you want to see me again." Whoops shouldn't have said that at all. He scolded himself over and over at what was coming out of his mouth. This was horrible, but he could help but smile weakly.

"Uh, well, sure," said Nixie feeling her cheeks get warm before realizing that she stood next to Rita.

"It was nice meeting you Dean," said Rita warmly. It was actually cute, watching his awkward and nice nature. Dean got up before leaving both Rita and Nixie in the kitchen.