Chapter 6

Rikki's P.O.V

Emma was going away. For a year. I was slowly coming to terms with the idea that her best friend was leaving. It was not as if we will never see each other again and there's always the following year, but of course there is always the chance that we'll all be in different cities at universities or…Wait what am I saying? Me at university? I'll have to pull my grades up to manage that. Maybe Emma leaving will help me to manage myself? I'm going to miss her so much.

OoOoO

Normal P.O.V

Over the next few weeks the trio spent as much time together as possible – especially swimming. Emma didn't know when she'd be able to when around her family since, for Rikki, she wouldn't tell them her secret. She secretly hoped that they would find out to make it easier, but a promise was a promise.

OoOoO

"Hey," Ash said as he sat down next to his girlfriend. He kissed her on the forehead and took her hand before they sat together on the sand. In a peaceful silence they sat watching the waves.

"What did you want to tell me?" Ash asked. The smile slowly disappeared from Emma's face.

"I'm not sure if it's good or bad news…" she trailed off.

"Tell me." Ash said. She took a deep breath.

"Next month, I'm leaving with my family to travel around the world. For a year."

"That's awesome!" Ash exclaimed. H.e examined her. "Why aren't you happy?"

"I'm…I'm going to miss my friends, my final year of school and…you." She replied, adding the last sheepishly. He embraced her.

"We'll be fine. Don't worry about that."

"You think?" she mumbled into his shoulder.

"Yes." He replied firmly. Emma pulled back so she could look at him. He leant forward and kissed her.

"Long distance is not impossible, Em. I'm sure you'll enjoy it." Ash reassured her once they pulled away. They returned to look at the waves.

"How am I going to keep my secret?"

"I'm probably not the best person to discuss that with," Ash laughed. "You're smart so I'm sure you'll manage."

OoOoO

After her meeting with Ash, she felt much more confident. It would be fun to travel and if her family found out, would it really be that bad? She wouldn't tell them, for Rikki. If they did find out it wouldn't be the end of the world. Besides, they would protect her right?

OoOoO

"Emma, honey," her mother called.

"Coming!" Emma shouted in reply. She closed the internet browser and then the lid of her laptop. She then made her way downstairs.

"What is it?" she asked impatiently. Emma had become increasingly irritable the closer it came to the date the Gilbert's would leave. They were now only twelve days out before they left Australia.

"In the next week, how about you throw a going away party for you and your friends?"

"A party?"

"Or whatever you want to do – you could just have Rikki and Cleo over if you'd like – have a sleepover." Emma's mood changed instantly.

"Cool! A sleepover sounds good." she paused. "Hey, could Ash come?"

Her mother looked hesitant. Emma defended her question.

"He, as well as being my boyfriend, has become one of my closest friends."

"Fine, but on one condition." she paused. Her daughter waited in expectation, "Lewis and Zane must come too."

"I would've invited Lewis anyway," Emma said.

"And Zane?"

"Probably only on Rikki's insistence," Emma laughed.

"Are you sure you don't want to invite anyone else?" her mother questioned.

"I'll let you know. "Emma smiled, "Thanks Mum."

With that, Emma returned to her room in a much better mood.

After much internal debate and discussion with her mermaid friends, Emma decided who she was inviting to her farewell sleepover. Rikki and Cleo were chosen without saying, as well as the boys, Ash, Lewis and Zane. She also decided to invite her Biology partner and English buddy, Keisha, and her cousin Dana. These two girls were her closest human girlfriends. The date was set: it would be on the Monday.

OoOoO

"Em, we're leaving for work; we'll see you this evening."

"Thanks Dad." She replied.

Elliot had arranged to stay with his friend overnight as to not get in the way of his sister's friends.

Everything was set in place – the counter top was covered in food and the beanbags had been brought into the lounge, Emma excitedly awaited the arrival of her guests.

OoOoO

Rikki and Cleo arrived first. Emma laughed when Cleo told her that when Rikki hadn't responded to her texts, she had to personally go and wake their friend up. Rikki had then proceeded to mumble, "I don't wanna get up, Dad."

Dana arrived shortly after them. She had straight blonde hair and was a year younger than her cousin. When Emma's aunt had a job transfer from Perth to Brisbane, it meant that the cousins could spend time together. Before then they had really only seen each other once or twice a year, if that. They found that they got along really well and over the previous summer holidays had become close friends.

"So you're Rikki and Cleo, I've heard a lot about you," Dana addressed them when they came into the lounge.

"Likewise," Cleo replied. They all engaged in idle chatter until Keisha arrived. Keisha had only been living in the Gold Coast for a term and a half, but she had quickly made friends with Emma, Rikki and Cleo. It helped that they shared classes together. In bio, Keisha and Emma were often paired together as their names were next to each other's on the roll.

Keisha hugged Emma, then Cleo, gave a one-sided hug to Rikki before energetically offering her hand to Dana, introducing herself.

They all sat down on the couches and talked – especially of fond memories with Emma, until the boys arrived. Once they had, of course, the chips and lollies were busted open and then began to disappear quickly.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Thanks for bearing with me and continuing to support me even though I haven't updated in months. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I also hope that the next update won't be too far. Future plot ideas are welcome - PM me or mention them in a review.

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