The Next Day:

Bella woke up early the next morning, quietly slipping out so she wouldn't wake Will. Last night, after Will had given her the ring, she had figured out what his Christmas present was going to be; her personal diary containing all of her secrets, dreams, and thoughts. Will had shown his true feelings towards their relationship, so she wanted to do the same.

Will woke to an empty bed, wondering where his girlfriend went. His phone suddenly vibrated, showing that Bella had texted him. "Hey, I headed home to shower. I'll meet up with you later." –Bella. He smiled and got up to get dressed.

Bella went into her closet and stood on a stool to reach the top shelf, containing the box where she had hidden the diary. She had started writing in it when she had moved from Ireland to Australia, when she had had difficulties moving and transitioning to a new life. She had written about Rikki, Cleo, her being a mermaid, her thoughts, her dreams, and her feelings from the moment she had met Will. Bella just hoped that he wouldn't reject it or make him freak out. She finally found the leather bound notebook under a stack of letters from her parents. It was a thick notebook that had been tied tightly with a piece of twine, in the hopes of the contents not falling out. Bella smiled at the thought of her being unable to express her feelings back then, and the emotions that she had poured into the journal. After thinking about Will's possible reactions to the diary, she decided to just leave it on the doorstep of the boathouse, and wait for Will to come to her when he was ready. She wanted to give him space and let him understand her true feelings towards him.

She wrapped the diary in paper, and wrote a note, "You showed me your true self, so I want to show you mine. –B. Knowing that Will would be home, she left the package at the doorstep, and headed towards Rikki's café for a quick juice.

Will was reading a text message from Sophie, when he heard someone approaching the door. He thought it was Bella, but when the door didn't open, he got curious. He opened the door to see a package under the mat wrapped in paper. He read the note, confused about what it could be. Will tore off the paper, and untied the twine to reveal Bella's diary. His eyebrows furrowed, confused, but turned the first page and started to read.

Dear Diary,

Well, I've never actually written in a journal before, so I guess I should start by telling you my name. My name is Isabella Hartley, but I really hate that name, so everyone calls me Bella. I used to live in Ireland, but then moved to Australia because my parents found better jobs. I'm really upset that I had to leave my friends and school, but I hope I get to meet some new people. We are moving into a house on the beach, allowing me to be able to swim whenever I want. So, here's the deal. I'm secretly a mermaid... Like no joke. Scales and everything. Creepy huh? Although sometimes it is a pain, I love being able to feel connected with the water. I also can control water with my hands. I can turn water into jelly. It's really cool, but hard to explain. I'm going to a new school tomorrow, so wish me luck. When I was walking on the beach today, I saw to girls that looked like they had powers like mine; I wonder if they will be going to the same school I am.

Well that's all for now. -Bella

Will looked up from the journal, thinking about Bella. He had always loved the connection she had with the water when she swam, always being jealous that he never had felt that way. When he dove, he always felt like he had to fight the water, like he was competing against it, but when he watched Bella swim, it seemed like it sometimes wasn't even there, it was just a part of her. When they swam together, she always seemed to be a part of the ocean, interacting with the animals and movement of the waves. Will skipped a few pages, reading an occasional sentence or two about her new friends, Cleo and Rikki. He stopped when he saw him name, starting to read.

Dear Diary,

I talked to Will again today. Rikki and Cleo keep telling me to stay away from him, but I can't. I feel like I have a connection to him. Will is a diver, understanding the same passion I have for the water, except I can't go in it. We went to the beach today, and I was really nervous. I was so close to the water, and he wanted to go in it. I hope I didn't look like a complete idiot afraid of the water. When he came out of the water, his blonde hair was dripping and was flat against his head, and although I thought his eyes were just plain blue, they actually aren't. The iris is a light sky blue, while the edges are a dark sea blue. All the girls at school flirt with him and feel his muscular arms, but I don't see why. I have always ignored the guys that tried to flirt with me, knowing that they are fake, and I can see the same thing when all those girls follow him around. His personality is his greatest feature. The way he laughs is infectious, and when he talks about diving, his whole face lights up.

When he finally found out that I was a mermaid, I was actually relived, hoping that there would be no more secrets and he would like me even more, but I was wrong. I wish he would see the real me, not just the mermaid side. He just wants someone to swim with. I really am confused about Will's feelings for me. One minute you would think we're just friends, but then another, he makes it seem like we're already dating. It's like he's toying with my emotions, wanting me to fall head over heels for him. Well, I'm not. I've been there already with Nathan, my ex, who only dated me to show off to his friends. He dumped me after 2 months only, claiming that it was me, it was him. I really thought Will was different, and I thought I knew him, but I guess that shows how well you know a person.

All my love, -Bella

Will gulped, feeling guilty about his actions towards Bella back then. He would always feel awful for the way he treated her, knowing inside she was more than just a mermaid. He had never known that was the way Bella felt about him, smiling when he thought about the way Bella described him. He had actually never noticed all the girls crowding him, remembering being jealous the way boys flirted with her. She was the only one he saw, never truly knowing the correct way to talk to her. Will frowned at the thought of Bella being jealous of him, and got up off the couch to made himself a sandwich, quickly hurrying to continue reading the final entry of Bella's diary.

Dear Diary,

Will and I have been dating for almost 6 months now, and I couldn't be happier. Being with him feels like I've found my other half, someone I never even knew existed. When we swim together, I feel like he gets me, not just the mermaid me that he can swim with, but the me that loves being in the ocean and being a mermaid. He makes me laugh, even when I'm mad, and kisses me with a passion that I have never felt with any of my previous boyfriends. Cleo and Rikki both have had fights and problems with their boyfriends, but I can never even imagine getting into a fight with Will. He protects me, and makes me feel safe, and loves me for me. Before I met Will, I had given up on the thought of being "in love", but when I met him, that was my first feeling towards him. Cleo and Rikki have both broken up several times with their boyfriends, but then gotten back together, but I can't seem to picture a day or even a minute without Will. The best part about our relationship is that we are never fake; we can be ourselves around each other, even if that means being crazy, goofy, or just plain stupid.

We go off to college in almost a week, and although we will be going to the same school, we won't be seeing each other as much. To me, that is like the end of the world. Although I'm really nervous about leaving home, I am very excited that I will be spending my days with someone as special as Will.

Love, -Bella

By the time Will had finished reading the journal, it was close to 1:00AM. He closed and retied the diary, still thinking about some of the details and feelings Bella had put into the journal entries. Will had never questioned Bella's love for him, but after today, he saw that it was even more powerful and immense than he could have ever dreamed.

The Next Day:

Bella went over to Will's place, hoping that he would still see her as Bella, and not someone else. Before she could knock on the door, it swung open, and Will pulled her inside. He picked her up by her waist and wrapped her legs around him, kissing her lips. He broke away from her lips and started kissing her neck as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"So, I guess you had some good reading material yesterday?" she asked.

He mumbled a reply into her neck and she giggled. Bella had never seen this side of Will before, but she liked it. She pulled Will's face towards hers and started kissing him again. Their make-out session continued until their kiss-bruised lips tingled with pain. Will checked his watch and gasped.

"I need to show you something. Hurry." Will said, pulling an old sweatshirt of his over Bella's head, and grabbed her hand. They jogged together to the beach, and they sat on a sand dune.

"What is so important?" Bella asked curiously.

Will pointed towards the sky. "Watch."

The sun was setting over the horizon, filling the sky with brilliant streaks of colors, the ocean waves sparkling off of the sun's rays. Will heard Bella gasp, smiling as he glanced towards her. Her hair was illuminated by the sun's glow, and her eyes lit up as the colors faded away. He gently intertwined his fingers with hers, and she placed her head on his shoulder. Will kissed the top of her head and smiled.

"Why do we have to go back to school? I don't want this to end." Bella asked sadly.

"I don't either, and I don't know why we have to go back. But I do know that I love you so much, and I never want this moment to end." He said.

She smiled, and Will placed a finger under her chin, looked into her beautiful blue eyes, and kissed her gently on her lips.

"I love you Bella." He said

"I love you too Will."