Chapter 5: Confessions
Cleo was walking on the beach, deep in her thoughts. Her hair was loose and the wind was waving it.
She took her time to think while waiting for Bella.
Lewis had offered to come with her, but she had declined. She needed her time alone, and needed to get used to the thought that soon he would be gone back to America and she wouldn't see him for a long time again.
She rubbed her arms. Wearing only a t-shirt she felt cold because of the wind.
Her thoughts brought her back to some of her last conversations with the others, when Rikki was not around and they were trying to figure out what was wrong with her.
Because despite the doctor's words they could see something was going on with Rikki.
Lately she was becoming more and more pale, she seemed to be more tired than usual and was willing to compete with the others during swimming less and less, she was having those constant headaches, she was barely putting something in her mouth, even the light in her eyes seemed to be fading a little.
Everyone was really concerned about her, but Rikki always insisted she was fine and was shutting them off.
Every time she wasn't around, Cleo was bringing up the topic so they could discuss what's wrong with Rikki and figure out a way to help her.
Still, every single time she did that, she couldn't help but notice some of her friends' reactions.
Lewis was becoming nervous and was always trying to make them talk about something else. Emma was becoming quiet and was closing herself in, and Ash was saying it was not his business to interfere the other's lives.
When Cleo realized it she tried to talk to them about it, but they always denied.
But she wasn't the only one who noticed it. Bella and Will noticed too.
The brunette was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't hear someone walking behind her. Suddenly someone called her name from behind.
"Cleo! Cleo, wait!"
She turned around and her eyes went wide open.
"Ryan?"
He ran to her and gave her a smile. She tried to smile back, but the memory of him blowing up the moon pool still floated right before her eyes.
"It's good to see you again." He told her, trying to take a breath.
Cleo forced a smile.
"Yeah, it's good to see you too." She said eventually.
He sensed the slight trace of bitterness in her voice.
"Is everything alright?" He asked her, his smile fading a bit.
"Yes, everything's ok. No worries." She said despite her will to walk away from him.
"I owe you an apology, you know?!" He said.
"What?" he asked surprised her eyes wide open, again.
"I shouldn't have been so persistent. I shouldn't have asked you where that stone had come from, I shouldn't have gone to Mako, and I shouldn't have...well, my point is I was blinded by curiosity and by eagerness and I'm sorry. Mako appeared to be special to you and I shouldn't have messed with it. So I'm really sorry."
"Yeah, you shouldn't have. But thanks for the apology." She said, touched by his words.
"Actually I was going to go there when I met you. I wanted to find the way back to that cave and clean it up. It's the least I could do after...well, fixing it was my way to say "sorry"."
"Ryan, thank you for apologizing and for wanting to help clean the cave. But you better not get back there."
He nodded understanding.
"Thank you for not being mad at me anymore." He said.
She smiled.
"I wasn't mad at you." She said, but he only raised his eyebrows. "Ok, maybe I was."
That made both of them smile.
"I don't know if anyone has ever said that to you, but there's something about you..", Ryan paused trying to find the right words, "You're really special."
Cleo's cheeks went red and suddenly she became a little nervous.
"Thank you for the beautiful words, Ryan, but I've got to go now."
And she turned to walk away.
"Cleo?"
She turned to look at him.
"Yes?"
"If you didn't already have a boyfriend...would you have gone out with me?"
Cleo froze for a moment, but then relaxed again.
"Maybe."
And she turned to walk away.
After making a few steps with her eyes wandering beyond the ocean, she bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry." She said and turned to look at the person. "Oh, Bella, hi!"
"Hi, Cleo, I was looking for you." The other girl replied.
"You were?"
"Yeah, we were meant to meet here, remember?"
"Oh, yes, that's right." Cleo nodded and gave her a smile.
"Do you really think her father will know something?" Bella asked her.
"I don't know. But it's worth a shot, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Let's go then."
And the two headed to Rikki's trailer.
They knew Rikki was at the cafe, because her shift had started half an hour ago, so it was safe to go and talk to her dad.
"Mr. Chadwick, are you there?" Cleo asked knocking on the door.
A few moments later Rikki's dad showed up at the door.
"Who is...oh, Cleo, what brings you here?" He asked opening the door.
"Mr. Chadwick, that's Bella, she's me and Rikki's best friend.
"I thought your best friend was called Emma."
"No. I mean yes. Bella's our other best friend." Cleo explained quickly.
"That doesn't explain what brings you here."
"Can we come in?"
"Sure."
And he moved to let them in, then took him to the kitchen.
"Mr. Chadwick..." Cleo started. "We wanted to talk to you about Rikki."
He almost dropped the cup of coffee in his hand. Fortunately the two girls didn't notice.
"What about her?" He asked trying to keep his voice still.
"We wanted to ask you if something's going on with her."
"Why do you think something's going on?" He asked holding tight the cup in his hand to prevent his hand from shaking.
"Well, we just noticed she's a bit pale lately, a bit tired, a bit…I don't know, we just wondered if everything's ok with her. I mean she's our best friend and we love her very much. We don't want something bad to happen to her."
His eyes filled with tears, but he turned around to the sink so Cleo and Bella wouldn't notice it.
"Everything's fine with Rikki, but thank you for being such a good friends to my daughter!" He said without turning back to face them.
"Well...I think we should be going now." Cleo replied. "Come on, Bella." She said and turned around to her friend.
Bella nodded and the two walked out.
An hour later they were at the boatshed talking about their unsuccessful attempt.
"I must admit I'm not surprised at all that your plan didn't work." Will said as a matter of factly.
"What?" Bella looked at him. "Why?"
"Well it's more than obvious that he's her father and even if there was something going on he wouldn't tell you without Rikki approving first."
"You're right." Cleo sighed.
They stayed there for what seemed like hours before heading back to their homes.
{ * }
At the café everything seemed to be under control. Rikki and Zane were working really hard and it had started paying off quickly.
Ever since their conversation Sophie was occasionally giving Rikki weird looks, but didn't say anything.
Rikki was now at the office, and Zane was checking something on the computer. She was supposed to do some paper work, but her mind wandered off something else.
The first part of her plan hadn't gone exactly the way she'd expected, but there was no reason for worrying yet.
There was something she willed to do before she dies and she was working hard to make it perfect, without the knowledge of the others, because she wanted it to be a surprise.
Still, something else deep down inside her heart was bothering her.
"Zane?" She said looking at him.
"Yes?" He answered and moved his eyes off the screen to look at her. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, everything's fine." She said. "I just wanted to ask you something."
"What?"
Rikki took a deep breath.
"What would you do if something happens to me?"
He looked at her confused and a little scared, then he ran to the couch to her, taking her hand in his.
"Why do you ask me that? Is there something going on with you, are you ok?"
"I'm fine, I just wanted to know, that's all."
She felt him relaxing a bit.
"Do you remember when you almost died of that crate hitting your head?"
Rikki nodded.
"Back then when I thought I was going to lose you, I didn't know what scared me more – you almost dying or you almost moving away from the Gold Coast. I love you so much, that I can't imagine my life without you!"
"Zane-"
"No, listen to me. You're the best thing in my life, and if something happens to you, I", He paused for a moment, "I'd probably have no reason to live anymore."
She was deeply touched by his words, but at the same time knowing what's coming for her and now knowing his answer, it was also making her sad.
"Don't say that! Live is unpredictable, and full of mysteries, Zane! We don't know what lies ahead of us! I'm not saying something will happen to me, but even if it does, you're young, beautiful, rich. You can have every girl you want. And I want you to promise me that if something happens, you won't mourn for me, but will find a new girlfriend and will carry on!"
He looked at her like she was mental.
"How can you ask me to promise something like that?! I don't care if I can have all the girls in the world or not, and I would never care!" And his put his big, warm palm on her cheek. "Because the only girl I'll ever want and love with all my heart is you!"
Tears threatened to fill her eyes and her heart ached. She loved him so much and she couldn't bear the thought of what he'd do when she's no longer there to be with him. That's why she needed his promise.
"Please promise me to do what I ask you to. Promise me if something happens you'll carry on."
Fear filled his heart. Why was she asking him to promise such thing so desperately? Was something wrong with her?
"Rikki is there something wrong with you?"
"Please, Zane. Just, promise me."
"Rikki, I can't, I-"
"Please."
"Ok, I promise."
The blond gave him a smile and a small sigh of relief.
"Thank you."
And Rikki pressed her lips against his, putting her hand on his cheek. He gently broke the kiss to whisper "I love you" in her ear. She smiled. "I love you too", she whispered back and put her head on his shoulder, brushing off the small tear rolling down her cheek, before Zane could notice it.
{ * }
Meanwhile Emma was in her house with Ash.
They were sitting on the couch in her living room, and she was in his embrace, her head resting on his shoulder.
The traces of small, dry tears on her cheeks were still visible. She had told Ash about Rikki, and had cried in his arms. She knew she shouldn't tell anyone, but Ash she had to tell, because she needed him and his support. He rubbed her back with his hand.
"Thank you." She said and lifted her head to look at him.
"What for?" He asked confused.
"Thank you for listening to my wingding for hours now. I've been weighing you with all my problems, but you've been so good about it."
"That's because I love you." He smiled at her.
Red color rushed to her cheeks.
"You're an amazing girl, Em." He added. "I've never met anyone like you. You're unique."
"You're saying that only because I'm a mermaid." She said and lowered her hand looking down, but he shook his head and gently put his hand on her chin lifting her head again so she could look at him again.
"No, I'm saying it, because you'd be unique even if you weren't a mermaid." And he touched her lips with his.
She put her hands around his neck, and he put his palms on her face. When they broke the kiss she put her head on his shoulder again.
She was so happy to have Ash. After everything that's been going on, knowing he'll always be there to love her made her feel a little more safe.
"I'm going to get myself a drink. – she said standing up. "Do you want something?"
"No, thanks."
She nodded and walked to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of juice, when she heard the doorbell ring and her heart fell.
"Em, do you want me to see who is it?" Ash yelled from the living room.
"No, it's ok, Ash, I've got it." She yelled back and went to the door.
When she opened it she saw only darkness. "Weird", she thought, trying not to panic and started closing the door when she noticed something before her feet.
She bent over and took it in her hand, a confused look on her face. She walked back to the living room.
"Ash what is that?" She asked him holding the small box at her hand.
He smiled.
"Open it."
She opened it and her heart jumped. Inside were the most beautiful earrings and a crystal necklace. They were made of the same crystal hanging on her best friends' necks.
"Ash they're beautiful!" She exclaimed and moved her eyes to look at him.
"I'm glad you like them."
She sat next to him and he helped her put them on. She then gave him a kiss and hugged him.
"Thank you, so much!"
"The girls, Lewis, Will and Zane helped me. I wanted to make you a gift. Cleo suggested earrings, but it was Rikki's idea to make them from the moonstone along with a necklace just like theirs. She didn't want you to feel left out. Then the boys helped me get the stones."
Emma's eyes were water.
"When did that happen?"
"A few days ago."
She felt tears rolling down her cheeks.
She had pushed Rikki away, making her choose between two best friends, but still she helped Ash to make that beautiful gift to her.
And it was Rikki's idea to make Emma the same crystal necklace as theirs.
Ash hugged her and she put her head on his shoulder letting the tears fall. Now it was her turn to make something for Rikki. And she knew exactly what it would be.