Chapter 2~

It was one of the brightest days of all of the bright days in the Gold Coast… However, it was also the hottest…

"Why does it have to be so humid?" Cleo panted, fanning herself frantically with a magazine.

Bella grumpily responded, "It's not like you can change this weather condition. We live in Australia! What do you expect?"

They were all lounging in Cleo's room, giggling about their college lives and complaining about the overwhelming heat lingering in the air. Rikki pushed her sticky, blonde hair from her face, and chimed, "Why don't we all go for a swim? It'll be much cooler, and we barely had anytime to hang out since college started."

They all agreed enthusiastically, and ran out of the house, not bothering to put on their shoes. Rikki hollered behind her back, "Race you to the shore!" Bella and Cleo sighed at Rikki's need for competition. They all slowed down as they reached the shore and before jumping in, they glanced around the beach to make sure it was relatively secluded.

Cleo challenged, "Why don't we race to Mako? First one there gets bragging rights and the other two have to buy the winner juices for a week!"

Bella and Rikki said in unison, "Deal!"

Together, they jumped into the rushing waters, instantly transforming into mermaids in a flurry of bubbles. Swishing their powerful, glistening orange tails, they speed-swam across the coral reef to Mako Island. A couple of bewildered turtles were startled when something slammed into them, but wasn't visible.

As Rikki neared the familiar underground cave opening, she smiled triumphantly at her impending victory, but suddenly, Cleo hastily swam past her into the cave opening. Rikki followed in irritation. Emerging from the water, she exclaimed, "Hey!"

Smiling mischievously, Cleo innocently said, "What? It wasn't against the rules, you know."

Bella arrived last, already exhausted and out of breath, "I don't know how you guys can swim so quickly."

"It's not a blessing, young Bella. I have worked hard to master the skill of speed-swimming," Rikki mockingly said, using a joking air of arrogance.

Cleo countered, "Hey, now, if Emma were here, she'd beat us all!"

At the mention of Emma's name, the loud, boisterous voices diminished until it was completely silent in the moon pool. Although Cleo and Rikki mournfully thought of their former best friend, Bella's curiosity was piqued.

"Forgive me, but, um… Who is Emma?" Bella asked.

Rikki slapped one hand to her forehead, "I can't believe we forgot to tell Bella about Emma!"

"Ugh, we're such terrible friends!" Cleo groaned against her palm.

Quietly, Bella said, "Okay, instead of blaming yourselves… Why don't you tell me who this Emma is? Is she a mermaid, like us?"

Cleo explained, "Yeah, Emma transformed with us, when we first came across the moon pool. She had ice-based powers…"

"And she was a bossy little nerd…" Rikki teased.

Bella chuckled, "Ah, I'm assuming she was like Cleo is now?"

"Hey!" Cleo indignantly exclaimed.

As they laughed over the parallels between Cleo and Emma, a more pressing question began to bother Bella. She timidly asked, "Am I a good friend?"

"OF COURSE!" Rikki bellowed, before sheepishly covering up her mouth as the sound echoed around the cave.

Cleo gently answered, "Of course, Bella. You're one of us. We will stick together, and face whatever problems the world throws at us together." before glaring pointedly at Rikki, "although Rikki didn't explain that properly."

A moment was shared between the three mermaids as they appreciated the powerful bond they had between them. It was often said that teenagers have twice the struggle in life to cope with school and friends. However, three teenaged mermaids were a completely different story, and they had to learn to balance their lives as humans and mermaids. No matter what, though, they'd always be there for each other.

Cleo smiled, "Now, who's ready for those juices? After all, you're buying them for me!"

Sullenly, Rikki and Bella remembered the deal they made with Cleo. Cleo laughed as her friends reluctantly swam out of the moon pool cave, before following them. In the midst of their happiness, all thoughts of Emma had vanished from the minds, as Rikki and Cleo only thought of how Bella made a wonderful friend for their legendary mermaid trio.