Chapter 2: My Friends Over You- New Found Glory

Since she had moved to Gold Coast, Rikki's life was constantly making drastic changes, she had a hard time keeping up. One day she was a normal girl playing a prank on an annoying, spoiled, rich boy. A few months later she was a mermaid who chased said boy out of a cafe, asking him to go out with her. Even a few weeks ago, the thought of dating Zane Bennett would have made her hurl. Now, she found herself smiling at him as he not only agreed to go out with her but also stop his mermaid hunt.

"What do we do now?" She had asked him, her hand placed in his as they walked away from the cafe. Her friends were inside and would likely wonder where she had run off to if they hadn't already. She had time to think up an excuse though. She doubted they would be happy or even believe her if she told them she was dating Zane.

"Whatever, I suppose." Zane told her with a shrug. "We could walk along the beach."

"Sure." Rikki told him with a smile. The beach was nearby and always a relaxing place to be. At least when she was out of the water.

They arrived in no time. The sun was starting to set and the beach goers were staring to leave as the weather got cooler. This was perfect, she had thought. She always felt most comfortable being alone.

"So what made you change your mind?" Zane asked her.

"About what?" Rikki asked in reply.

"About going out with me." Zane said. "I reckon I'm not repulsive to you anymore."

"Don't test your luck." Rikki warned.

Zane simply laughed in response. "Seriously though, what made you want to go out with me?"

Rikki let out a sigh. She couldn't tell him she only did it to stop his mermaid hunt. She'd have to find another reason.

"I suppose I've wanted to since we were trapped on that balcony." Rikki said. "But it's complicated, with my friends and all."

"Do they know?" Zane asked.

"No," Rikki replied. "I'll tell them…eventually. Once they're mature enough to handle it."

"That might take a while." Zane joked. Rikki gave him a glare.

"Will you please keep this a secret?" Rikki asked. "At least for now. I'm sure there will be a good time to tell them soon."

"All right." Zane said. "If that's what you want, I'll keep this secret."

"Really?" Rikki asked. Based on how he had rallied the teens at the JuiceNet around him to talk about the mermaid, she thought he might want to scream about their new relationship from the rooftops.

"Yeah," Zane said, simply. "I can keep a secret."

Rikki hoped he was right. Ultimately, if he let their relationship slip to someone or they were caught hanging out, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Him jeopardizing her mermaid identity would be a different story.

"Good to know." Rikki replied with a smile.

"So you were holding out on me because you were worried about what your friends thought?" Zane asked.

"Yep." Rikki replied, shortly.

"And that's all?"

"That's all." Rikki replied.

"Hm." He said. "All right."

"What do you mean, "all right"?" Rikki asked. He sounded like he didn't believe her. She wasn't sharing the complete truth, that was a fact. He couldn't know the complete truth yet though.

"It just seems like there's more to the story is all." Zane said. "But it's nice to know you'd pick me."

Rikki gave him a sour look. Did she like Zane? Yes, of course she did. Would she drop him in a heartbeat if her friends had a legit reason for her to do so? Absolutely. She was about to tell him as much when her phone started ringing.

"Hello?" Rikki said once she answered it.

"Rikki!" It was Cleo. "Where did you run off to?"

"Oh, you know…" Rikki started. "Just here and there."

"Well, we're trying to figure out this mermaid thing with Zane." Cleo said. "We can't let him find out and we could really use your help brain storming."

"All right." Rikki replied. "I'll see you in a bit.

"I have to go." Rikki told Zane as she hung up the phone.

"Is everything all right?" Zane asked.

"Yes!" Rikki exclaimed. "Well… no. I don't know yet but I'll catch you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Zane asked. "I wasn't expecting you to want to hang out again so soon."

"Of course." Rikki replied. "We should finish our walk along the shore."

"I reckon you're right." Zane said, pulling her in to him to give her a kiss goodbye. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

Rikki was still blushing at him and it was so embarrassing. If there was one thing Zane didn't need, it was an ego boost.

"I'll see you then." Rikki replied. "And for the record, I would always pick my friends over you. Hey, just like the song."

"What song?" Zane asked.

"My Friends Over You?" Rikki said. "New Found Glory?"

"Hm. Never heard of them." Zane shrugged.

"Well, if we're going to date, you'll need to learn more about rock music." Rikki said somewhat sarcastically as she pecked him on his cheek. "I'll catch you tomorrow."

The next morning, Rikki was walking along the beach to meet up with Zane. She was still slightly irritated at her friends. They had taken several unfair jabs at Zane the night before. She found herself wanting to defend him but she knew that would be extremely uncharacteristic of her and her friends would know something was amiss. She hoped she could forget all about the brain storming session she did nothing to contribute. It didn't take long to see Zane from afar, sitting on a sand dune with ear buds in his ears. She walked up the dune to meet him, wondering what he was listening to. He must not have heard or seen her coming as she heard him quietly singing along to the chorus.

"There's no room left here on my back, it was damaged long ago. Though you swear that you are true I'd still pick my friends over you."

How rare it was to have someone listen to her so well. Maybe she would have to think long and hard if she ever did have to choose between her friends and Zane.