"You don't think he knows our secret, do you?"

"No."

"Why would he change his mind and invite us?"

"I don't know."

"What if he's going to expose us to the whole school?"

"Cleo, zip it!"

Rikki groaned as she walked with Cleo from the JuiceNet to Zane's house. Cleo was always one to worry about nothing. They would pass Lewis's house soon and Rikki couldn't wait. She knew Cleo would turn her attention to Lewis as soon as she saw him. Rikki could sprint ahead of the pair and neither would notice. How Rikki had ended up dating Zane before Cleo and Lewis figured their shit out was beyond her.

Rikki knew why the four had received an invite to Zane's party. Not that her friends would believe her but she had been dating the party host for a few weeks now. They had done their best to keep their relationship secret, telling their friends they were busy with other things when they would go on dates. It really was a pleasantly surprising twist of events.

Rikki was hesitant to attend the party though. What if her friends found out they were dating? Luckily Emma decided to stay home but Cleo would be caught dead before she missed a party. Lewis would be caught dead before he was found without Cleo and Rikki genuinely wanted to go. She played her too-cool-for-school act when her friends asked her why she was going. Rikki was also hesitant because a party sounded like potential for water hazards. She wasn't ready for Zane to know her secret yet. Even if she was, she didn't want him to find out by accident.

"Cleo, Rikki!" They heard from behind them. Rikki exhaled as she saw Lewis running to them.

"Lewis!" Cleo exclaimed. Rikki was deadweight now. "You really didn't have to come, you know."

"It's all right, I had nothing better to do." Ironically the same thing Rikki had told Cleo and Emma when they asked why she was going to Zane's party. "Besides, someone's got to watch for water hazards. We can't let Zane find his mermaid. He's been so close."

Rikki subtly shook her head. Little did the love-blind pair know Rikki had nipped the mermaid hunt in the bud a few weeks back. That was the only reason she was dating Zane anyway. At least that's what she told herself.

The trio arrived at Zane's home only a few minutes later. Cleo led the way, knocking on the door first. Zane arrived a few moments later. He looked confused at first, as if he wondered why they were there. He then caught Rikki's eye, giving her a small smile she didn't miss.

"Oh, right." Zane said. "Come in."

"Forget you invited us, did you?" Lewis asked as he and Cleo passed the threshold.

"It's a big party." Zane shrugged. "Hard to keep track of everyone that's coming."

Rikki was still at the front door but she didn't see anyone inside Zane's house. Were they early? She hoped not. Sitting in a home with just Lewis, Cleo and Zane would be incredibly awkward.

"Where is everyone?" Lewis asked.

"They're outside." Zane said. "I forgot the cleaning company was coming so my Dad would know what I did if we stayed inside."

"Big party." Lewis repeated as he and Cleo walked down the corridor to the back of the home. Rikki peaked her head in the door to see a long corridor to the left of the door. As she leaned in, she noticed Zane was leaning back until the two had exited their view. Zane turned his head to Rikki before leaning in and giving her a kiss.

"I'm glad you could make it." Zane said.

"Of course." Rikki replied. "I'm glad you let me invite my friends."

"Anything to make you happy." Zane said. "Come on, I'll show you the backyard."

"All right." Rikki said as she walked into the home. It was a huge house, much different than the trailer she called home.

"Nice place." She said.

"Thanks." Zane replied. "It's our second home. We don't use it too much anymore but it's a great place."

Rikki bit her lip. This home was ten times nicer than anything she and her dad could hope to live in and this was their second home. They really lived different lives.

They reached the exit to the backyard. Rikki could see the ocean and the setting sun from the door. They walked out of the door onto a grand patio with the yard beneath. They walked out the door where Rikki realized they were a level above the ground level. They were hidden away just enough, they weren't causing any attention to the rest of the party. Rikki felt her breath catch in the throat as she realized everyone at the party was in a large pool. Yes, there were quite a few water hazards. Rikki spotted Cleo and Lewis in the far corner, looking petrified by the water.

"What do you think?" Zane asked.

"It's…nice." Rikki managed out and then gave him a reassuring smile. He didn't look convinced though.

"Is everything okay?" Zane asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine." Rikki continued with her smile. "I just… remembered I haven't eaten anything today."

"Oh, there's stuff in the refrigerator if you want it." Zane said pointing to the kitchen. "Make yourself at home."

"Thanks." Rikki replied with a bit of a sneer. She cursed herself for doing that. Now he was definitely going to know something was wrong. Maybe she would get lucky and he would leave her alone, just forget she exists until the next day at the earliest.

Rikki couldn't deny she was a bit hungry as she entered she kitchen. She had eaten but it was nearly dark outside and she hadn't eaten since lunch. She opened the kitchen door to scan over the belongings before she decided on a package of yogurt.

Rikki was nearly done with the package when she heard footsteps heading her way. She looked around the corner to see who it was. She was soon greeted by Zane who, despite throwing a pool party, was bone dry.

"Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" He asked her, not holding back.

"What do you mean?" Rikki asked. "Why would anything be wrong?"

"I saw the look you gave me." Zane said. Shit. "I know you're upset about something."

"I'm not." Rikki replied, in a tone that betrayed her. Zane gave her a knowing look before she continued.

"I-I'm sorry." Rikki said. "I guess I'm just nervous about the party is all. I was wondering what would happen if Cleo or Lewis found out about us or if Miriam was here or something."

"Who cares if any of that happens?" Zane asked.

"And I don't like pool parties." Rikki stated, taking her final spoonful of yogurt.

Zane looked at her for just a moment before he burst out laughing. Rikki looked at him with furrowed eyebrows and Zane did his best to collect himself.

"I… Why don't you like pool parties?" Zane asked. "What is it about pool parties that puts you in this bad of a mood?"

"It's dumb." Rikki stated because it really was. "I don't want to talk about it."

"All right." Zane chuckled. "Well, I'll make it my mission to make you enjoy pool parties."

"Good luck with that." Rikki said as she opened the refrigerator to grab another package of yogurt.

"What kind of parties do you like?" Zane asked, leaning against the island.

"The ones without any people there." Rikki answered. Zane chuckled again.

"Seriously?" Zane asked her.

"I don't know." Rikki said leaning across from him on the island as she ate her yogurt. Her hip stopped the refrigerator door from closing fully but she didn't much care. "The ones indoors, dry and… maybe some dancing."

The song the party-goers were playing changed as Rikki finished her sentence. Zane looked behind him as cheers erupted for the new song that started playing.

Let me know that I've done wrong

When I've known this all along

I go around a time or two

Just to waste my time with you

"We could dance to this song." Zane said. Rikki gave him an odd look. She wasn't to sure about that. It wasn't a song that would make her run to the dance floor.

"Come on." Zane said, grabbing her hands away from the island. She pushed off the refrigerator door, keeping it open but neither mentioned it. He began moving her arms in his and Rikki began opening up to him, moving her body to the beat of the song. It didn't take long for the pair to be jumping around the kitchen like maniacs, singing the perfectly played song to each other, or Zane trying his best.

Who has to know

The way she feels inside?

Those thoughts I can't deny

These sleeping thoughts won't lie

Once the last chorus started, they met in front of the open refrigerator before Zane caught Rikki in his arms and they gently swayed to the song. Rikki lifted her head from his chest as the song ended.

"Is that the type of dancing you like to do at parties?" Zane asked.

"Maybe a little more subtle." Rikki laughed. "But this is nice."

Zane hummed in agreement. Rikki couldn't even remember the song that came on next. What she did remember was hearing her name and immediately flying out of Zane's arms.

"Rikki?" Cleo echoed. "Where are you? Lewis and I are heading-"

Cleo stopped herself when the brunette mermaid noticed Rikki and Zane were standing in kitchen together.

"-Home." She finished. "What are you two doing in there?"

"Oh, I just needed some water." Rikki stated. "We can leave."

"But there was water by the-" Lewis started.

"That water had condensation on it." Rikki said as she shoved the pair out of the home. "Let's go."

Cleo and Lewis looked very confused but were not resistant to leaving Zane's house whatsoever.

"Oh, wait," Rikki said. "I forgot my phone. I'll catch up in a minute."

Rikki sprinted back to the kitchen. She hoped Zane would still be there and hadn't gone back to the party. As luck would have it, he was waiting by a tall window. She raced up to him and placed her lips on his, quickly.

"Thanks for the invite." Rikki said. "I had a really great time."

Zane simply smiled back at her as she dashed out the door. If this is how pool parties were going to be with him, she could get used to that.