Chapter 9 - Reminiscing the Past

She'd never thought much of it before, but now the very sight of the ocean tugged away at Charlotte's heart as the thought of old, but not-so-old memories washed over her. It was even more difficult seeing them every day, and they even brought in a new girl as her replacement. Even though she repeatedly told Lewis that she was fine, Charlotte couldn't help how she felt—a confusing mixture of sadness, anger and, surprisingly, even regret. Losing the one special thing that made her feel so connected to her late grandmother, what was she thinking? And over some boy too, who, after looking back, was clearly not over his ex. He basically led her on, toyed with her feelings, and was never direct and honest with her—not that she was completely blameless herself. But if she hadn't fallen heads over heels in love with him, none of this wouldn't have happened, right? She wouldn't have discovered the truth about her grandmother, the magical life she once lived, one that Charlotte grew up believing was nothing more than elaborate, make-believe stories that her grandmother stirred up purely for her entertainment. Reaching for her necklace, a frustrated sigh escaped Charlotte's breath upon the realization that that was no longer the case. She almost forgot why she came to the beach in the first place, that is to clear her mind with some good old-fashioned art therapy. And for a while, it seemed to be working, that is until a certain honey-blonde girl came walking in her direction, with concerned eyes.

Bella: "Uh… hey! Charlotte, right? I'm Isabella."

Charlotte: "I know who you are… we have a couple of classes together."

Bella: "I've been meaning to say hi for a while but it's… um, kind of awkward when the others are around."

Charlotte: "Uh-huh… I'm sure it is."

Bella: "I really mean it, though. Umm… I know about what happened between you guys and… I guess it must be really hard on you."

Charlotte: "It's not like you'd understand, so I don't see the point in you being here."

Bella: "I'm just saying that if you want to talk, I'm all ears."

Charlotte: rolls eyes "Won't your new friends be mad at you? Especially Rikki?"

Bella: "Yes, we're friends but they don't own me. It's just that I could've easily be in the moon pool during that special full moon but—"

Charlotte: frustrated "But you weren't, lucky you."

Bella: sighs "Yeah, but… I didn't know about the fifty-year full moon or its effects until recently. There was no one to warn me about it."

Charlotte: angry "Look, even if you did lose your tail, it wouldn't compare to my situation. So we still wouldn't understand each other."

Bella: "But still—

Charlotte: sighs "I did what I did, alright! So I don't need you to coddle me. And why do you even care so much? Did they send you here to probe me for answers? Is that it?"

Bella: "No, like I said, I have a mind of my own and they don't even know that I'm here. But everytime I see you, you always seem distant, especially when you're looking at the sea."

Charlotte: "It's not just about me losing my tail, okay?! It's a lot more personal than that!" reaches for her neck and sighs

Bella: furrows her eyebrows "The locket? Is that what this is about? I know her grandmother used to be a mermaid… Hmm… If that's the case, then I don't blame her for feeling the way she does."

Charlotte: looks at Bella and sighs "Why are you giving me that look? Would you please just leave me alone?! I don't want your pity! If anything, it's having the opposite effect on me!"

Bella: "I wasn't pitying you… I just… I think that you have a lot you need to get off your chest. How about you talk to Max? Or even Ms. Chatham? I'm sure she'll understand where you're coming from."

Charlotte: "Ms. Chatham…?

Bella: "You know… one of your grandmother's friends who she changed with? Didn't the others—"

Charlotte: "Tell me about her?" scoffs "No, they didn't. No one did. I was pretty much left to fend for myself barely a month after changing."

Bella: "Well, go visit them. It can't be healthy to keep all those feelings to yourself." walks away

Charlotte: "Ugh, what a busybody. What makes her think I need her help?"

With a champagne glass in one hand, and a clutch purse in the other, a dolled up Rikki spent her Saturday afternoon as Zane's plus one at yet another of his father's fancy events. This so wasn't her thing, she grumpily thought to herself—though a small price to pay for having a rich boyfriend. Being introduced to person after person by a rather proud Zane, made the usually confident Rikki feel just a tad bit self-conscious.

Zane: smiling "You seem to be enjoying yourself."

Rikki: "Really? You think so?" sees Zane's facial expression "I mean, even though this isn't my first time as your plus one, I just can't help but feel out of place here."

Zane: "Come on, give yourself some credit. You're doing great!"

Harrison: walks up to Zane and Rikki while speaking to an old man "And this my son Zane. I believe this is your first time meeting him. Zane, this is Karl Foster. He owns—"

Zane: "The second largest construction company in the Gold Coast. Took over after your father retired, right?"

Karl: laughs "I see you've done your research. Your father told me that you run a local cafe. That's rather impressive for your age."

Zane: "Thank you, but none of this would've been possible without my father's blessing."

Karl: "And who is this young lady here?"

Zane: "This is my girlfriend, Rikki."

Rikki: "Hi, it's nice to meet you."

Karl: "Well, don't the two of you make a lovely couple." squints "This… locket. I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."

Rikki: "Oh this…" reaches for the locket "I saw it on the showcase of a jewelry shop. It was put up for sale by the previous owner's estate."

Karl: "It really looks familiar… mind I ask if you remember the previous owner's name?"

Rikki: looks at Zane "Um, I think her name was Julia—"

Karl: "Julia Lawrence…"

Rikki: furrows eyebrows "Yes… so you knew her?"

Karl: "Yes, she… was an old friend. But I'm glad that her locket found a suitable successor. It's one of a kind, you see."

As much as Charlotte tried to brush it off, her mind kept replaying back to what Bella said about needing someone to talk to. And not just anyone would do—a regular person would label her as schizophrenic and her mom thinks that she's dealing with your run-of-the-mill teenage heartache. Even though the latter's partially true it's only a small part of the problem. But at least two of her grandmother's friends are still alive, one of them also happened to be a former mermaid. That nosy Bella… she just couldn't mind the business that pays her. Honestly though, Ms. Chatham just might be the only person who she could bare her raw feelings and unfiltered thoughts to without being judged too harshly—at least that's what she hoped for.

Charlotte: breathes in deeply and knocks on the door "Hmm… I guess he's not—"

Max: "Charlotte, is that you?" Charlotte turns around "It is you! How have you been since…"

Charlotte: "Exactly as you'd expect if you suddenly lost something so magical."

Max: sighs "That's to be expected." studies her face "Is there something on your mind?"

Charlotte: "Umm… Are you still in touch with Ms. Chatham?"

Max: "Louise?" chuckles "Of course! I visit her at the Lakeside View Retirement Home three times a week! Is that why you came here?"

Charlotte: "Yeah. This girl, Bella, said I should visit her."

Max: "I can see why she suggested that to you. Louise may have given up on that life, but that decision was far from easy."

Charlotte: "Really? Why?"

Max: sighs "You're going have to find out yourself."

Back at Harrison Bennett's fancy event, Rikki couldn't help but look at Zane in awe of his rather impressive conversational skills when it came to anything business related. Who would've thought that the arrogant bad-boy she met two years ago would turn out to be a budding business mogul, much like his father. And that she would be there right by his side, being proudly introduced as his girlfriend, not just a date. However, just as everything seemed to be going well, a sudden shift in the weather sent everyone running inside for shelter, though none of them were faster than Rikki.

Harrison: "Is she alright?"

Zane: "It's okay, dad. I'll go check on her."

Karl: studies Rikki and Zane intensively

Zane: knocks on the door "Hey, Rikki. Are you—"

Rikki: "Yeah, I'll be out in a minute."

Karl: "Pesky weather we're having today, right?"

Zane: "Yeah, that rain came right out of the blue."

Karl: "Reminds me of my old friend, Julia. She used to react the same way whenever it rained, even around water in general. But none of that mattered to me at the moment."

Zane: "Oh, I guess girls no matter the time period didn't like getting their hair ruined."

Karl: laughs "That's most likely the case. You two have a good thing going on, I hope it stays that way." walks away

Zane: Rikki steps out "Hey, all done?"

Rikki: "Yeah, was that Mr. Foster? What were you guys talking about?"

Zane: "Something about his friend not liking water. Now that I said it aloud, it sounds alot like—"

Rikki: "Me?" gasps "Wait a minute, Ms. Chatham mentioned that her friend Julia told her boyfriend her secret, and that he tried to expose her." looks at Karl "I wonder if that's him?"

Charlotte: "Lakeside View Retirement Home… Oh! I think this is it!" walks in "Hi, I'm here to see uh… Louise Chatham?"

Receptionist: "No problem. Just sign here. Are you a relative?"

Charlotte: "No, more like… a distant friend of the family." signs her name

Receptionist: "That's good to hear since a lot of our residents don't have that many people checking up on them." takes the notepad "Alright, I think she's in the backyard. Come on now."

As Charlotte followed the receptionist's lead, she curiously scanned the room, wondering which of the several old ladies there she was being led to meet.

Receptionist: opens the door "Louise, you have a visitor! By the way, visitation ends at five."

Charlotte: nods "Thank you."

Ms. Chatham: looks up from her book "Can I help you dear—" studies Charlotte's face and gasps softly "Gracie…"

Charlotte: "Um no, she's… my grandmother."

Ms. Chatham: chuckles "I know that, dear. The resemblance is uncanny. Max told me how much you looked like her, but I honestly thought he was exaggerating." smiles "So, what brings you all the way here?"

Charlotte: sighs "There's a lot on my mind, and…" inhales and exhales "I-I don't know who else to turn to."

Ms. Chatham: "That's fine dear, I'm more than happy to hear you out. Come…" gestures towards the chair "...have a seat."

Charlotte: "I guess that you already know about my… situation."

Ms. Chatham: "Yes, Max and the girls told me everything. But I'm glad that you came to me. There's only so many people you turn to."

Charlotte: scoffs "That's what that nosy Bella said to me…"

Ms. Chatham: chuckles "So she's the reason why you're here?"

Charlotte: "Yeah…" sighs "Where do I even start? Losing my powers was the second hardest moment in my life, the first being my grandmother passing away when I was ten. And then finding out that she used to be a mermaid… only to become one myself… it made me feel so connected to her." sighs "And then… I screwed up. I really screwed up." voice cracks "What is wrong with me?"

Ms. Chatham: "Teenage years are rough for many youngsters, dear. But throw in magic and young love into the mix…"

Charlotte: "I know that… I just… I just feel like I lost the one thing that tied me to grandmother. I even lost the locket."

Ms. Chatham: "That's not true, you have her gifted hands. Right?"

Charlotte: looks at her hands "Yes, but… it's not the same as becoming a mermaid."

Ms. Chatham: " I understand how you feel, but knowing Gracie, I don't think she would've wanted you to follow in her footsteps."

Charlotte: "So what, are you saying that I should've never become a mermaid? That it was my destiny to lose my powers just like her? Because I—"

Ms. Chatham: "Of course, not. But I think that she'd try her hardest to keep you away from that life."

Charlotte: sighs "Why? Why would she throw it all away, just like that? The magic, the adventure… why did she willingly give up something that made her so unique and different from everyone else?"

Ms. Chatham: "That's exactly it, dear. After a year it simply… became too much. For all of us. But Gracie, she took it the hardest. Once the initial excitement wore off she realized just how much of her old life she had to sacrifice for the new one. She wanted nothing more than to be a normal girl again."

Charlotte: "And the locket? Why get rid of it? It could've been mine! She could've passed it down to me or my mom!"

Ms. Chatham: sighs "Max made that for us…" reaches for her neck "...three special lockets, for three special girls. But as her frustration grew, she began to resent everything mermaid-related, the lockets, Max, even Julia and I."

Zane: whispering "Wait, let me get this straight… you think that Karl Foster is the ex-boyfriend of that former mermaid?"

Rikki: whispering "Yes, I'm sure that's him. Ms. Chatham did say that he was rich."

Zane: "He knew Julia's secret. And tried to expose her. Is this another person we might have to worry about?"

Rikki: "Mmm… I'm not sure. He seemed regretful when he spoke of Julia. But we can't let our guards down until we know for sure where he stands."

Zane: "And how do we do that? We can't just flat out ask him—" studies Rikki's face "Hold on, you're not planning on—"

Rikki: sighs "Yes, I know it's a crazy idea, especially for me but, just hear me out. If he really wanted to expose Julia he could've, right? After taking her picture he never tried capturing her, or throwing water on her in public, so—"

Zane: "Yeah, you have a point there. But still, I think it's too risky."

Rikki: "I know, I just… I don't think I'll be able to fully relax until I know for sure."

Zane: "Alright. But just know that I have your back, no matter what happens." walks up to Harrison and Karl "Sorry to interrupt dad, but can I speak to Mr. Foster for a minute?"

Harrison: "I don't mind at all, but—"

Karl: "It's fine, Harrison. I've been meaning to speak to them as well."

Rikki: "You were?"

Harrison: "Alright, then. I'll let the three of you be." walks away

Zane: "Can we go somewhere a bit more private?"

Karl: laughs "Funny, I was going to suggest the same thing."

Charlotte: shakes her head "I still don't get it. I tried so hard to become like my grandmother, but if anything, it seems like I'm her complete opposite."

Ms. Chatham: laughs "On the contrary. Gracie was a sweet girl, but she had her moments of stubbornness. And once she made up her mind about something, there was no getting her to change it."

Charlotte: smiles "That does sound like me… So, you guys weren't able to change her mind?"

Ms. Chatham: "No. She threw the locket into the moonpool after a fight with Max. After that we saw her less and less."

Charlotte: "So what about you and uh… Julia. The two gave up your powers too, right?"

Ms. Chatham: "Yes. But for different reasons. Julia, because her ex-boyfriend didn't accept her as a mermaid and broke her heart by trying to expose her."

After settling a bit further away from the crowd, an impatient Rikki shot a quick look at Zane, signaling to him that she'd be the one to ask the important questions.

Rikki: "Alright, Mr. Foster—"

Karl: "No need to be so formal, call me Karl."

Rikki: "Okay, Karl. We have something important, and confidential, to ask you."

Karl: "It's about Julia, isn't it? And her secret."

Rikki: looks at Zane "Umm… secret?"

Karl: laughs "You know, the one that has you avoiding water in public so frantically."

Zane: "Looks like you were right, Rikki."

Rikki: "Yeah, I'm not surprised. So what are you going to do? Try to expose me like you did with Julia?"

Karl: "Heavens no. That was my biggest shame… and my biggest regret. I loved Julia. I was pretty popular with the girls back then, but Julia… she was the only one who wasn't impressed by my status. She was that kind of girl."

Rikki: "So why betray her the way you did? She could've ended up in a lab, getting jabbed by needles everyday."

Karl: sighs "I was an immature boy back then. I guess I wanted to teach her a lesson, of sorts. I didn't actually plan on going through with it. Jealousy got a hold of me."

Rikki: "Jealous? Of who?"

Karl: "They always hung out with their friend, Max. I figured that he knew from the beginning, unlike me who didn't find out until much later on."

Zane: "So what, you were mad because she didn't tell you right away? Is that it?"

Karl: "Like I said, I was pretty immature back then. But by the time I realized my mistake, it was too late—Julia refused to forgive me, told me that it was my fault that she gave it up."

Rikki and Zane exchange brief looks

Karl: laughs "You two really have something special going on. I can't help but see myself and Julia everytime I look at you." looks at Zane "Please, don't make my mistake. When you have someone so rare, you need to cherish and protect her with your life."

Zane: "Trust me, I know." looks at Rikki "We… had a rough patch before, and I really don't want to repeat that."

Karl: "Well, I'm glad you figured that out so quickly." smiles and walks away

Charlotte: "That's… awful."

Ms. Chatham: "And as for me…" sighs "I didn't share the same feelings as them. I loved everything about being a mermaid, and looking back, even being moonstruck." laughs "We had some crazy moments. But the very thing that made us special was tearing us apart—Gracie and Julia spent less time in the ocean, with me. And when Max warned us about the fifty-year full moon, Gracie jumped at the opportunity to undo it all, followed by a heartbroken Julia. And me? I didn't want to be alone, they were the only ones I could share the secret with so intimately. So then… I hesitantly followed them into the moonpool that fateful night."

Charlotte: "That must've been really hard on you."

Ms. Chatham: "It was. The full moon may have taken away my powers, but the feelings always remain."

Charlotte: "That's exactly how I feel. And I think my grandmother did too."

Ms. Chatham: "Gracie did? She told you about her past?"

Charlotte: ""No, well not directly. When I was younger, she used to tell me all these fascinating stories about the sea and magic. They were better than any fairytale that I ever read."

Ms. Chatham: smiles "So even Gracie couldn't fully leave the world of magic behind. I wonder if Julia felt the same way…"

Rikki: sighs "Poor Julia. That must've been really hard."

Zane: "Yeah, no doubt." looks at Rikki "So, I was wondering, if I'd continue on my crazy mermaid hunt with no remorse… would you have given up your powers? For good?"

Rikki: "No, I'd just melt anyone who came near me with ill intentions… or throw a lightning bolt at them."

Zane: "Yikes… including me?"

Rikki: "Uh, yeah! That is if you continued working with that she-devil of a marine biologist."

Zane: laughs "You sure have a way with words."

Rikki: "I don't see you complaining, though."

Zane: "I have none. You keep me on my feet."

Rikki: smiles and holds his hand "Yeah, well, someone has to do it. And who's a better fit for the job than me?"

Zane: smiles "I couldn't think of anyone more perfect…"

Ms. Chatham: "It wasn't much, but I hope that I was of help to you."

Charlotte: "Yeah, you were. Hearing your story made me feel less alone. But I have something else to ask you… Is there—?"

Ms. Chatham: "Anyway to restore your powers?" chuckles "No, at least not that I'm aware of."

Charlotte: sighs "Figured…"

Ms. Chatham: "Though, Max thinks that it'll take an equally powerful full moon to restore them. But that won't be possible for a really long time."

Charlotte: raises her eyebrow "So the fifty-year full moon?" scoffs "Great! I'll just have to wait another forty-nine years… if I'm even still alive by then."

Ms. Chatham: "I must ask you, though…" leans forward "What will you do if you were to ever get your powers back? Will you try to finish what you started?"

Charlotte: "No… not that it never crossed my mind. Up until late last year, I wanted nothing more than to lash out against them… but then I realized that there are probably other mermaids out there, all over the world, just trying to stay safe. I thought of my grandmother and how I'd be putting her in danger if she were still alive and never lost her powers. It took me some time, but I managed to put those thoughts aside."

Ms. Chatham: leans back and smiles "I'm glad to hear that. You might still be hurting, but never let it take over you…"

Cleo: "Wait, so he knew that you're—"

Rikki: sighs "How many times do I have to repeat myself?"

Emma: "And you're sure that he's not going to expose us?"

Rikki: sighs "Can't say that I'm one hundred percent sure, but he gave me his word." switches phone to other ear

Emma: "Since when are you so trusting?"

Rikki: "It's called giving someone the benefit of the doubt."

Emma: "That still doesn't sound like you."

alarm goes off

Bella: "Who's alarm was that?"

Emma: "It's not an alarm, it's a reminder."

Bella: "What for? Who sets an alarm for eight pm on a Sunday?"

Rikki: "Emma… that's who."

Emma: sighs "Do I need to remind you guys what tomorrow is?" silence "Hello? The full moon? We have to decide what we're going to do."

Bella: "Emma's right. I say, we just go there instead of waiting to be hypnotized."

Rikki: "Really?"

Bella: "Whether we like it or not, we're going to be lured to Mako against our will. So what's the harm in doing that?"

Cleo: sighs "This whole situation makes me so nervous."

Emma: "It'll be fine, Cleo. It's probably nothing."

Rikki: "Yeah, let's hope you're right, Em."

Hey Digit - I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. I agree with how you reworked the chapters, it's something that I've thought of myself. Maybe when I'm done with the fanfic, I'll do just that. Also, I've read Flaresouth's "Wish on a Full Moon" fanfic, and I'm not done with it yet, it's really good and one of my faves, too.