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The next morning, Zane walks into the JuiceNet, face clearly burnt from the night before as he polished off a bottle of water
“Wilfred, can I get another bottle of water? Large and chilled”. Zane said handing him some money
Wilfred: Whoa. Dude, you gotta keep out of the sun.
“Rikki, why were you at Mako Island last night”? Zane asked walking over to her as she removed her sunglasses.
Rikki: Was I?
“Yeah, you were”. Zane said, his burnt face coming into view as he puts his hands on the table. “And something really weird happened. “What I mean is” He says as he smiles slightly, and his face softens. “That must have been one hell of a kiss because I can’t remember anything after it happened. Can you”?
Instead of dismissing him, she gets up from the table motioning for him to follow her outside. He follows her outside where she has a look of genuine concern at what she did to him
Rikki: Look Zane, I don’t know what happened, but it was definitely weird and intense.
Zane reaches out a hand to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin and Rikki’s tough-girl façade starts to fade and slip away as she looks into his big, brown eyes.
Zane: Look, I want you to know that whatever this is that’s going on, you can tell me. I swear, I won’t tell anyone. I’ll even drop this whole sea monster thing.
Rikki: Really?
Zane: Yes. Look, that kiss last night was the best kiss of my life. Of my entire existence actually.
Rikki: But you said that you didn’t remember anything.
Zane: I actually do. I was too embarrassed to say anything, but I do remember Rikki and it was magical.
Rikki: Oh. Well, I’m sorry I burned you, dehydrating you and causing you to pass out. If in fact that’s what I did.
Zane: I’m not sorry it happened though. Like I said Rikki, it was the best kiss of my entire existence. In fact, that kiss is all I can think about now. You’re all I can think about now. I don’t even care about this whole sea monster thing anymore. I just want to get to know you better and maybe start a relationship. I’ll be honest with you Rikki. I have a little bit of a crush on you now.
His cheeks turn red with embarrassment as he is not one to state his feelings so boldly. Before he can fully comprehend what’s happening, Rikki gives him another kiss. He is clearly confused about what’s happening, but his confusion almost immediately disappears as his eyes flutter shut and he wraps his arms around her. At the same time, she backs him up against the wall of the JuiceNet, her hand fisting in his shirt. After intensely making out for 10 minutes, she pulls away from him and they both smile
Rikki: I’d like to get to know you better too Zane.
Zane: Really?
Rikki: Yes. Surely there’s more to you than meets the eye.
Zane: There is.
Rikki: Maybe we can talk about it sometime. I’ll see you later?
“Yeah. I’d like that.” Zane said smiling.
Before she walks back into the JuiceNet, they give each other one last kiss and their hearts soar with delight as they blush. As Zane walks off toward his house, opens the door, walks inside and upstairs, he is unable to hide the rather dopey grin on his face as he flops onto his bed facing the ceiling.
2 days later…..
At his dad’s seminar, he sees her walking towards him as he’s pacing the room
Zane: Rikki? What are you doing here?
Rikki: What are you doing here?
Zane: I asked you first.
Rikki: Ok, but you first.
Zane: I’m helping my dad with his investment seminar. He’s one of the speakers.
Rikki: I’ve noticed.
Zane: He begged me to come along and play the dutiful son. It’s totally boring.
Rikki: You could say that.
“But now that you’re here, it’s a little less boring”. Zane flirted, stepping toward her. “I was hoping maybe we could talk about what happened the other day and get to know each other better”.
Rikki: Later, ok?
Zane: You promise?
Rikki: Yes.
She walks off and he looks after her
Zane’s POV
“God, she is so beautiful. There is just something about her that intrigues me. What if she doesn’t come back? Ugh, get it together Zane. She’ll come back. You’ll see her again. After all, she did promise to talk”.
A little while later, he sees her again, but walking off in the opposite direction of where lunch is being served
Zane: Lunch is that way.
Rikki: Uh yeah, I’m here with my dad. He dragged me along but forgot to book so the restaurants full up.
Zane: Classy.
Just then, Harrison walks up
Harrison: Didn’t see you inside Zane. You missed an opportunity. You could have learned something.
Zane: Yeah I’m sure.
Harrison: Why don’t you make yourself useful and go on up to the suite? I need my notes.
Zane: I’m talking to someone.
“They’re on the table as you go in” Harrison said clapping him on the back and walking off
Zane: Sorry about that. He’s a stresshead.
Rikki: Why can’t your dad go up and get his own notes?
Zane: Because he’s important and I’m not.
This time, Rikki reaches out and brushes down his arm
Rikki: Now I’m sure that’s not true. I’m sure your plenty important.
Zane: Thanks Rikki.
Rikki: Well I need to go eat so I’ll see you later.
Zane’s POV
“I can’t just let her go like that. I mean, when are you gonna see her again? Come on, just invite her up with you”.
Zane: Hey.
She stops and turns
“I know where’s there’s some food. Heaps of it up in the suite. The hotel lays it on for my old man.
“No that’s okay” Rikki said walking away.
“The fridge is full”. Zane persists and she stops. “And if he misses anything, hey it’s good to tick him off”.
She smiles and takes him up on the offer as they walk to the elevator and go up. Once they’re inside the elevator and the doors close, he pins her up against the wall of the elevator and kisses her. Once the elevator dings at the top, they step out of the elevator and walk to the door. He opens it up and they walk inside. Both the suite and the view of the outside take Rikki’s breath away as Zane picks up the notes from the table and tucks them under his arm
Zane: The hotel gives a room for my dad to stay in whenever he runs a seminar. I’m gonna go run these down to him. Make yourself at home and enjoy the food. I’ll be back.
Rikki: You’d better.
“I will. I promise”. Zane said smiling.
He leaves and takes the elevator back down to the bottom floor. Standing up for himself, he finds his father, thrusting his notes at him, then abruptly turning on his heel and going back up the elevator. Once the elevator dings, he gets out and walks to the door, stepping inside and shutting the door behind them
Zane: Sorry about that. Well, we’ve got at least three hours. What do you wanna do?
Instead of answering him, she just opens the sliding door to the balcony and he follows her. Just then, it slides shut, locking itself behind them. Just when he’s heard the beep, he starts to panic, his fear of heights kicking in. He starts pacing around and he loosens his tie as his breathing gets heavier and heavier.
Rikki: Are you okay?
Zane: I’m fine.
Rikki: Are you scared of heights or something?
Zane: Yes. Very scared.
Rikki: Here, let me help you.
Zane: How?
“Like this”. She said guiding him to the railing while ignoring his protesting.
Zane: No-No, I can’t.
Rikki: Trust me. Trust me.
She puts his hand on the railing
Rikki: Now picture something you admire. Something that makes you happy.
He thinks back to that magical kiss on Mako Island and Rikki of course. She smiles at him as his breathing starts to slow. Once it’s back to normal, he steps forward, taking her face in his hands and kisses her. He pulls away after passionately kissing her for 10 minutes
Rikki: I take it your feeling better?
Zane: Definitely. Thanks. Shall we sit and talk?
Rikki: Sure.
They then start talking about how bad their dads are and soon the conversation starts to shift into something more into something Zane doesn’t expect
Rikki: I wasn’t there with my dad today. I was by myself and the restaurant wasn’t booked out either. I just didn’t have enough money to buy lunch after I paid for the seminar.
Zane: You paid for it out of your own money?
Rikki: Dumb I know, but not all of us are rich. My parents split up too, always arguing over money. I want to learn more and get some security.
Zane reaches out and grabs her hand
Zane: Trust me. Money doesn’t change anything.
Rikki: Funny, I always thought you were so lucky.
Zane: You may think that, but the other night when we kissed, I thought I’m the lucky one. I know you don’t remember it, which is still a complete mystery to me which I’m sure you’ll tell me when you’re ready, but I remember that kiss. I mean, you’re amazing Rikki. You’re smart, funny, pretty and you get me. Not everyone does.
Rikki: Zane, I have something to tell you.
Zane: What is it Rikki? You can tell me anything.
Rikki: Well, I-
Before she can even get out her next sentence, it starts to rain. She tries to run, but it’s too late. She looks at Zane with a scared look on her face as it starts to pour and as the change envelops her, he just stares with an unreadable expression. When she transforms into her mermaid self, he then starts to understand but is still confused as to why she burned him that night. Now, she has no choice but to tell him.
Rikki: This is what I am Zane. A mermaid.
Zane: Are you the one who saved me? You know, from Ms. Chatham’s boat?
Rikki: Actually, I saved you twice. Once from Mako sharks during the film competition and when you drowning in the wreck.
Zane: But the mermaid had red hair.
Rikki: I dyed it and it only stuck when I was a mermaid.
Zane: And that kiss out at Mako?
Rikki: Weird things happen to us when it’s a full moon.
Zane: Us? You mean there’s more than one?
She realizes that she had just outed Emma and Cleo. Looking into Zane’s brown eyes, she knows she can’t lie to him. Emma and Cleo might be mad at her about it later, but for now, she knows that she can’t lie to him.
Rikki: Yes. Me, Emma and Cleo are the three mermaids.
Zane: How?
Rikki: It all started when you stranded Cleo in your Zodiac.
Zane: I’m sorry about that Rikki. I didn’t know Cleo couldn’t swim. I’ll apologize to her for it. But, go on. How did this happen?
Rikki: Well, soon after we went out to sea, your Zodiac ran out of petrol so we paddled to Mako. We tried to call for help, but Emma couldn’t get a signal so we were trying to find a way off the island when we found this cave with a moon pool in it. It was a full moon then too and when it came over the opening, we were in the moon pool when we got caught in it. We then swam out and the next morning is when it all started. We transform as soon as we hit water or it hits us.
Zane: And the full moon?
Rikki: Like I said, whenever it hits us or we see it’s reflection, weird things happen. We also can't touch water when its out.
Zane: Who did it affect first?
Rikki: Emma. She became wild and carefree that night during her dad’s birthday. The next full moon, it affected Cleo and she became a siren. I was affected last and that’s when my powers became out of control. I disappeared and ran to Mako. That’s when you showed up and my kissing you dehydrated you, causing you to pass out.
Zane: So neither you, Emma or Cleo remember anything the morning after the full moons?
Rikki: No. “An amazing effect of the full moons power” She says sarcastically.
Zane: Well it was an amazing kiss.
Rikki: Was it? Maybe we can replicate it sometime.
Zane: How about now?
Before she can even say anything, he brings his hand over to cup her cheek and guides her face towards him and their lips meet in a deep and passionate kiss. When they pull apart, she smiles and blushes
Zane: What?
Rikki: It’s just I never thought I would actually get to kiss someone in the rain. You have nice lips Zane.
Now it’s his turn to blush
Rikki: I mean it Zane. You’re a good kisser.
Zane: Well thank you Rikki. You are too and don’t worry. I’m not going to tell anyone. I don’t want anything bad happening to you, Emma or Cleo. If anyone found out, you’d end up as a science experiment and I’d never be able to forgive myself if that happened, so your secrets safe with me. So, who else knows?
Rikki: Just you and Lewis, but he found out by accident at Miriam’s pool party.
Realizing what a jerk he’d been when he and Nate threw Cleo into the pool, he has complete and utter remorse in his eyes
Zane: I should apologize for that too, But, I mean, you did soak me so I thought I would get some payback, but I aimed it at the wrong person. I’m sorry.
Rikki: I accept your apology and I’m sure Cleo will too.
Zane: Now what’s this about powers?
Rikki: Right. Well, how about a little help here?
He walks behind her, grabs her under the arms and drags her underneath the awning where she extends her hand to her tail and steam dries herself. At that exact moment, the rain stops. She turns to him and he’s soaking wet.
Rikki: May I?
Zane: Um……
Rikki: Don’t worry Zane, I’ll be careful.
Zane: Ok then.
She does and he’s dry within seconds.
Zane: That’s amazing. You’re amazing. Wow, I have a mermaid girlfriend. Quite a stunning and fiery one at that.
“Awww Zane, you flatter me” Rikki said blushing.
“It’s true”. Zane stand taking her hand and brushing back some of her hair “You really are quite a stunning mermaid with a fiery personality. I like that about you Rikki. I meant what I said when I said that I wanted to maybe start a relationship so Rikki, will you be my girlfriend?
Rikki: Promise you’ll keep the secret?
Zane: Cross my heart.
Rikki: Yes. I’d love to be your girlfriend.
Their lips collide