Chapter Text
Cleo
You'd think working the ice cream stand at the marine park would be easy, but then the old lady walked up to me suddenly.
“I've come to warn you.” She spoke ominously.
“Warn me about what?” I asked.
“Don't ever talk to sea perch. You can't trust those fish.” She stated carefully.
“Why would I talk to fish?” I asked, she grinned then got closer.
“Listen carefully, it's very important. You must not look at the moon's eye.”
“The moons...?” I was lost.
“The full moon! It's dangerous. Do not look at it. Or it's reflection. When it's out do not touch water... whatever you do.”
“But─”
“Hi, Cleo!” Emma called out, I turned to look and saw her walking up with Rikki. Turning back I saw the old lady was gone.
“Did you see that?” I asked, “That old woman! She was standing just there!”
“What old woman?” Rikki asked.
“She knows about us! She said something about the full moon being dangerous.” I pleaded.
“I didn't see anyone.” Emma stated.
“Me either.” Rikki echoed.
“She told me not to talk to sea perch. And something about reflections. And beware the full moon.” I told them.
“Sounds like she's had too much sun.” Rikki replied. I shrugged.
“There's something different about her.” I continued, but I realized they weren't having it right now. “We'll just talk later.” I muttered.
Emma
Since mum and dad were going out for his birthday, I was staying home with Eliot. Cleo and Rikki were coming over as well, which was a relief. Only two people for board games was dull. I was reading a book as Eliot sat in his room finishing his homework when the doorbell rang. I quickly answered it and let Rikki and Cleo in. I was glad it was a weekend since they were staying the night.
“Hey, thanks for coming.” I smiled, Rikki winked as her and Cleo walked in. Cleo seemed a world away. “Cleo?” I asked, concerned.
“Sorry, I can't stop thinking about what that old woman said: Beware the full moon.” Cleo said, looking distant.
“We're mermaids, not werewolves.” Rikki groaned, rolling her eyes.
“Enough of that, we'll be fine.” I assured Cleo.
“Alright, Emma. So, what games first?” Cleo asked.
“Can we play Uno?” Eliot asked, coming down the stairs.
“If you're ready to be beat.” Rikki challenged.
“It's on!” Eliot retorted. I snickered, tonight was going to be fun.
“I'm going to go grab a drink. Anyone want some?” I asked, standing.
“No, but Lewis should be here soon with Risk Legacy.” Cleo said with a grin.
“I'll take a coke.” Rikki said with a wink. I smirked, walking into the kitchen and grabbed a coke for Rikki and a bottle of water for me. I turned to grab a straw when I looked out the window. I caught the pool's reflection and everything seemed to...
Rikki
Emma seemed distracted by something, turning suddenly without grabbing herself a straw. She came back over and placed the coke down in front of me before sitting back down.
“Em? You okay?” I asked, confused by her ignoring the straw.
“Of course I am, Rikki baby.” Emma purred, winking at me. My jaw dropped at Emma's words, Eliot looked between us, confused.
“Um, Emma?” Cleo asked, I felt flush.
“What? She's fantastic!” Emma exclaimed, but before anything else could be said the doorbell rang.
“That's got to be Lewis.” Cleo said, jumping up to answer the door. Eliot looked between Emma and I. I didn't have a clue what to do.
“Anyone up for Risk Legacy?” Lewis asked, “Brand new and everything.”
“New!?” Eliot exclaimed as Lewis sat it down.
“Lewis, you and Cleo can play with Eliot while Rikki and I go upstairs.” Emma spoke with a seductive tone and I choked on my soda.
“Why?” Eliot asked, not understanding as Lewis, Cleo, and I were stunned silent.
“To─” But Cleo clasped her hand over Emma's mouth.
“Eliot, I'm sorry but can you go upstairs while we talk to Emma?” Cleo pleaded. Eliot nodded, walking upstairs. Once he was out of sight, Cleo let go of Emma's mouth.
“Em, what the fuck?” I demanded, but Emma just smirked.
“The plan is to fuck.” Emma retorted, I felt my head spinning,
“Emma, did you... see the moon?” Cleo asked. Realization dawned on me.
“Yeah, it's so pretty tonight.” Emma purred, “We should go swim to Mako.”
“Emma, no.” I demanded, Emma pouted.
“I'll do what I want!” Emma exclaimed, rushing out the door and toward the pier attached to her house. Cleo, Lewis, and I followed as we watched Emma jump into the water.
“Bloody hell, this isn't happening.” Lewis moaned. I wanted to snap back, but then I laid eyes on the moon. Everything around me seemed inconsequential, but then the clouds covered it again as Lewis went to backhand me. I shot up my hand and stopped him
“Don't even.” I growled.
“You both─you almost got─” Lewis faltered.
“Let's get Emma out before Cleo and I fall under the moon spell. I can feel it's fucking pull.” I muttered.
Lewis got Em out of the water, but no amount of drying would turn her back. We needed a plan.
“Rikki, you'll just need to stay with Emma in her room.” Cleo told me.
“Wait, what?” I exclaimed.
“Otherwise she'll try to find you. Lewis and I will keep watch over Eliot. Just keep her safe.” Cleo pleaded. I groaned in reluctance as we worked together to get Em back to her room and into her bed. I locked the door behind Cleo and Lewis. Emma─thankfully─couldn't do much to me while she was a mermaid. I looked toward the bed where Em laid with the covers over herself, pouting.
“Em, you─” I began, but she turned her head away.
“You’d never date me, I’m not your ‘scene’.” Emma scoffed, refusing to meet my gaze. I felt so very lost.
“It’s the moon, Em. This isn’t like you.” I tried to remind her, not about to pour my heart out to her while she wasn’t herself.
“What? Can’t handle me being bold?” She challenged.
“We can talk when you’re yourself again.” I promised. Emma glared at me, but couldn’t do anything while in her current state.
“So, never.” She hissed. I gave a loud groan. It would be a long night.
Cleo
“Is Emma sick?” Eliot asked, causing me to panic for a moment.
‘Is she?’ I asked myself, but gave Eliot a smile.
“She’s been stressed lately, she’ll be fine.” I promised Eliot, hoping I was being truthful. Thankfully, Lewis and I kept him focused on the game until Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert came home. After greeting us, they looked around confused.
“Where’s Emma?” Mr. Gilbert asked.
“She’s not feeling well so Rikki is keeping her company in her room.” I partially lied, “She should be better in the morning.”
“Then thank you both more for looking after Eliot.” Mrs. Gilbert thanked us.
“It’s no problem. Eliot’s cool.” Lewis said, getting a grin from Eliot. We packed up, but I figured I couldn’t exactly leave myself with the full moon…
“See you at school, Lewis. I should stay here as well.” I told him, quickly texting my parents I was staying the night at Emma’s.
“Good luck.” He spoke quietly before I walked upstairs and he left. I knocked on Emma’s door.
“Rikki, it’s me. I can’t go home, so…” I trailed off as Rikki opened the door, looking tired.
“Em passed out. Can we please sleep?” Rikki pleaded, looking like she’d been crying at some point. I decided I didn’t need to know.
“Yes.” I whispered, getting a look of relief from Rikki, “Are you okay?”
“No.” Rikki replied honestly, “But I will be.”
Emma
I stretched and felt a body at my side. I looked over and saw Rikki next to me with Cleo next to her. I felt very confused.
‘Wasn’t I getting water?’ I asked myself, unable to remember what happened the night before. I gently shook Rikki who woke with a start.
“Rikki, it’s okay! What happened?” I asked, biting my lip. I noticed her give a relieved sigh.
“You got hit by the moon spell.” Rikki told me, “You weren’t yourself.” She looked distant, frowning slightly.
“Did I do something bad?” I asked fearfully.
“Nothing we couldn’t handle.” Rikki promised, but it was clear she wasn’t telling me everything.
“Rikki─” I began, but she interrupted me.
“Em, it wasn’t you. Don’t worry about it. Please.” Rikki pleaded, causing me to relent.
“Alright.” I agreed as Cleo began to stir, sitting up and looking at us.
“I told you so.” Cleo huffed, getting a groan from Rikki and I.
Rikki
I sat in my room, trying hard not to think about the night before. Emma wasn’t herself, but what she said…
“Am I really so unappealing?” Emma asked, hurt in her eyes. It felt like my own personal hell as I argued with Emma.
“You’re beautiful, really. I just don’t think we should talk about this now.” I kept trying to deflect, but she was wearing me down hard . Emma pouted, putting her hand on my cheek.
“Then when?” Emma asked, the lack of self-restraint was infuriating.
“Emma… I’m gay. I─I do like you, but I’d rather not ruin what we have. You aren’t yourself.” I admitted, frustrated as I realized I’d begun to cry. Emma looked shocked, but backed off.
“Oh. Do you not trust me? Is that why you didn’t tell me before?” She asked.
“I didn’t want to make things… awkward.” I admitted. She turned away from me, covering herself with the covers and I moved onto the floor, trying not to let my crying be heard.
“She doesn’t remember any of it…” I muttered aloud, “Is that good or bad?” I wondered as I shifted my position on my bed. I outed myself, she got hurt I didn’t tell her, and woke up remembering none of it. “I should be thankful.” I told myself, but part of me wished I could just get the nerve to tell her.