Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

72. Queen for a Day

Since Grandma knew the secret, it was safe to share the details with her. The others also trusted her with everything, especially since her late older sister had been a mermaid. It took Bella a bit of time to trust Grandma when the latter figured out her secret was the same as the other girls and me.

"That is a shame about Rikki and Zane," Grandma nodded after I told her about the break-up, "A lack of trust can make things fall apart. You think he will keep your secrets?"

"Probably," I answered, "He has kept it under lock and key for this long. If Zane tells Sophie about all of us, it's game over. Though I take it he won't say anything."

As Grandma and I harvested more fruit, I told her about the last full moon event, the water tentacle, and mine and Rikki's enhanced powers.

"Have you found out why it appears only once a month?" Grandma wondered after learning about the tentacle.

"We're still not sure why," I shrugged as I picked another handful of lemons before following her to the mango tree, "When Rikki and I faced the water tentacle a few weeks ago, it reacted like it was trying to tell us something important. We'll have to wait for the next full moon to get more answers."

"I'm sure you will find out."

"Oh, there's another reason why I came here. Don't tell anyone. Emma told me she's coming back for graduation."

"That's wonderful! It'll be nice to have her home again. Maybe she might help all of you with this mystery in person. Does she know about Bella?"

"She does. Em met her through one of our Skype chats and was surprised to learn of another mermaid from overseas. To be honest, I was kinda nervous of introducing Emma to Bella. And it turned out chill."

"That's good. I'm certain Emma will have a lot of catching up to do when she returns."

"Yep. Though I've been making sure she knew about the activities here so that she could feel a part of everything."

"That is a good idea. Though it would be nice to hear about her adventures. I'll make sure your gramps doesn't go around announcing Emma's return to everyone in Queensland."

"What's that?" Grandpa called out.

"I was just telling Grandma about my Skype meeting with Emma," I replied.

"Oh, how is she and her family?"

"They're great. Currently in Mumbai, probably feasting on some masala."

🌊

The following day at school, I learned Bella had a major sneezing fit. It made me wonder if there was something around that was making her sneeze. Will had mentioned Sophie had redecorated the cafe with a variety of tropical flowers. It was possible Bella was allergic to them.

"I can't live like this," Cleo told Rikki and me as we headed for the science session room as our next class, "Kim's on a power trip, Sophie style."

"Sounds like a total nightmare," I nodded feeling grateful that I didn't have to put up with someone like Kim 24/7.

"Tell me about it."

"Hey, Sneezy," Rikki grinned at Bella who met up with us.

"Shh," Bella shushed her, "I haven't-- you know-- in at least 12 hours."

"Wow, maybe you are allergic to Sophie. Maybe we all are."

"Perhaps," I shrugged, "Not to mention how uncomfortable she makes me feel personally."