Rikki and Cleo arrived at the cafe around a few hours later that afternoon. They quickly located Bella and waited for the band to finish their song.
"Hey you guys." Bella hopped off the small stage. "Is it that time already?"
"Yup. 4:10 on the nose." Rikki answered with a grin.
"And the moon comes up when?" Bella tied her hair back into a ponytail as she spoke.
"Six," Cleo spoke up. "Plenty of time to get the apartment ready for a night in."
The three girls had moved into an apartment together right after graduation. Bella and Cleo were taking a few classes at the local community college while Rikki was focusing all of her attention on running the cafe full time. Zane had decided to attend a prestigious business school on the other side of the country, leaving Rikki to run their business.
For months Zane had tried desperately to convince Rikki to take him back but she had refused. Eventually, he had given up, but he never seemed to fully recover from the breakup. Deep down, Rikki felt that Zane's decision to go so far away from school was more about losing her than a desire to learn business, but she had let him leave without saying a word to stop him. Nowadays they spoke on the phone fairly often, and their friendship was slowly repairing itself. Rikki hoped they could be friends even if their relationship had gone stale.
"Great." Bella grinned. "I'll tell Nate we're out of here."
Rikki was giving a few last instructions to the night manager of the cafe when Will pushed his way through the beaded doorway. "Hey Will!" She called to him. "Bella's talking to Nate right quick. You coming by the apartment tonight?"
"What?" Will blinked his eyes distractedly. A second later comprehension spread across his face. "Tonight's a full moon."
"Damn straight it is." Rikki smacked him playfully with her clipboard. "I mean, we aren't expecting any excitement or anything but I still think it's a good idea to be as careful as possible and stay out of the moonlight-" She paused, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Will. "Are you ok?"
Will tried to make himself focus, but he was lost in his head. "I'm fine," He lied, still deep in thought. He checked his watch. "Tell Bells I'll call her later to check on you guys."
"Didn't you want to talk to her now?" Rikki's brow furrowed. "She's just over there-"
"Ah, nah." Will hastily picked up his backpack and tossed it over his shoulder. "Be safe tonight, Rik."
Rikki watched Will as he made his way towards the door. There had been something in his voice that seemed really off and she couldn't help but wonder if he really was ok.
TIME SKIP
That was the longest flight Nash ever had. He flew many times before to visit his grandparents in Tennessee, and even one time to Europe - but 20 hours of flight? dammit, he really needed to flex those legs. At least he had a plane buddy for the whole time: a girl named Emma. She was so beautiful and nice and he had a great time sitting next to her for these long, aching 20 hours.
He wasn't sure about moving to Australia, but he had a feeling that's gonna be epic - especially because he already had one friend to meet, a girl named Cleo Sertori.
When his dad told him that his future coworker has a daughter around his age, Nash wasn't expecting too much. But they started talking, and before either of them noticed, they talked for weeks before Nash left New York. He couldn't be more thrilled to finally meet her.
The four family members got out of the airport, waited for a cab to pass by, to take them to their hotel.
Nash couldn't believe it's really happening. He is really Australian today! Weeks of preparations, and still he never knew he would feel like that - excited, yet helpless. That was the day his life was about to change forever. At least that's what he thought.
TIME SKIP
"Was that Lewis?" Bella hopped onto the couch next to Cleo, who was clicking her phone shut.
"Sure was." Cleo couldn't help but smile as she talked about her boyfriend. "They're loving him over there. And he is loving the work."
"Of course they are." Rikki joined them. "He's working at a great big science place. In America." She rolled her eyes. "What more could he possibly want?"
"Thanks!" Cleo flicked Rikki on the arm as she walked past her into the kitchen.
"Aw, my bad," Rikki called after her. "You! He wants you!"
"Expert save, Rikki." Bella laughed sarcastically.
"Come on, it's not like she doesn't know he's nuts about her." Rikki flipped on the television.
"At least I'll get to see him in a couple days." Cleo chuckled. "He gets a week off, thank goodness. And the moon is up... now." Cleo walked back into the living room. She tapped her watch. "We're in for the night, ladies."
Minutes later the three girls had settled on a movie and were settling in with some warm popcorn.
TIME SKIP
After arriving at the airport and heading the hotel, Nash was still thinking about Emma... He couldn't forget her and he felt pain in his chest at the fact that he might never see her again.
The family finally got to their hotel for the next few weeks, until all of their stuff from the US would arrive.
"It's looking really awesome," Nash said to himself.
"Sure did." Said Evie. Nash's twin sister.
Only 3 minutes of pain and suffering came between Nash and Evie. Nash was the first one to come out, and he liked to annoy Evie about this every chance he could.
The group walked in through the spinning hotel door right into the lobby, and straight to the receptionist desk.
"We have a room reservation for four people, two adults, and two teenagers."
"Sure, just a sec. What is your last name?" The too-perky woman behind the desk said.
"McLaren." Nash and Evie's mother replied impatiently.
The lady gave them their keys and they went into the elevator.
TIME SKIP
"That was, without a doubt, the dumbest movie I've ever seen." Rikki threw a piece of popcorn at Bella.
"It was romantic, Rikki." Bella tossed a piece back at her.
"Exactly. Dumb." Rikki snickered.
"Oh cut it out, you two." Cleo held up two DVDs. "Which next?"
"You two choose whatever." Rikki yawned. "I'm headed to bed." She paused, smiling. "Have I mentioned lately how much I love our apartment?"
The girls had chosen this precise location for one reason and one reason only. It had no windows. Sure, it was a little dreary, but they kept it well lit. Even a little dreariness is a small price to pay to have a safe haven during the full moons. There were still odds and ends that had to be taken care of in preparation for their nights away from moonlight, but it was much simpler than using the boat shed or cafe.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow." Rikki gave a mock salute before heading up the steps to her bedroom. She had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach that she couldn't seem to shake.
Cleo watched her friend disappear up the steps before turning back to Bella with a grin on her face.
"Rikki's gone." She giggled, holding up two different DVDs. "Tom Hanks or Cary Grant?"
TIME SKIP
Rikki tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. She let out a long sigh, flipping to lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Her phone lit up from where it sat on the side table.
"Hello?" Rikki spoke quietly in case the other girls had gone to sleep already.
"I just wanted to check in on you." Zane's deep voice came through the phone. "You know... Full moon and all."
"Ah." Rikki pulled herself to sit up. "Thanks, Zane. We're all fine."
"Good." Zane's voice sounded empty and far away. "I was really just concerned about you, though. Not the others."
"I guess that's kinda sweet." Rikki shook her head slightly as she checked the time. "Zane, it's late. What are you doing awake?"
"Oh." Zane sounded embarrassed. "I've been watching the path of the moon. It's... gonna be over Mako Island in five minutes."
"You're right." Rikki nodded. "You know, it's weird. This full moon is just like every other one, but I just feel like something's going to happen."
"But you're safe?" Zane worried.
"Yes, Zane, I'm perfectly safe." Rikki said soothingly. "I'm in the bed already and I'm going to sleep. Thanks for calling."
"Rikki-" Zane spoke quickly before pausing awkwardly. "Um..."
"Yes? What is it?" Rikki slid back under the covers. "Zane?"
"I miss you." Zane's words echoed through the phone.
"Zane... I-" Rikki paused. She really didn't feel like having this conversation right now. "I miss you too." She said simply. "Goodnight Zane."
"'Night Rikki."
Rikki dropped the phone back onto the table before snuggling back under her covers. The uneasy feeling was gone and she suddenly felt very, very tired. Within minutes she was fast asleep.