I wanted to mention that I haven't been too proud of my other Zikki stories, and wanted to make it up to myself by spending more time on one that sounds better to myself. Hope you like it, tell me what you think! (Wella, Clewis, Rikki, Zane, Sophie)
A severe coastal storm is prohibiting anyone from leaving their homes - or wherever they were when it struck. For three certain girls trapped inside a barricaded café, the worst possible news is that the storm doesn't seem to be letting up. Will Sophie find out their secret, and will ties be broken or mended when the close proximity is too much to handle? (Set a month after season three - Cleo, Lewis, Bella, Will, Rikki, Zane, Sophie)
Cleo laughed a little too hard at all of Lewis's jokes as they intertwined their hands at a booth in the café. Simply stated, she was unbearably in love with him. Every second she spent wishing he'd fly in from America spontaneously, whether in the middle of the night or during work or whatever. It didn't matter. Nearly every waking second she secretly desperately craved to have his warm arms encircling her, his cool breath on her lips and his hands in hers. She didn't care if she'd have to give up everything she had. She didn't care if she had to give up her secret. She was so far lost into him eyes she barely noticed what she was doing around him, and that alone, was her biggest secret. Not the fact that she was a magical being, but no. Many people knew that fact. The truth about her powers and water changing her and the tail. But this - this was something deep and dark and ominous that she couldn't explain.
What really meant something to her was the fact that someone understood her. Cleo's life was a twisted tale of secrets, some she could whisper through a breezy code in the summer air, and some she had to keep to herself whether she was held at risk of dying for them. But Lewis - he knew them all. On top of his love for her, underneath she felt this deep understanding of trust and emotion that rang through her and through him. When he looked into her eyes like that, every time, she melted. She could just be herself and know that he understood her more than she did herself. When a new problem arose, she could tell him, anything, anytime. And she knew it was all given back to him as well. That dark fog, that one huge secret - he was the only one that knew. But on top of knowing, he understood, and not only sympathized but empathized. He felt the same way. And he told her everyday how much he missed her just the same.
This summer Lewis had flown in from America instead of taking summer classes. It was so highly recommended that he took that classes that it was almost required - he didn't care. He was willing to do anything to get back to Cleo. Where he belonged. In America he honestly didn't make many friends. He spent most of his time exercising and studying, trying not to get fat while he sat around the whole day buried in his studies, which resulted in little social life. Here, everyone knew and loved him, just the way he liked it.
Will was across the café with Sophie, frowning, but with a look of acceptance in his features. "I'm gonna miss you sis," he pursed his lips, punching her arm lightly.
"I just hope you keep up with your training," she hinted obviously that she still wasn't over the fact that he'd quit competitive diving.
"Hey, I'll keep in shape," he grinned. "And um, thanks. Honestly, for everything you've done. I really do appreciate it," he smiled.
"No. I get it now. I guess I might have pushed you a little too far," her high pitch voice was sincere.
Will didn't argue with that logic. He was happy his sister had found a job across the country - happy for her at least. He'd miss her, but the business opportunity was too extreme to pass up. Ironic though, it was literally the furthest away in the country she could be.
"Soph, let me buy you one last drink?"
She grinned, messing up his hair. "I suppose."
They sat down at the bar and laughed about their past, all the good times she'd had training Will - not letting that subject go - and all of the bad.
"You all packed?" He asked curiously.
"Yeah. My bags are waiting at home…And I'm having that girl from work transfer the key to the new owner. The plane leaves when…When did I say?" She checked her watch. "A good five hours," she smiled. "I'm gonna miss you too," she laughed.
Bella and Rikki sensed something was up when the moonpool started to receive little ringlets in it's water.
"It's raining?" Bella asked as Rikki stated.
"The sky looked dark enough coming out here I guess," Bella fiddled with her hands.
"Look which way the water's coming in," Rikki pointed out suddenly.
"Yeah?" Bella asked.
"That means it's coming from the sea, towards land."
Bella laughed. "What's it matter, Miss Weather Expert" she sighed. "We'll just relax out here for a few hours. No point in going back if it's raining, I mean, we'd never make back on land without getting wet again."
"But maybe it's not raining there yet? Besides, I'm starving and I'm guessing you had plans with Will," Rikki nudged her.
"Yeah," Bella frowned. "I think he was spending the day with Sophie? I mean, I don't want to intrude. She'd leaving for good," Bella's words were harsher than intended.
Rikki looked to her and outright laughed. "I'm serious," she giggled. "Let's go get a bite to eat," she dove under the water.
"At the café? With Zane?" Bella called after her teasingly.
Speaking of the devil. Watching the weather report on the plasma screen in his office, he feared he'd be out of business for a while. Nobody traveled to the café when the weather wasn't promising - it didn't have doors that locked out the rain and still let people in. Just the glass sliders that kept burglars out and merchandise in. They were hard to open and close, and unnecessary for the common heat and sun. Instead the beaded doorways usually worked just fine.
But regardless, the large red blob moving directly towards them was alerting caution to the Gold Coast and it's residences to take shelter. This could go one way or another. Dwindle back out to sea, or…
Zane stood up and pushed open the wooden door, taking large steps across and out the café to gather the menus and loose outdoor articles. Apparently most people were aware of the storm - the café was practically empty apart from a few couples and friends.
He stood there in thought, glancing up at the Rikki's sign that no longer glowed due to cloud cover. It was faded and dull, just like some haunting memories he possessed of them…what he did. It was unforgivable. Sophie had long since quit but he still saw her around. She caught his eye whenever she could and refused to give up on whatever she was looking for. It'd only been a month since graduation - where Rikki had been in and out of the café with her friends. Always, always, aggravatingly avoiding eye contact and refusing to even acknowledge Zane, let alone look at him.
He shook his head, frustrated, and gathered everything that couldn't get wet, or would be blown away if the storm were to hit. He looked up and a raindrop landed on his nose. He laughed and brushed it off with the bottom of his shirt, exposing his toned chest in the process.
When the water was gone, he looked ahead and saw the very person he'd feared and admired, felt for and hated all at the same time. The hate was directed at her in particular - only at the way she made his heart ache. She'd torn it apart, and maybe she was right. He did deserve this.
But there was something unusual about it that he didn't realize at first. Her eyes were boring into his from a while away. When she noticed he'd seen her, she glanced up and pretended not to have even seen Zane, let alone been staring.
Bella nudged her.
"Cut it out," Rikki snapped.
Bella saw the humor in Rikki's coldness, always, and realizing something in that moment. Bella's voice was suddenly very soft, very low. It echoed the hidden hurt in Rikki's features. "Why don't you talk to him?"
Rikki's eyes widened as she looked away, ashamed and feeling as if she'd been undermined. Rikki's silence answered Bella's question perfectly.
"Are you afraid?"
"Just forget about it!" Rikki crossed her arms.
"Rikki…You can talk to me you know?" She put a hand on her shoulder.
Rikki chewed on her lip a little agitated. "It's been too long to be close anymore. Besides…we both, just, need to move on," she didn't even have herself convinced.
"Don't be afraid. You did nothing wrong!" Bella comforted her.
"Okay."
They walked in silence until Zane could clearly make out Rikki's features. She stared at the ground, as if the pavement was suddenly very interesting - more so than him.
He found it a little insulting, but wasn't going to give up. He wasn't the kind to just let something go. She'd changed him for the better. He'd become caring and sincere in her presence, realizing he couldn't take everything for granted and that she'd shown him the ropes. Now without her - he'd gone back to being described as selfish, uncaring. Around every corner he started to hear people say "You're right, he hasn't changed." And he hated himself for what he was without her. He hated seeing her without him. He'd never stop caring, that much was certain.
Bella looked up to the sky and then to Rikki. It all happened so fast - There was light and thunder in the distance - and like someone had flipped a switch the sky got a few shades darker.
"We better hurry," Rikki urged, more so just wanting to get past Zane but not realizing how right she was.
With that switch, the rain started to fall. Buckets of it just drenching the ground, the tables, the pavement. Drenching two mermaids who were a good twenty seconds from the entrance to the café, but minutes away from any non public bodies of water.
Zane saw it all flash before his eyes. He dropped everything in his arms and panicked. He was being soaked to the bone but didn't care. The cold water made him clench his fists. The two girls full out sprinted to the patio of the café and tried to run into the door - but some nosy guests wanted to see what all the noise what, not realizing it had started raining.
Bella shoved past them, in a desperate sprint to the restrooms. She didn't know which doors would be open but was desperately thankful they were strictly one person bathrooms. The woman's was occupied, but making a mad sprint down the hall she pushed open the men's and found it deserted. She slammed the door and sat on the floor. Back against the door and hand on the locked handle.
Seconds ago, Rikki had seen Bella sprinting and hoped she'd find a secluded area.
Rikki was scared out of her mind. She realized there was absolutely no time to think, and she didn't know what she was going to do. Still running at full speed she tried to push through the crowd, but there were too many people. Entering the café, her sneaker's slipped on the trailed-in-water puddles and she slid across the floor, knees and hands on the ground. She tried to get up but was shaking, and so unstable.
Just then she felt a warm hand on her waist, on her own hand, pulling her up, rescuing her from the dark. She looked up into the boy's big brown eyes and melted all over again, besides the point there was no time to object, she fell for him all over again. Everything she'd been trying to hide, every feeling she tried to diminish, shrink, had expanded with the water.
He ushered her to the his office - where he knew nobody would be. He stayed back for a split second slamming the door shut and let her run through the door on her own, collapsing on the floor and hitting her head on the tiling as the change occurred and knocked her off her feet.
Zane whirled around and let out a sound off worry as he tried to help her up. She had a hand on her head and was feeling dizzy, but wanted to act tough, like she wasn't the emotional wreck she was.
"I'm fine," she retorted to his actions.
Zane rolled his eyes and moved the coffee table out of the way, kneeling next to her and putting her head in his lap. He waited for objection until he realized she was unresponsive. "Rikki?" He shook her, and she snapped back to reality.
She gasped and sat up quickly, two hands on either shoulder restraining her down. "Careful," he sounded genuinely worried. "You could, um, hurt yourself."
She shook her head. "I'm fine, ok? Can I just be left alone?" She asked.
Zane didn't have a response to her tone. He resentfully left her to heat away the tail. Without a word or a sound he got up and left the room, shutting the door with a click behind him. He sighed nearly inaudibly and walked across the café.
Lewis and Cleo were intertwined in a lasting kiss, his hands in her hair and on her waist, hers pushing against his chest and stomach.
"PDA much?" A male voice came from behind them. Zane was trying to lighten the heavy mood he had, but with little success.
Lewis was the one facing him, and as Cleo whirled around, only her head faced Zane as her hands remained on Lewis's body.
"You didn't seem to mind it when you had a girlfriend yourself," Lewis remarked rudely, attempting at humor though it came out more insulting. Cleo and him both could see how much that hurt him, and took their hands off each other right away. She stood up and wondered why he'd come over in the first place, opening her mouth to ask but he stopped her.
"It's raining pretty hard out there," he stated flatly.
"Yeah," Lewis looked to the window. "Let's hope it lets up soon. I hadn't even noticed. Sorry," his apology was aimed at Cleo.
She turned back and gave him a mischievous grin. "That's ok, as long as you'll stay with me?" She flirted.
He laughed and took her hands. "Of course," he smiled.
Zane cleared his throat. He'd never admit that he was jealous of the two is ways they couldn't imagine. Not that he was jealous of Cleo - he was jealous of their relationship and the ways she treated him.
He thought for a second. Lewis treated her like she was the most important thing in the world to him…because she probably was. Like Rikki was to him. He'd do anything for her, honestly. Anything. And he'd figured it out long ago what he'd done. That he was too preoccupied with himself that he forgot to show her what she meant to him. And now it was too late.
They turned back to him.
"That's the thing," Zane spoke quietly. "This storm looks pretty severe, and it's not going to end anytime soon. I need to close early and lock up the place…"
Cleo turned back to Lewis, fear in her eyes.
"You're welcome to stay!" He stated quickly.
"I was meant to be meeting Rikki and Bella at the…"
"Bella and um, Rikki got caught in the rain," Zane looked into her eyes so she knew what he meant.
Cleo scrambled up again and pulled Zane to the side. "Are they alright? Who saw, what happened?" She whispered in harsh tones.
"No, they're fine. They're here. Bella's in the back somewhere. Rikki, is um, in my office. Nobody saw."
Cleo breathed a sigh of relief and walked back over to Lewis. Suddenly she turned. "Uh thanks," she smiled.
"Sure," he said without enthusiasm.
Zane hustled over to the back of the counter and gathered up his staff. "We're closing early. There's a major storm on the way. I need to board up the place."
"I heard it was meant to pass by," the girl questioned.
"Just taking precautions," he apologized, but nobody seemed to mind. "You guys better get going before it gets too bad out there."
Zane hopped up on the counter. "Attention, attention everyone, please!" He called.
At the same time, Bella walked out from the restrooms, slowly taking in the scenario. She stopped at the end of the hallway, listening to Zane.
"There's a storm heading this way. It's meant to be getting a lot worse from what I heard. If everybody could please be going, I need to board up the café. There should be enough time for everybody to get home safely, I'm sorry," he announced loudly.
There were a few exchanged glances and looks of acceptance before everybody got up and filed out the beaded doorways, murmuring and commenting on the pouring rain that didn't seem to let up.
Bella emerged from the hallway, meeting Will's eye in fear, at the same moment Sophie announced "What a shame," and frowned. "We better get going, then, come on," she pulled on Will's arm, who never broke eye contact with Bella.
"I think I'll stay here for a while," he told her as Bella walked over.
Sophie turned around. "Oh, but Zane said everyone had to leave, isn't that right?" She turned to him. Her tone and stance weren't pleasant.
"Yeah, everyone out," Zane tried to keep a poker face.
"But Zane!" Bella shot him a hard look.
"No, he's right. Come on Soph," he led her to the door, turning to mouth Bella the words 'see you later'.
Bella was exhausted from the fear earlier and the frantic running for cover that she barely noticed Will's words.
Zane strode up behind her just as she turned around. "You're alright then?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine, thanks," she smiled slightly. "Hey, where's Rikki? Did she make it… in time…?"
"Yeah, come with me," Zane led her to his office, knocking slightly.
"Leave me alone," Rikki said through the door.
"It's Bella," she nudged her way in front of Zane and opened the door, revealing Rikki who laid on the couch in just her tiny under shorts and a low cut tank top, sweating from head to foot.
Bella ran to her shocked, asking what was wrong.
"I think I hit my head." Suddenly noticing Zane staring at her, she pulled her t shirt over her body and threw a pillow at him.
"Zane, leave," Bella instructed. "Go get Lewis!"
Zane walked across the room and knelt by Rikki, brushing her hair out of her eyes.
Their gazes locked for the slightest second before Rikki blushed more so than her face was already red and turned away, keeping up a charade. "Zane leave," she commanded him, folding the t-shirt further over herself.
"Don't be embarrassed," he smiled a little.
"I'm not," she defended herself. "I just don't think you should have the satisfaction," she grinned behind pursed lips. When she met his eyes by some sort of mistake, they both couldn't help but smile. Rikki covered it up right away.
Neither had realized Bella's absence until she returned with a worried Lewis and Cleo.
More to come…how severe is the storm and what will happen to Will and Sophie? Rikki isn't letting on her true emotions while the only person that really understands them is too preoccupied with winning her heart back that he doesn't notice what'd right in front of him - which sparks the question, what is? How bad is the fiery girl hurt and what's to come of the café?
I appreciate everyone reading! Thank you for supporting me, I wanted to repeat also that I've been trying to work on my favorite Zikki reuinion in other stories, but I'm honestly not proud of them and haven't put as much time into them as this one. Come to think of it, writing it…will they even get back together? (Wink)
Reviews do mean the world, tell me your predictions, critique, what you have to say, and give me constructive criticism! Thank you!