Vanessa walked into her house from school and heard her dad talking. She was a little surprised to hear him since he should be at work, not home. She walked into the kitchen and saw her dad and Adalyn talking. Her eyes widen she looked at the island where a bunch of fruit was.

Adalyn smiled and picked up a bowl, ''Nessa, look.'' she said, walking over to Vanessa and showed her the healthy fruit cocktail in the glass bowl. ''Doesn't it just look so good. I thought about when your father took me out to the supermarket I would buy more chips but the other night was not good for my stomach. Nothing but healthy food now.'' she said.

''Oh.'' she said, looking at the bowl of mix berries, bananas, apples, and a few other stuff Vanessa wasn't sure of. ''It looks good, Adalyn.''

''Thank you.'' she said and turned back to the island.

Vanessa walked over next to her dad, ''I thought you would be at work.''

''Adalyn called me, she had a little trouble with the washer.'' he said.

''Washer?'' Vanessa questioned, looking at Adalyn and she shrugged.

''I was trying to clean and your father left an emergency number on the ice box.” she said referring to the fridge.

“Your cousin used a little to much soap, took awhile to mop up but at least the wash room spells clean now.” he said. “And when I went to get something to eat, I realized we still haven't gone shopping and I already left work. We went to the supermarket, she filled the cart up with all this.”

“Oh.” Vanessa said. “Uh, well dad I want to ask you something.”

“Shot.” he said, biting into an strawberry.

“Well, I know I’m grounded but I was hoping to go to Raphael house tonight. His mom wants me to come over for dinner and I kind of said I would.”, she said, biting her bottom lip.

“Vanessa!”, he said, not looking happy.

“Please.”, she said, pouting her bottom lip and widen her blue eyes. “I promise I wont ask you for anything else.”

He stared at her before holding his finger out, “No, no not going to work. I said you were grounded until I say so. It's not fair, but as a parent I have to.” he said, walking out of the room.

Vanessa shoulders sloped as Adalyn whispered to her, “I don't get it, you can easily make him change his mind. You wasting your gift.”

“Glamour is for luring sailors to his death.” she said.

She shrugged, “You want to see your boyfriend, right?”

Vanessa arched her eyebrow, “This coming from the girl who wanted him dead not to long ago.”

“He's a mer-folk now, it's all different.”, she said, tossing a red berries into her mouth. She groaned, “Nessa, I know you want to be normal as possible, but the fact is—your not. You're a mermaid. Still very much his daughter, but still a mermaid. I would do it if I could see my true love.”

“Don't make it sound cheesy.”, she said. “Raphael and I are not forbidden to see each other.

“Isn't grounded mean you are not aloud to do anything or see anyone?”, she asked. “Don't you miss it, Nessa? The ocean? The waves? Water flowing threw your fingers and feeling alive? I know I do.”

“Stop that.”, Vanessa said since she did miss it. She could feel the ocean calling her, wanting her to come take a swim and stay forever in the water.

“Vanessa, you should do what makes you happy.”, she said. “You can still be a good daughter, what happened the last week you should not be punished for.”

“But. . .” Vanessa sighed before looking out of the kitchen.

“You and Raphael could go swimming into the ocean as much as you want.” she tempted. “Together, it'll be romantic.”

Vanessa looked back at Adalyn and smiled, “Okay, fine. But this is the last night! I hate doing that to him.”

She chuckled, “It's your rule, I’m only pointing out what is right. But before you go, teach me how to use that box under the picture box where you put movies in. I want to see The Heat again.”

*

Vanessa saw Raphael at the beach, his back facing her as he stood on dry sand near the water. She smiled bright, running over to him very quietly as she could. The sand was slowing her down, but the didn't stop her from running. When she got to him, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her cheek against his back.

He jumped and turned in her arms, “Whoa! Vanessa?”

She giggled as she looked up at him, “Surprise ya?”

“Yeah.”, he said. “I thought I was picking you up. What are you doing here?”

“I did it, I decided to glamor my dad into forgetting that I was grounded. Now he thinks I was home all week, I didn't sneak away.” she said. When he just looked down at her, she frowned and dropped her arms, “You're—you're happy about that, right?”

His eyes widen and he smiled, “Of course I am.”, he said, wrapping his arms around her. “Just a little surprise.”

She smiled and brought her arms up back around him, “I thought I would feel guilty, but I’m actually happy I did it. What were you thinking about? You seemed like you were thinking very hard.''

“Oh, I was doozing off. It's like the ocean is calling my name though, telling me to come in.”, he said and she chuckled.

“I know, it happened to me to.” she said and stood up on her tip toes, quickly kissing his cheek as her feet dug into the sand. He smiled and touched the comb in her hair that pulled the left side of her back. She loved it, it was one of her most favorite gifts she has ever gotten.

“Raphael?” Vanessa heard a voice and Raphael closed his eyes, groaning.

Vanessa turned her head and saw a familiar red-head. Vanessa was confused as she quickly let go of Raphael and gave him a questionable look. He cleared his throat and put his hands on his waist, “Ava came to talk to me.”

“Oh.” Vanessa said.

“It was just to talk, Nessie.” he said.

''Okay.'' she said, shrugging and smiled. She actually was jealous inside, but she knows she can trust Raphael. He never given her a reason not. She knows Raphael cares to much to think about her. ''I'll, uh, just go wait over on the boardwalk.'' she said, looking at Ava one more time before leaving.

Raphael

Raphael felt bad as he watched Vanessa leave. He hadn't expect her to come Herr while he tried to talk to Ava about how it's over. He loved her before, but he finally moved on and loves Vanessa. Ava smiled as she came up in front of him, ''Wow, look at you. Have you changed? Like working out or tried a new hair?'' she asked, flirty touching his bicep.

Raphael did cut his hair, it was getting long and he never did like long hair. And the style was different than his push pushed back hair. ''A few things changed--look Ava, I think we shouldn't start hanging out again.''

She chuckled, ''Raphael, come on. We have history. What do you have with her? A few weeks of her being your rebound?''

''It's not like that, Ava.'' he said. ''You're a great girl, but Vanessa, I love her now.''

Her smile dropped and she looked away, ''You're not serious, right?'' she asked, looking back at him. ''This is the time you say  I'm right. That you wouldn't give up almost three years for some blonde bimbo.''

''You don't even know her.'' Raphael said.

She scoffed, ''I think I do. That long blonde hair? It's probably extensions and that tan? Can't look that glowing unless it was sprayed on.''

''Ava, I didn't ask you to come to fight. We both wanted different things anyways. You wanted to leave Coasta Sirenas and I wanted to stay--''

''Exactly Raphael! I stayed for you, because I love you.'' she said, taking his hand. He cleared his throat and tugged for her to let go, but she held on tightly. ''Raphael, don't ruin three years of being together for her. I love you, she doesn't love you like I do.''

''Ava, I know it seems hard, but now you can go to New York like you always wanted. You don't know Vanessa like I do and--''

''What is it with this wind?'' she asked, pulling her red hair out of her face and sand was flying around. Suddenly a big splash of water smacked her and she lost her balance, falling to the ground. Raphael went to help her up, but she was soaked and he quickly pulled away. She scoffed, ''What the hell!'' she cried and touched her running makeup. She looked up at him and held her hand up, ''An little help?" she asked.

''Uh. . .you fine Ava.'' he said and she scoffed again, finally getting up.

''Raphael! Look at me! What happened and why'd I'm the only one that got wet?" she asked and Raphael had a guess.

''I don't know.'' he said, shrugging. He reached out to give her a comforting touch on her arm, but he realized he forgot again so he pulled back. ''Maybe you should get home. I'm sorry.''

She scoffed at him and cursed as she turned, walking away angrily. Raphael turned to face the boardwalk and Vanessa quickly turned her back to him. He sighed heavily as he walked over to the boardwalk and when he did, Vanessa gave him one hard look, turning her back away from him. He walked over to her and chuckled, ''You really sprayed her?'' he asked.

''I don't know what you're talking about.'' she said stubbornly.

''Oh come on, Nessie.'' he said, touching her arm and turned her around to face him. She stubbornly crossed her arms and glared at the floor. ''You're really jealous?''

''Well you would be to if some guy was holding my hand. . .or maybe not.'' she said and he frowned.

''I was trying to pull away, but not in a rude way that'll start a fight. Sorry I'm not a jerk.'' he said and she pressed her lips tightly together. He sighed and put his hands on her bicep, ''Nessie, you know I don't have feelings for Ava anymore. I'm sorry you saw that, I should have pulled away. And you're right, I would have been pissed to. It was kind of funny.'' he said, grinning down at her and her face twitch, trying not to grin back and continue glaring. ''You're aim is getting good, didn't even hit me.''

''Shut up, Raphael.'' she said, looking up at him finally smiling. ''I shouldn't have done it, that was a bad place to do it where people could see. Now she might get suspicious.''

''That can be easy to take care of.'' he said, rubbing her arms. ''Mermaid, remember?'' he asked and pecked her for a good moment. He felt her arms go around his neck as he kissed her and he pulled away, ''Now that we have a good hour, what do you want to do?"

''I think you know.'' when said, grinning.

Vanessa

Vanessa missed being in the salt water. She was starting to feel like a second home. That place she can go when she was having a bad day. The place she can go with Raphael. Vanessa saw a few dolphins coming their way and she touched Raphael arm since he was looking at the other way. His eyes widen and looked amused.

A familiar dolphin came over and made noise, rubbing his nose against her cheek. She chuckled, making bubbles as she pet it'd nose. She took Raphael hand and gently placed it against the dolphin body. Dolphins like gentle touches, it's how they know they're safe.

The other two dolphin came over and circled Raphael. They all seemed so surprised to see him--a man but still part fish. She knew they were hesitant to come near him, but the other two did and touched him with their noses, making noises like they accepted him.