Aria's POV

After yesterday, there's no way I can face school. The thought of seeing Jack—of seeing anyone—makes my chest tighten. I'm too drained, too raw. My parents barely glanced my way this morning, their usual routine. "Make sure the house is clean," they said, as if that was the most important thing. No questions, no concern. They didn't even notice I wasn't okay. They never do. Maybe it's better that way.

I shut off my phone, not that anyone would notice. It's easier this way. No messages, no questions. Just... silence. Maybe if I stay invisible long enough, everyone will forget I exist. I've always been good at staying in the background, unnoticed. But now that they've seen too much, I don't know if I can go back. I don't even know if I want to.

Laying in bed, I try to push the thoughts away, but they cling to me like a second skin. Every time I close my eyes, I see Jack's face—the shock, the disbelief. My heart aches at the memory of him walking away. It's better this way, I tell myself. But the emptiness inside me feels heavier than ever.

The walls of my room feel like they're closing in, so I throw off the covers and decide to leave. I need air, space—something to clear my head. I head for the moon pool.

The cool water wraps around me like a blanket, its gentle currents washing away the weight of everything. Here, under the open sky, I feel a sense of peace I can't find anywhere else. I close my eyes and float, letting the rhythm of the water lull me into a kind of calm I've been craving. In the moon pool, nothing else matters. Not Jack. Not my secret. Not even the fact that my life is slowly unraveling.

I wish I could rewind time. Go back to when everything was simple—when Jack was just a distant crush, and my secret was still mine. Now, everything's out of control, and I don't know how to stop it. I miss the days when I could just watch from the sidelines, invisible and safe. But that world is gone. I've let too much slip, and I can't undo it.

I float there, staring up at the endless sky. Maybe if I stay here long enough, they'll forget about me. Jack will move on. Everyone will. And I'll go back to being what I was before—just... invisible. But deep down, I know it's only a matter of time before reality catches up with me.

Jack's POV

I couldn't sleep last night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her—Aria, standing there scared. "I knew you'd leave too." The words won't stop echoing in my head. I don't know if it was the way she said them or the look in her eyes, but something about it hit me harder than I want to admit. She thought I'd leave, just like that. And hell, maybe she's right. But I don't want her to be.

It wasn't just the tail, or even the fact that she'd been hiding it. It was the way she looked at me—like she already knew how this would end. Like she'd been expecting me to walk away all along. And that? That's what's messing with me.

This morning feels different, like I'm on edge for no reason. As I approach my locker, the first thing I notice is Eli and Brent. They're standing there, but something about the way they're looking at each other makes my stomach twist. It's like they know something I don't.

"Morning," I say, trying to sound normal, but my voice is tighter than I want it to be. I'm already scanning the hallways, looking for her. But she's not here. My chest tightens. Where is she?

Brent leans against the lockers, looking uncomfortable. Eli just glances at me, his face calm but too calm, like he's playing it cool. It makes me feel uneasy, like he's hiding something.

"You see Aria?" I ask, keeping my tone casual, even though I'm already wound up inside. My eyes keep darting back to the doors, half-expecting her to walk through them. But she doesn't. I know better, but still... I wait. I can't help it.

Eli shakes his head, a little too nonchalant. "Nah, she's not here."

I clench my jaw. Of course, she's not here. After everything that happened yesterday, why would she show up? But that doesn't stop the knot forming in my stomach. Aria never skips school. I would've noticed that, right? And now... I notice everything.

"Right," I mutter, slamming my locker shut harder than I mean to. I turn back to them, trying to push down the frustration building inside me. "She say anything to you?"

Brent just shrugs, looking like he wants to be anywhere but here. Eli, though... there's something in his eyes. Something that makes my gut tighten. He's too smooth with his answers, too rehearsed. I can feel it. He's keeping something from me, and that only makes me want to push harder.

"You okay, man?" Eli asks, his voice too casual. He's watching me, waiting for something, but I don't know what.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to sort out the mess in my head. Am I okay? No. How could I be? I saw something yesterday that shouldn't be possible. I saw her tail. A freaking tail. And then, there were her words—her fear.

"I'm fine," I say, but even I don't believe it. Eli raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it, but he doesn't push.

The hallway feels too loud, too crowded. I want to ask more, but I don't even know what I'm asking for. What's going on with Aria? Why was she hiding this? And why do I care this much?

I glance at Brent. He's looking between me and Eli, like he's trying to figure out where this is going. Finally, he speaks up. "Weird, huh? Aria just... not showing up."

Weird doesn't even begin to cover it.

Eli nods, but it's too slow. Too measured. "Yeah, it is. But you know Aria... she's got her reasons."

That's the problem. She does have her reasons—reasons I don't understand. But I'm going to. I need to. This isn't just about curiosity anymore. I need to know, because if I don't, I'll lose her. And I don't even know why that matters so much to me, but it does.

My fingers tighten around the locker door, the cold metal grounding me, even though my pulse is hammering in my ears. I want to believe Eli, but there's something he's not saying. He's hiding something—I know it.

"You sure you don't know anything?" I ask, my voice low as I watch Eli's face closely. He just shrugs, like none of this bothers him, but I don't buy it. I've known Eli long enough to see through his calm front. He's hiding something, and it's only making me more frustrated.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration that's threatening to boil over. But I can't just let this go. I don't know what's going on with Aria, but I'm done standing on the sidelines. If she won't tell me, I'll find out myself.

I can't stop thinking about Aria. About the way she looked at me, the things she said. And Eli—he knew. He knew all along. I need answers, and I'm not letting this slide.

I find him by the bleachers after practice. He's got his hands in his pockets, looking out at the field, like everything's fine. But it's not. Not for me.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I snap, my voice sharper than I intended.

Eli turns slowly, and there's that calm look again, like he's been expecting this. "What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about." I step closer, frustration boiling over. "You knew about Aria. And you kept that from me."

He sighs, but he doesn't deny it. "Yeah. I knew."

"And you didn't think I needed to know? We're supposed to be friends, Eli."

Eli finally meets my eyes, his expression hardening. "I'm Aria's friend too, Jack. You think I didn't try to get her to tell you? I pushed her, but she wasn't ready. She's scared. And can you really blame her?"

I clench my fists. "Why didn't she trust me?"

"She didn't know if she could. You were so wrapped up in football and everything else—she didn't think you'd stay if you knew." Eli steps closer, his eyes sharp. "But give her credit. She let you in, Jack. She told you about her parents, about her house. She was trying to let you in, even if it wasn't everything."

I stop, the weight of his words hitting me. She did let me in. She showed me her life, the parts she tries to hide from everyone else. And I missed it. I was so focused on what she wasn't telling me that I didn't see what she was sharing.

"She did," I say quietly, more to myself than to Eli. "She really did."

"Exactly. She trusted you, Jack. She was scared, but she tried." Eli's voice softens. "You gotta see it from her side too."

I run a hand over my face, the guilt sinking in. I walked away. I did exactly what she thought I would. "I didn't want to leave," I mutter. "I just... I didn't know what to do."

"She didn't know that," Eli says. "All she saw was you walking away. And that's why she couldn't tell you the rest."

The truth of his words hits me harder than I expected. She's been through enough already. I didn't see it then, but I see it now.

I sigh, the tension easing but not gone. "I don't know how to fix this, Eli."

"You just have to give her time. Show her you're here, and she'll come around." Eli's voice is steady, but there's a hint of worry too. "She needs you to be patient. She needs to know you're not going anywhere."

I nod, the weight of it still heavy on my chest. "Thanks, man. For being there for her."

"We're all just trying to protect each other, Jack. Don't give up on her."

"I won't," I say, the determination solidifying in my mind. I'm not walking away again. Not this time.

Practice was brutal, but it's not the ache in my legs or the exhaustion weighing me down. My mind keeps circling back to one thing—the other day at Eclipse Bay. Something Eli said, something about the island... it's been eating at me.

We're in the locker room after our showers, the air thick with the smell of sweat and soap. Eli's slinging his bag over his shoulder, getting ready to head out, when I decide I need answers.

"Hey, Eli... about the other day at Eclipse Bay," I say, my voice cutting through the low chatter in the room.

Eli turns to me, his expression unreadable. "Yeah? What about it?"

Brent, tying his shoes on the bench, looks up. "Wait, what's so secret about Eclipse Bay? You disappeared for a while."

Eli shrugs, like it's no big deal. "There's nothing secret about it. There's a cave up in the rocks. You can't miss it."

I narrow my eyes at him. "And that's it? You disappeared for a bit, and now I'm just supposed to believe you were chilling in some cave?"

Eli's grin is a little too casual, like he's holding back. "It's where Aria hangs out most of the time, you know. Especially when she's stressed."

My stomach twists at the mention of her. Aria, hiding away in some cave. Eli's dropping hints, but he's not telling me everything.

Brent snorts, shooting me a look. "Aria's cave, huh? What's she doing out there?"

Eli shrugs again, still too relaxed. "You could check it out. Nothing stopping you."

His words hang in the air as he slings his bag over his shoulder and heads for the door. "Who knows? Maybe you'll find something interesting."

And with that, he's gone, leaving Brent and me alone in the locker room. Brent raises an eyebrow, waiting for me to say something, but I'm still staring at the door, my mind spinning. A cave at Eclipse Bay? Where Aria goes when she's stressed?

I run a hand through my damp hair, trying to shake the thought, but it sticks. There's more to this than Eli's letting on, and for some reason, I can't stop thinking about it. Aria's been keeping secrets—hell, I know that better than anyone. But this cave feels like a piece of the puzzle I'm missing.

Brent nudges me, grinning. "So, we checking this place out or what?"

I shrug, trying to play it cool, but my mind's already made up. "Maybe."

As we head out of the locker room, I can't shake the feeling that this is important. Eli wants me to check it out. And maybe it's time I do. Whatever Aria's hiding, I need to know.

The rocks are slippery as hell, and after the brutal practice we just had, my legs are burning like fire. Brent's bitching every other second, dragging his feet, but Eli just keeps pushing us forward like nothing phases him. I don't know where he's pulling the energy from, but I'm running on fumes.

When we finally reach the top, Brent's panting, hands on his knees. "You've got to be fucking kidding me, Eli. You dragged us all the way up here for this?"

Before he can finish his rant, his foot slips, and the next second, he's gone—disappearing into the cave with a yelp. My heart jumps into my throat. "Brent! You good?"

His voice echoes back, loud but annoyed. "Yeah, I'm fine! But get your ass down here—you gotta see this!"

I exchange a look with Eli, who just smirks, then jump down into the cave. I land hard, my legs still sore, but as soon as I take in what's around me, I forget all about the pain.

This cave—it's fucking unreal. It's like something out of a movie. Stalactites hang from the ceiling, and the light filtering in from the cracks above hits the water just right, making it look like the pool in the center is glowing. Brent's already lounging on a rock, scrolling through his phone like this is some kind of vacation.

I take a few steps closer to the edge of the pool, my mind still trying to catch up, and that's when I hear it—a soft splash. My eyes dart to the water, and I freeze.

Aria.

She surfaces slowly, blinking up at us with wide eyes, her expression a mix of shock and... something else. Something guarded. It's like she's already building walls between us.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she asks, her voice sharp.

For a second, I can't even answer. Seeing her like this, in the water, in her element—it's like seeing a part of her I wasn't meant to. The tension's thick, hanging between us like a storm ready to break.

Aria's eyes dart between me and Eli, her body half-hidden in the water. She's pissed. No, more than that—she's on edge, like she's ready to bolt.

"Um... okay, well, bye," she says, starting to slip back into the water.

"Wait!" I call out, my voice a little too loud, a little too desperate. She stops, eyes narrowing, but she's not giving me anything else. She's guarded as hell, and I don't blame her.

"I'm sorry," I say, my voice rough. "About yesterday. I... I didn't handle it right. I was fucking confused, and yeah, I was pissed. But I didn't mean to take that shit out on you."

She doesn't say anything, just watches me with those hard eyes, her arms wrapped around herself like she's ready to shut me out. Shit. I've really screwed this up.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Look, I know I fucked up. I know you don't trust anyone—hell, I don't blame you for that. But let me prove it to you. I'm not going anywhere."

She just stares at me, the silence stretching. I swear I can hear my heartbeat in my ears, waiting for her to respond. And finally, after what feels like forever, she nods, just a little.

"Okay."

From his spot on the rock, Brent lets out a loud groan. "Finally. Is the drama over yet?"

Aria smirks, but it's faint. "I guess. But I still don't trust you."

Brent rolls his eyes, grinning as he leans back against the cave wall. "You really think we'd turn you in? Shit, you'd end up in some lab, a science experiment gone wrong. If I turned into a merman or whatever, I'd be keeping that secret too. Besides, I kinda get it."

Aria raises an eyebrow. "Get what?"

Before Brent can answer, I cut him off, feeling that familiar jealousy flare up. "Don't even start, Brent."

He just smirks, clearly loving the fact that he's getting under my skin. I shoot him a glare, but then my attention shifts back to Aria, who's still in the water, watching us both.

There's still tension between us, but it's different now. She's not running. She's staying, at least for now.

"So... this is where you come?" I ask, glancing around the cave. "When you need to get away?"

Aria nods, her fingers trailing through the water. "Yeah. It's quiet. I don't have to deal with... all the bullshit."

I make a mental note of that. Eclipse Bay, the cave—this is where she comes when she needs space. When my girl is stressed—

I freeze for a second. My girl? The thought hits me out of nowhere, and I try to shake it off. Not the time, not the place. But damn, it sticks.

Brent groans again, shifting on the rock. "Can we go now? My legs are dead."

Eli laughs, nudging him with his foot. "You're just mad you fell on your ass."

I don't laugh, though. My eyes are still on Aria, and even though things between us are far from fixed, I can feel something changing. She's still guarded, still keeping her distance, but there's a part of her that's letting me in.

And this time, I'm not walking away.

The cave's still damp, the cool air biting at my skin. Brent's voice breaks the silence, his groan echoing off the walls. "So, how the hell do we get out of here?"

I glance at Eli, who's already smirking like he knows something we don't. Aria's grinning too, which immediately makes me suspicious.

Eli shrugs, like it's no big deal. "You've got two options. Climb back up using the rope I left..." He gestures to the rock wall. "Or swim out through the underwater entrance." He points to the pool, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Brent groans, louder this time. "Are you fucking serious? First you make me climb these damn rocks, and now I have to swim? This is like some extra workout I didn't sign up for."

I chuckle, feeling the exhaustion settle in my legs. "No kidding. I can barely feel my legs after practice."

Aria crosses her arms, her grin widening into something more challenging. "What, you're already tired? I thought football players were supposed to have stamina."

Her words hit like a spark, and before I can stop myself, my competitive side flares up. But then she says it, so casually, like it's nothing. "Besides, if my guy can't handle this, maybe I should rethink things."

I blink, processing her words. My guy? Eli's smirk widens, and Brent glances between us, trying to hold back a laugh. I don't think she even realized what she said, but damn, it sticks with me.

Eli's about to say something, but I cut him off. "Oh, I can handle it," I say, stepping closer to the water. "You're on."

Brent, still groaning, stands up. "Guess I'm in too. I'm not letting you show me up."

Without another word, we dive into the water. The cold hits like a shock, sending a jolt through me. My muscles scream, but I push through, cutting through the water as fast as I can. Eli swims ahead, leading the way through the underwater tunnel. The light at the end pulls me forward, and I kick harder, breaking through the surface with a gasp.

Brent pops up next to me, sputtering and shaking water from his hair. "Okay, I'll admit it—that was way easier than climbing those fucking rocks. Why didn't we just do this from the start?"

I laugh, catching my breath, but my eyes are already on Aria. She's gliding through the water like she was born for it, every movement smooth and effortless. Watching her swim, seeing her like this—it's different. Something about it just feels right. Maybe, just maybe, one day I'll be able to call her my girl.

Not yet. But slowly, surely... maybe.

As I climb out of the water, Brent flops down onto a rock, groaning. "I'm done. Seriously. No more."

Eli laughs, stretching out his arms. "Come on, Brent. Builds character."

Brent flips him off, not even bothering to sit up. "Yeah, yeah. Next time, you climb the damn rocks yourself."

I chuckle, but my mind's still on Aria. There's something between us, something that wasn't there before. I catch her looking at me, just for a second, and I can't help but wonder if she feels it too.

Whatever this is, I'm not backing down.

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A/N: Please vote, comment, and constructive criticism is encouraged for improvement.