Aria's POV

The musty scent of old books and incense hangs in the air, but it does little to mask my growing frustration. I turn another page, fingers grazing the brittle paper, but all I find are more empty promises—mentions of artifacts, old legends, nothing concrete. Moon rings, the very thing I've been hoping to learn about, remain a mystery, slipping through my fingers like sand. Each dead end presses down harder on my chest.

I glance up at the others scattered across the room. Brent is lazily leaning against a bookshelf, flipping through pages like he's given up finding anything useful. Eli is sitting on the floor, legs crossed, skimming a book with a calmness I can't seem to find. And Jack... Jack is quiet, intensely focused as he scans another dusty tome. He's always so steady, and part of me envies that.

But me? I'm unraveling, piece by piece. The more we search, the more I realize how little I actually know about this—about myself. The moon ring on my finger feels heavier now, like it's mocking me. I should understand this. I should know. But I don't, and that terrifies me.

The soft creak of footsteps pulls me from my thoughts, and I look up to see Elara. She moves quietly, her dark eyes scanning the room as if she's assessing something none of us can see. There's something unsettling about her—something that makes me feel like she's watching too closely, waiting for me to ask the right question.

Without a word, she approaches me, her steps silent, her gaze steady. She stops just a few feet away, her lips curling into a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Still searching, I see," she says softly, but her voice carries weight, like every word is deliberate.

I nod, trying to shake off the unease settling in my stomach. "We haven't found anything yet. There's barely anything about moon rings, and what we have found is... vague."

Elara tilts her head, her eyes gleaming with something I can't place. "That's because true knowledge of moon rings is ancient. It's been forgotten by most, buried under years of superstition and fear." She pauses, her gaze locking onto mine, sharper now. "Tell me, Aria, have you ever experienced a full moon yet?"

The question catches me off guard, and I feel my chest tighten. A full moon? What does that have to do with anything? "No," I say, shaking my head. "Not yet. Why?"

Her smile widens, but there's something eerie about it. "You'll see, when the time comes. The full moon has a way of revealing things... things you may not be ready for."

I blink, my mind spinning. "What do you mean? What does the full moon have to do with moon rings?"

Elara's smile remains, but her eyes glint with something I can't read. "Clarity. Power. Chaos. The full moon brings all these things, if you're not careful."

Before I can ask more, she turns and glides back downstairs, leaving her words hanging in the air like a threat. A chill runs through me as I watch her disappear, her presence lingering long after she's gone. It feels like she's told me something important, something I need to know, but it's wrapped in riddles I can't unravel.

Brent breaks the silence, groaning in frustration as he throws the book he's holding onto the pile. "That lady is weird," he mutters, rubbing his temples. "We've been here all day, and we haven't found shit."

I nod absently, but my mind is still spinning, trying to make sense of what Elara just said. The full moon. Power. Chaos. It doesn't make sense. But something tells me it's not just some cryptic remark. It's a warning. And I can't shake the feeling that she knows something about me—something I don't even know myself.

Eli sighs from across the room, leaning back against a stack of books. "Yeah, she's definitely hiding something. You can feel it, right? Like there's more she's not saying."

Jack, who's been quiet this whole time, closes the book he's been reading and sets it down gently. His expression is unreadable, but I can sense the tension in him, the same unease that's been gnawing at me. He glances at me, his eyes steady. "We've been here long enough. We're not finding anything useful. I say we take a break."

I nod, but the feeling of dread only grows heavier. "Yeah... maybe we should."

As we gather our things, I can't help but glance toward the stairs again, half-expecting Elara to appear, to offer another cryptic comment that sends my mind spiraling. But the shop is quiet, save for the rustling of old pages and the faint hum of the wind chimes outside.

Brent tosses his bag over his shoulder, still grumbling. "She's probably just messing with us. There's nothing here. We're wasting time."

But I can't shake the feeling that we're missing something—something big. Elara's words replay in my head, looping like a warning. The full moon brings power. Chaos. What did she mean? Why would she ask me about it?

As we head downstairs, I glance up at the sky through the shop window. The sun is starting to set, casting long shadows across the floor. I swallow hard, a cold knot forming in my chest. The moon will be full soon. Elara's words echo in my mind, filling me with an unsettling sense of anticipation.

The full moon is coming. And somehow, I know it's going to change everything.

As we get ready to leave Waves and Whispers, I notice Jack hanging back, waiting for me near the door. My heart does that little stutter again, the one I've been trying to ignore for weeks. He's always there, steady and patient, but there's something different now—something that feels like it's pulling me in, and I can't figure out how to stop it.

I remind myself not to read into it. Jack's just being polite, right? Still, it's hard not to let my mind wander. I grip my bag tighter, forcing myself to focus as I head toward him, but then I bump into a stack of books, knocking one to the floor.

I bend down to pick it up, my fingers brushing over the worn cover, and something catches my eye. The Secrets of the Full Moon. The title pulls at something deep inside me, like a magnet. I can't help but flip it open, my fingers trembling slightly as I scan the first few lines.

Jack steps closer, his voice low and curious. "What's that?"

I don't answer right away, too focused on the words in front of me. The book talks about the full moon—the phase when the Moon appears fully illuminated from Earth's perspective. It explains how the full moon, when aligned just right, can influence places like Moon Pools, and how it affects merpeople's powers. My heart races as I read on, absorbing every word. This isn't just some myth—it's connected to what I am. What if this is what Elara meant?

"What's it say?" Jack asks again, this time closer. I can feel his warmth, his breath on my shoulder. His presence is almost distracting, making it harder to focus. My heart skips, but I try to ignore it, flipping the page instead.

"The full moon," I say quietly, still reading. "It... it affects merpeople, their powers. Sometimes it makes them lose control or... or turn into something else."

I feel Jack's gaze on me, intense, like he's trying to read more than just the words over my shoulder. I know I should be explaining this to him, but I can't bring myself to say everything out loud yet. My fingers tighten around the edges of the book as I skim further, reading about how the full moon could cause chaos—how mermaids could even be turned into Sirens, their powers growing wild and dangerous.

A knot tightens in my chest. The more I read, the more it feels like this is a warning—a warning for me. The full moon is coming, and I have no idea what it will do to me.

"You okay?" Jack's voice is softer now, filled with concern. He's standing so close, his body brushing against mine, and it makes my pulse quicken even more. I clear my throat, trying to regain some control.

"I'm fine," I say, but the words come out too quickly, too forced. I shift slightly, stepping away from him, but not too far. Part of me wants to pull back, to create distance—to protect myself from feeling too much—but another part of me... doesn't. And that's what scares me the most.

Jack doesn't seem convinced. He steps even closer, his voice dropping lower. "Aria, if something's bothering you, you can tell me. You don't have to hide it."

His words send a tremor through me, making me even more aware of the space—or lack of it—between us. I want to believe him, to trust that he means it, but there's a part of me that's still scared. He's already walked away once, and the idea of him leaving again... I can't handle that. Not now.

"I'm just trying to figure this out," I mumble, flipping the page, but I can feel Jack's eyes on me, waiting. "It talks about the full moon—how it can mess with mermaids' powers. I don't know... I've never experienced it before."

The air feels heavier between us, the weight of what I'm saying sinking in. Jack leans over a little more, reading along with me. I feel his shoulder brush mine, and I try not to react, but my heart is beating too fast, betraying every attempt I make at staying calm.

His concern is obvious now, his voice steady but a little more intense. "So what happens if the full moon affects you?"

I swallow hard, not wanting to think about that. The truth is, I don't know. And that terrifies me. "I... I'm not sure," I admit, my voice softer now. "It could make my powers go out of control, or... worse."

I don't say it out loud, but I know Jack understands. The idea of losing control, of becoming something dangerous, hangs between us like a dark cloud. I can feel the tension building—both in the air and inside me.

I flip the page again, but the words blur together. Jack's presence is making it hard to think straight, and all I can focus on is how close he is—how close we are. I try to tell myself it's just a coincidence, that he's just concerned about the book, but deep down, I know there's more to it.

My throat tightens as I finish reading about the full moon's connection to Moon Pools, how the reflection of the moon in water can bewitch mermaids, making them lose control. My fingers tremble slightly, and I know Jack sees it. He steps even closer, his voice a low murmur.

"Aria... are you scared?"

I can't look at him, not right now. I'm scared of so many things—the full moon, my powers, but most of all, how much I want to trust him. I swallow hard, forcing myself to speak. "Maybe a little," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jack stays close, his shoulder brushing mine again, but this time it feels deliberate, like he's trying to remind me that he's here, that he's not going anywhere. The warmth of his presence is both comforting and terrifying, and I don't know how to handle it.

I close the book gently, hugging it against my chest as if it can shield me from the storm that's brewing inside. "Let's go," I say, my voice a little shaky. "We can figure this out later."

As we turn to leave, Jack lingers for a moment, watching me carefully, his gaze searching mine. He doesn't say anything, but the look in his eyes makes my heart beat faster. There's something there—something unspoken. But I'm too scared to confront it, too scared to ask.

Because what if the answer is more than I can handle?

As soon as Jack and I step outside, the cool air hits my flushed skin, but it does nothing to calm my racing heart. Brent is leaning against Eli's car, waiting for us with that familiar smirk plastered across his face. The second he sees us, he raises an eyebrow and pushes himself off the car, arms crossed.

"Finally," he says, dragging out the word like he's been waiting for hours. "Took you guys long enough to come out."

I glance up at Jack, trying to gauge his reaction, but he's just chuckling under his breath, completely unfazed. Meanwhile, my pulse quickens again, and my stomach knots. Why am I so flustered? It's just Brent being Brent.

Still, I feel my face heat up, and I look away, trying to compose myself. But Brent isn't done.

"What?" Brent's grin widens. "Were you two making out in there or something?"

I freeze, and the words hit me like a brick to the chest. My heart skips, and before I can even think of a comeback, my face burns bright red. "Brent!" I snap, my voice coming out higher than I intended, betraying my embarrassment.

Brent only laughs, clearly satisfied with my reaction. I glance at Jack, desperate to see if he's as embarrassed as I am, but he's just shaking his head, grinning, like this is all some big joke.

Of course, it's a joke. Why would Jack ever... My stomach twists painfully at the thought. He's Jack. He's way out of my league.

"I'm only kidding, relax," Brent says, throwing his hands up in mock surrender, but his grin never falters. "You're turning red, Aria."

Eli elbows him, rolling his eyes. "Seriously, man, knock it off," he mutters, but even Eli has that smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

I try to swallow down the embarrassment, but it sticks, choking me. Brent's teasing might be harmless to him, but every word feels like a reminder of how ridiculous this all is. Me and Jack? The idea is absurd. Jack's the guy who could have anyone—girls practically fall over themselves for his attention. And I'm just... me. The quiet girl who hides in the background. What would Jack ever see in me?

Brent shifts his attention. "Alright, alright. I'm just messing with you guys. So, what now? I say we hit The Hub. I'm starving."

The mention of The Hub sends a jolt of anxiety through me. The Hub. That's where it all went down last time. I haven't been back since, and the thought of going there again makes my stomach clench. I must flinch or something because Jack, standing close beside me, notices immediately.

Before I can say anything, Jack steps in. "Nah," he says casually, slipping his arm around my shoulder in an easy, protective gesture. "We're heading to The Cozy Corner instead. You two can go on ahead."

My breath catches at the unexpected warmth of his arm around me, and for a second, all I can think about is how close he is. His touch sends a wave of heat down my spine, and I can feel my heart thudding in my chest. Don't read into it, I tell myself. He's just being friendly. Jack's always looking out for people. It's who he is.

"Suit yourself," Brent says with a shrug. "Eli and I are going to get some food."

Eli gives Jack a knowing look, his smirk not subtle at all. "Yeah, you two... enjoy your coffee," he says, emphasizing the word enjoy in a way that makes my face heat up all over again. I quickly turn away, trying to hide my blush.

Don't read into it, I repeat in my head, over and over. But it's getting harder to convince myself. Especially when Jack's still standing so close, his arm brushing against my shoulder, his presence steady and warm.

But then, I feel it. His hand gently resting on the small of my back, guiding me toward his car. My breath hitches. Okay, maybe read into it a little.

As we walk, he leans down, his voice soft and low in my ear. "Let's just chill," he whispers, his breath warm against my skin. The casualness of his words doesn't match the way my pulse is skyrocketing. I manage a nod, my body moving on autopilot.

But inside, I'm a mess. This isn't normal, right? Jack is out of my league, that much is clear. He's the star quarterback, the guy everyone looks up to, while I'm still just the girl hiding behind her camera, afraid to be seen. And yet, here he is, acting like it's the most natural thing in the world to be... this close.

My thoughts are spinning, and all I can focus on is how warm his hand feels on my back. It's not just a friendly gesture—it feels like more. Or maybe I'm imagining it. Don't read into it, I remind myself again. But I can't help it.

We reach his car, and Jack opens the door for me, his smile easy and relaxed, like nothing about this is strange or complicated. "Come on, babygirl," he says, the nickname rolling off his tongue so effortlessly it makes my heart stutter. "Let's go."

I freeze for a moment, the word hanging in the air between us. Babygirl. He's called me that before, but now... now it feels different. There's a warmth to it, something that makes my heart race and my head spin. I glance at him, searching his face for any sign that he knows what he's doing to me, but he just grins, waiting for me to get in the car.

I clear my throat, trying to shake off the overwhelming rush of emotions. Don't read into it. He's just being Jack. But the truth is, I can't stop reading into it. I can't stop wondering what it all means, why he's acting this way, and most of all, why he's sticking around when he could be with anyone else.

As I slip into the passenger seat, my hands tremble slightly, and I try to hide it. Jack closes the door behind me, walking around to the driver's side with that same easygoing confidence. I watch him for a moment, my heart still pounding in my chest.

He's just being Jack—kind, steady, always there when I need him. But what happens when he sees the real me? The parts of me I'm still terrified to show? My powers, my secrets... Will he still stick around? Or will he walk away again, leaving me to pick up the pieces?

As we pull away from the curb, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Maybe, I think, just maybe, this time will be different.

The soft murmur of voices and the clatter of mugs fill The Cozy Corner. It's supposed to be comforting, but all I can think about is how close Jack is sitting. I try to focus on the pages of the book in front of me—more research about moon rings, full moons, and ancient myths. But my concentration is fractured, splintered by the fact that he's right there. So close.

I sneak a glance at him out of the corner of my eye. Jack's engrossed in his homework, his pen moving steadily across the page, and his coffee cup sitting half-drunk on the table between us. It should feel normal, but nothing about this feels normal to me. My heart is beating too fast, and I'm hyper-aware of everything—his presence, his movements, his breath.

Why is this so hard? It's not like we're strangers. We've spent time together before, especially with the project. But this... this feels different. Maybe it's because he knows now—about me, about my secret. And yet, he's still here, still acting like none of it changes anything.

But it does. It changes everything.

I feel a warmth at my thigh, and my breath catches. His hand. Jack's hand is resting gently on my leg, his fingers brushing against me in the softest, most casual way, but it sends a spark of electricity up my spine. It's a comforting gesture, not demanding, but the heat of his touch is making it impossible for me to focus. Does he realize what this does to me?

I glance at him again, but Jack is focused on his notes, completely calm, like this is nothing—like this hasn't turned my world upside down. My heart is hammering in my chest, and I have to bite my lip to keep from reacting.

Jack reaches for his coffee, takes a sip, and frowns. "It's getting cold," he mutters, more to himself than to me.

I know I shouldn't say anything. I should let it go, let him finish his drink and his homework without making things more complicated. But before I can stop myself, I break the silence.

"Hold on," I say softly, and Jack looks at me, confusion flickering in his eyes.

He watches me as I glance around the café, making sure no one's paying attention. When I'm certain the coast is clear, I focus on his coffee. Don't mess this up. I curl my fingers into a loose fist, feeling the familiar heat building in my palm. Slowly, I close my hand tighter, just enough to raise the temperature. The heat pulses outward, warming his coffee cup without spilling over.

Jack's eyes widen for a moment, and I feel a blush creeping up my neck. He leans back in his seat, an amused smile playing on his lips. "Well, that's useful," he says, his voice low, full of something deeper than amusement. "My little mermaid."

My heart stutters. His little mermaid? I know it's just a playful tease, but the way he says it feels... different. I swallow hard, feeling the warmth creep up into my cheeks.

"Your little mermaid?" I repeat, trying to sound casual, but my voice wavers.

He takes another sip of his coffee, watching me over the rim of the cup. "Yeah," he says, the teasing note still there, but something else in his eyes—something I can't quite place. "Just the way I like it."

For a moment, we sit there in silence, but then something shifts in his expression. His smile fades slightly, replaced by a thoughtful look, like something is clicking into place.

"You did the same thing with my smoothie," Jack says slowly. "Back at The Hub. After we played those games, and I offered you a smoothie. You refused, but then... you did something to it, didn't you?"

I bite my lip, trying to suppress a laugh, but it escapes anyway. "You caught me," I admit, shaking my head. The memory of that day feels distant, yet it makes me smile. "But in my defense, that was your fault for making me nervous."

Jack's brow furrows slightly, and the teasing fades into something more serious. His gaze locks onto mine, his eyes searching my face. "Do I make you nervous now?"

The question hangs in the air, and suddenly, it feels like all the air has been sucked out of the room. I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest, and I can't bring myself to look at him. Do I tell him the truth? That he's been making me nervous since the day I first saw him? That I can barely think straight when he's around?

I glance up, meeting his eyes for the briefest second before I look away. "Maybe a little," I murmur, my voice barely audible.

The silence between us stretches out, heavy with unspoken tension. I can feel Jack's gaze on me, but I can't bring myself to meet it again. My heart is racing, and I'm afraid to look up, afraid of what I might see in his eyes. But when I finally do, Jack isn't saying anything. He's just... smiling to himself, like he knows exactly what I'm feeling, but he's not ready to let me know that he knows.

I quickly turn my attention back to the book in front of me, trying to focus on the words, but they blur together. My powers. The full moon. None of it feels as overwhelming as the tension sitting between us. I try to steady my breathing, but all I can think about is Jack sitting so close, his hand brushing my leg, his presence overwhelming me.

What does this mean? I've spent years admiring him from afar, convinced he was unreachable. And now, he's right here, teasing me, touching me like it's the most natural thing in the world. But there's still that fear, lurking in the back of my mind—the fear that if I let him in, really let him in, he'll leave. He'll walk away like before. And this time, it'll hurt even more.

Jack leans back in his chair, taking another sip of his now-hot coffee. "Just the way I like it," he repeats, his voice softer this time. He glances at me, his eyes lingering longer than usual. "You're full of surprises, Aria."

I try to smile, but it feels forced. The truth is, I'm scared. Scared that if I let myself get comfortable with this—with him—everything will fall apart. Jack is the kind of guy who could have anyone, and I'm just... me. The girl who hides behind her secrets, too afraid to let anyone see the real her.

And then there's my powers. What happens when he sees more of that? What happens when he realizes that I'm not just hiding my feelings—I'm hiding a whole part of myself?

As we sit there, the silence between us grows thicker, and I can't help but wonder how long this will last. How long before Jack sees the parts of me I'm still too scared to reveal? Will he still be sitting here when that happens? Or will he walk away again, leaving me to pick up the pieces?

I don't know if I can handle that.

The Cozy Corner feels like a bubble, soft music playing in the background as the afternoon sunlight filters through the windows. I should feel relaxed, but my heart has been racing since the moment Jack leaned closer. It's not just that he's sitting next to me—close enough that I can feel the warmth from his arm brushing mine—it's everything. His teasing, his protectiveness... it's all becoming too real, too fast.

I try to focus on the book in front of me, but Jack's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "So, are you finally going to watch me play this Friday?"

I blink, startled. "What?"

Jack leans back in his chair, smirking. "You know... football. I've only seen you at one game. You skipped the last one." His voice is casual, but there's something in his eyes, a quiet challenge. He's waiting for an answer, not just to this question, but to something more.

My stomach tightens, and I look down at the table, biting my lip. He noticed. Of course, he did. He always notices.

"I—uh—" I hesitate, not sure how to explain it. He's not going to let this go, not now that he knows part of my secret. But how do I tell him the whole story without sounding like I'm making excuses?

Jack raises an eyebrow, waiting patiently. He's always so calm, so steady, and that only makes this harder. I sigh, my fingers tracing the edge of my cup.

"I did come," I admit quietly. "I mean... I tried."

His smirk fades, replaced by a furrowed brow. "Tried?"

I glance up at him for a brief second before looking away again, my pulse quickening as I remember what happened. "Some girls... they saw me hanging around you, and they didn't like it. They... stopped me before I got to the field. Locked me in a storage closet."

I can feel Jack's body tense next to me, his posture straightening as if he's ready to charge out and confront those girls right now. But I keep talking, not giving him time to react.

"There was a leak, and water started dripping in... you know what happens when I touch water." I swallow hard. "I transformed. It took me a while to get out. By the time I escaped, the game was over, and you were mad. Eli was disappointed. I couldn't explain... I couldn't tell you."

Jack doesn't say anything for a long moment, his jaw clenched. I can't bring myself to meet his gaze, afraid of what I might see. Disappointment? Anger? Pity?

"Every time water touches you," he says slowly, "you transform?"

I nod, my throat tight. "Yeah."

He's quiet again, and I swear I can hear him mumbling something under his breath. It sounds like, "I have to protect her," but I can't be sure. Before I can ask, Jack speaks again, his tone serious.

"Next time, when water touches you... you need to trust me." His voice is firm, but there's a softness underneath it, something that makes my chest tighten. "You don't have to do this alone, Aria. You don't have to hide."

The words hit me like a wave, and suddenly, it's hard to breathe. Trust him? The idea feels foreign, impossible. Trust means letting him in, letting him see all of me—and that's terrifying. But there's something in his eyes, something steady and warm, that makes me want to believe him.

I look down at my lap, my fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of my sweater. "Okay," I whisper, my voice barely audible. It feels like a huge leap, one I'm not sure I'm ready for.

Before I can say anything else, Jack gently lifts my chin with his fingers, forcing me to meet his gaze. His touch is soft, but it sends a ripple through me, making my pulse race.

"Babygirl, look at me."

His words are so quiet, but they hold a weight that makes my heart skip. I meet his eyes, and for the first time, I see how serious he is. There's no teasing, no playful smirk—just Jack, telling me he's here. That I'm not alone.

"You don't have to do this alone," he repeats, his voice firm but gentle.

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. "Okay," I say again, this time a little louder, my voice trembling.

Jack smiles, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Good." He leans back, finally releasing my chin, and I feel the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin long after he's let go.

For a moment, I think we're done, but then he grins, that mischievous spark returning to his eyes. "Oh, by the way," he says, his tone casual again, "I think you should wear something special to the game."

I blink, confused. "What?"

"You know," Jack continues, still grinning, "something to show your support. Like a jersey."

I stare at him, my mind racing. "A jersey? For... you?"

Jack just shrugs, leaning back in his chair as if it's no big deal. "You'll figure it out."

I'm still processing what he's said when he stands up, stretching his arms above his head like he hasn't just thrown me into a whirlwind of confusion. My heart is beating too fast again, and I can't tell if it's from the way he touched me or the way he keeps teasing me.

His jersey? Does he want me to wear his jersey?

As Jack moves to pay for our drinks, I sit there, my mind racing, trying to make sense of what just happened. The way he called me "babygirl." The way he looked at me, serious and protective. And now this? Asking me to wear his jersey?

I don't know what to think. He's just being Jack—playful, teasing. It doesn't mean anything... right? But there's a part of me, a small part that wonders if maybe it does.

Before I know it, Jack is back at the table, offering his hand to help me up. "Come on," he says, his voice light again. "Let's get out of here."

I take his hand, my heart thudding as I stand. His grip is firm, reassuring, and for a brief moment, I wonder if he can feel my pulse racing through my fingers.

As we walk out of The Cozy Corner, side by side, I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. There's something different about the way he's acting, something I can't quite put my finger on. And as much as I try not to think about it, the thought creeps into my mind.

Maybe Jack isn't out of my league. Maybe... just maybe, he's trying to show me that he cares.