Aria's POV

The cool water of the moon pool feels familiar, comforting even, as I wade through it, but it doesn't ease the weight pressing on my chest. The gentle ripples are soothing against my skin, but my thoughts are far from calm. I stare up at the pale morning sky through the small hole in the crater, the early light casting soft beams across the water, and I wonder how long I can keep all of this inside.

Yesterday's conversation with Jack keeps replaying in my mind. The way he teased me about wearing his jersey for the next football game... it felt so simple, so innocent. But it wasn't, not for me. Not with everything I know. It wasn't the first time Jack had offered his jersey to a girl, and I know how it ended for her.

I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I had been at his game, my camera in hand, vlogging everything from the sidelines, unnoticed by anyone—just the way I liked it. I had captured every moment, every play, but it wasn't the game that stuck with me. It was the girl. The way she smiled when she waved at him, proudly wearing his jersey. She had been so happy, so sure she was someone special to him.

But the next day, Jack broke things off with her. No explanation. No warning. Just... done. And I heard it all, overheard it really, standing on the back porch of a party I shouldn't have even been at. Jack and Eli were talking, laughing it off like it didn't matter. Like she didn't matter. It was just something he did—get close, offer a piece of himself, then pull away when it got too real.

And now here I am, wading in this pool, wondering if I'm about to be just another girl. Another jersey, another game, another heart broken.

The water licks at my skin, cool and calm, but the turmoil inside me keeps building. Jack doesn't know that I was there that night, doesn't know how much of him I've seen—how much I've kept hidden from him. He's getting closer now, closer than anyone else ever has, and I don't know how to stop it. Or if I even want to.

I've already let him in, more than I ever let anyone. I've shown him parts of me that no one else knows, but that just makes it worse. Because if Jack leaves now, he won't just be walking away from the surface-level stuff. He'll walk away with a piece of me—the part I've spent years trying to hide.

And then there's the other part. The part of me that Jack doesn't fully understand. My powers. My mermaid identity.

I let my fingers dip below the surface of the water, feeling the slight pull, the connection to something deeper. The moon pool has always been my sanctuary, the place where I could be both parts of myself without fear. But now, with Jack knowing part of the truth, even this place feels different. Like I'm not just hiding from the world anymore—I'm hiding from him, too.

He doesn't know what it's like, to be so different that you have to guard every part of who you are. What if he sees all of me and decides it's too much? That I'm too much?

I close my eyes, trying to push the thoughts away, but they cling to me. Jack has been... different lately. There's a softness in him, a patience I didn't expect. He's not rushing me, not pushing, just waiting. Watching. As if he's trying to show me he's not the same guy I saw that night. But can I believe that?

There's something about the way he looks at me that makes me want to believe him. But I've been wrong before.

I let out a shaky breath and float on my back, staring up at the sky. The moon pool was supposed to be the one place where I didn't have to worry. But now, even here, I feel the weight of everything pressing down on me. The pull of the water feels different today, like it's calling me in deeper. There's a strange energy in the air, subtle but present.

The full moon's coming. I can feel it, though I don't understand it. The books I've read hint at the moon's power over mermaids, but they don't explain what that really means. Maybe it's nothing. Or maybe, it's everything.

I look down at my reflection in the water. It ripples with every movement, distorting my image. I don't recognize the girl looking back at me sometimes. I wonder if Jack would recognize me either—if he knew all of it.

I can't stop thinking about the jersey. The way he teased me about wearing it. The way my heart raced at the thought of being close to him like that. It's stupid, really. Just a jersey. But for me, it's more than that. It's a test. A reminder of how easily he's walked away before, how quickly things can change with him. And I don't know if I'm ready for that.

Jack's gotten under my skin. No matter how much I try to ignore it, it's there—this connection. It's more than just a crush now. It's something deeper, something that scares me as much as it excites me. I hate how much I want to believe that this time, it's different.

But I can't forget what I saw. The way he gave that girl his jersey, then took it all back the next day. What if I'm next? What if I let him in, and he decides I'm not worth it?

I shake my head, trying to clear the thought. I can't let myself go there. Not yet.

The water in the moon pool ripples again, and I feel it—the faint pull, the connection to the full moon's approaching power. It's nothing alarming, just a whisper in the back of my mind. But it's there, growing stronger, reminding me that this isn't just about Jack. It's about me, about what I'm becoming. And I don't know if I can handle it alone.

The moon's light filters through the crater above, casting a soft glow over the pool. I stare up at it, feeling a quiet sense of dread creeping in. The full moon might change everything.

But maybe, just maybe, I don't have to face it alone.

I still can't believe Jack is so... present in my life. Every time he walks up to me, it's like I'm torn between two instincts: the one telling me to push him away and protect myself, and the other that wants to let him in, to believe that he might actually care. But I've been wrong before.

"Hey," Jack says casually as he approaches me, but I can feel his presence even before I turn to face him. It's like there's a pull between us, something I can't shake no matter how hard I try.

I swallow, hoping my nerves don't show. "Hi," I say back, my voice shaky. I quickly turn to my locker, focusing on anything but him. My fingers fumble with the lock, and I can feel my heartbeat speeding up. Why does his presence make me feel so out of control?

As I open the locker, I feel something shift inside me. My telekinesis flickers for just a second, and before I know it, my water bottle flies out of the locker and tips over, spilling water everywhere. The cold splash hits me, and my heart seizes in panic.

No. Not here. Not now.

I freeze, my eyes widening as I feel the tingling sensation starting in my legs. Jack must sense my panic, because suddenly he's right there, leaning in close, his voice low and urgent.

"Go. Find an empty classroom. I've got you covered."

I don't think. I just run, clutching my books to my chest as water drips from my clothes. My legs are already tingling, and I know I don't have much time. The hallway blurs as I push open the door to the first empty classroom I find, slamming it shut behind me. The second I'm inside, I collapse to the floor as my legs disappear and my purple tail shimmers into view.

Laying there on my stomach, the weight of it all crashes down on me. This feels like deja vu, like the same nightmare repeating itself, where I'm exposed, vulnerable, and completely out of control.

Moments later, the door opens quietly, and Jack slips inside. His eyes find mine, and there's no judgment there. Just concern.

"You okay?" he asks softly, his voice a steady comfort that cuts through my panic.

I nod, though my heart's still racing. "Yeah. I'm okay."

His brow furrows, like he doesn't entirely believe me. He takes a cautious step closer, and it hits me again—how close he's getting, how much more he knows about me than anyone else. My instincts scream to push him away, but I can't bring myself to do it.

I focus on my powers instead, clenching my fist and channeling the heat through my body. Slowly, warmth spreads down my tail, drying it off, and I exhale in relief as my legs reappear, fully clothed and dry. I sit up, still trying to calm my breathing, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Jack has seen me like this—again.

He offers his hand, and for a moment, I hesitate. But I take it, letting him help me up. His grip is firm, steady, and it makes me feel grounded, even though everything else is spinning out of control.

Jack doesn't let go right away. His thumb brushes my hand for just a second longer than necessary, and when I finally pull away, his lips curl into that teasing smile I've grown used to.

"Well," he says with a chuckle, "that's one way to start the morning."

I roll my eyes, heat flooding my face. "I could think of better ways."

Jack raises an eyebrow, his grin widening. "I dunno. I kind of like this. It's like we get extra alone time."

I don't know what to say to that. My heart hammers in my chest, and I can feel the flush creeping up my neck. Why does he always do this to me?

He leans in, his voice dropping lower. "You know, you're cute when you're flustered."

My face burns hotter, and I have to look away. "I—this isn't funny, Jack." I try to sound annoyed, but my voice betrays me. I can hear the nervousness in it.

Jack just laughs softly. "Relax. I've got your back, remember? No one saw anything."

But that's not what scares me. What scares me is how easily I'm letting him in—how much I want to believe that he won't walk away like he's done with other girls. I can't help but think about those moments I've seen, when he seemed so close to someone, only to pull away when it got too real. What if I'm next?

Jack's teasing fades into a softer smile, and for a moment, I think he can see the conflict swirling inside me. His eyes flicker with something deeper, something protective.

"You know, Aria," he says quietly, "I'm not going anywhere."

My breath catches. For a second, I want to believe him. But my walls go up, just like they always do. "You say that now..."

He steps closer, his voice steady but with a hint of something I can't quite place. "And I'll keep saying it. You don't have to do this alone."

My heart thuds painfully in my chest, and I force myself to look away, scared of how much I want those words to be true. "I'm fine, Jack. I've been dealing with this for a long time."

He doesn't back down. "Yeah, I know. But you don't have to anymore."

I don't know how to respond to that. The tension between us is thick, electric, and all I can do is stand there, trying to keep my guard up while my heart beats faster.

Jack finally breaks the silence, a playful grin tugging at his lips again. "Well, now that we've had our morning excitement, I think my babygirl needs her iced pumpkin chai latte fix." He pinches my nose with a grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I laugh despite the lingering nerves, swatting his hand away. "It's still my favorite drink."

"I know," he says with a wink, turning toward the door.

I stand there for a moment, still feeling the warmth of his touch and the effect his words have on me. My heart is still racing, but now it's not just because of the panic—it's because of him.

As we walk out of the classroom, Jack chatting casually, I can't stop the small, hesitant smile that creeps onto my face. I hate that he makes me feel like this. I hate that I'm starting to hope he might be different. But trusting him? That's still the hardest part.

After the classroom incident, I make my way to the library during lunch hour. I need space—time to breathe, time to think. The quiet of the library is like a sanctuary, giving me a chance to catch up on some reading and, hopefully, distract myself from everything that's happened this morning.

I sit at a table in the far corner, away from everyone else, and open my book. But I can't focus. My mind keeps replaying the morning—the way Jack looked at me, the way he helped me escape without question. The way his teasing made my heart race. I try to push the thoughts away, burying them under the pages of the book in front of me.

I hear footsteps, but I don't look up until a familiar voice makes my pulse quicken. "Hey, Aria."

I nearly jump out of my seat, looking up to find Jack standing in front of me, his casual smile making me nervous in a way I can't explain. "Jack? What are you doing here? Don't you usually sit with your friends at the popular table?"

He shrugs, pulling out the chair across from me without waiting for an invitation. "I'd rather hang out with you." His words are casual, but there's something in his tone that makes my heart skip a beat.

I force myself to look back down at my book, trying to focus, but I can feel the heat creeping up my neck. Why is he saying this? Is it just a game to him, or does he really mean it? I don't want to fall for this, not when I've seen how quickly he can walk away.

"You okay?" Jack asks, his voice softer now, a hint of concern slipping through. He leans forward, his arms resting on the table, and I realize just how close he is. Too close.

"Yeah, I'm fine." My voice is too quick, too defensive, and I know he doesn't believe me.

He studies me for a moment, then changes the subject. "Now that the project's done, I was thinking... I want to spend more time with you."

My breath catches. I blink, unsure if I heard him right. "Spend more time... with me?"

He nods, his expression steady, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yeah. I like being around you."

My heart stutters, and I have no idea how to respond. He can't be serious... can he? The Jack I've known from a distance doesn't do relationships. He breaks hearts. He walks away. But here he is, sitting across from me, saying he wants to spend more time with me. I don't know what to make of it.

Before I can even process what he said, Jack leans back in his chair, bringing up his upcoming football game. "There's a game this weekend. You should come. Sit in the bleachers, where I can see you."

I hesitate. I've only been to one of his games, and I kept to the shadows, watching him from afar like I always have. Being there again, where everyone can see me, makes me nervous. Before I can stop myself, the words slip out. "Last time you gave a girl your jersey, you broke her heart."

The words hang in the air, and I immediately regret saying them. Jack's expression shifts caught off guard. His eyes darken slightly, and he sighs, looking down for a moment before meeting my gaze again. "I didn't handle things right before..." His voice is quiet, almost reflective. "But this time, I don't want to screw it up."

His words hit me harder than I expected, and suddenly, the walls I've built around myself feel shaky. He doesn't want to screw it up? Does that mean this—whatever this is—actually matters to him? My heart races, and I'm not sure if it's because of what he said or because of how close he's sitting.

Jack seems to sense my hesitation, his tone softer now. "How about this? Just come to the game. No jersey this time. But maybe next time... if you're ready."

He's giving me a choice. He's... being considerate. Jack Carter, the guy who's known for breaking hearts, is showing me more patience than I ever expected. I nod, my voice coming out softer than I intended. "Okay. This is... still new to me."

Jack smiles, but there's a seriousness in his eyes. "I get that. But I still want you there. On the bleachers, where I can see you... just in case."

"In case?" I frown, confused.

His expression hardens, his protectiveness clear. "I don't want anything like the closet incident happening again. I need to know you're safe."

I blink, taken aback by how genuine he sounds. It's not just about football. He actually wants to make sure I'm okay. I glance down, feeling my cheeks warm under his gaze. Why is he doing this? And why am I letting him get this close?

Jack's voice interrupts my thoughts again, this time with a teasing lilt. "You're not wearing your glasses or your hoodie today."

I blush, realizing he's right. I made an effort today, maybe because of him, though I'd never admit it. I shrug, trying to play it off. "Yeah, I guess I didn't feel like wearing them."

Jack's smile softens, his eyes locking with mine. "You look beautiful, Aria."

My breath catches in my throat, and I don't know how to respond. My heart pounds in my chest, and I force myself to look down, trying to hide the fact that my face is burning. "Thank you," I mumble.

I wasn't sure if my face was burning because of the compliment or because Jack was sitting so close, his eyes holding mine longer than I expected. My heart was racing, but I didn't want him to notice.

Jack leans back in his chair, his smile never fading. There's something different about him today. He's not just teasing me; he's being... real. And for the first time, I'm starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, he means what he says.

But even as I let myself smile, a part of me holds back. It wasn't just about his history with other girls. How could I ever expect someone like Jack to be okay with... someone like me? I was too different, too complicated.

The full moon is coming soon, and with it... I don't know what's going to happen. My powers feel different lately, more unpredictable, and I'm not sure if I can handle what's coming. But with Jack sitting this close, all I can focus on is trying not to lose control.

Maybe he really did want to know me, not just the girl who kept to the shadows. But letting him in... that's what scared me the most.

It was after school, and the hallways buzzed with the usual chaos—crowds at their lockers, people coming and going, getting ready for after-school activities. I stood at my locker, trying to stay under the radar, but Eli's presence beside me made that impossible.

Eli leaned casually against the locker next to mine, his bright football jersey standing out under the flickering fluorescent lights. He was watching me with that usual smug grin of his, clearly in no rush to head to practice. "I didn't see Jack at lunch today," he teased, his voice light but full of mischief. "He usually sits with us, doesn't he?"

My fingers slipped on the combination lock as my heart sped up. "He was with me for lunch in the library, so it's not like that," I muttered, my cheeks already burning. The blush crept up my neck as I tried to focus on the numbers, but all I could think about was Jack—the way he looked at me earlier, the way his eyes seemed to ask so many questions I didn't know how to answer.

"Yeah, sure. If you say so," Eli laughed, leaning in closer, his amusement practically vibrating off him. "It's great that you're putting yourself out there, though. I mean, look at you. No glasses today." His grin widened as if he'd caught me in some secret I wasn't ready to admit.

Before I could respond—before I could even process a comeback—a sharp, icy voice cut through the hallway, freezing the air around me.

"Oh, look, it's the nerd... or freak, or whatever."

My stomach dropped like a stone. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Brooke. Of course.

The word freak hit me hard, my anxiety spiking as the memory of my nightmare flashed through my mind. Freak. That's what I was—what I had always feared. A freak. The word echoed in my head, louder than Brooke's voice, louder than the chatter in the hallway. I felt it seep into my bones, tightening around my chest.

I forced myself to keep my eyes on the locker, trying to act like her words didn't faze me, but it was too late. She'd already found her target.

She stood a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes narrowing in on me like a predator sizing up its prey. "Just because you've got Jack's attention now doesn't mean he's going to stick around for long," she sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "Look at the girls he's been with before—real beautiful girls like us. And then there's you." Her gaze flicked over me, slow and deliberate, as if she was peeling back every layer of my confidence. "You're nothing but a wannabe bitch. I mean, seriously, losing the glasses doesn't change a damn thing."

Her eyes trailed over my sweater and jeans, and suddenly my clothes felt too plain, too ordinary under her scrutiny. "And ditching the hoodies? Like that's supposed to matter?" She let out a cold laugh. "Trust me, you're still the same nobody you've always been, no matter how hard you try to blend in."

Her words hit harder than I wanted them to. They wrapped around me, digging into my skin like thorns. I wanted to snap back, tell her she didn't know what she was talking about, but all I could do was stand there, gripping the edge of the locker as if it could somehow keep me grounded. Brooke's words weren't just about my clothes—they were about everything. Every layer I'd built around myself to stay safe.

Did I really think losing my glasses would make a difference? Did I really believe Jack would see me as anything other than just another girl to forget? My chest tightened, and I hated how quickly her words got under my skin.

Eli's voice snapped me out of the spiral. His jaw was clenched, and the usual playful spark in his eyes had vanished. "Shut up, Brooke. You don't know a damn thing about her." His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a whip. "Why don't you fuck off, because between the two of you, you're the real wannabe bitch. And while we're at it, let's not forget how you've been with every guy around here. I mean, seriously, Brooke. I'm surprised you haven't tried coming after me yet. Oh, wait—that's right, I have a girlfriend, someone who's a hell of a lot better than you. Your personality? Way too ugly for me."

Brooke's smirk faltered for a split second, a flicker of fear crossing her face. She knew Eli could bite back, and when he did, it was harsher than anything she could throw. But then her gaze shifted back to me, her confidence returning like she knew exactly where to hit. She always did. Brooke turned her full attention to me, her smirk widening again. "Aw, look at that. Can't even fight your own battles, huh, Aria?" Her voice dripped with mockery, and the way she cocked her head made my skin crawl. "Letting your little friend here do all the talking for you?"

She let out a cold, sharp laugh that bounced off the lockers and cut through the fading chatter of the hallway. "Good luck keeping Jack's attention, though. You'll need it." With one last satisfied glance, she turned and sauntered away, her footsteps echoing down the hall as if she'd already won.

I didn't move. My whole body felt like it had been drained, the last bit of warmth Brooke's presence had stolen from me. The distant hum of voices from other students heading home faded into the background. All I could hear was the echo of Brooke's laughter, standing out like a sharp note in the silence.

As Brooke's heels clicked down the hallway, her words lingered, curling around me like a cold mist. I felt... small. Smaller than I had in a long time. Eli was still standing beside me, his presence warm and solid, but even that couldn't shake the knot of humiliation tightening in my stomach.

Why couldn't I have said something? Why did I always freeze?

"Hey," Eli said softly, his voice low, as if he sensed the storm brewing inside me. "Don't listen to her. Brooke's just pissed 'cause she's jealous."

I didn't look at Eli. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, frustration and helplessness warring inside me. Every word Brooke had thrown at me felt like it was sinking deeper into my skin, wrapping tighter around my chest. The closer I got to Jack, the more her words seemed to ring true. People were already talking, and I'd seen the way some girls looked at me—jealous, irritated, wondering what Jack could possibly see in someone like me.

Jack had already walked away from me once. How long before he did it again? How long before he got tired of me and left me behind, back in the shadows where I'd always been—admiring him from afar, just like I had since freshman year?

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A/N: Phew this is a lot! Hope you guys like it.