Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

55. Keep Your Enemies Close

At work, I found out Bella had recommended a position as an assistant dolphin trainer to Cleo. Knowing that being a dolphin trainer involved water exposure made me concerned for her. 

Later, the four of us met at the moon pool, and Cleo told the rest of us how stoked she was to get started with her new position. 

"Can you believe it?" she grinned, "Ohhhhhhhh! Assistant dolphin trainer, me?"

"It's so exciting," Bella smiled at her.

Rikki and I glanced at each other for a bit and turned to the other girls. 

"Well, it's just a trial," Cleo added, "But still, thank you so much for encouraging me."

"Well, that's alright. That's what friends are for, right Rikki? Zoey?" Bella turned to us.

"Well, let's just see," Rikki replied, "You've just landed a job that involves being around dolphins, people, and water. I'm--I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong with this scenario."

"You know she's got a point," I nodded, "One single splash will result in all of this." I pointed at our tails, "And people will forget all about the dolphins and have their full attention on you."

"I'll be careful," Cleo assured us, "I really don't wanna make this whole mermaid thing a big deal."

"You turn into a fish as soon as you touch water," Rikki added, "Call me crazy, that is a big deal."

"Well, Cleo's a big girl," Bella defended, "She can make up her own mind. And the least you could do was try and be happy for her."

"Should I also be happy for her when she ends up under a microscope?" Rikki turned to Cleo, "You're taking a really big risk. If Laurie sees you with a tail, you'll be a bigger part of the show than you want to be." She submerged underwater and left the moon pool.

"Maybe she's right," Cleo sighed, "Maybe it is a bad idea."

"And maybe she's not," Bella remarked, "This is your dream. I'm sure it will be fine."

"But still, one slip up and all of this will no longer be hidden," I pointed out, "Plus, Rikki's got a point. In case you forgot, we've had a few close calls where we were almost revealed to the public."

"I remember those times," Cleo nodded remembering some of the incidents where we were caught in various compromising situations, "We've learned a lot from them, and I'll be sure to be extra careful, Zoey."

I didn't say anymore not wanting things to lead up to an argument and knowing that it would be a waste of time. Second, Cleo wasn't changing her mind. Bella seemed to support her decision.

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Cleo got started with the training sessions with Laurie. Still, it worried me since Ronnie was prone to being super playful and would splash when extremely happy. 

During a break in my shift, I headed for the dolphin lagoon to see how Cleo was holding up. On arriving at Ronnie's lagoon, I was surprised to see Will in the water holding on to the playful dolphin's dorsal fin.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Cleo shouted.

I checked to make sure Laurie wasn't around fearing that we would end up in hot water and lose our jobs if he saw a guest in the lagoon. Cleo and I had to time it quickly and convince Will to get out of the water or else we were fired.

Both of us ran out on the jetty as Will swam towards it.

"Get out of the water right now," Cleo demanded.