DELPHI rode down the street on a bicycle, kicking up her feet as the pedals moved of their own accord down a hill. The little bell trilled as fast as her triggering fingers. It took her a while to master the two wheeled contraption. Erza could make her a fake driver's license with ease, but conjuring up her own car was beyond her capabilities. The seawitch did not trust the Atlantean with her car. The bicycle was her only mode of transportation when she didn't want to bother her roommate for a ride.

When she reached her destination and locked her bike, she quickly straightened up her appearance. She was prepared for perspiration. Replacing the deodorant and perfume back in her backpack purse, she spotted the reason for her impromptu visit to Ocean Life Rehab Center, a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

She was still a little incensed from discovering this holiday only just this morning on the day of! When a jewelry commercial interrupted her program talking about popping the question with a diamond "you know she'll love" with a Valentine's Day collection of sparkling gems, she asked Erza what Valentine's Day was. Who knew the humans would have a whole day about celebrating how wonderfully spectacular love was!

According to Erza, the humans used Valentine's Day to go out on dates and spend money on cards, flowers, and candy. She made it sound like a whole conspiracy, but Delphi's mind flooded with images of perfect date scenarios with Hayden: eating a gourmet dinner by candlelight in Paris as fireworks lit up the sky, sky diving with heart parachutes over the Grand Canyon, slow dancing with fireflies at twilight in the rainforest, snuggling by a crackling fire in a winter cabin in the Alps! This world was full of possibilities and she wanted to see and experience all of it!

And it will all start with this tiny box of chocolates she got from the dollar store.

She had immediately called Hayden to see what he was doing. He was at work and didn't have time to talk since it was time to feed the penguins.
Hoping he was still there, she skipped to where they kept the penguins. She was familiar with this place. She had gotten a job in the custodial services to be near him when she first came to the surface. Her plan was to apply for the next internship available... if she will get to stay.

Shaking the negative thoughts, she checked her reflection one last time in the glass of a fish tank.

As she opened the door to the penguin viewing area, she heard Hayden say, "Thanks for coming by."

"Of course. I've missed you," a girl said before Delphi could answer. The mermaid quickly hid from sight. She peeked out and spotted Hayden in the penguin's habitat with a girl. From the social media stalking Delphi performed, she knew who the girl was by her raven black hair and the infinity symbol tattooed on her forearm. Farrah.

Farrah sat on a icy rock as Hayden threw the swarming penguins their lunch. He hollered back at her over their honking, "For real, though, I'm glad you're back. But why? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. It was just a lot of stress. Vienna wasn't what I expected. I thought I could handle being so far away, but... I missed so much."

"But it was what you wanted." Hayden's tone grew a rigid exterior. "What about your fancy school? Your dream of being in an orchestra?"

"Do you remember what you said when I left?"

"I said a lot... that I regret. I'm sorry. You were right. I was being selfish saying that you cared more about your career than me... I was an awful boyfriend. I should've supported you."

"No, it wasn't fair of me to just make plans and not talk to you about it. I'm sorry I made you feel like you didn't matter to me. You really did. You still do."

Delphi's heart sank as a silence enveloped the echoing space. She peeked around the corner to see what they were doing. They were not kissing. That was a relief. Hayden continued throwing the dead fish to the artic birds not commenting on his exgirlfriend's words.

Reading the silence, Farrah continued, "Ashley said you met someone else. Is it serious?"

"No. We're just talking. But I like her."

"Does that mean I'm too late?"

"Too late for what?"

"You know what. For us."

He let out a heavy breath. "I don't know. I like her, but I still like you, too. I don't know what to do. Sorry.. I feel like a jerk."

"Don't be sorry. We can talk more about it later," she said clearing her throat. "Are you still going to the boardwalk tomorrow night with everyone? I don't want you not going because of me ..."

"If you want me to come—"

"I do."

"Then I'll be there."

"Awesome. I'll see you there." She got up and hugged him. They pulled back and there was a moment they both looked as if they may kiss. Like they wanted to kiss. Farrah pulled back first and left out the employee door.

Delphi started for the door, hoping to go unseen when Hayden's voice pierced her ears. "Delphi? What are you doing here? Stay there. I'll be down in a sec."

Be cool. When he entered the room, she leaned against an information plaque. "Hey! Hayden! Fancy seeing you here!"

"I mean... I'm working. The rehab center is closed to visitors right now, so... what are you doing here?"

"Closed for visitors? Really? Well, I just forgot my... mop."

"Your mop? You use your own mop at work?"

"Yes... it gets the job done. I should go."

She tried to go past him, but he stopped her with a hand to her shoulder, flipping his bangs out of his eyes. "Wait. Did you hear me and Farrah talking?"

"I wasn't spying! I... just... didn't leave when I heard you two talking. Okay, I came to give you this and say Happy Valentine's Day," she said pulling out the chocolates.

"Wow. Thanks. I didn't get you anything," he admitted, his lips twisting. "I'm sorry–"

"No, I am. I came here unannounced."

"So did Farrah. I don't want you thinking–"

"I wasn't thinking anything! She is important to you. She still has feelings for you... I was kinda hoping she didn't, but–"

"I meant what I said. I like you, Delphi. You're pretty and nice. I like hanging out with you."

"Good. That's great." I need more from you than that though.

Sensing that her response was lukewarm at best, he tapped the box on his palm. "I should take you on a date. I mean, I'd like to. Would you want to–?"

"Tonight?"

"Tonight?" He squeaked.

"Yes, why not? It is Valentine's Day! It's perfect!"

He smiled at her enthusiasm. "Yeah... it's just that... its Valentine's Day, so all the restaurants are gonna be booked, sheila. Let's do a rain check."

"Rain check? It wasn't raining when I came in."

He laughed. "No. You never heard that expression? It means we can't do the thing now, but let's save it for later."

"Oh. I like rain checks. Okay. Um. Tomorrow night?"

"I'm busy tomorrow night. But I'll call and see if I can get us in somewhere expensive and classy on Sunday. Sound good?"

"Yes. I'm so excited! I can't wait."

"Beauty. Well, I gotta get back to work."

"Yeah, me too. Not work, I mean. I should go let you go back." She started stepping back with a wave, but then she remembered that Farrah got to hug him when she said goodbye. Wrapping her arms around his middle when he was already half turned away, he patted her head and cleared his throat. Was she holding on too long? It didn't feel right. She imagined their first time embracing differently, not nearly as awkward. She was still beating herself up when she returned to her and Erza's apartment.

🦐🦐🦐

CALLIE sat in her room beating herself up, too. Sitting cross-legged on her bed, she ran her finger along the surface of the giant shark tooth. It must be Leviathan's. It felt too late to return it to him and part of her wondered if she should. It would just bring up bad memories. But she encouraged Triton to dig deep for those feelings, to talk to her about them. And then he left without a word. She woke up alone in his bed. It was well into the afternoon and he still hasn't returned.

At first, she got the tooth out intent on giving it to him as soon as he got back... but all the hours waiting for him made her second guess how to go about giving it back.

Give me a sign, you vengeful sea gods!

Her phone started ringing. She answered it with apprehension. Delphi's voice came through, "Callie! Can I come in? I need to talk to you!"

"Oh! Hi! Yeah, come on in." She hung up and walked out into her living room just as Delphi let herself in.

"Is Triton here?"

"No."

"Good. Hayden asked me on a date!"

About time. "Really? That sounds great. Hope you have fun."

"I've never been on a date, Callie! I am... what's that human phrase? Freaking out!"

"Do you know what you're wearing?"

"Not yet. But I have til Sunday. He is going to take me to a fancy restaurant."

How original. "It'll give you guys a place to talk more and get to know each other–"

"I don't want to talk more. We talk and text all the time! I want more, Callie!"

A blush crept on Callie's cheeks. "Oh. You want... more."

"Don't act so surprised. I'm getting worried. I only have two weeks left to make Hayden fall in love with me! But Farrah's back and he still likes her and she still likes him---"

"Wait. Rewind. Two weeks?"

"Triton gave me til the end of summer which ends when this month ends. If Hayden doesn't say he loves me by then..." she held her head in her hands. "There is so much I haven't done, Callie! I want to hike up a mountain! I want to fly on a plane! Fish gips, I want to fly the plane! I want to go camping and roast marshmallows and explore an abandoned insane asylum—"

"And you will! But, golly, two weeks... time flew by." Trying to stay calm to keep Delphi calm became very difficult. She began pacing the floor. How do you make someone fall in love that fast? Does that really happen? "Prince Eric fell in love with Ariel in just three days. She was working with less than you."

"She was an adorable mute!"

"And you're an adorable cinnamon roll."

"Aw, thank you. Well, one kiss was all she needed, too. Not a love declaration. She also didn't have a love rival to worry about."

"Not true. She was working against herself cause Eric was already in love with her voice when she rescued him from drowning. He just didn't know it was her."

"But Farrah isn't me or a seawitch in disguise! She is a real threat. Maybe I need to rescue him from drowning. Or just kiss him."

"Kissing him may do the trick... I don't know. I'm sorry I'm not much help."

"Just having someone listen and be on my side is enough. You have no idea."

Night swallowed the sky and Triton still hadn't returned. Did he leave without saying goodbye? No, he said he wouldn't go back to Atlantis without Delphi. So where is he? Was he that ashamed of having opened up to her the night before? Callie didn't know what to think, but she missed him. And she only had two weeks left.

Her computer lit up with a Skype call. There was only one person who called her on Skype. Seeing her Aunt Marcy's messy bun, puppy brown eyes, and sailor moon pajama pants brought a smile to the girl's face.

"There's my girl! How's it going down under?" She said sporting a fake accent. "Anybody I need to knock around? I've already got overnight flights pulled up on another tab."

"No, Aunt Marcy. No problems here. And thanks to you, I can handle myself."

"Well, you know who to call if you need back up. How's school?"

"Good. Finals are about to dominate my life."

"Boring. Anything else going on I should know about?"

Callie narrowed her eyes. "What do you know?"

Her eyes moved side to side. Purselipped, she said, "Nothing."

"Dad told you."

"Of course he told me," she surrendered in one fast breath. "Oh my god! You have a guy staying with you and you didn't tell me! What's up with that! You're my little peanut! You're too young for guys! What's his name? Your dad wouldn't tell me. Tell me his name and I will look him up. Can't trust men these days–"

"Aunt Marcy! Calm down. It's nothing like that. We're just friends."

She rolled her neck. "Really? I'm not your dad. Give it to me straight. Come on."

"Really. He is hung up on an old flame. I'm not even a main character in his story."

"Is he hot?"

"He is... okay. Not ugly," Callie offered vaguely, then added begrudingly, "Not even remotely..."

Her eccentric aunt leaned forward to where her lips took up the whole screen and whispered into the microphone, "I need pictures."

"No, you don't!"

"Fine! Give me some juicy gossip. Get a love life so I can vicariously live through you."

"How long has it been since you---"

"Too long! About to call up Tyler for some–"

"No, Aunt Marcy! Do not go down that path. That jerk isn't worth your time."

"Yeah. I know. It would just be me using him though. Not the other way around. I just want to get laid!" She whined, "And all my recent dates have been duds. All the guys my age are either only interested in a cheap lay, married, gay or has that baby mama drama. I may just do artificial insemination at this point. I'm gonna get me a mixed baby with beautiful tan skin and long eyelashes. How does that sound?"

"I'd love a mixed cousin. I'll babysit."

"I'm serious. I'm not getting any younger. I should've stayed with that nerd from college, but I was an idiot," she sighed.

"Maybe it's not too late–"

"He's married with three adorable babies. His wife looks like she cooks vegan meals," she said as she opened a carton of chinese takeout. "Hate her. I ain't a homewrecker though." She paused scrunching her nose then added, "Not intentionally, anyway."

"Okay. As much as I love hearing about your crazy dates and exes, this is horribly depressing... wait, Aunt Marcy, you have lots of dating experience."

"Don't have to rub it in my face," she mumbled with her mouth full.

"No, I mean, I have a friend who could use your expertise."

"Yeah, okay. What does this friend need?" She asked making quotation marks in the air with her fingers.

"It's not me."

"Sure it's not."

"Just one question. How do you make a guy fall in love?"

Aunt Marcy busted out laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"You're asking me that? That's funny. Let me know if you find out then I will track Chris Pratt down. Or Ryan Reynolds if he leaves Blake. No, wait. I don't want that to happen. I like them. Me and Chris would be such compatible goofballs though. But seriously, you don't. You can't make a guy fall in love. It's not possible. It happens or it doesn't. Hope that helps your friend out."

"That is definitely not the answer she is looking for..."

"I'm here for you if you need to talk. Always am, always will be, kid."

Delphi's words came back. Her own words came back. It really is healing to talk through your problems with someone. "Actually, I could use some more of your wisdom."

"Ha! Wisdom! Stop! I can't breath!"