Luca sighed nervously, not knowing if this was a good idea since the last time he had mentioned something about The Surface, Mom had almost lost her mind, but... Since he started seeing Alberto, the boy has shown him many fascinating and unbelievable things, a small taste of the human world. And Luca was afraid of losing all that because he knew what would happen if his parents found out about it.

He already knew that his mother would lose her mind, and he would be in serious trouble; they might even prevent him from seeing Alberto again, and he...

Luca didn't even want to think about what they would do to him.

That's why he thought about telling his parents about his friendship with Alberto himself. Luca thought that not only would he be able to lessen the impact, but he hoped that it would appease his parents, and who knows, maybe he could even introduce them to Alberto. Luca wanted to believe that his parents could accept Alberto, but knowing his mother... it was difficult.

But he could not pass up the opportunity; if he had learned anything from Alberto was to take risks, and although Luca still had a long way to go, Luca always told himself to act like Alberto; if it were not for that mentality, Luca would never have jumped off cliffs, built Vespas, and explored the Surface, he'd gotten a lot of things, so that gave him the strength to take risks.

So that's why Luca was coming into the kitchen, it was almost time for him to pasture the fish, but he wanted to try this first. His mother was preparing the seaweed bags. Luca swallowed and moved closer to her.

"Hi, mom."

Daniela looked over her shoulder at him, surprised that her son wasn't doing chores.

"Luca... what are you doing here? It's time to take out the fish."

"I know, I know," he hastened to say, not wanting Mom to think he was neglecting his duties, "I just...wanted to ask you something."

Daniela stopped what she was doing and turned to see her son. Luca swallowed; the time had come.

"Yeah?" was the only thing Daniela said; she seemed intrigued by whatever her son wanted to ask her.

Luca took his tail with both hands, his movement when he felt nervous. Even if he told himself to act like Alberto, he was still Luca, so he thought as such.

"Well..." he couldn't continue and looked at his mother; for the moment, she didn't look angry, but worried.

Luca knew that his mother was very protective of him, so it didn't surprise him that she first showed concern, but he knew that would end when he said the 'S' word.

"Well?" Daniela seemed more scared, so she approached her son, "Are you feeling okay? Something wrong??

She put a hand on his cheek. Luca felt tense; he knew that she would not do anything to hurt him, but...

"No, nothing's wrong," he was finally able to speak, "it's just that-"

Steeling himself, he looked his mother in the eye.

"Be Alberto, be Alberto," he said to himself.

"Why are you so afraid of The Surface?"

The reaction was as expected. Daniela widened her eyes in terror and stepped back a bit. Luca was terrified; he should have known this would happen. Daniela stared at him as if he were crazy, but in the end, she regained her composure, and Luca got ready.

"Luca," said Daniela, "we've already talked about this; we do not speak, think, discuss, contemplate, or even come close to the surface!"

"I know, but-"

"No buts, young man, Luca, the world is a dangerous place, especially for a boy like you," she had recovered her friendly and calm tone. Daniela approached her son, placing a hand on his cheek, "I just want to keep you safe."

"But you don't know how things are up there," thought Luca, but he didn't dare say it.

"I know, Mom," was the only thing he could say; he wouldn't try to talk to her about Alberto anymore or how much fun they had on the Surface. He just wanted to get out of there; her bad attitude had put him off.

Daniela sighed with relief; it seemed Luca had convinced her that everything was back to normal.

"Thank you, Luca. I know that sometimes-"

"I have to feed the fish," Luca cut her off quickly and swam out of the house, hoping his mom wouldn't follow.

Daniela froze for a moment, with her hand in the water, surprised by that movement; her son had never behaved like this, leaving her-

She felt terrified, was Luca drifting away from her? Was she being too hard on him? Daniela followed Luca, but her son was far away once Daniela reached the entrance. She sighed, wondering if she made the right decision.

...

Luca took the fish to their eating place and began to prepare the Smuca doll; if he couldn't tell his parents about Alberto, he would continue with his tactics to see his friend. But while carrying the stones, he couldn't help but feel frustrated, frustrated that his mom couldn't even hear him. Luca felt that if she did, he could make her understand.

"If only I could make her understand. I just don't see things the way she does," Luca said aloud; he was alone with the fish, and he knew that they would be more interested in eating, but even so, he wanted to let it all out; "I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things, could be bad."

Luca placed the head of the doll and swam away a bit; now that he said it, yeah, that was what he wanted to make his mom understand, but how?

"Maybe if I show her Alberto's things?" he thought, but then he laughed nervously. Most likely, if his mother saw the collection, she would want to send it to the deep.

That didn't stop him from looking for the things he found the day he met Alberto and singing while doing it; that wasn't very like him, but Luca wanted to bring out everything he felt.

Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the boy?

The boy who has everything

Luca sang as he took the key, the card, and the clock to examine them.

The fish continued to eat, not paying much attention, except for Giuseppe, who stopped eating and looked at Luca.

Look at this trove, treasures untold

How many wonders can one rock hold?

Looking around here, you think: Sure

He's got everything

Luca shows the objects to Giuseppe, holding them a few inches from his face.

I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty

I've got whozits and whatzits galore

You want thingamabobs?

Alberto's got twenty.

After showing them to his friend, Luca threw them back; the stuff didn't hit anyone, as they sank slowly.

But who cares?

No big deal

I want more.

Luca looked up and imagined the world beyond the water, the one Alberto showed him.

I wanna be where the people are

I wanna see

Wanna see Vespas

Walking around on those

What do you call 'em?

Oh, feet

Luca raised his feet to see them, forgetting what Alberto called them; since they didn't use them at home, everyone just called them flippers. Giuseppe gasped in surprise and approached the boy's feet. Luca laughed and started swimming with him, holding Giuseppe's fins as they swam around.

Flipping your fins, you don't get too far

Legs are required for jumping, dancing

Strolling along down a

What's that word again?

Street

Luca stopped and stroked Giuseppe; the fish began to laugh, blowing bubbles out of its mouth.

Up where they walk, up where they run

Up where they stay all day in the Sun

Wandering free, wish I could be

Part of that world

Luca left Giuseppe; apparently, the fish had lost interest because he went to join the others. Seeing that everyone was involved in their business, Luca looked towards the way to the coast, smiled, and began to swim there. Reaching where the Surface started, he sang again as he came out of the water:

What would I give

If I could live out of these waters

Luca extended both arms to his sides, dug his fingers into the ground, and pulled them out, picking up a few stones.

What would I pay

To spend a day warm on the sand

He began to run, which made his skin dry faster, as his scales disappeared to give way to human skin. When he got to the cliff where he used to jump with Alberto. Luca stopped, it still scared him a little, but this time, Luca did it because he wanted to see the human town.

Betcha on land, they understand

Bet they don't reprimand their sons

Bright young men, sick of swimming

Ready to stand

Luca turned around and ran towards the tower; he didn't know if Alberto was there, he didn't care much, the adrenaline had taken over him, and Luca wanted to get everything out, everything he couldn't tell his mother.

Arriving at the stairs, he continued to sing as he climbed them.

I'm ready to know what the people know.

When he got to the entrance, he jumped in and started to look at Alberto's collection, there was a typewriter to one side of the opening, so Luca went up to it and started typing.

Ask 'em my questions and get some answers.

Then he remembered something Alberto had told him; and that he wasn't quite sure he understood. Luca put down the typewriter and went to the steps that led to the roof.

What's a fire and why does it

What's the word?

Burn

As he climbed each step, Luca continued to sing, thinking that each step he took was to ascend toward his desire.

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love

Arriving at the roof, he ran to the edge, stopped there, and extended a hand towards the human town as if he could reach it.

Love to explore that shore up above?

Luca stopped when he realized what he was doing; from his perspective, it seemed his hand was touching the human towers, but when the boy lowered his palm, Luca realized how far away he really was.

Out of the sea

Wish I could be

Part of that world

Luca finished lowering his hand and rested both arms on the stone edge while admiring the human land. He had to admit that, after getting it all out, he felt better but, at the same time, tired. It wasn't like him to express himself in such an extroverted way, so it exhausted him.

He stared at the human village until someone coughed behind him.

Luca turned to find Alberto carrying more things in his arms; surely, he found them in the sea.

"Luca?" Alberto asked, surprised by the presence of his friend. Usually, Luca always waited for him before entering the tower, "is everything alright?"

Luca's eyes widened, feeling like he had trespassed and a little embarrassed by his... 'Musical number.'

"Oh... hi Alberto," he said, embarrassed, "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have entered; it's just-"

He was also a terrible liar, but he had to try.

"I didn't find you, so I wanted to see if you were here."

Alberto smiled, apparently either believing him or didn't care.

"Well, I'm here," Alberto replied in his casual, carefree tone, "come down, Luca. I think I have something you might like."

Alberto went down the steps. Luca sighed in relief; maybe he couldn't express his feelings to his mom, but at least he had Alberto, who understood his wishes, so for now, Alberto was all he needed.

"Although- I would love to be part of that world," was Luca's last thought before following his friend.