Aria's POV

I couldn't sleep. The house was too quiet, too empty, and my thoughts were too loud. It reminded me of last year, back when my parents were always gone—working late, attending endless business meetings, or out at parties. I'd gotten used to sneaking out then, seeking solace in the stillness of the night, when the world felt less overwhelming. Back then, I was invisible—the girl who lingered on the edges of the crowd at school, unnoticed, secretly admiring the popular guy from afar. But now? Now I'm dating Jack Carter, and everything feels different. Yet, some things haven't changed.

I still feel the pull of the moon pool—my sanctuary—calling to me like an old friend.

Slipping out of the house quietly, still in my pajamas, I let the cool night air wrap around me as I made my way to the beach. It wasn't far, just the small community stretch of sand near our house. The soft grains were cool beneath my bare feet as I ran toward the water, the moonlight shimmering on the waves. Without hesitation, I dove in. The cold water embraced me, and in an instant, the familiar rush of transformation coursed through me. My light purple tail shimmered as I swam deeper, faster, leaving the shore behind and heading toward Eclipse Bay. Toward the moon pool.

I thought about calling Jack. I almost did. But senior year is important to him, and I didn't want to pull him away from his focus. Besides, this was something I needed to do alone.

When I reached the moon pool, I floated for a moment, letting the calmness of the water envelop me. Then, I pulled myself up onto the edge, sitting with my tail still dipped in the glowing pool. The soft, ethereal light reflected off the cavern walls, casting ripples of light that felt like they belonged to another world. This place had always been my refuge, the one spot where I could truly be myself. But tonight, even here, my mind wouldn't quiet down.

So much has changed since last year. Jack and I are together now, and my parents... they're finally paying attention to me. After years of feeling like an afterthought, it feels strange, almost unsettling, to adjust to their sudden interest in my life. And then there's Eli and Brent. Sure, their relationship seems better than it was last year, but there's still something off about them. It's subtle—something they try hard to hide—but I can sense it. They've been making an effort to show Jack support, which makes sense since they're teammates. All three of them are seniors on the football team, so they spend a lot of time together. But still... they've just been different. I can't tell if it's a good thing or a bad thing. Jack's noticed it too, though he hasn't said much. Maybe he's too focused on school to dig deeper. Or maybe he's giving them the space he thinks they need. I don't know. All I know is that things feel different. Not bad—just different.

I sighed, leaning back and staring at the pool's glow. The start of the school year always feels like a fresh page, a new chapter. But this time, it's like I'm carrying the weight of everything that's happened—and all the things still left unresolved. The moon pool has always been my place to think, to escape, to just be. But tonight, even here, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting. Like the tide, pulling me toward a place I couldn't yet see.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, I decided to practice my powers. Ever since last summer, when Jack started helping me channel my emotions and gain control, I've felt like I'm finally improving. Those warm summer days are still vivid in my memory—Jack and I spending hours together at Waves and Whispers or our favorite little café, The Cozy Corner. Those places were our sanctuaries, filled with laughter, quiet moments, and the occasional serious conversation. But the moon pool? That's my space. My sanctuary. Jack knows that.

Whenever I'm upset, angry, or if we've had a fight, he always knows where to find me. Just like I know exactly where he'll go when he's pissed off. It's one of those unspoken things between us, a mutual understanding that doesn't need words.

I focused on my hydrokinesis, letting my hand move in a free-flowing gesture. An orb of water lifted gracefully from the pool, shimmering under the soft light. With a quick stop gesture, the water froze mid-air, a perfect sphere of ice. Then, with a clenched fist, the orb began to boil, tiny bubbles fizzing to life before evaporating into steam. These are the most basic exercises, but they still feel grounding.

Last year, everything with my powers spiraled out of control, and Jack had to practically force me to work through it. "Your emotions can't run the show," he'd told me over and over, his patience somehow endless. I know he's right, but it's easier said than done. My powers—hydrokinesis, hydrocryokinesis, and thermokinesis—might seem simple on the surface, but I've learned they can go much deeper. Like the time I created snow with hydrocryokinesis, or that day in the locker room when I raised the temperature so high that everyone thought something supernatural was happening. Brooke was definitely suspicious, but with Jack, Brent, and Eli's help, I managed to cover my tracks.

As I practiced, my ring began to glow. That same eerie, pulsing light it always emits when something stirs beneath the surface of my life. Elara once told me the ring glows when the full moon approaches, but that's still a few days away. Jack's made sure I track the moon cycles carefully—he says it's so he can be there for me, but I know he just worries.

I sighed, watching the glow of the ring intensify. It almost felt like it had a mind of its own, its emotions as unpredictable as mine. I knew how ridiculous that sounded—it was just a ring. But there was something about it, something I couldn't fully understand. Elara had hinted there was more to it, more to me, and while I craved answers, I also knew that every truth came with more questions.

After finishing my practice, I decided to head home. Swimming back to shore, I found a secluded spot, hidden from any prying eyes. With a closed fist, I used my hydrothermokinesis to dry off my scales. In an instant, my tail disappeared, replaced by dry skin and pajamas that looked as though I'd never even touched water. Thank goodness for that. Every time I come into contact with water, my tail appears, but the moment I dry off, my human clothes reappear, leaving no trace of the transformation.

But lately, things have been different. I can only transform when it's ocean water, not fresh water. I don't know how it happened, but I think it started over the summer. Jack had been helping me practice my powers, pushing me to improve and take control. One day, while studying at Jack's house, a glass of fresh water spilled on me. His family was around, and I panicked, thinking my tail would appear. But instead of transforming, my ring glowed, and somehow, I stayed the way I was. It was strange, like something inside me had shifted. I still don't fully understand it, but I know it wasn't just a coincidence.

Once I was dry, I sneaked into the house as quietly as possible, careful not to wake my parents. I tiptoed up to my room and collapsed onto my bed. It was already 2 a.m., and I groaned, knowing sleep would be in short supply tonight.

As I turned over, my phone buzzed softly. I grabbed it and smiled at the message from Jack:
Good night. I'll pick you up for school tomorrow.

I sighed, feeling a flicker of warmth. Jack always had a way of keeping me grounded, even when everything felt like it was spinning out of control. But that warmth came with a tinge of sadness because this is his last year—his senior year. Meanwhile, I'm still a junior, with college decisions still a year away. I should feel relieved that I don't have to worry about all of that yet, but it's impossible not to think about it.

The more I dwell on it, the harder it is to ignore the reality: Jack will be far away next year, and we'll have to navigate a long-distance relationship. The thought alone feels heavy, a mix of fear and uncertainty gnawing at the edges of my mind.

Am I overthinking this? Probably. I know I shouldn't let my thoughts spiral, but it's so hard not to.

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A/N: Hello everyone! Yes, I am back! 2025 is here and I am back. I had to get my writing motivation back, so yeah. I updated two of my other stories as well. So much to do, but don't worry. I'm trying not to abandon everything. Anyway, please comment, vote, and feedback will be nice.