And the way they looked at each other,
it was a look I'd never seen anywhere else in the seven seas.
I've wanted someone to look at me that way ever since.
I looked for them every year, but I never saw them again.
Was there a name... on the boat?
Mm, I don't remember, Claire.
Oh, the Claire de Lune.
That's my parents.
Claire, they really loved each other.
I don't think they would've wanted you
to be afraid of life.
I think they would've wanted you to be friends with it.
(voice breaking): Yeah.
(Hailey shouting)
Whoo! Hailey!
(sighs)
It was the most incredible thing ever.
It was something I wish I could've done with you.
STARFISH: Aqua! Aqua!
- There you go. - STARFISH: Oh, Aqua!
SERVER: And for you.
HAILEY: Thank you.
STARFISH: Aquamarine is so lovely.
Oh, stop...
She makes us so lovely just being near
such loveliness.
- (gentle suctioning) - And she's smart.
Smart, yes, like tuna!
HAILEY: Like tuna.
We love being near Aqua.
Aqua, Aqua, Aqua!
(giggling)
Look who it is.
Wow, the blue hair's spreading.
You guys look like the grandma brigade.
What's next, dentures or Depends?
What's next is I'm going with Raymond to the Last Splash.
I've got some advice.
You need to separate
fantasy from reality.
Ray's going to the Last Splash with Cecilia.
She asked him last night at the street fair.
What?!
I'd love to stay and chat, but we're late
for Cecilia's pre-party.
I've got some advice for you two.
(shrieking)
(laughing)
(gasping)
Put on a dry shirt.
- That was totally amazing! - That was crazy!
It's Ray.
I can't believe I was so stupid!
Why would he choose her over me?
You're supposed to know him.
He obviously doesn't like me at all!
That's not possible.
I never should've trusted you in the first place.
Aqua, he's into you!
This doesn't make sense!
Bull shark!
Forget it. I'm going home.
Aqua, no! Wait!
HAILEY: Claire...
this is totally, completely...
eternally over.
I'm moving.
(sighs)
I'm going to be the new girl again.
You know what? No.
No, we're going to split up.
You're going to go stop Aqua, and...
and I'm going to go find Raymond, okay?
Meet me back at the club as soon as possible.
Hurry!
Go!
(waves gurgling)
HAILEY: Aqua, don't do it!
Don't do it!
Aqua, you can't do this!
Why not? I'm never going to see him again.
And you know what? He doesn't care.
I'm just going to go home.
This was all for nothing.
It was not for nothing; it was for love.
You know what I think of love?
Love stinks.
No wonder we don't have it back home.
Please don't give up yet.
Why, because of your wish?
Let me tell you something.
My dad said he loved me.
He said he loved my mother, and then he left us.
He left us for some other woman...
but I guess that's just the way it is
and love doesn't always work.
I don't understand.
That's life.
That's how it is here.
But when you find love,
I guess it's really beautiful,
or at least that's what I've read in magazines.
And I don't know as much about it as I say I do,
but I know that there's a reason why everybody wants it so much.
And what's that?
It's the closest thing we have to magic.
Don't give up yet.
Oh, my God!
What's happening to me?
I'm leaking!
(laughing): Aqua, you're crying.
I'm leaking saltwater.
I'm falling apart.
No, they're tears.
Your body makes them when you cry.
I guess you wouldn't have them, living underwater.
This is crazy.
Next you're going to tell me
water shoots out of your nose when you're happy.
(laughing)
Only occasionally.
(chatting indistinctly)
(bike bell rings)
Nice bike.
(girls snickering)
Still has tassels.
Time for a swim!
(squealing)
Excuse me.
How could you do this to Aqua?
Uh, do what?
Take Cecilia to the Last Splash
after you already asked Aquamarine.
Yeah, well, that was before I found out
that she has a boyfriend.
A boyfriend?
Yeah. The one
she practically jumped overboard for
to watch the sunset?
Aqua doesn't have a boyfriend.
Who told you that?
Vince!
- Vince! - Huh?
- The little girl wants to go in. - I want to go in where?
(sing-songy): Into the pool!
(screaming): No! Put me down!
No! No! No! No!
Hey, hey, hey, Vince, don't, man, don't! Stop!
- (screaming) - Hey, put her down. Come on.
VINCE: Okay, okay. Whoo!
Geez, relax. What's the big drama?
VINCE: Pfft! Whatever.
(sniffles)
(sobbing)
God, take a joke.
"Take a joke"?
Wha-What's the matter with you? She's scared.
She was trying to get attention. Hello!
No, that's your job, isn't it, Cecilia?
Raymond, I was kidding.
Joke? Hello!
(sniffling)
Claire, Claire, hold on.
Hey, you okay?
Look, um, do you know where I can find Aqua?
I really need to talk to her.
Yeah? Is that a nod?
I know I see a nod.
D.J. (over radio): This next one's
for the brokenhearted out there.
(woman singing ballad)
(Aquamarine moaning)
Who needs Raymond?
I found two new men
to love.
Their names are Ben and Jerry.
(Hailey laughing)
Mm!
(sighs)
Raymond.
Who needs Raymond?
I need some salt.
You know, I-I don't know
what Cecilia was talking about.
(sighs)
I, uh, think they're in here in my room.
(gasps)
- (splashing) - Aqua's right around here...
Oh, God!
Hey!
(clears throat)
Uh, um, sorry. I'm sorry.
How's it going?
Bad. No, good. Fine.
(clears throat)
Why don't you wait on the balcony,
- Yeah. - And we'll be out in a sec.
(mouthing)
(laughing)
What was he doing here?!
Cecilia told him Aqua had a boyfriend.
(gasps, then scoffs)
That... that barnacle!
But Raymond wants to talk to you.
- Oh, my God! Oh, my God! - Yes! Yes!
AQUAMARINE: Oh, my God!
(giggling)
- Hey. - Hey.
(indistinct conversation)
- Hey, you know what? - And then the fish attacked me.
- It attacked you? Really? - Yeah.
- Kind of like a penguin, like... - RAY: Later, guys.
- Oh, hey. - Thanks for coming.
(sighs)
- (sighs) - (laughs)
(shudders)
Guess who's got a date to The Last Splash.
- (gasping) - (squealing): Me!
(laughter, shouting)
(laughing)
(whooping)
(chuckles)
(upbeat music playing)
Gently catch it.
If you break your balloon, you're out.
Okay, now toss it back.
Remember to keep stepping back as you go.
Come on, people! You can win a date with me!
Oh, good throw, man.
You ready for the heater?
- Whoa! Okay. - (laughing)
Careful. Heavy-handed.
You go under, not over.
You don't want to drop it.
Okay, take a step back.
(conversations fade, music continues)
(crowd gasping)
(laughing)
Ray, you're out.
Come on, off you go.
(laughing)
Oh, I think I feel seasick.
You know?
But in a good way.
Just be yourself.
Minus the tail.
Hi...
Hi.
Wow, you look pretty.
So do you.
(chuckles): Thank you.
So what do you say we grab something to eat?
Yes. I'm good at that.
(chuckles): Okay.
(gasps): Here they come.
- Hey. - Hi, guys.
Hey.
(giggling excitedly)
(crowd whooping, laughing)
What can I get you?
(giggling)
They're there.
- Hey. - Hi.
Hmm.
Um... is that good?
Yes. It's very calming.
Okay, I'll try some.
No, no...
Eh, that's good.
(exhales deeply)
(sniffs)
To...
...new things.
(gasping)
(coughs)
Sorry.
(coughing)
Guess it's an acquired taste, huh?
(coughs)
HAILEY: Looks like they're having a genius time.
Hey.
You look really pretty, honey.
Thanks.
Hey.
Hi.
I see you and Claire
have made a new friend.
Yeah, how 'bout that?
Another person I get to say good-bye to.
Ginny! Oh, Ginny.
I just read about you in the Tribune.
You didn't tell me you were one of, what?
200 applicants? What an honor.
I've been trying to land
a grant like this for ten years.
I just hope we can do some good with it.
Only the fish will know for sure.
Aren't you happy for your mom?
Ecstatic.
Oh, come on.
Don't worry, honey.
You know how kids are.
So, if you could travel anywhere in the world,
where would you go?
Oh, that's easy.
I would go to Fiji. I hear it's amazing.
It is. It's unbelievable.
You've been there?
Well, I've been to lots of places.
But I've learned it's not where you are, it's who you're with.
Hmm.
You always so sure of everything?
Yes.
More people should be like that.
Well, some of us are only human.
(chuckles)
(feedback buzzes)
(crowd cheering)
Thank you.
Hey. How you doing?
Wow, thanks.
(indistinct whispering)
- Please. - Ah...
Yeah, sure, we can do that.
I love that song.
Hi, everyone.
We'd like to start things off with a special request.
(guitar intro)
(singing)
Oh, I love this song. You want to dance?
I want to, but... I don't know how.
What? No, it's easy. I'll show you. Come on.
Come on. You can't be worse than me.
(singing continues)
I told you I was bad.
No, you're great, you're great. It's okay.
Um... here.
You ever spend any time in the water?
Some. You know.
Right. Okay.
So, you just kind of let the music carry you.
You know, just like a wave would.
Wavy, yeah.
There you go.
Yeah, there you go. Nice.
I'll be right back.
Back off- don't make a bigger fool of yourself
than you already have.
Walk away.
- Bye. - Walk away.
Good job.
BOTH: He's so into her.
He likes her.
- (song stops) - (cheering)
Thank you, Capri Beach Club.
Sunset. Come on.
(laughter)
I think I like dancing with you
better than anything I've ever done on feet.
HAILEY: Hey!
Say good-bye. It's time to go.
Uh-oh. I have to go.
Wh-What? Again?
Come on, at least stay for the fireworks.
- Come on. - There's gonna be fireworks?
I can't.
I wish I could, I really do.
But you leave tomorrow.
I want to spend more time with you.
What can I say to make you stay?
You can tell me...
- What? Tell you what? - Aqua, we have to go right now.
Come on.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow you can tell me.
Come to the pier at 9:00.
To tell you what?
You can tell me how that makes you feel.
- Come on! - Come on!
(giggling, laughing)
Wow.
(chuckles)
(indistinct conversation)
(laughing)
Come on, Hails.
(engine starts)
(light, upbeat theme playing)
(laughing)
Whoo!
Okay, you little freaks.
What are you doing here?
Cecilia, I want to go back to the party.
They're handing out sparklers.
(crowd cheering)
(man singing)
(laughing)
(giggling)
She lives in a water tower.
Freak city.
This is so lame.
And who cares?
I'm tired of sitting here staring at it.
Yeah, Cecilia, we already missed the fireworks,
and now we're missing the party.
Um, Patty, could you put away the negativity,
sort of like you put away
all those corn dogs at the street fair?
I'm going up. If anyone comes...
honk.
But...
But I only... I only had two.
(panting)
(wry chuckle)
Who needs this?
Uh...
(laughing)
Here we go.
(engine starts)
- (giggling) - Shh!
(laughing)
What are you up to, huh?
(humming)
(giggling)
(humming)
(singing)
Hailey?
Is someone there?
(gasps)
Uh...
(gasping)
(locks)
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Wait! Cecilia.
(panting): Okay, okay...
(loud clang)
(screams)
(shuddering)
Oh...
Nice... and... slow.
(panting)
She's a... She's a...
She's a, she's a, she's a... a... a...
Wh...
You want something done,
you have to do it your...
(grunting)
...self!
(panting)
(grunting)
(screeching)
(grunting)
(music playing)
Oh, I need to see your hand stamp.
Thank you.
G'night!
Uh, can I see your hand stamp, please?
This is my hand stamp.
- Mm... - (giggling)
- You know who I am. - Sorry, Cecilia.
Has grilling burgers fried your brain,
or do you grill burgers all day because you have no brain?
Excuse me.
- Girls! - Cecilia.
Aquamarine...
She's a mermaid.
She has, she has scales and everything.
She has a big, fat tail.
That's why she lives in the water tower.
Whoa. You need to slow way down.
What are you talking about?
You're sounding a little crazy, Cecilia.
No, no, no, no. No, I'm not crazy.
No, I saw it with my own eyes.
- You're freaking us out. - There's no mermaid.
Why are you looking at me like that
when there's a mermaid
in a water tower, you guys?
There's no mermaid.
Oh, okay. Fine.
And by the way, why'd you guys leave me there, huh?
Do you have any idea how far I had to walk?!
- (giggling) - Huh?
- She's crazy. - Why is that funny?
(giggling)
GI RL (laughing): A mermaid.
(chain jingling)
Hmm.
Huh...
(sighs)
(quiet, gentle theme plays)
GINNY: 40 boxes, was that it?
- MAN: No, it's 55. - GINNY: Fifty-five.
MAN: And the window's going to have to be dismantled...
Bye, Mom.
Hey, be back soon, Hails.
Daddy! Daddy! Daddy, it's so horrible.
I went on my run this morning,
down by the water tower,
and, and I heard this
crying and... this poor girl,
I think she's trapped up there.
Did you call the police?
Uh, I wanted to tell you first.
(phone keypad beeping)
- (knocking) - Come in.
Hey.
Will you take care of Moby for me?
You won't have to go tomorrow.
Believe me.
So, I was thinking, we should meet at the pier
at around 8:45.
Hail.
- Are you listening to me? - Mm-hmm.
Maybe we should think about the wish.
What do you mean?
We know what we're doing
with our wish.
You're staying in Baybridge.
Right, but I was thinking about it all last night,
and...
um, my mom has worked all her life for this.
Maybe it's not fair.
We asked for a miracle, Hailey, and we got it.
We're using it.
Maybe we could wish for something else, maybe.
Something else?
Mm-hmm.
Like what? Like a new best friend?
A new person to tell everything to?
Claire, no, stop it.
How can you even think that way?
I'm just saying, maybe we'll learn
to stand on our own for a change, you know?
- You mean me, don't you? - I mean I'm not your mom.
Please.
You act like I need you all the time when...
the truth is, you're so mad at the world
that nobody but me even wants to talk to you.
Oh?
So you're the one who's lived here your whole life?
How do you figure
that I'm your only friend?
Huh?
(sniffling)
...WQDA, the coast's breaking news channel.
A report just in of a young girl trapped
- in the Baybridge water tower. - (shrieks)
We're going live to Storm Banks, our man on the scene.
This is Storm Banks reporting live from Baybridge water tower,
where an unidentified girl has been trapped.
Firefighters are racing against time
- to rescue this girl... - Hailey, wait!
...from a watery grave.
Hailey, wait! Hailey!
(sighs)
So how did you come across this?
CECILIA: I was just out
for my morning run, and all of a sudden
I heard this horrible screaming.
I didn't know what to do, and, I mean,
I did the first thing that came to my mind,
which was go to inform the newscast,
and, um, you know, we can only hope
- that we find her. - The ladder's gone.
- Oh, no. - I just did
what any good citizen would have done.
And we can only hope that they'll pull her out in time,
so she can be reunited with her friends and loved ones.
Hey, he's got something!
- (gasps) - Okay, guys. Showtime.
(indistinct radio transmission)
STORM: Okay, are you getting this?
- (squeaking) - We got a floater.
(crowd laughing)
No, no, that's not possible.
No, she's up there.
Yeah, okay, sweetie.
No, she's up there.
They know what's going on.
They know exactly what's going on.
Tell them. Tell them how she's up there.
She's probably still hiding under the water.
Go to commercial.
Daddy!
You know why?
Because she is a mermaid.
- (laughing) - Go to commercial.
Mermaid!
Mer-maid.
- (laughing) - Go to commercial now.
Fins and everything.
You've got to be kidding me.
Give me your keys.
No, Dad.
- Cecilia... - No.
No, no, no, no, no.
Cecilia!
- Ooh. - Give me
your car keys... now!
(stifled snickering)
(whimpering)
And while you're walking to school every day,
you can try and figure out why it is
you need so much attention.
(gasps)
Where could she be?
I don't know. Let's go.
It's a wrap.
On my career.
(laughing)
But, Daddy, my car!
Save it, Cecilia.
You know why? Because she is a mermaid.
Go to commercial.
(Aquamarine and Leonard laughing)
There's not usually a man with a ladder around when you need him.
I can't thank you enough.
I guess I could say the same to you.
You're probably the first person
who's talked to me all summer.
At least nicely.
I appreciate that.
You're a long way from home, aren't you?
Oh, thank you!
(woman humming)
You know,
when you help a mermaid,
you get a wish.
(cawing)
CLAIRE: It's almost 9:30
and she's not here- where else could she be?
Don't say it like it's my fault.
- Shh! There's Ray. - Yeah, I can see that. Thanks.
What is your problem?
I'm not giving up this wish, Hailey.
She's here.
- (whimpers) - Hey!
- Hi. - Hi.
I, um...
I thought about you all night.
Good.
(laughing): Yeah.
So... what was it that you, um, wanted to tell me?
Or ask me? I wasn't sure.
Okay, here it goes.
The last couple of days have been...
- amazing... - Yeah, but wait...
Before we get to that, uh,
could you maybe give me, like, a 20-minute warning,
you know, before the part where you run away.
(chuckling)
Don't worry, I don't have to leave yet.
Cool, because I was thinking, um,
maybe we could go kite surfing.
Like, there's this really, really awesome place
right down the shore- okay, the waves are small...
CLAIRE: Uh, wait.
...it sprays up into the air
and you can, like, always see a rainbow there.
We're losing them.
I think she's about to ask him.
- I can't hear. - Shh!
Come on. Let's go up top.
I mean, that's... if you want to do that.
- I want to. Yeah. - Yeah?
Cool, 'cause then, afterwards, um, I know this great little...
Uh, actually, it's a total dive,
but they have the best hot dogs ever.
- Raymond... - Yeah?
I have to ask you something.
Oh, right, right, yeah.
Okay, shoot.
I came here looking for something...
I wasn't even sure existed.
But...
then I met you, and now I have to ask you.
Ask me.
- Try the binoculars. - Don't yell at me.
Raymond...
Yeah?
Do you love me?
Uh...
Well...
I mean... we've had one date.
What's going on?
But don't get me wrong, don't get me wrong.
I like you. I really, really like you.
Wait, I think he's, I think he's reaching out for her.
That's a good sign. Look.
I mean, I think you're smart and beautiful,
and different than anyone I've ever met before,
and I'd like to see a lot more of you.
But... you don't love me.
She's pulling away.
- Let me see what's going on. - Wait, no.
Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Wait, wait, wait.
Hey... are you crying?
Yes. Apparently, it's something I do.
I don't understand.
I mean, why do I have to be in love with you today?
Why can't we just...
- work our way there? - (footsteps approaching)
CECILIA: I have a better idea.
Why doesn't she just go back to where she came from?
(gasping)
- Oh, no! - No!
What the hell's the matter with you?
(gasps)
Oh, my God.
Raymond! Raymond!
Just stay calm! Don't fight the current.
I'll be right there!
He still chooses her over me?
She's a fish!
(shrieks)
Raymond!
HAILEY and CLAIRE: Aqua! Aqua!
We're coming!
Her dad's pulling her back.
RAY: I'm going to get my rescue board!
We can't just let her go.
I'm going in.
No.
Not without me, you're not.
(gasping, coughing)
Hailey!
- Claire, come on. - Hailey!
Claire!
Grab the buoy! We'll meet you there.
- (coughing) - I'm right here.
- I won't leave you. - Hailey, I can't!
Keep your eye on the buoy!
(grunting)
(coughing)
I'm coming.
Grab my hand.
Hailey!
You can do it.
I can't believe you two.
It's not safe out here.
The storm's too strong.
Why is your dad pulling you back now?
He can't just take you away.
Yes, he can.
That was our deal.
Take our wish...
- (gasps) - And you can stay here.
I can't.
Yeah, take it.
And you can call off your wedding.
But there's no wish.
- HAILEY: What?! - Raymond doesn't love me.
My father was right.
I couldn't prove love exists.
I'm so sorry.
- Can't we do something?! - Yeah, anything!
What more could you do for me?
You jumped in the water to save me.
And now you'd give me your wish?
Why would you do that for me?
I... I don't know.
I guess it's what I would do for her, and...
I know she'd do it for me,
and just... because we love you, Aqua.
You do?
I didn't know you leak when you're happy, too.
Look.
Your dad's letting you go.
Because of you.
What?
Don't you see?
You just proved to him that love exists.
(laughing)
I guess you get a wish after all.
Any requests?
(chuckles)
Can we wish for you to stay here forever?
I'm a mermaid, Claire.
I have a family out there that needs me.
Yeah.
As much as I want to stay,
I belong in the ocean... most of the time.
Save your wish, okay?
I promise I'll come back to visit.
And if I have to swim against the Gulf Stream,
from here to Australia, I'll do it.
I'd circle the world for you two.
(quiet, gentle theme playing)
So I guess this is it, right?
Someone's got to go back and return all those wedding gifts.
We're gonna miss you, Aqua.
You can always call me on my shell.
(laughing)
Oh...
I want you guys to have these.
Thanks.
Starfish may be
big suck-ups...
...but they never lie.
Aqua...
I love you guys, too.
Aqua! Aqua!
(gasps)
(squeals)
- Oh, my God. - Keep in touch, fish-butt.
We want a full report.
I'll see you soon!
Bye.
- Race you to the pier. - No, wait.
Let's just float a while.
I want to enjoy this.
Has this been the best summer ever or what?
Just wait till next summer
when you guys come to Australia and visit me.
I don't if I can swing that with my allowance.
Uh, Claire- we still have our wish.
Oh, my God.
- You know what, Hailey? - Huh?
It's good to have friends with fins.
- (laughing) - Hey!
(both laughing)
Wait up!
Wow. Wow, I ca... I ca... I can't believe it.
Um, they didn't exactly cover this
in lifeguard training.
I know.
I should have told you.
I hope you're not... mad.
No. No, I'm not... I'm not mad.
S-Surprised, definitely,
and confused about a couple of things-
like... for one, the fact that you have a tail.
Yeah, I do.
A very nice one, by the way.
(squeals)
I know.
Are you... planning to surface any-anytime soon?
That sounds...
I don't know what I'm talking about.
(clears throat)
I'm not sure how to ask a mermaid out...
but I'd like to see you again-
I mean, if that's...
allowed or-or even possible.
Well, I have to swim back for a bit...
clear the water with my dad.
Would you mind waiting a little while?
Maybe you could meet me in Fiji sometime.
Uh-huh.
(buoy bell rings)
- Leonard? - Leonard?
Good day, ladies.
Hey, girls.
Hey.
Oh, that's really sweet.
I'm really happy for them.
Hailey! Claire!
Hey.
- Hi. - Hi.
Hi.
Look, I just...
had to tell you guys thanks.
You're both, um...
you're both pretty extraordinary.
I don't even know
if I could have done what you did.
(gasps)
(quiet squeal)
(gasps)
(quiet squeak)
See you.
(sighs)
(screaming)
(laughing)
Oh, my goodness!
I'll see you soon?
I'm going to miss you so much.
I know.
I'm going to miss you, too.
STARFISH: Hailey's so beautiful, inside and out.
She's the best friend you could ever have.
STARFISH: Claire is so courageous.
Claire has a true heart.
She understands...
- ... a true friend... - She will never let you down.
She glows from the inside.
(squealing laughter)
(light, gentle theme plays)
(theme ends)
(upbeat pop intro begins)
(girl singing)
(song ends)
(upbeat rock intro begins)
(woman singing)
(song ends)
(medium-tempo rock intro begins)
(woman singing)
(song fades, ends)