A brown-haired girl was looking out to the sea. The sun was out and she was sitting outside on top of a rock. "Ashley?" She turned around to see a blonde guy coming toward her.
"Hey. How'd you know I'd be here?" The girl looked at him, her eyes sparkling.
"Well, you spend nearly every single day at the beach. It wasn't that hard to figure out." He told her.
"I guess I just come out here to think, wondering if she's out there somewhere." The girl explained. "My dad says that mom always loved the beach and the ocean. I guess it makes me feel connected to her."
"Yeah, what happened to her?" The guy asked.
"I told you a hundred times, Brandon. I don't know where she is. My father never talks about it." The girl looked away sadly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you, Ashley."
"I know it's not your fault, it's just never knowing where she is. Who she is, what she is." Ashley explained. "Every photo I've seen of her alone, I've only seen the back of her head. She was long, brown hair like me. She could be anywhere."
"I'm sure wherever she is, Ashley, you'll find her." Brandon told her. "And I'll help you in any way I can."
"You're a great friend, Brandon." Ashley said. He put his arm around her shoulder. She smiled at him.
"Yeah, I am pretty awesome."
"Uh, you always have to do that, don't you?" Ashley asked.
"What?"
"You always act nice and supportive, then turn into an arrogant jerk!" Ashley said.
"Oh, you haven't seen arrogant yet." Brandon said. He walked into the shallow water.
"You wouldn't. Brandon, don't…" Brandon splashed some water into her face and hair. "You are gonna be sorry now!" She ran over and splashed him back. An instant later, they were having a splash fight.
After what felt like a long time, the two sat down on the beach and were looking up at the sky. "Have you learned your lesson yet?"
"Okay, okay. I surrender." Brandon told her. "Once again, the maiden of the sea has won the splash war."
"You know you always lose every time you start them." Ashley said.
"But I was serious about helping you find you're mother, Ashley." Brandon said. "Hey, look at this." He dug a small sea shell out of the sand.
"I've never seen a shell like this before." Ashley said. "It's so beautiful." She looked at it. The sun reflected off it, making a beautiful gold color. "Huh?"
"You can keep it. It's almost as beautiful as you." Brandon said.
"Thank you, Brandon." Ashley said. "For this day. I feel like I'll be able to find my mom soon. Even if I have to search the ocean." However, she didn't know how far across the beach and underwater she'd go to complete her journey.