Ashley reluctantly took her place with the other princesses. She was really nervous about everything and wondered where the heck Ariel was. The music started and the group started singing. When the others stopped, they turned to Ashley.

She was confused at first, then remembered Ariel had a solo. The words started coming to her and she sang as best as she could. When the performance was over, she noticed her tail slowly fading to its normal blue color. She quickly swam off before anyone could stop her. Once she was in the hallway, she returned to her regular mermaid form.

"Okay, so I can only take on other appearences for a few minutes." Ashley said. "Though that was a little inconvenient."

"Ashley, have you seen Ariel swim by?" She gasped as Sebastian came over to her. She hoped he hadn't seen her transform. "She left kind of quickly."

"Sorry, I haven't seen her since this morning." Ashley told him.

"I wonder where that girl coulda went. She did seem kind of nervous today."

"I know." Ashley said. "I was trying to help her, but she was more nervous than I thought."

"Well, keep an eye out for her, okay?" Sebastian asked. He went back into the concert hall.

Ashley swam off into the ocean. She wasn't very close to the surface, when she noticed a figure half-way out of the water. She swam up to her. "Ariel, where were you?"

"Did something happen?" Ariel asked. Then she remembered. "The concert!"

"I managed to disguise myself and took your place, but I don't know if it went well." Ashley said. "We should get back to there, quick." They went back into the water and swam off. Before leaving, Ashley went back to see Scuttle.

"So, how's Brandon doing since I left?" She asked. "Not that I care, but he was my friend."

"Maybe you should ask him yourself." Scuttle said. "It wouldn't hurt to just visit the surface, would it?"

"You're right, Scuttle." Ashley said. "Thanks." She jumped back into the water. By the time she caught up with Ariel, she was speaking with her father and Sebastian.

"Uh, excuse me?" She swam over to the group. "Is something wrong?"

"The concert didn't exactly go well."

"They wanted to know why I swam off in such a hurry." Ariel told her, looking confused.

"You were at the concert hall before all this happened. Did you see her before you swam by?" Trition asked.

"I did, this morning. She seemed to be a little nervous about the concert." Ashley said. "I found her after the concert. She was talking with Scut…" She covered her mouth. She hadn't meant to say that last part. Now she really was in trouble.

"Did you go to the surface?"

"I know it's dangerous and risky, but I can take care of myself." Ariel protested.

"Please, don't take this out on Ariel. In the ocean I come from, things are different." Ashley said.

"Different how?"

"Well, where I come from, mermaids and humans interact in peace." Ashley explained. "It's a long story that goes back many years."

"Okay, I think we've got it from here." Ariel said.

"Well, as much as we respect your beliefs, it'd be nice if you'd respect ours." Triton said to her.

"Okay, Your Majesty." Ashley swam off until she couldn't see them anymore. "Darn it. That was stupid." She swam up to the surface and returned to normal. It was starting to rain. She quickly ran toward her place, but knew she wouldn't make it out of the downpour.

"Ashley, this way!" Brandon grabbed her hand and ran toward the cave. She struggled to keep up with him.

"Thanks." Ashley said. They sat down near the opening. She knew they'd have to wait out the storm. Brandon looked at her, then turned away. She was watching the rain fall. She knew she'd have to go back soon.

"Ashley." Brandon snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned to face him.

"Yeah?"

"Look, I'm sorry about the other day." Brandon told her. "It wasn't my business."

"I told you to stop worrying about me." Ashley said.

"When you didn't come back up, I thought you were gone, Ashley." Brandon said.

"Well, you should've backed off." Ashley told him. Thunder crashed above them. "Anyway, I might be gone for a few days."

"You're leaving?" Brandon asked. He sounded surprised and confused.

"Kinda. I just need to sort things out on my own." Ashley explained.

"I understand." Brandon said. She turned around. He looked a little sad.

"Brandon, I…" Ashley couldn't finish. She had no idea what to tell him. He stood up.

"Look, it's your life, Ashley. I'm not going to slow you down."

"That's not what I meant. I still want to be able to see my best friend." Ashley explained. She got up. "Cause as annoying as it is, I need you in my life." She put her arms around him.

"Ashley." He looked at her. Without thinking, he pressed his lips against hers. Ashley closed her eyes. After a second, they broke apart. They both stared at each other, surprised by what they just did.

The rain stopped and the sky was beginning to clear up. "Hey, the storm's over." Ashley said, looking outside.

"Okay." Brandon said. "I guess…I'll see you around." He started to walk off. "You want me to walk you home?"

"No thanks." Ashley said. "It's only a couple of feet from here." He walked away from her. Ashley sat down in the cave, trying to figure out what just happened. After a few seconds, she left the cave, knowing she'd be returning tomorrow.