Disclaimer: I really don't want to write it out anymore.

A/N: I'm taking advantage of my free time to rapidly add chapters, and also because inspiration has hit home, (thank you, Haillie). This chapter is a return to Sorrah, who I have rather happily neglected for quite some time. Sorry, if there is anybody who especially likes Sorrah. She's a nice girl, but I don't really like her for some odd reason. In any case, this chapter was a bit necessary to be done in her point of view anyways. The next should be in the Sultana's.

Chapter 17

Confession

(Sorrah)

Jasmine was distressed.

After Jala had left, she closed her door and locked it so that I couldn't come in, and went to bed. I'm still not under the impression that she got very much rest that night, but there was nothing I could do for her anymore. Instead, I tried to get myself a good night's sleep, considering the day's events.

Somehow, I made it through the night and woke with my eyelids half open to a river of molten sunshine pouring through my window. Happily, I got up and began to dress. As I sifted through my belongings for suitable clothing, I dragged a sandalwood comb through my long, black hair. Unconsciously, I found myself humming an old lullaby that my mother used to sing to me when I was a babe.

When I turned around, I stopped the music abruptly, because Jasmine was standing in the doorway with her hair down, with a most peculiar expression on her face. "Please, sing that again." So, I continued the song, uncomfortably aware of her stare on the back of my neck as I got ready. "Er, would you like some tea?" I stammered. Jasmine's features softened. "No, that's alright, Sorrah. Pray tell me, where did you hear that song?"

"It was a lullaby that my mother used to sing to me, before I came to the palace," I admitted. "Does it please you?" Jasmine smiled. "It's a beautiful piece. I believe that it's called 'The Crying Nightingale', and my mother used to sing it to me." I started. The Sultana, singing a lullaby? The idea was so outrageous that I wanted to giggle, but did not. After all, she was Jasmine's mother, and Jasmine was quite kind-hearted.

She smiled wistfully. "You can have the day off. Enjoy yourself, have fun, it'll do you good. I missed that song. Thank you, Sorrah." I cocked my head at her, and grabbing my slippers, I thanked her and slipped out of the chambers, free to enjoy myself as I might.

………………

I hadn't gone far when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around with a start, to find Aladdin looking at me with the oddest expression on his face. I had never seen him wear it before, and really couldn't identify what it was depicting. "Sorrah? Would you like to go on a carpet ride with me tonight? We need to talk." The blood drained from my face. Jasmine would kill me if I accepted, (and though I knew she really wouldn't, I couldn't hurt her feelings).

Instead, I nodded. "Alright. Meet me at the terrace of Jasmine's rooms. I'll see you then," he said briefly. The sound of his feet pattering down the hallway drifted out of my earshot and then I ran as fast and hard as I could in the opposite direction.

When I got back to our rooms, I instantly regretted it, for all that was left for me to do that day was to worry and fret, all the way until I must go with Aladdin on the magic carpet, which could only lead to something bad, considering that he still liked me. (That was what I thought at the time, having still no knowledge of his renewed love with Jasmine, though I would have rejoiced at the idea).

……………………………….

That night, I dragged my feet, which made echoing noises in the empty, grand hallways. Slowly and with a feeling that my heart was going to beat right out of my chest, I pushed open the door to Jasmine's terrace. The doors swung open as if by their own will with an ominous creak. I was greeted by the whoosh of fresh, cold night air, the image of an endless ebony sky studded with diamonds of stars, and the whole of Agrabah.

And, standing sheepishly and looking jittery next to the magic carpet, who looked rather eager to fly again, was Aladdin. He was wearing that ridiculous Ali hat, (if I may so), and refused to meet my eyes. "Well, shall we?" I asked. My voice sounded hoarse, sharp, and rather brisk. I sat down, cross-legged, in the middle of the carpet's purple weaving, squeezed my eyes shut tight, and prepared to die.

I had never flown before, so when I opened my eyes, I couldn't help giving out a gasp of wonder. The sky seemed like an endless dome of black silk, studded with millions of tiny, precious gems. Below were the clay buildings, some tall, some small, and a few people still wandering the streets. The night air whisked past my face like the wind was embracing me. "How do you like it?" Aladdin asked softly? I was speechless, at a loss for words.

"You see, Sorrah, I took you out here so that I might tell you something in private tonight." I gulped. Here it was. My friendship with Jasmine was about to go down the drain. "I…I realized that I don't actually love you, if you'll pardon me saying it. Jasmine's the only and true love of my life, and it would cost me my heart to ever lose her." I made a choking sound, too giddy to say a word.

Apparently, he mistook it for sadness, because he patted my shoulder and said, "I'm sorry." "Don't be!" I finally exclaimed. "This is the happiest moment of my life!" "It is?" he asked in return, looking rather confused. I laughed openly to the night. "Of course! You and my best friend are in love, and I'm not going to lose my friendship with either of you. What more could I ask?"

It took a moment for my words to sink in, but then a broad, goofy grin spread onto his face, and Aladdin threw his arms around me in a choking bear hug. My eyes widened in surprise, but then I hesitantly patted his back. "Errr, right," I said brilliantly.

But then, my happy little relief bubble was crushed, because when carpet turned, I had a full view of Jasmine's terrace.

And standing on that terrace was Jasmine, her long hair untied and billowing back behind her in the wind. Her face was frozen like stone, expressionless. Her eyes looked like they had been carved as her entire body was stiff, leaning slightly over her terrace as if trying to believe that her eyes were failing her. Behind her was Jala, who was holding a scimitar and pointing it at her throat, apparently trying to threaten her into bringing Jafar back.

But my friend had no mind for weaponry or blackmail right at that moment, because in her face, I could read the horrible misunderstanding that was running through her mind, over and over, and trying to believe that she was having the most horrible nightmare of her life.

Jasmine saw me and Aladdin embracing on a magic carpet, and that's what gave her the wrong message. I felt tears sting the corners of my eyes, and quickly pushed Aladdin away from me. He looked confused, until he saw where my eyes were. Slowly, unwillingly, he turned around. That's where he froze. For a moment, Jasmine and Aladdin's eyes locked, and they were gone into a world of misunderstandings, hurt, and betrayal that I could not follow into.

Princess and street rat.

Royalty and thief.

Woman and man.

Then, the gaze broke. Jasmine fled with reckless abandon back through the doors to her own terrace, with Jala trailing unwillingly and throwing us glances over her shoulder. Aladdin collapsed onto the carpet as he landed and moaned, his entire body was shaking. I quietly left him there, thinking it best to leave him be. I could not go back to my quarters tonight, not without shame, but I did so anyways.

Jasmine was not there in our room, but I found her sheets tossed, so she had been there and ran away. I sighed and got into my own smaller bed. Tomorrow morning, when things had cooled down a tad, I would try and reason with her.

But I did not have much hope.

A/N: Ooooh, Aladdin is so busted!