The last thing Ariel wanted to do Saturday night was go to Pleasure Island, where she would undoubtedly run into kids from school- especially Aurora. But, Ariel's best friend, Charlotte, insisted she had to go to show everyone they couldn't keep her down. Charlotte was the only person who hadn't turned on her, despite not agreeing with her decision. Charlotte's confidence and support in her boosted Ariel's confidence enough to agree to go, but now that she was here, she was regretting it.

Charlotte linked her arm through Ariel's as they walked down the boardwalk. "Don't let any of them get to you. You owe them nothing and they have no right to judge you. Just have fun tonight; it's been so long since we've been out together." Before Ariel could say anything, Charlotte stopped suddenly, gripping Ariel's arm. "Oh, my God. Who's that hottie with Aurora and Philip?"

Ariel looked where Charlotte was motioning and her heart instantly sank. It was Urchin. Urchin was hanging out with Aurora. Ariel hadn't seen him since Wednesday when she first bumped into him in the hallway. They hadn't exchanged numbers, so she hadn't talked to him since then, either. If he was hanging out with Aurora, he had no doubt heard what she did by now.

"That's Urchin," Ariel said.

Charlotte's mouth dropped open a little. "No way. I didn't recognize him. He's come a long way since grade school. We should say hi."

"No, Charlotte. He's with Aurora."

"So? You can't spend the next eight months avoiding her."

"I can try."

"Ariel, you have every right to talk to your friend. What's the worse Aurora's going to do? Make some bitchy comment? Try to embarrass you? Will it totally suck? Yes. But, if you don't let her know they get to you, you take away her power."

"Easier said than done."

Charlotte brushed her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Everything is easier said than done until you do it."

Ariel rolled her eyes. "You sound like a classroom poster."

"Ariel." Charlotte turned Ariel so she was forced to look at her. "You're seventeen years old. You've got a lot of life ahead of you and you're going to meet worse people than Aurora. If you can't handle her, you're in trouble."

Ariel bit her lip and glanced over at Aurora. She was texting while Philip talked to Urchin. "You're right."

"Of course I am." Charlotte led Ariel towards Urchin. "Urchin! Welcome back."

"Hey, Lottie; it's been a long time," Urchin greeted. "Hey, Ariel."

"Hey."

At the mention of Ariel's name, Aurora looked up from her phone. "You need to leave. Eric is on his way to meet us."

"She has as much right to be here as you," Charlotte stated. "You guys don't own the boardwalk."

Aurora narrowed her purple eyes at Charlotte. "It's called tact, cheerleader. Eric is having a hard enough time dealing with this without her showing up where she knows he's going to be."

"Bad breakup?" Urchin guessed. "They have to see each other, eventually. They go to the same school."

"It's more than that," Aurora told him.

"Aurora, please don't," Ariel pleaded. "I'm leaving, OK? You don't have to bring Urchin into this."

Aurora ignored her. "Ariel ended up pregnant with Eric's baby and then aborted it behind his back. He's really broken up about it and doesn't need to be around her any more than necessary."

Ariel walked away, keeping her eyes down so she didn't see Urchin's reaction. It was bad enough she lost Eric forever, she didn't want to lose her friend, too; not when she may have finally gotten him back.

XXX

When Esmeralda finally found Phoebus, he was at the midway games with Jasmine. While Aladdin was playing a game with Sadira, Jasmine was giving all of her attention to Phoebus. He was leaning close to her and she was laughing at whatever he was saying.

Aren't they just so cozy? Esmeralda thought, bitterly. No wonder Phoebus hasn't tried to make up after our fight; he's too busy spending time with my best friend.

Esmeralda stormed over to them.

"There you are," Jasmine greeted. "We thought you weren't coming."

Esmeralda crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah, I can see that. You thought I wasn't going to be here, so you just moved in on my boyfriend."

Jasmine glared at her. "What?"

Phoebus stepped forward. "Essie, that's not-"

"Oh, save it!" Esmeralda snapped. "You think I can't see what's going on here?" She motioned between her boyfriend and best friend. "Phoebus, you're trying to get back at me for that stupid fight and because I've been busy. And, Jasmine, you're trying to make Aladdin jealous because he's been spending so much time with his ex."

Aladdin frowned. "Jasmine?"

"That's not true!" Jasmine insisted. "Nothing is going on between me and Phoebus. How could you possibly think we'd do that to you?"

Esmeralda stepped back, away from them. "Don't stand there and lie to me. I don't want to hear what either of you have to say. Phoebus, you and I are through. And Jasmine… I never want to talk to you again."

Esmeralda turned away from them, ready to leave them both behind. Jasmine ran after her and shoved her from behind.

"Bitch!" Esmeralda cried.

"Look who's fucking talking!" Jasmine snapped back. "How dare you accuse us of something like that! Phoebus and I have been there for you through everything- including your eating disorder last semester. Now you're blowing us off and causing unnecessary drama and then you have the nerve to act like some victim and tell us off? We haven't done anything; least of all betray you like that. You want to cut us out after all we've done for you? Fine. But, don't stand there and act like this isn't all your doing. There is nothing going between me and Phoebus and there never has. We have done nothing to you. That's that truth. So, if you want to end things between us, just know it's your choice and it's over nothing."

Esmeralda glared at her. "I hope Sadira steals Aladdin so you know how I feel right now."

Jasmine slowly shook her head. "How could have become this person? What's happened to you? Why are you acting like such a bitch towards me and treating me like I'm some sort of- I don't know- slut?"

Esmeralda laughed. "Are you kidding me? First my brother and now my boyfriend; you are a slut, Jasmine. And you deserve everything that's coming to you."

Esmeralda punched her former best friend in the face, then walked away without looking back.