Rachel was wearing a blue swimsuit , as she went to meet up with Hayden. She thought about what Tim had told her. 

What could he possibly mean that Ashley's life back home isn't nice, is she truly changed?

"Rach!" Hayden said happily as he kisses her on the cheek for a greeting. 

"Hey, babe. I'm really curious of why the whole school is here on the beach. Tim said it was really important." 

Hayden seems to grow nervous, as if he knew the reason . He thought back on the day Tim, Scott, and Freddy met up at the Gym . 

"Hey, you guys. I'm glad that you could meet me here. Listen, I'm really concern about Ashley. " Tim said. 

"I know how . You still worried that her parents are still abusing her. " Freddy said, seriously. 

Hayden said, nodding, "I still want her to stand up for herself, so she doesn't want to face fear of her parents. How can we make that happen?"

Tim said, shrugging , "I haven't gone a slightest idea, Hayden. I talked to my parents about an adoption. " 

"An adoption? How does that help?" Hayden asks curiously. 

"Just hear me out. All I wanted is for Ash to be herself, and she needs a brotherly figure , a true family that deserves her and loves her." 

"So, basically, you want to adopt her. How does Rach felt about this? She's still not over with the trauma that Ash has put her through, and she still has no idea about the Prom." Scott points out.

"True, but once she sees how much Ash has change, they'll be friends, just help me out with this situation of getting both girls in the same place. " Tim said.

Hayden wasn't sure if the idea would work, considering how much it was difficult enough that his girlfriend and Ash don't get along so easily.  

As they entered the beach, Rachel was truly shock. Everyone in Berksville High attended, with all the animals from the pet shop, with some volunteers filling some papers for the adoptions for the pets for families who needed them. 

Ashley was head of the volunteers, as she said to a family who adopt one of the stray dogs, "Here's one of the dog food. I recommend that you have to feed it once a week, so it could get used of its dog food. Then once it got use of it, it would be a lot easier to take care of it." 

The Mother said, "Thanks for the advice, Ashley! It really helps out with our girl. She was born deaf and she really is totally shy since she couldn't let anyone talk to her. " 

Ashley bends down to the little girl, as she begins to do sign language.

The girl hugs her as she nods. 

Hayden taps her. 

"Hayden! You made it! Hey, Rachel. I know this is strange, but this is the new me. My true self. I'm not the bully you know ." Ashley explains , still leaves the cheerleader speechless. 

Ashley turns to Ushio, "I'm going to work now, but if I'm free over the weekend, I would love to get know you better. Is that ok?"

The girl nods , as she leaves with her new puppy in tow. 

Hayden said, "I didn't know you can do sign language. You have a natural gift, Ash. " 

"Thanks, Hayden. I learnt it from a classmate in our biology class who is also deaf. He was the one who taught me. His name was Thorn . " 

Hayden said, "Well, Thorn taught you well. I'm going to find Scott and the others. I'll leave you girls some talking." 

Ashley and Rachel didn't know what to say to each other, as Rachel notices something , a torn up bandage on her arm, as she asks, "Hey, what happened to you? " 

"It's kind of hard to explain, Rachel. Besides if you really want to know, ask your boyfriend. " Ashley replies. 

Ashley became unsure of the situation. She is still scared of her parents, afraid of the scars, the reality of never being free . 

From the night she went to The Thorston's, her parents were waiting for her, filled with rage.

"Where you have been , Ashley Elizabeth?" Mrs. Hofferson demanded as the young teen tries to not gaze into her mother's eyes.

As she was about to walk inside her bedroom, her father instantly grabs her, fiercely as he demands, "Your mother asks you a question, Ashley. Don't be disrespectful, or else.

He hits her , with his fists, as she groans in pain.

"Ash? Ash? You ok?" She saw Rachel staring at her with pure curiosity.  

"Sorry, I was lost in thought." She said to the teen as both teenagers look at the fundraiser.

"It truly amazes me that the whole school is helping me out with this event. It really makes me happy for the animals to have a forever home." Ash smiles. 

Rachel said, "I can't believe what I'm seeing. Ashley Hofferson smiling? " 

"C'mon, Rach. I am trying to change here." 

Suddenly, she notices the black car. It was her parents storming into the beach fundraiser.

"What is the meaning of this?!? Who planned this silly thing?" Mrs. Hofferson spat. 

Everyone was shock of the Hofferson's actions as Ashley said, "They figure out I was going to be here. 

I'm in heap of trouble." 

Hayden steps forward, "You really think you barge in, disrupting a beach party? I thought the Hofferson's were nice, but I was wrong. 

You can't touch Ashley's hard work. She is your daughter and you should be proud of her." 

"Haddock, this is not your concern!" Mr. Hofferson said, as he pushes the amputee to the ground , as Scott helps his cousin up to his feet. 

Ashley asks, scared,  "You literally think you threaten me in front of the whole school? " 

Mrs. Hofferson didn't hesitate as she hits her daughter which causes the throng to be in total shock of her actions.

 Rachel couldn't believe her eyes as Tim quickly rushes to her and guards Ashley in a protective shield.

"Stand aside, this isn't a warning." Mr. Hofferson said, but Tim said, "No way! I'm not letting you get near an inch on Ash. Not with me around." 

"Or us too." Scott added, with determination. 

The Hofferson's glared in defeat as Ash begins to hyperventilating and causes her to black out. 

"Ash!" Hayden cries as Tim caught her. 

Principal Valka said, "She needs to go to the hospital. " 

Scott drove Tim, Hayden , Rachel and an unconious Ash and she was placed in a bed. 

Tim paces back and forth as Hayden said, "Tim, you have to relax. I'm sure that she'll be all right. 

Ash is a strong girl, she'll make it through." 

But Tim wasn't too sure, as he thought in his mind, "Is this what Rachel had felt, when Hayden was in his coma?"