Chapter 2.

As Esperanza and Simon continued swimming, they giggled until they bumped their heads into an abandoned sunken ship. The ship was rotten, crumbling into bits, and stunk of a foul odor. Simon trembled in fear.

“Oh no. It can't be,” Simon said and hid behind Esperanza's pink tail.

Esperanza spoke in a calm manner. “It's just a fallen shop, Simon. There is no inside.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! All if the humans on the surface.”

“I hope so!”

Esperanza grabbed Simon and said, “Let's go check it out!” Simon covered his eyes and screamed in fear.

Once they were inside the ship, they saw a chest of rusted gold coins, decayed skeletal figures, molded portrait paintings, and little vintage toys and knick knacks. 

“This ship must have belong to someone special,” Esperanza said. “Look at all of these aged remnants.

Simon slowly uncovered his eyes, lifting up one finger at a time. “Yeah. Seems really interesting,” he quickly replied.

Esperanza sat on a rusted rocking horse and rocked it back and forth. She slid her finger across a knick knack figure in the form of a kissing couple. 

“Maybe we shouldn't touch things that don't belong to us!” Simon quickly spoke into the ears of Esperanza, startling her. 

“Simon, calm down. It's not that serious, and no one knows that we're down here.”

“There could be a ghost lurking in the waters.”

“My ancestors will keep us safe like they always do. I'm not sight guarding the ocean all day for nothing.”

“...But, you're not guarding right now. You're meddling!”

Esperanza continued to wander around the ship, as Simon followed. They came across a large family portrait, spoiled food containers, a collection of handsome suits and beautiful ballgowns stuffed in a box, and more. Esperanza picked up a pretty, sparkling pink ballgown and spun around in it.”

“This dress is so beautiful.”

Simon smiled and replied, “It brings out the pupils in your sparkling eyes.”

Esperanza sat the dress down, and slide her fingers across the family portrait as she admired the smiles of the people in the painting.

“They seem so happy, and fulfilled with life,” Esperanza saud in a sulken voice.

Simon responded after glancing at the chest of golden coins “...and wealthy.”

“I wish I felt the same way.”

“What do you mean? You get rule the entire Pacific Ocean, alongside your Mother and sistets.”

“I am tired of guarding the sea all day long, for the safety of others. I am tired of picking seaweed all day long, so their entire sea can feast. I am tired oh having to obey my mother's every command of sit still, don't slouch, and stop running late.” Esperanza took a deep breath.

“Esperanza, sometimes we have to be satisfied with the life we were given,” Simon replied. “You have to see the good in things at all times, and enjoy the abundance of wonderful things you already have.”

“Like what?”

“You have a mother and sisters that deeply love you. I love you. The other creatures of the sea admire you beauty and talent. You get to sing and dance with your friends at the sea creature ball every year… And, you get to style yourself with beautiful accessories… and might I add, those sea shells really complement your hair.” Simon kissed Esperanza's nose and caressed her hands.

“You're right, Simon.” Esperanza’s face brightened with a smile. 

“You need sleep for tomorrow's sea creature ball,” Simon said.

Esperanza and Simon swam out the windows of the ship as a group of three large clown fish huddled around them.

The first clown fish spoke, “It looks like you're preparing for tomorrow’s creature ball, Esperanza.”

“I already have me song and dance prepared,” Esperanza said.

The second clown fish proclaimed, “we're going to win the talent show, and rein victorious!”

“Compete with yourself all you want,” Esperanza said. “I just want to spread joy and love through my music.”

The third clown fish spoke, “Really? I can bet you a thousand shells you'll trip up on your words in the middle of the performance, like you did last year.” All three of the clown fish began laughing.

“Stop it! You clown fish shouldn't be so mean,” Simon shouted at the group of clown fish. They swam away laughing, and Esperanza dashed away home in tears. Simon trailed alongside her, attempting to cheer her up.