Never Goodbye

Serena and Ash had been friends since they were five. Since then the pair had gone through a lot, from pranking the neighbours to one letting the other cheat on their final exams. Oh and getting in lots of trouble in school. Well if you are wondering how the sweet Serena got in trouble for pranks, well let's just say she was the cover up for half the time for Ash's pranks.

Today was the final ending ceremony of their school life. They would be joining college from next year.

Everyone was enjoying the party. Some were shading tears for going to different colleges, while others were dancing, singing, and what not.

Ash could see Serena was having a good time with her friends. She was smiling the brightest smile. As she always does. He was kind of jealous of her 'friends' and his classmates who were spending most of the time with her, and he was sitting in the corner with his bunch, playing cards. He wanted her to join him, not them.

"Earth to Ash, it's your turn. You can look at Serena once you go home, all night."

"Shut up Gary! She lives beside my house, not inside." Ash yelled out of embarrassment. It wasn't a secret among his friends that the boy loved his childhood friend. But that still didn't stop him hiding his true feeling. At least trying. Always denial.

"Yea whatever, you better get her to your room tonight, because I heard she got accepted in Tokyo University, they seem to offer her college studies there."

Ash shifted his eyes off from Serena and looked at the girl beside Gary in disbelief.

"You must be joking Shauna!" Ash gasped when she shook her head.

"I got offer from there too, we both got a place there." Shauna added.

Ash was still in disbelief as he glanced back at Serena who was having a drink with her friends.

"I can't believe she didn't tell that to me…" Ash whispered, loud enough for his friends to decipher.

"Well whatever you do Ash, just remember it's her future. Don't force your selfish desires on her, and stop her from going there." Shauna spoke in a serious tone.

"I am n-not selfish!" Ash glared at the girl. "How can you…" He looked down and gritted his teeth in frustration. He was indeed about to tell her not to go to Tokyo and stay with him here for college. He never thought if he had said that to her, he would be doing exactly what Shauna just said.

"Uh.. guys let's not think too much now. Let's enjoy our last day."

Ash didn't listen to the rest of the stuff, he was too lost in his own thoughts. He had read in books how childhood friends get separated like this and never meet again for so long until she or he comes back like a complete different stranger. Ash didn't want that. He didn't want a Serena which he couldn't recognize. He wanted the Serena he knew now. He just didn't want her to…

'Leave me..' He shut his eyes.

"Gosh Ash are you crying?"

"What a kid…"

He opened his eyes and indeed. Drops of tears fell on the cards that he was holding.

He wiped his tears quickly and placed the cards on the table before standing up.

"Sorry guys, I will be going home. Catch you later." His voice was low. His friends didn't try to say anything to him and just nodded. This was the first time they had seen him cry. The normally energetic prank star, the ace of the soccer team, the guy who could have any girls in school, was in this state. They were shocked. But what they didn't know is how much Serena meant to him. They didn't know anything.

A few minutes after Ash had left, Serena approached Gary and Shauna, not aware of anything prior to her arrival.

"Hey Shauna, did you see Ash around?" Serena asked her best friend. Shauna shook her head and acted uninterested. "Didn't see him."
"Shauna!" Gary looked at her incredulously in disbelief. Wasn't Ash her friend too? Why was he acting so cold towards him?

Shauna ignored him and looked back at Serena. "Just enjoy the party Serena, you will meet him at home anyway."

"I know but." Serena tried to scan the area to find him. "I still haven't told him about my offer. I wanted to get his approval and-"

"Approval? What are you a kid?" Shauna stood up and looked at her angrily. "Serena make your own decision, you are not a kid anymore. Why would you need his approval for this? He isn't going to make your future."

Serena slightly backed from her outburst. She had never seemed the angry type to yell at her. What was wrong with her today?

"Uh.. um.. I." Serena tried to come up with something but she couldn't.

"Look Serena, I know you and him go a long way, but that doesn't mean you should give up on Tokyo just because he happened to not like it. It is your future. Don't make any rash decision that you will regret later."

Serena just slowly nodded. She didn't have any answer. But the irony is how true Shauna's words will be true in future. How much she will regret her decision tonight.

(Scene Change)

Later that night, Serena thought for a long time about how to approach Ash. She didn't have the courage to hear his response. Last thing she wanted was for him to hate her. Then she remembered her earlier talk with Shauna. Whatever she said was right. She couldn't leave this offer. Getting into Tokyo university later would be career changing for her. She always wanted to be a movie star. A scholarship in Tokyo would just be a stepping stone for the future. She can't miss this opportunity.

Serena knocked on Ash's apartment and was promptly opened by his little sister.

"Oh hi Serena-san!" The three year younger girl greeted.

"Hello Ritz." Serena smiled back. "Is Ash home?"

"Yes Onii-chan is in his room. He didn't have dinner yet though. He wouldn't let me in!" Ritz complained as she let Serena in.

Serena just smiled.

"I will talk to him, and promise will drag him to dinner."

"Hmp. Why would I care." Ritz crossed her arms with a pout.

Serena just laughed at the younger girl's antics. She was a lot like Ash. Energetic and prideful. Also the never give up thing.

Serena walked towards Ash's room and was met with a locked door when she tried to open the door.

"I am not eating Ritz! Go the fuck away!" Came the loud yell from inside.

Serena frowned from his language. "It's me Serena." She responded.

There was no response for half a minute before she grew impatient and was about to knock again, but heard the door knob click.

She twisted the knob and the door was open to her relief.

(Scene Change)

"Ash why are you not eating, are you ill?" Serena asked as she took a seat beside the boy on his bed.

Ash mouthed a small no as he kept his eye busy on the ground which he found more interesting for some reason.

"Oh.. okay." She was unsure if he was saying the truth. She soon remembered what she originally came here for. All her courage left her instantly now that she was here.

"Ash… um… I gotta tell you something." She began. "You see um.."

"You got accepted from Tokyo University." Ash spoke up.

"Huh?" She looked at him, perplexed before realization hit her. How did he know?! She was having second thoughts about if she heard it right.

"I said you got accepted from Tokyo University." Ash repeated, this time with a slight harsh tone.

"Oh um yea.. right!" She tried to smile, but felt an uneasy feeling on her chest.

Ash flinched his palm slightly. "I see, so what did you decide?" He asked. Inwardly he was nervous, scared and saddened. He didn't want to hear her reply. He already knew it. And he was right.

"Well um… I believe it's a really good offer and."

"Good then." Ash cut her off. "It's a good university so good for you." Ash didn't want to talk much and blow off. Last thing he wanted was to get mad at her.

"Uh yea so.. um… I was wondering what you think about it?" Serena asked hesitantly. She had been firm on her decision that she would go to Tokyo, but regardless she still asked him. She didn't know why, but she just felt wrong. Everything felt wrong.

"Does it matter?" Ash looked up as they locked eyes. His fierce orbs with her nervous ones.

"W-What you mean?" She asked nervously. "Are you mad at me?"

Ash let out a dry laugh. "Whatever." He took a deep breath before calming down. "Well you decided to go there, I don't know why you asking me about what I think?"

Serena furrowed her eyebrows as a frown plastered her face. "What you mean by that? Can't I ask for your opinion now?"

"Oh? Last checked you ask for opinion before a decision is made, not afterwards." Ash snarled, not caring to hide his anger anymore.

"W-Why you acting so rude!" Her eye began to blur with tears.

Ash opened his mouth to respond but seeing her cry he softened. He hated her for leaving him, but he hated her tears even more.

"I am sorry." He apologized as he scratched his hair. "I was just um.. angry that you didn't tell me before Shauna." He lied. He could care less about that at this point. All he wanted was her to stay. But he couldn't come in between her dream.

Serena quickly wiped her tears and looked at him. "I am so sorry Ash! It's not like I didn't want to tell you! We both received offer so she called me earlier and I kind of told her about it. I swear I you were the first person I was about to tell!"

Ash didn't care about her explanation. He could care less about that shit now. The real reason was still hidden under his fake mask.

"Ash I am really sorry…"

"Don't worry about it." Ash replied. "Let's go have dinner."

"Wait Ash." She called out.

"What is it?" He asked as he scanned her eyes. She was nervous.

He took another deep breath before pulling her up from the bed. He stepped closer to her and caressed her cheek with palm. "You are leaving tomorrow is that what you are nervous about?"

Serena widened her eyes in shock. How did he know that? Her college doesn't start before September so she had good four months, but she wanted to familiarize with Tokyo before that. So her parents decided for her to live with her Aunt for that time and find a part time job.

"H-How did you know?"

Ash stepped back and smiled sadly. "Your mom told my mother. That's how."

"Oh…" She responded and looked down. "Ash I-"

"Stop getting sad now Serena. It's a wonderful offer and you shouldn't have second thoughts." He put his hands on her shoulder and gave assuring grip on hers. "I will be rooting for you, make sure you become the prettiest actress!"

Serena couldn't control her emotions as she bawled her eyes off and didn't care how bad she sounded. She hugged him dearly and cried on his chest.

Ash was slightly surprised but soon patted her on the back to calm her down. He kept a smile on regardless of how much conflicted emotions he was hiding.

A year had passed since that day. It was the last time he had seen her since then. Ash received calls from her for the first few months. But soon the calls began to come lesser and shorter. Until now. She barely calls him anymore. He tried to call her to check if everything was alright. He had left voice mails. Sms, emails. He would get a reply after weeks and a short 'yes' or 'I am busy, catch you later.'

"The number you dialled is currently –beep."

Ash sighed as he threw the phone on his bed. He looked at his watch, it was almost time for his match.

He quickly took a shower and dressed up in his sports kit. He hung his bag on his back and closed his door.

"Onii-chan, you are dropping me to school, don't you dare to leave me like last time!"

"Yeah whatever. Come down in five minutes."

"Wait breakfast- gosh!"

(Scene Change)

"Well thanks for the ride." Ritz smiled at her brother who dropped her off to her school which was a few miles away from his. Ash had recently got a bike licence so he had been dropping her off regularly… almost.

"You're welcome. Give me a call when you are done."

"You will pick me up?" She raised her eyebrows in suspicion. "You are being extra cute today, something good happened?"

"Idiot, go to school. Catch you later."

"Bye!"

(Scene Change)

Ash parked his bike on the backside of the school and entered the playing field. Today their college was going to face some under 19 pros in a practice match. He got permission from the teacher to miss his first lecture as this was important for both parties and was accepted.

Ash soon met up with Gary, Paul and rest of the team members.
"Ash you didn't come for practice." Gary commented.

"Ah yea, I had to drop my sister off." He replied as he began to change his shoes.

"Oh that cutie. Ash I really want her number will you-"

"No." Came the usual answer from Ash. Gary had the biggest crush on his sister, but Ash was strictly opposed to his advances. After all he knew what a playboy he was. Last thing he wanted was his sister to fall for the same trap. Not that he believed he had any chance with her. She was not an easy catch.

"Stingy."

"Stop with your whining and focus on the match." Came the voice of their manager, Dawn Berlitz. Dawn met Ash, Gary and the rest after they joined this college. She originally came from Odaiba so it was her first time here. The girl was really cheerful and goofy which matched well with them and before they knew, she was part of their friend circle.

"And Ash, make sure to put those bastards to their place. Their shitty manager taunted me!" Dawn whined.

"Ash looked past her and could see the smirk on that old fat bastard.

"You bet I will." He grinned as he hi-fived with Dawn. It was their little play thing that they always did. Dawn was a fun girl to mix with and Ash liked her company, which was mutual on Dawn's part. They had become friends quite faster due to them having similar interests and habits. Sometimes Ash saw Serena in herself. But then he came to reality. He didn't know how Serena was anymore. She didn't call him anymore. Maybe she forgot about him, he thought. Was he angry at her? He didn't know the answer. He just did his best to ignore any thoughts about her. He was confused and he would rather stay confused then searching for answers.

"Five goals. That's how many I will score."

"Good luck!"

(THE END)

Hi this is the newest Ash x Serena fanfic I thought of! Hope you liked it, let me know in pms if you have any suggestions!

I do plan to make it Ash x Dawn at some point, but I am almost sure it's going to end as SatoSere. But let's see, I change my plan based on how the story progresses and readers suggestions.

Anyways, REVIEW!