"No, no, Ash, like this!" Serena showed him the steps again. She heard Bonnie giggle behind her as Ash struggled to learn the dance they were attempting to teach him. Serena sighed in frustration. "Sorry, Ash, but you just have no sense of rhythm at all!" Bonnie exclaimed.
Ash sighed in defeat. "Aw, I know this can't be easy for you…" Serena started. "You can say that again," he huffed, interrupting her.
"Maybe we should try something a little… slower?" Serena suggested. Her cheeks bloomed in a slight blush. Bonnie, the infinitely clever six-year-old, could sense what was coming. "Clement, I'm hungry. Can we go get a snack?" Clemont looked at her, confused. "Bonnie, we just ate. How could you possibly be hungry again?"
"I don't know, I just am! Please take me!" She whined, her eyes big and pleading. Clemont sighed, giving in. "Okay, I guess- Bonnie, wait!" He yelled as she ran towards the door.
Serena giggled, grateful to Bonnie for getting Clemont out of the way. "Okay, Ash, we're going to try a waltz. It's a little slower, so it should help you get a sense of timing at least." The boy's brown eyes lit up in hope, making Serena smile. "Okay, let's do it!" He said, voice renewed with energy.
"Alright, come here. Put your hand here, and the other here…" Serena couldn't believe it. She was holding one of his hands! And the other was on her waist! She was so close to him… If only she knew what he was thinking. If he was as nervous about being so close to her.
"I'll lead, so just follow my movements. It's an easy one-two-three step, okay?" Serena stepped backwards with her right foot, and Ash did the same. "One, two, three, one two three…"
They danced across the field for a while, and Ash seemed to be getting it. His brow was furrowed as he concentrated on their feet, moving in unison.
Serena was happy. So, so, so happy. Watching this boy she had traveled with for so long, and known even longer, she felt her affection for him rising. He was so concentrated, so determined, so…. Cute. No wonder she liked him, who wouldn't? And this moment was so intimate, she wished she could stay here forever. Everything was going well, perfect, even, until…
"Ouch! Ash, that's my foot!" Serena yelped, her perfect moment shattered as he stepped on her foot. "Serena! Are you alright? I'm so sorry!" Ash cried.
"I'm okay, I'm okay. Don't worry about it!" She said to his worried expression.
Grinning sheepishly, he scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry. I guess I really do have two left feet." Sighing deeply, his energy gone, Ash went to sit on a bench near the building. "Maybe we should just stop. It's clear that I'm never going to get this. If I can't even keep the beat to something with four steps, how am I supposed to improve?"
Serena felt her joy fade as she looked at his dejected face. Sitting next to him she said, "Well, maybe you just have your own battle style. Rhythm just isn't for you. Ash, you're a fantastic battler anyway. Just follow the beat of your heart instead of the beat of music."
Ash looked at her, amber eyes lit. "A style of my own….That's it, Serena! You're incredible! Thanks!" And he was gone, off to develop his own style, probably.
Serena was left alone on the bench, watching him run off with fondness alight on her face. "Wait…. Incredible?! He called me incredible!"