AshXSerena

Chapter 1: Macaroons

"PIKACHU, I CHOOSE YOU!", Ash exclaimed his familiar intro to his best friend, who scurried on forth to the battlefield. If I imagined him saying it, I could hear the exact inflection in his voice and see the physical display like it was in person. It doesn't matter who he fights-Ash will always succeed.

"Phew-we did it Pikachu!"

Ash opened his arms as Pikachu bolted straight towards him. It was as if those two were the opposite attractions on a magnet. Bonnie and Clemont were in sync when they cheered for his victory yet again, and I…well, I spent every moment standing here wishing I were Pikachu right now. That's right, I wish I were his other half. Instead, I'm only his friend. Maybe even a best friend, but not THE best friend Pikachu is. I'm Serena, the girl who doesn't seem to have an 'other' in this group I travel with.

"That was great Ash! Another one bites the dust!"

Inner thought as I said that: how cheesy. But I couldn't help it. It's always word vomit and a flushed face around that boy.

"Thanks Serena! Hey, you guys hungry? I know I am after that battle!"

We continue forward on this Kalos journey, and I am physically five feet from him but a million miles away in heart. Well, maybe? I'm not sure if Ash would ever reciprocate feelings towards yet another female companion. I grasp the blue ribbon on my shirt, and my doubts are pushed away…somewhat. I've tried to keep cool around him, but I wonder if Ash has noticed how attracted I am to him…I've always thought I hid it well, but Bonnie insists it's completely obvious to the world. And if that's so, Ash would be bound to know….right? Ash always looks at the smallest details in any situation we get into, either with Team Rocket or in battle, and quickly figures out a solution. So if he can see details quickly without much trouble, does he see me?

"Sylveon, Sylveooon!" I was so lost in thought I didn't seem to notice Sylveon's ribbon like ligament holding my wrist.

"Alright guys, a river is just up ahead. Let's set up camp and eat!" Clemont rushed forward into a clearing, Bonnie in toe.

"Hey Serena, would you make some macaroons tonight? I'd-I mean, Pikachu would really appreciate it!" Ash grabbed his stomach and snickered slightly. Good thing I always have extras made from the last time I made them.

"Here, no wait needed. Just make sure Pikachu saves room for the stew Clemont's about to brew!" I held out a small baggie with about four macaroons inside. All of them cookies and cream flavored, Ash's favorite.

I went over to the campsite and started setting up the lady tent for the night. Bonnie came over to throw her stuff inside when I finished, but plopped down inside where I was changing into my pajamas.

"Boy Serena, do you have any macaroons? Pikachu would like-"

I grabbed a pillow and whacked her. "Bonnie!"

"What? Maybe next time instead of giving him the sweets you should give him a sweet smack on the lips so we can make it official already! I already have to work on Clemont finding a girl. You just need a push!"

I quickly shut the tent opening thinking Ash or Clemont might listen. "Very funny. I don't think that will ever happen." I sunk down and sat across from her, burying my face into my hands while I arched my knees. Kissing Ash is a fantasy. I'd probably have more luck not only becoming the Kalos Queen, but the Queen of the World.

"You mean something to him Serena. Lately, more than usual, I've watched you guys interact. When you turn away, it takes him a second to come back to reality. Maybe he thinks kissing you would just be like a fantasy."

"Ugggggghhhhhhh I can't think about this!" My face was as red as a tomato as I darted out of the tent. I hadn't realized it was already dark out, when I started I swore I was going to watch the sunset.

Nobody was outside when I went over to the fire where the pot of stew hung. One clean bowl was left, and I was thankful there was enough stew for at least one bowl left. Thinking about what Bonnie had said, I grabbed a spoon quickly and started chowing down-

"PFFFT- OUCHIE OW OW OW!" I spit the stew onto the ground and rushed towards the river. I plunged my head into the water, gurgling for sweet relief, when I heard laughing from the surface. Bonnie, for sure.

"You look so funny, haha, like that, hahahaha, oh noooo, haha, I'm so sorry Serena!" Bonnie couldn't even contain herself, and I heard Clemont say something about getting medicine, but I just kept dunking my head into the cool water until the burning stopped.

I stood up all muddy, and I had just bought these new pajamas that looked like a Skitty. I sat on a rock and looked into the stars. As I looked, I saw a shooting star out of the corner of my eye. I never miss a chance to make a wish. I pressed my hands together as hard as I could. I could feel tears rolling down my face from the frustration of not being the Kalos Queen, not telling Ash my feelings, and ruining my new clothes. I feel, in this moment, hopeless.

"I wish I never failed".

"But without failure, we wouldn't have anything to wish for".

My eyes snapped open and my head cocked to the left. There he was , right next to me, sitting with his eyes shut and his hands pressed together. Medicine was next to me on the ground.

"But…Ash…don't you wish that you'd never fail? You'd always win!" I wiped the tears quickly from my eyes.

"If I won every battle, I would never know what its like to fail." His expression lowered from his usual smirk into a frown. "If I never knew failure, I guess I'd already be a Pokemon Master. I'd be able to make my mother proud, and I'd make a name for myself."

"Do you miss home Ash?" I moved a little closer, and got his glance to shift over to me. Full on eye contact-I was red. I could feel it.

"Pallet was never my home, really. My mother and Oak-sure, I miss them everyday. But home is here, on the road, living out my dream. I want it to take time, I want to make memories, and I want to learn about what it's like to truly be a Pokemon Master. I wouldn't be able to see the greatness of it all or appreciate all that I've accomplished if I never faced failure. Sorry, I don't mean to go on, but…Serena, failure pushes you to live out your dreams. Strive to win, and strive even harder when failure is stacked up against you. If you can do that, a greater feeling than happiness will happen!"

Then I saw it, only for a second before he stood, but there was a tear. I was speechless.

"Ash…thank you."

"C'mon now future Kalos Queen, I've got a spare top and shorts you can change into. Gotta say, you made a pretty cute Skitty." He extended his hand and pulled me off the ground. Suddenly, it had felt as if failure had led me to the success in being closer to Ash. It was a perfect moment, until I realized I never took the medicine he brought me. But it was fine, I was already in my tent, already in his clothes, and I didn't even remember why I was sad in the first place….