Changes

May's POV

I looked around me, amazed by all the bright colours of the costumes. I turned to my travelling companions, Ash, Brock and Max. We had all conveniently been in the same place at the same time. Because of this, we started travelling together. A lot had changed since the last time we travelled together.

Ash was 18 now, a legal adult (though at times he didn't act like one). His voice had broken a while ago, but it was new to me. It was now pretty low, lower than Brock's now (which I still found kind of funny). He still hadn't gotten rid of the red baseball cap that was always on his head, but you couldn't blame him. Even with growing up, Ash's hair hadn't become any less wild. I'd only seen it without the cap a few times, but it was still just as funny to see it all frizzy and sticking out at odd angles. According to Brock, he was a little less dense, but I hadn't seen proof of that yet.

Brock had calmed down as well. He didn't chase as many girls, desperately trying to get a date. I watched him gasp as he saw a pretty girl. He ran to her and took her hands in his. I rolled my eyes. Maybe not after all…I mean, had anything changed about Brock? His age? He was 24, but really, nothing else seemed to have changed about him. He was still the cook of the group (Ash still hadn't learnt not to burn things), he was still the most sensible (though that could vary depending if there was a girl in his presence or not) of us, still the one to give out advice, still on his journey to be a Pokémon breeder. What else had changed? Nothing. I actually couldn't think of anything.

Now Max was the one who had changed the most. He was much taller, having gone through a growth spurt. He was only 15 and I was 17, but he stood (quite a fair bit I should add) taller than me. He was less…ah…chubby than he was as well, having grown out of his baby fat. He had decided to become a Pokémon trainer and battle for gym badges. He wanted to get lots of experience with gym battles so he could one day take over the Petalburg gym from my dad. Something I respected him for. He had decided that he would be the one to take over so that I could continue with my dreams of being the best coordinator in the whole world. He'd also changed from wearing thick glasses, to wearing contacts. He had found that battling with glasses on could be very distracting. His hair was a shade darker, but the most that had changed? He was no longer a whiny little kid. He was now a whiny little (or not so little) teenager. Truthfully though, he had matured a lot, but he still liked to complain. It wasn't as annoying though because his voice was lower and less nasally since it had broken, not the high pitched whine it used to be.

I had changed a little bit too. I had grown a little so now I was at a comfortable average height for a girl my age (Max was just tall that was all). I still had my signature bandana to keep my hair out of the way, but I wore it differently. Instead of covering all my hair except two dog-eared chunks to the side, all my hair was at the back and the bandana went down behind my ears, more like a headband, but a really thick one made of fabric. My body had…uh…developed during the years. I had grown out of my baby fat as well and my waist was satisfactorily small, giving me a rather nice, slim hourglass figure. The bag I usually wore around my hips was now exchanged for a backpack (the straps had become too small to fit over my hips and it was uncomfortable around my stomach). Other than that, I was still the same (though I'd like to say my temper had died down a bit).

I snapped out of my thoughts when I bumped into someone (yeah, I was still fairly clumsy) and fell over.

"Ouch. Oh my gosh. I'm sor-" I stopped as I saw who it was.

"Clumsy as ever May," he chuckled. Wow. I did not expect to see my rival and friend here. He offered his hand and I took it. He yanked me back up to my feet and he let go quickly. If there was one thing I've learnt about Drew, it was he did not like physical contact. He was only touch hands if he had to, like to shake hands or help me off the ground and he always let go quickly after.

Thinking about change, Drew had changed as well. He wasn't so short anymore, also having gotten a growth spurt during his younger teenage years and he stood taller than me. Not quite a tall as Max (who I was starting to think was part giant), but tall enough so if he were really close to me, he could rest his chin on my head. Not that I ever thought he would do that. His hair had darkened slightly, and his green eyes were still just as vibrant and piercing as ever. He had also grown out of his baby fat, but unlike Max (who was actually pretty lazy); he had replaced it with the slightest hints of muscle. Being a coordinator (and a good one at that) he was training a lot and didn't really have time to 'work out', but he still kept his body in good shape. His voice had also dropped lower, but unlike the other two boys, I had been there when it broke.

It was another contest and like usual, Drew and I had arranged to meet up. We did this every time, just to keep on friendly terms and well, to get in a good competing spirit. Though that one time, Drew wasn't talking. I had been trying to talk to him, but he only shrugged, nodded or shook his head at me. I was wondering what was up with him and so I asked him why he wasn't talking. He shook his head vigorously. For the rest of the time, I kept bugging him about it and he eventually opened his mouth to tell me to shut up. I was surprised when his voice came out shaky with a high pitched squeak in the middle. I had blinked a few times before bursting out laughing. It was just too funny. Drew had blushed furiously, which just made me laugh more. I had never seen him that flustered and unconfident before. For a long time after (a couple of months), Drew refused to talk unless he had to. When he did start to talk again, his voice was deep and silky and totally worth the embarrassing period of squeaks and breaks (though he still didn't believe anything could be worth that).

I snapped out of my thoughts for the second time when Drew waved his hand in front of my face.

"Hey May!" he called, "you there?"

"Yeah," I replied, blinking my stinging eyes a few times. Why did I have to have my eyes open the whole time?

"Do you space out often?" He asked.

"N-no," I stuttered, "I was just thinking about the changes everyone went through."

"Oh is that right?" he questioned, raising his eyebrow, "does that include me. You know I've gotten even more handsome."

"No, I was thinking about how your voice broke," I retorted hotly. That's what didn't really change. He was still pretty full of himself, though not as much.

"I thought we agreed to never speak of that," he growled.

"I never agreed to such a thing," I said, "but it's not like anyone would care. Every guy goes through a voice break. I was just lucky enough to hear yours."

"Shut up," he growled, his cheeks going pink. I smirked. It was the only thing I could say that could get through Drew's façade. Talking about his voice break, but I didn't do it too often.

"I wish I could've recorded it," I teased, "I'm sure many fan girls would've gone nuts for Drew Hayden's voice break. I could've been rich." He growled lowly again, scowling as he furiously tried to fend off his blush. I had learnt that Drew also hated blushing and always tried to get rid of it as soon as he could.

"I'm sure the press would've been pretty interested as well," I continued with a teasing smirk, "and they could've played it on national TV or radio. Or I could've given it to some serious techy and they could've bugged every electronic device to play it. Then the whole world could hear it."

"Be quiet May," he snapped, "Don't be embarrassing or I won't help you."

"Help me?" I questioned, "Why do I need help?" It was his turn to smirk, his blush finally fading away.

"Well, unless you're travelling alone again, I'd say you're lost," he replied. I looked around, quickly and panicking. Where was Ash? Max? Brock? Oh gosh. He was right. Somehow when I was deep in thought I had separated from them. Drew smirked.

"You'll help me find them right?" I laughed nervously, "You wouldn't just leave me would you?"

"May, seriously. How low do you think of me?" he said, smirking, "Of course I'll help you. We are rival friends aren't we?"

"Just checking."

"Look there they are," Drew said, pointing. We'd been only walking together for a little while. How had we found them that fast? I looked ahead, following his finger. There they were. They were sitting on a bench just ahead.

"Ash!" I yelled, waving to try to get his attention, "Ash!" He looked around as I got closer, Drew following close behind me.

"Did you hear May?" I heard him ask.

"I'm right here you idiot," I called.

"There you are May," Brock exclaimed, "We were just walking and then we realized you'd wandered off."

"And so we waited here for you," Max continued.

"I knew we'd spot you if you came passed," Ash finished, "you're one of the few who aren't wearing fancy costumes."

"Hey is that Drew?" Max asked, spotting him.

"Yes," I replied, "Drew helped me get back to you guys."

"Well, that's nice of him," Ash said, "Why are you here Drew?"

"The festival," Drew replied, "Solidad has been going on about it non-stop. She couldn't come, being pregnant and all. Harley's busy fussing over her. I thought I'd be nice and check it out for her."

"Aww, Drew's helping out Solidad," I cooed. I knew Drew had a soft spot for her, even if he didn't admit it. Not romantically either, just a soft spot. He had great respect for her and saw her as a role model. She was sort of like an older sister to him.

"Hush May," Drew hissed, "of course I'm helping out Solidad."

"Hey, everyone's wearing traditional costumes. Must be part of the dress code for the festival," Max said, coming between us.

"Great deduction, genius," Drew said sarcastically.

"But we don't have costumes," I said.

"You can get them at the palace," Drew said, flicking his hair, "says so in the brochure, but I wouldn't have expected you to read it." I curled my fists by my side.

"Let's go check them out," Ash said, "Drew you should come with us."

"Might as well," Drew shrugged, "I'd probably bump into you guys again anyway."

"What do you think you'll dress up as Ash?" Max asked.

"Something heroic!" He exclaimed, his face determined, "What about you May?"

"Oh, definitely a princess or something," I sighed, "What else would there be?" Drew smirked at me.

"Don't answer that!" I yelled at him.

A/N: I'm so excited to start my new story! Yay! First chapter is just a little bit of an introduction to each of the characters. Yes again, I have put them older, but I find it easier to write with them older. So hope you enjoy this one as much as I'm going to enjoy writing it (a lot mind you).