Hello! I'm a new user, and this is my first fanfic! I've decided to make it Contestshipping. c:
Lately, I've been inspired by some fanfics I've read about this pairing. In my opinion, this is the one couple in the Pokemon anime in which the attraction to each other is completely obvious. x3
Please enjoy and review afterwards, if you can. ^^ I enjoy receiving feedback, and I would like to know what you think of this story so far. I also allow anonymous reviews as well, so everyone is welcome to leave a little comment. ;u;
By the way, this entire story will be written in May's point of view. :D
The Betrayal
~Chapter 1~
"I hope you understand," my parents say to me. I wonder to myself if I am actually listening; my fingers are drumming on my lap in irritation while their words surround me. They float in the air, ignored, because I don't feel like deciphering them.
"May, this is for your benefit," my mother concludes. "You won't support yourself or anyone else if you're alone against the world."
My eyes leave the comforting texture of my delicate fingers. I open my mouth to speak, forming the unfamiliar words on my bitter tongue, "I understand. I promise things will change very soon."
"Good," my father says, wearily looking up at me. He leans back in his chair, visibly exhausted from the stress of the situation. His infrared Poketch suddenly beeps, and his attention is momentarily shifted to it.
Another gym battle, I realize, almost smiling. Another diversion that gives me more time.
He grabs his six complimentary Pokemon and stretches before he leaves. His right foot leaves the back door and his left foot hovers above the colorful 'Home Sweet Home' mat that separates the entrance from the wide expanse of hardwood and tile in the rest of the house.
He turns sharply, watching me carefully as my eyes meet his. "Another thing," he murmurs. "If you don't get a boyfriend soon, we'll find one for you."
-x-
I don't expect to see him so suddenly. His mischievous green eyes sparkle; he seems to think that I am flabbergasted at the sight of him. Yet, there is no reason not to be- he has grown taller and more handsome.
I tear my gaze away from him and awkwardly acknowledge his presence. "Drew," I say, my voice barely a whisper, "Hi. I didn't expect to see you."
He leans forward and frowns, abandoning his smug demeanor. "Is something wrong? You don't seem as if you would slap me and start your uncontrollable stream of insults."
I bite my lip suddenly, because somehow, it is so tempting to tell him everything. He is honest with his words; slapping him and returning his crude jokes was what I would normally do when I encountered him. "Nothing's wrong," I reply smoothly. "I'm just a little stressed,"
"Why?" he asks, smiling slightly. "Loosen up, June. It's April, the freezing temperatures of winter are gone, and the weather is pretty amazing. I should take you somewhere. Do you want to go to the nearby ice cream parlor?"
No thanks, I want to interrupt. I'm just a little angry at my parents for trying to set me up with random guys throughout the Hoenn region. Instead, I twirl a lock of my hair around my finger and consider the option. Without thinking, I reply, "Sure."
"Awesome," he says, appearing a lot more cheerful than he had previously been. He smirks and his normal personality returns as he escorts me there. Without hesitation, he adds, "You're gonna pay though."
We step into the parlor and the cold air refreshes me: it chills my skin but makes the fire in my heart burn brighter. The sensation is unique, but it only lasts a few seconds. Without immunity to my freezing surroundings, I shiver and rub my hands together in an attempt to warm myself up.
"That's fine," I finally reply as he finishes making the order. "Thanks for taking me."
He tilts his head in confusion and studies me closely. "What? No argument? Geez, March, are you sure you're fine? Normally, you would be..."
We stop and sit at a small table as we wait for our ice cream to arrive. His voice fades, and he realizes that making me feel abnormal wouldn't help the situation. Silence becomes a barrier between us, and he seems a little uncomfortable.
"Order for two!" a bubbly waitress interrupts, setting down a tray and hurriedly withdrawing a few napkins from a dispenser. She winks at me and then hurries off, her long hair streaming behind her.
"In the end, I paid," Drew mutters, forging an annoyed expression. "But I guess it's okay, because guys always have to do this stuff."
"Strawberries, submerged into layers of vanilla ice cream, then drenched with chocolate fondue," I whisper. "How do you remember my preferences for ice cream?"
He looks away and immediately starts devouring his ice cream. "It was only a guess," He says quickly. "That choice has been popular for a while."
-x-
We leave the parlor and encounter the darkened sky. It is getting late, and I should probably return home, but I can't. I can't go back home, because I'm afraid they will force me into a life in which I don't want to live.
"December, it's getting pretty late," Drew points out, watching the cars rush past us. "If you get hit by a car on your way home, in the dark, I'll be the one who will be blamed for not properly escorting you home."
What an excuse, I want to exclaim sarcastically. Take me home, then. I really would enjoy the luxury of feeling safe and secure. Instead of a confident answer, my voice comes out shaky and I can't stop the stream of words that I desperately want to take back: "I don't want to return home. I don't know where I'll go or what I'll do, but I don't want to encounter my parents again."
"Then come," He answers for me, before I continue. "Come to my house. You can hide there, until you're ready to go back."
"You would let me?" I gasp, unable to hide my surprise. My eyes flicker with sudden hope and I feel exhilarated. "You won't reveal my location to my parents?"
"I won't," He finally says. He looks at the ground, almost shyly, before continuing, "We have to hurry though. I can't tell my parents or my cousin, because they will return you to your parents when they find out. You're going to have to be really silent, as if you aren't there, but I'll stay at home and take you places after my parents leave for work and my cousin runs off to hang out with her friends. Are you sure you're up for this?"
"It's definitely better than having to be around my parents," I admit. "I'll go."
-x-
A week passes and no one has found me yet. My parents probably think I'm out for a miniature getaway, but once they find out that I won't return, I suspect that bad things will happen. Maybe they'll forget and stop pursuing me and the imaginary life that they wish to orchestrate.
Two weeks pass and my parents are finally aware that they might never see me again. Posters of "Missing: May Maple - light brown hair and sapphire-blue eyes" spring up throughout the city. Drew has bought me a curler; my hair falls in glorious curls, cascading just past my shoulder blades, and I am not recognizable. The posters look as if they portray a completely different girl.
"Drew, why have you agreed to do this?" I ask him one night, as he gives me a few slices of toasted bread. I eat them ravenously, savoring the delicious bites as they melt in my mouth. "The posters-"
"Because, May," he interrupts gently. Suddenly, he rushes towards his desk and detaches a single paper from underneath an enormous stack of textbooks. He holds out a "Missing: May Maple" poster and lays it out in front of me. "The reward for your capture and safe return is currently $300,000."
Although I knew that my parents would add a reward, the amount shocked me. It was almost a third of the money I had made on my journey through Hoenn. I cannot stop the gasp or the dizziness that follows his statement. Then, a wave a terror paralyzes me, followed by immediate surprise. "These posters have been around the city for at least half of this week. Why hesitate to turn me in?"
"I'm not finished, January," He says, a bright smile forming on his face. "My life is boring, anyways. This new lifestyle is so exciting and rebellious."
"That's it?" I ask, astonished. "You're sacrificing a potential $300,000 and safety from the police, your parents, and your cousin?"
He stares into my eyes and sighs as he spontaneously hands me a rose. "Must I make it that simplistic, May?" His voice is a gentle whisper; his face is almost scarlet. "If you love someone, you are willing to sacrifice anything for them."
There you have it: the first chapter of the so-called "Betrayal". I bet none of you believe that a chapter with such a fluffy ending would end up starting a dramatic plot full of secrets and what-not. But it will, that is, if everything goes according to my plan. c:
{I hoped I kept at least some of Drew's character correct ^^"}
Did you notice that in the confession, Drew actually called May by her real name? x3
About the $300,000: That was inspired by my Pokemon Emerald game that I played a long time ago. I remember being frustrated because I couldn't get past $999,999 and becoming a millionaire. $300,000 is about a third, so I wanted something that people could reference to the impact of the 'sacrifice'.
All reviewers will be rewarded an ice cream treat from the parlor mentioned in this chapter. c:
~Sapphyiere