"I..." May hesitated. What was his point here? Was he asking her to give up travelling? Why did he get so irritated over this little thing? It's not like his life would also be endangered if she travels alone. A part of her mind informed her he was concerned about her safety, but she quickly pushed that deduction aside. He wouldn't be concerned about her, he was the self-righteous Drew after all. Nevertheless, she couldn't deny she was also afraid about going alone in her journey, either...
"I know it's dangerous for me to travel alone," May tentatively said, "I just..."
May fell in silence, battling whether it's a smart move to ask him to join her. She needed someone to take care of her, that's true. But if the person was Drew, she didn't know if she wanted it... It's not like Drew wasn't reliable, but the odds are gossips would start to blow and it would undoubtedly affect their coordinating career. She didn't want that. She didn't like the pressure of being talked about, especially by his fan girls. And there was no way she could stand his arrogant attitude throughout the journey, they would often bicker and that's not a good thing to have in a journey. Moreover, she wasn't sure if Drew wanted a travel partner... He seemed to enjoy travelling alone. If she asked him and he rejected, it would probably be the most embarrassing moment of her life.
What about Harley? He mentioned that he'd be travelling in Johto as well, and had even suggested to travel together.
But on second thoughts, she decided Harley might not be the best travel partner. That guy had conveyed an unknown grudge on her, who knows what he'd do if they go on a journey together.
Soledad... Drew had disclosed Soledad was going to Johto too. Soledad looked mature, maybe travelling with her would be a great idea. They're both girls and no gossips were going to go off. However... Soledad was a sharp, skilled coordinator. If they were to travel together, she'd never catch up on the ribbons unless they take turns to participate in contests. Well...maybe that wasn't really a great idea.
So that left only Drew for her choice.
She denied it, cheering herself by planting thoughts that she'd meet someone new in Johto and they'll be travel partners. But she wouldn't be close enough to that person to find out if they're trustworthy to be her travel companion. She definitely didn't want to be assassinated by her own travel partner just because they had no food left.
Then again, when she started travelling with Ash, they barely knew each other too. Still, she didn't want to take any risks now. Drew was the most acceptable person as of now. When she's with him, she felt secure, as if it's a natural reflex to do so. Her mind had the thought that he'd always come and help her at the right moment. He didn't seem like he cared, but in reality, he had aided her more than she could've realized.
The realization that she'd just realized now was striking her on her head.
He had been aiding her, assisting her away from Harley, alleviating her tenses, constantly pushing her to strive harder...
He had to be the one. Now she just had to figure out how to ask him to join her...without an embarrassing effort. Well, she could drop hints. But the quickest way would be just ask him straightforwardly. Now... How would she do that?
It's true that she wanted a companion, (preferably Drew) but she didn't want to voice out her insecurities. She didn't want to seem weak in front of Drew, especially not him. He was her main rival, she earned his respect, so she didn't want to appear melancholy.
She decided she'd use the vague way.
"Yeah? I'm waiting," Drew's serious expression had already vanished without any trace when she glanced at him. Why did this guy's expression change so quickly like a kaleidoscope?
"I... Well..." May trailed off, bringing her eyes up to seek an eye contact. His eyes were unmistakable, they reflected comprehension and uncertainty in the same time. Although she'd never understand why the uncertainty was there. The way his eyes bore deep into her sapphires nearly made her falter, but she held the gaze anyway.
Catch my hints, please. I know you're smart, Drew.
"Well?"
Whereas Drew knew she wanted a companion, he didn't seem very sure to let her join him. It would be harder for them together than alone, according to his logical thinking. Though, his hormonal mind informed different things.
There were various reasons why he couldn't travel with her, but deeply inside, he knew he wanted to, and he needed to. She couldn't afford to be alone, she was too naïve to go through a region on her own. There were instances where she couldn't protect herself even with her partners around, and he couldn't imagine if she were to be alone. He didn't want her to get into any trouble, not her, at least. He had grown a strange unknown keenness to her, and frankly he didn't know why. It wasn't because those silky thighs, and it certainly wasn't because the smooth skin she possessed. It was something else he couldn't comprehend.
That didn't mean the two previous factors were not included in the contributing factors.
Now, now. He was pretty sure it wasn't her looks that caught his eyes. There were still many girls who had prettier bodily features than she had, it was a fact. But if he had to choose, he'd choose her without qualm. She had this little thing in her which pulled him to be around her, and he doubted he could contain himself from being close to her all the time. If they were going to travel together, it would certainly happen when one day he'd lose his self-control and just kiss her in the middle of the rain.
And he actually liked that to happen someday.
And the first thing he had to make it happen was to be her travel partner.
"I'm all ears," He beamed with a little bit of smugness. The image of her in his arms was too enticing to not be smiled about.
"Umm... I think... I could use a companion..." she trailed, her fingers trembling slightly. Drew smirked, inserting his hand into his pocket.
Great move, May.
"Obviously," Drew agreed calmly, though his head was doing victorious dances. But he wanted to hear his name on her lips, asking him to join her in May's (ridiculous) Expedition.
"Harley invited you, if I recall correctly," he spoke, while successfully containing his laugh by biting his lower lip. May coughed as if Harley was some kind of disgusting medicine she was forced to take.
"Jeez! I couldn't even imagine if it- happens! The image of him travelling with me... is just... gross!" May commented absurdly, "And God knows if he was going to crush me into losing with his malicious tricks again."
"Well, then with whom does the image of your travelling isn't gross?" Drew nuanced.
Don't insinuate, Drew.
She casted a wary glance at him, "Well, Ash, Max, and Brock."
So, you're making this harder, May?
"Of course," Drew deadpanned, "But they are not in the choice now, are they?"
You know what I'm implicating.
"Yeah..." May's word trailed off. She brushed her fingers with the hem of her shirt. From the biting of her lips, he knew she was thinking about something profoundly.
But Drew -albeit impatiently- waited for her reply.
"Dear passengers, we have arrived in Goldenrod City, Johto. Please leave the ship in an orderly manner and do not leave your baggage unattended. Thank you for participating with S.S Gold, and have a nice day." The announcement echoed.
"You."
The word caught Drew off guard as he had just gotten up from his seat. He nearly asked "What?" out of reflex, but his mind worked faster than he had realized.
She was asking him to be her travel partner.
When Drew hadn't have her an answer, she closed her eyes and accepted the rejection. This was going as she'd predicted...
Or did he not understand what she'd just said? After all, she had just said a single word.
But he should, he was-
"Me." came Drew's awaited answer.
He was playing the game.
Whilst waiting, Drew observed her fidgeting and he stood upright, then he found himself restraining to engulf her in a tight embrace. This was not the right moment and place.
May trembled slightly when she affirmed, "Yes, you, Drew. You'd be...the only choice, I guess."
The best choice.
"So, do you mind..accompanying me?" she finished, her eyes darting down to avoid his gaze.
Drew tucked his one hand into his jeans pocket. "It's nice of you to invite me, May, but I..."
May didn't dare to look up at him, she kept her eyes staring at the blue-carpeted floor. She was not disappointed. She was not, in hell, disappointed at herself and his choice. Why would she get disappointed after all? It was his damn right to reject her invitation.
She swiftly got up from her seat and scrambled past him to the exit, but stopped halfway when he continued his words.
"I'd love to..." he uttered, a smirk forming in his lips. May instantly turned to him and stared at him, with wide eyes and an equally wide grin on her face.
"Annoy you endlessly in our journey." He finished. May's grin changed into a smirk. Of course he'd do and say something like that, he was Drew alright.
He walked past her and gestured her to move with a quirk of his head, "Come on, we don't want to get sailed back."
May followed him out with a gigantic smile.
"I can't wait to feel Johto's fresh air!" the brunette exclaimed, earning a chortle from her new travel companion.
