Here's another update! :D Previously, in the first chapter, the following people received ice cream {gave reviews}: Acetrainer777, dorkyreader859, YurMelody, LuvAllPokemon, and Shadow Lillies! Thank you for all of your feedback and support; I'm very grateful! c:

There were a few questions, and those that I can't answer in this chapter will be posted below. If you still have more, feel free to PM me and/or review so that I can spend a few hours thinking about loopholes and how I'll make it work. (;

Question: Don't they know that Drew was the last one to take her out? They would have suspected Drew. Also, how can you hide a person in your room for so long? Well, I just don't think it would take two weeks for her parents to put up posters. Doesn't May miss her parents? -LuvAllPokemon

Answer: I guess I forgot to add a few details! ^^" Okay, first: May's parents don't suspect Drew, because she doesn't physically see or interact with him in their presence. They believe that he has his own life to live, and definitely wouldn't think that he's hiding their precious daughter. Also, I had mentioned the two weeks to make it seem as if some time had passed; nothing that was worthy of noting occurred during that time. Anyways, May's parents support her coordinating, and are aware that she has to travel without their consent. Once a week is over and she still hasn't returned, they begin to become worried, especially with the find-a-boyfriend situation. May doesn't miss her parents, because she's in Drew's house, secretly eating his cookies and drawing on his face while he is asleep. ;D {The proper response to that: Would she really miss her parents after they threatened to set her up? In this case, no. xD}

Well, on to chapter two! Enjoy~ c:

The Betrayal

~Chapter 2~

A million words jab at my mind spontaneously, but none of them manage to escape my mouth. I am staring, shocked, at my childhood rival and the blank expression that currently masks his emotions. There is an awkward pause before I attempt to speak, but he interrupts me before I start.

"Someone is coming upstairs," He observes. "Hide in my closet."

I stand up and take a few steps backwards, almost tripping. My voice comes out shaky when I answer, "O-okay."

Uneasily, I retreat to the back of his walk-in closet and conceal myself behind a nearby shelf. The room is spacious, containing boxes full of miscellaneous items in addition to clothes. I am relieved, because now I have time to think about how I'll react. Maybe that time is unnecessary, because he speaks again.

"I was just kidding about the lover thing, April," He finally murmurs as he tosses me a blanket. "You're my friend, so hiding you isn't a problem. It's not that complicated."

He closes the closet door quickly and I am tempted to take a deep breath. I stare at the bright green blanket in my hands and let my relief pour into it by the warmth of my fingers.

I don't have a chance to reply; the door to his room swings open. The microscopic crack between the closet door and the wall reveals nothing, so I lay down and decide to listen.

"Drew! How are you doing?" She asks, her voice dripping with curiosity. I figure it is Drew's cousin- his mother wouldn't speak in that manner. "What have you been up to?"

"Nothing," He replies smoothly. "I was just-"

"This is such a gorgeous color!" She interrupts him. It is obvious that her interest has suddenly been shifted towards some inanimate object. "Why do you have this?"

"This? I found it in the park." He answers, keeping his voice nonchalant.

"May I have it?" She asks him excitedly. "It's such a vivid shade of red."

This time, he hesitates, leaving me to wonder what could possibly interest her and worry him. "Well...I'm planning to return it to its owner."

"You shouldn't care about that!" She scoffs. "I'm sure they left it there for someone to find."

"Bree, you're being greedy now," He accuses her. "If you really love me-"

"Fine!" She concedes and rushes out of the room. She returns a few seconds later and promptly adds, "Good night, Drew."

He closes his door and sighs. When he approaches the closet door and begins to turn the knob, I hastily throw the soft green blanket over my body and pretend to sleep. The fabric smells of him, roses, and a desired embrace.

-x-

I wake up on a familiar surface, unsure of how I had managed to get there. My memory flashes me back to the night in the closet, but now I lay next to Drew's bed, hidden by the plushy comforter and purposely cluttered area surrounding me. My spot conveniently shields me from detection, since it is between the wall and his bed. On the first morning, I had gotten up as soon as the sun rose. The light from the room's window had fully illuminated the room, despite its curtains.

Our occasional reunions in the past had been overdone, but there is no awkwardness between us now. We had endured plenty of startling moments during our adventures, and he saw this as an opportunity to leave his uniform life. He walks me everywhere now, because the posters indicate that May Maple is alone- she is a fugitive living recklessly, her whereabouts unknown.

Deciding what I wanted was a luxury that I never got to enjoy. As each day passes, I become more convinced that I will eventually return to my old life, with my own decisions lingering on my lips, fresh and sweet.

"Good morning, May," Drew whispers, startling me from my thoughts. He peers at me from above, as if trying to judge my emotions by staring at the top of my head. "Are you well?"

"Yes," I answer as I roll over to see him. There is a pause, before I decide to say, "Thanks for moving me out of your closet."

"Yeah, it gets very cold in there. My room is much warmer, especially with the window," He remarks, smirking. "I could have let you freeze in there, December. You owe me."

I groan and roll my eyes. "What do I owe you, Grasshead?"

"What?" He exclaims, imitating anger as he shoots me an accusing look. "Excuse me, but that isn't how you should address the person who has been sheltering you for about two weeks."

"Right," I respond, and I can't help but smile in the process. I miss our bickering, even if it wasn't really beneficial to our friendship. "So what do I owe you, Prince Hayden?"

"Captive July, you owe me a visit to the park," He announces, grinning smugly as he continues, "If you were listening to my conversation last night, you might recall that something was found in the park. I hope to return it there, if I find its owner."

"Do we have to?" I whine as I bury myself under the comforter. "Is it really necessary?"

Drew gets up and enters his closet, closing the door behind him. "Get dressed. While you get ready, I'll make some breakfast and lunch for us. My parents and my cousin are already gone, so let's hurry and find the owner."

Reluctantly, I raise the comforter and stand up. The light from the window shines on the outfit I choose, drenching it with scarlet dread. When a cloud covers the sun, my eyes adjust, and the cerulean curiosity of my blouse is the only color that blinds my eyes.

-x-

I swallow the last piece of toast eagerly, and it energizes my body, filling me with incredible energy. Drew stands at the front of his vacant house, holding a plastic bag full of food and water. I hastily wash my hands and join him.

"Ready?" He asks, although he already knows my answer. Perhaps he is trying to purposely lure me into a conversation.

"Yes," I answer, less crankily than in his room. The sunlight outside allows me to adjust to the unfamiliar morning light that poured in from his room's window; it is no longer blinding and irritating. He turns around and removes the key from the slot, ensuring that the door is locked.

"Let's go," He decides, taking a few hesitant steps forward, unsure of whether or not I would follow. "We have all day, but I really want to find the owner."

I rush forward and begin to step in sync with him. There is an uncomfortable silence, and neither of us disturb it. There are no new stories to tell and no new memories to create, because we are living in the present together. It is odd, yet somewhat refreshing, to always be by someone's side.

My feet keep my pace as my mind rushes past, to distant fears and impatience. What would happen if I am captured? What will happen to Drew, who has sacrificed so much for my comfort and safety? Will I ever be granted the freedom I desire?

There are no answers, but there are whispers of wind, determining my direction.

"We're here," Drew announces, snapping me out of my wandering thoughts. He continues, incessantly, to the top of a nearby hill. Nothing is there besides soft grass and an oak tree, but the serenity is relaxing. At the top, he doesn't hesitate to drop his plastic bag and lay down on the grass.

On the opposite side of the hill, young children run around fountains and hedges, carefree and amused. Wouldn't it be wonderful- a life with such simple obstacles?

I have lived that life before: the life of the invincible. It is the life of boasting, happiness, friendship and adventure. No one controls you, because you are a Pidgeot, soaring magnificently in the azure sky.

The sky is the same color as it was back then. The familiar trees sway in the distance, protecting everyone. Everything should have been the same, but it isn't. I am still me, but I have changed. People around me have changed. Perhaps, everything in the world has changed, because nothing is familiar to me anymore.

I observe Drew as he unwraps a neatly prepared sandwich and hands it to me. Is he the same rival who had challenged me throughout my journey and mocked me towards uncontrollable anger?

As I take a bite, he watches me, almost nervously. I give him a satisfied smile, and he smiles in return, allowing his body the luxury to relax.

It occurs to me then: Drew cares for me. To him, I am a friend, a companion, or a desperate rival. Either way, couldn't I use him to my advantage?

I am selfish, but I can't deny that I care about his fate as well.

For his benefit, I decide to postpone my decision.

-x-

Our search for the owner of the object yields no results. The sun is gradually setting; we know that we should return to Drew's house as soon as possible. I sigh and roll over to prevent my right arm from getting sunburned, despite the shade of the oak tree.

"May, I think I see the owner of the item," Drew exclaims. He jumps up from the grass and runs down the path, towards the opposite direction of the park. The land is identical, but there are no fountains and hedges to adorn it. I yelp in surprise, because no one is there.

"Drew, come back!" I shout, grateful for the echoes that carry my voice further than I can muster. "You're going the wrong way!"

He hears me and rushes back, panting heavily. "You noticed."

"Of course I would notice," I scoff, crossing my arms. "No one is on that side of the land."

"There is," He says, smirking. "Technically, if you split this hill into two parts, you wouldn't be on the park's side."

"Excuse me?" I ask, bewildered. I shift on my feet uneasily, unable to comprehend what he is trying to say. "So what is the object you're trying to return?"

"It's something of great importance," Drew says calmly. He withdraws a red cloth from his pocket and raises it in my direction. "Hey, May. What do you think red represents?"

"Anger," I reply, because it is the first response that generates in my mind. I do not recognize the object, so I continue, "Extreme fury."

"Really?" Drew muses. He opens up the cloth and smooths out its miniature creases. It gracefully waves in the wind, complemented by the setting sun's crimson light. He looks up and smiles at me, before continuing, "I believe it stands for a new beginning. A glorious new beginning, filled with promise, passion, and friendship."

He returns my bandana to me, and we walk down the hill together.

I apologize for how long I took to deliver this chapter! D: I've been really busy, and it was really difficult to write this. Am I forgiven? ;u;

So, what did you think? c: I know I'm exaggerating May's feelings, but that's how she feels. ^^"
{Oh, right. Cheesy ending for the win. c;}

Please review if you can. I'm giving out free bandanas this time. ;D

~Sapphyiere