Yo. Serena may seem OOC in this story. Then again, she's a new character, so we don't know her full personality yet.
As you may of may not have known, I answer any questions I get in reviews. So here's some Q&A.
Ultratron562
Pretty good so far, I always thought May and Serena looked a lot alike, glad that that I voted for this.
Answer: I know, this one's not a question, but I had to respond to this review. THANK YOU. When I first saw Serena, I too thought she looked ridiculously similar to May. Glad there's someone out there who agrees.
Qruis
okay... i like it but something doesn't fit in my mind... "Serena MAPLE", from what I know, in the fandom her last name is "Yvonne", but i guess i can get used to it. the same with the stereotypical nerd Ash. it was really nesesary to add the braces? And how Red can be mute? he speaks at the mangas... lets see what happends next ;)
Answer: The braces are necessary. Having them adds to Ash's large amounts of insecurity and lowers his confidence. And I've never read the manga, so I didn't know Red could speak. I purposely made him mute for two reasons. The first reason is for running gags such as "Red's handy dandy black marker, which he has at all times". The other reason is that at some times, Red's inability to speak will become a major inconvenience or obstacle.
Okay, now that that's over, enjoy chapter 2: Crushes!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own pokemon.
Chapter 2
Crushes
Luckily, before Kenny could speak to the girls, Professor Rowan opened the door. Red had never been so happy to see a teacher in his life.
"Come on in students. Ladies, please stop suffocating Mr. Ketchum and enter the classroom." said Professor Rowan, not amused with the girls' antics over Red.
The girls reluctantly backed off from Red, and entered the classroom. Before entering the classroom, Red looked around for Kenny, who he saw walking down the hallway. Red felt a wave of relief wash over him. It seemed Kenny wasn't in his math class.
"Mr. Ketchum, are you going to enter the classroom or not?" asked Professor Rowan.
Red quickly walked into the classroom, adjusting his hat as he entered. Most of the girls sighed in adoration as he adjusted his hat, but Serena and May didn't. May didn't because she simply wasn't paying attention, but Serena saw it, and she had no response. Red was flabbergasted. Red was in love.
Professor Rowan closed the door behind him and ordered all the students to line up and wait for him to assign their seats. One by one he called the students names, telling them where to sit.
"Redwood Ketchum. Fourth Row, second desk."
Red walked to his assigned seat, and prayed that Serena's seat would be near his.
"Serena Maple. Fifth Row, second desk."
Red's head almost exploded in joy. Serena's seat was right next to his! Red could hardly contain his joy. He watched as Serena sat next to him, her beautiful cyan eyes looking out the window. Red spent 99.9% of the period watching Serena out of the corner of his eye, with a small smile on his face.
Little did he know, Serena was fully aware that he was sneaking glances at her.
By noon, lunch time had come. Ash entered the cafeteria, hungry as could be.
"Where's Red?...He said he'd pick our lunch table today." thought Ash aloud, as he looked around.
He finally spotted Red sitting at a table all the way in the back of the cafeteria. Ash walked over to the table and sat.
"Hey Red. How was your morning?" asked Ash.
Red pulled out his handy dandy black marker, which he had at all times, and a notebook. He then proceeded to write about how his day was going. He then handed the sheet to Ash.
"Well, I met Serena and May, those twin girls Mom was talking about. Apparently they've met you as well. They're both pretty, but Serena is DIVINE! I've never seen any girl as beautiful as her! And even better, HER SEAT IS NEXT TO MINE IN MATH! She's smart, kind, and beautiful! So, I guess you could say my morning went well. How's your day going?"
"My morning has been pretty uneventful... when I met Serena and May, I kind of- what are you looking at?" said Ash, noticing Red wasn't paying attention anymore.
He turned his head in the direction Red's was turned. Ash's eyes widened. It was May and Serena, looking for a place to sit. It seemed like they were having trouble finding a table that could take in both of them. Ash then looked at the table he and Red were seated at. There was more than enough room for both girls, considering it was only Ash and Red at the table.
Ash looked at Red, and Red's facial expression said it all. He was going to invite May and Serena to their table. That was the last thing Ash wanted.
"Red, don't you dare-"
Red waved to Serena and May, ignoring Ash.
Out of the corner of her eye, May saw somebody waving their arm. She looked, to see two familiar boys, with enough space at their table.
"Hey look Serena, it's the Ketchums! Why don't we sit with them? It seems like Red want us to." said May.
"No." said Serena flatly.
"Why not?" asked May.
"I'd rather not." said Serena.
"Nonsense!" laughed May as she waved back at Red, blatantly disregarding Serena's will.
Ash felt chills down his spine when he saw May wave back. It sent even more chills down his spine when they started walking towards their table.
"Dude! WHY?!" whispered Ash.
Red gave Ash a questioning look.
"Well, maybe if you were paying attention, I would have gotten to tell you that when I met them today, I chickened out and ran, like an idiot! Now they might ask why!" whispered Ash.
"Well, why DID you run from them?" wrote Red with a straight face.
"I was blushin-"
"Hi Red, Hi Ash." said May as she and Serena arrived at the table, abruptly ending Ash and Red's conversation.
"Hey." said Serena disinterestedly.
"Hello." croaked Ash shyly, as Red smiled and waved.
"Is it okay if we sit with you guys?" asked May.
Red nodded his head. May sat down at the first seat she saw, while Serena purposely sat in a seat that distanced herself from both Ash and Red. They all took out their lunches and began eating. It was painfully silent. Deciding to break the ice, May spoke up.
"Soooo... Red, It seems you're quite the celebrity in this school." said May with a smile. "People say you're the captain of both the Soccer and Lacrosse teams, and you scored the winning goals at regional championships for both sports."
Red grinned and nodded his head, proud of his achievements. He shot a quick glance at Serena, to see if she was impressed. Serena was not impressed. In fact, she seemed more impressed with the flavor of her salad than Red's achievements.
"Wow, have you gotten any scholarships yet?" asked May.
Red nodded his head and put up 4 fingers.
"Four scholarships and you're not even a senior yet? That's really uncommon in a place like Kanto!" said May.
Red scratched the back of his head, flattered. May was about to ask Red yet another question, but she was cut off by Serena.
"So Ash, what do you do?" said Serena, tired of hearing about how great Red was.
"Umm... I'm a computer programmer. I run the Computer Club after school on Tuesdays." said Ash quietly. "I also draw on my free time."
Nobody saw or heard, but Red silently chuckled when Ash mentioned drawing.
"That's interesting, our little brother Max likes computer stuff. Maybe he could join your club." said May, "Can I see your drawings?"
Ash looked up from his lunch to see May staring at him, waiting for an answer to her question. Ash felt that familiar sensation again. He was blushing. In an effort to hide it, he quickly turned around to open his backpack, looking for his sketch book. He purposely took a long time to take it out, giving his blush enough time to fade away. Unfortunately for Ash, as soon as he turned to hand May the book, the blush returned.
"I guess there's no point in hiding it." thought Ash. "Maybe she wont notic-"
"What's wrong Ash? Your cheeks are all red." asked May innocently.
"Crap." thought Ash.
Red deciding to help Ash out, intervened. He pointed to Ash, and then made a motion with two fingers that resembled someone running.
"I don't follow." said May, unable to decipher Red's gestures.
Red then pointed to Ash again, and made a gesture with his arms, simulating someone doing pull ups. He then added in a couple of other gestures and motions.
"What?" asked Serena, equally as confused as May.
"He's saying I just came from Phys. Ed. class, and my cheeks are red because I'm tired." said Ash, perfectly understanding Red's unique sign language. He then, while May and Serena weren't looking, quickly winked at Red, thanking him for the save.
"Ohhhhhhhhhh..." said both girls in unison.
May then opened the sketchbook, and turned the page. The first picture was of a poorly drawn Rapidash.
"Is... is this supposed to be a Blastoise?" asked May.
"No, that's definitely a Starmie." said Serena as she sipped her juice.
"You're both wrong, it's a Rapidash. See? There's it's hooves and that's it's face." said Ash.
"Oh, I think I see it now..." said May, turning the page. "Okay, this one is definitely a Kyogre!"
"It kinda looks like Arceus to me." said Serena.
"That's a Pidgey." sighed Ash, ashamed of his poor drawings.
"Damn, you suck at drawing." said a voice that belonged to none of them.
Red, Ash, May and Serena all looked at the source of the voice to find Kenny, smirking. Ash and Red's eyes immediately narrowed. May rolled her eyes, and Serena smiled.
"Oh hey Kenny, what's up?" asked Serena casually.
Red's eyes widened for a second in surprise, but then quickly turned back into narrow slits. Ash however, had a much more outspoken response.
"You girls are friends with Kenny?" asked Ash, astonished.
"Yeah," said May uninterestedly, "Since childhood. Why?"
"Yeah Ketchum, why? You got a problem with that?" asked Kenny condescendingly.
Ash opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by the feeling of Red softly kicking his leg under the table. He quickly glanced at Red, who slowly shook his head, with a serious expression on his face. As much as Ash wanted to say something, Red was usually right when it came to situations like these, so Ash sighed and spoke.
"No, just curious." said Ash.
"Good." said Kenny. "So girls, there's some space for you at my table, wanna come sit with me and my friends?"
"Sure, I don't mind." said Serena quickly as she packed her stuff. "You coming May?"
May glanced at Ash and Red, who momentarily stopped glaring at Kenny to look at her. She hesitated for a second, and then sent Ash and Red apologetic looks. She then handed Ash his sketchbook and picked up her bags.
"Yeah, I'm coming." sighed May reluctantly. "Bye Red, Bye Ash."
"Bye." said Ash quietly.
Serena and May then walked away with Kenny, leaving just Ash and Red at the table.
"Why did you stop me? I could've told them about how much of an ass he is!" asked Ash.
Red pulled out his handy dandy black marker, which he had at all times, and opened to a blank page in Ash's sketchbook. After writing down two sentences, he tossed the sketchbook back to Ash.
"Who do you think they'll trust more: A childhood friend, or two random guys they just met? I stopped you because bad-mouthing Kenny will probably ruin our chances of dating them in the future."
"Hey! What makes you think I want to date one of them anyway?!" asked Ash, as he folded his arms and looked away from Red.
Red stared at Ash.
"What?" asked Ash.
Red did not stop staring.
"Okay, May's attractive, so what?" said Ash.
Red continued staring.
"Alright, she's very attractive. That doesn't mean anything." said Ash.
Ash began to wonder how Red could stare so long without blinking.
"Fine! I like her. A lot!" said Ash in a defeated tone. "Just so you know, I don't plan on asking her out any time soo-"
Ash was cut off by the sound of the school bell ringing, which meant that lunch was over. Ash and Red both glanced over to Kenny's table, where May, Serena, Kenny, and a couple of other kids were packing their belongings. After picking up her schoolbag, May turned to the direction of the Ketchums and waved goodbye, smiling. Red smiled back, while Ash shakily waved his hand.
"We'll talk about this later." said Ash as he grabbed his sketchbook and left the table. "Later, Red."
Red smiled, as he placed his handy dandy black marker, which he had at all times, in his pocket. He then picked up his stuff and followed Ash out of the cafeteria, thinking about his chances with Serena.
The rest of Ash's school day went by quite eventfully. Ash had learned that he shared a class with May, Pokemon Advanced. It was an optional class that studied pokemon biology and evolution. While May was in the class, her seat was on the opposite side of the room, which meant that communicating with Ash was impossible, though Ash was not the type to talk during a class anyway. He also shared Science class with Serena, and even though their seats were relatively close, not much happened between them. That all changed when Serena was made Ash's lab partner. Neither of them were very pleased with the idea of working together on every experiment of the school year, but they decided they'd get used to it.
Red on the other hand, wasn't as lucky. His day was boring after lunch. He had a couple classes with his best friends Paul and Gary. It was nice, but he would've preferred to have the classes with that certain honey blonde beauty that had stolen his heart. He spent most of the day thinking about her, and soon, he realized he was becoming obsessive.
Red fully accepted his obsession over her and resumed thinking about her for the rest of the day.
When school finally ended, Ash and Red met in their meeting place; The boys bathroom on the second floor. They always met there. Whether it was to exchange an item or talk, that was usually the place they met. On this day, they met there so they could walk home together.
"So like I was saying at lunch, I'm not asking May out. Ever." said Ash darkly as they walked on the path towards their home.
A curious look appeared on Red's face, and Ash noticed.
"I just don't want it to end up like other girls that I've asked out... She's probably not going to like me. I don't think I'm very attractive." said Ash.
Red rolled his eyes at Ash's low self-esteem and even lower confidence. He then pointed to his own face, and then at Ash's face, and made a couple more odd gestures. Ash understood it easily.
"We don't look alike at all! First of all, you're not as tan as I am. Your hair is not as uncontrollable as mine, your eyes aren't the same shade of brown, you don't wear glasses, you don't have metal bars lining your teeth, and you don't have THESE!" said Ash, pointing to the Z-shaped birth marks on his cheeks. "Just what the hell are these?!"
Red shrugged, he too wondered just what the hell they were.
"Exactly. We don't look alike whatsoever. So yeah, I wont be asking out May. I'd rather just befriend her, and enjoy the friendship."
Red pulled out his handy dandy black marker, which he had at all times, and scribbled a few words on his hand. He then showed Ash his palm, allowing Ash to read what he wrote.
"That might be the biggest load of lies I've ever heard. NO MAN wants to be in the friendzone. It's a scientifically proven fact, bro."
"Whatever. How about this then; how would I date her with Kenny so close to her? He's a huge factor to take into account, since apparently, he's known them both since childhood."
For a second, Red's facial expression darkened, acknowledging the very real threat that Kenny could mess everything up. Red then waved his hand, in dismissal of the topic.
"Red, I just don't want to take any chances this time around. I want to play it safe." said Ash.
Red did not reply in any way, leaving the rest of their walk home to be had in silence. When they were almost home, a school bus drove past them. Ash and Red thought nothing of it. Little did they know, two familiar young ladies were on that bus...
"Hey look Serena, it's the Ketchums!" said May for the second time that day. Their bus had just drove past Ash and Red, who were walking home.
"Oh... cool." said Serena sarcastically.
"What's up with you today Serena? You've been really quiet and odd. You're not your usual happy self. Are you sick or something?" asked May, concerned.
"I'm fi-"
"Who are the Ketchums?" asked their little brother, Max.
"They're these twin boys we met today. One of them is a computer wiz, just like you, Max. He runs the Computer Club on Tuesdays, you should join." said May.
"Awesome! I can't wait!" said Max, excited to join the Computer Club. He then spotted a cute blonde girl in the back of the bus waving to him. He quickly left May and Serena to talk to said girl.
"Where are you going Max... Oh." said May, seeing Max's destination. "So whats wrong, Serena?"
"It's those Ketchum boys. That's what's wrong." said Serena blandly.
"I really like them. What do you think of them?"
"Well, for starters, its painfully obvious that Red has a huge crush on me." said Serena.
"Really? That's great! You should date him!" said May.
"You know how I feel about popular guys... I never date them. I've been quiet all day because I've been trying to think of a way to tell him I don't like him, without hurting his feelings. I've been giving off body language that I don't like him back, but he doesn't pick up on any of it."
"Oh..." said May. It was true that Serena never dated popular boys. She claimed that they were all self centered, cocky, and had too much pride. May always told her that it was bad to jump to such conclusions, but Serena would never listen. It got to the point where Serena gained a reputation in their old school for turning down almost every boy that had the bravery to ask her out on a date. "What about Ash? What's so bad about him?"
"Let's just say I don't enjoy his company." said Serena uncomfortably. "He's always nervous about something, and is horrible at hiding his blush. He's ridiculously geeky too. Ugh, and now he's my lab partner! Then again, I guess having him as a lab partner isn't that bad, since he's some kind of super genius. But still, he might be the most awkward kid in the galaxy!"
"I think he's ADOOOORABLE. He's got that cute, awkward, nerdy feel to him. That, and his poor drawing skills are funny." said May with a smile. "And I think Red is pretty cool. I really think you should give him a chance."
"No." said Serena monotonously.
"Fine..." sighed May.
"So, we're going to the mall with Kenny today." said Serena, changing the subject.
"Ughhhhhh, do we have toooo?" whined May. She wasn't as close to Kenny as Serena was. Deep down, she hated his guts.
"Oh come on, it'll be fun!" said Serena.
"For you..." said May, pouting. "You're the one who's had a crush on him for years..."
I know this story has some humor in it, but the humor will eventually fade as the story progresses. Thanks for reading, seeya next time!
~DarkSlash9