Chapter 4: The Unexpected Visitor

May was beginning to regret writing what she wrote in the "welcome back" letter to Ash. From the looks of things May was starting to believe that Ash didn't even miss her.

By the way he talked with Misty; she could tell Ash really liked her. And she was also getting the impression that this Dawn girl liked him too! Oh, it made her so mad, but there wasn't anything she could do about it.

If Ash was in love with Misty she would have to live with that. But it hurt her so much. She felt like crying but she knew it wouldn't be right. I mean she was supposed to be celebrating Ash being back home. But instead she was sitting by herself on the couch watching as Ash and Misty were deep in conversation, feeling strongly depressed.

She sighed deeply and looked down at her shoes. No one seemed to care that she was sad. And why would they? Everyone was too happy to have Ash home! And she should be happy too. But she wasn't.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Who could it be this time?

"Ah, finally! I was beginning to think he wouldn't show up!" Mrs. Ketchum exclaimed.

"Who?" Ash questioned; slightly surprised.

Mrs. Ketchum rushed over to the door; not bothering to answer her son.

"Um, hi," said a familiar voice, who seemed as if he really didn't want to be there.

"You're a little late, Drew, but that's okay." She said as she welcomed him inside.

"Drew!?" May, Ash, and Max shouted in astonished unison.

Mrs. Ketchum gave them all a "where's your manners?" look. Anger forming in her eyes.

"Err…I mean, what's up Drew?" Ash tried to sound casual.

Drew just waved in a careless way, not saying a word. He REALLY didn't want to be there. But, there was one good thing about it.

May didn't dare make eye contact with him. She couldn't believe Ash's mom actually invited him. How did she even know him? Only way would be if May must have absently told her about him. She probably though that Drew was her friend. But they were rivals!

And May was avoiding him when they were in Johto. It seemed ever since May had started traveling alone Drew seemed to want to get closer to her; which made May extremely uncomfortable. So May didn't like the fact that Drew was there.

At least Max, Brock and especially Ash were there, making her feeling better slightly. But the fact that Ash was acting as if May was invisible made her feel very miserable and nervous.

'Oh no! He's walking over! May thought, as she began to freak out.

"Hey, May," Drew greeted sitting next to her. "I should have known you'd be here."

"Hi." was all May uttered.

"You don't seem very happy."

'Wow, you actually care?' May thought sarcastically. "Well…" should she tell him what she was feeling? She did sort of trust him.

Eyeing Ash and Misty, May went on. "…I'm not."

"Why's that?"

"I was kind of looking forward to this surprise party for Ash, ya know. But I didn't think he'd bring Misty and this Dawn girl along. Now he acts as if I don't even exist…"

"Wow, harsh." Drew sympathized. "Though I don't know who Misty and Dawn are…" He added jokingly.

May continued. "It's making me so sad and…" She defiantly wasn't going to say 'jealous' in front of Drew.

"And..?"

"Never mind."

"Well, at least i I'm /i not acting like your invisible." Drew scooted closer to her.

May sure was getting uncomfortable now.

She stared over at Ash desperately. 'Why doesn't' he even care that Drew's sitting next to me!!!?'

Little did May know that Ash i was /i noticing this little interaction with May and Drew. He was getting distracted as he was talking to Misty.

"What's wrong, Ash?" Misty wondered.

"Huh? I mean, why do you ask that?" Ash questioned still eyeballing them.

"Are you sure?"

"Well…kinda."

"What's on your mind?"

"Grah!! Why did my mom invite Drew!?"

"I should have known. Why don't you tell her how you feel about her. You're really annoying me with how much you talk about her. And I heard from Dawn that you talked about her all the time in Sinnoh!"

"And get my heart broken? I don't think so. Besides it's obvious that she likes Drew. Why else would she go to Johto alone?"

"What happened to 'She went there to compete in contests.' I thought you were convinced that that was the case.

"I don't know what to believe anymore, but I REALLY hate my mom for inviting him!!"

"Look, don't stress out about this. Just talk to her!"

"No way! Not when Drew's there!"

"I didn't mean now. I meant when you can get her alone."

Ash gulped, he had nothing to say. For some reason he was starting to get nervous around her. It had to be hormones. Either that or…no, it couldn't be!!!

Whoa, things are really starting to heat up. I really got into making this chapter. There was a little one-sided contestshipping in this chapter… and I'm not going to give anything away about future chapters. You'll just have to wait and see. Please review!