May, lying face down on a massage table, was having a chat with Joanne. They talked about menial things at first such as favorite things to cook and embarrassing moments. They laughed and began to share more private details about themselves. Joanne illustrated the moment of her first kiss.

" We were walking around in a book store, and it was a bit awkward because I'm not sure if he'd ever been on a date. He was so cute and nervous. I admit I was too, but no where near as nervous as you. For a while he kept his distance, but eventually he got comfortable holding my hand. I leaned down to grab a book and let go of his hand. Then when I stood up, I said, 'Hand please.' And that's when it happened."

"How did he do it?"

"Well, I was about to walk away, but then as he took hold of my hand, he spun me back so that I was facing him and he stood up to reach my lips and kissed me. Then he told me, 'That was my first kiss.'"

"Awwwwww. That's so romantic. So he was shorter than you?"

"Yeah, but I didn't care. He was probably the sweetest boy I ever knew. He was determined in everything that he did. That made him a bit stubborn, but I could tell that there was fire in his soul."

"Ha, it sounds like you're still carrying a torch for this guy. No pun intended."

"Haha. There's nothing like your first love."

"What happened between you two? Did you guys have a nasty argument?"

"No, he went off to pursue his dream. You see he only stopped in town because of a gym battle. He came into the Pokémon center while I was doing some service hours for Nurse Joy. I took his Pokémon into intensive care after a rough battle and I stayed with him in the waiting room and things just clicked."

"I'm guessing he was trying to become a Pokémon master like Ash."

"Oh, definitely. He would never give up. That's what I admired most. Plus, he was the most honest man that I had ever met, albeit a bit clueless about some things, but I never had to second guess what he told me."

"Dedicated and honest, plus a bit of cute obliviousness."

"Remind you of anyone?"

"Um....well. There is this one boy."

"Does Ash know you like him?"

May immediately sat up causing the massage therapist to stop.

"Would you like me to stop, Miss?"

"Yes, please. You did a great job. May we have a minute alone please? If that's ok with you Joanne."

"That's fine. My masseur has done an excellent job getting out the kinks in my back. Why don't you take a break, Gustav?"

The two massage therapists quietly exited the room and allowed May and her relaxed companion a moment to speak privately. May was on the edge of her table, and despite the fact that they were alone, she spoke softly, just above a whisper.

"Joanne, was I that obvious?"

"You stare at him when he's not looking. I can tell that you take care of him because you wiped off the extra sauce that he had on his cheek from the fettucine. Also when no one was looking I might add."

May's scarlet blush grew deeper as she discovered how transparant her actions had been. And Ash, of course, noticed none of that.

"Plus when he dropped and picked up his fork, you snuck a peak at him."

May's blush now became a deep red. I was almost 100% sure that no one was looking. I mean come on, it was right there. How could I not?

"I know because I did those same things when I was dating that boy I told you about. Your heart starts beating faster, and the moments that you get alone seem to last forever and only for a moment at the same time. You even start to notice and adore some of the small things that he does."

"Like how he eats and the way he smiles at you. And the fire that you feel when you gaze into his eyes. And even how he notices none of this and just goes on fighting for his dream."

"It's worse than I thought. You're in love with him."

"Well....I hadn't thought about that. I mean he taught me everything I know about Pokémon. He's been there for a lot of my contests. He's just been a mentor, supporter, and overall best friend. I couldn't help falling for him no more than a mockingbird can help but sing to the world."

"Men like a confident woman. You should let him know how you feel."

"It's not exactly like I haven't tried. I just don't know how to."

"Don't worry. It'll come in time, but don't wait too long. He may be gone before he knows how deeply you feel for him."

"Is that what happened with you?"

"Yeah. I never had the guts to tell him how I felt about him and off he went to become a Pokémon master, not knowing how he captured my heart."

"How do I know when?"

"You'll know, just don't chicken out like I did. Maybe he would've stayed if he knew, but I suppose that sixteen year olds don't really know all that much about love, but I didn't want to scare him off. To this day, I cannot stand rejection. Didn't then, and don't now."

May stared at the floor and weighed the options. I have to show him that I'm not afraid and that I can be just as determined as he is.

"But you won't have that problem, right May?"

She now looked into May's eyes. She looked as though she were searching for an answer, but May would not submit. Slightly depressed she thought " If I don't tell him now, will he just leave to become a Pokémon master?"

"The worst you can do is say nothing or be rejected"

"I can't take rejection. Not from him. I just value his opinion over anyone else's."

"You'll never know unless you tell him."

May thought this over. She didn't want Ash to leave for his next journey without knowing her feelings. If he couldn't take her along, she would at least want him to carry her own heart with his. Maybe if he knows, I can convince him not to go. Maybe if he loves me too, we'll be together all the time. I know this romantic stuff isn't realistic, but Ash isn't like the real world. He makes me feel like anything is possible. Nothing could be truer and more real than how I feel for him. He's going places. I just want to be there by his side.


Sorry this may not be the best chapter, but I just wanted to explore May's side of things. Next chapter within about 2-3 days.