I woke up to the sun in my face, which felt so comforting yet inconvenient at the same time. I rolled over, opened my eyes, and saw the door to the room I was in. I remembered where I was and sat up slowly.
I'm in Ash's house. I found out he loves me back and then I spent the night! Ahhh, this is so shocking but I love the way it feels to be right by his side.
I slowly got out of bed and walked over to the mirror on the wall. I looked pretty rough when it came to hair, but otherwise I seemed fine. I used my fingers to attempt to tame my hair and then I looked over my outfit.
I'm wearing some of Ash's pajamas. They are so comfortable and I never want to take them off, but I don't know if I can go out and retrieve my things while clearly wearing a guy's nighttime outfit!?
I decided to put that thought aside and go see if Ash himself was awake. I had no idea what time it was, but based on the bright sunlight, I would say I slept in pretty late. I crept over to the door, opened it, and snuck out quietly in case he was still asleep. After going down the small hallway, I found that Ash was in front of the TV, watching a morning program about battling techniques for dark types. I thought I was really quiet when I came out, but he instantly turned to face me and smiled so warmly that I was sure my heart would melt.
"Good morning, Serena! Did you sleep okay in the guest bedroom?"
"Good morning, Ash! Yes, I slept fine! I guess I was really exhausted after all that happened yesterday."
"I'm glad you got a good night's rest, because I wanted to do something with you today. I know we have to go get your things first though! But first we need to fuel up! So, what do you want for breakfast?"
I was ecstatic that he wanted to make plans with me right away, because I wanted to stay around him as long as possible while I was here in Alola.
"Hmm, I'm not sure, but I don't have to eat something fancy that would take a while to make. I'd hate to waste our time. Speaking of which, what time is it?"
Ash looked up at the TV, pressed a button, and then we saw the time displayed. It was 8:22am. I was really thankful I didn't sleep in past 9, so that we could have a lot of time to enjoy together before the Alolan Sun was really intense.
"Okay, so why don't I put on my clothes from yesterday, and we go get my things? I really wanted to try an authentic Alolan breakfast, so we can have a new meal while we're out?"
I hope my clothes aren't wet still, but I don't like the idea of wearing his clothes around all day and drawing attention as a matching outfit couple, so I'll have to deal with what I get.
Ash turned the TV off in a rush, then turned back to me, smiling widely and brightly.
"Okay! I'll go get your dress from the dryer!"
"You dried it?"
"Actually, I washed and dried it. I wanted to make sure you had something that you felt comfortable wearing out, since I figured my clothes would make you a little uneasy."
"Aww, Ash. Thank you. It makes me feel much better to wear my own clean clothes, so I am really appreciative of this!"
Ash blushed a little, but continued walking towards his room.
"Don't mention it. It was the least I could do for you after all you've done for me."
I loved hearing him talk so kindly, especially due to the fact it sounded lovingly too.
I waited for only a few more seconds before he came back and handed me the cute white and blue dress I had worn the day before.
"Here it is! All nice, clean, and warm! I'll get my stuff together and wait for you to change and get anything you'll want, okay?"
"Alright! Thanks, Ash! I can't wait to spend the day with you!"
"Me too, Serena! Oh, and Serena!"
"Yes, Ash?"
I had turned to walk away, but when he called for me in a questioning way, I spun back around only to have a soft kiss placed on my cheek.
He kissed my cheek! It was so sweet and innocent. I don't know if my heart can take this much affection from him!
I slowly walked to the hallway bathroom, went in, and shut the door. I looked at myself in the mirror, not shocked to see the bright blush that had spread over my face. I changed into my dress, brushed my hair with a comb I found, and then washed my face. I was brushing my teeth with an extra toothbrush he had told me about when I heard the doorbell. Ash must have heard it too, because he started walking to answer it.
"I'm coming!"
I hurriedly finished brushing my teeth, which probably meant I didn't actually clean them all, but I didn't care right then. He was almost to the door as I stepped out of the bathroom. I saw him getting ready to open it, so I quickly went to get into the living room. Then I realized it was too late, he had opened the door and began to greet the person outside.
"Hey! Kiawe! What brings you here so early?"
I couldn't hear Kiawe's answer, but I was still trying to hide. I was quietly creeping towards the guest bedroom, but Ash didn't understand my discretion.
"Yeah, come on in! I have another guest though."
I knew that Kiawe had asked who because of Ash's answer.
"You'll see!"
At this point it was hopeless, so I went to the couch and sat down, waiting for them to find me there in the living room. When Ash came back, he was a little way ahead of Kiawe, so he smiled at me and winked. I had no idea what he had in store, but I figured what he wanted when I saw him mouth two words to me.
"Play along!"
I nodded. Then Kiawe came into the room. I have never seen someone look so happy and then so freaked until that moment. Kiawe looked from me to Ash a few times then settled on Ash.
"Ash, did Serena come to visit this early too?! I figured that only people who farm like me would choose to be out doing things this early, but she must've gotten up really earlier to get here on foot before me!"
"Nope."
He looked a little more worried than confused, but still kept questioning Ash.
"What do you mean, 'nope.'?"
"I mean she didn't have to walk anywhere and never went back to her hotel. She spent the night here with me."
Ash looked so proud of what he had said, which prompted me to hop in and further our little joke, which turned out to be a bad call on my part.
"Yeah, I had a lot of fun here last night! I'm really glad I stayed!"
Kiawe had reached a level of emotion that caused him to stop being as calm and rational as he was the day before. This next part was the most interesting and weird part. Kiawe slowly took a deep breath, glanced down to the ground for a few seconds, then looked back up. There was a fiery gaze in his eyes as he looked at Ash now.
"Ash."
At this point, I got nervous and it was clear Ash had gotten nervous too.
"Ki-Kiawe?"
"You have three seconds."
Ash got dead terrified, but the words prompted him to run. I was still processing when I heard the door slam, followed by Kiawe's counting.
"Two…..one."
After that, Kiawe set off running extremely fast. It took me a moment to gather up what had happened, but once it hit me, I set off after them. I got out the door, and saw an interesting scene in front of me. Ash was almost to the stairs to the beach, with Kiawe a good many feet away but going a little faster. I thought for a moment, then came up with a plan in hopes of stopping them from getting hurt. Ash was screaming in what seemed to be actual fear, which made me realize this had happened at least once before.
"KIAWE, SHE JUST SPENT THE NIGHT! NOTHING HAPPENED! IT WAS A JOKE!"
"WHEN I CATCH YOU, IT WILL NOT BE A JOKE! YOU DON'T ASK A LADY INTO YOUR HOME AFTER YEARS OF NOT SEEING HER!"
At this point in the chase, Ash had started back towards the house, so I set my plan into action.
"ASH!"
"SERENA, HELP!"
"COME BACK TO THE HOUSE AND COME INSIDE THE DOOR!"
"BUT THEN I'LL BE TRAPPED!?"
"JUST TRUST ME!"
Ash was absolutely mortified, which was clear in his dilated eyes, but he trusted me and ran towards the door to the house. Once he jumped over the steps, he ran into the door right near me. Kiawe had gained speed, so he was right behind, but just as Kiawe was about to close the gap, I stepped in between him and Ash. Kiawe skidded to avoid bolting over me, and stopped. Kiawe seemed full of fiery passion, but his strong ideals must have stopped him from pushing past me, just as I had expected.
"Serena, could you please move so I can teach Ash a lesson?"
I gave him a very defiant and powerful look, which caused him to realize that he was in trouble now too.
"No. You won't be teaching any lessons. I spent the night here because Ash got sick after it rained a lot. I took care of him into the later evening, so I was tired and didn't want to go back to my hotel. Professor Kukui said I could stay, so I slept in the guest bedroom."
Kiawe looked as if his own mother had scolded him, so I added the final touches to my plan.
"So, does he still need to be taught a lesson?"
"No, I should've known it really was a joke. I'm just used to Ash accidentally admitting he did something awful or broke something like he has before. Sorry, guys."
He looked as if really was sorry, so my plan had worked perfectly. I became myself again and smiled sweetly.
"That's alright! Ash, are you okay?"
I turned and saw that he was panting still, which worried me.
"I feel a little uneasy, but mostly hungry."
I walked over to him, with Kiawe close behind me. I touched his arm, which is when he looked over to me. I must have failed at hiding my worries and concerns, because he suddenly tried to perk back up.
"Serena, I'm alright! Don't be upset, I'll be fine after something to eat and drink!"
"Okay, but I still want you to sit down for a bit. You were just really sick yesterday, so I think you should take it easy today."
"But, Serena, we need to go get your things!"
At this point, Kiawe must have seen how much I was insecure about Ash's health, because he offered me a safer solution.
"I can fly Serena there on Charizard, then bring her back. I owe you for chasing you around."
"But…"
I could tell Ash didn't want to spent time here, especially now that I was back, but my look of loving fear must have made him realize how I felt.
"Okay. I don't want you to worry so much, Serena. I'll stay here and rest for the day with the Pikachus."
"Thank you, Ash! I'll get Kiawe to take me over, but first, let me make some breakfast for all of us!"
"Oh, I don't need any breakfast, I could get something after we go over and get your things."
"Nonsense, Kiawe! I'll make us all a Kalos speciality!"
Kiawe finally gave in, which told me why he was like Ash.
"Okay, that does sound delicious! I can help if you'd like?"
"A Kalos recipe is a secret to a person who lives in Kalos only!"
"Oh, then I guess I'll sit here with Ash so I don't pick up on your secrets!"
"Okay, that would be fine! I'll have it ready in about 20 minutes!"
Ash looked a little worn out for his normal self, so I knew I had to ask Kiawe to keep an eye on him.
If Ash won't admit to me that things are bad, then I'll have Kiawe be my eyes and ears, even if Ash is just trying to make my time with him exciting.
"Before I start, why don't you show me Charizard, Kiawe? I don't want to eat too much depending on how we will be flying."
Thankfully, Kiawe got my hint and nodded to me.
"Of course I can show you. Ash, you'll be fine here, right? It probably is best if we don't eat a lot then fly."
I felt awful seeing Ash frown like he did, but based on his faked energy level, I knew he wouldn't argue too much.
"Yeah, be quick so we can eat, you two can get to the hotel, but mostly, so I can have you back here with me, Serena."
He had looked at me, with a drive that made me believe that he was desperate to make as many memories with me as he could.
"We will hurry, Ash. As a matter of fact, we will go get my things, I'll buy us some breakfast instead, and then we will get back here asap! Sound alright?"
Ash smiled, nodded, and then touched my hand lightly, but very meaningfully.
"Hey, be safe. I…."
He paused and glanced at Kiawe, with a slight worried frown, so I saved him from having to be the one to tell Kiawe.
"I will be safe. I love you too."
He smiled in a way as if it was a thanks to me for saving him the agony of exposing Kiawe to our current level of connection. I let my hand drift from his, along with my eyes.
Wow, he was going to say he loves me and I even said it back. I really have to hurry back to him, because I want to hear it from him. But first I have to get my things.
I walked over to the door, followed by a dazed Kiawe. We had our shoes on and had just gotten outside when Kiawe finally broke his daze suddenly.
"Serena, are you two dating?! I plotted with the others, but Ash seemed so dense the entire time I've known him, so I wasn't sure if it would actually happen. I do support you, but I never thought he would admit that he felt the same so quickly."
"I never thought so either, but things just seemed to happen. We aren't dating yet. Ash has plans to take me to a place that is special to him for that."
"Wow, even if you aren't officially dating yet, congrats! I'm glad such a nice and pretty girl like you is there for Ash."
"Thanks, Kiawe! But I would like to get back to him quickly with food, because he looks really hungry, so let's get over there and back!"
"Okay! Hop on Charizard and we'll be off!"
-1 and a half hours later-
"Thanks for the ride, Kiawe! Are you sure you don't want to come inside? I'm sure Ash has completely forgiven you for the misunderstanding earlier!"
"No, that's alright. I have MooMoo milk to deliver and island trials challenges to accept. Anyways, I think you and Ash need some time together! Nice to see you again, Serena! We will have to meet up with all of our friends before you leave!"
"I'd love that! Bye, Kiawe, and thanks again!"
With that trip over, I hurried to the door of the beach cabin. I had food for Ash and all of my things so my hands were full, but I when I got to the door, it opened for me.
"Serena! You're finally back! I got worried that Kiawe had a challenge in the middle of your trip!"
The excited and lighthearted look on Ash's face was the best greeting I could've asked for.
"Well, he got challenged, but politely asked the young lady to visit him later on in the day. Sorry you've had to wait for breakfast, but I made sure to get lots of everything that you like!"
He smiled at me, but then stared right at the food. He had a unique devotion to eating when we were kids; then it was a part of him again when we traveled, so it was no shock that he was still so enticed by the sight or mention of food.
"Here, you take the food and start eating while I set my things in the guest bedroom!"
"Are you sure? I can wait another few minutes and help you settle in."
I smiled at his passion for me, even though we both knew he was starved from being unable to eat for so long.
"I want you to start, because the more you eat, the more energy you'll have; the more energy you'll have, the quicker you get better. Once you're better, we can go out and have fun, or you could take me to your special place."
Mentioning all of that seemed to get my thoughts to Ash that I really wanted him to eat and get better so we could make memories before I left.
"Of course, Serena. I should've thought of that! I'll get to it!"
He walked towards the kitchen table with the food and I went my own way to the guest bedroom. I found that the Pikachus were in the living room playing happily with the TV on. I loved how my Pikachu interacted with Ash's and vice versa. I had seen how both Pikachus treated other Pokemon or teammates, but these two were instant magnets, not separating for a majority of the time I had been here so far.
I can't bear to make them split apart when I have to go home. Wait…...I wonder….
Now I was making a very in depth plan that, while I started building now, didn't get completely finished until later, so for now just know I was formulating a crazy idea.
I opened the door to the guest room and happily walked in with a springy step.
This is my room, in Ash's house. Well, for now. Maybe one day it will be his daughter or son's room. Maybe even OUR child's room…...NO DAYDREAMING! TIME TO UNPACK!
I tore my brain away from it's pretend future and started to neatly place my things similar to how I had done just two days ago in my former hotel room. It didn't take me long to finish unpacking though; I had traveled light, just like he advised me to do about 10 years ago.
"Pikachu!"
I dropped my bag and went sprinting towards my Pokemon's loud call. I couldn't stand the thought of her going causing trouble for Ash after all he had dealt with. I dashed through the small hallway with ease, but when I turned into the main living space, I was blown away with the sight before me.
In the time it had taken me to run out into the living space, everyone had gone missing. I saw no Pikachus, no Ash, and no food left for me on the kitchen table.
ASH!? WHERE ARE YOU!? PIKACHU?!
My thoughts and words collided; because I had said that out loud as well as thought it in a panicked state.
Oh gosh, what if he's in a feverious delusion like he was when we traveled together and my Pikachu was trying to warn me?! He might get hurt worse or something, I need to find him, and soon!
I went back into the guest room in just as much of a hurry as I left it. I grabbed my light travel bag that had my Pokeballs in it, and ran for the door. I realized I could use a little more help though, so I ran for Ash's bedroom. I was partially thankful he had left his Pokeballs sitting there, but it also made me twice as worried at the same time.
He has little to no defense or backup if he gets hurt!? Wait, maybe the Pikachus are with him!?
I grabbed a water bottle and a travel first aid kit as I went for the door for a second time. I left the Pokeballs on his dresser, because I just didn't know their moves or skills. I noticed his keys by chance; and by chance again, used the right one to lock the door behind me. I didn't want anyone to break into the World Champion's house while I was trying to track him down.
I put the keys into my bag and set off towards the beach first. I looked over the cliff that hangs near the beach, and saw nothing of Ash. I saw other people, but I figured he went towards town. I turned and took a deep breath, seeing as this hunt for him could take minutes or hours.
Ash, I will find you and bring you home, if it's the last thing I do.
-Four hours later-
Ash, why do you manage to disappear only when I am most worried for you!?
My search thus far had shown no signs of Ash. I had checked the town, the school, and the beaches. I got my sightseeing done jokingly as I tried to keep from openly scaring everyone with my purely worried expressions. The last choice I had to search was the forest or the house again. I hoped he hadn't returned home shortly after I left, only to be stuck outside because I had his keys. However, I felt like Ash would be smart enough to chill at Kukui's house or with Kiawe or someone he knew.
I decided that I would check the forest as my option. I found that the forest had nice trails that made travelling it easy. As I had been doing the whole day, I called out Ash's name in hopes of him hearing it and responding. I was getting more worried as I had gotten a lot deeper in the forest than I was comfortable with, but my mental promise to Ash kept me going.
Until I stopped in my tracks; listening as intently as I could manage. I crept towards the sound of voices, while making no sound at all that would disrupt my hearing. I didn't need to start a battle with a forest Pokemon and if it was people, I didn't want to startle them.
"Ash, I….I love you!"
I stopped moving. I could hear just fine, but now my primal instinct to see what was happening was all I could act on. I sighted them on the left of the path, near a beautiful stream and pool of crystal clear water next to it. Lana and Ash. Ash was staring at her, just as he had looked at me when he revealed his feelings towards me. She looked so similar to the way I looked that for a moment, I pitied her and was proud of her. The moment died very quickly because of what happened next.
"Ash, I don't know how you feel about Mallow, or Lillie, or Serena. However, I know I want to be your girlfriend."
Then, as my tears started streaming, and my heart shattered into thousands of pieces, I saw Ash leaning in towards her face, and touching the lips, that I thought were sacred to me, onto hers.
