"Alright, May. So there's nothing in any of those stores that you'd like to wear with your outfit?"
"Not really. Well, there was this necklace at the mall, but it's far too expensive."
"Hmm. Alright, you'd look good in the dress without it. Sometimes simplicity really is more."
The girls walked out of the fifth accessories shop that they had visited that day. May admitted to herself that she was being picky, but the diamond necklace at the mall left quite an impression on her. She wanted it, but she thought on it with a bittersweet hopelessness. It was a "one of these days" type of thing, and after searching through store after store for any substitute, May decided that she would settle for a small silver necklace that had a white sapphire pendant attached to it.
At least it looks like diamond, May thought as she tried to rationalize settling for less.
I hope Ash thinks I look pretty in it. That's really all I want. I just thought that maybe if I were covered in diamonds, he might treasure me as I treasure him. He's certainly protected me like one.
Finally accepting the compromise between desire and frugality, May said, "You're right. I'm going to stick with this silver necklace. Besides, I don't want to come off as flashy to Ash. I have a feeling that he wouldn't take too kindly to that."
"Good men don't really care about outward beauty. A lot of it is how you carry yourself. Don't get me wrong, the fact that your make up is properly applied and that your dress compliments you is important because it means that you put for an effort for him, but show him who you are and let him focus on that rather than what you wear."
"That's true. Ash does definitely like things simple. I'll just be myself around him. That's who I want him to like anyway. No use in trying to pretend to be a princess."
"The best men make you feel like a princess and believe that that's what you truly are"
"Well, he's certainly the hero fit to protect a princess. I'd be lucky if that were me."
Joanne gave a smirk.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just don't be shy. Confidence is one of the most attractive things to guys. Don't be afraid to let him know how you feel. Even without words."
May remembered the numerous times that she had been close to Ash. Joanne's words sparked a curiousity within her and inspired her to look at those memories from a different point of view. From the point of view of friendship, running through the woods and holding onto his hand for dear life was just to get the hell away from those grass Pokemon. From a romantic standpoint, that was a courageous act of a man who wanted to protect the woman he loved. He even swung in like Tarzan. Perhaps May was his Jane.
"Subtlety is key."
"You've got it, May. The simplest things can drive a man crazy."
May thought on the numerous ways that she could hint at her feelings towards Ash. A smile, a look might be all that it would take to fuel a fiery curiosity within him that would work with May's agenda. She decided to try something simple the next time she got a chance.
May was too lost in thought to notice that she was about to bump into someone, and when she did the passerby announced, "Not paying attention there, May?"
She looked up about to say sorry, but was stopped by sheer shock.
"Drew?"
"Hey there."
"May, who's your friend?"
"Um, Joanne this is Drew, a coordinator I met in Hoenn."
Pleased to meet you.
Drew didn't respond and instead proceeded to question May.
"Staying at the Pokemon center until the ball?"
"No actually I'm staying at Joanne's house with Ash."
Drew didn't feel the need to keep with the chit chat as it didn't benefit him at all.
"I hoped that you reconsidered my proposal. I would still like you to accompany me."
He took May's hand and bent over to kiss it, but she quickly retrieved it from his grasp.
"I'm going with Ash, Drew."
"Really? I didn't think you guys were going out."
"Well, we're not, but...."
"So is this just as friends?"
"Not exactly, but...."
"I'm offering to go as something a bit more, if you catch my drift. You know there aren't a lot of women that could compliment this," he said as he pointed to himself.
May rolled her eyes at him, "I must be one of those lucky women."
"I meant that as a compliment. Few women can boast your coordinating skills."
Well, at least that was a compliment. He could've done better.
"Um, thanks."
"Well, how about dinner? I mean since you're not going out with Ash, I don't see any harm in just having dinner. Maybe by then you'll have reconsidered going with me to the ball."
"But, I-," May was stopped mid-sentence when Drew held her shoulders and stared into her eyes. May admitted that he stared a bit too hard.
"I'm not taking no for an answer."
He gave her a sheet of paper with the name and address of a high class restaurant and walked away.
"That was rather rude."
"That was typical Drew."
"Still, he has good taste in restaurants. That place received five stars in its last review."
May was intent on not going, but she was taken aback by what Drew said. She admittedly admired his confidence, although he was rather arrogant. The way that he stared at him was slightly offensive, but a bit enticing. However, failing to immediately refuse and give back the piece of paper felt as though she were cheating on Ash. Even looking into his stare felt unfaithful. Her feelings for Ash made her second guess her actions and words towards Drew, but unfortunately made this meeting a bit more appealing. She felt as though she shouldn't have done that, and yet she felt as though the sense of forbidden fruit attracted her closer to him. May eventually just brushed it off and went on her way, but she kept the name of the place and the time tomorrow night in mind. I mean. He is right. Besides, Ash and I aren't going out yet. She was surprised at herself for even considering it. What are you saying, May?! You can't be one of those girls that goes around dating anyone that pays her attention. Ash deserves more than that.
"Let's get home. I'll have to start preparing dinner. Do you like pork buns?"
"Yeah! I love them."
They began to make their way home, passing by a small dance studio that seemed to be hosting a class at the moment. Or perhaps a dress rehearsal of some sort seeing as the two that were dancing were in formal attire.
"Now that's how it's done, Ash. Keep with the time. Spend a few moments becoming familiar with the time and go on from there."
"Alright, I think I've got it."
Melody bowed to her dance partner courteously, "Thank you for the honor."
"Um, the honor was mine, miss. Err, Melody."
"Take my hand, Ash."
Melody held her hand up, and Ash walked close enough to Melody to take her hand.
"Now place your hand on the small of my back."
"Ok," said Ash as he proceeded with caution.
Melody noticed that his hand was on her shoulder blade and took her left hand to lower it.
"This is the small of my back. That was my shoulder blade."
"Sorry, I haven't danced ballroom before."
"Don't worry. There's only a few dances that you'll have to know: the waltz, basic cha cha, and swing."
"So we're just learning the basic stuff right?"
"Yeah. We wouldn't have time to get in depth because the ball is only a few days away."
"Ok, so the rest of the ball. Will be like....?"
"It's going to be sort of like a wedding. There's the formal first dance and then the rest of it is just like a high school dance. Just popular music. And then the finale."
"That sounds manageable."
"Good. So let's start off with the box step that we showed you. We already all practiced this without partners so just do what we did before."
Ash stepped forward with his right foot nearly stepping on Melody's left.
"Ash, ladies always step backward on their right. Because we're always right."
Jake said under his breath, "In other words, pick your battles."
"I heard that, Jake, and yes you should pick your battles. We are always right," said Melody playfully.
Ash then stepped forward with his left foot and then his right about a foot beside his left foot. Then he quickly joined his left to his right. He then stepped back with his right and repeated that motion.
"Good. You've got the basics down. Remember. 1 2 3, 1 2 3. That's waltz tempo. The music please, Jake."
Jake pushed a button on the nearby stereo which started to play Tchaikovsky's theme to Sleeping Beauty.
Ash kept time well. He was hoping that he would be able to keep time long enough to savor May in his arms and give her his first kiss.
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I'm thinking this story may be a bit long. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll try to have the next one up as soon as possible. Read and review please.