A thousand apologies for the late update! I've just been really, really busy with projects and exams and all that crud, which are still on going *sigh*…anyway, here's the long awaited, emphasis on long, chapter 10!

Oh, and as for any musical concerts by the Phoenix and Masquerain, all I can say is patience dear readers…patience…

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Chapter 10 ~ AFFRETTANDO

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Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.

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April was staring intently at her television set when Drew passed by her room. She pressed the pause button and stared at him with a raised eyebrow. He was wearing a white shirt and a black and white jacket with washed out jeans and converse tennis shoes. Her lips slightly twitched upwards.

"Satisfactory," she stated simply and she continued as an afterthought.

"And May's house is two blocks straight ahead, then you take a left, then walk two more blocks, then take a right. It's the one with the black gate and a maple tree by it."

Drew took in the information and nodded.

"Wait, did you eavesdrop?" accused Drew. April looked at him as if she was just insulted.

"Moi? Eavesdrop? Drew! How could you accuse me of such a scandalous thing! I was merely hearing your side of the conversation."

"That's still the same."

"No it is not. Your voice just happened to be loud." answered April simply.

"It was not." argued Drew.

"It was from my point of hearing." retorted April as she went back to watching her anime.

"Oh, and Drew, don't forget, mom and dad are coming home later and we have dinner so be home by five or something." called out April, not looking away from the television. Drew raised his hand in acknowledgement as he walked away.

May Maple is a girl with decorum and ethics. She is strong willed. Or so she wanted to believe. So enlighten her, why was she, dignified and strong-willed, fidgeting under the shade of the maple tree?

May fumbled with the hem of her blouse. She was wearing a red button up sleeveless blouse with jeans and a pair of red and white sneakers. She wore her red bandana and she had a denim sling bag.

May sighed and she looked up at the clouds.

'Get a grip May, it's just a tour, nothing to get so worked up about…'

It was what she kept on thinking, over and over in an attempt to calm herself. She exhaled and looked at the gate.

Cobalt met jade.

They were captured by the eyes of the other and they felt a nearly tangible spark. May looked away and Drew approached the gate. May hesitated for a moment before skipping to the gate with a smile holding no trace of her earlier emotions. The corners of Drew's mouth tugged upwards in a slight smile.

May opened the gate and went outside to join him.

"You're…" she momentarily checked her watch. "Right on time…wow…"

Drew smirked. "It would be rude to keep a lady waiting."

May punched his arm. "Since when have you been a gentleman?" she asked rhetorically.

Drew pretended to ponder on it. "Since this morning I guess."

May laughed.

"Let's go, LaRousse is fairly large mind you."

"Okay!" chirped May cheerfully as she followed Drew. Drew actually smiled as his peripheral vision caught sight of the happy May.

He showed her the "land marks" and "memorable locations" and what not.

"So May, what do you think about lunch?" asked Drew when he noted the time which was two.

May shrugged but her stomach betrayed her by growling out loud. She turned scarlet and laughed sheepishly. Drew chuckled.

"I know the perfect place for lunch."

May looked at him curiously.

The scene, like an illusion, changed. It might have taken them half an hour to arrive but it was worth it. It was an expensive five star restaurant which was accommodated by only a few people. As they entered, May was surprised that Drew was immediately entertained by a large number of employees who were all trying to serve him first.

At long last they were seated in an elegantly decorated table with a vase occupying a single red rose in the center. There was also a small basket of garlic bread.

"Wow, looks like a first class restaurant…" said May in awe.

"That's because it is," replied Drew, leaning back.

"I take it you come here often?"

Drew shrugged. "I wouldn't use the term often…Once in a while."

"Ah."

They started chatting for a while when a waiter, and a young and handsome one at that, came to get their orders.

"Good afternoon, I am Brian and I will be your waiter for today. What can I get you Sir?" he asked, looking at Drew.

"I'll have the Mixed Green Salad." said Drew, not bothering to look at the menu.

"And what will the lovely lady in red have?" asked Brian with a smile. May felt her cheeks heat up. She hurriedly hid her blush as she read the menu.

"I'll have the Mini Puff Pastries and the Mixed Green Salad," she said.

"Alright then, I'll be back in a few moments with your order."

And with that statement, Brian left. Drew flipped his hair.

"What?" asked May.

"What, what?" asked Drew. May rolled her eyes.

"You always have something to say when you do that, a sarcastic comment, a snide remark, et cetera et cetera, so what?"

"Nothing," answered Drew. Once again, May rolled her eyes.

"Come on, tell me!"

"I can't tell you something when its nothing." replied Drew.

"Nothing always means something." argued May.

"Oh and how did you reach that conclusion?" asked Drew with a raised eyebrow.

"That's what April always says," she answered.

"May, just because we share the same DNA, doesn't mean we have the same vocabulary." retorted Drew, amused. May huffed in annoyance.

"After that argument, I have a feeling both of you need refreshments," interrupted Brian as he stood at the side of their table with a pitcher of water in hand.

"You shouldn't eavesdrop on private conversations." remarked Drew coldly.

"I don't think a conversation is considered private if it can easily be heard by other people," retorted Brian. He, and by he I mean Brian, turned to May and he smiled as he poured water into her glass.

Drew scowled. He mumbled something incoherent before getting up.

"So, do you come here often?" asked Brian. Drew inwardly rolled his eyes as he heard the most mediocre, not to mention fatuous, pick up line in history.

Nothing seemed out of place…note the word seemed…

Everyone else in the restaurant was enjoying their meal peacefully when a shriek broke the tranquility.

And who else could cause such a disturbance but none other that our dear May Maple, who currently, was drenched in ice cold water…

No worries though…it was only the right side of her thigh, and downwards.

May got up the right side of her jeans dripping wet. Brian was frozen, eyes wide as he held the now empty pitcher in his hands. The corners of Drew's mouth twitched, upwards or downwards, nobody knows…except for Drew of course.

Drew picked up a few napkins and gave them to May who in turn dabbed herself dry.

"Are you alright?" asked Drew. May nodded.

"Yeah…but I lost my appetite…"

"I'll take you home then."

May just nodded mutely, inexplicably upset beyond words. They were on their way outside when the manager rushed to Drew, spewing out apologies and such. Drew merely dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

The walk to May's house was a silent one.

"Are you sure you're alright?" asked Drew when they were at a street corner.

"Yeah, I'm…FINE!" May squealed as rain started pouring down heavily on them. Without thinking, Drew removed his jacket and threw it over May's head before they ran to find shelter. They ended up in a nearby warehouse.

"Great…just great!" yelled May sarcastically. "This day just keeps on getting better and better!"

Drew chuckled. Not long after, May joined in the laughter.

"Well, at least were not in the rain anymore…." said May as she sat on the ground.

"Yeah…" said Drew, taking a seat beside her. It was silent for a while with nothing to listen to but the rain which was increasing in intensity outside.

"So May…I've been meaning to ask you, where did you learn to play the piano like that?"

"Well, I started learning it as a hobby…then I got really good and the rest…well its history." answered May. His question caught her of guard.

"When did you start learning?" he asked.

"When I was really young. What's with all the questions?" asked May, raising an eyebrow.

"That was only two questions. Define really young," replied Drew.

"You still haven't answered my question," said May, crossing her arms and turning away.

Drew sighed as he flipped his hair. "I don't really know myself; I guess I'm just curious."

"Well that's selfish of you," commented May as she spouted.

"How so?" asked Drew, raising an eyebrow.

"Didn't you even consider that maybe I was curious about you too?" retorted May. Drew sighed.

"Alright then, what do you want to know?" asked Drew as he closed his eyes while leaning on some cardboard boxes.

"Are you and April really related?" she asked. Drew's eyes snapped open.

"What kind of a question is that?" he asked.

"One that I want answered," replied May. "So are you?"

Drew was silent for a moment.

"Is that a no?" asked May.

"Yes," answered Drew after a while.

"Yes you're related or yes it's a no?" asked May.

"Yes it's a no," answered Drew. May was surprised, to say the least.

"Why did you ask that anyway?" asked Drew, staring at the ceiling.

"I was just curious." answered May looking down, ashamed of asking such a personal question. Drew laughed bitterly which made May turn her attention to him.

"You know what the ironic part is? She really does resemble grandma…"

May looked at Drew with soft eyes. "I'm sorry…" she whispered.

"For what?" he asked her.

"Asking something so personal…" she answered.

"Now worries…"

May bit her lip but she couldn't hold it in any more. "Mind if I ask another question?" she asked.

"Go ahead."

"Does she know?" May asked quietly. She wanted to know.

Drew looked away. It was evident that the topic made him uncomfortable.

"No."

May hugged he knees. "I'm sorry…" she said again.

"Again? Like I said, no worries." answered Drew, still looking away.

"That's what you're saying, but what do you really feel?" wondered May out loud. Silence enveloped both of them.

Without warning, Drew was encased in a hug, and he was engulfed in warmth.

"You act as if it doesn't affect you but I know it does…You care for her like she's your own flesh and blood so it doesn't matter if she's not…"

A few moments passed and the silence was broken by Drew's clearance of his throat.

May flushed when she realized her arms were still around him. She let go of him. Drew's cheeks had a light pink tint but it vanished when he noticed the rain ceased.

"The rain stopped…Let's go, I'll walk you home."

"Okay…"

Both walked out of the warehouse silently. May still had Drew's jacket draped around her shoulders. Their walk was a silent and uneventful one. It didn't take long for them to arrive at May's house.

"Well May, bye…"

"Bye…" said May. She turned around and when she was through the gate, she heard Drew say clearly and sincerely:

"And thank you."

She turned around but it was too late. Drew was nowhere in sight.

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I hope this reached all your expectations people! Again, sorry for the late update.

Meaning behind the chapter title:

Affrettando – pressing onwards

~ The reason for this is simply because the story line is pressing onwards.