J is for Justifiable

"May, could you please shut up." Drew sat diagonal from May and Solidad, rubbing his throbbing temples. "I'm pretty sure we get the point after you've repeated it ten times."

Solidad placed her hand on May's shoulder. Her muscles relaxed under the weight of Solidad's hand. "Sorry," May said quietly, shifting her eyes to the table. "I'm just scared that I really messed up big time. I really didn't mean to yell at him like that."

"I'm sure Ash understands." Solidad's voice was calm, collected, and it reminded May she was still just a child. "You two fight all the time, but sometimes the only way people can communicate is through fighting, just like how you two have been doing all this time. It means you're close. Right, Drew?"

Drew looked to Solidad, then to May, blinking once in between. "Yeah. One little fight isn't going to ruin your friendship, May. I mean, look at us."

May moaned. She hated when Drew was right.

"Exactly what I mean, but at the end of the day, we're still friends."

"But, I lashed out on him." May's voice grew softer. "There wasn't even a reason, I just got really mad. It wasn't justifiable."

"Not all actions have to be justifiable," Solidad said, sliding her hand to May's left shoulder to give her a tight squeeze, giving her a reassuring smile. "We do things on impulse, and that's okay. Listen, though, I have to head out, so why don't you and Drew take a walk to clear your head some more before you go and talk with Ash about your fight? Nature has a way of making your thoughts clear and calm."

"Okay." May nodded. She hugged Solidad before she left. Solidad always smelled great, sometimes like flowers, other times like sweet perfumes. It always left May with a fluffy feeling.

"So, where do you want to go?" Drew asked, walking out of the restaurant. "There's a walking path for people and Pokemon down the road a bit, if you want to go. I've been there a few times, it's a nice place to cool down or think about things."

.

In an open field, the wind brushed against May's hair. She felt calm, relaxed, but the guilt weighed down on her shoulders like the full force of the world. Even if she tried, she doubted that she could smile.

"Do you ever feel like this, Drew?"

Drew shrugged. They weren't looking at each other, but he knew exactly what May's face must have looked like. "Sometimes. I've lashed out on you a couple of times myself. Anger can get the best of us at times. There's really nothing we can do but to own up to our actions and apologize. Even if you think your brain to death about it, nothing will happen unless you do something about it."

May nodded slowly. "You're right. Thanks, Drew."

"It's what I'm here for. I got your back when you're down in the dumps. Come find me anytime you want to talk. I'll be right here to listen."

"You complain about it."

"Mmm, well… I'm a guy, what can I say? We complain a lot, but it doesn't mean we won't do things. Trust me, I'm more than willing to listen to your problems."

May's cheeks lit up as she turned to Drew with a smile on her face. Drew smiled back, pulling her in for a tight hug.

"What was that for?" May giggled.

"Just because."

She punched Drew in the shoulder.

"What was that for?"

"Just because," she called back, laughing.