Calm Before the Storm
After Harley had been satisfactorily pwned, Jasmine resumed her typical calm, docile demeanor.
"I didn't know you could set the beach on fire like that, " May noted to Chase.
"Oh, you have no idea. "
Chase did a comic double take at the rose May was holding. "Hey, who gave you that? "
"Drew. Why? " May didn't notice herself blushing.
Chase opened his mouth, then closed it again. Next time I go to the pokemart, maybe I should get her a clue, he mused.
Jasmine rejoined the small group. "Chase, I would like your assistance and opinion as I prepare for the upcoming battle. Please excuse us, May. "
"Ok. " May watched them go, then wondered where Drew had gone.
She turned to go look for him, then paused, and instead decided to go for a walk outside and think.
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Drew was back in the small enclosed beach area, working hard on his combo attacks. Not that they really needed work, but he found that Pokemon often kept his mind off of the things he would rather not dwell on.
There was a pained groan from somewhere in the rocks. "Johto ground does not like Harley, " a man's voice whined.
"What did I tell you about third person? " Drew's voice was thick with scorn and a hint of amusement.
Presently, the bruised coordinator appeared over the ridge. "Harley can speak however he wants. "
"You have five seconds to haul your cheating self out of here. "
Harley sniffed. "Fine. Be that way. "
"I will and I am. Five, four, three... "
Drew listened to the sounds of Harley's hasty retreat. Good. Peace and quiet.
No, wait, bad peace and quiet. I got to keep my mind off of the fact that...
"Drew? I didn't expect to see you around here! Err, I mean, I didn't expect to be here... I mean, um... "
... the fact that my life is just one big ironic cliche, he finished with a tinge of annoyance. "Hello, May. Why wouldn't I be here? "
"Oh, um, no reason, I'm just surprised to see you period. I got kind of lost, you see... Oh, hello, to you too, Roselia. " The little grass Pokemon had come boldly up and was hugging May's ankles.
"How could you get lost? The beach isn't even a mile long. " His curious gaze slid sideways to capture hers.
"I was kind of lost in thought, you see, thinking about you and the contest. " She pushed her index fingers together, getting rather flustered.
"Were they good thoughts? " Drew didn't mean to let the words slip out, but was grateful he hadn't said anything more.
"Sorta. I'm disappointed I lost, but I'm looking forward to see you two battle. Are you? "
"You could say that. " Drew withdrew his pokemon after Roselia had finished hugging May. "I've got to be getting back now, breaks over. Walk with me? "
Both were surprised slightly by Drew's offer. May smiled slightly but warmly at him.
"Ok. "
They were silent for a while, each thinking their own private thoughts. Then, as they reached the contest hall, May turned to face him.
"Good luck, Drew. You're a good friend. "
"Thank you, May. So are you. " Drew turned around, trying to conceal the fact that his whole heart wished that they could be more than that.
"Would Drew and Jasmine come to the main stage? "
The crowd erupted into cheers as the talented Gym Leader and the famous Hoenn coordinator took their respective places and sent out their Pokemon.
"Go, Masquerian and Roselia! "
"Amphy and Steelix, show your skills! "
Drew flicked his hair out his face as Jasmine gave him a confident nod.
"Begin! "
