CHAPTER 21
SHANA'S POV

When Flare stepped out of our class's haunted house, I was alarmed at how troubled and terrified he looked. The look on his face made me think he cried a little. Inchy clearly noticed this too and left to discipline Hal.

"Hal?" the former called into the room. "Hal, where are you?"

"Don't worry about him Inchy; I've dealt with him already." Annette said behind her, I could see Mario standing in front of Hal who had a very large bruise on his head."

"Is he unconscious?"

"I thnk so."

Inchy grumbled. "Great, I'll go get something to wake him up." He turned to the line of waiting students. "Sorry everyone but we're closed. We'll be open as soon as I can get Hall up."

Some of the students gave frustrated grunts before they left. Inchy too left to get some supplies leaving me alone with Flare. His expression didn't change at all and I just had to do something.

"Flare, are you OK?" I asked worriedly.

At the sound of my voice, he flinched away for some reason but then answered. "I...um...I..."

I had a feeling that what he saw in there had something to do with me. "Flare, it's OK. Everything's going be fine."

He didn't react to what I said and continued to look as troubled as ever. Wanting him to stop, I just went over and gave him a hug which took him by surprise.

"Sh...Shana..."

"You lost me in there, didn't you." I said to him. "Flare," I hugged him tighter. "You don't have to worry about loosing me. I have you right? I know you'll always be there to protect me when I need to be. You're a good guard Flare; don't think that you aren't one."

"That's not it Shana..." he told me with a shaky, troubled voice. "It was me; I did something wrong and you...and you voluntarily left while hating me."

Me hate him? No way; I couldn't believe that Flare would think that I might do that. "Flare..."

"You wished I was dead!" he cried out and he began crying. He seemed so strong back when he was defending me but now, I felt my heart melt for him and just wanted to make him stop.

I parted from him a little and looked into his face. I placed my paws on his cheeks as I spoke. "I will never hate you Flare. No matter how bad you may say you are, no matter what you've done or who you've hurt, that'll never ever happen. I'll accept you no matter who you are."

He gulped. "But Shana...I...I'm..."

I help up my paw and he stopped talking. "You are Flare. That's all I really care about."

He stopped crying and I wiped the remaining tears from his eyes. "There there, it's OK. Want me to get you some shake?"

Flare sniffed and nodded. "Yes; thank you Shana."

I smiled and together, we went back to the fair grounds and found a stall that sold berry shakes. I bought Flare an Oran one since that was his favorite flavor. We found and empty table and sat there.

"So Shana...how was your choir practice a while ago?" he asked me as he sipped his shake; he seemed a lot more calm now.

"It was OK. They all can't can't for the dance."

The dance...my dance with Flare...that would be the night. On that night, I will confess my feelings to Flare.

"I can't wait either." Flare said with a smile. He finished the last of his shake.

"Hey you two, how's it going?" a voice behind me said. I turned around and saw my Uncle Slice and Aunt Chi.

"We're pretty good. Just checked out our class's haunted house." I answered.

"Listen, Zara's game is in thirty minutes. We must get good seats." my Aunt Chi said. We agreed and we were all off to the baseball pitch.

We found Slick there causing my Uncle Slice and Aunt Chi to frown. He gave them a respectful greeting before inconveniently sitting right next to them. Not wanting to notice this, Flare and I took our seats and the game began to start.

The two teams entered the pitch and the captains shook hands. The rules were then explained emphasizing that using attacks wasn't allowed and after that, Zara's team was batting first.

The pitcher was a Granbull and our batter was a Golduck. At the first pitch of the game, the ball was struck and the Golduck made it all the way to second base. Next up to bat was Zara.

"C'mon Zara, hit that thing right outta the field!" my Uncle Slice cried out as she took the bat and pointed it at the horizon silently saying what she'll do what her dad said. The pitcher grumbled and the rest of his team backed up and began to spread out. But when the ball was thrown, Zara only hit it lightly causing it to bounce off the ground. While the enemy team fumbled to get it, Zara bolted and was on first base just as the the guy on second made it all the way to home scoring a point for us. As the opposing team grumbled, Zara flashed us a grin.

Later that night at dinner, we held a a small party in celebration of Zara's performance at the game earlier. Surprisingly, Slick was also invited; it seemed to be her parent's "reward" for helping her team win a while ago.

"Of course, we can't forget that big competition tomorrow." my dad said indicating me, Flare and Zara. "I know you three will do good tomorrow so make us pround!"

"We will dad." I said and I looked at Zara and Flare who were at my side. We gave one last toast to a good clean contest tomorrow and our little party broke up and everyone went to bed.

"Hey Flare, you still troubled about a while ago?" I asked as we headed to our respective rooms.

"A little bit." he answered meekly. "Shana...you don't wish I were dead do you?"

We were in front of my room when he asked that. I already knew what to say even though I thought for only about a second. "No Flare, I don't. In fact, I wish you a long and happy life."

He smiled at me. "Thank you Shana. Goodnight."

"Night Flare." I entered my room and closed the door. Deep down in my heart I wanted to be a part of Flare's long, happy life. I laid down on my bed and whispered one last: "I love you Flare." before I slept.

Please just wait until our dance Flare; I'll tell you exactly why I would never hate you.