Don't say I didn't warn you.
The group had just had left the town where Serena had competed (and lost) in the Poké Puff contest. Ash was leading the way down the path with his partner, Pikachu, on his shoulder. Clemont and Bonnie were after them. And a little ways back, her mind full of difficult thoughts, was our honey-blonde Poké Puff chef, Serena. She couldn't shake what Miette had said to her just before they had parted ways.
"Either you tell Ash how you feel about him, or I'll tell him how I feel."
Did Miette… really mean that? Serena looked up at her friends, focusing on the pride of Pallet Town as he led their group. "How I feel about Ash…?" She whispered the words to herself, almost afraid of anyone hearing her.
How did she feel about Ash? How didn't she feel? Ash filled her with such a mix of emotions. His eyes made her feel like the spotlight was focused on her, like there was no one else around. His kind words and gentle voice always managed to raise her spirits whens she was feeling down. His fiery passion and determination were a constant source of inspiration.
She remembered being scared for him without even knowing who he was when she saw him jump off of Prism Tower on TV. She'd been depressed when he mentioned that he didn't remember her in Santalune City (though she was elated when he finally did on the way through Odyssey Village). She remembers getting a little annoyed with is gluttony at times, as well.
Ash made her feel safe, as well, like when he protected everyone from the evil Malamar or when he saved her from Team Rocket after she and Bonnie had been captured. She also felt pride in him, when he earned his noble title of Baron as well as his two Kalos Region Gym Badges (though she also felt supremely worried when the battle was starting...).
Ash made her feel so happy, as well. When he helped her work on her PokéVision, she was excited. When he had asked her to join him on his journey, she was excited. When he said her Poké Puffs were the yummiest things he's ever eaten in his life, she felt butterflies in her stomach (after she got over the scare he put her through when he paused after eating them, anyway).
Ash made her feel… alive.
"Serena, is something up?" Ash had fallen back to talk with her. "You're falling behind everyone."
"Pikachu," his partner added.
Serena felt her cheeks heat up under the scrutiny. "I-uh," she stuttered. "I was just thinking about what Miette had said to me before we left."
"What she said, huh?" he asked, blinking. "What was it? We didn't hear what she whispered to you."
Serena looked ahead. Clemont and Bonnie had stopped, but the two of them were just watching Ash and herself from a distance. "She said…" Serena began to gather her courage. "She said that if I didn't tell you how I felt about you, she'd tell you how she felt."
Ash blinked, confused. "How you feel about me? What do you mean?"
Serena looked into his brown eyes. She could do this. She could tell him exactly how she felt. She could tell him about the warm feelings that started in her chest and spread to the tips of her fingers and toes whenever he was nearby. "Ash… I…" She could tell her blushing was growing more and more intense. "I want to tell you how I feel."
Ash furrowed his brow, even more confused. "Well, how do you feel?"
"Pika?"
"Ash, I'm so glad to be on this journey with you. Before you invited me, I had no idea what I was going to do after getting Fennekin, but with you at my side, I've been able to try so many things and meet so many interesting people. We've already gone on so many adventures together already, and I know we'll just keep making wonderful memories. I just know it. Whenever you're around, I just know that things are going to be great." She looked into his eyes and smiled. "Ash, you make me feel… like I'm finally alive. Like I've never been alive before and everything is just so exciting and new."
Ash smiled back at her. "That's how you feel about me, huh?" He gave her a toothy grin. "Well, you make me feel alive, too!"
Now it was Serena's turn to be confused. "Wait, I do?" Her face was probably entirely red by this point, but she couldn't tell, nor did she care.
"Yeah! The way you cheered me on in the Santalune Gym broke me out of my panic and helped me to realize how I could win. And there was when you brought up the Battle Chateau? Man, that was so exciting! Taking a break to help work on your PokéVision was really fun, and it was also really cool to watch the Water-Type Pokémon with you and help you fish in Ambrette Town. And man, every time I eat one of your goodies, it's like my whole body lights up! It's like I can taste how much of your own happiness you put in them! Especially those Poké Puffs from yesterday! Man, those were the best!"
Serena couldn't help but let a smile grow over her face. "T-Thank you… that means a lot to hear from you, Ash."
He grabbed the brim of his hat. "Don't worry about it, Serena! That's what friends are for, right?"
"Pikachu!"
Serena felt her heart drop for a moment, but shook that thought right out of her head. "Right, Ash! You always know exactly what to say to cheer me up!"
He laughed. "Well, that's what friends are for, too, right?" He thought for a moment. "But wait… what did Miette want to tell me, then? I mean, all I know about her is that she bakes Poké Puffs. She definitely doesn't know me as well as you do."
Serena laughed and grabbed his hand. "C'mon, Ash! Clemont and Bonnie are waiting for us!"
Ash blinked as the girl began pulling him ahead towards the blonde siblings. "Serena? Do you have any idea how she feels about me?"