Rule #10: He only sees you.
"You look miserable." chuckles the purple haired man.
Glaring over at him, the younger purple haired man mutters, "Mind your own business, Reggie."
Reggie walks into the room and sits at Paul's desk since Paul is on his bed. Paul hasn't left his room much lately. Reggie and Maylene noticed that he and Dawn have been very distant since Conway arrived. The two friends are nothing like they have been. "You miss Dawn."
"Shut up."
"It's written all over your face. Only she doesn't see it." smirks Reggie.
Groaning, Paul throws a pillow over his face. "Leave me alone." The wedding is tomorrow, so Reggie should be at rehearsals. Well, Paul should be too. He was just there all morning, and deemed himself a break just now. It seems like everyone is taking a break since he's gone. This is annoying.
"A girl and a guy can be friends." Reggie reminds him. "I'm friends with Dawn."
"Leave, Reggie."
"Conway's nice. He'll understand." the older man tries to convince his brother. "You shouldn't push someone away who means so much to you. You mean a lot to her too." Reggie sighs. "I see how down you both are. It sucks."
Paul doesn't say anything. He's already tried to get Reggie to leave. Well, a part of Paul doesn't want to be alone. This is new. Besides, Reggie is talking about that bluenette that aches his heart. The same bluenette who hasn't said a word to him since that night. She's feeling down too? He knew that. He heard her conversation on the pokenav the other day. Hearing someone else notice her mood makes him feel a little better.
"I think you, Dawn, and Conway need to have a conversation. You and Dawn shouldn't have to cut each other out beca-"
"Stop it, Reggie." Paul lets out a painful breath. "We're not friends. We never were." They were just coworkers who happened to get along. It's like when Drew was the Top Coordinator. Paul finds Dawn way more annoying than Drew, though Paul can tolerate both. Nevertheless, Paul sees Drew as more of a friend than he views Dawn.
Reggie's pokenav dings, indicating he has a text. Frowning slightly, the older man sighs. "Break's over. Are you coming?"
"Do I have to?" They both know Dawn won't get him. She'll just have Reggie do that.
"If you wanna save me a trip back here." Reggie pats Paul's shoulder. "C'mon. The sooner we practice, then the sooner we're done. Everything will be over tomorrow." Reggie too can't wait for the end of this wedding. He's excited for tomorrow, but the planning has been very stressful. Groaning, Paul sits up where he grabs his black cap from the desk. He follows Reggie out of the room and they head to the wedding hall.
Hoenn
"Am I an idiot?" asks the green haired man.
"Rosa." Roserade nods, earning her a glare from her trainer.
"You're not one to make me feel better."
"Rosa rose rosarade rose."
"I was not being pushy." denies Drew until Roserade gives him a knowing look. Sighing, Drew exasperates, "Okay. Maybe a little. But is it wrong of me to wanna spend time with her?"
"Rade." the grass type shakes her head.
"Thank you!" Drew exclaims. His last conversation with May still pains him immensely. However, this is what she wants, so he will keep his distance. "I just miss her. You know?" Drew glances back at his pokenav at the picture of him and a young May years ago when they competed in Kalos together. "You know how I felt being the Sinnoh Top Coordinator, Roserade. Nothing was the same."
"Rose roserade."
Drew blushes slightly. "Yeah. She makes everything fun." He chuckles at the old picture. "But I can't be mad at her for wanting to achieve her dreams. It's why I like being her friend. She's ambitious and strong and kind…" He lays back on the grass and lets out a breath. "All I want is to see her everyday."
Roserade rolls her eyes at her pitiful trainer. "Rosa rosarade rose rade rose."
"I'm not gonna impose my selfish feelings on her. You saw how upset she was when I just wanted to hang out. Imagine how pissed and burdened she'd be knowing my feelings." Drew chuckles sadly. "It's better this way. She'll come around eventually, and I'll always forgive her."
The pokemon facepalms at her lovesick trainer. After separating from May, they quit competing. It's not what Drew wants to do anyway. He only enjoys competing with her. The two have just been traveling around and avoiding places with contest halls, especially contest halls May has yet to win. Drew is respecting her wish of being alone, though he prefers to be with her.
To both of their surprises, Drew's pokenav rings. People rarely call Drew since everyone is busy with their own lives. Checking the caller, Drew's jaw drops. "It's her!" He whispers happily. Quickly picking up the call before she hangs up, Drew clumsily greets her, "Hey." He hopes he sounded normal and not eager. He doesn't want her to think he's clingy.
A deep breath is taken. "Hey, Drew. Where are you?"
Drew raises a curious eyebrow at Roserade. "Uh. Outside of Lavaridge Town. Why?"
There is a pause, and Drew thinks she hung up until she finally speaks again. "I wanna apologize to you in person. Can I come see you?"
Is he dreaming? He is laying on the grass. Pinching his leg quickly, Drew realizes this is not a dream. "You don't need to apologize, May. I was being clingy and annoying."
"No, Drew. I was being mean." May sighs. "Can you meet me in Slateport City? We'll get there at the same time." May also wants to speak to him in the city that means so much to them. Their first meeting. Their first contest. Their first Grand Festival. Where they first reconnected this season."
Drew sits up in excitement and clears his throat since his words got caught up in it. "Yeah. I can meet you there. The beach?"
May smiles slightly through her nervousness. "Yeah. The beach." He knows which part of the beach too.
Grinning widely, Drew nods. "I'll see you there, April."
The woman rolls her eyes. "See ya, grasshead." Once they hang up, May giggles to herself at how natural the conversation was. Despite their argument, and the awkwardness, Drew is still being himself around her. They can still talk like nothing has happened and no time has passed. It's why she loves her relationship with Drew. So much that she really doesn't want to lose him over her selfishness. She's realized this these past couple of weeks.
Sinnoh
Dawn curiously watches her friend anxiously standing at the doorway. He had knocked, and she let him in, though he seems slightly sweaty and nervous. "What's up, Ash?" She asks him again.
Awkwardly clearing his throat, Ash gives Dawn an apologetic look. "I packed my stuff, Dawn."
"Why?" With everything going on between her and Paul, and then Maylene and Reggie being too busy with the wedding, Dawn found comfort knowing she still had a friend to talk to. Yes, she has Conway, but he isn't a friend. He's her boyfriend, and the two are still getting to know each other. However, Ash is a good friend who Dawn loves spending time with. Why is he leaving her too?
The man takes a few steps closer to her. It is currently the night before the wedding, so many people are preparing the last minute details. The bride and groom are obviously resting for their special day in the morning. Ash stuck around to help since the earliest ticket he could get back to Kanto is for tonight. Pikachu is currently in the lobby watching the luggage, but Ash did promise to bring Dawn out for him to say bye to. "I need Misty. I'm sorry. It can't wait." He's waited long enough since his conversation with Leaf yesterday.
Dawn sighs. This is a reason she can't be upset at him for. Walking over with a warm smile on her lips, she dusts his shoulders. "I'm happy for you, Ash." The woman looks up into Ash's eyes, "Go get her. You love her."
He nods. Although Ash has been handling his own relationship problems, he has noted something lately. The dense oblivious Kanto champion can always tell when people are acting out of character to how he knows them. Grinning down at Dawn, Ash says, "I don't need to go for another hour or two." He motions to a nearby table. "Wanna talk about Paul?"
Dawn's face heats up and she looks away. Nevertheless, she finds herself following when Ash sits at the table. He had just finished packing, but he wanted to be a good friend before he left. Whether that involved setting up some more or talking to Dawn, he felt like he owed her that much for bailing tomorrow.
"There's nothing to talk about." mutters the woman.
Chuckling, Ash replies, "Everyone can see you're avoiding him." It's not abnormal for Paul to avoid people, but Ash has noticed that Dawn won't speak to Paul. With Paul being the best man, Ash expected there to be lots of communication between Dawn and Paul. It seems like Reggie has been the telephone for the two. Reggie has even confirmed this to Ash earlier.
Dawn's gaze falls on the table. Sighing, she tells him, "A girl and a guy can't be friends."
"We're friends." the man knowingly responds.
She shakes her head. "But you're in a relationship, and I'm in one too. So it's okay that we're friends."
Ash scratches his head in confusion. "The whole 6 years Misty and I were together, you and May have been single, Dawn. And we're all great friends." Ash really doesn't see Dawn's logic in this. She's also friends with Kenny and Barry who are single.
"I know, but Paul says we can't be friends." Paul is the one who cut out Dawn due to his stupid rule. Nonetheless, his stupid rules are the reason she's in a relationship with a loving man.
"Paul doesn't like acknowledging that he has friends." Ash pats Dawn's back. "I know he won't ever say I'm his friend, but he still talks to me when I see him at places." Paul and Ash did have a few conversations this week, though short.
The woman giggles. "I know." She recalls all the times she'd call Paul her friend when they'd hang out, and he would always scowl and grumble some choice words. She loved teasing him with their friendship. The thought aches her chest, so she shuts her eyes when they gloss over. With her head in her hands, she hopes Ash thinks she's just exhausted from the wedding rather than her being in distress by Paul's friendship breakup.
Ash worriedly watches his friend. "I can talk to Paul if you want?"
She shakes her head. "No. You need to make your flight." Taking in a deep breath, Dawn manages to keep her tears at bay. She lifts her head to give Ash a very fake smile. "It's not like Paul and I were friends or anything. We were just partners, and tomorrow, our deal is over."
Something in the distance behind Ash catches Dawn's attention, but before she can point it out, Ash speaks, "Did I ever tell you how Misty and I became friends?"
Dawn's gaze falls back on Ash, though she still sees the orange tuft behind him getting closer. "No."
The man breaks out in a large nostalgic grin. "We weren't friends. She followed me around for so long, even after Brock joined me."
"I thought Brock joined you and Misty?" inquires the bluenette.
Ash sheepishly rubs the back of his neck. "Technically. But I never let Misty travel with me. I only let Brock. She just stuck around because of…" He recalls the bike he still hasn't repaid her for. Shaking his head of the thought, he mutters, "That's not important. Anyway, we weren't friends. We had this deal where I would pay her back for her bike, and then she'd leave me alone."
"She obviously didn't." Dawn giggles. Else Ash wouldn't have dated Misty.
The man nods with his own chuckle. "Yeah." He's glad Misty never left him. It would've taken away all the happiness he's had with her. "Look, Dawn, Misty and I had this partnership, but we became friends, and we've stayed friends. You and Paul became friends during your partnership. It's okay to want to stay his friend."
"But he doesn't wanna be my friend." Dawn sighs in defeat. "I already tried talking to him, Ash. He's stubborn."
"Paul can't push you away forever." He is the champion, so it's easy to find him. Plus, Dawn will be working with him at times due to their leadership roles in the region. "I'm sure he sees you as a friend too. That's why he said a guy and girl can't be friends when one is in a relationship." Paul only could've said that if he considers Dawn a friend.
"So what do you think I should do?" Dawn exasperates. Paul is complicated. Well, he's not. He's just scary, though that never stopped Dawn in the past. She knows Ash is right. Paul can't always run away. Does Dawn want to risk getting her feelings hurt repeatedly by his rejections?
Ash shrugs. "Misty always told me to follow my heart. I know she meant my dreams of being a pokemon master, but eventually…" he shyly scratches his cheek. "I followed her." The man's face heats up brightly. "At first, she followed me for her bike. But I've been following her. She has my heart." He hangs his head to hide from embarrassment as his face heats up. Nevertheless, Ash doesn't want to stop talking about the woman he loves. The woman who has his heart. The woman who told him to follow his heart. Thus, he'll follow her however long it takes.
Dawn's attention shifts back to the figure behind Ash. A small smile creeps onto Dawn's face as she watches the redhead, with Pikachu on her shoulder, reach out a slender arm to Ash. The redhead has a few tears that have slipped down her face, and her face is showing a shade of blush similar to her hair. "Ash." Dawn coaxes her friend.
"Hm?"
"You're right." Dawn's smile grows as Pikachu jumps in her lap. "I'm gonna follow my heart. I wanna be Paul's friend!" The redhead's hand is on Ash's shoulder now, but he thinks it's Dawn's, so he doesn't raise his head. "Thanks, Ash!" Dawn then runs out of the room with Pikachu, leaving Ash and the redhead alone.
After a few seconds, Ash realizes that this hand can't belong to Dawn. She just left. The man, in a fright that it could be a ghost, jolts his head up. His eyes soon land on the tears of the woman he loves. This must be a dream, right? He was just talking to Dawn about Misty. He must be hallucinating. However, when he rubs his eyes a few times, she chokes out in a giggle, "It's really me, stupid."
Ash blinks in confusion until everything registers. The man quickly stands up, knocking his chair over. With his hands on Misty's shoulders, he eyes her. She's really here. In Sinnoh. It's her. Why? Her tear stained face make him more concerned than curious now. Bringing up his hands, he cups her face and uses his thumbs to wipe at her tears. "What's wrong, Mist?"
"You, idiot." she laughs through the new tears.
"Me?"
"Yeah." Misty reaches out to hug him while burying her face in his warm chest. When she arrived at the Shinji house, she was informed by Paul that Ash might be at the wedding hall. She walked into the lobby where she instantly spotted Pikachu. When she entered the cafeteria, she didn't expect to hear Ash talk about how much he loves her.
She's always known Ash loves her. There has never been any doubt in his feelings. It's one thing to love someone, and it's another thing to commit to them. Like Misty's parents loved her, but they couldn't make the commitment to be her parents. Misty feared Ash would abandon her someday, despite his love for her. She never thought love would be enough to keep someone, though Ash has proven her wrong.
"I love you, Ash."
His breath hitches in his throat as he wraps his arms around her. Yes. This isn't a dream. He recognizes this body in his. With his face buried in her hair, Ash mutters, "I love you too, Misty Waterflower." He's always loved her, even long before he knew what love was. Misty is special to him, which is why he doesn't want to be apart from her. It's the reason he's fought so hard to remain her friend after the breakup.
"We don't need to get married." the woman softly says.
Ash raises a curious eyebrow, but he can't see her since her face is in his chest. Misty has been wanting to get married for so long now. Why is she changing her mind? "No, we can get married."
"I don't want you to be forced to marry me, Ash." sniffles the redhead.
Ash pulls away slightly to look in her glossy cerulean blue eyes. "You're not!" Sighing, he grabs her hand. "Being here and helping with the wedding has made me realize what marriage means, Mist."
The woman shakes her head. "Ash, we don't need to get married. I'm happy with just spending my life with you. We don't need a ring."
"Misty, listen to me." Ash gets down on one knee. When Misty opens her mouth to object, he quickly silences her with a finger to his lips. "Just listen to me, okay?"
"Okay." Misty reluctantly nods.
Taking in a deep breath, Ash hopes to calm his nerves. He gazes up into those blue eyes he adores. "I was wrong proposing to you the way I did. I assumed you already knew how much I love you. I thought a ring was stupid, but I was gonna give it to you to make you happy." He rubs his thumb over the hand he's holding. "I now know that marriage means more than that. It's a commitment to the one you love and want to spend the rest of your life with. I'll admit, I still don't fully understand why marriage is important, but I've seen how happy people are to celebrate their love."
"Ash-"
He shakes his head. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Mist. I love you more than you can imagine." Ash squeezes her hand. "I want you to know I'll always be committed to you. I'll always love you." He awkwardly shifts his eyes. "I don't have the ring right now, but if you'll make me the happiest man alive, will you marry me, Misty Waterflower?"
Wiping at her tears with her free hand, Misty mutters, "You don't have to-"
"I want to." Ash smiles warmly up at her. "I want to marry you, Mist. Will you marry me too?"
Despite everything they've gone through, including his botched proposal before, Misty can tell he's serious about this. He isn't marrying her due to her requests. He's marrying her because he wants to. Nodding through her tears, she exclaims, "Yes! Yes, I'll marry you, Ash!"
He stands up to hug her and lift her in the air. "Yes! We're getting married!"
Holding onto him for fear of falling, but Misty knows Ash is strong enough to carry her, the woman kisses him. He slowly stops spinning her to gently place her back on the ground as he snakes his tongue into her mouth. Mew, he's missed her. They had the pleasure of being friends with benefits the past couple of months, but that's not the type of relationship he wants with Misty.
When they pull away for air, the man shyly asks, "Are you gonna be a Ketchum too?"
Misty rolls her eyes at her childish boyfriend. Pecking his lips, she whispers, "I can't wait to be a Ketchum." Before Ash can yell for joy again, Misty recaptures his lips in another deep kiss. This wild relationship they've had this past year is worth it for this moment.
She would've been fine never getting married because she doesn't doubt Ash's commitment. She knows they both love each other and only want each other. However, a ring on top of that isn't so bad either. Plus, Ash now seems to realize the importance of marriage. She loves him regardless of what happens with them. Their love is strong. It's the reason they've been able to have a relationship even after the breakup. There will be no more breakups between these two though.
Kanto
"We needa talk." the auburn haired man sternly says as he enters the room.
Turning in the chair, the person he's talking to stands up. "What?"
"Why does she like you? I'm a lot nicer. Better looking." the redhead rolls his eyes. "And I actually am in love with her! Why does she like you, Silver?" Gary exasperates.
After his call with Misty, he tried to pay Silver a visit but was told that Silver wasn't at the Indigo Plateau yesterday. Fortunately, Silver's secretary was able to fit Gary in the next day. Silver always knew this conversation would happen someday. Not too many people know about Leaf's crush on him besides for those she tells. And Leaf only tells those she trusts. The fact that she told Gary while she is seeing him must mean she trusts him a lot.
Silver shrugs. "Childhood feelings."
"Bullshit. What did you do to make her blinded by you?"
"Nothing." Silver recalls growing up with the annoying girl. They were both orphans in Johto who ventured out to make names for themselves as soon as they turned 10. While growing up in the orphanage, Leaf clung onto Silver since she felt bad for him. Over time, she grew closer to him, and he slowly let her in.
Gary knows Leaf and Silver grew up in the same orphanage. Furious that Silver isn't telling him anything, Gary storms over to grab the Elite Four member's shirt collar. Silver, of course, is unfazed, though he is glaring sharply at Gary. "If you don't love her, let her go."
"I never even wanted her in that way." Silver coldly responds. "We're basically siblings."
"She doesn't see it that way." Gary hisses.
Annoyed, Silver roughly removes Gary's hold on him. "It's not my fault how she sees it. I did nothing wrong. I can't control who she likes." Silver already has done his part in repeatedly rejecting her. "I don't know why you're here."
Shaking his head, Gary sits on the chair's armrest. He chuckles to himself with his head in his hand. "Because I love her. Shit. I fucking love her, man, and I wanna know how you got her to love you."
Silver lets out a very annoyed breath. He isn't here for emotions. The only reason he agreed to meet with Gary was to clear up this air. "I'm dating someone. I told Leaf last month. Maybe she'll start moving on now."
"It's not gonna be the same. I don't wanna be her second choice. Her rebound because you're taken."
The redhead takes a seat in his chair across from Gary. "She doesn't love me."
"Bro, we both know that's a lie. She's admitted her crush on you." Gary knowingly replies.
"It's a crush, professor." Silver wants to distance himself as much as possible from Gary. "Crushes come and go. She thinks it's love because we grew up together. We took care of each other like siblings."
"You said it yourself, you can't control how she views it and feels."
Silver shoots him a glare. "Don't use my words against me." Gary throws his hands up defensively, so the redhead continues. "Leaf and I are orphans. We've never had any consistency in our lives with us being in and out of foster care." He shrugs. "The only consistent thing we had was each other. She's latched onto me and is scared of letting me go."
Gary nods. It would explain why Leaf is constantly playing these men around her. She's used to the inconsistent lifestyle. "How do you know that?"
Silver leans back in his seat. Being quiet, he is very observant. Also, growing up with Leaf caused him to be able to read her very easily. She's still extremely childish despite her new responsibilities. When it comes to work and battling, Leaf is exceptional. When it comes to social skills and norms, Leaf tends to lack in that aspect. It's why she comes off as a flirt and player.
"I know about you."
"Huh?" Gary blinks at Silver in confusion.
"I know about you. I've never known about any of her past men. You're the only one."
"Cuz I'm famous."
"Your relationship hasn't made it on the news these past few years you've had your arrangements." Silver blushes having to be reminded of Leaf's troublesome nature.
Gary too awkwardly looks away. "We are good at what we do."
Shaking his head of the thoughts, Silver continues, "She tells me about you all the time. It's not to make me jealous." The Elite Four member awkwardly rubs the back of his head. "I'm not gonna speak for her, okay? She's just confused and thinks that childhood crush equates to love. I'm her only consistency." Silver locks eyes with Gary's confused orbs. "You need to be her consistency too."
The professor takes in a deep breath. He fully understands what Silver is saying. While Gary didn't grow up as an orphan, he practically was alone. His grandfather was constantly working, and his sister Daisy was always gone for school or work in Goldenrod City. Gary had more consistency than Leaf, though he was more lonely, especially after his friendship breakup with Ash.
The professor lacks consistency, but Leaf has been his consistency these past few years. He wished he saw her more often; nevertheless, he knew what to expect from her every time they'd see each other. He loved their consistency. He loves her. Smirking at Silver, Gary tells the redhead, "I'm gonna be her new only consistency now, Silver. Stay outta my way."
"She's still like a sister to me." Silver mumbles as Gary walks to the door.
"You know what I mean. I'm gonna let her know exactly how I feel about her." Gary's hand rests on the knob as his lips form into a small smile. "I'm gonna let her know that she's all I see."
Sinnoh
"I do." smiles the pinkette up at her soon to be husband.
"You may now kiss the bride!"
Maylene and Reggie close the space between them with a long kiss, erupting cheer from everyone. This morning was very hectic, but now that the hardest part is over, Dawn finds it very rewarding. She's enjoyed planning Reggie's and Maylene's weddings. They are old friends of hers too. It allowed her to reconnect with them. She's glad she was able to help with their special day.
Due to Misty arriving last night, Ash missed his flight to stay in Sinnoh for the wedding. He and Misty are present at the wedding along with Pikachu. As usual, Paul has been scowling and avoiding Dawn. She's been too busy to take notice of him, though she does plan to talk to him once things quiet down. With the ceremony and speeches over, everyone enjoys a nice dinner in t the banquet.
When Maylene throws the bouquet, people forgot to account for her strength as the fighting type gym leader. Thus, her bouquet flew back and landed on Misty's lap. Misty wasn't even trying to get the bouquet since she's already secretly engaged. Once the bouquet landed on her lap, she and Ash giggled to themselves as everyone warily watched them. It isn't a secret that the two broke up over Ash not wanting to get married. Fortunately, Misty announced the news that they got engaged last night. This was met with lots of cheer. Maybe wedding superstitions do come true?
With everyone enjoying themselves, and some getting drunk, Dawn finally finds some time to free herself from the planning. Maylene told Dawn to enjoy the wedding, but Dawn wants to make sure nothing ruins Maylene's special day. Therefore, Dawn won't be drinking too much. She also won't be keeping her attention away from the wedding for too long.
Finally spotting the person she was looking for, though it's not hard to find him when he normally sticks to secluded dark areas, Dawn makes her way over to her ex-friend. Conway is mingling with other guests since he knows some of them from his travels. Dawn hasn't had much time to speak with her boyfriend or hang out with him due to the busy wedding. A part of her heart also aches painfully when she is around Conway. It even aches when she's reminded of him. Like she's doubting them.
"Wanna dance?" Dawn's courage she built up from her walk over has just helped her not sound like a weak squeak as she sits down beside the stoic champion.
"Leave me alone.
Dawn spent a good chunk of last night thinking over how her conversation with him would go. She spots Ash giving her thumbs up from across the room, which makes her smile as her nerves relax a bit. "No." Dawn glances back at the very annoyed champion. "I wanna be friends, Paul."
He lets out a long breath. "I don't have friends."
"You have me."
"We're not friends." He shoots her a glare before she can speak. "If you say one more thing, I'm leaving this wedding." The only reason he hasn't left yet is because this is his brother's special day. Reggie begged Paul to not dip out too early. Leave it to Paul to have a soft spot for his brother, though small.
"You wouldn't leave Reggie." Dawn knows of this too since Reggie had said it earlier to her.
Shaking his head, the champion stands up. As much as it aches his heart to leave her, it hurts more being by her. He's trying to get rid of her from his life already. Everytime they get involved with one another, the ache in his chest comes back stronger. It takes too long to disappear, so he needs her to stay away. He needs to go back to his routine lifestyle.
Dawn stands up to follow him. She won't let him get away from her that easily, and he can't threaten her. However, one of the waitresses quickly grabs Dawn's arm to lead her to an emergency in the kitchen. Apparently, some of the horderves got smashed by accident during movement. After dealing with the kitchen fiasco, Dawn attempts to find Paul again, but a tipsy Conway manages to find her. He drags her onto the dancefloor. Soon, Dawn's dance partner shifts to Ash where the two share a friendly dance.
Hidden in the balcony overseeing the festivities, the lone champion swirls his glass of champagne. This is still his first glass he's had since the wedding toast where he gave a very bland best man speech. He's only drank a sip from it, but he's kept it to avoid getting passed another. He doesn't intend to make a fool of himself tonight.
Regardless of the low amount of alcohol he's drunk, his vision is blurred. Everything is blurred except for midnight blue. The midnight blue hair of the woman who continues to affect him in ways he doesn't understand. He's watched her dance with various people tonight, but he hasn't cared who they were. All he can see is her, and all it does is ache his heart.
We're almost done. Two more chapters! Well, one more and then an epilogue. I'm glad I managed to keep this story under 20 chapters. Phew! Trying to get better with being concise. See ya in the next chapter!