Hi everyone,
Here's an update to May's Belated Journey. Hope you like what's going to happen :)
Chapter 50Sitting beside Cilan and Iris for breakfast, May couldn't even sum up the courage to feign cheerfulness. She'd spent the previous day with Ash and Steven, both of whom had remained blissfully ignorant of her depression. The two Unovans, however, sent her expectant glances. Where she knew that Steven had suspected something, May also knew that he wouldn't pressure her into saying anything unless she was ready. The man wouldn't push her into anything unless she was being an obstinate so-and-so.
Besides, she'd had Ash to think of. From what he'd said, he and Misty had had a falling out, and she could tell that it upset him. So, rather than unload her own problems, she'd focused on being happy around him, even if it was a blatant lie. She only hoped that Steven didn't corner her later, especially since she'd have no fall-back to tell him. At least the frients she was with now wouldn't chastise her as he would.
'What's eating at you?' Iris asked, her hands groggily reaching for her coffee.
'English you speak good,' May joked, hoping to lighten the mood a little.
'Shut up and get into it!' Iris growled, her eyes flashing dangerously as even Cilan chuckled near her, deftly dodging her elbow with ease.
'All right, all right, just don't make a scene,' May responded cautiously before Iris took a sip of her coffee, trying to hide her smug smirk at May's acquiescence before taking a moment to relish the flavour.
Hesitating, May wondered what she should say, but realised that she had nothing else she could do but be honest with her friends, especially with Iris's already grouchy mood.
'I was walking around late at night and… well, someone else wants him. She was in his hospital room, talking to him, and it sounds like she really loves and needs him. They sounded close, too. I should just give up on him,' May muttered as she took a sip of her mocha. She didn't need to mention Drew by name for either of her friends to know she was discussing the man.
'Someone else likes him? And you're letting this get you down why?' Iris mused, arching a cool eyebrow at the Gym Leader and secret Champion, who felt a wave of guilt fill her.
'He clearly doesn't need me,' May grimaced, her voice catching in her throat. She couldn't imagine how she'd go in contests without his support, but she'd manage. She'd been managing without him for years now, anyway. Besides, with his health being as it was, she didn't have many options, and the reality made her heart throb painfully.
'I wouldn't be so sure of that. Whatever you two have, it's clearly something special. I mean, his family tolerated you taking Roserade, which is highly unlikely for two individuals who are simply rivals,' Cilan frowned, reaching out to touch the woman's shoulder affectionately.
'Cilan is right. Whoever you may have seen may not have as close a relationship with him as you think. Unrequited love does exist, unfortunately. Besides, everyone is saying you're with Gary, but we know that to be a lie. You have to have faith that, whoever this girl is, he might not reciprocate her emotions. From everything I've heard about you two, he doesn't,' Iris retorted, glaring as Brendan moved to sit with them, Orlando and Wally in tow. The trio didn't at all seem to mind Iris's unspoken message, Brendan returning the glare with a glare of his own.
'True, I'd recommend cauti on, just in case. If it means anything, from Roserade's behaviour to you, I'd say Drew holds you in high esteem. For a pokémon to listen to a Trainer that isn't their own, especially one his Trainer did not travel with, is extremely rare,' Cilan mused as Brendan sat on one side of May, stubbornly glaring back at the younger woman seated on her other side, setting his tray before him and picking up his piece of bread.
'High esteem isn't enough if another woman needs his support more than me,' May grimaced as Wally arrived, carrying his plate with a shaky hand.
'What isn't enough?' The man questioned as Lisia arrived in the room, frantically glancing around, as though she was searching for something.
'I think Drew has a girlfriend,' May shrugged, doing her best to appear unaffected by the statement. She focused her gaze on her plate, not seeing the man drop his cup of oran juice, a highly uncharacteristic action for the man.
'Drew? A girlfriend?' The man spluttered, his eyebrows raised and eyes widening in disbelief, seeming not to notice the bue liquid spreading across their plastic table. He barely registered Brendan sighing and pulling the brunette into a one armed hug as Orlando left to find a pile of napkins.
'Wally!' Lisia's voice squealed, as bubbly as ever. She was being her perky self and May wasn't in the mood.
Turning to stare at the woman, Wally turned his back on May, who glanced up to see Lisia's bright smile. If she'd taken the effort to analyse Wally's expression, she would have seen him grimace in apprehension. After all, she and her Hoenn companions knew that Lisia was a master of illusions, like any Zorua. She always wore a sunny smile, like May, but the brunette always had some clue of her emotions visible in her actions or voice. The turquoise haired woman, however, was another thing entirely. Her eyes were the only clue to ever establish if she was truly happy, and even then, he couldn't always be sure.
Noticing her glimmering eyes, the man instantly understood the emotion behind them. Letting out a cry, he stumbled out of his chair. In a shaky voice, he whispered, 'he's awake?'
'Almost! Brock told me to come and get May, since she's such a special part of Drew's life,' the woman giggled causing May to drop her coffee, it's dark brown liquid mixing in with Wally's blue as Orlando returned, a wad of tissues in his hand.
'Drew?' May questioned, blinking back her tears. Did she deserve to feel this overwhelming happiness, especially given Drew's unknown lover? She could barely hold her hands from shaking as she stared at Lisia, her sapphire eyes meeting Lisia's lighter ones.
'You bet!' Lisia grinned back, practically bouncing off the wall in joy.
The brunette didn't need to be told twice, jumping out of her chair and bol ting out of the door, not even pausing to glance at her friends who called for her.
'Don't run in the corridors, Gym Leader!' Steven's smooth voice called, though she only waved it off, calling gleefully, 'Champion, I'm in Almia. Give me a break!'
She heard him chuckly slightly before she turned a corner, running head first into Wallace. Taking a moment to collect herself, she paused slightly before grinning up at him, 'apparently he's waking up!'
Seeing the man's neutral expression break into a giant grin, May giggled and rushed further down the hall, manoeuvring the hospital's hallways and dodging people and pokémon.
Reaching the ill man's room, May saw Brock and Nurse Joy leaning over him, running various tests.
'Is he awake yet?' May panted, leaning slightly against the door frame to catch her breath.
'Not yet he's not. It could take a little while, but the signs are there,' Brock chuckled as May clambered into a seat nearby, her sapphire eyes trained on the chartreuse haired man.
'I'm not leaving, not until he's woken up,' May muttered childishly as she took a pokéball from her pocket.
'You could be waiting for a while,' Brock warned as Wally, Brendan and Gary arrived, panting as the former two leaned forward, glancing around for May.
'Who died?' Gary muttered, not seeing his cousin seated inside the room.
'No, he's waking up!' May grinned, turning to stare at her cousin who, upon noticing her eager elation, chuckled and ruffled her hair affectionately.
'Finally. I was beginning to wonder if he'd turn you into an old spinster surrounded by Spinarak,' he mused, ignoring her moody glare as he clasped her shoulder affectionately.
'If I'd said that I'd be dead!' Brendan scoffed in disbelief, though Wally frowned at the words, glancing with clear concern from May to Gary.
'What can I say? Unlike you Birches, everybody loves a piece of Oak,' Gary winked back arrogantly, sending the man a knowing glare as he pinched May's cheek affectionately, though the young woman scowled, swatting his hand away.
With obvious irritation, May glared up at the man, who sent her a bemused smirk, 'so, you don't have any protests to wanting a piece of Oak?
Upon registering his response, May gagged, ' please, Daisy and I don't.'
'There's an exception to every rule, Petalburg,' Gary snarled back, his eyes narrowing in irritation, though May didn't seem too concerned by it.
'Really? Misty doesn't seem to like you and I'm pretty sure Iris doesn't either, what with the way she ogles at Cilan. Honestly, what's with you women and green haired guys? What's next, Wally getting his own fan-base? Besides, while I'm listing women who didn't fall for the Oak charm, didn't Serena reject you too? Hmmm Cynthia and Diantha seemed real interested in the great Oak prodigy too, while I'm evaluating your not-so clandestine relations with the ladies! Do you want me to keep analysing, or has your ego been deflated a bit?' Brendan mocked as Gary smirked back at him, unperturbed as May frowned at the nickname.
'Well, more people do flock to me than you, not that I keep tabs on the specific numbers. Face it, you're just jealous,' Gary scoffed at him, chuckling at the man's increasing anger.
'Right. How could I forget that I'm talking to you? Next you'll be saying that I love you too,' Brendan sn orted as May leant forward, her eyes intent upon Drew's face.
'May, it might not happen now,' Brock mused as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, not even glancing at Nurse Joy as she left the room.
Noticing Brock's behaviour, Gary whistled at the man's disinterest in the pretty nurse as his cousin jutted out her lip at her childhood friend.
'But I miss him,' May whispered, Wally staring at her with a soft smile.
'I know you do, but you have to do what's right by you. Will hanging around him like this really be the answer?' Brock responded, his eyes flickering to Wally's emerald, his lips pressed in a thin line.
'I need to see him wake up, Brock. This anticipation is killing me,' May whispered as she scrubbed at her eyes, hoping no one would notice her tears. She felt her cheeks warm at the thought of being teased by her friends for crying so much about Drew. Honestly, though, she knew that no matter who was in the hospital bed, she'd be bawling her eyes out as much for any of her other friends.
'That's just it, May, you've been very patient and all you can do is be patient. I don't know if being stuck here alone will do you any good,' Brock warned, though dropped the topic on noticing her stubborn pout.
'I won't be alone,' May murmured before returning her attention to Drew, gently removing the hair from his pale face.
'I'll give you some privacy,' the man muttered before ushering Gary and Brendan out of the room, nodding curtly to Wallace and Lisia as they ambled in, both doing their best to appear neutral at the man's departure.
'May, about that thing you said in the cafeteria,' Wally began, ignoring the confused glances from his family.
'Please, Wally, I don't want to think about it. Whoever she is, she deserves to be happy, just like everyone else. I wish them the best,' May responded, her lips protruding in a subtle pout. She had hoped that Wally would let it slide, especially since he was normally more courteous than Brendan and Orlando.
'But you're wrong, and I'd hate for you to start seeing someone else without clearing the air between you both,' Wally muttered, his expression tense, eyes pleading.
It often surprised May how different the two men were, but Wally had always remained indifferent to any mention of Drew, ever. As far as May was aware, the two men didn't know each other, despite their physical resemblance.
'Please, who would I possibly start seeing? Brendan? Orlando? Gary? Ash? Why not throw in Brock, Wallace and Cilan into the mix!' May scowled back, resenting any insinuation the man was making.
'Argue later, he's waking up!' Lisia squealed as she jumped between the two.
Immediately, May stared at the man on the bed, whose eyes were flickering slightly.
'Come on, come on, come on! The suspense is killing me!' Lisia glowered as Wally frowned, 'where is Sol? Shouldn't she be here?'
'She's waiting outside with Harley. I believe she wanted to give Drew some space ,' Wallace smiled as Drew opened his emerald eyes, blinking slowly at the bright light.
'Drew!' May grinned as Lisia squealed, 'he's awake!'
'Welcome to the land of the living,' Wallace chuckled as Drew's eyes frantically moved around the room, taking a moment to register what was going on.
Opening his mouth to speak, Drew looked thoroughly confused at the group of people who were watching him. His brows knitted in a rare frown, and he looked completely perplexed, an unusual expression on him.
With a giggle, May tried to hide her inner elation. When the man's emerald eyes flickered to her, she smiled, 'Arceus, Drew, you had us all really worried.'
'Where am I?' The man questioned, his eyes focused on Lisia's turquoise, searching them for something May couldn't see.
'No need to worry, Coordinator! You had a slight accident but it's aaaaall fine now!' Lisia grinned before striking her signature pose.
'Slight? The man's been in hospital, Lis! For far too long!' Wally cried out, his eyes glaring at the woman, though she simply waved him off, her usual euphoria filling the room.
'Will someone tell me what happened?' Drew frowned as his eyes focused on Wallace, expecting the oldest visitor to explain.
However, the man simply glanced at May and raised an eyebrow, a signal to the brunette to speak.
With a grimace, May realised she'd never really considered what she would say to him when he woke up. So, in an uncertain voice, she explained, 'after Samiya, we went back onto Nabiki Beach. The pokémon were all under the control of Team Bright Moon, and I split from the rest of you to investigate. Drew, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left you, even if I left a few pokémon with you. I shouldn't have left you.'
Seeing her distraught expression, Drew stared at her, his eyes widening as his skin paled, a sure sign of the panic he was feeling. Clearly he felt uncertain as to how to react to the guilt ridden woman, not that she could blame him for his uncertainty.
Scrubbing at the tears which stung her eyes, May let out a slight chuckle, 'I'm sorry, you should focus on resting. I've brought Roserade for you, he wanted to help me out while you were out for the count. Your family didn't object from what I've heard.'
A look of apprehensive wonder crossed the man's face as he questioned, 'you know my family?'
His eyes flickered to the trio of bystanders who were subtly grimacing at the question, Wally shaking his head subtly.
'No, but Wallace apparently knows them. I didn't think you knew Wallace but clearly I was mistaken. By the way your family trust him, I'd think you two know each other quite well,' May whispered, a sheepish smile fi lling her expression. With how suave and successful Drew was, it shouldn't have surprised her at all, but it did.
'Right,' the man muttered, his tone curt and filled wit the subtlest hint of disappointment. May, however, was too preoccupied to notice the man's emotional state.
'I suppose it shouldn't have surprised me that your family knows Wallace. I just never really thought about it before,' May mused, biting her lip uncertainly
'What's that meant to mean?' Lisia glowered uncharacteristically, surprising May with the sudden anger in her usually chirpy demeaner.
'Nothing, it's just... it suits him. Wallace is suave and capable, he's got appeals which have a simple air, yet somehow still elegant. I can't believe I never noticed the similarities before,' May responded hurriedly, in an almost flustered manner. She hadn't expected Lisia of all people to scrutinise her, especially when it came to Drew and Wallace. The woman had always preferred to adopt a carefree persona, and May hoped she hadn't offended the woman.
'It suits me? Is that a good thing?' Drew questioned with a mischievous tone and amused smile, his emerald eyes sparkling as they focused on May's undoubtedly flushed face.
'What?! Come on, of course it is!' May retorted in a completely flustered manner. She could recall a similar scenario years before, but pushed that to the back of her mind. Now wasn't the time for a trip down memory lane, especially with Drew's obvious amusement at her expense.
Taking a breath to calm herself, she continued, 'I just meant that you and Wallace are both so confident and suave. I'm not like that at all, and I suppose I envy that about you both. You two must have a lot in common to be so similar.'
Watching Drew's stunned expression, May turned her gaze uncertainly to her hands, hoping she hadn't said too much. From somewhere in the room, she heard an irritated sigh, and glanced up to see Wally's uncharacteristic glare.
'May, if Brendan or Orlando heard you they'd be yelling at you. Far out, I can't believe you just said that! It's like you haven't done what you did, or like you have absolutely no self-confidence! Do you not hear the things that come out of your mouth and think of everything you've achieved?' Wally gasped, staring at the woman in disbelief.
'What? Why?' May questioned as Wallace frowned at them and Lisia arched an eyebrow, her expression filled with confusion.
'If I didn't know better, I'd think you were fishing for compliments, but you're not like that. Far out, May, how many people need to tell you this? You're great just the way you are and none of us would even think of changing anything about you. Sure, Wallace and Drew are both suave and all that shallow stuff you admire, especially in Contests, but come on! Think about everything you've done! Think about the things we've seen, the things we've done together! You're not as pathetic as you think, and I guess you're lucky that Brendan and Orlando didn't hear you doubt yourself again,' the man responded, his eyes filled with a passionate fury which left the brunette speechless.
'I agree! May, you're a-okay to me!' Lisia giggled with a bright smile as Wallace murmured similar sentiments.
As one, the family turned to stare at Drew, whose expression was perfectly neutral.
'What?' The man questioned, arching a cool eyebrow at them as May stared at her hands in embarrassment. She'd never really been all that good at taking compliments, so she was completely at a loss as to how to react to the wonderful things her friends were saying.
'Aren't you going to agree with us?' Lisia scowled, her eyes narrowed with an anger May hadn't seen before in the young woman.
'Nah, I'm good,' Drew chuckled, relishing the youngest woman's moody glare.
'It's ok, everyone else is telling May she's perfect. I don't need to reiterate anything, especially with how much you all care for her. Besides, I only get involved when her head gets too swollen for the rest of her,' Drew mused as his eyes shone with mirth, a small smirk playing his lips.
Hearing this, May scowled, 'hey, I don't have a huge ego! Have you tried looking in a mirror?'
'Egos aren't reflected in mirrors, May. They haven't managed to invent an application to help with that. I wouldn't have expected you to know that, though,' Drew retorted smoothly, biting back a smile as May's cheeks flushed in anger.
'Why, you! You're impossible, do you know that?' May hissed at him, clenching her hands into fists. The man had only just woken up, and she'd spent so much of her time worrying about him. Did he have to tease and mock her like that?
'I may be impossible, but would I go through your head nearly as often if I wasn't?' Drew mused with a small smile, surprising her by the sudden change in his tone, as well as the honesty of his statement.
'W-what?' May gasped, blinking at him as Lisia grinned and nudged Wallace.
'Oh this is so sweet!' Lisia squealed as she clung onto her amused uncle's arm.
'What's sweet?' May questioned, a blush filling her cheeks as Drew scowled at the woman, his emerald eyes focused on the turquoise haired beauty as though silently warning her to calm down.
'Just how close you two are! I mean, you were looking after Roserade so carefully and worrying about Drew, it's just adorable! If I didn't know better, I'd think you're both a couple!' Lisia beamed at them, causing Wally to chuckle as May felt the blood drain from her face. After what she'd heard the previous night, she couldn't risk such a preposterous rumour being instigated, especially by Lisia, who could be carefree with her words.
'What? Us, a c-couple? No way!' May cried, her thoughts flying to the mystery woman who was pining after the man. She didn't want to upset the stranger any more than she already had. Besides, there was no proof to her that Drew cared for her in that way, or that he didn't already have someone else.
'Is there something wrong with that?' Wallace questioned as Drew's expression flickered to one of confused pain. As quickly as it changed, it returned to his passive one, before May could even bring herself to look at him.
'N-no, of course not. It's just, we're rivals, and friends from what we've said. I—he—she uhhh, I don't know. Anyway , Drew doesn't think of me like that,' May muttered, poking her fingers together anxiously.
'So you think Drew is a second class partner?' Wally chuckled, his eyes filled with an amusement May didn't appreciate. If he had been in this situation, she would not have laughed at him, rather opting to help him out of it… probably.
'N-no, I think D-Drew is a great guy, and he'd make an e-excellent partner…' May muttered, fumbling over her words as she saw two amused men staring at her. Lisia, on the other hand, was sending her an appraising glance whilst Drew was pouting ever so subtly, avoiding her eyes. Feeling her cheeks warm, she mumbled, 'you're putting words in my mouth, Wally.'
'Great, so you think he'd make an excellent partner and that he's a great guy. What's the problem?' Lisia questioned, an angry tone entering her voice that May had never heard before.
'He deserves someone who is on his level, as good as he is at Coordinating and everything else. Drew's always had everything sorted—he knows what he's doing, where he wants to go and why he wants to go there. I'm not like that at all. Besides, I've heard that someone else is interested and needs him. It's not my business to pry into Drew's life, but I just want him to be happy,' May mumbled shyly, wishing that someone would bring her out of this incredibly awkward scenario. What she wouldn't do to have her cousin or Steven or Gary burst into the room.
'Everyone but May, please leave,' Drew scowled before glaring at her friends.
'Drew,' Lisia began, but the man snarled, 'out!'
With disbelieving murmurs, the trio left the room, glancing back at them with wary expressions, and May silently hoped that the ground would open up and swallow her whole. Drew had never demanded to see her on her own before, and she could only imagine the tongue lashing she'd get—Lickitung would learn from him, she was certain of it.
'Shut the door behind you. And no eavesdropping, Lis!' Drew snapped as the woman pouted at him.
Once the door had shut, the chartreuse haired man scowled, 'well?'
'What?' May mumbled, glancing apprehensively at the door. She wished she'd been allowed to leave too, or that someone would just come and save her. Now would be the perfect time to employ her damsel in distress card. Surely she earned it after everything she'd gone through?
'Don't you what me! What the fuck was that? Have I ever given you a reason to think that I'm so far above you? Do I say that you're not important? We're rivals, May, you keep me going and I keep you going, or at least that was the score the last time I checked. Have I done something to hint that I'm not on your level? And what in the name of Rayquazza is this about someone else?' Drew snarled at her, his expression impatient, and May could already see the colour rising to his cheeks in his anger.
Seeing his furious emerald eyes, May pouted, 'well, no, but I just feel you've accomplished a lot more than me. I mean, you at least became a Top Coordinator.'
'And that's all in your head. Stop being your own worst critic and get som confidence. I let you become my rival because I saw what you didn't—you have potential. Stop doubting yourself and start having faith, will you? The only things holding you back are your tardy habits like sleeping in and missing the opening of a Contest, and your formidable lack of confidence. It's time you stopped thinking of all of this as some kind of joke and start getting serious about it! You slept in and missed the first half of the Contest, May! Thisyou're your debut!' Drew scolded, surprising May by the ferocity in his voice.
Feeling her cheeks warm as she felt tears fill her eyes, May stared down at her feet in uncertainty. She had no idea what she could or should say to the man, especially with the truth of his words speaking to her.
'I don't want to tell you to grow up, but you're not a kid any more, May. Change your attitude and you'll be fine. You're back to being a Coordinator now, you'd do well to remember a few things like that rather than stressing. Your pokémon feel your nerves more than anyone and you should learn not to let such inconsequential things affect you,' Drew scowled back, his eyes flickering to the door with a subtle anxiety that May didn't notice.
'So you expect me to just change what you've criticised? Is it that easy to say, especially since I feel I'm not as good as you? You think it's funny to just demand that I have confidence in myself? I was out the day before the Contest, training with my pokémon and couldn't sleep a wink thanks to my nerves. What difference does you telling me off like that make, anyway? Would it suit you and your needs for me to change who I am and what I feel insecure about?' May whispered as she stared back at him, wondering what the man was after. If he knew her as well as he said he did, how did he think she would gain confidence? Did he really want her to change?
'No, it's not that. You don't understand,' Drew scowled back as May's bottom lip quivered.
'Clearly I don't,' May mumbled to herself as she stood up to leave.
'Where are you going?' Drew glared up at her.
'I don't know, out. Maybe to see Gary or Daisy,' May responded with the slightest quiver in her voice, not noticing the shadow scrambling away from the door, nor Drew's dejected expression.
'You know, Drew, I will help you in whatever way you want. Just don't expect me to change. I may not be the most confident person out there, or the most organised, but I'm me. Maybe that's not good enough, but maybe it shouldn't constantly be a problem for you,' May said as she lingered at the door, not daring to turn around before promptly exiting the room.
As usual, please let me know what you think. I'm sorry for keeping you in suspense for so long!