Chapter 69: Time Heals All Wounds
Serena sat in her hotel room, crying her eyes out. Clemont and Bonnie were there as well, trying their best to comfort her.
"There there, Serena. Let it all out."
"Why, that Ash! When I get my hands on him, he'll be sorry!"
Serena sniffed, composing herself enough to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"I appreciate that, Bonnie, but this isn't his fault. Maybe I just read into things too much. I'm sure he's happy with Lillie. Its just...I guess I thought there was something there that wasn't."
Just then, there as a knock at the door.
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal Misty, May, Dawn, and Iris standing in the door frame, Dawn holding a huge tub of ice cream.
"Here comes the cheer up gang!"
"Nothing helps cure heart break better than Ice Cream!"
Serena smiled, glad that she had such great friends. For the next couple of hours, the girls sat (Clemont taking Bonnie back to the party much to her chargin) and ate Ice Cream, trying to help take Serena's mind off Ash.
"I saw one of your Contests on TV a month ago, Serena. You did really great!"
"Thanks, May. What've you been up to?"
"Not much, really. Max just started his Journey a month ago, and I'm thinking about heading to Sinnoh next. But right now, I'm just spending time at home with Mom and Dad. What about you, Dawn? Or should I say, Top Coordinator?"
Dawn giggled at her new title. She had just won the Johto Grand Festival a month ago, and was trying to decide on her next journey.
"Same thing, really. What about you, Iris? Is Dragonite still giving you trouble?"
"No, he's been real good. Right now I'm just trying to be the best Dragon Master I can be! Next time I meet Clair, I'll win!"
Serena smiled as the girls caught up, but there was something that wouldn't leave her mind.
"Have...Have any of you girls had a crush on Ash?"
A tense silence filled the room. At last, Misty broke the silence.
"Well, when I first met him he fried my bike, so I was pretty mad about that. I even used it as an excuse to to travel with him."
"Oh my god, you two?"
Misty and May shared a brief laugh about the similarity before Misty continued her story.
"Anyway, I did have feelings for him for a little bit. I didn't want to admit them to myself because his immaturity got real annoying, but towards the end I was sure I was in love with him. But after a while, I realized that his adventurous spirit just wouldn't mix well with my stationary job, and I sort of moved on. He's still a good friend, though."
May spoke up next.
"Yeah, for a little bit. But after a while, it kind of died down. Towards the end, I realized he was more of a big brother than anything else. After Johto's Grand Festival, my rival Drew asked me out on a date, and we've had a steady relationship ever since."
Then came Dawn.
"Same here. He was sweet, but after a while I realized it was just a childhood crush. He's a great friend, but boyfriend? Please!"
Iris scoffed at the notion.
"Oh please, like I'd fall for him! He's such a kid!"
WHACK!
Iris rubbed her forehead, where Misty had hit her with her mallet. After calming down, Misty spoke up again.
"Look Serena, the point is we all had feelings for him at some point. He's a great guy, but over time we just didn't feel the same way. But that's okay! It doesn't mean we still can't be friends with him. Do you get what we're trying to say?"
Serena remained silent for a minute before nodding, wiping the last tears from her eyes.
"I do. Thanks girls, now if you'll excuse me, I need to go have a talk with Ash."
"Thatta girl."
Serena found Ash standing alone, almost catatonic in a corner being consoled by Brock and Cilan.
"Um, Ash? Can...can I talk to you for a minute?"
"I wouldn't, Serena. He's a little out of it right now."
"Please, Cilan. I need to make this right."
"Maybe you should wait, Serena. Its been a long day, and..."
"Sure. Guys, could you give us some time alone?"
Brock and Cilan were shocked by the request, but complied and left. Serena sat down next to Ash.
"So...that happened. Serena, I'm sorry..."
"No, Ash, I owe you an apology. I got so caught up in my emotions that I forgot about your own. I guess I got so excited about this day that it never occurred to me that you might not feel the same way."
"To tell you the truth, Serena, there were times where I thought I might love you that way. In fact, when you kissed me back in Kalos, I almost wanted to get on that plane myself and say something. But...I didn't really know how I felt. And I was afraid that if I jumped into this before I was ready, it'd ruin a great friendship."
Serena smiled, glad they'd gotten everything off of their chests.
"What'd you say, friends?"
"Best friends."
Ash and Serena shared a hug, happy to put this behind them.
A week later, Ash saw his Kalos friends off. While some of his former companions had decided to take an extended vacation in Alola, Clemont and Bonnie needed to get back to the Lumiose Gym, while Serena had a new contest to prepare for. Clemont and Bonnie's plane had left an hour ago.
Attention, passengers. PK Airlines fligth 19 will now begin boarding. Repeat, PK Airlines flight 19 will now begin boarding.
"Well, that's my cue. Bye Ash, it was great seeing you again."
"Same here, Serena. Good luck with the rest of the season. I'll be rooting for you the entire way."
Serena kissed Ash on the cheek before boarding the plane. As it took off, she reflected on all that had happened. Although her heart still ached, she knew that in time it would heal. Besides, she had a Grand Festival to win!
