Still trynna figure out what's I'm doing. I got a general idea, but I just need to add details now. Anyway, enjoy the drama!

Chapter 32

The next morning, Drew wakes up to his pokenav ringing early in the morning. While he normally doesn't sleep in, he's exhausted from their long trip from Sinnoh yesterday. Reaching over, he groggily picks up the call expecting it to be Leaf checking in on the situation. Instead, he's greeted by a very rude awakening.

"Hello, Drew."

Said man instantly sits up in his bed as he feels his blood boiling. He's not tired anymore, so he angrily exclaims, "I thought I told you to leave me alone."

"Well…" She starts, and Drew can hear the smirk in her voice. "I thought you would like to know where that kid is. I told you May isn't his mother."

"I fucking knew that, Brianna." Drew's hand clenches around his pokenav. "Where's Kai? I swear on Groudon, if you did anything-"

"I didn't do anything." Brianna innocently tells him. "All I did was tell his worried mother where he is. Is it so wrong of me to want to help a concerned mother?"

Furrowing his brows in frustration, Drew really wants to hang up right now, but he needs answers. He doubts Brianna has them, though he has to at least try. It's for Kai. "Where is he?"

Brianna pretends to think aloud. "Hmmmm…"

"I'm not in the mood for your games, Brianna." Drew hisses at her.

She giggles, which adds to his anger, and she replies, "What's in it for me?"

Drew wants to curse her out. He wants to hang up. He wants to do so much, but he can't. Taking in a deep breath to calm his anger, he asks, "What do you want?"

Brianna grins victoriously, though Drew doesn't see it. "Leave May Maple."

He expected that answer, so he rolls his eyes. "Is that it?"

"Oh no, Drew. That's far from it. Leave May and come back to me. If you ever try to leave me again, I will make May's life so much more miserable than this."

Drew sighs quietly so that Brianna can't see it. Looking at his bedside, he spots the photo where his eyes land on May and Kai. While Drew did promise to never leave them again, he might have to so that they can be together. He closes his eyes in deep thought because his next words matter a lot. He and May don't have any leads on Kai's whereabouts, so Brianna's tip is all they can go off of. "If I find out you're lying, the deal is off." Drew breathes out in defeat.

"I never lie." Brianna grins. "So do we have a deal?"

Fortunately, before he can give in to Brianna's demands, knocking on his door gets his attention. "Are you awake, Drew? I wanna go to the Enbars now."

That voice brings reason back into his mind. Or maybe it doesn't? Maybe it make shim selfish again? Maybe it makes him give into his desires again? Whatever it is, Drew knows he can't give up now when they haven't even tried searching for Kai on their own. He promised to never leave May and Kai, and he won't. It's mostly for his own sake too.

Smiling at the door, he says, "Nah. Don't contact me again." The man hangs up, throws his bankets off of him, and swings open his door to envelop May in a tight hug. Since she slept over, he wore pajamas rather than sleeping in his usual boxers only.

Blushing deeply, May shyly greets him, "Morning, Drew."

His face is in her hair as his arms are around her slim frame. "Morning, May."

Since he isn't letting her go, May reluctantly pushes herself away from him. While she might prefer to be in Drew's arms, she's more concerned about Kai. May could barely sleep last night since she was trying to figure out where he could be. If he was okay? If he ate? If he knows she loves him? Looking away from the now blushing man, May walks away with her hair hiding her face. "Pam says breakfast is ready. They're just waiting on us."

Drew awkwardly clears his throat and nods. "Uh. Yeah. I'll be quick." He rushes into the bathroom nearby where he breathes deeply over the sink. His heart is still pounding and he's mentally cursing himself for losing focus. They both need to find Kai. If Drew falls for his desires, then he's better off taking Brianna's deal so that May can find Kai. If anything, Drew is just being a distraction to May right now.

The man stares at his reflection in the mirror. As long as Kai is gone, May won't be returning home, which means she'll most likely be here again. Drew really needs to control himself. This is for Kai, who Drew sees as someone he should look out for. Does he consider Kai family? Drew's not so sure, but they're also not friends. Drew does care for the boy though.

Sighing, Drew brushes his teeth as he thinks. If he sees Kai as family, then Kai would be his son? No. Probably a little brother. He can't help but smirk at this thought. Yes. Kai is definitely Drew's little brother who Drew loves to annoy while also protect. Drew wants to help guide Kai and watch him grow. They're too far apart in age for Drew to consider Kai a friend, but they're relationship does remind him of a big brother/little brother one.

After Drew finishes rinsing his mouth, he decides his hair and facial routine can wait. He needs to go find his little brother. With a newfound passion in him, Drew exits the bathroom where he eventually meets up with May, in a different pair of his clothes, and the two fly on Flygon to the Enbars. Their team hasn't failed yet, and Drew knows they won't. They're running on unconditional love, which is the strongest force.

Enbar House

Drew, Pam, and George are currently flying around looking for Kai. Drew and Flygon are going to search Olivine City since it's the nearest city to Cianwood. Pam, George, Aerodactyl, and Crobat are looking around the island, leaving May and Shay alone at the Enbars.

The girl has been on the computer and calling her classmates in hopes of leads for Kai. May is also contacting people she knows. With the island being small, and May being here for the past few years, she's formed relationships with most of the islanders. Everyone is lending their support in finding the boy before May decides to go to Officer Jenny for this.

The only reason May hasn't gone to Officer Jenny is because she fears this may cause the orphanage to take Kai away once he is found. The fact that May wasn't with him and allowed his mother to take him just makes May look careless, which would be the final straw for the orphanage. May doesn't want to risk losing Kai, but she will if it's his only way away from his mother.

"Still nothing." mutters the girl sitting at the table.

May looks over to try and give her a reassuring smile, although May is also getting discouraged. Just where could Kai and Shelly have gone that no one on the island knows where they are? People would've recognized a stranger at this point. However, Cianwood does get its fair share of travelers here for sight seeing or to battle the gym leader. "Same. What should we do?"

If the other adults come back without Kai, then May isn't sure what's next in their plan. They'd probably have to contact the police and the orphanage. At the end of the day, May just hopes Kai is okay even if it means he's not with her. She knows anywhere is safe for him besides being with Shelly.

While the two try to find some hope in their search, there is a knock on the door. May figures it must be Drew since Pam and George have keys to their own house. Nevertheless, Drew is supposed to be at Olivine City, so he shouldn't be back so soon, especially before the Enbar parents.

Giving Shay a confused look, which is returned, May hesitantly gets up. She really hopes the media hasn't caught wind of the situation yet because she'd rather be the one telling the orphanage than them finding out through the news again. Sighing, May walks over to the door. She braces herself for whoever is out there.

When May peeks through the peep hole, it's black, like someone is covering it up. She frowns and turns to look at the curious girl. "Go to your room, Shay."

May's cautious voice causes Shay not to question her, so the girl quickly scurries off to her room with her father's Feraligator. May now releases her Glaceon and Blaziken as she prepares for whoever is hiding behind the front door. Nodding at her Pokemon to signal they're all ready, May swings the door open.

"I knew you'd be here."

That voice and that hair. May knows who this woman is. "Where's Kai?" May glares at the pinkette.

Smirking, the mysterious woman welcomes herself inside by walking past May, which makes Blaziken and Glaceon glare at her. "I thought you'd like to catch up after all these years, May?"

May follows her to the couch where they both sit down as far away from each other as possible. "We were never close, Shelly." May narrows her eyes at the nonchalant woman.

Motioning to the angry Pokemon, Shelly says, "I'm not gonna hurt you. Put them away."

"I don't trust you."

"You shouldn't, but you forget," Shelly leans back in her seat to give May a knowing look. "I have Kai."

May bites her lip to prevent herself from saying choice words to Shelly. Instead, the brunette tells her Pokemon to step back, and she repeats, "Where's Kai?"

Shelly looks at her nails. "He's safe." She then tosses a pokeball at May who somehow manages to catch it. "I only came to return your Munchlax." Shelly winks at May. "I'm not Team Rocket. I don't steal Pokemon." May grips the pokeball tightly at Shelly's words. The last time May saw the woman was the summer after May and Drew quit traveling together.

Flashback

"Let's go, May." Norman knocks on his daughter's door. Ever since she returned from Unova, she's been hiding away in her room. The Maples have been trying to give her space at first because the May they know is a very positive girl; however, it's been too long. Norman is fed up with May's behavior. So what if she isn't traveling with Drew anymore? If anything, Norman has noticed May performing worse the past two years. Drew is a distraction, so May should be happy to be focusing on her dream again.

When there's no response on the other side of the door, the man sternly says, "We're going to the Birch's before Brendan and Wally leave for their journey."

After a few silent minutes, Max walks out of his room in annoyance. He lightly pushes his father away from May's door so that he can pound on it. "You better come out already or I'll break this door down!" Like his father, Max is tired of May's moping. This is not the big sister he looks up to.

Still not hearing anything, Max now angrily turns to his father. "Can I use Vigoroth?"

Fortunately for the door, May swings it open, though she's covered up. Norman and Max can't even recognize her because she's in sweatpants and a hoodie with the hood up. May isn't in the mood for anything. When Drew suggested they travel separately, she wanted to seem fine with it because she didn't want to hold him back from his dreams. It was her who requested they travel together in the first place, so he can leave whenever he wants. However, May didn't know it'd be so soon.

Apparently, he's traveling around Kalos this year. She can't go there. Not with him there. Maybe she'll go to the Galar region? Johto, Kanto, Hoenn, and Unova remind her too much of him. Can she even find the passion to leave for another journey though? They've competed in the same region since she first started coordinating. Shaking her head, May tries to get rid of these thoughts. Drew brought up a valid reason for them to stop traveling together. She's just upset that she was his distraction rather than his motivation, and vice versa. This really sucks.

"Let's make it quick." the brunette mutters while walking past her father and brother.

Once May is down the stairs, Max gives his father a worried look. "Maybe we should just let her stay home? It's gonna be too awkward bringing her to the Birch's like this."

Sighing, Norman pats Max's shoulder. "Son, we haven't been able to make her feel better this whole summer. We have to let Brendan give it a shot."

Max now shakes his head in shock. "No, dad! She and Brendan haven't talked in years! It'll just be even more awkward!"

"Trust me, Max. This is the best for May." Norman then heads off down the stairs where his wife and daughter are. Of course, May isn't responding to Caronline's questions, but the family soon drives to Little Root Town for dinner with the Birches.

Later

Like Max had said, the dinner was very awkward. The chipper Professor was trying to make May feel better while also hoping she didn't feel uncomfortable at the dinner. May still wasn't saying much to others, and she kept her replies short. Everyone definitely felt uncomfortable, though they tried not to show it. Fortunately, this dinner is just with the Birches and Maples. For some reason, Wally's family isn't here.

Since the Maple parents are helping Professor Birch clean up, and Max is currently in the fields playing with the Pokemon, May is sitting on the font porch waiting to go home. The door opening makes the girl relieved that her family is finally leaving. She just wants to retreat back to the comfort of her room, and eventually, when she's ready, she'll leave again. She'll prove to Drew that she can be a successful coordinator. She'll make him regret ever leaving her.

"You gonna tell me what's wrong?" comes the deep voice sitting beside her on the bench. May looks over to see her childhood friend who she's lost contact with. Shrugging, she resumes just gazing up at the sky in silence, which makes Brendan sigh. "Your parents already told us." Brendan keeps his eyes on May. Even though they're not as close as they used to be, he still considers her a good friend. Their families are still very close. "May."

"I don't wanna talk about it." the brunette curtly tells him. Why should she tell Brendan about Drew? It's not like they know each other. Why would Brendan care?

Brendan chuckles lightly and leans back in his seat. The two sit in silence for some time before he breaks it again, "I don't know what you're going through, May, and I won't even pretend I do." He takes in a nervous deep breath. "But I want you to know that I know you're the strongest most motivated coordinator. Your time is coming. I feel it." Brendan shoots her a huge grin, and May can't help but feel moved by his words.

So what if they haven't talked in years? So what if they haven't hung out in even longer? Brendan will always be her childhood friend. Despite having a crush on him when she was younger, she knows Brendan is more like an older brother to her. Here he is showing his unconditional support without knowing anything about the situation.

When Brendan's ruby eyes meet May's sapphire ones, he reaches out a hand to take down her hoos, revealing her disheveled brown hair. This makes the girl quickly try to put the hood back up, but Brendan says, "Short hair is easier to maintain." May's hair is a lot longer than the last time he saw her.

May blushes slightly because he was the one who got her to keep her hair short. That one time when May's mother cut her hair too short and she was embarrassed to show it, Brendan made her feel beautiful. She misses him. May now notices the worn white beanie on his head that he took from her when they were younger. She's surprised it still fits him, though it was pretty big on her when she got it.

May gives Brendan a small smile, which makes him swing an arm around her shoulders. He's always been great at cheering her up. Regardless of their limited communication, Brendan still cares for her. He still looks out for her. Looking back at the beanie, May remembers their childhood promise. She is alone this year. "Can we travel together this year?"

At this question, Brendan instantly frowns. He removes his arm to move a little away from May. Meeting her eyes again, he apologetically says, "Wally and I aren't traveling together this year. It's why he wasn't at the dinner."

That makes sense, but that doesn't answer her question. All May is thinking now is that she'll get to travel with Brendan alone, which is what she always wanted as a child. "I'm fine with us traveling alone, Brendan. It's not my first time being alone with a guy." She fights the urge to think about him.

However, Brendan takes off the beanie to run a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, May, but I'm already traveling with someone else."

Although hurt by his rejection to travel together, May curiously asks, "Who?" For as long as May has known Brendan, he traveled with Wally...except for that one time in Johto where he saw...her… May's eyes now open wide with realization, making Brendan look away from her. "That girl?" Exclaims May in shock.

Brendan nods. "Her name is Shelly."

"Why? Why not also travel with Wally? It's been you three for years now, right?" May inquires.

Brendan blushes slightly, but before he can respond, a gust of wind makes them both shield their eyes. Once May removes her arm from her face, she spots that pinkette walking towards them with a Peliper behind her. The pinkette smirks at May, making May just want to hide again. May isn't in the mood for any of this right now.

Walking up to Brendan, the older girl kisses his cheek, which intensifies his blush. "Sorry, babe. I thought your guests would be gone by now." Shelly is staying with the Birches before she and Brendan leave for Sinnoh tomorrow. Since she isn't in the mood for making friends nor partake in small talk, she left to avoid the dinner with the Maples.

"Babe?" May breathes out in disbelief.

Sitting on Brendan's lap, Shelly nods at May. "Oh. You're that girl from Ecruteak!" The older girl always remembers the faces of her enemies. While Brendan sees May as a friend, Shelly can tell the brunette has feelings for him.

May pulls her hood back up over her head as she stands up. This makes Brendan worrieldy look at her. "May, wait!"

"Have fun in Sinnoh, guys." mutters the girl who can't even fake a smile. She's glad her hood is hiding her face as well as shielding her view from seeing Shelly's smirk.

Of all the people Brendan has to travel with, it's her. Even Wally was better, despite May and him not interacting much. May can tell Shelly isn't a good person. The young girl now feels like a fool for asking Brendan to travel with her. Why would he when he can finally be alone with his girlfriend?

Once inside, May heads off to the bathroom to calm her nerves. She really just threw her heart out there again only to get it crushed. First Drew and now Brendan. Just what is she doing? May glares at her reflection. Groudon, she looks terrible, like she's going through a breakup when she was never in a relationship to begin with.

Gripping the edge of the sink, May tells herself this is it. She's done waiting around. She's done relying on others. She's done feeling sorry for herself. She will go out there and be the Top Coordinator. She'll make Drew regret leaving her. She'll make Brendan wish he fulfilled his promise to travel with her. She'll make Shelly wipe that smirk off her face! May Haruka Maple is back, and she won't ever leave again!

Walking out of the bathroom, May sees the one person she hoped to never see again. "Hey, May, right?" The pinkette innocently grins.

Deciding that May isn't going to entertain Shelly, the brunette tries to step around her. Nevertheless, Shelly blocks her path. "Let me go."

Smirking, Shelly leans close to May's ear. "Stay away from Brendan. He's mine."

May rolls her eyes. "You already have him." The brunette then manages to walk around Shelly. "Just keep him happy."

Flashback Over

"He's safe." Shelly leans over to intertwine her fingers together. "I never thought we'd meet like this."

"Where is he?" May is tired of repeating this question, but it's all she cares about.

"I'll tell you after we talk." Shelly smirks.

"I don't want to talk to you. I want Kai back." May hisses.

Shrugging, Shelly replies, "I'll let you talk to him after we talk."

"I have nothing to say to you." May's glare intensifies. She doesn't want to interact with Shelly. May thought she'd never have to see the woman again after Brendan was done dating her. However, fate seems to work in mysterious ways. "Tell me where he is or I'll call the police."

Shelly leans back in her seat, unfazed by May's threats. "Oh, well, I have lots to say to you." The older woman puts up a finger in front of May. "First off, Kai isn't Brendan's."

Yeah. A lot happened in this chapter, which is mostly because I wasn't sure what I wanted this chapter to focus on, and I also didn't want it to be too short. I do have a central idea for the next chapter though. You just gotta wait until I type it up lol. See ya later!~