Ash paced around his room, nervous, excited and full of adrenaline.
Why?
Ash was about to play his first gig, well, his band was, the band was made up of his three closest male friends, Gary Oak, Brock Harrison and Max Maple. Ash had known Gary since he was in nappies, and had known Max only a little while longer, when he and his family had moved in next door to Ash. Brock had been Ash's babysitter when Ash was much younger, but once Ash had reached the age of around eight, Ash and Brock became really good friends.
Ash faintly heard a knock at his door.
"Come in," Ash said, not stopping his pacing, but fixing his gaze onto the door, which cracked open, and the head of Ash's crush and neighbour popped around it.
Ash instantly stopped his pacing, and felt the familiar butterflies arise in his stomach, something that happened every time he looked at May Maple's gorgeous figure.
"Ash, it's time to go," May said, entering the room, a huge smile on her face. This gave Ash an opportunity to inspect what had become of his childhood best friend.
As soon as May had hit teens, she started to develop, even just at the age of fifteen; she was extremely mature, physically, having perhaps the body of an eighteen year old. She wore a red tank top and blue jeans; a green bandana was tied around May's neck, simple, right? But it still took Ash's breathe away, such a simple outfit, yet it made Ash's heart race. It wasn't her body that made Ash fall in love with her; his list of reasons could go on for ages.
Her laugh, her smile, and the way she was always there for Ash, he could go to her for anything.
That was just naming three.
Ash looked at the clock on his wall at May's statement.
"But there's still two hours before we're due on stage?" Ash queried, looking back at May with an eyebrow raised.
"Check your phone," May replied, grinning slightly. Ash obliged, pulling out his mobile, he pressed a button on it which made the screen light up, revealing a text from the owner of the establishment they were due to be playing at, it became apparent to Ash, by the form of the text, that it had been sent to Brock, Max and Gary as well.
"Hi fellas, change of plan, if we could have you in a couple of hours early for a sound testing, that would be much appreciated, as we've had a couple of faults today, nothing major, but something that could cause a few complications if not tested. Cheers."
"I see…" Ash mumbled, before he looked back up at May, "May, I'm so nervous," Ash added, lifting the hat that May had given him for his tenth birthday off his head, and running has hand through his hair.
May giggled, which puzzled Ash greatly.
"What's so funny?" He asked, raising an eyebrow once more, May just giggled more.
"You said something so similar on my tenth birthday," May said, smirking at Ash, "Remember? Mr eidetic memory?" May teased, winking at Ash.
Ash did remember, he remembered it extremely well.
-IYCSMN-
Ash finished wrapping the box that contained May's birthday present, and sat back admiring his handiwork, before he wrote out a tag and taped it to the box.
It had been two days since Ash had been attacked, and his wound had healed extremely well, thanks to the dissolvable stitching that the ambulance staff had done.
Ash glanced to the guitar on its stand in the corner of his bedroom, he hadn't played it since his attack.
"Pikapi?" Ash heard from his bed, he turned to see Pikachu looking at him, concern evident on the electric mouse's face.
"I really wanna play, Pikachu," Ash said simply, before turning his gaze back to the guitar.
He stood up sharply and picked it up with his right hand, before sitting down on the bed next to Pikachu, and tentatively lifted his left arm up to the neck.
No pain.
He started to play a simple melody, one of the first ones his father had taught him five years previous.
No pain.
Ash got more confident the longer he was playing, he had been playing steadily for ten minutes with no pain, before he started trying more audacious chords, songs and movements.
No pain.
After a total of around forty-five minutes solid playing, Ash was interrupted by a knocking at his door.
"Come in," Ash said, placing the guitar down, and resting it against his bed. The door opened and Giovanni walked in.
"That was mightily impressive, Ash, does your arm hurt at all after that?" Giovanni asked smiling.
"Not at all," Ash said, beaming back at his father.
"That's good because Norman's asked if you'd mind playing at May's birthday party later," Giovanni said, smirking when Ash's jaw dropped.
"How many people will be there?" Ash asked, a slight look of fear in his eyes, Giovanni smiled reassuringly.
"Only May's close family and friends, no more than thirty/forty people," Giovanni answered. Ash thought about it momentarily.
"What time is May's party?" Ash asked, glancing up at the clock.
"7.30," Giovanni replied.
Five hours away.
"I'll do it," Ash said, smiling, which his father reciprocated, before leaving the room to inform Norman of Ash's answer.
Ash spent the next four hours practising the song he wanted to play, and after the third hour, he began singing along to it, not knowing what was overcoming him, he just felt an unassailable urge to sing.
He was so focused on his practising, he didn't notice May come into the room, she had been there for ten minutes, listening to Ash intently, before Ash realised she was there.
He leapt off his bed, almost dropping his guitar in the process.
"May!" He exclaimed, as he jumped to his feet, "when did you get here?" he asked.
May smirked at his reaction.
"I've been here for about ten minutes," she said.
"Oops… sorry," Ash apologised sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head, before May could respond; Ash stepped forward and engulfed her in a hug.
"Happy birthday, May!" Ash said happily, squeezing May tightly.
She blushed heavily at his gesture.
"Thank you, Ashy," May teased, winking at Ash as the two separated.
Ash rolled his eyes.
"Do you have to call me that?" May nodded fervently.
"That was beautiful," May complimented, confusing Ash.
"What was?" he asked, making May sweatdrop.
"Your singing, silly!" May said, hitting Ash playfully. Ash blushed heavily.
"You heard that?" Ash asked, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"Yes, and I want you to sing at my party too!" May said, Ash's jaw dropped.
"Re-Really?" Ash stuttered.
"Yes!" May said excitedly, clasping her hands together.
"But… May, I've never played to an audience, I'm so nervous!" Ash exclaimed, running his hands through his hair, May pouted momentarily.
"So play to me," she replied, smiling at Ash, who looked confused.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked.
"Well, ignore everyone else and picture yourself singing only to me," May said, "You did it just now, with only me here, so imagine yourself singing just to me later on tonight?" May suggested, and Ash thought about it for a moment.
"That's brilliant, May!" Ash exclaimed, hugging May once more, "Thank you!"
"No problem, Ash, just glad to help," May replied, as they stood hugging for a few moments, before Ash realised something and leapt out of May's arms.
"Here!" He exclaimed, grabbing May's present off the floor and handing it to her, "open it," he added, excitedly. May looked at it for a moment, stunned at Ash's sudden mood swing, before she regained her bearings and ripped off the wrapping paper, and found herself looking at a similar box to the one she had given Ash a month previous, for his birthday.
May opened the box and inside was a green bandana, with some white symbols on it, she went to pull it out, but Ash made her freeze by uttering a few words.
"Be careful when you unravel it."
May looked up at him confused, but Ash just gestured back to the bandana, May reached down and noticed that the bandana had been carefully folded around something. May slowly and carefully unravelled the bandana, and gasped at what was being cradled within.
"Ash… It's beautiful," May said quietly, stunned by the gift her best friend had given her, she shifted it out of the bandana and into her hand.
"I knew I had to get you something special... The bandana alone wasn't enough," Ash replied, smiling widely.
Sat in May's hand was a necklace, the chain was silver, and on the chain was a gem, a sapphire, encased in a metal that was the same colour as the chain.
"I got it because it matches your eyes," Ash said simply, before he moved forward and picked up the necklace, he moved around May so he was behind her, and shifted the necklace so it was in a position to be placed on May's neck.
May shifted her hair out of the way and Ash wrapped the chain around her neck, and secured it round the back.
"There," Ash said, walking back around May to inspect it.
"Ash… it's perfect," May said, "Thank you," she said, stepping forward and embracing Ash, who reciprocated the gesture.
"You're welcome, I had to get something special for my best friend," Ash replied, squeezing May tightly.
"Well, I love it, Ash, thank you so much," May said, nuzzling her head into Ash's chest.
-IYCSMN-
"Five years on, and we're having practically the same conversation," May said, "And I'm going to give you exactly the same advice. Just sing to me," May said confidently.
"May, do you know how many people are going to be there tonight?" Ash asked, sitting down on his bed and putting his head in his hands.
"I don't know, fifty, sixty?" May guessed, sitting down next to Ash, who chuckled slightly.
"I'm glad you're sitting down," Ash said, his voice slightly muffled, "there's going to be almost two hundred people there."
May's jaw dropped, but she quickly shook it off, and smirked.
"Then I'll have to stand right at the front," she joked, taking Ash's hand and pulling him up off the bed, "now come on, you're going to smash it," May said, smiling back at Ash.
"Come on, Pi, we're going," Ash said, grabbing the black guitar case that held his electric guitar in it, not letting go of May's hand, and swinging it onto his shoulder, Pikachu then jumped from the bed and landed on Ash's opposite shoulder.
"How do you know there's going to be so many people?" May asked, as they reached the stairs.
"The owner told us, because it's his clubs re-opening after refurbishment, it's going to be heaving," Ash replied, "the club has been extended in size, and they've had a stage installed, so it'll be like playing at a proper venue," Ash added, letting go of May's hand so the two could descend the stairs.
"How did the owner find out about you?" May asked, looking back at Ash as she walked in front.
"Funny story, we were practising in the garage, and he happened to be walking down the road," Ash said, grinning, "He liked what he heard and asked us to put together a five or six song EP, which he then put on his clubs website, those six songs are the ones we're going to play tonight," Ash explained.
"Wow… And the EP is online?" May asked.
"Yeah, it can be downloaded from the website," Ash said, smiling to himself, as the two reached the bottom of the stairs, May turned and inspected Ash's choice of clothing.
"You look really nice, Ash," May complimented, smiling at him. This comment made Ash blush lightly, he was wearing a plain white short-sleeved t-shirt, with a sleeveless black collared shirt over the top, undone, and he wore black skinny jeans and white vans.
Ash smiled after he got over the butterflies that brewed in his stomach.
"Thanks May, you look very nice yourself," Ash replied, smiling brightly at her.
Now it was May's turn to blush.
"Thanks, Ash," May said, rubbing her arm sheepishly, something she tended to do when she was nervous.
"Just saying what I'm seeing," Ash said, winking, before walking past May and into the lounge, leaving the aforementioned brunette stunned.
Ash walked into the lounge, a small smile on his face. A voice snapped him out of his trance.
"Ash, you ready for this?" Max asked excitedly, bouncing up to Ash.
"So ready Max, this is gonna be great," Ash replied, hi-fiving his neighbour and band mate, before taking a look at the surprisingly empty lounge, Max, Ash and Giovanni were the only ones there.
Giovanni knew what Ash was going to ask before he had even said it.
"Everyone else has gone ahead, the club itself is shut to all but the band and family members attending, right up until about half an hour before show time," Giovanni explained, winking at Ash.
"What do you mean everyone else?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow, making Giovanni smirk.
"Well, Dawn is currently using the bathroom, but to name the rest: your mother, me, Norman, Caroline, May, Johanna, Dawn, Samuel, Flint and Lola," Giovanni replied, smiling encouragingly at his son.
Ash gulped.
"So… Close friends and family… plus another two hundred…" Ash mumbled nervously, rubbing his forehead with his right hand.
He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder, and looked up to see his father smiling down at him.
"Ash, I've heard you play millions of times, and heard you sing almost as many, you are going to absolutely nail this," Giovanni encouraged, "You even write your own music! I wasn't doing that until I was twenty!" Giovanni exclaimed, Ash felt a burst of pride at his father's encouragement, Giovanni always knew the right things to say to Ash.
"Thanks, dad, I needed that," Ash said, giving Giovanni a hug, which the Viridian Gym Leader happily returned. Once Ash had broken the hug, he looked around.
"Pi's gone with your mother," Giovanni said, and Ash nodded, ever since Ash had been able to speak, he and his father had an almost telepathic communication, they knew what the other was thinking before they even said it. Ash had a similar bond with Pikachu.
"Good, he'll be there," Ash said, smiling. Giovanni frowned slightly.
"Ash, music is always a home for your pain," Giovanni said, confusing his son, "You're young, and may not understand yet, but… Music is a gift; it can come to you in all circumstances," Giovanni added.
"What do you mean, dad?" Ash asked, looking up at his father in confusion.
"As I said, you're young and may not understand, but you're songs, the inspiration for them has come to you at moments of heightened emotions, yes?" Giovanni asked, and Ash nodded.
"I still don't get it," Ash replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, Ash, the songs you have written for this gig are powerful," Giovanni complimented, smiling at Ash, "And you need to convey them with power, so while you're on stage, think of something that puts you into a state of heightened emotion," Giovanni advised, winking knowingly at Ash, who blushed heavily.
It was as if the universe was against Ash, as at that precise moment, May walked into the room with Max and Dawn, looking almost as flustered as Ash.
"May, are you alright?" Ash asked, noticing the flustered expression on May's face. May quickly forced a smile.
"Yes, Ash, I'm fine," Ash could tell she was lying, he also noticed the quick glare May shot Dawn, who just smirked back.
After Ash had complimented May's appearance, she had fallen into a trance, only to be snapped out of it when Dawn came out of the bathroom.
"You alright, May?" Dawn asked, looking at the brunette curiously.
"Yes, I'm fine," May replied, quickly nodding her head. Dawn smirked at her.
"You gonna be okay with all the female attention your man will be getting after his performance tonight?" Dawn teased, winking at May, whose face turned extremely red.
"Ash isn't my man!" May replied, she crossed her arms and turned her head away from Dawn, "and I don't care how much female attention he gets."
Dawn went to walk past her.
"Sure, sure," she muttered as she passed, just loud enough for May to hear.
"Fine! It will bother me… but only a little!" May insisted, making Dawn turn around and smirk.
"So you admit you have a thing for Ash?" Dawn asked, making May blush even further.
"No! I just won't like it if other girls pay him attention," May huffed.
It was a no win situation, but somehow, May had lost.
"I knew you liked him! You two would be so cute together!" Dawn squealed, and somehow, May blushed heavier.
"Ssh, Dawn! This is between you and me, okay?" May said firmly, and Dawn nodded vigorously.
"Of course, of course, just give time to work out a plan to get you two together," Dawn said, grinning mischievously, before May could respond, a voice spoke from behind Dawn.
"Get May together with who?" Max asked, his glasses seemed to sparkle with mischief.
"No one, no one!" May said quickly, waving her arms frantically in front of her.
"Is it Ash?" Max asked, smirking at May, who blushed again, and Max's face lit up, "I knew it!" he exclaimed.
"You can't tell him!" May said firmly, before walking past Dawn and Max and into the lounge, where an equally flustered looking Ash was stood with his father.
"May, are you alright?" May heard Ash ask, and she quickly forced a smile onto her face.
"Yes, Ash, I'm fine," May replied, she knew Ash could read through the fake smile and the lie, but she also knew that he wouldn't press any further.
Which was one of the many things May loved about her best friend.
-IYCSMN-
Ash strapped the guitar around his neck, and plugged in the radio adapter, that would sync up the guitar to the amplifiers stationed around the stage.
They were ready to go.
But Ash was still nervous. Normally, when Ash was nervous, he'd speak to his dad, or May, but at the moment, he was relying on his band mates to keep his spirits high. Ash turned to said band mates.
"Right, so we've all got the song order?" Ash asked, glancing at each individual face.
"Yes, Ash, Never Too Late, We Apologise For Nothing, The Pretender, Loverboy, Young & Stupid and Kiss Me," Gary reeled off, rolling his eyes at Ash.
"And you all know the drill with the opener?" Ash asked again.
"Yes, Ash, stop worrying, it's all going to go fine, just keep focused and you'll be fine buddy," Brock encouraged, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder. Ash sighed nervously.
"I know, but I just can't help it, how are you guys staying so calm?" Ash queried, hoping for some advice to help him through. Brock, Gary and Max all glanced at one another.
"Well, we just focus on what we're doing, what notes to be playing and such," Max explained, plugging his radio adapter into his bass guitar, Gary mimicked Max's actions on his own electric guitar.
The full band line-up was Brock on the drums, Max on bass guitar, Gary on electric guitar, and Ash on electric and occasionally acoustic guitar, and of course, on vocals.
Ash saw the lights go out on stage, and the crowd cheering, which was his signal to make his way on stage. Ash put his earpiece into his ear, so he would be able to hear the music and sing along/play in time.
The stage was pitch black when he walked out onto it, but white tape marked the spot on the floor where he needed to stand.
No one could see him as it was too dark, but that was the plan, when the band had arrived for sound testing, they also ran through the lighting cues. Ash knew as soon as he started playing, the spotlight would be on him, so he had a couple of seconds to gather himself.
With his excellent eyesight, he was able to pick out his friends and family just slightly to the right of him, at the front of the crowd, which was an impressive size for a relatively unknown band. He heard movements on his left and right, indicating Gary and Max were in position.
He had to start playing.
(I would recommend that you put Never Too Late, by Three Days Grace on for the next bit.)
Ash plucked at the strings with his pick, and as he expected the spotlight shone on him instantaneously, fortunately for his nerves, he was blinded by the light, so was unable to see the crowd, who in response, cheered loudly.
Ash's confidence grew as he started to sing.
This world will never be
What I expected
And if I don't belong
Who would have guessed it?
Brock joined in with his drums, making a spotlight shine on him, Max and Gary joined in moments later, identical spotlights shining on them, as they started playing.
I will not leave alone
Everything that I own
To make you feel like it's not too late
It's never too late
As they reached the chorus, the spotlights dropped and the stage lights exploded into action, which then proceeded to dance and move around the stage, in time with the music.
Even if I say
It'll be alright
Still I hear you say
You want to end your life
Now and again we try
To just stay alive
Maybe we'll turn it all around
'Cause it's not too late
It's never too late
No one will ever see
This side reflected
And if there's something wrong
Who would have guessed it?
And I have left alone
Everything that I own
To make you feel like
It's not too late
It's never too late
Ash shot a glance down towards his friends and family, the temporary blinding from the spotlight had faded, and he could see clearly. What he saw made his stomach soar, his dad had his arm round his mum, and they were both singing along with Ash's song. In that moment Ash felt a sense of pride he was almost certain he'd never feel again.
Even if I say
It'll be alright
Still I hear you say
You want to end your life
Now and again we try
To just stay alive
Maybe we'll turn it all around
'Cause it's not too late
It's never too late
The world we knew
Won't come back
The time we've lost
Can't get back
The life we had
Won't be ours again
This world will never be
What I expected
And if I don't belong
Even if I say
It'll be alright
Still I hear you say
You want to end your life
Now and again we try
To just stay alive
Maybe we'll turn it all around
'Cause it's not too late
It's never too late
Maybe we'll turn it all around
'Cause it's not too late
It's never too late (It's never too late)
It's not too late
It's never too late
The lights dropped and a solo spotlight appeared on Ash has he played the song out, once he had finished, the spotlight dropped from him, leaving them in darkness.
A rapturous applause rang out from the crowd, and Ash smiled to himself.
-IYCSMN-
Moments before Ash came on the stage, his friends and family were watching the stage in anticipation.
Giovanni and May appeared to be the most interested and, the most anxious.
The former turned to his wife.
"Do you think he's going to be okay? He seemed so nervous," Giovanni asked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"He'll be fine, Gio, once he gets started his nerves will disappear, you, of all people should remember that," Delia said, winking at Giovanni, who blushed in embarrassment.
Giovanni himself had been in a band when he was younger, when he was around the age of 20, so he knew all about pre-gig jitters.
"You're right Delia, as always," Giovanni replied cheekily, to which Delia smirked.
May was watching the conversation with a light smile on her face, but the way that Giovanni and Delia acted, made her think about what Dawn had been saying earlier.
Would she be able to deal with the attention that Ash would inevitably be getting post-show?
Probably not.
May had a huge crush on Ash, which she linked back to the first time they had met, and he'd given her an Eevee, despite her being scared of Pokémon, Ash had faith in her that she'd look after that Eevee, and she did, becoming almost as close to Eevee as Ash was to Pikachu.
May desperately wanted to tell Ash how she felt, but she was afraid, what if he didn't love her back? She'd lose the best friend she'd ever have; Arceus knows that was the last thing May wanted.
She only snapped out of her daze when Ash started to play, which made her gaze up at her crush, despite her knowing that he was nervous about this gig, he looked so confident and in control.
May watched on in awe as Ash skilfully introduced the song with his opening melody, May was amazed to hear that Ash wrote all his own songs, both guitar sections and lyrics, on all the songs the band had produced.
May shot a glance over at Delia and Giovanni, and felt a warm feeling in her stomach, Giovanni had his arm around Delia, and they were both singing along, a strong look of pride written on both their faces. Giovanni noticed May looking at him and shot her a warm smile, May could tell that they were both extremely proud of their son.
So was May.
She had always been amazed by Ash, from the moment she met him, when he was lying on the floor with the winded then-Pichu, when he dazzled her and her family with his mental capabilities, even at the age of five, right up to now, stood on stage with his guitar, playing his own music.
And then when he started to sing, Arceus, May almost melted on the spot.
The song itself was quite a hopeful song, about being depressed and seeing a way out of it, but the way Ash sung, also made it incredibly powerful.
When the song ended, May felt a proud feeling buzz in her stomach at the way the huge crowd applauded and reacted at the end of the song.
-IYCSMN-
Ash was sweating quite heavily; the club itself was quite hot, and after five out of six songs, Ash was even warmer, he wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead, whilst the lights were switched off.
Ash grinned, the gig had gone perfectly, everyone had hit their notes and cues, Ash was especially proud of Max, the youngest member of the band had flourished, and seemed to enjoy himself throughout.
Ash heard movement around him in preparation for their final song of the night, and a feeling of fear gripped his heart, this was the moment he was dreading.
He knew it was risky picking a love song for his final choice, especially when he had written it about May, who was stood right at the front of the crowd.
"Just sing to me," May's advice rang around Ash's head, and he smiled slightly.
Little did she know he had already planned to.
Ash pulled out the headset microphone he had been given for this specific song, and slipped it into his ear, before turning on the box strapped to his waist, which would activate the microphone.
The spotlight came up on Ash; once the technical staff had noticed his microphone had switched on, a pre-determined signal.
The crowd cheered loudly, making Ash smile once more. He walked to the edge of the stage and sat down, with his legs dangling off the stage, and his guitar perched on his lap.
"I'm very sad to say that this is our last song tonight," Ash said, repositioning into a slightly more comfortable position, "But we'd like to thank you all for your incredible support tonight and obviously, the owner of the club, Mr. Satoshi, for this wonderful opportunity," Ash said, the crowd responded accordingly to Ash's words.
"This is a love song," Ash said briefly, "1… 2… 3… 4."
On Ash's cue, his band mates started playing.
(A/N: I recommend you play Kiss Me, by Ed Sheeran here, and in addition, Max plays the piano/keyboard for this song, instead of Bass Guitar.)
Settle down with me
Cover me up
Cuddle me in
Lie down with me
Hold me in your arms
Ash didn't dare to look up at his family or May, so he sat on the edge of the stage, eyes closed, not playing his guitar yet, just singing.
Your heart's against my chest
Lips pressed to my neck
I've fallen for your eyes
But they don't know me yet
And the feeling I forget
I'm in love now
Ash opened his eyes as they reached the chorus, and was stunned by what he saw, lighters and phones had been raised in the air by members of the audience, and every single person was swaying their arms along, making Ash smile.
Kiss me like you wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
This feels like I've fallen in love
Fallen in love
Fallen in love
Settle down with me
And I'll be your safety
You'll be my lady
I was made to keep your body warm
But I'm cold as, the wind blows
So hold me in your arms
Ash shot a subtle glance at May, without her noticing, and she was stood with her hands clasped together in front of her heart, tears gleaming in her eyes, Ash closed his eyes once more, and focused in on his vocals.
My heart's against your chest
Your lips pressed to my neck
I've fallen for your eyes
But they don't know me yet
And the feeling I forget
I'm in love now
Kiss me like you wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
This feels like I've fallen in love
Fallen in love
Fallen in love
This was Ash's cue to start playing his guitar, a little bit of a solo for him, just before it was time, though; he hopped off the stage, so he was on the same level as the audience, and walked over to where his friends and family were standing. He grinned at them as he walked over, and they all beamed back at him, as he performed his guitar solo.
The next part of the song he sang incredibly powerfully, looking straight at May with a smirk on his face, which gave the brunette butterflies.
Yeah I've been feeling everything
From hate to love
From love to lust
From lust to truth
I guess that's how I know you
So I hold you close
To help you give it up
Ash looked to his parents, who were still in the same position as earlier, both with tears of joy and pride in their eyes, beaming back at Ash as they sang along.
So kiss me like you wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
This feels like I've fallen in love
Fallen in love
Fallen in love
Ash grinned at his friends and family once more, before walking back over to the stage, and hopping up onto his sitting position once more, to complete the song, and their set.
So kiss me like you wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
Wanna be loved
This feels like I've fallen in love
Fallen in love
Fallen in love
Ash took a deep breath. It was over. Their first proper gig at a proper venue. He smiled to himself before walking over to Gary, then Max, then Brock, high-fiving each one individually, before returning to the Condenser microphone that was still perched on its stand.
"Again, from all of us, I'd like to thank you all for coming to support us, you've been an absolutely incredible audience," Ash said honestly, a wide smile on his face. The crowd cheered in response.
"We've been Raw Uprising, and we hope to see you soon," Ash said, departing the stage with a wave and a bow.
As soon as Ash was backstage with Max, Gary and Brock, he leaned against a wall and slid down it, a small grin on his face.
"You okay, Ash?" Brock asked, looking down at his raven-haired friend in concern.
"I'm fine, Brock, just need to get in the shower and get changed, did Mr. Satoshi say that there were showers in the dressing rooms?" Ash queried, Brock nodded in response, "Good, if you guys are heading out to the club, can you let my parents know?" Ash asked, and again, Brock nodded, a small smile on his face.
Ash stood up, and patted each of his band mates on the shoulder, grinning at them, as he passed, before heading off to the dressing rooms alone.
-IYCSMN-
Ash received multiple pats on the back, and congratulations as he squeezed his way through the crowd at the club, smiling and thanking people as he passed, making his way towards his friends and family, who stayed where they were whilst the band had been on stage, during the time that Ash had been freshening himself up. He had changed into some spare skinny jeans, and a plain black polo shirt, his hat, that he had been given on his tenth birthday by May, sat on his head, and he had put his white vans back on.
Ash guided himself through the crowd, until a brown blur flew into him, and he felt a pair of arms wrap around him, at first he thought it was his mother, but then he realised that it was May.
He blushed heavily. But that faded when he noticed that May had buried her face completely into his chest, something she only did when she was crying.
"What's wrong, May?" Ash asked, trying to pry her away from him, so he could try and figure out what was wrong. May pulled her face back to reveal a huge smile, which confused Ash.
"You were amazing!" May squealed, her eyes glistening with tears, but not tears of sadness, tears of joy; the pride May was feeling was evident on her face.
Ash felt a funny feeling bubbling up in his stomach, as he smiled down at May. Even though they were only fifteen, Ash had a good foot in height on May, being able to rest his chin on the top of May's head.
"Thank you, May, that means a lot," Ash replied, a huge smile on his face. The two pulled apart, but May grabbed a hold of Ash's hand.
"C'mon, I'll take you to the others," May said, smiling back at Ash, as she pulled him along.
Ash let himself be led through the crowd by May.
"So, Ashy," May said slyly, glancing back at Ash, "Who was that love song about?" May teased, winking at Ash, who, somehow with his stomach bubbling, managed to keep his cool.
"You'll find out someday," Ash replied, winking back, and May rolled her eyes, before turning her head, so that Ash couldn't see the look of disappointment that instantly came across May's face.
After approximately half a minute, the duo found their way to their friends and family, and Ash's parents instantly rushed over to Ash, as did Pikachu, who leapt onto Ash's shoulder instantly, and started rubbing his cheek against Ash's.
"Ash, honey, we're so proud of you!" Delia squealed, grabbing hold of Ash and squeezing him tightly, making the teen choke.
"Mum! You're squashing me!" Ash complained, making Delia let go of him.
Giovanni placed his hand on Ash's shoulder, drawing the raven-haired teenager's attention.
"I'm so proud of you, Ash," Giovanni said, smiling at his son, before pulling him into a tight hug, Ash smiled in the embrace.
"Thanks, dad, but I learnt from the best," Ash replied, smiling back at Giovanni as the two pulled apart.
The two smiled at each other, before a cheeky look came over Giovanni's face, and Ash noticed, instantly.
He gulped.
"Who was that last song about?" Giovanni mouthed, winking at Ash.
He blushed.
Ash gave the game away, by shooting a quick glance at May.
Giovanni smiled at his embarrassed son.
"She's perfect for you," Giovanni said quietly, once again placing his hand on Ash's shoulder.
Ash was so flushed that he almost fainted on the spot.
EOC
A bit of a filler, and apologies that it took so long, I got really stuck on the NAME of the band, which has frustrated me no end, plus trying to write the scenes in while he's on stage was something I've not really attempted before, so that was a challenge.
REVIEWS:
LegitEmi: Thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter too!
Ultratron562: I'm glad you enjoyed the first chapter! Lucky it isn't an oneshot then, right!
LittleMissMidnight: Wow, thank you so much! I don't think I've ever had such a positive, in-depth review, and I really appreciate it, I'm glad you like the way I portray the characters! Hopefully in the next couple of chapters the AU should become more prominent, with regards to the school aspect that I wanted to add to this story.
Ashura Satoshi: I'm glad you did read it, because I'm a massive fan of your own work, so it's quite an honour to have a review from you, and I'm really glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
Hopefully the next chapter should be up sooner, because I've got a lot of plans for the next couple of chapters.
A review would be extremely appreciated!
~AF~