Hey guys, Jeff here!

So, just so you guys know, this chapter has advanced a week from the last chapter, so just be aware of that. I know that I should really put time skips, but I think for what's gonna happen next, it would make sense ;D

By the way, I do apologise that this chapter is a bit shorter than usual, and it's because its to set up for the next chapter next week ;D

Without further ado, let's get to reading...


(Ash POV, with Ash going home)

I have been, you can say, spying Tierno and Serena for the past week. Luckily, nothing really happened during this whole week, which is a relief for me, but then, I still feel very suspicious of him, like how he might be planning or anything of that sort. Back when I wasn't feeling myself in front of everyone about a week ago, everyone reassured me and also teased me about it, how I worry about Serena too much. It is true that I am her guide, that I should be the one with her, but what makes me suspicious is how, first of all, Tierno reacted when he was picked with Serena, and then even though Professor Oak knew that I was her guide, he still picked him. Some might say that it's because Serena needs some independence, but still…

I shook my head. I'm sure that there isn't anything to worry about. Anyway, I've got my own thing to do, but with no one. Well, there was supposedly someone working with me too, but she hasn't been at school for a week. Her name was Shauna. She was present in the first day, but then hasn't been in school ever since, which makes me even more suspicious. Up to now, I have been doing the work, but it doesn't really matter that much, since it was such an easy task that I have already finished it, so it's all good. Since I've already finished, I just need to keep an eye out for Serena, which my mom doesn't approve that much, but she teases me about it to get back at me for what I am doing.

Lately when going home during this week, I kind of feel a bit lonely. Is it because the place is too quiet? Is it because of something else? I don't really know and I'm just confusing myself. Maybe because Serena is not here with me? No, that can't really be right, now can it? I shouldn't really worry about it, but I just can't stop thinking about it no matter how much I try. I feel really empty inside without her, but why? Why is that? There are a lot of questions out there for me to find out the answer to. Every time I think about it, I feel my heart race a bit, my blood flowing a bit faster than normal, and then I feel warmness on my cheeks. Am I… or not…

Delia waved from the front of the house. "Hey, Ash! Come on, dinner's ready!"

I nodded. "All right. I'll be right there!"

At that point, I sprinted. I normally don't sprint ever, but since it was only a short distance, I guess I could make an exception for today, but also since it was dinner I'm chasing, then I guess there's no time to lose. On the way, even though it was a short glimpse, I passed Serena's house and glanced at it. All looks normal from my perspective, how the house looks like its normal self from the outside. The only thing I can spot is how some rooms were lit, but that's probably because that's where Grace or Serena was, but then again, Tierno is also in the house. Maybe I should go and check, just to make sure, but I shouldn't. I'm just overreacting about it too much, I'm overthinking about it, so I should probably stop worrying about her. I'm sure she can take of herself, since Grace is there anyway.

I stepped in into my house. I see that my mom has made dinner, since I could smell the fragrance from the door. I can't really guess what she has cooked, but then again, it doesn't matter what it is, since I know that it's going to be delicious anyway, as my mom cooked it. Immediately, I placed my shoes in the shoe rack and headed straight upstairs into my room. I then quickly changed from what I wore during school to what I wear whilst I'm at home. In a rushed manner, I then headed straight downstairs once again and went straight to the dining room, where I saw that everything was already laid out onto the table. With that, we tucked into the food on the table…

Delia smiled. "Hey, Ash? How's things at school been?"

I held back from stuffing my mouth with food. "What do you mean?"

Delia smiled. "Well, you know that work that Professor Oak set? You said you were busy with that, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I was. I finished it just yesterday. I'm sure that's good enough for Professor Oak."

"Isn't there someone that was supposed to help you, though?" Delia added.

I sighed. "Yeah, there was someone; but she hasn't turned up for school for about a week."

Delia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? That is odd…"

"What's odder is that she was there in the first day…" I added. "But now, she's nowhere to be seen."

"Well, that is strange." Delia replied. "But, I'm sure that she is just ill or something like that."

I smiled. "It would seem so…"

"So, how are things with Serena, then?" Delia teased. "Made any progress with her, Ash?"

I blushed. "I'm telling you it's not like that!"

I paused for a moment. I knew that this would happen. I mean, she has been doing it consecutively, so it wouldn't really be a surprise that she would ask me this embarrassing question once again to me. I think since we were given that task by Professor Oak, she didn't really talk about what the progress is with that certain assignment, instead she just asks me about Serena. To be honest, who can really blame her? She always sees me 'spying' as most people may call it, making me look like some sort of stalker towards Serena, but it's not like that, I got my reasons for doing so: to confirm my suspicions with Tierno. Anyhow, my mother wouldn't really stop no matter what I really tell her the reason or the excuses that I come up with. I can't get away.

I sighed. "I've already told you loads of times that you shouldn't ask me about this. It's not what you think this is."

Delia laughed. "Oh yeah, then what is it about?"

I sighed. "I said that this guy I have suspicions on, so I decided to watch out for Serena in case he does do anything."

"The one whom Serena is partnered with for the assignment?" Delia asked.

I nodded. "Yes, that's the one."

Delia giggled. "And you're doing this because… you're jealous, am I right?"

I blushed madly. "Stop! It's not like that!"

Delia smiled. "Don't worry, Ash. There is a right place and a right time when you'll realise what you're feeling. There's also a right place and a right time when you can then express those feelings, so just take your time…"

I stopped for a moment and thought about what my mother just told me. To be honest with myself, even I can accept that she is absolutely right about what she said. There's really no mistake to what she said about how my feelings are there, but I just don't notice them that much. I haven't really thought of things that way, how maybe, just maybe, my feelings may be concentrated to Serena, but I don't exactly know myself, so I just have to follow my mother's advice about how there will be a time that I will know my own feelings. I guess I need to seek my feelings out before anything else; but, for now, I guess I should just take it off my mind and come back to it.

I nodded. "Well, if you say so… I'll keep it in mind."

Delia smiled once again. "I'm glad you understand, Ash. But, don't let it bother you, okay?"

I smiled. "I won't, so don't worry about a thing."

Delia smiled. "All right, then. Why don't you head upstairs and take a bath? Leave everything here with me."

I nodded. "Okay, then. Thanks for the food."

With that, I headed upstairs once again, leaving my mother to tidy up things back in the dining room and in the kitchen. I wanted to repay for the food that she had cooked by helping her, but if she says so that she'll be fine, then I guess there's no need to worry about anything after all.

Quickly, I stepped into the bathroom and then prepared myself to take a bath. I felt the warm, soothing water running into the bathtub, occasionally touching the water to check its temperature. The bathroom in this house is just the one, with a sort of reasonable size. I mean, the bathtub is quite large, but it then takes up a lot of space in order for it to fit, so there's not really much space for anything else. But anyhow, with that one small complaint out of my head, I stepped into the bathtub and relaxed myself in the water.

The water, as expected, is very warm and I felt that it was soothing to the skin. Things were very peaceful to where I am right now, how I'm really enjoying my time you could say. To be honest, I don't really know what to do when I'm in the bath; I just take my time, relax and then think about some things, not really specific stuff, but stuff in general nonetheless.

At that moment, what my mother said to me just moments ago whilst we were having dinner has popped into my head. There were a lot of things that is just filling my mind with thoughts, but then one thing stood out above everything else: it was about feelings. I don't even know why that is bothering me that much. I mean, I'm not really that interested into these things, but it stills bothers me. Also, what's kind of confusing me is that when I think about this, one person always comes into my mind: Serena. I don't know why or how, but in this case, it was just something that is out of control. Is it because I do have feelings for her? But, what? I don't really know myself, but I know that I'm the only one who can find out the answers… I don't know…

I stared into the ceiling, thinking about that specific topic, and then letting the minutes pass whilst I spend my time in the bath. I don't exactly know how long I've been in the bath, but, to be perfectly honest, I shouldn't really mind, just like what my mom said, since it is going to bother me and then make my situation with Serena a bit too awkward, so I'll just leave it at that.

At that point, I stepped out of the bath and walked into my room. After turning on the light, I then dried myself with my towel and then got dressed up again, ready to go to sleep. As I lay back at my bed and then stared at the ceiling once again, I closed my eyes, when suddenly I heard a loud explosion. Upon hearing it, I rushed to the window and looked out, spotting as to where it came from. After a few seconds, I saw that it came from Serena's house. I quickly rushed downstairs and headed out…

'Serena! She must be in danger! I need to go!' I thought, as I headed outside.


There you have it, guys! Chapter 13 is done! Hopefully you have enjoyed this chapter! :D

Wow, what can I say with this chapter! Ash has got a lot of things up in his mind, but before that, what happened to Serena? Well, we'll find out on the next chapter, so stick around ;D

Anyways, I'll see you all in the next chapter, but also please put your thoughts of this story in the reviews! Please show some support!

But also Private Message me for any story suggestions!

Also, please check me out on Twitter at jeff_amour if you can for updates of my stories!

So, that's it from me!

See ya! Have a great day!