Oliverqueen01- Chapter 7 a cool down chapter as I like to call it after the events of last chapter. So ya with out any further ado here we go and as always reviews and questions will be addressed at the end, anyway disclaimer time!
Clemont: Oliverqueen01 does not own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo, Game Freak and the TPCI. Please support the Official release.
Oiverqueen01: I-I- you know what let's just get on with it. * Tinkers with Clemont's inventions while he isn't looking and while everyone's reading. *
Chapter 7: Adventure at the mall, Celebration and confiding.
Sunday. Serena wakes up after having a good nights sleep from the events of yesterday and finally accepting the fact that she likes Ash. She gets up, showers, dressed back in her casual clothes and heads to the mall. She was walking around looking at various items and until she was tapped on the shoulder.
"Serena, what are you doing here?" asked May
The two girls hugged as they greeted each other.
"What I can't come to the mall and buy clothes to wear or browse without anyone asking questions?" Serena teased
"No of course not, I'm surprised your out and about after what happened to you yesterday at Gary's house."
"Ash told you?" asked Serena
"Ya, on the way here this morning he was telling me about what happened, I'm glad nothing worse happened to you two."
"Do you know who those people were that attacked?, since after I got rescued I basically was knocked out until this morning." Serena asked
"They're the criminal organization of this region Team Rocket. They steal pokemon from people and the wild and try to sell them to the highest buyer. But the trio is the one Ash and us know very well, they try to steal from us a lot but now since they're done we can all live in peace now, but enough about them how are you feeling?"
"Still a little shaken up by it but i'll be fine, by the way shouldn't you be working?"
"I'm on break, so is Dawn she's getting the food she'll be here soon."
"So you left the store in charge with what was her name now? Marlene was it?"
"Ya, we had no choice we both hate her but ugh, what could we do?"
"You never explained why you hate her, is she that bad?"
"You have no idea, like we would ask her to pack away some boxes in the storeroom she'll pack them on the floor in a line and not bother to put them on the shelves. Even if we ask her to help a customer with their purchase or cash them out, she'll sit there with an annoyed look on her face and just take selfies ignoring us, I swear one of these days I'll knock her out and I won't care if I get fired."
"She sounds like she's as useless as a Magikarp."
"Well at least a Magikarp can splash unlike her."
The two of them laughed as Dawn approached with a burger, fries and a soda. Dawn greeted Serena and the three girls talked and ate their food. When it was 12:30pm the three went back to the store, where Serena finally got a good look at Marlene.
Marlene was a tall blue haired green eyed girl the same age as the three. She was wearing a tight white t-shirt with a yellow egg with green spots on it and tight blue shorts. Dawn told Serena to look around and check out everything. Serena nodded and started to browse.
May went to the back as Dawn went to the register. Serena was browsing when May emerged from the back with a I'm going to kill someone look on her face. May immediately stomped up to Marlene who had a bored look on her face.
"What do you want Miniami, can't you see I'm busy?" Marlene asked rudely.
"Before we left I asked you to to organize the back so we don't have difficulty looking for anything. Now I went back there to go find the red dress with the bow on it, I can't find it anywhere. So i'll ask you once... where is it?" May asked as calmly as she could.
"Oh that thing, it's somewhere I forget where exactly." Marlene replied with no emotion
"You dumb mother-" May began
"What's going on here?" a voice boomed from behind
May, Dawn and Marlene looked behind them in the direction of the booming voice to see their boss behind them. Standing behind them as a tall man with short black hair, brown eyes and wearing a checkered green and white plaid shirt with a tie. He also had black shoes and brown khaki pants.
"Mr. Moriguchi." the three yelled in unison
"What is the problem May? Why are you yelling at Marlene infront of the customers?" he asked
"Sir, the beautiful red dress with the ribbon on it that you showed us last week in your office before close? I asked Marlene to organize the back, find the dress and put it on display while Dawn and I go on our break. We came back about 10 minutes ago and when I walked back there it was in the same condition as when I left." May replied
"Is this true Marlene?" he asked
"Yes but-" Marlene began
"Sir, this isn't the first time she's done it either, even on the days you aren't here and we have to open without you, she refuses to help the customers at all. She will sit on her phone and pretend not to hear either of us." May interjected
"I see, and where is the dress now?"
"I have no idea sir, I've looked but I can't find it anywhere." May answered
"Dawn, if you could please check the register and check the last 30 items that were sold." he ordered the blue haired girl.
Dawn nodded and went through the register and brang up the list and handed it to Mr. Moriguchi who took a long hard look at the list. When his eyes came across one item he turned and looked at Marlene.
"Marlene... explain to me why there's a purchase of $300 under your employee ID?" he asked
Marlene remained silent refusing to answer.
"May, go back there and take a look in the lockers, here's the master key."
May nodded as she was handed the master key and went to the back to open Marlene's locker. When she opened it she took an item from the locker, locked it back and returned to the front of the store. She handed back the keys to Moriguchi and dropped the item infront of everyone. It was the red dress. Moriguchi shooked his head and turned to Marlene.
"Marlene, get your things and clear your locker." he ordered
"But sir-" she interjected
"No buts, you defied instructions from your co-workers, refused to help customers and worse of all you took an item and placed it under your ownership without asking me. Marlene Maple, YOU'RE FIRED!" he yelled
Marlene turned to May and Dawn and gave them a dirty look as she exited, the boss then turned to them and spoke.
"Forgive me girls, I made a mistake when hiring her I honestly thought that she would be a positive influence around here not a negative one. I Guess she fooled me with her looks and resume."
"It's okay sir, we should have told you earlier, but we thought we could honestly work with her despite her faults and be good friends with her outside of work but she didn't even try to make an effort for that." Dawn answered.
"Don't worry girls, In this situation we were all wrong, but now that she's gone this means I have to find you a new co-worker to help out around here, not that I don't trust you two but I want an extra hand in here who will actually help and not be lazy."
"Sir, you actually don't have to, we know someone who might be in need of a job." May told him
"Really, where is this person now?"
"She's right over there in the straw hat, I'll introduce you to her." Dawn repiled.
Dawn took Moriguchi over to Serena, as May went to the back put the dress on a hanger and then returned to the front to take over the register. Dawn then tapped Serena on the shoulder, Serena turned around and was introduced to Moriguchi as Dawn returned to the register to help out May.
"So Dawn tells me your in need of a job?" Moriguchi asked
"Yes, I recently moved here from the Kalos region with my mother, I've been looking for a job for a while so I don't have to always depend on my mom for money. Back in Kalos I worked at the local bakery." Serena repiled
"I see, The Kalos region huh? That's quite a bit a ways from Kanto, That being said I admire your Independence and the fact that you have past work experience. Now I have to ask you a question: If you saw a customer stealing from the store like Marlene did what would you do?"
"I would stop the customer ask them to politely put the item back and leave the store before I call mall security or come to the register to cash it out and depending on what they would do, I would act accordingly."
"Honest, positive and upbeat. Everything I look for when I hire someone to work here. Well then now that the formalities are done I have only this left to say: Congratulations Ms. Serena Yoshida, your officially hired."
Serena stood in shock for a moment as the words echoed through her head. Her month long search had come to an end. She then shook Moriguchi's hand as he held it there while she was off in fantasy land.
"Thank you, thank you , thank you Mr. Moriguchi. I promise not to let you down."
"I know you won't and please call me Shane."
"When do I start?"
"Next Saturday, The girls will tell you what you need to know and if you have any questions at all don't hesitate to ask me or them. Now if you don't mind I should be getting lunch and then back to paperwork which never ends ah the joys of owing your own business. Anyways don't mind me go on and share the news with them."
Shane took his leave leaving Serena with May and Dawn who instantly ran up to her.
"So what did he say?" May asked
"Ya, please tell me he wasn't a complete dummy again." Dawn asked
"Well, I'm afraid I've got some bad news then." Serena began
"No, don't tell me-" Dawn began
"He didn't-" May began
"He did. He did hire me so you'll have to put up with me Monday to Sunday." Serena explained in excitement
Dawn and May hugged Serena in glee, finally their nightmare of Marlene was gone and now that it was Serena was going to be the one working with them things would only be going up. After the hug broke up May spoke.
"We're celebrating tonight, I'll send a text to everyone to meet up at our hangout. In the meantime we get off at 4, you must be getting tired of seeing us. Go hang out with Ash in the meantime we'll meet you later."
"W-with Ash? okay, but one question where's the video store?" Serena asked
"Exit the store, turn left until you see the juice stand and then turn right at the ice cream shop. Next to the cell phone store will be the video-store." May said
"So left, juice stand, right, ice cream shop and then cell phone store?" Serena confirmed
"Yup, you got it now go have fun we'll see you later."
Serena waved at them as she exited the store soon to be place of employment. As soon as she was out of sight May turned to Dawn with a smirk on her face.
"What's with that look on your face?" asked Dawn
"Tell me if I was seeing things but when I mentioned Ash's name, Serena tensed up."
"You too? I thought it was just me, but I noticed too. You don't think she-"
"We'll know tonight." May said
Dawn and May went back to work as they tended to their customers who were lined up at the register waiting for them.
Ash was sitting behind the counter looking bored waiting for work to end. He was the only one working today. His co-worker was out sick with the flu and his boss came earlier in the day to hand him his paycheck and then left. He was about to fall asleep when his phone vibrated he opened it to read the text he had just received.
May: We're having group dinner tonight, special occasion usual place.
Ash was puzzled at the message, what special occasion was it that they were celebrating this time? It wasn't anyone's birthday Tommy's birthday had just past so it wouldn't be anyone's birthday. His own birthday wasn't until April. It wasn't any kind of anniversary for anything. This message had left him stumped.
Serena had finally arrived outside the video store after making a detour to the juice stand to get something to drink. She hadn't talk to Ash ever since the events of yesterday and finally accepting her feelings towards Ash. She was nervous to talk to him but decided to suck it up for now and head inside the store.
"Hey." Serena greeted him.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" asked Ash
"I was bored at home after yesterday so I decided to come here to see everyone. I ran into May and Dawn who are at work and told me how to get here to see you." Serena explained to him.
"Heh, that was nice of them. Speaking of May did you get that weird text from her about group dinner tonight?"
"Oh that, she must have sent that after I left the store. I have a good idea what it's about though, but I'm not telling you yet it's a surprise and you'll be presently shocked at what it is."
"Fair enough I can wait for the surprise, by the way I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. I didn't expect to have Team Rocket interrupting at any point. I wanted it to just to be me, you and my pokemon at the ranch."
"It's okay, May told me about them an what they've done to you and the others back in Kalos we had Team Flare who wanted to destroy the world by using pokemon but it was one of my friends who stopped them. That was back then but yesterday truth be told I was having fun meeting your pokemon before those three showed up."
"I'm glad you had fun, that was the intention."
The two of them smiled at each other.
"So where are your co-workers and your boss?" she asked
"The only other person who works with me is out sick with the flu with all things and the boss was here earlier to hand me my paycheck and then left me to run this place alone."
"That sucks but what can you do? Anyway what did May mean we're having dinner at the usual place?"
"You'll see, hey what time does the clock say behind me?"
"3:55"
"Okay, wait outside for me i'll just close up and we'll go meet the others."
Serena nodded as she headed outside to wait for Ash. Ash headed to the back to flick the switches to turn off the lights to the store. He turned on the alarm system and headed outside. He then opened the pillar infront of the store hidden inside of the pillar was a screen door which he dragged to the other pillar to close the store completely shut.
When that was done Ash and Serena headed off to the parking lot to meet up with May and Dawn. Once they met up they headed towards a silver car which Serena had seen before at Dawn's house.
"Dawn, is this your car?" asked Serena
"Na, it's mom's car she let's me use it on the weekends since during the week she works at the contest hall in at the other end of town."
"I see, so who's sitting where?"
"May sits in the front with me, Ash and you sit in the back, and for the love of Arceus try keeping your hands off each other."
Ash yelled at Dawn, while Serena turned crimson red while blushing which caught the attention of May who played like she didn't noticed. Once all the laughter and embarrassment died down the four of them piled into the car and hopped off to their destination. On the way they sang along to the radio to various songs. Once the car pulled into a parking lot white building with a sign that read Ramons. The four teens exited the car and headed inside.
Inside was decorated with black booths and tables scattered about the room. Gary and Leaf were already there and signalled for the group to come over and join them. Once everyone was settled in they began to talk.
"Where's Tommy, Brock and Drew?" asked Dawn
"Not coming, Brock's working late he said there was more patients than usual today for some reason, Tommy has to run the restaurant today because his dad had to go out of town for a convention to promote the restaurant and Drew said he had a date surprisingly." Gary explained
"Get all three of them of face-time they need to hear the major announcement." May ordered
Gary, Leaf and Dawn got on their phones and called Tommy, Brock and Drew respectively. When they were all on the phone they all remained silent as May spoke.
"So your all probably wondering why this little get together is happening?" May asked
Everyone but Serena and Dawn nodded.
"Well, today marks the beginning in a new chapter at work. Marlene the all mighty and high queen of hell was finally fired today. After years of putting up with her it's done no more of her ever. But wait the news gets even better... he hired someone today to replace her." May began
"Well don't keep us in suspense remember I'm wasting minutes here." Drew yelled
"I have go back to work or else the food will be sub par." Tommy interjected
"I'm supposed to be getting ready for my date." Drew reminded her.
"Fine, you impatient neanderthals, he hired... Serena to take her place." May explained
Everyone processed what they just heard from May and yelled in unison. "Congratulations Serena."
Serena smiled and thanked everyone. Once everyone congratulated her Brock, Drew and Tommy hung up and went back to their respective tasks, leaving the 6 teens in the restaurant waiting for their food which was ordered after everyone congratulated Serena on her new job. While waiting May, Dawn and Serena excused themselves to the bathroom leaving the boys and Leaf behind.
The girls were freshening up when May decided to confront Serena about what had happened earlier in the day.
"So Serena, I noticed something today." May began
"Huh, what are you talking about?" Serena asked
"I mentioned Ash's name today at work after you got Marlene's spot, you tensed up and freaked out a bit. Then on the way here your face went crimson after the seating arrangement for the car was decided. So is there something your not telling us?"
Serena remained silent in shock as May put the final nail in the proverbial coffin.
"You like him... don't you?"
Serena lowered her head down and sighed in defeat. She wasn't expecting to be caught off guard like that but if she was going to tell anyone it might as well be her friends.
"I do, but you have to promise me you won't tell him. I want to tell him myself."
May and Dawn held her hand and spoke.
"We promise we won't it's not our secret to tell, besides it's not like we're in different situations." the two of them said.
"What do you mean?" Serena asked
"There's someone I like too but I'm too nervous to tell them yet." Dawn admitted
"Who is it?"
"I'll show you tomorrow at school." Dawn replied
"Fair enough, what about you May?"
"I.. I um, I actually like girls more than boys." May admitted
"Really? I never would have guessed, but I'm happy for you."
The three of them hugged each other and then decided to exit the washroom to join back with the others. Shortly after they came back their food arrived. Ash had a bowl of pork ramen, Gary had a cheeseburger and fries infront of him, Leaf had Lasagna, Dawn had a pasta covered in Fettuccine Alfredo sauce, May had a grilled chicken and Serena had chill chicken and rice.
"Itadakimas!" Everyone yelled in unison and then immediately dug in and ate their food.
After everyone ate they all pitched in for the bill and left the restaurant saying goodbye to each other until classes tomorrow. Dawn drove up to Serena's house and made Ash get out of the car to walk Serena up to the door.
"So we'll be working in the same mall now in addition to living in the same neighbourhood and going to the same school." Ash stated.
"You make that sound like a bad thing." She teased
"It's not, at least your more tolerable than my co-worker and some of the people in my classes that aren't my friends."
The two of them giggled before Dawn honked the horn and startled them and waking the sleeping Rhyhorn who grunted at them.
"I should go before Dawn decides to drive off without me. But in all seriousness Congratulations again you deserve it."
The two of them gave each other a quick hug before breaking apart before heading to their separate ways. Before Serena entered her house she turned around and called out to Ash before he opened the car door.
"Hey Ash"
"Ya?"
"Wait for me tomorrow morning I want to walk with you to school, if that's okay with you." Serena said with a slight blush
Ash smiled and answered.
"Tomorrow morning then."
Serena smiled and waved goodbye and entered her house as Ash entered the car again. As he entered the car a fuzzy warm feeling entered Ash's mind and body. It was like a million Butterfrees had been set loose in his heart. It somewhat reminded him of his first-ever date. True that night revealed that his date was only meant to be nothing more than a friend, the feeling from Serena felt different like it was right and like it was the one he should have if he liked her.
"I've only known Serena for almost a month now, but it feels like I've known her for longer. I like her as a friend I won't deny that to myself but this feeling I have now learning that I'll see her more other than at school, tutoring and walking home has me feeling weird like – like if I actually like her more than friends like how Gary loves Leaf. Maybe- just Maybe.. I do."
Ash thought this to himself as Dawn and May were pestering him with questions. Right now he just wanted to make sense of his feelings. As Dawn pulled up to Ash's house he said goodbye to the girls and went inside.
When he got inside Pikachu ran up to him tackling him to the ground.
"You really like doing tackling me don't you?"
"Pikachu."
"Very funny, where's mom?"
Pikachu ran to the kitchen counter and grabbed a piece of paper and ran back to give it to Ash. Ash read the words on the paper.
Ash...
I'm working late tonight, we have a wedding to cater for at the restaurant, Dinner's in the fridge if your hungry. Make sure to feed Pikachu and clean up any mess you make. I'll see you in the morning when you get up.
Love, mom
Ash sighed at the note, crumpled it up and put it in the trash. He put out the pokemon food for pikachu to eat while he watched TV. He decided to turn the TV on to a rerun of: the adventures of Charmander and Pikachu. It reminded him of the days of when Charizard was a Charmander. Once Pikachu had finished it's food, Ash cleaned up and turned off everything except for the light in the front of the house and headed up stairs with Pikachu.
After taking his shower and changing his clothes, Ash layed in bed staring at the ceiling for a while. Pikachu was already asleep and he didn't feel like waking him up only to be thunderbolted in the middle of the night.
Ash pulled out his phone from under his pillow and set it on the music player. He was listening to an instrumental piece called Night on the beach by a composer named Bear Neely. After a while his eyes shut and he went to sleep.
"Maybe tomorrow I should talk to someone about this."
And with that Ash drifted to dreamworld.
Oliverqueen01- This chapter was a fun one to write mainly because I wanted to write a cooldown chapter after the events of the last chapter so this is the result of that. Anyway couple of things the boss is based off of Shane Mcmahon from WWE. Marlene was a fun character to write because shes based off of someone I met once lol. Also I was debating what to do with May and Dawn in regards of their partners to be at some point. I decided to make May like girls cause why not and I want to pair her up with someone other than drew. Also the reason Leaf doesn't know about Serena's crush because two people knowing this chapter was enough for me. But don't worry everyone will know at some point with Ash being the last lol. Lastly before we hit the reviews/questions next chapter will be back on track with the shipping moments.
Anyway that's enough babbling from me time for reviews/questions.
Reviews/questions
Engel2092- Thank you for bringing that to my attention it was like 1am when I got to typing that part probably lol. Ya tom is amazing. I like him more this season than last because harry is just so much more badass lol look what he did to get back Barry's powers. The man in the iron mask is either the real Jay or my really out there theory: Eddie Thawne from season 1. Ya Leonard Snart OC he'd be like what he's on legends especially episode 7 with him and Sara and no he'll be a student. Yes Felicity needs either to suck it up or leave cause honestly I'm getting tired of this all about me attitude. But sure if you want go ahead I don't mind.
Klay (guest)- No this chapter answered that question lol, will may date an oc? We'll see next chapter we'll meet Dawns crush. Will Serena get sacred at some point? Well halloween is coming up and that's all I will say about that.
Espeon44- Well the last line of this chapter will lead into that and will start in chapter 9, I won't say who helps him learn about it but it will be worth it and very unexpected.
Amour guest- Yes yes, keep up the amourshipping stuff and all that good jazz. I will don't worry about that :p
Pokemonmeat- thank you good sir, yes they do but like I said they were only for that chapter and the epilogue which is still miles away lol.
Warzonecall- thank you for the review. Well ya this long for her to figure out she liked him because I didn't want it right off the bat. I wanted to build to it.
Jordanlink7856- thank you for the review. Yes I quoted tfs's vegeta because why not and theres only more to come. Lol
I love reading123453- thank you for the review i'm glad you think it's good.
Ooobserver- lol sometimes i forget to hit it on stories I read too, ya it may be AU but it's still going to have some canon stuff in it like how ash randomly got 30 tauros XD and ya it will be, froakie will show back up at the end of chapter 8 and chapter 9 will expand on him.
Anyways that does it for this chapter along with reviews/questions. Remember if you liked this, favourite, follow and review and if you want share it with people you know who will like it.
Until next Thursday :)
