Hello to anyone that's still here,

sorry for the lack of updates, life's been very busy with finals and university applications, etc.

As my way of apologising to anyone still sticking around, I've written 5 chapters to post today. Also don't forget the poll on my profile!

May had decided to use the bow in her hair today rather than her bandanna. Instead of separating her hair into her usual two parts either side of her hair she let it lie naturally, though it still shaped her face. She'd brushed it for much longer than usual, and inspected her face before leaving her room. After talking to Ash for hours 3 nights in a row, she was feeling happier than she had in weeks. The talks were refreshing; he really listened to what she was saying, and understood how she felt. She loved to learn about him too, and badgered him with endless questions from why he chose Pikachu to what he would do if he could make himself invisible for a day.

He had joined her friends' table for breakfast the past 2 days, but went to his own for dinner. Today, Ash met May outside her room in the open. Without worry, without hiding, they walked side by side down to the dining hall, and entered together. People turned their heads but not a word was spoken as they walked to the table and took seats opposite one another, May speaking to Ash about something she'd read in a book. After taking her seat next to Drew, she planted a kiss on his cheek, knowing people were still watching. Everyone went back to eating, which was a success to May, even if some were still glancing their way in disgust. Their plan seemed to be working for now. May now fully believed she would one day soon be able to be seen doing anything two other types could do with Ash, and the reality of that hurt. Of course, it was what she wanted all along from the moment they met, but then she would know it was acceptable for them to be together, and they wouldn't be. She knew they wouldn't be.

Noticing her sudden misery, Drew found her hand under the table and gave her a reassuring squeeze. Looking up at Drew, the thought that had been frequently invading her mind floated in once again, and she squeezed back, smiling. Drew's smile was so genuine. Could I love him if I continue to spend this much time with him?

Once they had finished eating, Ash left to find his own friends again. Dawn, who had not stopped bothering Paul since his return the day before, decided it was time for them to go for a walk through the woods. While May and Drew were invited, both knew that it would be best if they didn't go. It would be nice to give the two of them some time alone, especially with Dawn's feelings becoming more and more evident to them all. Serena spluttered something about having to cut someone's hair and scattered off quickly. May and Drew had rarely been left alone since they had began their act. May had expected it to be awkward, but the silence they fell into as they left the dining hall was so natural, it only brought May's previous thought back into the light.

"Do you want to do something?" Drew asked, stopping as they left the hall. "It's better than sitting in your room just reading or napping."

"Sure." May answered without hesitation. "What do you wanna do?"

"Ah… I hadn't thought that far ahead," Drew answered, laughing nervously. May giggled.

"Alright, let's go to the lake. It's really nice there."

Drew's face twisted. "Won't Ash be there at this time of day?"

"So what if he is?"

Surprised at her answer, Drew looked down at his companion to try to read her expression as his heart skipped a beat, but she seemed to be being genuine. A burst of hope came to him, and he could only nod in reply. They walked together through the woods, and although no one was around, May held his hand. Most of the time they walked in silence, and while May silently wished she were with Ash having one of their deep conversations, she pushed that thought away.

When they reached the lake, Drew's fear became real. Ash sat with Brock by the lake a little way away from where they were, and noticed them instantly. Drew looked back, this time with no hate in his eyes, and Ash seemed to ignore them, though Drew didn't believe he really was. Running to the water's edge, May jumped right into the stone cold water so that it came to her hips and looked back over her shoulder. In that moment, time seemed to stand still as Drew watched her. Something about the way she stood, the way she looked, the ecstatic look on her face, was beautiful to him. Standing there, she looked so perfect, so happy, and so free. It was as if the world around him dissolved, and he was left with just himself and May in this happy moment that would never end. For a moment, The Arena didn't exist, and they were both free together.

She called for him to come, snapping out of his daydream, and awkwardly he walked over and hovered by the edge.

"Come on, it's not that cold, you baby," she teased, in the way the old May always would at any given opportunity. He dropped his head to hide his smile.

"I was going to, jeez."

Waddling in slowly, he was soon at the same level as May. She began to play with her powers, bending fire around in her hands, showing off her control over her abilities. Completely mesmerised, Drew watched, making sarcastic comments whenever she messed up slightly. After a while, May stopped, and asked Drew to try again. Embarrassed, Drew looked away.

"You know I can't do anything," he answered. "I've tried too many times."

"One more time," May urged, placing her hand on his shoulder. "For me."

Drew sighed and turned back to her. He raised his hands out of the water and closed his eyes. As soon as they closed, the image of May appeared before him, just as she was before, looking over her shoulder at him with that smile of hers beaming. Feeling an energy gather in him, he faltered, but quickly fixed himself and focused on it, not letting the image of May leave his mind. Drawing the energy in towards his chest, he pulled his hands in towards his chest. Feeling as if the energy was gathered there, Drew pushed out quickly, not opening his eyes for a moment.

"Wow."

Drew opened his eyes, but nothing had changed. He sighed. "I told you I couldn't do it."

"No, Drew," May said, taking his hands and inspecting his palms. "You did it. You used Energy Ball. You did it."

"I did?"

May nodded, taking hold of his hand. "You did it. I'm proud."

He blushed but made no attempt to hide it and waded closer to May in the water. It had been her that had made him able to use his power. It had been the image of her that pushed him. She looked up at him as he got closer. Lifting a hand, he took her cheek in his hand and noticed her blush. With a burst of confidence, he placed his other hand on her waist and pulled her closer until they were just inches apart. She didn't fight it. He faltered. Just kiss her, idiot. Genuinely this time.

Drew prepared to make his move, and looked down towards May. In the moment he had faltered, she had turned and looked out towards where Ash was watching, the two of them making eye contact. She looked back quickly, still not fighting, but her eyes had clouded over, and her happy smile had been replaced by a stone expression. Taking a deep breath to push back his emotion, Drew let his hands drop to his sides again and moved away slightly.

"I think we should go sit for a bit to dry off," he spoke, hiding his shaking voice poorly. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," May answered, an obvious fake smile on her face, and they headed back to land silently. All of the energy Drew had previously felt had disappeared completely; his light had faded out.

May lay on her stomach on the grass, facing out towards the lake. If she looked to her right, she could still keep an eye on Ash and what he was doing. Drew sat beside her, picking at the grass. It had been silent for a few minutes before May rolled over and pushed herself closer to him, laying her head on his lap.

"You remember those girls that escaped?" May asked, staring up at the sky. Drew took to looking down at the girl in his lap, who had just placed herself there without thinking, and was completely calm about it. He swallowed hard.

"Yeah, why?"

"I was just thinking about it. They closed off the outside for a few days, but how could that have been long enough for them to solve the problem?"

"I don't know what you mean," he said, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Well I mean there must still be a way out somewhere."

"You're suggesting we run away?"

"I don't know what I'm suggesting." May sighed. "I just… I think we should find it."

"Huh… I don't know, May, that sounds kind of dangerous."

May sat up suddenly, looking at him with a stone cold expression. "No more dangerous than anything else we're going to have to do, Drew. If we want to get out of here we have to know… that it might not go our way, that it might not work and something might go wrong, but you have to believe that it's worth a shot."

"I do." Drew nodded. "Really, I do."

May was about to speak about her new plan when she noticed Ash and Brock moving. She watched as Brock stood and helped Ash up, and then they turned and began to walk right towards them, with Brock wearing a sceptical look. May froze.

"What the hell is he doing?" She asked. Drew placed his hand on her leg, and although she flinched at first she didn't move away. In her mind, Drew was simply reassuring her. I'm Drew's mind, he was making sure they knew she was his, even if it was only just for now.

"May, Drew," Ash spoke as he got closer. They both stood to meet them. "I wanted to introduce you to my friend, Brock." They were standing right before each other now, Brock still looking less than impressed. "Brock, this is Drew."

"Nice to meet you," Drew greeted, politely nodding towards Brock. Brock returned his greeting.

"And this is May." Ash gestured towards her. May smiled nervously.

"Nice to meet you, Brock."

Brock shook his head with a smile, and suddenly took her hand in his, bringing it up towards himself and leaning to kiss it. "The pleasure is all mine when meeting such a beautiful lady."

May blushed and laughed nervously, turning to Ash to silently ask him to say something. Ash's reaction was unreadable.

"She is beautiful," Drew responded unexpectedly, putting his arm around her shoulder. She would have thought he was being unnecessarily defensive, but his face was calm, and his smile was genuine. She could do nothing but blink at the odd conversation and environment.

"I'm gonna head back, Ash," Brock spoke again, not sensing the awkward atmosphere at all. "I'll catch you later."

With that, Brock took off with a speedy stride, his hands stuck into his pockets. Yawning slightly, Drew rubbed May's arm with the hand already settled on her shoulder. "Well, maybe we should go back too, May? I'm ready to head back."

"You can go." May smiled up at him. "I want to stay for a bit."

She had known before she said it what his reaction would be. He looked mad, a little hurt that she wanted to stay with Ash rather than return with him, but also he understood, and he had to remind himself that the relationship that they were in was just an act, that he couldn't really have her all to himself, that he couldn't really expect her to be faithful if Ash should, by some chance, happen to want her.

"Alright, I'll see you later then."

Leaning up to kiss his cheek, May returned the goodbye and Drew headed off in the direction Brock had just left in.

"How are you feeling?" Ash asked her once they were alone. She sat herself on the grass and he soon joined her.

"I'm okay. I'm just a little overwhelmed."

"I get it. I would be too. You can talk to me anytime though, you know that."

Ash began to stretch his arms and lay himself back on the grass bank. Feeling comfortable with her new best friend, she lay back in the opposite direction and lay her head on his stomach, placing an arm over her eyes to block out the sun.

"I was just talking to Drew about the girls that escaped a little while ago," she began. Ash stayed silent. "There must be a breach in the wall somewhere out there. I think we should find it."

"And then what?"

"I don't know exactly… I haven't really thought that far ahead… I just know it's what we have to do. I can feel it. Don't you?"

"Kinda." Ash yawned quietly. "I'll help you look for it if you think it'll point us in the right direction." Ash closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth pouring from the sunshine. When he noticed May hadn't replied, he pushed himself up, propping himself on his elbows to look down on her. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just so scared." May took the arm away from her eyes to look back up at him. "What if someone sees us? What if it doesn't go to plan? What if-"

"May, stop it."

Stunned, May fell silent, and her friend began again. "You're worrying far too much. Surely the risk is worth it, and while you've shown me that life inside here can be great I don't want to spend my whole life here. It's worth a shot when one of the prizes would be to live on the outside like everybody else."

Surprised that his arguments didn't counter her own, May simply continued to listen, letting him speak of how he wished to get out and closed her own eyes, squeezing them tightly shut.

"Besides…" Ash sat, shuffling away slowly so that May would sit up and face him. She watched as his expression turned serious and he took her hands in his own. "If we're going down, we're going down together."

At another time, May might have blushed at his words or the feeling of his skin against her own, but for now he seemed so serious, and the way he expressed it spoke a thousand words to May. This was Ash swearing his loyalty as a best friend to her, and May thanked her lucky stars that she had made the best friend she'd ever had at a time when she'd need him most. Squeezing his hands, she smiled wide and let go.

"Let's stick together then."

She held out her hand in the air with a grin on her face. Grinning back with a chuckle, Ash responded to her high five with enthusiasm, and May's heart began to beat just a little faster.

"Ash?"

The voice came so suddenly, May barely had time to react before a new person thrust herself into view, her arms crossed across her chest. May felt a strange sensation in her chest as Misty looked down at her. Turning to check Ash, she was surprised to see a cool look on his face, as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"Hey, Mist."

Hearing the nickname he had for her, May's chest tightened. The redhead gave a sickly sweet smile.

"I didn't realise you were out here, and with a new friend?"

"I'd been out here with Brock." He shrugged, ignoring the fact that Misty was now glaring at May, and May had taken to staring down at her knees, which she'd drawn up to her chest.

"Well, everyone's been talking for a couple weeks about the two of you talking. I suppose it's not taboo for water and fire types to talk anymore? And not taboo for them to hang out together, in your opinion?"

The question was almost attacking Ash, but it was as if he didn't notice. Cooly, he shrugged again. "If you got to know her, you'd like her too. She's a nice person, it doesn't matter what type she is."

Misty's eyes still hadn't moved from her target. "Hmm." She held out her hand suddenly. "May, I wanna talk to you."

The tone she used made May both curious and terrified. Choosing not to take the hand offered to her, May pushed herself up from the bank and turned to Ash, who gave her an apologetic glance, but said nothing. Following Misty into the woods, May began to yearn for his presence again, wishing he would say something to send her away or defend May instead of letting her drag her off into the woods to 'talk'.

"Alright, what's your motive?" Misty poked. "For speaking to him? Do you have feelings for him?"

Blushing, May held up her hands. "No! I mean, no… it's not like that between us. We're just friends, and I wanted to be able to be his friend. It just made me want to break the taboo."

"Are you sure? Because he might not see it but it seems to me that you have feelings for him."

"I don't," May insisted. "And besides why would it matter, even if I did?"

"Because then I would have to tell you to stay away, which I'm now going to do because it's quite obvious that you're lying to me." Misty placed her hands on her hips.

"Well no, I won't stay away. Ash and I are friends."

"You will stay away."

"Will I now?"

"Yes, you will, because Ash is my boy-"

"Misty!" Ash cut her off. Appearing by the tree behind her he leaned against it. "Come here. Now."

Misty glanced back at May coldly one last time before following Ash back towards the lake, leaving May stunned and confused. What was she about to say? Surely not. But it did sound like she was going to say it…

Following in the direction they had just headed, May peered around the trees to check if she would be able to go back. Ash and Misty stood a little way away, far enough for her not to be able to hear what they were talking about. She looked guilty as he looked down at her, almost looking cross, but May could tell she was still arguing back. Ash sighed and finally the conversation seemed to end. Misty, glancing around briefly but not spotting May, said goodbye and headed off back towards The Arena and Ash headed back towards the lake. Waiting a few moments for Misty to disappear, May left her cover and ran back in the direction Ash had gone to meet him again.

At dinner, Dawn had taken her usual position next to Paul, except today she had inched ever so closer to him on the bench, so that their legs rubbed against one another. May sat opposite the two, next to Drew, whose leg touched her own but not quite as much. Ash had joined them again after walking back with May earlier and showering, and sat on the other side of her, further from her than Drew was.

As May was eating, she felt Drew nudge her gently with his elbow. Turning to him, she noticed his smirk as he held up his wrist and his watch turned on, the holograph menu shining up. She noticed Ash looking out the corner of his eye but watched as Drew selected a few things, until a heart image showed up, and he held it up between Dawn and Paul. May giggled, as Dawn looked up from her plate, her eyes burning into the image.

"Drew, stop that!" Dawn shouted, swiping for the watch, but Drew pulled his wrist back, keeping the image up between them, causing May to giggle more at Dawn's annoyance and the murder in her eyes. "Stop it Drew! Hey!" Dawn stood up from her chair, trying to swipe for it again, but Drew moved too fast for her. He laughed, and May was about to make a joke about her and Paul when the image disappeared suddenly. His face dropping, Drew looked at his watch, which had turned off. He pressed the power switch, but nothing happened. May looked to Dawn, whose eyes were on the watch.

"Did you do that?"

Dawn blinked a few times, seeming spaced out. "Maybe… I'm not sure."

Serena cheered from beside Paul. "Dawn, that will be so useful!"

"Well, can you like, make it work again?" Drew pleaded, still pressing the power button repeatedly. Still a little startled, Dawn focused once again on his watch, and it powered on, displaying its holographic image once again. Amazed, May could only watch.

"That's incredible! Try the lights!" Serena cheered. Dawn, while still looking spaced out, turned to face the lights on the ceiling which were on. With no hint of concentration on her face at all, the lights flickered off, sparking confusion from everyone around them. May, with her slight fear of the dark, shuffled further from Drew in the shade, and closer to Ash, making her feel safe.

"Turn them back on!" Paul hissed as the guards appeared at the door, scratching their head in confusion and flicking the light switch repeatedly.

"I just tried to!" Dawn whispered back aggressively. "I can't do it!"

Drew stifled a giggle. "You could really mess with some people in here with that… If you can do that, imagine what else you're capable of. Do you think that you can feel electric shocks?"

"Probably," Dawn scoffed. "Don't be crazy."

After a few moments of bickering, the lights flicked naturally back on, as Dawn confirmed when everyone turned to her to check she hadn't done it. Noticing May sitting closer to Ash than before, Dawn smirked subtly and hid her face. She had a plan in mind, one she was sure couldn't go wrong, and would help her friend enormously, if only she could get it started.

But one line from Paul sent her plan tumbling to the ground.

"Hey, before I forget man, if Misty's your girlfriend, how come you're never really around her?"

Ash seemed to stiffen in his space. May almost choked, feeling her heart drop to the floor in one violent crash. All her worries flooded her brain, and the source of all her stress came to a head. Misty really was his girlfriend. Looking up, she noticed Dawn watching her, a guilty look plastered on her face. She knew.

Suddenly, May took Drew's hand in her own and stood quickly, almost dragging him up with her. With a sickly sweet smile on her lips, she tugged him so he would rise too, and faced her group. "I'm sorry, I really want some alone time with him, I'll catch you guys later."

Drew, knowing exactly why his partner was acting this way, followed her actions and smiled apologetically back at his friends as they left. Her grip on his hand was tight and angry, and she didn't speak until they reached the door. She had been planning on leaving, but outside a storm was brewing, and the first signs were showing in the fast winds.

"Let's go to the smaller social area, May. No one will be there when everyone's eating."

Her grip on his hand quickly loosened to the point where she was barely holding on anymore, and she dragged her feet down the corridor as they headed to and entered their usual meeting place. Sitting down beside her on the sofa, he placed his arm around her shoulder and rubbed it gently, consoling her as much as he could without having to ask her. She sat in the silence, seemingly staring at the wall at the other side of the room, lost in her thoughts, but she did not cry. After ten minutes, she leaned closer to him and lay her head on his chest, his arm still around her. He blushed, but she couldn't see from her position.

"Are you mad?"

A few seconds of silence followed before she answered. "At Dawn. She knew the whole time. I could see it on her face as soon as Paul even said those words. I can't be angry at Ash. I guess I saw this coming all along."

"I understand, May. It wasn't right for Dawn to keep something like that from you and get your hopes up."

"Oh, my hopes were never up." May sighed. "But they were never down until now either."

"I'm here for you," he said as caringly as he could, rubbing her shoulder still. "Whether we're really together or not I'm here for you, you know that."

"I really appreciate that, Drew."

Lowering his head slightly, she felt him plant a kiss on the top of her head, and blushed slightly. She brought her legs up onto the sofa and buried herself deeper into his chest. He removed his hand from her shoulder and brought it up to her head instead, to stroke her hair gently. He was happy there, and he could only hope he had managed to calm her somehow.

It would be another hour before anyone disturbed their peace. After Drew had noticed May had fallen asleep on his chest, he let her lie there, and simply turned on the TV to watch. People would walk by, but no one came inside until he heard the door quietly slide open, and Dawn entered.

"Is she asleep?"

Drew nodded in response, feeling slightly mad at his friend too.

"Ah… Guess I'll have to speak to her later. Is she mad at me?"

"Yeah, she is. She thinks you knew that Misty was Ash's girlfriend and chose not to tell her."

"I did."

"What?"

Dawn sighed, sitting on the arm of the sofa beside Drew, watching May sleep peacefully on his chest. "I wanted to watch Ash and Misty for a while. Brock, Ash's friend, told me that they were a couple but I never really saw it when they were together. It always seemed as if she were forcing herself on him and he wanted away. Something tells me they're not together."

"What did Ash say after we left?"

"I don't know, I left right away too. All I know is Paul was giggling away to himself and Ash looked annoyed. Again, that makes me question whether they're really together or not."

Drew didn't speak for a moment, simply looked down at May's peaceful expression as she slept, and began to stroke her head again softly, frightened of waking her.

"I'm sorry, Drew," Dawn spoke up again. "I know this must be hard for you. You really love May, don't you?"

Without looking up from his sleeping partner, Drew nodded slowly. "I do… but I'll be fine. She has feelings for Ash, and I see them growing stronger every passing day. I worry he'll hurt her, but there's nothing I can do, especially once she starts to love him."

"I don't think he'll hurt her, he seems-"

A slight grunting noise cut her off, and the pair looked to May, who had begun to stir, rubbing her face against his chest sleepily. "Drew? Drew?"

"Yes, May? I'm here." he said gently, pushing her hair from her face. May's eyes fluttered open and landed on Dawn. Immediately she was standing, and before either of them could say another word, she turned around and stormed out of the door.

As she left, she noticed Ash walking towards her at the end of the corridor. Her anger rose again, and all the hurt and confusion hit her at once. He moved so he was moving directly towards her, and she lowered her head. He stopped to meet her, but she stormed on, pushing past him, and began to run, and didn't stop until she reached her room and was lying on her own bed. She heard him knock on her door and call out her name, asking what was wrong, but chose to shove her head under her pillows rather than listen. Once she stopped hearing his voice, she began to sob, the cries racking her whole body.