Heyyy….long time no see…here's the next update!
They didn't take walks like this often. They were always busy either training or traveling from one city to the next. So when the couple finally settled into where they're going to be staying for the contest, they took this opportunity to enjoy just being together. It felt nice to just be able to walk with their hands intertwined, showing the world that she belonged with him and he belonged with her. That thought made Drew smile.
"What are you smiling about?" May asked
"huh?" Drew said turning to her
"You just cracked a smile. It's cute" May said. "So what's on your mind?"
"Oh nothing really, I was just thinking about us. You know, how nice it is that we are able to take walks like this." Drew gave May's hand a squeeze
May smiled back. "Well, if a walk will get you to smile like that, then we should do this more often."
"We should. But a walk isn't the only thing that can make me smile. I have a few other activities in mind…" Drew said leaning over to May and kissed her on the neck and then behind her ear. "That can make me smile." He gave May a peck on the lips then went for another, but May stopped him.
"Drew! We're in public, people will stare!" May said as a blush crept onto her face.
"Hey, I'm just teasing you." Drew smirked before grabbing May's hand and they continued walking.
"So…what did you and Ash talk about earlier today?" Drew asked
May was taken aback by the question and she visibly stiffened.
"Hey its ok. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Drew said after seeing May's reaction
"No its fine, I'll tell you." May said as they couple approached a bench overlooking the ocean
"He asked me to travel with him. And he kinda…wanted "us" to get closer." May said
"Hmm…So it was true. Ash really did have a crush on you." Drew said
"What? How did you know?" May was surprised by Drew's reaction
"Oh, I saw the way he kept talking to you and trying to get near you. Plus Brock confirmed it while Ash and you were talking." Drew explained. "Soo did you agree to travel with him?"
"Of course not, I'm still here with you aren't I? May said smiling at Drew. It may have been a small gesture on May's part but meant a lot to Drew, it confirmed that she was really staying with him. He gave her hand a squeeze before turning to watch a boat that was sailing by.
"Do you think we will be ok after the Grande Festival?" May asked "You know that there's always a chance that we might have to fight each other for the trophy."
"Yeah I know, but like we've talked about before, we will leave whatever happens on the Grande Festival battlefield on the Battle Field. And no matter what happens, we will give it our all." Drew said confidently
"Thanks Drew. I just don't want to hurt what we have now," May rested her head on his shoulder. "Can you believe how far we've come? I mean a few months ago we were still rivals determined to beat each other."
"Hmmm yeah, and look at us now," Drew said gently rubbing May's head. "I gotta say, I like this better."
"Yeah me too," May said feeling all warm and happy inside.
"UH!"
The couple was brought out of their happy thoughts by a groan then the crumbling of paper, followed by some inaudible mumbling from behind. Curious as to see who it was that disrupted them, both May and Drew turned. They were surprised by a familiar face tossing a ball of paper into a nearby trashcan. She did not look happy.
"Solidad?" Drew called.
"Oh hey Drew, May, I didn't see you there!" Solidad smiled at the couple but they both knew the smile a forced.
"Um is everything ok?" May asked
Solidad sighed and sat down next to May. She figured she might as well tell them what was going on. "That was a note from Harley. And it's not the first one, I've been getting them everywhere I go."
"Why is he sending you notes? And why are you upset about them?" May was curious.
Solidad looked out to the sea, "To ask for forgiveness." She took a minute before continuing, she turned to look at May. "I know Harley was the one who raped you."
May turned away from Solidad and looked down at her hands. The mention of the incident brought back the painful memory that May had tried so hard to put behind her.
"And because what he did to you, I can't forgive Harley. So I decided to cut off contact with him." Solidad said
Drew already knew what was going on, due to his previous encounter with Solidad after Harley's last contest win. But seeing as Harley is constantly sending her notes and she's bothered by them, it seems that their feelings for each other go deeper than he had originally thought.
"You still have strong feelings for him don't you?" Drew said, more as a statement than a question.
Solidad took a moment before answering. "You're right, I do." She explained to May and Drew that ever since she cut herself off from Harley, the notes from him never stopped. Everywhere she went, she would get a note. And every note he sent had been the same; "I'm sorry for what I did. I want to be with you more than anything. Please don't to this to us. Please forgive me, I have learned my lesson, " Solidad recited as she has read those words countless times.
"Solidad…" May said, seeing the pained look on Solidad's face
"He doesn't get it," Solidad clenched her fist in frustration. "He hasn't learned anything! He's only sorry because I'm angry at him! He still doesn't understand that it's not me he has to ask for forgiveness!"
May is shocked at Solidad's revelation. "You know you don't have to cut him off because of me. I may not be able to forgive him, but that doesn't mean you have to push away the one you love."
Solidad put her hand on May's and looked at her in the eyes, "You two are important friends of mine and Harley knew that. He hurt people I care about and I can't just let that go. I want to forgive him, but at the same time, I can't bring myself to. So while it's true that I love him, I won't be able to forgive myself if I simply ignored what he did."
"Sol, you shouldn't beat yourself up over this." Drew said
Solidad think for a moment before speaking again, "Look, I just want Harley to make it right. If he can figure out how, then I might find the heart to forgive him." With that she gets up to leave, "Thanks for listening to me talk, I feel a lot better now." Solidad smiled at the couple and left.
May and Drew watched Solidad walk away. Both of them were letting what she had just told them sink in.
"She's really frustrated." Drew stated. "She really does love Harley, but she also cares about you."
"I know. She really doesn't have to go through all this for my sake though." May said
"Solidad's in a tough spot right now, but she's a strong woman. She'll figure out what to do." Drew said
"Yeah, I hope so." May said
"And I think I know what she meant by wanting Harley to make things right" Drew said "That's the only thing he has to do and he has to understand that"
"So what is it?" May asked
Drew smiled at her, "That's for Harley to figure out." He stands up and gives hand to May. "Come on, let's get going."
That's all for now! I know I keep apologizing, but I'm sorry I've been really busy, finals weeks is creeping up on me. Also I'm currently trying to plan out the ending and I'm still not sure how I want it to end, which is why I'm taking longer to update. Don't worry, its not ending too too soon, I still got a few things planned out. So see you guys in the next update!
P.S thanks to all who faved, followed, and reviewed the story, it really makes my day. Kay bye!