Hey! Sorry I haven't been able to update lately. School is a bother sometimes, but then again, had one of the best nights last night :P I love you so much my princess! But anyways... yeah. So, here you go, read on! Again, rate and review at the end!

Oh, I guess I should start putting this up more often… hehe…

I don't own Pokemon, the characters, it's pokemon or anything else.

Iris woke up with a start, her head snapping up.

"Where..." she moaned, and shifted, realizing she was still in Ash's arms, which held her tightly even though they had both fallen to the floor, and he was asleep. Finally, his eyes fluttered open, sleep still in his eyes.

"Iris... " he asked, sleepiness causing him to slur his words, but she simply moved closer, laying her head on her shoulder.

"Did you really hold me all night?" she asked quietly, and he nodded as well.

"It wasn't that bad… you were really warm." he chuckled, and slowly, they got up, both grunting and moaning from the effort. "Agh…. I'm so sore.." they both groaned, and Iris began brewing some tea after they had miraculously made it to the kitchen, just as the rest of her Pokemon beginning to wake up.

"Axew Axew!" her Axew said, jumping on top of the counter.

"Yeah, I'm so sorry I haven't been around much... I've been really caught up!" Iris tried to explain, and Axew simply nodded, going back to his sleeping spot.

"Soooo..." Ash said awkwardly, trying to make conversation. "That... Was enjoyable... " Ash said, scratching his head.

"Yeah... I really liked it... " Iris said quietly, stirring her tea, and secretly hoped Ash felt the same way. She exhaled steadily, still remembering how his eyes weren't focused as they leaned in during their hug, but still looked just as gooey as they normally were far away...

"As a friend of course. As friends." Ash said quickly, and Iris's heart deflated, almost causing her to drop the tea. That's right... She thought. He thinks he's doing this to be a good friends... Not because he loves me. But as they sat down and turned on the news, each of them sitting in their own separate seats, Iris began thinking again. But... The way he looked at me... She protested to herself, stealing a glance at him. It wasn't the kind of compassionate look a friend would give to one another. He wouldn't hold me that close... She thought, as Ash cracked up to a comedy that played on the TV, but Iris could barely hear it over her own arguments. Gah... I wish he would fall in love with me already... I can't flirt, I can't do anything... But I don't want to lose him... Iris contemplated, when the door opened a crack.

"Iris?" Misty said, leaning her head in, when she saw Ash and almost toppled inwards. "Uh...Ash? What are you doing here?" Misty said suspiciously, and Ash grinned.

"I Uh... Stayed a little late and fell asleep here, so here I am!" he said happily, and Iris's heart stung more as Misty winked at her.

"Ahhhh... I see... Getting busy with Iris I see... " she giggled, and Iris's cheeks bloomed a bright red.

"Misty!" she exclaimed, Ash shook his head.

"Nah, she was just feeling really low, so I gave her a hug, and we... Kinda fell asleep." he said abashed, both of them blushing hard now. "It was a friendly hug though." he argued, and Misty's arrogant grin dropped, followed with a remorseful look to Iris.

"Poor you..." Misty mouthed, walking in, and Iris pouted. "Hey Ash, can I talk to her for a minute, alone?" she said, sitting down.

"Yeah sure," he said, grabbing his own cup of tea and walking into Iris's room, as Misty turned to Iris.

"Okay, I found May, and arranged for you two to meet up stairs the mall in the city, she said, placing her hands in her lap. "I know you guys were good friends, she has traveled with Ash for sure, so maybe you'll get something outta her." she laughed, and Iris tried to smile, Ash's words still pounding at her heart. "As a friend..." she thought sadly, and nodded to Misty. "Okay. Let's do this. "

Ash punched the wall and gritted his teeth, mumbling to himself. Why was he so stupid! Just friends?

"Why did I freaking say that..." he muttered, clenching his fist as he paced around the room. Ash felt like they were more than friends, but if Ash said anything, she would probably think he was weird.

"After all, she probably still thinks I act like a kid." he said grimly, and shook his head. His thoughts wandered to last night, and he allowed himself a smile, remembering the events that happened only a few hours ago...

*flashback*

Ash slid down to the floor, still holding Iris up as she fell asleep. He leaned against the wall, then layed down on the carpet, shifting Iris so he could see her face more clearly. Her dark, suntanned skin seemed to be lighter in the dark room, as her chest rose and fell slowly and evenly. His heart ached, his guts telling him to hold her tighter, to cradle her head in his chest, and forget his worries. But he sighed and let a small smile come out, as he watched her calm face for a few more minutes, sweeping the loose strands from her beautiful face, not moving any closer. Finally, his eyes drooping from exhaustion, he allowed himself one last look, before he decided to move even closer, their noses touching.

"Am I really falling in love with Iris?" he whispered to himself, disbelief in his voice, a conviction in his heart. Her eyes stayed shut, and before his mind could stop him, he softly planted a kiss on the sleeping girls lips, neither of them twitching. He could taste the chocolate she had whipped up before it burned on her smooth, small lips, and savored each taste he got of it. Finally, pulling away, he could've sworn he saw her smile before the world plunged into darkness.

*flashback ends*

Iris sat in the mall, sipping her drink softly. She looked around, and sighed, checking her watch again. Was everyone always this late? The people were milling around, window shopping and toting shoppings bags. Couples were clutching each other, their smiles brighten up the whole place, and Iris's heart ached with every couple that she saw. Finally, she heard a voice scream, and saw a blur run at her, before she was tackled, and wrapped around in a fierce hug.

"IRIS!" May yelled, clutching her tight, and Iris struggled to hold her drink.

"Hey! Woah careful!" she said, putting down her cup, and wrapped her arms around her. "How have you been?" I asked, and she grabbed her bag, pulling out a case.

"I've been kinda busy," She said slyly, showing off her many ribbons. Each ribbon glimmered in the faint sunlight that shone through the sky windows above them.

"Wow…" Iris said in surprise, trying to take in the large amount of ribbons. "That's a lot…"

"Yeah, I know right?" She put it away, and flagged down a waiter, ordering a soda.

"So what brings you to Unova?" Iris asked casually, feeling truly happy for the first time in weeks. Here, with May, she wouldn't have to worry about the bet. She wouldn't have to worry about Serena. She could just be a normal, 16 year old girl hanging out with her friend.

"I'm just visiting, so I could catch up with you, and Misty caught me at a perfect time." she shrugged, taking a sip of her soda.

"Alright, first question." Iris said, and May leaned forward, her eyes set on Iris.

"Shoot." May said, and Iris paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully.

"So… uh… I… I need some advice." Iris said slowly, and May nodded, waving her hand.

"Keep going."

"So… I…I was just wondering...cause, since you're older, you know… I was just wondering if you… if you had any advice for me…" Iris said, blushing nervously, and ran her fingers through her hair, . May tilted her head, her face expressing confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"I… uhh.. need advice… with… boys." Suddenly May burst out laughing.

"Oh Iris! Why are you worrying so much about this? It's not that difficult! Just act happy, and, well, kinda girly I guess. But…" She said, appraising Iris as she wiped her mouth clean with her sleeve. "It looks like we have some work to do."

... whaddya think? This is my first story and my first time here, so I would love reviews and tips pleeeease! If you don't like it, or decide you wanna hate, my complaints bin is over there *points at trash bin* no hating please. Just nice helpful advice and tips. Thank you!