An Evening Out
The evening sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the horizon as Ash and May walked away from the baseball field. Practice had wrapped up not too long ago, and though Ash's arms felt a little sore from pitching, he was more excited than tired. Today had been one of those days that felt effortless—the kind where everything just flowed. He had performed well in practice, but more importantly, May had stayed to watch. Now, they had some time to hang out together, and Ash was eager to show her around Pallet Town.
"I never get tired of this time of day," May said, her eyes scanning the sky as the colors deepened into a soft pink and purple. "It's so peaceful here."
Ash smiled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, Pallet Town's always been pretty quiet, but I like that about it. You can take things slow, relax."
May looked over at him with a curious smile. "So, where are we going first, tour guide?"
"Well," Ash said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "I figured we could start with the basics, maybe grab something at the café, and then I've got a surprise spot at the end."
"Ooh, a surprise? Now you've got me curious," May teased, her eyes twinkling with interest.
Ash grinned, enjoying her playful attitude. "You'll just have to wait and see."
As they strolled through the heart of Pallet Town, Ash pointed out a few familiar places, a small bakery where his mom used to get fresh bread, the old park where he used to practice and even a couple of spots where he and his friends would meet up after school. He shared small stories about his childhood, little moments that made him who he was today.
May listened attentively, asking questions every now and then, but mostly enjoying Ash's excitement. It was clear how much Pallet Town meant to him, and she was starting to see why. Even though it was small, there was something charming and homely about it.
"Okay, first stop, the Pallet Town Café," Ash said as they approached a small, cozy building with a bright red awning. Inside, the smell of fresh coffee and pastries filled the air, and there were a few locals scattered around, chatting quietly.
May's eyes widened as she inhaled deeply. "Wow, this place smells amazing! Do you come here often?"
"Yeah, sometimes," Ash said, waving to the cashier, who gave him a friendly nod. "They make the best chocolate chip cookies in town. Wanna try one?"
"Absolutely," May said with a grin.
Ash ordered a couple of cookies and two cold drinks, and they took a seat by the window. As they sat, the quiet hum of the café enveloped them, giving them a peaceful moment to enjoy each other's company.
"So, what's your favorite thing about living here?" May asked after taking a bite of her cookie, which she had to admit was as good as Ash had promised.
Ash thought for a moment, looking out the window as he considered his answer. "I guess it's the sense of home. You know, everyone knows each other, and there's always someone around who has your back. It's just... safe, I guess. Like no matter what happens, this place is always gonna be here."
May smiled softly. "That sounds really nice. I haven't been here long, but I can already feel that kind of vibe. Everyone I've met has been really friendly."
Ash leaned back in his chair, his eyes settling on May. "I'm glad you're here, May. It's nice to have new people in town, especially someone like you."
May's cheeks flushed at the compliment, but she laughed it off lightly. "Well, thank you, Mr. Ketchum. You're not so bad yourself."
They both chuckled, the atmosphere between them easy and light. After finishing their cookies, Ash stood up and stretched. "All right, ready for the next stop?"
May jumped up, eager to see what else Ash had in store. "Lead the way!"
They made their way to the next spot, the Pallet Town Fair. The bright lights from the rides reflected in the evening sky, and the scent of cotton candy, popcorn, and fried treats filled the air. Ash walked beside May, who was excitedly glancing at the various attractions around them.
"This place is amazing!" May said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I don't think I've ever seen a fair this big."
"Yeah, the Pallet Town Fair's kind of a big deal around here," Ash replied, rubbing the back of his head. "I used to come here every year with my mom when I was a kid."
May smiled at the thought of a young Ash running around the fair, probably getting into all sorts of adventures. "Well, I'm glad you brought me here. It's nice to just relax and have fun."
Ash nodded. "Yeah, after all the training we've been doing, we deserve a little break."
They strolled past a row of colorful stalls, with Ash pointing out his favorite childhood games and memories. They stopped at a ring toss game, where Ash insisted on winning a prize for May.
"Check this out," Ash said confidently, grabbing a few rings. He threw the first one, missing the target completely.
May chuckled. "I thought you were an all star pitcher!?" she said mockingly.
"Just warming up," Ash replied with a grin. On the next throw, the ring landed perfectly on the bottle, and the stall owner handed Ash a stuffed Pikachu. Ash proudly gave it to May, who hugged it tightly.
"Thanks, Ash! It's adorable."
As they walked through the fair, the two of them took in the sights and sounds of the evening, trying various games and sampling treats. Ash eagerly suggested they ride the Ferris wheel as the sun set completely, and the fair was bathed in twinkling lights.
They boarded the Ferris wheel, sitting side by side in a small carriage. As they ascended, the view of Pallet Town and the fairgrounds sprawled out below them. May leaned over the edge, admiring the beauty of the town and the twinkling lights.
"It's so beautiful up here," May said softly, her eyes glued to the view.
Ash looked over at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, it really is."
The ride paused as they reached the top, giving them a perfect moment of stillness. The world seemed to quiet down for just a second as the breeze blew gently through the air. May glanced at Ash, noticing how relaxed and happy he seemed.
"Thanks for taking me here, Ash," May said, smiling at him. "I'm having a really great time."
Ash met her gaze, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "I'm glad. I wanted today to be special."
After the fair they both decided to end the night at one more spot that Ash had in mind. The sky was slowly transitioning to a deeper blue, and the stars were just beginning to peek through. Ash led May toward the outskirts of town, where the trees became denser and the sounds of the town faded into the background.
"This is where things get a little more interesting," Ash said, flashing a mischievous grin. "I'm taking you to my secret spot."
May raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A secret spot? Now I'm really curious."
"You'll see," Ash replied as they ventured further into a small wooded area that bordered the town. The path was narrow but well-trodden, and soon they emerged into a wide, grassy field with a large tree standing proudly in the center.
Ash turned to May, spreading his arms. "Welcome to my favorite spot in Pallet Town."
May looked around, taking in the serenity of the place. The field was surrounded by trees, with a clear view of the sky above. The stars were brighter here, and the air was crisp and fresh. It was quite far away from the hustle of town, yet close enough to feel like home.
"This is amazing, Ash," May said, her voice soft with awe. "It's so peaceful."
Ash smiled, glad she appreciated it. "I used to come here all the time when I was younger. Whenever I needed to think or just get away from everything, I'd come here."
May walked over to the large tree and sat down beneath it, patting the ground beside her. "Come on, sit. Tell me more."
Ash joined her, leaning against the tree trunk as he looked up at the sky. "I guess this place just became my spot to clear my head. Whether it was about baseball, school, or just life, I'd come here to figure things out. It's like... a reset button."
May nodded thoughtfully. "Everyone needs a place like that. I can see why this is yours."
They sat together in comfortable silence for a while, both of them watching the stars as they twinkled overhead. The sky had fully darkened by now, and the cool evening air felt refreshing after the warmth of the day.
"So," May said after a moment, "what are your big plans, Ash? I know you're all about baseball, but what's next for you?"
Ash chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Well, baseball is definitely a big part of my life, but I guess I just want to keep getting better. Maybe make it to a pro team someday, who knows?"
May smiled, leaning back against the tree. "I can see you doing that. You've got the drive, and you're talented. I mean, I've only seen one game and a practice, but you're actually really impressive out there. Is there a specific team you like?"
Ash blushed slightly, not used to receiving compliments like that. "Thanks, May. That means a lot, honestly I want to get signed by two teams. The Los Angeles Dodgers are my favorite team of all time and I know that if I try hard enough I can make it. If not them then I have to go with the New York Yankees, they have a history of winning and it would mean a lot to join their legacy. Both teams are incredible but I'll honestly be happy to be signed by any team as long as I can show that I belong there."
May glanced at him with a teasing smile. "You're gonna do great Ash really, just don't let it go to your head when you make it big!"
They both laughed, the sound filling the quiet night air. After a few moments, May grew more serious, her eyes searching the stars above.
"I've always loved the idea of following your passion," she said softly. "It's inspiring to see someone like you doing that. I mean, I've got dreams too, but sometimes I don't know if I'm brave enough to chase them."
Ash turned to her, curious. "What do you mean? What's your dream?"
May hesitated for a moment before answering. "Well, I've always wanted to travel. You know, see the world, experience new things, meet people from different places. But it's scary, you know? Leaving behind everything familiar."
Ash nodded, understanding. "Yeah, it is scary. But it sounds like an amazing dream, May. And if anyone can do it, I bet you can."
May looked at him, her expression softening. "Thanks, Ash. I think maybe I just needed to hear that."
They sat there for a while longer, the conversation drifting from dreams to more lighthearted topics, like their favorite foods and childhood memories. Ash found himself enjoying May's company more and more, and he could feel the connection between them growing stronger.
Eventually, May let out a small yawn, stretching her arms. "I should probably head home. My parents are gonna start wondering where I am."
Ash stood up and offered her a hand. "I'll walk you back."
They made their way back to town, the quiet of the evening wrapping around them like a blanket. As they reached May's house, she turned to Ash with a smile.
"Thanks for today, Ash. I had a lot of fun."
Ash grinned, his heart feeling lighter than ever. "Me too. We should do this again sometime."
May nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Definitely. I'll be rooting for you at your game okay?"
"Oh? In that case I'll make sure to put on a show then!" Ash replied, watching as she turned and headed inside.
As Ash walked home, he couldn't stop smiling. The day had been perfect, and he couldn't wait to see where this friendship with May would lead.
