Ash POV

Being dropped off and picked up at the school entrance by my dad two days in a row wasn't helping me win cool points with my friends.

I mean, sure, I was supposed to go for my tests yesterday, and I showed up at the front of the school like I was told cooperated with the doctor and I didn't even cringe during any of the tests and x-rays and scans. That was good of me, right, since I could have just blown dad off if I really wanted to. But he really didn't need to drop me off and pick me up today too! He claimed the doctor told him I needed one more test and I could collect my results at the same time, but I knew he was just trying to keep tabs on me.

He didn't trust me a bit, but these days, I couldn't give a...

When Calem spotted me heading out of the school entrance by pushing the swinging doors and let cold wind breeze at my tanned face.

As I was out with the doors automatically closed behind me. Bright sun up in the clear blue sky was raying my eyes making me go slightly blind as Calem walked up to me from his shadows and started taunting me. I could see behind him that Misty was following.

There weren't any people around in this sunny weather since its now home time, but not for me.

"Since when did you turn into a Daddy's Boy, Ketchum? You gonna start hanging out with him so he can tell you the family secrets, be Ash Ketchum Junior?" Calem mocked, coming up behind me and jab me on the shoulder in greeting. It didn't hurt that much from his punch, just soft.

"It's the Third, numb nuts," I corrected, punching him back on shoulder as Misty came up beside me and wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

"And I'd rather get a ride with my dad than go home in that bullet proof coffin of yours." I grinned mischievously at him. "And why the hell do you need a bodyguard?"

If there was one thing that made Calem feel self-conscious, it was the fact that his ride came to pick him up with a bodyguard sitting in front seat. Although I did remember that his bodyguard was a bus driver way back.

He glared at me, running a hand through his long black hair, flaring up nostrils. "Coz-man, shut up!"

Misty rolled her eyes. "Both of you shut up," she commanded loud with a scary glare and we all shut up instantly, not saying one word.

She held me closer and batted her eyelashes at me. "Ash, we haven't had a chance to hang all week!" She pouted her thin lips at me. "You're starting to get annoying."

I shrugged, the simple movement causing a pounding to start in my temples. "I have to go to this stupid seminar," I lied. "That'll make my dad happy and then I'll be all yours." When I said this, I kinda wanted to gag.

To be honest, I don't really have a crush on her, or even like her.

Swiping my thoughts. I hugged her, then looked over at Calem, who was slouching against the wall with arms folded across his chest.

"That's if Calem doesn't mind." I replied.

He smirked widely. "You are so welcome to have her," he said. Steps forward away from the wall and shoved  up the sleeve of his blue long sleeved jacket, revealing a big purple mark on his arm.

"Look at this bruise! She was practicing her kick boxing moves on me."

I laughed out loud. "I might just take you up on that offer," I joked with a smirk on my lip.

"How many days is the seminar on for, anyway?" Calem curiously demanded to know.

I flushed slightly. I hated lying to my friends but I didn't want to tell them about the headaches and my fears. They would label me a softy, and I could do without that.

"It's done today," I answered. Hoping they would buy it.

Calem snorted. "You must really want to make the old man happy," he mocked.

I shook my head in disapproval at him, lifting my arms to my chest, folded them. "Nothing I could ever do would make him happy. So why try?" I said bitterly.

"You should just piss him off with everything you do," Misty suggested. "Get DUI's, speeding tickets, you know, typical rich kid."

"Tried that," I said, running a hand over my burning sweat forehead and trying not to wince in pain. Damn, it hurt. "It's the reason this is happening."

Soon while we're talking, I spotted May came up around corner, her nose buried in a book called 'geekcharming'.

Seeing her reminded me that I still hadn't apologized to Serena. Maybe after I apologised, I'd feel better. Maybe I was a total moron for thinking that, but just thinking it made me feel a little bit better.

"Hey May," I said as she stopped in front of me.

She looked up at me from the book. Her eyes widened in surprise which quickly turned into distrust. Still, that didn't stop her from mumbling,

"Hi," back to me.

Calem looked from me, to her, to me again, then hit my shoulder again, not gently this time.

"Dude. I thought you told me you didn't hit on her," he said. I didn't know if he was being serious or not.

"What? I'm just being nice," I protested. Misty laughed at my reaction while examining her neon yellow nails.

"You, nice?" She snorted. "Yeah right."

"Well, none of you said hi to her," I said. May shot me an inscrutable look.

"I don't say hi," Misty said loftily.

"And I see her every day, in school" Calem said.

I rolled my eyes with a mental sign. "You guys are jerks," I muttered.

"And you're going soft on us, Ketchum," Calem crowed.

"Please," I said, about to continue until I spotted my dad's white limo pull up, blocking the school entrance, and not a moment too soon.

"My rides here. Later." I waved at the trio and simply walked away from them.

"Say hi to Daddy Dearest for me!" Calem shouted after me.

I flipped him off as I walked down the stairs to the limo, wondering again why I wasn't just coming clean with my friends and telling them the truth- that I was heading to the hospital for an array of neurological tests because I was sure I had cancer.

Even for me, seminar was a lame excuse. But I knew that they wouldn't understand what I was going through, pain wise, and how scared I was that the tests would show something serious going on in my brain.

Misty and Calem, while good friends, weren't known for their sensitivity or sympathetic natures. We were typical rich kids, self-absorbed and really bad at dealing with 'regular' business. Like terminal illnesses, accidents, deaths. We didn't think stuff like that could touch us.

I opened the door and slouched into the limo by taking a seat, said "Hi" to my dad and was rewarded with a mad grunt.

Obviously, he'd rather read the Wall Street Journal than engage his only son in conversation. Can't say I blamed him, I didn't feel too eloquent at the moment.

Leaning my burning head against the cool leather seats. Resting it, I dozed off with my eyes closed fully and was later woken by my dad poking me.

The limo had rolled to a stop in front of Vanville Medical Centre where a couple of aged people entering in and out of the entrance.

I opened one eye, feeling fuzzy around my head. "We there already?" I croaked groggily as I rubbed my eyes, getting a little blurry to see then focused. Sitting up straight.

Dad snorted. "No shit, Sherlock. Let's move. I have a meeting in 10 minutes."

Wishing he had just let me sleep, I got out of the car and followed him into the hospital to a reserved room, where he was treated like royalty, as usual. And me? I was treated like a prince.

"Coffee, Master Ketchum? Tea? Muffins? Salad?" A pretty nurse hovered over me, ready to take any order I cared to give her.

Too bad I didn't feel like giving orders. I couldn't even think straight. Damn leather seats, making me sleep better than I had in days.

I declined all offers of snacks, waiting as dad had an intense discussion with Doctor, the neurologist, before turning to me.

"See you later," he said gruffly. "Don't leave before I get here."

I shrugged in response. I didn't feel like talking. The fear had kicked in anew and my skin crawled, as if a spider was on me.

Through time. The Doctor waited for me to dress in a hospital Johnny in the bathroom, then motioned for me to follow him, walking past people in wheel chairs and sticks.

"We have one last test for you to take, after which your results will be ready," he said over his free shoulder, leading me into an examination room where machines were placed.

The test didn't take long and I was soon back in my reserved room, still dressed in my Johnny as my pretty nurse was annoyed around me.

I finally took her up on her coffee offer just as Doctor stepped back into the room with his usual smile on his genial face as he rustled some papers in his hands and sat down opposite to me. My stomach tensed like it twisted.

"I have the results of your neurological workup here," he started, kinda unnecessarily, I thought. "If you like, we could wait for your father to be present before I tell you our findings."

I shook my head before the doctor even finished talking. Dad wouldn't care about missing the diagnosis, just about how much it would cost. For a millionaire, he was rather stingy.

"It's okay, you can tell me. I promise I won't cry," I joked, even though my heart wasn't in it.

The moment of reckoning was here at long last and I was scared, but I needed to know what was wrong with me. Just simple migraines like dad had claimed? I doubted it.

Doctor smiled wider. "Bravery, I like that. Well, Ash, you were referred to me by your family doctor because he spotted a mass in your brain that worried him. After perusing the scans and x-rays, we have come to the root of your problem."

I sat stock still on the edge of the soft bed as my legs were hanging out, my fingers digging into the mattress. It was serious, I could sense it. My heart thudded in seconds as I waited for him to tell me.

"You have a giant cerebral aneurysm."

I stared blankly. I didn't know what it was, never heard of it.

"A- a what?" I asked, confused.

"An aneurysm," Doctor repeated calmly. "A bulge in the artery walls, essentially."

I bit my dried lip. "Is it cancer?" I asked slowly as my heart beating fast than the speed of light.

Doctor shook his head "No, Ash, it's not cancer. It's a cerebrovascular disorder and it's been causing your headaches, we believe. It's all here in these reports; I'll just give you a copy for you to look over." He handed me the papers.

For a moment. I slowly took it off from his hand and read it through. Seeing pictures of my head and data.

"The aneurysm itself, it really is very large. But not to worry, as soon as we operate, everything will be fine."

I shook my head slightly, trying to process the information and looked up at him. "So- it's not life threatening? I don't need chemo or anything, just an operation and I'll be good as new?" I asked. I could hardly believe it. All that worry and a simple operation could heal me?

Maybe not.

The Doctor looked nervously at me. Taking a short breath "Well, not exactly," he said, clearing his throat. My heart sank like a stone. What now?

"Aneurysm surgery is very risky at times and it is always tricky. The good thing is I have a very good track record when it comes to surgery. You're in good hands. But the thing is, your aneurysm isn't big enough to operate on just yet." He added, placing his hand on his lap.

"You said its giant," I pointed out, not bothering to add that he had also quoted a line from the commercials.

He nodded in response. "It is. But in order for us to be able to operate, it has to be a specific size. Yours isn't, not yet."

"So I'll have this clot in my brain for life?" I questioned nervously with a bead of sweat running down my forehead. I sense my hands shaking on bed as my throat becomes heavy in weight.

"No. when it's the right size, we'll operate."

I felt vaguely sick. "You mean it's still growing?"

He nodded again "Yes. We'll take a watch and wait approach. I calculate that your surgery will take place in two months. When its optimum size, we'll operate."

"Okay." I breathed, taking a deep breath.

I could handle this. It wasn't cancer. I could deal with that. One sentence came to my mind, I'm not going to
Give up.

"But there is a problem with aneurysms, especially ones of that size."

Of course.

I gazed at Doctor levelly, trying not to show any strong emotion. "What might that be?"

He looked nervous for a moment. "They do have a tendency to rupture."

That didn't sound good at all.

"Explain." I demanded curiously.

"Several factors can make them burst, causing severe bleeding in the brain. This happens suddenly and without warning."he explained as I kept on listening each and every word he just said right now.

I cringed. "That-sounds bad."

"It generally is. Once an aneurysm ruptures, chances of survival are slim. 40 percent of patients die before 24 hours elapse. 20 percent more die from complications before 6 months. Rebleeding is also a worry and even if you do survive, brain damage is a factor to deal with."

It was way too much for me to take in so I just settled for staring at Doctor.

"Oh." Was all I said.

He nodded slowly. "That's why it's a very serious condition."

I rubbed my eyes as they were about to go blurry in sight. "And mine- what's the risk of it rupturing?" I asked, grabbing onto straws while I looked up at Doctor hopefully. "If it's too small to operate on, it won't rupture, will it?" I questioned. Waiting for luck to come to me.

A sympathetic look was on his face, the doctor shook his head. I closed my eyes shut and looked down at my lap. "While your aneurysm is too small to operate on, it is large enough to rupture."

"So- I could die?" I finally asked the question that was gnawing at me.

"I cannot answer that," Doctor said, a scandalized look on his face.

Of course you can't answer that, what was I thinking? Wouldn't want to upset me, my aneurysm might rupture. I bit back a laugh. How ironic was it that I could die because of something I had never heard of?

Continuing, Doctor continued his comment "You're lucky. You have your youth on your side. And the best healthcare money can buy."

I looked up, almost snorted as he walked closer to me from his seating and gently patted my free shoulder. Gazing at me with a smile.

"Funny, I don't feel lucky," I said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

"We offer counseling, a chance for you to discuss your fears with a qualified therapist who has experience with dealing with aneurysm patients, before and after surgery." He sat down in bed, next to me. "I'm sure she'll be a lot of help."

"Has that therapist had an aneurysm?" I questioned with both eyebrows raised, making a line on my forehead.

"No, but-," Doctor replied.

"Then I'm not going," I said decisively.

Doctor looked at me in shock, his hand heavy on my shoulder.

"Ash-," he started but I shook my head.

"I'm sorry, I'd just- I'd rather talk to my own therapist if I have to talk to one at all," I replied.

"Fine," the doctor nodded, obviously realizing that I wasn't about to change my mind.

I put my head in my hands, looking up at Doctor. "Can I go now?" I asked dully.

"Your father has to sign you out, as you're still a minor."

"Can you call him?"

Doctor stood up from his seating, sliding his hand away from shoulder. "Of course. If there's anything else-."

"No thanks. I just- I need to change," I interrupt, pointing down at the stupid Johnny I was dressed in.

Doctor patted my shoulder once more, said "Good luck, Ash," and left me alone in the silent room, feeling numb.

I grabbed my casual clothes on table and headed to the bathroom to change, closing the door after me.

I felt empty inside, hollow, as I stared at myself in the mirror. How was I meant to deal with the fact that, at any given time, I could rupture my aneurysm and die? Two months suddenly seemed so far off and I wondered if I would even make it. Was this how it was supposed to end? I woke up today, sure that I had a tumor and instead found out that it was much worse.

I pulled on my loose grey jeans, wore my black t-shirt and finally wear a blue jacket, zipping it up. When I was done. I turned the metal tap on, causing water to shoot out. I formed a cup of both my hands and Splashed my face with cold water from the sink and rubbed it dry with a fluff towel.

As I was staring at myself in the mirror, thinking about the mass in my brain which was causing my headaches, a noise from the room made me start, and then I relaxed, taking a few breath, inhaling through nostrils.

Buckling my belt on trousers tightly but comfortably, I stepped out of the bathroom with a Johnny crumpled into a ball in my fist, only to spot a pair of legs disappearing under the bed. Very strange.

"There's no money under there, I already checked," I said, an involuntary grin on my face. What the hell was she doing?

"I wasn't looking for- I was just getting this ball for a kid- I'm sorry," a soft female voice said.

That was definitely not the hot nurse. In fact, it sounded a little bit like-

"SERE?"

But what the hell would Sere be doing under my bed? She wouldn't even accept my apology!

"Ash?" the voice under the bed spoke.

Yup, definitely Sere.

I placed the Johnny on table then threw myself onto the bed, scooting over till I was leaning over the other side, my hair sweeping the floor. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I found myself looking upside down into Sere's pale face.

The scared look on her face made me grin widely. Forgetting about the aneurysm for a second as I looked into her wide sapphire eyes that had reflection of me.

To be truthful. They were beautiful to watch as I kept gazing at her.

"We really need to stop meeting like this."

Serena POV

There had to be a reason that Ash and I kept running into each other. Yet, as I scrambled out from under the bed, gripping the accursed ball that had steered me into Ash's path, I couldn't think of one.

He was lying down on bed, his arms propped behind his head, staring at me through half lidded eyes.

"So what are you doing here?" he questioned, covering his mouth as he yawned.

Oh, don't let me keep you from sleeping.

I had to leave, and fast or Miss Jess would probably be freaking out right about now. I kept my ears pricked for screams of rage or screams of pain.

"I came in to get this," I replied, holding up the bouncy ball. "It rolled under the bed." I pointed.

This boy is way too fine to be so dumb.

Because I specifically said I was here for the ball when I was under the bed. Otherwise, what would I be doing loitering in one of Vanville Centre's private rooms?

"No, I mean what are you doing here, in the hospital," Ash amended.

He propped himself up on one elbow and I frowned as he winced slightly. Something isn't okay with him. But that wasn't my business. Not getting fired, that was my business.

"Are you stalking me?" Ash grinned widely with his teeth showing.

I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. "Ash, you are the one who followed me to the music studio yesterday. If anything, I should be asking you that," I said, my one hand on my hip and other holding a ball.

He grinned again as I stood by the foot of the bed. "Okay, maybe that wasn't the right thing to say," he said, yawning again.

I nodded. "You seem to have a knack for saying the wrong things," I said snootily, summoning my inner May.

What would she do in a situation like this? Would she be nice? Rude? I had no idea. What was I supposed to do? Accept his apology? Would he even apologize? How was I supposed to think straight when he had that cute smile on his face? Focus Sere!

"I work here."

See? That wasn't so hard-oh crap, he's smiling again.

"You work at a hospital?" Ash laughed loud across room, squeezing his eyes closed as I glowered at him. "Why would you choose to work at a hospital? Are you a doctor wannabe? A nurse in training?"

"No," I growled, feeling somehow defensive. "I volunteer at the daycare."

Snorting with laughter, Ash sat up in bed, resting his head on the headrest and Gazed at me with a cheeky grin "A daycare? Why the hell would you want to volunteer at a daycare? That's even worse!"

"It's my community service."

"Yeah? I only logged like two hours of my community service," Ash replied, running a hand over his face.

I'm not surprised.

Another snort of laughter. "What? Why?"

Damn it, I said that out loud.

Biting my lip nervously, I said, "You just- don't seem the type to give back to the community."

Talk about digging myself deeper! But Ash didn't seem to mind me insinuating that he didn't care about his community. "I do too give back," he protested, rubbing his chin lazily. "I recycle- and stuff."

"Scintillating," I muttered correctly. slowly backing away from the bed till I was standing by the door, my hand on the handle, ready to make a run for it.

"So, okay, we've talked about why you're here," he started hastily, seeing me about to leave, "And good job, by the way, I bet the kids love you."

He winked at me and I sighed silently. There's that charm again.

"I guess they do," I replied and looked down at ground in deep thought.

Even though if I didn't leave and right now, I would never see any of them again. Miss Jess was hurting them with her words right now, I was sure of it.

Breaking my thought. I looked up at him as my hand was about to twist the handle, ready to leave. "Anyway, I gotta-."

"Don't you wanna know why I'm here?" Ash cut in, pushing his hair out of his eyes with both hands.

"No," I answered, shaking my head to prove my point. I wasn't being rude. I had to get back to the daycare before things fell apart.

Ash pointed a finger at me. "You're still mad at me," he said in a sing-song voice. In spite of myself, I smiled. Were we little kids again?

"I'm not mad at you,' I said honestly while shaking my head. In truth, I didn't really feel anything about what had happened the other day. Just- empty. I had pushed it all to the back of my mind, where I wanted it to stay.

"I couldn't find all your pencils," he started, shrugging. "I tried but – I borrowed way too many."

"Well, that was the condition. No deal," I said, wondering if he really had looked for my pencils or if he was just saying that. Then again, he had found my polar bear pencil. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. But I couldn't stay to ponder the many mysteries of Ash Ketchum.

"I really have to-." I was cut from my sentence from what I really wasn't expecting what Ash did as I twisted the handle and pushed the door open.

Opening his mouth, he started to sing Loudly. And really out of tune.

"Please forgive me I know not what I do...Don't deny me, this pain I'm going through, please believe me, every word I say is true, please forgive me-."

Slamming the door to the hall shut, I turned to face him. "What are you doing? Stop singing! You'll disturb people!" I exclaimed, spreading my hands in a 'shut up' motion.

A crafty grin on his face, Ash shook his head. "I won't stop singing till you forgive me," he said, a gleam in his eye.

"But singing won't make me forgive you," I protested. "And you're singing it wrong! I mean, the lyrics are out of order and-."

Wasn't registering. He started singing another song, even louder than before.

"Some things just never change, But. we just can't stay the same. I'm, running in circles watching you call someone else's name. And, I know it's not my place, but. My mind will never change. 'Cause no matter what I do, I can't help running back to you-," Ash started, smirking at me like he knew I was going to accept his apology after this song.

Dammit, he had a nice voice, and as a hopeless romantic, it was one of my dreams to be serenaded, but this- this was just weird.

"Okay, okay, stop," I hissed, anxiously looking at the closed door behind me. If I heard knocking, I would totally hide under the bed. "Stop singing and give me one good reason why I should forgive you."

"I'll give you two," Ash said brightly. Crap. He held up a finger. "One. I can't sleep at night coz I feel so guilty."

"Not my priority," I said by folding my arms against my chest, trying to appear heartless.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "You know, you don't look as evil as you act."

"Oh, we po' folk are usually bitter when we come across rich people such as yourself," I said in sarcasm, lacing my voice.

Ash looked stung and I bit my lip while we gaze at each other.

"Look, Sere, I'm sorry I was nasty about you being poor," he said softly, looking across the room at me. The playful act was gone, a sincere look was plastered on his face.

"And you called me a-," I put in, the fighter in me not wanting to let go for just a while longer.

"Yes I'm sorry for calling you a that."

I nodded pertly as a wide smile rose in my lip. "You should be."

He looked at me. "I am. Really." Then a slow grin spread across his face and I sighed.

I was getting pretty good at predicting what he was going to do next and I knew he was about to say or do something stupid. Just when I thought he was actually being serious... "But that being said, I think you should forgive me coz I might die."

"Wait, what! Dude, I seriously don't think that you would die if I didn't forgive you," I said with a sigh.

"No, I mean I actually might die. Take yourself out of the equation, my dying has nothing to do with you." He chuckled as I gave him a disbelieving look. "So, you wouldn't want to deny me my dying wish, would you?"

I found my voice. "That's disgusting! Is that supposed to be funny?" I was outraged. My eyebrows crossed "You think joking about death is funny?"

Ash burst out laughing as I ranted and raved. "Calm down for a sec! You don't believe me, do you?" he asked, sounding very amused.

"That you're gonna die? No! This is obviously another ploy to get my attention, like when you asked me to marry you that day." My cheeks blushed deep red as I recalled the look in his eyes when he had said 'marry me.'

"Oh yeah. That worked, didn't it?" he asked, a smug look on his face as he wriggled his eyebrows.

"Well, this won't work. Save your awful practical jokes for someone who'll fall for them. I have to leave."

Pretty good for a dramatic exit. Unfortunately, Ash just wouldn't let me leave.

As I was opening the door again with bright lights down hall in sight, he got up from the bed, wincing again which got my attention.

He picked up a sheaf of papers from the side table. "I can prove it," he said simply, padding over to me and handing me the papers.

Our fingers brushed as I took them and I tried to ignore the frisson of electricity that passed between us due to that fleeting touch. Figment of my over reactive imagination. But my eyes met Ash's and as his eyes widened slightly, all of a sudden I knew that he had felt it too.

"Uh, what is this?" I asked, bending my head over the papers so that I wasn't looking at him anymore. Every time I was around Ash I turned into a mess!

But I couldn't ignore him because he was standing right next to me now.

his breath making my ear tingle. "See?" he said, pointing to a section of one of the papers. "Written proof."

My eyes scanned the portion he pointed out for me and as I read, my throat grew dry and eyes grew. Looking up at Ash, I managed to whisper, "You have a cerebral aneurysm?"

He raised his eyebrows, shooting me a surprised look. "You've heard of them? Coz I gotta be honest with you. I didn't even know what an aneurysm was till about 30 minutes ago."

I nodded in answer "We learnt about them in Science class. I'm so sorry, I- I didn't think you were telling the truth," I said, biting my lip.

Now I felt bad. Aneurysms were very serious, from what I remembered, especially if they ruptured. And just the thought of Ash going through that- even though I didn't know him well at all, I still felt bad for him.

"So I guess you have to forgive me now," he said, a cheerful smile on his face. "Coz if I die tomorrow- or even tonight- you're going to feel like a heel. Hey, I might even haunt you!"

"You're not going to die," I said automatically, pursing my lips up at him.

"You don't need to sugar coat it for me, Sere, I'm resigned to my fate." Carefully taking the papers from me. making sure not to touch my hand again.

he walked back to his bed, whistling snatches of the song 'I'm not afraid' by Eminem. Please don't burst into song.

"So- we cool? You gonna accept my apology?" he asked me over his shoulder.

"Okay," I sighed, following him. I needed to sit down for a moment since I been stood up for a couple of minutes now.

"Apology accepted. But only because you're sick. I just want you to get a good night's sleep."

He squinted at me and grinned. "You're saying you wouldn't have forgiven me if I hadn't been sick?"

I nodded, even though I was lying. If he kept up the adorable sideway glances, I would have forgiven him for anything and everything. But he didn't need to know that.

Ash shrugged. "Works for me."

He sat down right next to me and I took a deep breath. He smelt divine. Mint, aftershave and Calvin Klein on Ash Ketchum. Deadly weapon right there.

"How're you holding up with the news?" I asked slowly. If it had been me, I would have been crying my eyes out at the chapel. Although he looked pale, Ash was definitely in fine spirits. Or maybe he was faking.

My heart went out to him as he bit his lip, turned to me and said in a low voice, "I've never been more scared in my life."

I didn't know what to say to that, even though I racked my brain. The sad look on his face- it just pierced me right to the core. Everyone tells me I'm too softhearted. Maybe that's the reason I felt like crying as I looked at him, running his hand through his hair. This was Ash Ketchum like I had never seen him before.

"Did they offer you therapy?" I finally asked, remembering that when the illness was serious, the hospital usually referred the patients to a therapy group session. It helped boundless people. Maybe it would help Ash too.

"Yeah, I'm not big on therapy," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm not going."

I blinked. "Why? They would help you deal with it! I'm sure it would be good for you," I told him. He gazed at me, an inscrutable expression in his eyes.

"It's a personal reason," he said.

My cue to leave. "Um, I ought to be going," I said, hesitantly getting up from the bed and moving towards the door.

I braced myself for another bout of singing, but Ash just gave me a lopsided smile and wave. "Great. Thanks, by the way."

"No problem," I said gracelessly. And then the softhearted side of me kicked in and just ruined everything.

"Um, if you ever, you know, need a shoulder to cry-," I started, stumbling through my 'I'll be there for you' speech.

"A shoulder to cry on?" Ash asked incredulously, chuckling as he stared at me.

I ran a hand through my short hair nervously. "I mean- anyone to talk to- about anything- my mom says I'm a good listener and-." Ash laughed harder as I decided to cut my losses and get the hell out before I embarrassed myself further. "I-I'll see you around," I blurted and scurried out of the room, Ash's laughter ringing in my ears as I power walked down the hallway to the daycare.

Why am I so awkward around guys? No, scratch that. Why am I so awkward around Ash Ketchum?