Serena POV

I really wasn't in the best state of mind to set out and meet Ash at the lumiose tower. My lip was still slightly swollen and the bruises were still painfully vicious looking. I didn't want to cover up with makeup because I was scared it would slow the healing process, so I just went in natural and hoped to goodness that nobody would notice.

My mom wasn't home so I wrote a note. 'gone to Dawn's to pick up homework. Be back soon. Serena.'

I used a magnet to stick it onto our old fridge, my stomach twisting with guilt at the lie I told her. But it was for the best, in more ways than one. Mom still wasn't sold on Ash, even though I'd forgiven him for everything that had happened. All she would tell me was, "Be careful around that boy," and I knew what that meant. She didn't trust him. And I definitely didn't want Alain to know where I was really going.

When I got to the Lumiose tower it was 3.45pm.

You're too excited and you're too early.

I guess I was a little excited at meeting Ash. Yesterday, I had been way too emotional for my liking, but today was another day and I intended to enjoy Ash's company while I could. And shoot yeah, I was giddy. That near kiss still sent shivers down my spine when I thought of it and I couldn't help myself to try and stop thinking about it in my head. No, I wasn't obsessing. Yes you are Serena. Maybe a teensy bit.

Ash texted me earlier in the day to tell me that he had already bought tickets to the 90th floor and all I had to do was show my ID at the front desk and I could collect mine. So I walked up to the desk like I belonged there, flashed my ID, feeling like a cop, and got on the elevator after collecting my ticket. My heart was thumping irrationally, even though I tried to keep calm. What was going to happen? Would we stay up there and look at the gorgeous view, or would Ash decide that we should go someplace else?

Either way, I was pumped to spend an hour or two forgetting about my problems. I didn't want to think of Alain, even though he'd been unusually- good ever since our little incident.

Yesterday when he came home he bought me a sandwich. But it's the thought that counts, right?

It was windy when I stepped out of the cozy elevator onto the observatory and I pulled my thin hoodie tighter around me. The outdoor viewing area was almost totally deserted, apart from one lone figure leaning against the railings.

I grinned to myself as I moved towards him just as he spotted me and started walking up to me. His hazel eyes lit up in a grin as he pulled me into a long warm hug. My head placed on his free shoulder and eyes slid shut for a second when he spoke out.

"How you feeling?" he whispered in my ear, rubbing my shoulders making my whole body tingled. How was I supposed to react when he touched me like that?

"I'm good. Better," I amended, still resting my head on his shoulder as he held me loosely. His silked raven hair brushed against my soft cheek and I shivered. "Ash, I can't stay long. I told my mom I was going to Dawn's place to get my homework."

Ash snickered, smoothing back my short hair. "You're such a liar but I love it," he chuckled, pulling his cap down over his hair. Regretfully, I raised my head and took a step back, letting Ash's arm fall. Why do I never want Ash to stop hugging me? Grinning to myself, I heard the little voice in my head answer right away. Because he feels amazing...

"It was the only thing I could think of. She didn't want me out till my bruises..." My voice trailed off as I got my first good look at Ash. I stared, almost feeling my eyes widening involuntarily at the reddened splotch on his cheek. That had definitely not been there yesterday. What the-? "Ash, what happened to your face?"

Grinning guiltily, Ash shrugged. "I got bad news and I got worse news. What do you wanna hear first?"

Great. I hate when people give me those choices. I never know what to pick first.

"The worse news, I guess," I said, my hand automatically reaching out to stroke his z-marked cheek. I felt his body stiffen and he licked his lips in one swoop, staring right into my eyes for a long second. Blinking, I let my hand drop. Do I make him nervous too?

"Uh," Ash started, and then cleared his throat, shaking his head slightly. I hid my hands behind my back to keep myself from touching him again. He's not tense because of you, Was he? "Worse news- here goes." Another sheepish smile. "I got expelled today."

If it had been anyone else, I would have bent over double laughing, spluttering out 'you fooled me!' But just one glance at Ash's serious face. I knew he wasn't joking. He couldn't be joking because he actually looked embarrassed. And when Ash got embarrassed, it was for a big deal, which meant-

"You got expelled?" I exclaimed with my eyes widen in shock.

I wasn't intentionally echoing him; I just didn't know what else to say. What do you say when someone tells you something like that?

"Yeah." He grinned wryly, tugging off his red-coloured baseball cap abruptly and letting some loosen raven hair fall into his eyes. "you shoulda seen Principal Sycamore. He was practically dancing when he told me. I swear, he hates me as much as my dad."

He was serious. And, what would his dad do and say when he found out? I couldn't imagine Mr. Ketchum being happy about this turn of events.

"Oh, really?"

"Well, he's been on my ass for ages," Ash started, massaging his temples with his spare hand while I gazed at him through out the whole conversation. "Claims he didn't want to expel me because he owes my dad, but, you should have seen his face! Dude was happy to be rid of me. He was always saying how the PA thing was the last straw and I guess this just –pushed him over the edge."

I put my hand up to stop his long winded explanation, shaking my head in an attempt to clear it. "No, I didn't mean are you serious about Principal Sycamore hating you, I meant are you serious about getting expelled?"

I knew he had to be, but I still wanted confirmation. To me, even though Ash had been Lumiose's bad boy, he had appeared untouchable. His dad was on the school board, for sake! They couldn't really expel him, could they?

My heart sank as he reached into his full backpack and pulled out an official Lumiose School envelope with our school crest on the front. He handed it to me.

"The proof is in the letter. Trust me, I didn't forge it."

I skimmed it then looked up at him, knowing I had a worried look on my whole face. What was Ash gonna do now? More importantly, what was his dad going to say once he found out?

"Have you told your dad yet?" I asked nervously, scuffing the toe of my boot against the concreted floor.

Ash's lips twisted in a cynical smile and he shook his head. "Hell no, can you imagine? He's gonna go crazy!" He ran a hand through his windswept hair, shooting me a cute side glance. "I just- I guess he's heard by now but I don't want to deal with it till I get home."

"What were you expelled for?"

Ash heaved a huge sigh. "Fighting."

"Oh, Ash..." I couldn't believe it. Why'd he been fighting? He knew full well that Principal Sycamore drew the line at fighting, and he almost always suspended and expelled fighters. Ash must've known he was on thin ice, so why...?

"It's okay, trust me." Ash slid both of his hands onto my shoulders and drew me closer, squeezing them slightly. "If I had to get expelled for anything, I'm glad it was for this," he said. The reassuring tone of his voice and the confident manner in which he spoke did nothing to alleviate the sadness I felt knowing that my friend had gotten kicked out of school.

Blinking back tears from the back of my eyes. I looked up at Ash. "What's the bad news?" I said nervously again. Hoping it isn't worser than worst news.

Shooting me a crooked smile, Ash said, "I beat up Calem today." Okay, this is definitely turning out to be a trippy day. My mouth dropped open as Ash continued. "I knew I shouldn't be smiling about it, but the jackass deserved it."

"Ash- I- you're joking." I replied.

He had to be playing games.

Matter-of-factly, Ash pointed to his red marked cheek. "Where'd you think I got this from?"

Realization slowly set in. "Wait- you got expelled because you beat up Calem?"

"Bingo."

Feeling dull-witted with all the different info that was pouring in, I asked, "Why were you fighting with Calem? He used to be your friend!"

"Key word is 'used'," Ash told me, not seeming too upset about anything. Actually, I appeared to be more worried about the whole situation than Ash himself. Continuing, Ash said, "He's a mega douchebag, and he should be glad I didn't **** him up more."

I scratched my nose. "But- how'd the fight happen?" I asked curiously. "He didn't want to talk to you, remember? Who swung first?"

A guilty light shone in his eyes as Ash pointed to himself only. "Me."

I sighed, looking up at him. "Ash...why?"

"Because- he was talking s***!..." he trailed off.

"But Ash- Calem's always running his mouth about something or other! You know this, and you always brush it off! Why'd you snap now, knowing you were on your last strike?"

A slight smile on his face, Ash reached out to touch my cheek again, gently cupping it as he holds it for long, feeling the warmness from his hand that sends an arrow pierced through my rapid beating heart. I couldn't move an inch of my muscles except for breathing and looking. But all I could do was gaze at his oval-shaped cola eyes that kept it's placed on mine, telling me to look directly at him without any muster to look away. "Because he was talking trash about you, and I wasn't going to have it." He shrugged, once again managing to look incredibly adorable as he gazed at me. "Maybe I could've handled it differently but I just did what came natural, I guess."

Mouth dry, I managed to croak, "Talking about me? Why?"

I thought Calem and I had gotten past – whatever animosity he had towards me. I mean, ever since the gala he'd made a point of saying 'hey' to me whenever I passed him in the school hallways. What could he possibly have said to laidback Ash that would have sparked a fight?

"Because he's a tool." Ash squeezed lightly on my shoulder. "Don't worry, I took care of it. I fought for your honor and I won."

In a daze, I whispered, "You got expelled just because Calem was talking about me?"

"It's no biggie." He shrugged again.

"Yes it is!" I wrung my hands, my finger tips digging my skin. "Your dad is gonna be furious and it's all my fault!"

Ash shook his head, looking uncharacteristically serious. "It's not your fault, it's mine. I'm the one who hit him. If I recall, you weren't even at school today." He gave me a determined smile. "There's no way this is your fault."

"Yes, it is," I whispered, looking up at him with tears stuck in my eyes causing my vision to go a little blurry, but enough to clearly see through. "If he hadn't been talking about me, would you have beaten him up?"

Getting a bit carried away there, ain't you Serena? He would probably have beat Calem up if he'd been talking smack about anyone!... Not.

My heart thumped in a quick beat as Ash hesitated. The voice in my head was right. I really didn't mean that much to Ash, I was just reading too much into the whole situation. "No. probably not." A wry smile. "But I guess it just goes to show- I hate when people say stuff about you, Sere. Ever since we started talking- ever since we've been friends, you've been nothing but sweet to me and - nobody's gonna talk **** about you when I'm around. Seriously."

Sounding like all the wind had been knocked out of me, I managed to say, "That's sweet of you, Ash, but I'm not worth getting kicked out of school for."

Simply and sincerely, Ash said, "To me you are," I blinked up at him. "Don't worry. School's overrated anyway."

"Your dad would beg to differ." Oh no, what would he do when he found out that an insignificant ghetto girl was ultimately responsible for his son getting expelled? "Ash, you're going to be in so much trouble!" I rushed.

"I know." Ash shrugged and let's out a sign. "I'll deal with it when the time comes." He said.

Suddenly my cell phone vibrated inside my pocket, startling me my gaze on Ash. I fished it out and looked at the bright screen that glowed before my eyes. My mom.