Ash's POV

After Serena didn't reply I got worried. I saw that she read the messages, and Serena is not the kind of type to not reply after reading a message. I know, it also could have been for example Palermo taking her phone and forgetting to turn it off or something, but I couldn't be sure, and I don't know why, but the fact that something could be wrong was bugging me hard. I just needed to make sure she was okay, because if I didn't, this would be a sleepless night and the last thing I need is another one.

Guess I need to do some explaining, so let me start from the beginning:

2 years ago, I took the chance of the exchange program to move to Kanto to my Mum Delia and live with her, 'cause my shitty dad has a drinking problem. I was lucky that I was allowed to live at my mums. Whatever, after some time, one year and some months I think, I got homesick and wanted to move back to Kalos, but to live with my dad again definitely wasn't an option. I thought, and thought, and thought, but couldn't find a solution. After some time, I told my mum about missing Kalos and wanting to move back and shit, and after that, she told me that my grandpa left me a house in Kalos that he actually planned to give me on my 18th birthday, but couldn't, because... well, you know.

My mum said that if I didn't have a problem with living alone, I could move in, and of course I said yes. So, here I am, living in my own house and unpacking my boxes every night, because I want this work to be over as fast as possible. I don't even have a bed yet, my only option is to sleep on the couch, but since I'm pretty tall, I don't really fit in it.

Back to reality, I just knocked in Serena's door and wait for her to open. I could here footsteps coming towards the door from inside, so she must be awake. After she opened the door, I couldn't see her face. She looked down and hid it in her hair. Suddenly, she sniffed, and everything was clear. She was crying, oh heeellll she was crying bad! I saw her nose, a bit reddened, and her cheeks were flushed. She was crying, missing her parents to the moon and back. "Oh my god, Sere." I said and immediately instinctively wrapped my arms around her and hugged her, comforting her.

She first hesitated a bit, but fell in my embrace after some seconds, and even though this was a sad moment, it felt awesome. It was a long time ago since a hug even nearly felt so good like this one. She fitted perfectly in my arms. I rested my chin on her head and let her cry in my arms. We didn't need any words. This moment spoke for itself.

She cried quietly. You had no chance hearing her in the hallway, even if you had an ear on her door. Sometimes, even I couldn't here her sniff, I just sensed the shivers she gave. Then, I wondered how many times she probably cried here, without any comfort, no one able to hear her. Just her, a trauma and tears flooding down her cheeks.

After some moments, she pushed herself out of my arms and wiped her tears away. Now, I could see her face clearly. Nose a bit red, cheeks red too and big, glassy eyes. Most people look awful after they cry, but she is one of those, who look cute after crying. She looks so small, young and helpless, you just feel the urge to protect her, you can't help it. "Thanks, and sorry" she almost whispered. I lifted her chin with my finger a bit, so she would look at me, and so she did. "Sere, you're the bravest person I've ever met." I told her, but she didn't look to convinced. "I'm a weird wreck" she answered and I shook my head.

"You're not a wreck." I started  "Sere, you deal with a lot of things completely on your own, and even though you're exhausted, you keep going and standing up. Everyone cries. That's completely normal, and in your situation, everyone would cry. Crying doesn't mean you're weak. Being weak means giving up, Sere, and to not be able to stand up everytime you fall. Please, promise me and yourself, to never give up till it's over."

Sere started smiling a little bit and nodded. "Thank you Ash, I needed that." she said thankfully. "Nah, it was nothing. Guess I head back again. You need anything?" I asked. She shook her head, her smile growing a little bigger. "No thanks, I'm fine. Bye Ash." she said closing the door. "Bye." I said before the door was completely closed and headed back to my house. Well, back to work I'd say. Boxes, here I come!

Serena's POV

Even though this was really weird, it was relieving. Having someone who just was there to comfort me, a shoulder to cry on. I feel like I knew him for years already, but we just met a few days ago. I feel so connected to him. Is this even right? I really don't know, but I do know that a hug was definitely what I needed.

Actually, when I opened the door I was already a bit calmer. I just needed to sniff a bit, but that was it. I was calm, but after Ash's first words, I lost it again. There was one word, that stitched my heart awfully painful.

Sere

'Sere' is what my parents used to call me. After hearing that name, I couldn't help but cry, and I can't believe Ash has literally seen me crying. That's so embarrassing...

Well, there's still a tomorrow, right? We're all just going to keep living, and can't do anything about it. It's so terrifying. Time goes and we can't do anything about it. I wish I could stop it sometimes. Time, I mean. Just pause it for a second, and being able to breath in peace, not needing to worry about to tomorrow. There's just nothing I can look forward to at the moment, or smile about.

The only thing that made me truly smile in a long time, was Ash. His words gave me some kind of... hope. He is the first person that really worried about be since the fire.

Maybe...

Well...

Could he be something I could look forward to?

Author's note:

UGH, SCHOOL BEGAN!

Today was my 3rd school day and I'm already exhausted. WHATEVER, I REALLY WANTED TO SHOW YOU A MEME SO,

HERE:

Lmao, I love it.
(I thought here speciality was water though ;) Okay no srsly, pls don't kill her Misty, thank you)

Btw, I wanted to ask if you have any good Romance Animes to recommend?
Romance Animes are my favs <3

If you find any mistakes, please let me know! I wrote this chapter in kind of a hurry.

Thanks for reading

♥