I eventually caught up to Ash and we began walking together. This actually makes me very nervous, I've never really ever been with Ash alone for this amount of time. We both walked in silence, not speaking a word to each other. We've reached an area where I don't believe I have ever visited, or even seen since taking the bus is another way which would be a longer walk.

Walking onto the route I could notice all of the surroundings that made me take my breath sharply. The once gray smoke filled fresh skies had began to dissipate, the soon setting sun washed the sky with a shade of bright amber. I could see human and Pokemon together, exercising while squealing in delight, playing and messing with each other.

Being out here with Ash, the frenzied pulses sent out by my heart pounded hard against my chest. My eyes caught onto the boy beside me, grabbing my attention yet again. He had his usual poker face on, never showing any emotions.

Things continue to stay awkward between us. I had no idea what to speak, should I speak my mind, try and talk about something? The thing is I don't know Ash at all, only from what I've seen so far. If I summarize it, he knows self-defense and is a great battler. Also, judging off of his work during the project... Of course! The project! I can break this awkward silence.

"So... erm Ash?" I asked in order to catch his attention. "Hmm?" He looked at me, I took this as a sign to continue "W-we still have that project coming up..." I began but was kind of afraid to continue "Right the project, the evolution one right?" I nodded "Yes, and I-I don't mean... to force you into working a lot, but wouldn't it be a good idea to start researching the starter evolution's? I asked with a hint of nervousness in my voice.

I don't exactly know why, but before answering he looked around in every direction, as if his eyes searching for something, or even someone. He sighed and I noticed to which I picked up again "Ash" I turned around feeling a little depressed now "I know you wanted to work independently, and I'm sorry if you feel like i'm holding you back..." What then surprised me the most was that Ash turned me back around instead of being his usual ignorant self, his eyes staring directly into mine.

"Serena, although I really hate socializing and anything to do with people..." Wait, he outcasts everyone because he... hates people? There has to be a backstory for this, however the next phrase sent a shock through my body, but a nice type of shock "But out of everyone in the class, I'm glad I got you as my partner" My face turned blood red, while I gave an attempt at hiding it by pointing to the ground.

 I was certain he had seen, things became awkward again, as I didn't know how to respond to that comment "R-rea-l-ly?" I asked my blush becoming bigger by the moment "Of course, you're the only person who has successfully interacted with me, and doesn't try to get into my personal life, which I highly respect" He explained to me, it made me feel special. Ash thinks something highly of me.

"T-th-ank y-you Ash" He nodded in my direction. After a few more seconds that felt like minutes, we moved on and proceeded with our walk home. While we were  on the course, a bunch of pokemon came out of nowhere and ran up to us. Me being freaked out I jumped back and landed on the ground, I put my hand on the region where the pain was coming from. I looked up to see Ash... happy?

Both Ash and Pikachu were interacting with the pokemon. He didn't shut them out, or told them to get away, Ash was playing with them, exactly like a parent would with their child. One of the pokemon hopped on top of him and started licking his face "S-stop it, that tickles" For the first time since meeting Ash, I see him chuckle and laugh. He never demonstrates that in school, or anywhere else. I guess it's only with pokemon.

I just stood there and took it all in. The teenage boy who outcasts everyone, has no respect for anyone, and refuses to connect with anybody, is now having the time of his life, right in front of my very own eyes. The pain that once affected me was gone, for some reason I felt happy as well. I was both happy for Ash and that I got to know more about him.

He picked up the pokemon that was licking his face and then sat up while putting it into his lap. Ash began petting the pokemon while smiling at all the others as they gathered around or were running around with Pikachu. Out of nowhere there was a flash of blue right next to me, when I turned I noticed Fennekin got outside of its pokeball, she looked at all the others having fun then at me "Go on Fennekin" I told her and added a smile "Fennekin!" She yelled out before running over.

Fennekin ran over to where the others were huddled, only to find out it was Ash that was in the middle of them all. "Fenne-Fennekin?" She looked completely dumbfounded "No one is going to hurt you Fennekin" I heard Ash say as he was extending his arm towards Fennekin, although she growled and then looked behind at me. I gave her a nod, indicating that everything is fine. I took a closer look towards Ash, and noticed under his shirt. There was that injury, now that I was closer it was more clear, it looked like a deep cut? This made me think about the Prism Tower, but I shook the thought off.

I was about to get up to go to the group and confront Ash about it, but there was a shock that passed through my knee, it made things very difficult, and I couldn't get back up. Ash noticed and walked over to me, he reached out his hand and waited for me. I stared at the hand for a few seconds while blinking at it and then at Ash's eyes "You clearly can't get up on your own" he said

I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up with ease, it seems that Ash was strong. But because of that strength, the pull turned into a hug. I could feel his rock hard chest and the pulses coming from his heart, but they were barely noticeable while also being very distinct and slow. 

I pulled away from embarrassment, while Ash stood there "Thanks" I made out. "But I also want to thank you for dealing with Calem" I blurted out, remembering that I needed thank him for that as well. "Why thank me? I just beat him up and got detention." He was giving me a confused look and I giggled a bit because I found it funny "He was going to do something I didn't like nor want if he was to win the battle.." I told Ash my point of view on the fight "And you were in the right, you shouldn't of gotten detention" 

"I see" Ash said to me sternly "what ended up happening to your boyfriend?" Did he just seriously call Calem my boyfriend again "I-i've al-already told you he isn't my boy...boyfriend!" I ended the sentence by practically yelling out. "Not what your body language is showing" I didn't know what to say or how to continue anymore I just sighed in defeat

"I think it's time for us to carry on" He said to no one in particular "Pikachu! Come on it's time to go!" He shouted for his partner, and seeing as we were leaving I did the same "Fennekin, say goodbye" She ran up to me and I returned her to my pokeball.

While looking at my pokeball, that made me realize something, Pikachu was never in his pokeball, but why. He is always outside on Ash's shoulder. I confronted him about it "A-Ash, how come Pikachu is never in its pokeball?" Ash glanced at me and then at his partner, he seemed hesitant at first but then answered back in his cold self "You see, Pikachu never enjoys being in it, and I respect his wishes. I never force him inside, and even if I do I can't" He explained

The awkward silence was back and I then remembered the cut. I was hesitating a lot about whether I should ask him about it or not, it might be something he doesn't want to open up to and talk about it, or just doesn't want to recall it at all. To my surprise however, he ended up asking me a question. "Why were you watching me in the forest?" The question caught me off-guard, I blushed as I thought back onto the situation, but started waving my hands in front of me "It-It wasn't wh-what it looked like" I was panicking trying to justify my actions 

"The day before, when you left class for something, you didn't pack up any of your things and when I saw you leaving school during the free period, I thought it would be a good idea to return your things, and well you know the rest..." Silence took over the conversation again until Ash apologized "Sorry, I guess for nearly hurting you" He said without even looking at me, typical of him I guess, yet he was so happy not to long ago.

"A-Ash" I was bringing up the cut, but was very nervous and couldn't ask without stuttering like crazy "Yesterday, when I was holding your stuff and watching you train..." I began and this caught his attention as his head shifted towards me, listening "Wh-When you t-told Pikachu to use that recoil from Iron Tail" I looked at the ground, his stare was causing me too much anxiety "I-I saw an in-injury, under your shirt... a-and it looked serious" I then bumped into something, and it was Ash, who apparently stopped without me noticing.

He just stood there not saying a word. 'Oh no! It must have been something with his personal life or his past. Stupid, stupid Serena' I bashed myself mentally on the head. "A-Ash I'm s-sorry that I got into your personal life and brought it up"

Ash continued walking, but made sure to keep a distance from me, whenever I tried to approach him he picked up his pace. As soon as we reached an intersection, he let me go in front 'Why did he do that?' I thought to myself, once I went the direction towards my house, he went the other. I could tell Ash wanted to get away from anymore people. It was going outstanding until I brought up the injury... "Arghh!" I yelled while kicking a pebble away in frustration "Stupid, stupid!" I said to no one in particular

I just ruined my chances...