Finally, after Arceus knows how long, Dawn actually managed to find a restaurant that suited her needs. She seemed happy and full of energy, while I was still feeling sorrow from the encounter with Ash. I knew I messed up, and shouldn't have gone into his personal life... it also didn't help that he got hurt on the account of my idiotic actions. It kept replaying in my head, Ash getting hit by the discharge. Although the move was anywhere but near me, I still felt pain. For some reason it hurt me to see him in pain. I will always remember the grunt that escaped his mouth.

My thoughts were interrupted by the indigo haired girl "Serena are you alright? Ever since Ash ignored you, you've seemed kind of down. What's wrong?" A sigh exited my mouth "I don't know Dawn, it could be my fault. I got into a place where I wasn't welcome, and then also caused harm" Dawn looked at me curiously 'Of course she doesn't know about what happened with Ash that day we walked home together. Together, or was it only me that entire time?'

I kept thinking about the day, and how dreadful it felt at first. Ash didn't talk or anything, simply walked with me, that was until those pokemon came out of nowhere. They all seemed thrilled to see Ash and Pikachu, he must care about pokemon a lot. His courage that he demonstrated today with team Flare proves it. I'm still left wondering what he told to professor Sycamore, was it really that bad since he didn't want to share the answer with me?

Ash clearly loves pokemon, and seeing him happy made me feel the same on the inside. When he played with those wild pokemon, he looked as if he was having the time of his life. Unlike people, he didn't shove them away. But of course I had to ruin his mood by asking about the cut. The cut, I swear the dimensions and place fit the exact same place as the figure I saw on TV when Garchomp was on a rampage. I want to know where and how he had gained the cut, it may have been my own perception of the injury, but it looked fresh. 

I shook my head, even if I wanted to know I should keep my curiosity to myself. If Ash wants me to know his personal life and his history, then he will open up and tell me when he wants to. I can't force him to give me his entire biography. Now I get it, that must be why he changed. I went into a place where questions aren't asked, but only answers are given. A smile made it's way onto my face. 

"I need to apologize to him..." I said under my breath, but Dawn still took notice "You finally done having your internal dream sequence?" I blushed at the comment, but was met by a chuckle escaping Dawn's mouth "Serena, you were completely out if it. I tried contacting you, but you didn't seem to respond to anything. I know you were in deep thought, but about what?" She looked at me with a inquisitive expression, half closing her eye and put her index finger on her chin

I began panicking, my cheeks going crazy. I didn't want to exactly tell her what I was thinking about "I-I, Uhm, it was nothing" I looked to the side acting like I didn't think about anything. Dawn leaned in further towards me, this caused me to gulp "Are you sure it wasn't about a particular someone?" She continued teasing, it would be physically impossible for my face to heat up any further. "Y-Yes, I-I'm s...sure"

"Then why are you blushing and stuttering" She gave me a look as if she caught me "M-must be the climate" I shot an answer quickly, while shooting up from my seat "Yes! The climate, since it's turning winter now, the dryness is causing my face to be red!" I was basically shouting at Dawn at this point, she was about to open her mouth again, but I interrupted her "Dawn, zip. It!" I ran out of breath and sat back down "What ever you say Serena, what ever you say... But I still don't approve"

"Of course you don't. you don't even know him." I told Dawn looking at her who then gave me a weird look that showed confusion "Don't know him, I'm pretty sure I've known Calem for a long enough time to know him." She laughed, now it's my turn to be puzzled "Wait what? Calem?" I asked her "You think I missed that interaction between Calem and you? That was so cute!" She squealed, it felt as if a massive weight had been lifted off of my back. I was no longer pressured and embarrassed, an enormous sigh left my mouth.

"Sorry to break it to you Dawn, but it was an accident. The shaking ground caused me to stumble and I fell onto Calem to support myself. It was nothing more, nothing less" I explained the situation of what happened to Dawn, who seemed to be left disappointed. "Oh, really? I think it's more than that" I couldn't be bothered to put up with this anymore "Yes, really" I looked at the time and noticed it was getting quite late "I've got to go Dawn, thanks for lunch. Have a nice day and see you later!" I shouted as I began running towards my house.

While running down the pathway to my home, I glanced to my left. It was the beach that the group and I visited not so long ago. Fond memories I will treasure for the rest of my life. I stopped and got to the edge of the pathway, where a fence was blocking the small incline. I stood there admiring the sight. I can't remember the last time I took my time to take something as magnificent as this all in.

Is there anything quite as blissful as an amble by the seashore? It's like walking through an airy womb of sky and sound. The sea is a cerulean-blue gown and the beach seems dipped in earthshine-gold. The water lapsed and the sea foam danced wildly at the edge of the world before retreating back into the endless expanse. Wingull shouted back at the roaring waves and I gazed upon the water, mingling with the unknown creatures of the deep. The soon setting sun shone through the billowing clouds, kissing my skin and the world seemed to stand still.  

You look around and admire the exquisite natural aesthetics bestowed upon the landscape, palm trees spread across and dip their heads into the sunshine. I'm here to savour the sights indefinable beauty, and let it's vastness take over my mind. Fortunately hoping, to carry fragments of the beauty of it home, letting them seep into my memories.

I took a deep breath through my nose filling my lungs with the ocean side breeze, and let it escape through my mouth. I smile, contemplating to leave, but the decision was impacted by a vision. At the corner of my eye, I could see someone resting on the small incline full of grass. Didn't look like they were doing anything, simply admiring the sight like myself.

I hopped over the fence, and commenced my short journey towards the person laying down. With each step closer, I could further facilitate the look of the person. He was male, his hat seemed to be covering his face. I had my assumptions about who he may be, and they were quickly confirmed as I stood a couple of steps away from said person. It was Ash, he was resting on the beach, with Pikachu by his side or rather on top of him, cuddled into a ball. I giggled at the sight, that's when I realized this was the perfect opportunity to apologize to him. 

I didn't want to wake him up, probably knowing his reaction I decided to take a seat close to him, and release my partner. The fox-like pokemon appeared from the blue light and yelled out "Fennekin!" I was quick to silence her before she would disturb Ash and Pikachu "Shh, Fennekin try not to make to much noise, look Ash and Pikachu are sleeping" I said as I indicated to the two with my finger. Fennekin nodded and got into my lap, we both watched onto the beauty of the beach, while waiting patiently for Ash.

I took a glance at Ash again, he appeared to be... struggling? I could see that he was shaking and that his closed eyes were twitching. He began panting, until he shot up out of nowhere, and began gasping heavily as if he had just lost his breath,  uncontrollably and disproportionate. I could see him examining his surroundings, his head was moving and turning swiftly. Ash sighed, then took notice of me, and I could tell that he was surprised by the look on his face. To my disappointment his attitude changed back to his cold self, and turned away.

"How long have you been sitting there?" He asked, still avoiding eye contact. "I arrived here a while ago, I was admiring the view of the beach when I saw someone resting here" I began explaining to Ash with a polite tone "I got closer, until I realized it was you." He then looked at me "Why did you come to me and wait for me to wake up?" I blushed and this time it was my turn to change direction of my head, away from him "W-well, the reason I came up to you is because..." I looked back at him, a blush slowly forming on my face. We were both staring at each other. Me in a nervous way, him in expressionless way "...Because I wanted to apologize" 

His eyes made their way back to the ocean, and it was possible to see his jaw drop ever so slightly. He was surprised for some reason, as if he wasn't expecting an apology "Ash, that day I mentioned that injury... It wasn't my place. I didn't mean to get into your personal life or your history." The fact that he kept paying attention made me feel happy, but also made my cheeks turn a darker crimson. "It wasn't right of me, I know that. Ash, I want to get to know you, but only in a way that you like. I'm not going to force information out of you, I'll be patient and hear it when you want me to"

All my stress that I have felt on my back in the past two days, seemed to vanquish and disappear the moment I saw Ash's face form a small grin. 'Does that mean he forgives me' I wondered as I watched him slightly smiling. "Serena, loads of people don't respect peoples privacy. They always want to know everything that's going on about everyone." He said as he began petting Pikachu, and the mouse pokemon was clearly enjoying it.  

The mouse pokemon opened its eyes and noticed me. It quickly shifted into a battle stance and gritted its teeth toward my way "Pika-Pikachu!" his cheeks beginning to fill with electricity. Fennekin proceeded to protect me as well "Pikachu, enough. It's fine, she isn't here to harm us" Pikachu looked around and began apologizing by bowing its head "Pika..." I giggled at his formality and replied "No worries Pikachu, we can all be on edge sometime" I flashed a smile his way. Ash picked back up on our conversation shortly after.

"But you aren't one of those types of people, and I respect you for that. You may have made a mistake, but that doesn't mean you can't be forgiven for it." At this point I could burst from the vast amount of happiness I am currently containing, Ash forgave me and we could be friends again. From the excitement alone I screeched out "Thank you, Ash it means a lot to me", I was about to hug him but he prevented me from doing so. "Sorry, but I don't do hugs" he replied in his cold tone

Silence fell upon us again, we were both sitting there on the grass with our pokemon. Plenty of time, but nothing to speak of "Why do you talk to me Serena" The question came out of the blue. I turned to Ash who was laying down looking at the bright amber sky. "I don't try to make friends, I don't like interacting with people, I avoid them for reasons and push them all away if they try to get to know me. Nonetheless, disregarding the countless times I have done so to you, Serena, you still always come back. Why?"

In all honesty, I didn't even know the answer. My instincts just brought me to him, I found him as being an interesting person. "If I'm speaking honestly Ash, I don't know myself." I sighed and looked towards the burning sky as well "You shove people out of your life, you ignore anyone that tries to become your friend and you aren't very tolerant or open minded of others..." I began, both of us looking at each, our eyes having a stare off. "Regardless of these, I still see you as a good and nice person. You are careless when it comes to pokemon, and you proved it in today's events and when I saw you playing with those pokemon, and enjoying yourself." I stopped and looked back at the sky

"I thought to myself that there is no way that a person like you can be bad. We all have secrets for a reason, and the more I'm getting to know you, the more interesting I find you" I smiled at nothing in particular and changed my attention back to Ash, who looked completely shocked and speechless. We sat there in peace until I remember about the project, and how we haven't gotten any work done on that.

"Ash, about the evolution project..." I began and Ash was quick to pick up on it "Yeah, I know. We need to do it" He sighed "W-would it b-be o-k if... we worked on it at m-my house?" I asked while stuttering like crazy "That's fine by me, tomorrow?" He asked, to which I nodded. "Alright, then it's settled." I glanced at his watch which was showing it to be really late, my mom will probably kill me when I get home today. "Ash, I need to go now. I'll see you tomorrow!" I smiled his way, as I was standing up and ran towards the direction of my house. 

As for Ash, he didn't move a muscle. He continued laying on the grass in the same formation. My entire way home I was squealing and giggling of happiness. 

'Not only did I make up with him, but we will also work together on the project tomorrow!'