Ash's POV

"Professer, who's this new student you're talking about?" I yawn to my teacher, Professer Kukue, raising my hand lazily. He laughs heartily at my tired actions.
"A new girl, Ash. You will see her when you meet her." He smiles and continues teaching.

When the bell rings for the end of the day, our class piles out of the room, talking about the new girl.
"Do ya think she'll be nice?" Lillie asks Lana, holding Vulpix.
"She better be!" Mallow interrupts, grinning.
"I wanna battle her when she comes!" Sophocles exclaims, his eyes shining. Kiawe nods.
"Yeah. Hopefully she'll be strong."
I stay silent. I want this new girl, but nobody can replace Serena. She always knew how to make us laugh. She took care of us a lot, too. I wonder what she's doing now?...
"What about you, Ash?" Mallow asks me, dragging me back to reality. I shrug.
"As long as we can have a laugh, I don't really care."

When I get to my cabin, I flop on my bed, when I suddenly hear a knock on the door. It sounds desperate, so I get up and open the wooden door. A few steps back from the door, I see a girl. She's slim with honey-blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes. She's wearing a black top with a pink dress over it and a sleeveless red jacket, as well as long black socks that reach up to just above her knees and brown boots. Tied to the neckline of her dress is a blue ribbon, which she is clutching like some sort of lucky charm.

"Ash, is that you?" She mutters, almost to herself. I swallow. Serena.
"H-hey!" I stutter, smiling goofily. Her confused frown turns into an outstretched grin and she flings her arms around me and gives me a hug. Shaking, I bring my arms to hug her. I was never this nervous around her... Why am I now?! She pulls away, and calls out her Pokemon.
"Pancham, Panch!"
"Braixen!"
"Eon!"
When they see me, they yelp with excitement, and run over, accidentally knocking me to the floor. Serena gasps, and helps me up.
"Hey, it's like Camp, but reverse." I laugh. She giggles too, and says,
"It's amazing to see you, Ash Ketchum." She smiles softly. I blush slightly, and pull her in for another hug.
"H-huh? Ash!" She yelps, but is soon laughing as I start tickling her.
"St-top! T-that t-t-tickles! I- only came in to talk to Professer Kukue, and this is where I end up?! St-top! " I shake my head, and carry her bridal-style into the house and lay her on the couch.
"Why didn't you video call?" I ask sitting down beside her. She shrugs.
"The service in Hoenn is awful! But I'm here now." She explains. I nod, remembering.
"I'm here for good, actually."
"Whaddya mean?"
"I'm moving here."
I freeze. Serena... She's staying... Moving here!
"You're... What?" I pretend not to hear to savor the sweet words.
"I'm moving here. It's actually that house just there." She points to a building next to my window.
"That place was outrageously expensive to get!" I wince just remembering the price. She nods, embarrassed. She looks at our clock, and sighs.
"I'd really like to stay, but I've gotta hurry and unpack."
"Do you want help?" I ask. She shakes her head.
"No, but thanks! See you later, neighbour!" She smiles one last time, gets up, and closes the door behind her.

Then something clicked in my brain.

I swear to Arceus I'm in love with that girl.

"I... I love you, Serena Yvonne." The words flow through my mouth like poetry. It feels right.