14.
chapter fourteen:
lifting my girl
is easier than
carrying a feather.

Serena was cutting out random shapes as I cleared the desk. I picked up the waste cutouts and gathered them.

"Do you want any help?" the girl volunteered.

I shook my head with a smile.

"I've got it under control!" I declared, earning a soft smile. I quickly worked my way through and had most of the area cleared up. When everything was in the trash, except for the tiniest bits that couldn’t be picked up, I slumped into my seat.

"Water?" Serena offered her water bottle, and I took it gratefully before gulping down a huge sip. It cooled its way down my throat, and I felt a bit of energy return.

My instincts screamed when I sensed Serena looking at me. I turned to her. A flustered expression crossed her face, and she pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, turning away. Was it time yet?

I opened my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it. "I hope Professor Sycamore will be happy with the arrangement." She had a faraway look in her eye as she gazed at the empty soft board. I reached out to take her hand, hesitated for a moment, then gently placed my right palm on her shoulder. She didn’t flinch, though she turned to look me in the eye.

"We’ve all got expectations, and sometimes they go wrong. However," I paused, shifting in my seat, "we’ve all given our best, and I think Professor Sycamore’s the kind of guy who appreciates effort."

Serena nodded with a happy smile. The music shifted from The One That Got Away by Katy Perry to What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction.

"Hey, I love this song," I said.

Serena looked incredulous.

"Really? Who does it remind you of?"

I blushed and foolishly realized I had paved the way for her questioning. "Well," I stammered, running a hand through my hair. It's now or never. I cleared my throat and looked her straight in the eye, not trusting my voice, but wearing a bright smile.

Serena blinked in response, not quite grasping the meaning of my stare. She opened and closed her mouth, gaping like a goldfish.

"Oh."

There was an awkward silence, and I felt pessimistic thoughts flood my mind. What’d you do?! You were supposed to consult Brock before confessing!

"Oh!" Serena exclaimed again, shaking me out of my thoughts. She took my arm, looked me in the eye, and smiled beautifully.

"I’m so honored to be remembered with a song as pretty as this one!"

I tried, hopelessly, to beat down the heat rising to my cheeks as my stomach lurched. "W-well, you were the one who told me songs remind you of people!"

Serena nodded in agreement and backed away. I instantly missed the warmth.

"That’s cute, isn’t it? I’m reminded of you when I hear certain songs too!"

I was sincerely taken aback. This girl never failed to surprise me. "Really?"

"Yeah. I’ll tell you which one when it’s the right time!" she winked and stood up to stretch her muscles. I frowned and turned away, feeling guilt creep into me as I watched her flex.

A minute later, Lisia and Shauna entered, holding another stack of sheets and a box of pins. When asked, they replied that they were required to pin the crafts to the soft board.

"Since we’ve only got a dozen or so things to craft, we’ll do them after lunch. I’m hungry!" Lisia protested as she placed the sheets on our desk.

"I bet even you’re hungry, Mister Ketchum!" I nodded vigorously, eliciting a chuckle from Serena and a groan from Shauna.

"Let’s head to the cafeteria, then," Serena announced, then turned sheepish. "I think we should clean up before that. Look at you, Ash!"

Huh? I looked down at myself, not quite noticing the problem. Serena reached out to place her hand on my chest, and I swear, I would’ve fainted if she had been a second late in removing it. Then I saw it: a lint.

"Oh?" I managed, flummoxed.

"And my hands are glue-stricken," Shauna complained. With an agenda set, I agreed to meet the girls in the cafeteria after freshening up.

Miraculously, considering girls seemed to love staying in the restroom, it took approximately ten minutes for them to arrive at the cafeteria. Serena seemed to have pinker lips, I noted with curiosity, as she sat facing me.

"What should I order for you?" I asked as I stood up.

"You know, the usual," Serena said with a wink. I smiled in return and looked at the other girls.

"I feel like having something sweet. Just grab something like that for me, please," Shauna requested. I scratched my cheek in confusion. If it were Serena asking, I could easily find something that suited her taste.

"Don’tcha worry!" Lisia piped in, bolting to her feet and hooking her arm with mine. The heck? "I’ll go with him! Be right back, girls!" she declared, and broke into a cheerful stride, pulling me along with her.

I placed orders for Serena and me: a burger, fries, and three cheesy wraps. Lisia opted for a rice bowl and pastry, and chose two croissants and a donut for Shauna.

"Cheesy wrap, huh? I was under the impression Serena despised cheese!" Lisia said, looking surprised.

I shrugged. "She enjoyed them yesterday."

"Seems like the girl I know is changing a lot, eh? Got any clue as to who’s behind propelling her behavior?" Lisia asked with a smirk.

I shrugged, clueless. This girl was too complex for me to understand.

"Beats me."

The cook delivered our order, and we made our way back to our table. The two girls looked rather invested in their chat, but once the food arrived, their attention turned to eating. All of us were quite hungry after the work.

Surprisingly, the cafeteria was not as crowded as it had been the day before. The seniors were missing, and I couldn’t spot many familiar faces from our year. The juniors were hanging around, though.

As I munched on my burger, I felt someone kick my foot, then as if nothing happened, place it on my ankle as if I were a stand. I looked down, but couldn’t spot the source in the darkness. When my eyes glanced at the girls sitting in front of me, I caught the sheepish predator. In return, I smirked and leaned back in my seat, lifting her foot.

Serena gave out a little shriek, catching several confused glances, before she coughed.

"Huh? Anything wrong?" Shauna asked, concerned.

Serena turned to me with a glare.

"He’s too short!" She pointed an accusatory finger at me. I placed my burger back on the plate and shot her an innocent look.

"Ouch. You shouldn’t make fun of someone’s height, girl."

Serena shook her head vigorously. "You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Put me down!"

By now, Lisia and Shauna were looking at their friend as if she had sprouted three heads. My smirk only widened.

"I’m not carrying you, Serena, am I?"

"My foot!"

"Well, my bad. Do you girls see me carrying Serena? Bridal-style or something?" I asked, turning to Shauna and Lisia.

Shauna shook her head, but Lisia was inspecting me closely, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Alright, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to kick you!" Serena admitted. I blew out a fake sigh.

"What are you talking about? You never once touched me!"

Serena pouted, then squealed when I exerted myself to push her foot up further.

"Ash Ketchum!"

I turned to the snickering Lisia.

"Hey, what’s up with this girl?"

Lisia played along. "Guess one of her brain screws got a tad loose after the crafting session. Do you mind fixing it, Mister Ketchum?"

"Wynaut?"

"You insufferable idiot!" Serena exclaimed, holding onto the table as I raised her foot higher. By now, Shauna was at a loss as to what was happening. She looked between Lisia and me, down the table, and at Serena, but received no answer.

"Aren’t you a genius?" I asked, nonchalantly taking a bite of my food. "Figure a way out."

"How can I when you’ve pinned my boots to the roof of the freaking table?!" Serena looked extremely red and breathless as she tried kicking me.

"That’s futile, and you know it. I’m a soccer player. A defender, no less."

"Urgh! I hate you, Ash!"

"Ouch!"

"Aight, aight," Lisia intervened, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Let the poor girl go. Everybody’s watching us, or at least, that’s what I feel. I’ll give you one of her cheesy wraps instead."

I raised an eyebrow at Serena, and she pouted.

"You better buy me one later, Lisia – Ash!" she exclaimed again when I decided to give her one final lift before giving in. Serena slumped over the table and sighed in relief as I felt her withdraw her boots from over mine.

When she recovered, she shot me a glare, a pink tint to her cheeks. It only deepened when I smirked back.

I guess the time's nearing.