62.
chapter sixty-two:
I'm getting heart attacks,
dial 119 quick!

I heaved a breath, shifting her to a leaning position against the passenger seat. "Why did you have to faint on me, girl?" My words drifted into the wind as Serena lay in a deep sleep, her tongue lolling out. She looked adorable, but a part of me felt guilty for unknowingly giving her one of the spiked punches.

The breeze ruffled my clothes, and I closed the door gently. I had no option but to drop her at her home in Vaniville. Dropping her off at the hostel might lead to unnecessary questions, but Vaniville was at least half an hour away, given the thinner traffic this late at night.

My eyes slid to her. She had her head against the window, her breath forming a light fog on the glass. My cheeks warmed, and I forced myself to sit down in the driver's seat. My mission was to get her home safely. As much as I wished to use this night to reconnect with her, it seemed like fate, as always, had other plans.

I revved the engine, and Serena stirred slightly as we hit the road. I even toned down the GPS system so it wouldn’t announce directions, hoping she’d stay asleep, but she woke up anyway—at least, partially.

"Muuum?" she slurred. My eyes widened. How was I supposed to tell her I wasn't her mother but her friend—the one who had broken her heart—Ash?

"Um," I cleared my throat, speeding up.

Serena looked visibly confused before she turned her head, blinking rapidly as if trying to clear her vision. I glanced between the road and her dreamy face. "Who’re you?"

"A friend?" I tried, though the answer came out more like a question than an affirmation.

"Friiend whoo?" She leaned closer, and I caught a strong whiff of strawberries mixed with wine. "Who's whoo?!" Serena grabbed my left arm with both hands, trying to pull me toward her.

"Hey—!" The car swerved, and I hit the brakes. Honks blared around us as I steadied the car, pulling free from her grip.

"Whooo?!"

"I'm a friend, and since you can't see clearly, I'll have you know we're on the streets of Lumiose! You can’t just pull me—"

A sob escaped her lips, and my heart sank. Had I been too harsh?

Then again, I thought with apprehension, we could've crashed if past me were driving this car.

"I don't wanna goo where you’re taking meee!" she stressed, a muffled cry leaving her.

No way around this. "Serena, chill! It's me, Ash."

They say people reveal their deepest thoughts when drunk. Part of me hoped she’d do the same. Her face shifted through five stages of surprise: shock, bewilderment, surprise, melancholy, wonderment, and then relief.

"Ash?" she gasped, covering her mouth before bursting into giggles like I’d just walked out in a clown costume. "Ash!"

"W-what?" My voice wavered at the sound of my name from her lips, and I bit the inside of my cheek to hide an audible sigh of relief.

Serena slumped against my shoulder with a gentle thud, and my heart began to race. "Oh, Ash! I missed youu!"

She missed me?

"Really?" I croaked, but she’d already straightened up—or at least tried to. She was now leaning against the window.

"I pour my heart out daily in those—" she hiccupped. "Horrendous letters! If only youwouldlayyoureyesonmerightnow!"

I wasn’t exactly sure what she’d mumbled so quickly, but I turned to her anyway, weaving around a large truck to enter the highway. "Why?"

"Ash, you oblivious baka!" she chided, giving me a half-open eye glare. "Ash! Ash! Ash!" she repeated breathlessly. I felt my heart pounding at an inhuman pace. Might as well sign it up for a marathon.

"Yeah?"

Serena looped her arm around my left again and sighed, this time without pulling. "All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you!" she sang softly. "And that—that I really like you!"

The car screeched to a halt as I hit the brakes in a whirlwind of emotions. More honks echoed around us as cars passed. "I—you—" I stammered. Serena dreamily looked around, examining herself in the mirror.

"I look hideous!" she exclaimed, running a hand over her face with a groan.

Meanwhile, Ash.exe stopped working.

My breath quickened, and I saw the fog I was making on the window. I placed a hand over my chest to calm down, but it was futile, especially when Serena placed her hand over mine. "There, there."

I pulled my hand free, restarting the drive with the windows open, accelerating to eighty. The thrill of speed, the easy glide along the open highway, and the cold night air were the only things keeping me sane.

After a good ten minutes of zoning out her presence, I glanced over to see her fast asleep, snoring softly. I slowed down, draping my soccer jacket over her. I couldn’t close the windows just yet, but I didn’t want her getting cold either. She already looked pale.

"UH?" she woke with a start, shaking her head as if water had seeped into her ears. "Ash?"

"Yeah?" I replied, already dreading tomorrow when she’d wake up in her bed instead of her dorm and remember I drove her home—yikes.

"Ash!" she giggled. "I told you I like you, but you didn’t respond?" she managed through hiccups and coughs. My forehead broke out in sweat. I’d never expected a drunken confession, but here we were, driving alone under starlight.

"Hmm-mhm," I hummed. "The feeling is mutual—"

Serena broke into laughter, nudging me. "Ash! Ash! Prove it, Ash!"

I frowned. "How?"

Serena looked thoughtful, tapping her jaw. "Well, Ima prove how I like you!" She clapped twice, her face softening. "I send cute messages telling you’re worth it, think of you in the littlest things, and wish on stars to hear you laugh!"

I didn’t know what to make of her hazy words. All I knew was that she made me feel truly loved for the first time in a long time. With every whispered confession, my heart warmed. When she finally stopped, I found myself craving more.

"I told you so much! Now I’ll show it!" she whispered, her voice syrupy. I arched an eyebrow, switching to one-hand driving as she leaned closer, her scent—a blend of strawberries and wine—intoxicating.

"Serena?" I choked out. She blinked again.

"I want your brown eyes."

"Huh?"

"Either you’ve got something on or I’m seeing green!" she mumbled, flailing. I remembered the contacts May had given me, pulled over, and removed them with difficulty. When I looked back, Serena gasped, a delighted "Lookie me!" leaving her lips.

Obliging, I froze as she pecked my cheek. "I can do that," she said, tugging on my cravat and leaving another kiss on my forehead. I was on fire. "And that."

As she adjusted her grip on my clothing, I felt like I was being suffocated—not by her hands, but by the overwhelming rush of her actions. "I-is that it?" I stammered. Her face fell, then her eyes filled with mischief.

"Come—" She yanked the cravat off and grabbed my jacket lapels. "Closer!" My heart hammered as her lips brushed the side of my jaw. CALM DOWN!

"Serena?!" Her intoxication drove her actions, and my heart into chaos. Her blue eyes widened, then she giggled and shut them tight. "W-what next?"

"I’m also the only one who can do this," she whispered, kissing the bridge of my nose. I felt like I’d explode if this night didn’t end soon. "And this." Her hair obscured my vision, and her lips brushed my cheek again.

When I turned back, she looked sad. "I—uh, don’t mind me!" I stammered, hands up in surrender. "I don’t want our first kiss to be a drunken accident!" I cringed as she let out a little sob.

"That’s okay," she hiccupped, then smiled brightly. "Do you like me the same way?"

A big part of me wanted to say yes, but the other was reluctant to admit it while she was in a trance. Then again, her bright blue eyes gave me shivers. Oh, what am I going to do?