63.
chapter sixty-three:
boy did she
faint on me.

The thousands of twinkling little stars bore witness to my affection for the girl beside me. I mirrored each of her kisses and felt immense euphoria each time she giggled in ecstasy.

When I delivered one final peck to the bridge of her nose, Serena started laughing hysterically and flung her arms around my neck, dragging me into a warm embrace. Given that we were still sitting inside my car, I awkwardly, albeit happily, returned the gesture.

We broke apart and stared into each other’s souls. Serena looked rather worn out, blinking her eyes rapidly to keep from falling asleep. "Serena?"

"Hmm-mhm?" she mumbled.

I drew in a sharp breath and voiced my concern. "You won’t forget tonight, will you?" I backed away, clenching my fist against the seat in an attempt to calm down. My insides burned with an unsettling emotion, one I couldn’t quite put a finger on. "You won’t wake up tomorrow and go back to the same old Serena, still ignoring me, right?"

A sound, eerily similar to half a snort and half a sob, filled my ears, and I turned back to her eagerly. Serena was playing with her hair. "It was the best night after so long!"

I chuckled. Though I liked the Serena I knew better, I couldn’t deny that her dream-induced side, the side she hid away from people, was playfully attractive in its own way.

Serena rocked back and forth before leaning against the glass window. "It was the best night after so long, Ash..."

That was all she said before her soft snores filled the car. She looked so tranquil as she dozed, as if she hadn’t just placed the weight of the world on my shoulders. But I couldn’t blame her. Even the simplest things she did had me on my knees.

Serena drove me crazy.

Stretching my arms a little, I fought for control, focusing solely on getting Serena home. I couldn’t afford to fall asleep—not that there was much chance of that happening, not with the girl I liked having stimulated my senses to stay alert.

After about fifteen minutes, I pulled the car into the driveway of Serena’s home. I was standing in front of the door, having just rung the doorbell.

It took a few moments, but Serena’s mother appeared in the doorway. From what she was wearing, I could tell I had just woken her up and felt extremely guilty. "Huh?"

"It's me, Mrs. Yvonne, Ash Ketchum," I introduced myself. She rubbed her eyes, her mouth forming an 'o' before panic seized her sleepy posture. I hurried to reassure her. "Serena’s fine! We were at the end-of-year ball tonight, and I accidentally gave her one of the spiked punches! It’s my fault she’s a bit tipsy! I’m so sorry, Mrs. Yvonne!"

"Whoa, whoa!" she gasped. "You’re too quick for me to catch, young man. Why don’t you both come in?"

I gave her a sheepish smile and pointed toward the car, where Serena was fast asleep. "Can’t."

Grace sighed, a tired look making her seem decades older. Guilt crept over me again. Maybe I should’ve just taken Serena to the hostel—"I’m really grateful to you, Ash," she spoke, interrupting my thoughts. "I hope my girl wasn’t a bother on the way."

I chuckled nervously, struggling to hold back the blush threatening to color my cheeks. "Of course not."

Grace nodded and opened the door wider while I returned to the car to get Serena. I tried shaking her awake, but instead, she grabbed the front lapels of my coat and muttered something sleepily. It was no use, so I shifted her slightly and managed to lift her in my arms. Her mother helped lock the car and lay her on her bed upstairs in her room.

Once we’d finished, she ushered me to the kitchen counter, sat me down despite my protests, and made me a hot cup of cocoa.

"Nonsense!" she snapped when I hesitated, saying I didn’t want to be a bother at such an hour. "You responsibly handled the situation and drove an hour to get my daughter home safely. The least I can do is give you shelter for the night and a hot cocoa!"

"I—I can’t stay here, Mrs. Yvonne! Please don’t misunderstand!" I pleaded, but she wasn’t having it. She crossed her arms stubbornly and gave me a playful glare.

I was bitterly reminded of how my mom used to do the same thing whenever I asked for something she didn’t wish to give. I sighed in exasperation. Okay, stop thinking about that. There’s another problem at hand.

Even though Serena had taken our relationship to a whole new level, I couldn’t shake the anxiety that she’d wake up with no memory of what had happened. So, I shared my concern with her mother.

"Mrs. Yvonne, Serena and I—we’re not on the best terms."

Grace quirked an eyebrow, and apprehension grew inside me. "We argued and drifted apart over the past month... but I still care about her! That’s why—that’s why... I couldn’t leave her alone." My statement ended in a hesitant whisper. There was a pause, and then she spoke, offering me a warm smile.

"Your head and heart are in the right place. That gives me all the more reason to let you stay here tonight, Ash."

"But if she finds out I brought her here, she’ll freak out!" I protested. Grace rolled her eyes and offered me more cocoa. I politely declined, and she spoke softly.

"I’m sure Serena cares about you, too. I don’t know what happened between you two, but I know my daughter. She wouldn’t mind."

I looked down at my clenched fists, feeling wistful. It didn’t seem like I could convince Grace to let me leave, but I didn’t want to risk ruining what Serena and I had just experienced. So, I simply agreed.

Grace was overjoyed. "Good. You can take the guest room and call me if you need anything!"