72.
chapter seventy-two:
owls are cool,
but I’m cooler
(objectively, I think)

"No, just switch it off."

"What the hell, guys? Let us watch in peace!" I hissed as Misty and Gary began throwing pillows at each other. I heard Serena giggle beside me. "Why don't you just go to sleep if you're so bored?!"

Misty narrowed her eyes at me, and I gulped, faking confidence. I had promised Serena we'd watch this movie, and I wouldn't break any more oaths ever again. "You're right!" With that, the irate girl pulled her blanket over herself and disappeared under it. Gary shot me a look before throwing her sheets open. "What in the holy name of butter corns?!"

Gary whispered something rather risqué to his girlfriend. I glanced at Serena, who met my eye. We turned away quickly, flustered, looking anywhere but at them or each other. What exactly is their relationship?

"Ash, for the sake of the saints, can you please turn the volume up?" Lisia pleaded, Calem nodding from her side. I agreed and fumbled with the remote control to increase the volume.

Soon, the song from the movie boomed in our ears as the four of us started singing to the tune, dancing along, and just chilling, ignoring the other asleep pairs.

I sagged against Serena when the credits rolled by. "Finally, we got to watch it."

"Yeah," I hummed in response, nuzzling my nose against her hair. Before I could indulge myself in her strawberry-scented locks, she batted me away. She squinted at me, and I arched my eyebrow. "What? Did you break up with me already? Am I really that pathetic—?"

Serena reached over and pulled me by my ear. Pain shot through my sensitive earlobe, and I yelped at her hopelessly.

"What have I told you about being pessimistic?" she asked, finally releasing me. Next, her hands roamed my neckline before she grabbed a fistful of my hoodie.

A sea of surprise flooded my senses as the cold but warm glare settled deep in its trenches. No amount of waves could overturn what I was feeling in my chest as I stared into her eyes, mesmerized by how they flickered under the faint movie light.

"That you'll drag me by the ear."

"You remember."

"Yeah."

"But how?" she asked. Her grip loosened. "I told you that years ago."

"Well," I started, my voice low and hoarse. The curious look in those gorgeous orbs was enchanting. Too enchanting for me to tear my gaze away. I had never seen them up so close, and now that I did, I wanted more of it. "Anything you tell or text will be burned into the back of my mind."

Serena gulped, and I traced her throat as it bobbed in and out. "Anything?"

"Anything."

"About me?"

"You love lacy dresses and wearing hats because they don't make you look too emo or too cutecore, even though you keep switching between both from time to time.

"You'd rather spend your life in the library reading novels than info guides and journals." A pink flush tinted her cheeks. So, I reached towards her and gently pushed a stray lock of her golden hair behind her ear. "You're not a movie person. You especially don't watch French movies despite being fluent in French."

"How—?"

"You love vibing to songs like any other average teen, but you understand the quote, 'When you're happy, songs make you sing along, but when you're sad, you understand the lyrics,' perfectly."

"I never told you that—"

"You love getting playlists made for you."

"Ash, you know too much—"

"You once ruined your favorite skirt in art class. When you thought everybody would laugh at you, your friends came to your rescue. They pretended to admire your painting while loading you with their jackets and scarves to cover up. You've been friends with Shauna and the rest of them since then."

"I told you that two years ago—"

Putting my pointer finger to her lips, I shushed her. "You love baking for your friends and family, but when your mother suggested opening a patisserie, you freaked out and made a mess of the kitchen—"

The girl forcefully removed my hand, stopping me from speaking. "Oh my gosh, I get it—"

"You love the sun in all its glory, but the moon simply fascinates you. You hate the dark, but the only thing keeping you from disliking the night is being a selenophile."

Serena got a faraway look in her eyes. I could vaguely guess what thoughts might be running afresh through her mind, like a deer through woods. Sleeping under a cloud of solitude. Falling asleep, sick and cold, without any signs of family by her bedside.

I drew in a sharp breath. When she was putting so much effort into reaching a hand of hope towards me, I might as well extend mine. Even if it's not much.

"You love pastel shades but seem to have an unhealthy obsession with brown. I'm afraid why is the only question I might not be able to answer about you."

"I'll never answer that," she said in a hushed voice, leaning so close that I could feel her warm breath on my lips. Was this the moment?

"Have it your way," I whispered back. Her smile reached her eyes, and I shut mine, anticipating a brush, a peck, anything to tingle my senses and fluster my soul.

It never came.

Again.

It wasn't her fault this time but the Lumiose Power Generation Authority's. Was it Clemont experimenting on something? Seriously?

"I hate Clemont," I mumbled as Serena dragged me to my feet. "Where are our phones?" Asking out loud, I tripped on something. There was a sharp yelp, a muffled sound.

"Why does everyone love hurting me? Even when I'm half-asleep?"

"I'm sorry, Gary." Apologizing to my best mate, I started groping the sofa where we were seated, holding Serena's hand close. There were no signs of either of our phones. The hard plastic of the remote was all I found. "Any luck?" The wind stirred, and I smirked at what happened. "You're shaking your head, aren't you?"

"Do you have night vision or something?" Serena hissed before her tone became suggestive. "Oh, silly me! It totally slipped my mind that you're an owl."

I rolled my eyes playfully, even if she couldn't see it. "I might as well take that as the reason for liking me. Who doesn't adore an owl?"

"S-shut it, and look for your phone!"

Got you, I snickered, feeling her brush past me. And I'll always keep getting your tongue, Serena.