8o.
chapter eighty:
how to steal
a kiss
(and a broccoli)!

"I'm gonna go grab something to eat. Gary mentioned something about getting oishii waffles and drinks here. Do you want anything, M'lady?" I smirked, standing up. The girl had her cheeks inflated as she glared up at me.

"The same as you."

"Yes, ma'am!" I left her stargazing with a salute. The stalls were pitched up a few feet away, and I spotted the vending machines. Quickening my pace, I didn't stop until I was facing them. There were a whole lot of buttons, and never having used a vending machine successfully before, it was a puzzle to solve.

A girl scooted towards me, threw in a coin, and jabbed a button. Something popped out, and she scurried away with it. The hell?

Figuring it would be one heck of a thing to risk, I approached an elderly lady with a punch stall. There were three colors to choose from, and since she didn't inform me of any of the flavors, I quickly glanced back at Serena, who was waving at... Sensei Calem, and made my choice.

The waffles stall Gary had told me about was right beside the punch stall, so I made a quick trip there and got us suitable flavors before stomping back to the honey-blonde.

"What's up?" she asked innocently as soon as I was within her earshot. I craned my neck to where Sensei was. I was grateful to him, and all for teaching me, but the insecurity still ate at me; I was easily replaceable, as everyone had told me for years.

"What?" I asked, plopping down beside her. She flashed a grin. "What's with the look?"

"Just hilarious seeing Ash get all jelly."

I blew out my cheeks, proffering her share of the food. "I can't help it, you kissed Calem!" 

"On the cheek, as thanks," she paused. "Are you sure this one's not spiked with gin?"

Her answer did not sate my insecurity. "But you did!" I exclaimed, examining her under a scrutinizing glare. She returned the eye, and I sighed. "Er, positive."

"Why don't you try it? The last time I tried a punch, it made me lose my consciousness and hang out with an unknown guy. Thought you ought to know."

"I see," I hummed, nonchalant. Speaking of my alter ego, I was reminded of Paul's nonsensical scolding sessions. "When are you planning to return my jersey? The coach is mad at me for playing with my winter coat on instead. You see, players of the team don't quite recognize which team I belong to without it."

"Jersey? I don't have your jersey!" she exclaimed, flailing her hands around. She looked pale and cold, so I took off my coat and draped it over her shoulders. She sagged for a minute before straightening up and speaking in a shrill voice. "Will you not feel cold?"

"I could always hug you, but hey! I gave you my soccer jersey because you were as cold as ice in that backless dress of yours. Not to mention, red looks prettier on you. Of course, I liked the pastel pink too, but, y'know, red brings out your eyes." Shrugging, I bit into my waffle. Its taste melted in my mouth. Oishii!

"What are you on about?!"

I quirked an eyebrow. I was under the impression she remembered meeting my alter ego, if not passionately confessing to him. "Want a bite? Mine's Oreo-creamed." I changed plates to avoid any oncoming awkwardness, switching my dessert with hers. Hers simply gave a tarty taste. Double oishii! "Mhm, I didn't expect strawberry to taste this good."

"Hey!"

"Oh. You can have this back as soon as you taste mine." I smirked, feeling dizzy when she bit into my waffle.

We exchanged our desserts, and she shot me a glare to spill the beans. "Right. I thought you would have seen past my cover. You know, the unknown guy you told me about," I air-quoted. "With hair tied into a ponytail and green eyes? That would be yours truly."

Serena looked as if she had just seen a live monster. "You have long hair? But your bangs—"

"I slicked it back with some hair oil-thingy Gary gave. Didn't you take a look at my drenched hair?" I wiggled my eyebrows teasingly. To my expectations, she turned crimson. "Don't worry, Serena. I'll manage to make you swoon over me with every avatar I take!"

"But the jersey had 'HK' engraved on it?" she probed, curiosity twinkling in her deep and mesmerizing eyes. I filled down a bite of my waffles, feeling my Adam's apple follow the motion. 

"Oh, the weaver mistook my name for H-A-S-H Ketchum. Y'know, hashtag it." 

Serena had a laughing fit, and I noted with keen interest the cream beard all over her chin. Wanting another taste of the tarty flavour, I closed my eyes and leaned in. The soft texture was wiped clean, leaving my tongue wanting more of the delicious taste. I bit back a squeal. It was delish!

"Are you blind?" the girl exclaimed, pupils dilated and sweating. The heck?

"No. You had a cream beard." And then it hit; the reason for her exasperation. "You thought I was about to kiss you?" 

"N-no!" she shot back, lowering her gaze. Words rolled off my tongue at her expense. 

"Pardon. Am I allowed to kiss you?" 

Crimson was all I saw before an ear-piercing shriek filled the air, and I reached for her shoulders. "Yeek!" 

"Whoa, there! Calm down, Serena!" She peered at me through her eyelashes before shutting them. I backed away. "Alright, alright! I won't get any nearer!" 

"No!" 

Amusement flooded my senses. "Eh? You don't want me to get near you, or you want me to?" 

Serena looked visibly panicked, taking ragged breaths. My heart ached for her, as much as I enjoyed teasing her. "How did you f-feel reading those letters?" 

I smiled, an answer at the tip of my tongue. "What do I feel in my jellies? Those words tickle the hell outta my stomach, is all." 

My chest filled with a fuzzy feeling when Serena blushed. "Shut it!" 

"Y-you want me to confess," I admitted in between bouts of laughter at her expense, "but don't want me to tell anything!" 

The girl's eyes widened. "What confession are you on about?!" 

Choosing not to respond, I merely followed Bonnie's instructions and ran a hand through my hair. Serena seemed to be watching the action with dilated pupils. "Nothing. Let me test the drink. They didn't mention the flavours, though, and I randomly picked the colors. Which one do you want? Green or yellow?" 

She looked between the two cups, then timidly pointed at one of them. "Green?" 

"Alright." With that, I took one large lug. The juice burned its way down into the wrong track, rendering me choking on how fizzy it was. Goosebumps erupted from where Serena was gently patting my back. 

"Why don't you take it slow?" she reprimanded, her eyes glinting off the moon with concern. She worried about me. The thought had me grinning like a gaping fool. Simultaneously, a fun idea graced my mind, and I lowered my eyes. 

"Ash? Are you okay?" came her concerned voice. With as much deceit as my eyes could hold, I met her gaze. 

"Tell me, would you prefer a taste of the darkness within me or the bright side of my soul?" I managed to complete the sentence without the strange hiccups that the pineapple drink started. My throat felt parched, and my hoarse voice helped set the atmosphere. 

"P-pardon?" she stuttered and inched back. 

"Choose one, and don't fear me," I reassured. Hicc. I didn't want her to be terrified of this idea, as much as it was amusing to see her concerned about me.

Serena bit her lip in thought before answering in a very feeble voice. "The b-bright side." Oh Arceus, is she horrified of me—

I leaned in and took her hand, holding it gently. Hicc. "The bright side, you say? But I do need your help to get that one out." 

"How?" 

Smirking, I threw my arms around the bewildered girl and pulled her close. I could hear her heartbeat quicken against my bosom, and whispered faintly, "I'll kill myself." With a dramatic flourish, I withdrew and grinned at her. Serena's eyes were unfocused as she gazed at the ghosts lurking behind me. "By laughing at this prank!" Hicc. 

I couldn't hold my laughter in when she blinked rapidly. Her mouth moved a couple of times before any words came out, and she started playfully punching my chest. It didn't hurt, but I had a sneaky suspicion it would if she kept going, so I grabbed her wrists. "What in the name of—donuts?! It. Wasn't. Funny!" 

"I'm totally not sorry!" I laughed out. Hicc. "Chill! The yellow juice is fizzy pineapple. Gave me hiccups. Try yours!" 

Serena's eyes narrowed at me, and I could almost see the cogs turning in her brain as she considered her next move. They disappeared the next second, and she took a sip from her cup. I looked on in amusement as she blabbered nonsense. "Wot de 'ell?! 'Ccoli." 

Ccoli? 

Ecoli? 

Broccoli?

"Broccoli? Seriously?" I wondered out loud. Who the hell blends juices with broccoli... and gives me opportunities? An irresistible grin broke out, and I didn't consider the vaguely formed idea in my mind; I chose to act on it. "Serena." 

"Wot?" Serena wheeled around to face me. I seized the opportunity and went for broke, leaning in and crashing my mouth against hers. If she had any problems, hell with it. I'll face her words and hits, but I want this now!

There was no reaction from her side, but in a fleeting second, she was kissing me back. Fireworks went off in my stomach, as if the Butterfrees had found a way and the appropriate stones to mega evolve. I inclined my head, and to my budding pleasure, tasted her sweetness. Something soft entered my mouth, and I broke the embrace breathlessly. 

"Eh? This is a strange blend," I confessed, ignoring my heart pacing, my teeth working to chew the broccoli. "My bad. I should've gotten the blue one instead." I paused, looking at her. Her gorgeous blue orbs were staring at my jaw, but I could ascertain that her mind had blanked out. A bright blush decorated her cheeks and neck. 

"Do you want me to get the blue one? Or perhaps, the red one. For all I know, it could be strawberry. Serena?" I added, seeing as she made no attempt to reply. 

My eyebrows knit together as the previous dizziness and the adrenaline rush drained out of my system, replaced with a growing dread. Had I just done the wrong thing and ruined our relationship beyond measure?

"Daijoubu, Serena?" I tried again, but silence was all that reigned. 

After a few more awkward seconds of just hearing the bonfire chatters, Serena fell on her back, and I grimaced. "Hey? Should I be sorry?" 

"For the smooch you stole?" she enquired, humorous. I felt relief flood through me at the innocent tone of her voice. Maybe I had just jumped to conclusions.

I mirrored her actions and lay down beside her. Serena eyed me and spontaneously grabbed my arm. Her warm breath tickled my thoracic as she nuzzled her nose into my neck. Heat rose to my ears as I attempted a change in topic. "No, silly. For the prank." 

"Right." 

A companionable silence settled, the only sounds being the excited buzzing of the students and teachers alike, and that of our ragged breaths. I. Like. This.

"Hey," I started after a few heartbeats, not liking how hoarse my voice came out. "Shouldn't we go join the others?" When she didn't respond for some time, I looked down at her. 

"We will, but," she paused, her eyes meeting mine. My breath hitched. "Give me a few minutes to live my teenage dream, will you, Ash Ketchum?" 

A smile graced my lips when she let out a soft sound. Looking up at the blanket of stars, a random quatrain of a poem came afresh in my mind. 

"Under these starry skies, 
We smile and quote 
All our pretty little lies 
In hopes to live 
In that one realm 
Where comes true the desperate teenage dream 
Of love, fluff, and her; 
Of Sere."

— 💌 —

Hey guys!
This chapter marks the end of the teenage dream arc. The next goes with an entirely different arc dealing with Ash's characterisation and his relationship with Serena.

Twenty more to go! What are you guys feeling about this? I'm feeling a bittersweet melancholy, because this is my very first one hundred chapters fic and I've never been so dedicated to any other book than this.

On a happy note, there's a christmas special story coming up next month, so stay tuned!

Thank you for reading!

Miyoko x