o1.
chapter one:
who lands and
threatens the owner
of my lodging?
I do.
<3

My heart hammered against my chest as the floor beneath grumbled. There was a jolt, and I clutched my bag closer to my chest, before the jet started gliding smoothly on the runway. I felt a tug as the gravity shifted slightly, my stomach feeling funny.

Looking outside the window, I spotted the daylight bleeding into nightfall, little stars beginning to shine over us. The moon was a sleek crescent, peeking out of wispy clouds.

"I'm awake, I'm awake!" I heard the girl in our gang proclaim, but I did not avert my eyes from the window. It was beautiful; the pink-tinged Kalosian skies. I'm close to her now. After a long time.

The loud screech of the engine started subsiding as the jet took a short U-turn over the course. Lights lined up the runway, illuminating the path. I pressed my nose against the window to look at a bus awaiting our arrival. The Oaks' private jet skidded to a stop, its fans still working, and I was almost tossed out of my seat.

"We're here, lads!" my best friend declared, eliciting a protest at the term of endearment from the girl.

I looked their way. The two were arguing over something. I sighed. It's no better even here.

Standing up, and almost toppling over, I stretched. My muscles felt stiff from the long journey, and fatigue pulled at my eyes. However, my heart was still hammering and my ears ringing. I'm coming to meet you, Serena!

The thought energized me enough to pull our suitcases down from the rack. "Are you guys gonna stay the night here? Because if you are, I'm leaving. I definitely don't wanna get in between you both," I announced, annoyed by the constant bickering between my friends. I've been hearing it all the way from my home in Kanto till now!

"Hey!" they protested in unison, color tinting their cheekbones before they turned away from each other. I snickered and made my way out. Their voices were heard faintly in the background.

"Let me get your bags, Misty."

"No, thanks. I'm not as weak as you are, Oak!"

"My bad. I should've not offered help to a person with an ego as huge as Mount Moon."

"Look at who's talking."

Whatever the girl's reply was, it was drowned by the noise of the running engine. I exited the jet and clambered down the mobile staircase.

One of the attendants offered to carry my bags, but I refused. However, it wasn't easy to get two of them down with me; guess I made a fool out of myself upon my arrival at Kalos. Sheepishly, I asked the person for help. He offered a smile and obliged.

Soon enough, I was at the terminal, Gary and Misty trailing behind me. We used a cart to carry our belongings. There was a separate check-out place for people arriving on private jets. It was not hard to find my way there, thanks to the guiding boards.

Our suitcases were the only ones on the conveyor belt. Probably because we were the only ones from a private jet.

We grabbed them quickly and left the terminal. There was one more huge thing to be picked up, but it would not show up at the terminal.

As we exited, my eyes widened at a person among the crowd holding up a signboard reading 'Ash Ketchum!'

"Oi! Is that your friend, Ash?" I heard Misty ask from behind me. I nodded, my eyes fixated on the owner of the board. "Let's go then!"

As we approached the queue, my breath caught in my throat. She was pretty back then, but now, she was outright beautiful! With short blonde locks that barely touched her shoulders, she was easily recognizable. I'm scared I'm going to cry when you give me those ocean-blue eyes.

"Ash!" she greeted when we closed in. "Oh, my! Hey! Gary! And you must be Misty! Hello!" Her energy was infectious, affecting Misty as well as – to my annoyance – Gary.

"Hi!" Misty exclaimed, giving the girl a short hug.

"It's been so long! How have ya been?" Gary asked, stepping in for a hug, only to be greeted by her hand for a shake. I snickered behind my hand, earning a glare from him.

Little did I realize that I was the next one. "Ash?" she asked, her voice uncertain. I plastered the happiest face I could muster and grinned.

"Been alright, Serena!" It wasn't a question, but a statement; a way to confirm how I was to her. She smiled softly, and my heart burned at the sight of her lips quirking upward. Oh, how much had I missed this feeling?

Before I could make a fool of myself around her, I excused myself to go get my car from the air lobby. "I'll meet you guys here in five."

The three of them nodded, and I spotted a tiny light in her beautiful blue eyes. Serena managed to move even a dense guy's, as I, heart.

Thankfully, the air personnel had already parked mine outside and was waiting for me by it. "Thank you!" I thanked her in gratitude, taking my keys and getting in. The lady gave a thumbs-up and wished me a good evening before I reared the engine and drove out to the exit of the terminal.

Serena, Gary, and Misty were standing beside a dark red car, which I assumed was Serena's. When I made an entry, Misty, who was standing to the side, beckoned me over. I felt Serena's eyes on me, and could not beat the urge to grin. I wonder if I look cool enough to grab her attention?

"Dude, this girl's got her car assuming we won't be getting yours. Is it fine if I ride with her and you take Misty?" he asked, adding a snicker at the last part. I rolled my eyes and clenched the steering wheel tightly.

"Sure, but I'm right behind you. Better remember what Misty means to you, too."

Gary threw his hands up in surrender. "Geez! Chill mate. I'm not stealing your girl just yet."

"What was that?" I saw Serena ask as the girls approached us. I cursed Gary under my breath and waved her off. "I just admit, I didn't expect you to get a whole car from Kanto. I'll take some of the luggage too, Ash. It might help."

I nodded and stepped out of the car to help with the distribution. We were done in a few minutes, and I found myself in several near-death encounters whenever her hands brushed against mine, setting my skin on fire, or when her hair nuzzled my face. Calm your darned heart down, man!

"The traffic tends to be a bit heavy in this city, but as soon as we exit Lumiose, it'll get better. Near Aquacorde, it'd be nearly non-existent," Serena informed, opening the door to her vehicle. "You'll do just fine following my lead."

I nodded and got in, Misty following my lead. I watched with a frown, Gary getting into the seat beside the driver's in her car. "I smell something burning~" Misty's voice floated from behind, and I snorted.

"I can say the same thing."

"S-shut up!"

"Right," I snickered, turning on the engine when Serena's car made a move. Turning the gear, I put my foot on the accelerator. "Say, was that why you were standing off to the side when I arrived?"

"That guy's a flirt." I could not control the laugh that escaped me at her statement. It was true.

"Couldn't agree more." The steady vibration of the engine soothed my arms as I picked up speed to keep up with Serena. When she said she could drive, I did not quite believe her. The frail young girl and driving? I thought that it was a far-fetched idea, but look at me now.

We took quite a few turns, the car in front of me almost gliding across other vehicles effortlessly. I had to admit, at one point I had Misty put on Google Maps when I lost sight of the pretty dark red automobile. Being the great compass that it was, we found ourselves pulling up at an unknown museum and ringing Serena.

"I lost sight of you, girl," I said. Misty struggled to keep my phone at my ear as I parked to the side. Naturally, it tumbled out of her hands and fell to the soft floor.

"Ash? Ash? Are you there? Are you okay? Ash! Answer me!" I heard her scream over at speakerphone.

"We're fine, just a tad bit lost!" I shouted back, as Misty fumbled for the phone. She cursed under her breath before withdrawing it from the dark abyss.

"Can you please tell me a landmark?"

"We're near a museum... and a galette stand," Misty answered.

"Oh, that's on the North Boulevard. I'm on my way! Stay put!" Her voice rang in my ears even after she hung up. Misty clapped to gain my attention.

"Quit daydreaming. That was the mistake that cost both of you your fuels," she said, her tone apprehensive. I shrugged.

"Can't help, especially when it was you guys and Brocko who implanted this feeling for her. Say, how does a galette sound as we wait?"

After a few minutes, I noticed Serena's sleek car approach us as we sat inside mine, munching on the dessert.

I sighed in relief as Gary's familiar face popped out of the window. "There you are! Lost in the big streets, eh?" he teased, and I did the only disciplined thing I knew: stick my tongue out. Behind him, Serena was looking at us with a tired smile. I felt my heart drop in guilt. I should have paid more attention.

"I'm sorry—"

"Cut us the slack. The sun's nearly down and Serena says it's an hour drive to Vaniville."

I nodded, before we hit the road again, this time I paid attention to follow her rather than think of her.

It was almost nighttime by the time we reached the quaint town of Vaniville. A chill breeze blew, and I hurried to close the windows. The drive to the hotel was relatively short, and we soon found ourselves on our feet.

"Glad to be finally standing!" Misty exclaimed. We shared a small laugh as I helped her take her bags out. The page boys scurried over to lend us a hand.

"I'll get you guys checked in. We can order a dinner later," Serena said, leading us to the reception desk.

The hotel was grander than ones found in the Kantonian towns, crème and caramel paint splashed on the walls, lined with paintings. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the hall was adorned with antiques and furniture. "Won't renting out two rooms here give us a run for our money?" Misty asked.

The blonde chuckled, the sound almost heavenly. "This place belongs to one of my friends, and I have requested him to give you a discount."

No sooner had she spoken than a boy with medium-length dark hair, my potential rival, approached us. My stomach twisted when Serena gave him a hug. Oh, you better know your limits, Mr. Hotel Owner.