Ash's POV

"Prom King and Queen, seriously?" Sere groaned beside me.

The school Council President had announced that within half an hour, a Prom King and Prom Queen would be chosen. We all didn't know that there was such a competition. All the girls groaned and whined, complaining that they weren't ready or that they didn't knew so they wouldn't compete. But apparently, the school Council had answers to all their complaints. Until the results, we had the time to dance and enjoy. And of course, bite our nails to calm our nerves because anyone, ANYONE present in this room could be chose as the Prom King or Queen. Even the nerdiest boy to the famous queen-bee could be chosen. There wasn't any system such as voting here. This fact excited all. Even me. But not Sere.

She wouldn't dance and she ignored the line of boys standing in front of her, asking her hand for a dance.

Guys! If she rejected her boyfriend, do you think you would have a chance?

Never.

I stood beside her as she watched her sister dance and glide happily across the dance floor with Calem.

Oh how I wish, Sere would be like Mari.

"Hey Ash," she started. She turned her head and looked at me with her sparkling blue eyes. "Marina is happy, right?"

"I guess she is. Why are you asking?"

I can't breathe with her eyes burning into my soul like that.

"Do you think she needs me anymore?" Sere whispered and looked down.

Occasionally when Mari would look at us, Sere would wave and send her a small smile. But I knew Sere was worried.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"All these years I have been more of a brother to her than a sister. And this was only to protect her from bad guys. But that was when we were kids. We are growing up and soon we will go our separate ways, and we will not be together. I won't be there to protect her. In fact, she has Calem now. And Calem is surely going to do what I have done all these years- protect her. So, do you think she needs me now?" Sere's eyes were brimming with tears but she clenched her fist and bit her lip to prevent them from flowing.

She was not saying it. But she was scared. Scared of being abandoned from her sister. She loved her sister, Mari was her other half. She protected her and did everything for her. But she is scared to lose her. She did not want to admit it but she thought that Marina doesn't need her. She still wanted to be her over-protective sister. She still wanted to take that responsibility.

"Sere," I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Mari may have Calem but he won't be able to replace your place in her heart. He may be the one to be always with her from now on, but you are the one whom Marina will always remember. What you did for Marina, no one did that for her. Ever. You hold a special place in her heart- even if in a small corner, but that corner will be the most loved and cherished one by her."

Sere turned towards me, her eyes shining with tears as she held them in.

"It's alright to cry," I said and smiled at her.

She shook her head and giggled.

"I was stopping my tears from flowing because they would ruin my makeup."

My jaw dropped. Sere cared for her makeup. This was something new and so- girlish of her to say.

A month ago I would have been ecstatic to hear this. But now it seems so wrong.

"You applied makeup?" I blinked.

This was something I wanted before Sere dated Calem. I always wanted to see Sere in a dress, with makeup. I wanted to see her all dressed and girly. But after she started going out with Calem and started dressing like a girl, I realized something. I never wanted Sere to look like a chick ever again. I didn't want a girlish Sere. My tomboy Sere was the best. And she would always be.

She shrugged at my question and smirked. She shook her head at my goofiness and faced forward towards the stage.

"Hey Sere," I nudged her but pulled my hand away quickly when she snapped her head towards me, her eyes narrowed and her eyebrow raised. It was so scary whenever she did that.

"What?"

"Uhh- I love you?" I stuttered.

Her eyes widened and so did mine. I clasped my hand to my mouth and looked away.

She intimidated me and I stuttered out that I loved her. Way to go Ash!

"Aww~ Looks like a mouse is scared by this cat," she cooed, mockingly.

I snapped my head towards her. "I am not a mous-" But before I could continue, something soft touched my lips.

Sere's soft lips tasted like cherry. She kissed me. But before I could return the kiss back she pulled away. She smirked as my face fell. She totally caught me off guard and when I regained my senses, she pulled away.

"Why?" I whined.

"What? You said you loved me. And I showed you what I felt." She shrugged and tried to act innocent.

Before I could retaliate, the speakers started playing some electronic dance music and pop songs. And the first song was Sere's favorite.

I looked over at Sere and saw her slightly swaying and tapping her foot to the music.

She looks like an angle dropped straight from heaven. For me.

I leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"Go on, dance all you want."

She looked at me with shiny and sparkly eyes. She smiled and hugged me when I nodded. She let go and joined everyone else on the dance floor.

She danced to the music and brought some of hip hop styles. She looked like a street dancer. But a good one. As the song continued, she threw her hat off and let her hair flow wildly. Some of the other students joined her copied her moves. At one point everyone got the hang of it and they all looked like a big group performing for us. They break-danced and let Sere take the center. She gladly accepted. They pulled off some small stunts and Sere ended the show down with a split leg.

We all clapped and hooted for them. Sere stood up and walked towards me. She shook hands with all the students who praised her. She smiled and laughed and giggled. She blushed a little at the attention she was receiving.

"I didn't know that you are dancer," I said as she took her hat and placed it back on her head.

"What can I say," she winked, "I am natural. Unlike you."

I rolled my eyes at her, "Let's see."

Her eyes widened and she crossed her arms over her chest. I removed my coat and walked out to the stage. And when the song started, I gave it my everything. I also got support from many students who joined me and copied my moves.

I don't know why but there is this competitive nature between me and Sere. We want to prove each other wrong. We never hold back and never feel pity for the other.

I finished with a front roll and a gave a long, deep bow. The girls squealed and ran up to me. I shook them off, politely and walked towards Sere.

"It was okay. Practice a little more then you will reach my level," Sere teased.

I shook my head at her and laughed. She always made my heart beat a thousand miles an hour.

"Okay! Everyone, let's see this year's Prom King and Queen!" The school President shouted on the microphone.

Everyone's attention turned towards him. I chuckled at the small groan Sere let out.

"Okay! I know this is a big surprise to all. Without votes, how can a Prom King and Queen be selected? But we already have selected. This is based on their appearance and their participation in this Prom. Those who seem to be liked by most of the student population are the ones who get this crown and tiara. And so, now for the results- for the Prom King we have, Ash Ketchum!"

Okay that was blunt and quick. And totally unexpected. My jaw dropped.

Me?! Out of all boys, me!?

I wasn't really eager to go up there on stage because I knew what followed next. A random girl would be chosen as Prom Queen and then we would have to give a 'thank you' speech and then perform a dance, on stage in front of so many eyes. Others didn't bother me, but Sere did.

Sere nudged me and pushed me forward. The spot light landed on me and I awkwardly smiled, as the hall erupted into cheers and whistles. I made my way up the stage and stood beside the senior. He placed a crown on my head and a fake cape was wrapped around my neck.

Man, this is so annoying!

I smiled forcefully and wished that I could go and join Sere in the crowd. My eyes met with her and she winked and smirked at me while I frowned and stuck my tongue out at her. She giggled and my mouth turned into a smile.

This girl can make me laugh even in a time like this.

"Well, now for the Prom Queen- Serena Yvonne."

And this was even more than just unexpected. Now it was my turn to smirk. I looked at her and saw her mouth wide open as students turned to look at her. People started cheering and hooting for her. Who knew that Sere had it in her to attract such a loud crowd and turn them all in favor of her in a single night. I swiftly grabbed the microphone from the President and spoke into it, "Serena Yvonne! Get up here. And close your mouth or you will catch flies!"

The crowd laughed a little but didn't stop showering praises on her. They motivated her and pushed her forward until she was the center of attention. A blue spot light shone her, matching her dress making it look more angelic than before.

I grinned at her as she scowled. I saw her mumbling something. Most likely she is formulating a plan to kill me after all this. I handed the microphone back to the President and made my way down to Sere.

"I heard my name and I was about to come up. Why did you have to open that big fat mouth of yours?" She hissed.

I grabbed her wrist and dragged her with me to the stage.

"Come on Sere! Don't be mad. Let's enjoy, my Queen."

I didn't see her face but I was hundred percent sure that she blushed.