Serena's POV

"Sereee!"

I heard the familiar squeal of my boyfriend, Ash.

I can't believe he is my boyfriend. The mere word makes me blush thirty shades darker and it is infuriatingly very evident on my pale face. And the worst part is-it doesn't come off as soon as it climbs up.

I was probably looking like a red gangster tomato-a lollipop in my mouth, white earphones dangling around my neck, and a cap sitting comfortably on my head when Ash burst into the room with the biggest grin of the day.

He is so cute.

"Sere Sere Sere! You absolutely have to see this!" He chanted, flailing his arms with something that looked like a bunch of photos in his hand.

"Stop jumping and show me then," I replied casually, trying my hardest to not gush over how adorable he looked.

It is uncharacteristic of me to fanboy over something as silly as a crush. I mean-I am the man between the two of us. But, in my defense and in the defense of all men out there, even a man can gush about their better half.

My heart thumped ecstatically at the thought of Ash being my better half and I could feel more heat adding to my already warmed up face.

I just hope he doesn't notice.

In the midst of all the chaos in my head about him, he had managed to jump right next to me, pressing his shoulder into mine as he placed the photographs right in my lap, rambling about how cute and gorgeous we looked.

Half of my attention was on what he was saying, the other half being on the warmth that was seeping into me and spreading like a wildfire through the side where our arms were touching. He seemed to be ignorant of what he was doing to me. Butterflies were giddying up in my stomach, all my senses and attention enraptured by his presence and his voice only adding fuel to the fire.

I wasn't stupid. I knew this was love. The numbing of all logical reasoning, blinded towards everything else in the world, and your entire heart and soul seeking comfort in the presence of that one person. Nothing else mattered in the moment-not the songs that were playing in my ears, the chapter that I was reading before he scattered some photos over it, or that I had forgotten to breathe and would die due to the lack of oxygen.

All that mattered was him.

I don't remember when and how I had started believing in cheesy, clichéd love stories or ever behaved like the girl they described in the books. I had been strictly against all of that, if I was being completely honest.

But somewhere along the line, Ash Ketchum swooped in like prince charming and picked me up, and converted the tomboy Serena into a hopeless, lovestruck princess Serena.

"Are you even listening?"

His disgruntled tone cut through my thoughts, bringing me out of my head. I looked at him confused, plugging out my earphones and giving him a questioning look while he just rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"You didn't hear a word I said?"

I heard something about how cute and gorgeous we looked. But I simply shook my head, finally drawing my attention to the photos on my lap.

They were our photos from prom night. In one he was standing on stage, the spotlight lighting up his face and radiating the happiness of the night. In another it was me, dancing with no care in the world, my face contorted in euphoria and elation.

But the best photo of all was the last one-me and Ash dancing center stage after being crowned Prom Queen and King, our foreheads resting on each other, wide smiles gracing our red tinted faces.

"This is the best one," I mumbled, picking up the photo and looking at it, revelling in the nostalgia and memory it had created.

"Exactly! That is what I was saying too," he mused and leaned further into me to get a better look.

His proximity was stifling but in a good way. Awareness rushed into me and I turned my head to look at him, studying his face from up close.

"I think we should get another copy of this, get both of them framed and keep one with each of us," he said, making me nod subconsciously.

He was so close. If I inched slightly towards him, I would be kissing his cheek. And if he turned his face then-

Oh God.

Ash's POV

Sere's breath fanned my cheek and I turned to look at her.

She was so close.

Her beautiful cerulean blue eyes widened when they met mine, and it felt like I was diving into the ocean with no way back to the surface. I could remain floating and lost in it without a single complaint. It was an ocean but it was warm and comforting like home.

I wasn't the smartest hay in the stack but I knew I loved the girl in front of me. Our childhood spent together, her constant support and the way she stood up for me even in fights where she couldn't win, her courage, her bravery, the way her eyes would soften everytime she looked at me like there was nobody else around-there was no way I could possibly have not fallen for her.

There was a point where everything had been messed up between us. But that point made us realise our true feelings-it made me realise that I could not let her go.

And now she was sitting so close to me. I hadn't realised in all the excitement over our photos-especially her photo from when she had danced her heart out-that I had subconsciously intruded into her personal bubble.

The old Sere would've kicked my butt for getting so close to her. But the Sere now-my Sere hadn't said a word. Her eyes fixated on me, her breathing uneven and the stark contrast of red that peppered her cheeks and nose, making her the most beautiful girl to lay my eyes on.

My breathing followed hers, the pace of my heart violently escalating to match hers as her eyes drifted to my lips before snapping up back to my eyes. That momentary movement made my breath hitch and my Adam's apple bobbed with want.

If I just slightly moved towards her, we would kiss.

And God, I wanted to, so badly.

"Ash," she whispered, the words touching my heart and engulfing my mind.

"Yeah?"

"A-Are you going to k-kiss me or not?" She breathed out, the invitation invading me in all possible ways.

I want to. "M-Maybe," I mumbled, the confession staying stuck in my throat.

A flicker of irritation sparked in her eyes before she pulled back, scooting away and turning her head the other side.

Her lack of warmth pulled me out of my trance and I blinked my eyes, wondering what had happened. I frowned and said, "why did you move?"

She snapped her head towards me, tears filling her eyes and an angered expression lining her face.

It would've been scary earlier. But now it was simply cute.

"W-Well I thought that was what you wanted!" She snapped, wiping away her tears and sniffling when more of them filled her eyes.

"I said 'maybe I will kiss you'!" I retorted. 'Maybe' didn't mean no.

"It didn't sound like a 'yes' to me!" She fired back, huffing in annoyance.

Before I could apologize and explain myself any further, she got up, picked up her book and earphones and stomped towards the door like a kid who had been denied candy.

I scrambled hurriedly after her but before I could reach her, she shut the door in my face, leaving me standing dumbfounded.

The earlier excitement over the photos and seeing her smile had vanished into thin air. A sudden fear gripped at my bones, making a chill run down my spine.

Does she hate me?

I was overthinking. I had to be overthinking. I can not screw up again. I can not let her go.

I extended a shaky hand to grip the handle and open the door to follow her, but the fear was making my movements painfully slow. I was panicking and I needed to stop. I need to follow her. It isn't about me, it is about her. I have to-

The door suddenly opened, revealing Serena who was glaring at me.

She didn't leave.

"So you didn't even follow to catch up with me," she complained.

"I was about to but then-"

"Don't make excuses, Ketchum." She snapped, silencing me.

As long as she wasn't gone, I could deal with everything she threw at me.

"You are hopeless," she muttered.

The words hadn't registered completely with me before she stepped forward, stopping right in front of me. My eyes met hers as she pushed herself up on her toes, her eyes closing languidly. She stopped for a couple of seconds before closing the distance between us, kissing me.

My eyes shuttered close but before I could respond, she backed down and stepped away.

I anticipated more but on gaining nothing, I opened my eyes only to see her descending the stairs and moving towards the front door. She turned around, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling with childish happiness.

"I will see you tomorrow." She said before opening the door and stepping out.

I was frozen, again. But not in fear. I should be following her but I don't think she wanted me to this time. Heat creeped up my cheeks and I sighed.

Serena Yvonne had my heart. And even if she didn't profess it as many times as I would love to hear it, which would be uncountable, her hidden love was enough for me.

☆

A/N: Hi guys! I know an update in this was LEAST EXPECTED but I had been thinking of pulling out an epilogue for this since 2020, i.e., when this story had ended.

In these 4 and a half years, I have grown tremendously and this story lowkey makes me cringe and judge my younger self's fantasies. But that's okay, I was just a kid.

This story is immensely close to my heart because it is the first ever story I completed and put out into the world. It is a reminder that I am a silent storyteller and with enough motivation I can give words to all the thoughts that swirl inside my head.

With that being said, I want to formally thank all readers, those who are still on Wattpad and even those who aren't, for showing so much love to this book. 70K+ reads is a lot and the 16-year old me who came up with this would have never imagined so many views on this.

Thank you so very much. I am forever grateful!

I had started In Pursuit of Him, another Amourshipping story, long before and had shamefully given up on that story. But now I have come back to writing and I am doing my level best to complete it. So if any Amourshipper readers or any readers in general are looking for another story of Ash and Serena, please do find it on my profile. I assure you, you won't be disappointed.

Thank you so much once again.

You have finally reached the end of Hidden Love.

☆