Serena let it all out. Ash cradled the crying girl in his arms and held her close. Her face was buried in his chest and he could imagine how much she cried as his shirt was now soaking wet. Ash just sat there on the ground, with his love in his arms. The lovely, strawberry scent didn't escape his nose. It was heaven. Even the sobs were like birds chirping for him. He felt peace with her.

"K-Keta, I-I--I am s-s-so sowwy!!" Serena's voice was muffled as she tightened her grip around his back.

"Keta?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you come here?" 

This question shocked Ash. Why wouldn't he be there? Serena was crying and she called him. Even if she wouldn't have called him, he would have anyways looked for her. He cares. He loves her. He can't survive without her and here she asking the most dumb question ever.

"Don't answer. I know you don't want to let me know who you are."

"You will hate me if you knew." Ash muttered.

"Why would I hate you?!" Serena stirred in his arms. She escaped from his grip and sat in front of him. Ash looked wide-eyed at the girl. She was sitting right in front of him. But she closed her eyes.

"I wouldn't hate you! You have been there all the time. Even in just a week you became my best friend Keta! I don't befriend people easily. And- you always listen to my stupid rambling and-" Her voice started to drop down. "-you always bear me. You must feel that I am stupid, weak and- and useless, as I always ask you for help. I just go on and on, seeking your help for the tiniest problems. Even now, I called you..because, I felt weak and helpless and hopeless and-" 

"Stop rambling stupid things about yourself. You are the best girl I ever met. Sorry that I never noticed you earlier. Me being the densest of the dense fools, but you are amazing. You are so free spirited, relaxed and not to mention, beautiful. Yep, you are clumsy but it never caused any harm to anyone. You are the kindest person I met. Helping, caring and sharing. You are reckless. You help others all the time. You never look out for yourself but go on helping everyone selflessly. You never see the best in yourself but in others. I care for you. I never saw your weakness because your weaknesses are your strength Serena. And that is what matters, the most." Ash cupped her cheeks and tried to comfort her.

"Keta...you have a sweet voice." Serena smiled as a tear slid down her cheek. Ash wiped it away with his thumb. 

"Serena, I am sorry. But knowing that you are already so hurt, knowing me would crush you further. And I don't want to ruin what we have now." 

"Keta?"

"Yeah?"

"This may sound weird but there was time when I felt that I knew who you were." 

Ash's body stiffened. 

Was it obvious? Did she know? What was she going to say now?

"Keta! Relax! Just listen and stay calm." Serena exclaimed as she felt the boy stiffen and shiver slightly. She place her hand on his and rubbed them gently, calming him down.

"I assumed that you were- Ash. Why? I don't know? But..when we started talking, he started talking too. I m-mean, I didn't mind it. But- but, I thought that maybe he was he the anonymous-texter. So, uhh- what I a-am-am trying to say is that, I-uh-,if you are A-Ash, th-then I am n-not disappointed." Serena mumbled the last part as she felt the heat rise into her cheeks.

She did have doubts on him for a long time but she tried to ignore it. But how could she when he was so close and so frank to her, after she started talking to Keta? She wasn't disappointed, no. She was happy, glad to know that the person she fell in love with was Ash. Glad to know that Ash was the one who comforted her all the time. Glad to know that she earned a friend. But it embarrassed her. She had shared way too many secrets with Keta. About her crush on Ash, her infatuation. Also the fact that she had secretly snapped pictures of him and knew this address, his daily routine. If Ash was Keta, then he would think that she was a stalker, which she was. He would think that she was so childish, so- immature. And boys don't like immature girls. And she didn't want to make Ash think about her that way. But she did, if Ash was Keta.

"Why are you stuttering?" Ash asked.

"Because if YOU ARE ASH--this would be so embarrassing." Serena whined.

Ash chuckled at this. 

"Maybe it would. Anyways, stop this Ash talk. Whom do you love now?" Ash was curious. 

Serena had already stopped Ash from confessing once, but not Keta. So, now was his chance.

"I--I-I...I don't know."

"What do you mean?" Ash tilted his head in confusion.

"I loved Ash, once upon a time. Then I met- not actually met but got to now this other guy, who was sweet, caring,loving and funny, flirtatious and also irritating. But I fell in love with him. But after today, I am confused." Serena buried her head in her hands and groaned.

"Oho! So, little star has to choose between two planets she wants to shine upon?" Ash smirked.

Serena punched him playfully, careful not to open her eyes. She respected Keta's wishes.

"Don't sound amused! You are one of those planets." Serena mumbled.

Time stopped. For Ash. For Serena. Nothing, but silence in the entire gym.

"Uh-uhmm...I-I--huhh." Serena sighed and dropped her head.

"I love you Keta. I just- just fell for you. But I never had the courage to tell you, because- I didn't know what you felt. Even now, I don't know but- I had to tell you. Remember, the day when we played truth or truth, I asked you your crush. Honestly, I was planning on telling you that day, but our conversation ended with us giving nicknames to each other. Today itself, you told me to share my feelings with the person I loved. And that was - you." Serena paused for a moment before continuing.

"Keta, I love you and always will. I fell in love with the boy who was being himself on screen. I know you are different in real life, but the heart is same. Soul is same. You are not different. You just hide your true self. I will love your both sides, the real and the virtual. I promise." Serena said with determination. 

She had found the courage to tell him what she felt. Even with eyes closed, Ash saw her determination. And he was inspired by it.

"Serena, I don't know if you will stick to your words about loving both of my sides but I want you to see who I am. Because- I love you too." And with that Ash leaned in. 

Serena just heard. But then she felt. His love. He had kissed her. Serena's eyes shot open upon touch and what she saw stunned her. Ash was kissing her. Ash was Keta. But she left those thoughts and closed her eyes and kissed back. She loved him too much to care who he was, because whoever he was, Serena loved him. Their lips moved in sync. They felt heaven and pure bliss. It was filled with love and care, gentle and calm. It projected their feelings towards each other. 

They backed off for air. Love was breath-taking. 

Ash frowned at the girl. Serena smiled, but never opened her eyes. She wanted him to beg.

"You didn't open your eyes, yet?" 

"Nope, I didn't Keta." Serena chuckled as she heard the boy growl.

"Just look at me already."

"Nuh-uh!!" Serena shook her head mocking the boy.

"Then I will force you too open them." Ash smirked.

"Oho! Real-- HUMPH!!" Serena was cut-off with Ash's lips crashing onto hers again, and this time with force. 

Serena opened her eyes to see two almond shaped eyes, looking at her. Ash smirked when he accomplished his task. He closed his eyes and deepened the kiss. This kiss was filled with more passion, lust. He laid Serena down on the floor and continued to kiss her, both his hands on each side of her head so that he hovered on her. Serena pouted at his stupid way of kissing her and she forcefully pulled him onto her and kissed him back with more passion, much to Ash's surprise. Serena smirked, knowing that she was successful in shocking him. They kissed for a few more moments before parting. Ash parted and looked at the girl beneath him, a playful smirk on his lips.

"Never knew you could go to such an extent." He breathed.

"Ha! Who knew that you were such an expert at kissing." Serena winked, mockingly.

"Thanks for the compliment." Ash winked back causing Serena to roll her eyes.

"Are you planning on lying on top of me like this for the whole day?" 

"You pulled me." Ash stood up. 

He dramatically dusted himself and started to walk towards the exit. Serena just lay there.

"So, this is the real Ash. He isn't a gentleman. He is more of a playboy." Serena said closing her eyes.

"Yeah, I am. But you aren't a queen either. You yourself are such a- gangster." Ash replied sarcastically causing Serena to chuckle.

She sat up and looked at Ash who had his back towards her.

"Can this be a secret?"

"The fact that we are dating?" Ash raised an eyebrow as he turned to face her.

"Ugh- who said we are dating?" Serena pouted and crossed her arms.

"We are not? Don't tell me that you don't want to...that would be such a big lie." Ash remarked.

"These sides. Our 'virtual' sides. Can these be a secret? Just between you and me?"

"Okay. I don't want others to know that the disciplined Ash is such a flirt." Ash rolled his eyes.

"Me too. I don't want everyone to know the 'gangster' Serena, who defeated her boyfriend in a 'kissing' competition." Serena smiled standing up.

"Oh, so now I am your boyfriend." Ash remarked.

"Yes you are! Now shall we go, Ketchup?"

"Sissy, you are on."

~O~

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Ash and Serena acting their normal selves all through the day.

School's over and the gang head out.

"Ahh! Free from this jail. I am a free man now!!" Gary threw up his hands and took deep breaths.

"Yeah-yeah! You were a prisoner before." Dawn rolled her eyes.

Serena chuckled and Ash just gave a laugh.

"So who is up for some sweets today?" Serena asked childishly.

"Oh man! Sweets!!! Its been ages since I ate them." Ash sighed dreamily.

"You just had one of Serena's cookies today, Ash." Dawn said.

"Hey! Five hours without my little star's sweets' is equal to five centuries." Ash pouted.

"My little star?" Gary nudged Ash.

Serena mentally groaned, but still a tint of pink made its way up to her cheeks. This didn't go unnoticed by Ash. He grinned, this was another thing he could tease Sissy about.

"Yeah! This little Koala here can't get enough of me and my sweets. Right, little one?" Serena asked Ash as if he were her pet. 

Serena smirked as she saw Ash's cheeks turn crimson. Oh, how she was going to tease Ketchup about that.

"Wait? Whats up with the nicknames?" Dawn asked giving Serena and Ash a quizzical look.

"We are dating." They both replied in unison.

~O~

Boyfriend: So Sissy, what you up to?

Girlfriend: Nothing my dear Koala, just reading a novel.

Boyfriend: I was wondering.

Girlfriend: What about?

Boyfriend: This love is-

Girlfriend: -Virtual.

Boyfriend: Yeah.

Girlfriend: Virtual or not. I love you. I love- Ash, Keta, Koala and Ketchup.

Boyfriend: I love you too. I love- Serena, Sere, Star and Sissy.

Girlfriend: Okay, this was weird.

Boyfriend: Totally. We have got 4 identities.

Girlfriend: Soul is the same.

Boyfriend: But name is different.

Girlfriend: Hey I got something!

Boyfriend: Me too.  I think, I can define our love.

Girlfriend: V - Vibrant

Boyfriend: I - Inspiring

Girlfriend: R - Respected

Boyfriend: T - Togetherness

Girlfriend: U - Understood

Boyfriend: A - Affectionate

Girlfriend: L - Longing

~O~

"This is our Love Story. Our Virtual Love."

.

.

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Vibrant, Inspiring, Respected Togetherness. Understood, Affectionate and Longing. 

Love.

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VIRTUAL Love