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ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ xɪɪ

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The last firework glitters in the darkness as the night takes over again, silence regaining its might.

Our lips remain together for a brief moment before we part, both our cheeks hot as a stove.

She wraps one hand around her other arm, her cheeks glowing red.

"I've... always... I've always admired you, Ash. Ever since summer camp. Recalling the memories of that summer camp, and the way you held me in your arms..."

She places her hands over her heart, her cheeks bright red.

"Remembering all that would cheer me up a little. Seeing your face again, hearing your voice again... Before I even knew it, my eyes were always just on you. It made my heart race from silly things whenever I was with you. It's only now that I've realized I felt all this... because..."

She gulps, taking a deep breath.

"...Because I'm in love with you,"

She looks down at the ground silently after those words leave her lips.

"I-I just had to tell you..."

I purse my lips with a small smile.

"Serena, sometimes you really are an idiot, maybe even more of one than I am,"

I chuckle slightly, relieving the tension in the air.

"Before all this, before I came here... I was depressed. I hardly ever smiled genuinely... That all changed when I saw you. I began to smile more, and laugh more. You were the reason why I woke up every day instead of sulk in my bed... Just seeing that smile of yours, gave me a reason to look forward to the next day..."

I step forward and whisper in her ear that I loved her for the first time.

Her eyes well up and she breaks into tears.

I wrap my arms around her and she accepts it, pressing her face into my chest.

"I love you, Ash,"

"Thank you," I whisper,

"Ash..."

"Thank you for loving me, that's the most I could ever ask for."

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The Following Morning~

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"Ash, hurry up! We're gonna be late on our first day!" A voice calls out from the palace driveway, making my heart beat a little faster.

"Yeah yeah! I'm coming!" I say, panting as I sprint towards the front of the palace, my bag swaying back and forth from the wind.

"Jeez Ash, you're so slowww," Serena says as I come to a halt next to her, trying to catch my breath.

"Hey, who turned off my alarm before I could even hear it?"

"Your fault, not mine. Who takes a minute to hear a loud alarm clock?" She says, giggling.

I smile and shake my head.

"And who's idea was it to stay in my room for the night?"

She blushes.

"Hey... it was the first time for both of us, okay?"

"Please don't say that in a way that can be misunderstood,"

Serena giggles once again, the sounds of her joy filling the morning air.

"All joking aside, we should get going." She says, picking up her bag.

I nod in agreement and hold out my hand.

She smiles and takes it.

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"I have to stop by the office before lectures start, you can go on ahead Ash," She says, letting go of my hand.

"I can go with you, I don't mind,"

She blushes slightly but shakes her head.

"It's okay. What would people think if they saw you holding hands with the princess of Kalos?" She giggles.

"Y-Yeah you're right," I say, shuddering at the thought of all the stares we would get.

She runs up to me and gives me a quick kiss on my cheek before running off.

"I'll see you later, byeee!"

Flustered, I wave her goodbye and turn in the direction towards the lecture hall for my first lecture at the university.

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The hall was already mostly filled as I walked in, the only open seats being in the back.

I'll take it, I guess.

Before I got to the back, a familiar voice called my name out.

"Ashy-boy!"

I turn my head to see no one other than Gary.

My past is catching up to me again...

But after all that's happened, I think I can forgive him.

Gary has always been the smart one.

"So Ash, where have ya been?" He said, slouching in his seat.

"Just out and about,"

Gary bites his lip slightly before speaking back up.

"I'm sorry about before, Ash. I wasn't mature then. If you can't forgive me, then I understand," He says, looking down.

"It's okay, Gary. The past is the past. I forgive you. Anyways, thanks for what ya did back there, I can't thank you enough."

He looks back up and beams.

"Anything for my bestie! So where's your girlfriend, anyways?"

"U-Uhhh nowhere-" I say, flustered.

He snickers.

Time for some sweet sweet revenge.

"Where's your girlfriend, Gary?"

He stretches his arms back and rests his head on them.

"I broke up with Misty during the summer. Things didn't really work out between us. Relationships tend to die, I guess."

Relationships...

Die?

Will Serena and I...

No.

No.

No.

It's not the time to worry about stuff like that.

We get settled before the lecture starts with some idle chit-chat.

Eventually, the professor enters the room and sets down his laptop on the desk.

"Good morning, everyone." He says as the other students settle down.

"I'm Professor Sycamore, a Marine biologist and professor at this university."

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The lecture was okay, some more introductions and yadda yadda yadda.

My mind was set on a certain person for the duration of the lecture.

I wonder how she's doing?

As I wave to Gary and leave the building, I take out my phone and glance at my contact list.

I never had the time to ask for her contact info, have I?

As I scroll through the list, a certain name sticks out.

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💖💫уσυя ρяιи¢єѕѕ~💕💞

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I couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the only colorful name in my list.

She probably got my phone when I fell asleep last night.

I send her a text as I chill on the back of a tree outside the lecture hall.

Me: Hey Serena!

Serena: Hai Ash~ ^-^ How were your lectures?

Me: It was okay X3 How was life organizing your schedule?

Serena: Crazy XD I mean I AM a princess :3

Me: I can't even imagine it xD

Serena: Hey Ash?

Me: Yeah?

Serena: Can I call you? If it's not a bother, I mean!

Me: Of course, but why?

Serena: I want to hear your voice again, I miss it X3

I blush slightly and pick up her incoming call.

"Heyy~ Ash!"

"Hi Serena,"

"There's that voice that I've been missing all day!" She says happily, making me blush again.

"Heh, t-thanks,"

"Hmm... Ash, tell you what. After I'm done getting assigned my last class let's meet at the ice cream parlor again, how's that?"

"Sounds good! I'll see you there,"

"Okay! Bye Ash!!"

"Bye! Uh-um I-I lo- Actually never mind. Bye,"
I quickly hang up, my face burning hot.

Ugh I'm such a wimp...

We're dating and I can't even tell her that I love her over the phone...

I'm disappointed in myself.

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After an hour, I meet with Serena at the ice cream shop.

Bunny Ice® apparently has a special discount today for its five signature flavors.

I gaze at the menu, debating between a few flavors.

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We head back to the campus after getting our ice cream and relax next to the lake, eating our frozen treats.

"Ohmigosh this is so good!" Serena says, clearly enjoying her ice cream.

"May I try?" I ask politely.

"Sure! Here," She takes a small scoop of her treat and hands her spoon over to me.

"Thanks!"

I pop the spoon into my mouth and get a taste of the ice cream.

"Woah, this is really good. What flavor is it?"

She beams.

"Matcha Green tea with Serena indirect kiss flavor,"

"Some things are unneeded in there but it's really good regardless,"

She huffs.

"Aww cmon Ash! You could at least act flustered,"

I chuckle and we both finish our remaining ice cream before parting ways, Serena going back to the palace as her mother said.

As I walk back to the dormitory, Serena's voice interrupts me.

"Ash, one more thing!"

I turn around and her lips connect with mine, staying for a quick second before parting.

"Hehe, see ya tomorrow!!"

Serena leaves me in the dust, my cheeks once again glowing red.

She's amazing...

I remain standing there for a few minutes before turning back towards the dorms with a smile.

But unknowingly, I had walked into the building with a particular pair of eyes watching me from the distant shadows.

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ᴇɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ xɪɪ

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Author's Note

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Wew! Another chapter done!

The romance is finally hitting the road!

Well I have nothing else to say, but as always have a great day and to follow my best friend CrystalAnimez if you haven't XDD

You're welcome bestie X3

Next chapter will be out "soon."

Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah for some of you if I don't get to publish a new chapter next week!

Buh baiiii!

- Squash

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