Trigger warning: Death and cursing. You may or may not be in tears

The audience sat in silence. The contest that would be held would be the last ticket to Grand Festival. All the contestants had earned all four ribbons. And they lacked only one.

"If I don't win this contest beautifly, I won't be able to get in the grand festival." May said anxiously as she sat on the bench in the participants waiting room.

"Soledad and Harley already got their ribbons.. There is no doubt Drew got in too." She whispered to herself. She looked at beautifly. Tears shone in her eyes, threatening to fall. Footsteps were heard. May quickly wiped her tears.
"Roserade, we have to win this contest." A male's voice spoke with determination. May looked up. "This is our last chanc-" the boy stopped himself mid way, frozen.

"May?" "Drew?"
"Wait that means...."
" We are competing against each other." Drew finished.

"Listen Drew, no hard feelings. But I am going to win this thing and enter the Grand Festival and win it" May said determined. Drew narrowed his eyes. "We will see about that May. Don't get too cocky. You won't be happy-go-lucky this time."

The contest began. The audience went wild. The contestants were all anxious and determined to win the contest. But only two contestants reached the last and final round.

May and Drew.

The battle between them was intense, each try to prove themselves to each other. But there was something besides tension and determination to win. Something else that the audience nor judges couldn't point on.

It was NOT love in the air. Something else, far worse.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. The winner of the contest is....
Let's have it ladies for MAY MAPLE!!"
May couldn't believe it at all. She beat Drew Hayden. The toughest and most competitive rival she has. She glanced at her rival, only to find him swallowed into the shadows.  It raised a bit concern in her. She felt something was off during the battle. Drew was off..

Drew walked off the contest hall with hands in pocket. His eyes darken with his bangs.
"So little bro lost to his lady huh? Seems like you lost the chance of taking part in your last grand festival Drew." And elder man ,dark green hair with few strands of hair gazed upon Drew, his younger brother.

"Well atleast that's something good. Now you won't ever come back to contest ever again. Your training to inherent your father's gym and company shall begin soon." He announced. Drew clenched his fist, taking a deep breath and nodded.

Not only have I lost the chance to win the Grand Festival. I also lost the chance to tell May how I feel.

********
It hit hard on Soledad, Harley and May when they heard that Drew Hayden had quit being a coordinator. May couldn't believe it. None of them did. They tried multiple times to contact Drew, but no luck.

Soledad made up a plan for May to confess to Drew, revealing Drew likes her and would definitely reply to her. She was the only one who could get him back.

It led May to think.
Was Soledad really telling the truth? She did say he used to talk about her and only her. She doesn't get it. Sure, he is charming and handsome and amazing and there is every single reason why girls would fall for him.

But none she could find, a reason to fall for her. She is a clumsy airhead. Even Drew told her that.

But if there was anything that can get Drew back, if Soledad was really trying to tell the truth, then Drew may come back. Or the Least he would respond and they'll get to know how's he doing. But she shouldn't let her hopes rise high.

May finally build the courage to text him and wait till he responds to confess.
But things didn't go exactly as plan.

At All

May: Hey Drew, it's been two years since you quit....
Two years since you didn't pick Soledad's calls and ignored Harley visits. Not one has heard from you Drew. Is everything alright? Is there something bothering you?
You have been a great rival Drew, and a really good friend. Please come back.
If you don't want to take part in contests, it's fine. But contact us Drew.

We miss you.

Heck even beautifly misses you and your roses.
Message as soon as possible. You know you can talk to me. I am your friend, and I am here for you. Please reply

And if it's something I did in the past, please forgive me.

May sighed. The message went not replied for days. But she didn't gave up.
Please be okay Drew
Do respond
I'm waiting
We all are worried for you Drew
Do you not miss us?
Why did you leave us behind Drew? Like we meant nothing? I'm sure that's not the case but two years of no contact is enough to implant a doubt Drew.

She texted one text to him daily. Still it went unresponded till days. But it was seen, which gave May some hope. The Responses came

Whose this?
Whoever you are, don't waste my time. I don't answer to pesky little fangirls at all.
And if you are Briana, get off my back bitch. Hate fangirls like u. U ruined my day by messaging
And if you're that 'happy go lucky' sore loser and a total disappointment to her father and petal burg, May maple, 
Then you just ruined my entire phone and year. Don't ever try to contact me you filthy bitch.
P.s I am glad I got out of the clown circles. Tell your beautifly to wilt its wings away like those stupid roses I gave to mess with you. Ha! Your expressions were of a sore loser May Maple.
And well, bummer, it took you two years to realize you worth nothing to me.
Enjoy and live your nightmares babe

May couldn't believe it. Tears cloud her eyes. How could Drew be so heartless!? What has she done to him to deserve this? Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried her best to calm herself down. Desperate sobs escaped her lips. She tried to hold them back, tried to control herself, but failed to do so. Those emotions that she had shoved inside her heart came burst opening in the form of tears.

She loves Drew and cares for him. She had tried her level best to ignore the possibility that Drew may never want to see her again. She cling like a child to the  hope that he might come back. She knew she might be rejected, but at the least they could have been friends.

But no

Drew has changed. He became heartless. Is that what he really thinks about them? Bunch of clowns to hang around till you're done being entertained? Was May really nothing but an airhead to him? Her emotions and feelings had no value? For him Was she really..... a filthy bitch?

Her cries became more miserable. She cried until there were no tears left to shed. She tried to sleep. But there was a void growing inside her heart. A void caused by Drew. Her heart no longer felt like an heart, but a black hole that sucked all that was left of her. Only because she loves him

No

She loved him and cared for him. But now she doesn't and she wouldn't care if he died.
Drew Hayden is non existent to her

Time skip to 10 years
A letter reached the Maple Residence. A women of her 20s came and took it out. Her chocolate brown hair were left open. It flowed with the wind as she tucked a strand of it behind her ear. The letter was addressed to May Maple

" A letter for me?" She whispered. It was scented, rose scented. She opened it and it read

'Sorry. Give me a chance to explain. It's too late. But I want to clear the misunderstanding'

May's heart skipped a beat, before the life in her eyes getting sucked in.
It was from Drew Hayden.

She tore the letter into pieces and threw it into the trash can nearby. Her heart felt weird, but anger was overpowering her, along with the threatening tears in her eyes.

"I know no Drew Hayden" she angrily spoke before heading to close the mail box. Only to stop mid way. There was a pokeball inside. Curious, she bent down to pick it up and released the pokemon.

Her eyes widen when the bright light fade. It revealed a grass type pokemon, roses in her hands. She looked down, tears in her eyes. May was confused, anxious and bewildered. She knew the Roserade all too well. But the gloom aura that surrounds Roserade was foreign to her. Roserade didn't look up till a few minutes later when May stepped back.

Her expression Perked up on seeing her old Human friend.
"Roserade!" May!
" S-Stay away!" May yelled, taking a few steps back. She could see hurt in Roserade eyes, but she couldn't care now. She couldn't. Her mind was clouded with those texts she did her best to bury deep inside, those nightmare of Drew saying it to her face, those sleepless nights where she put herself to sleep by crying, those heartache and the empty void that fills her up. Tears started streaming down her face. Unaware, she remain frozen, not understanding what any of it meant.

'Sorry. Give me a chance of explain. It's too late. But I want to clear the misunderstanding'
He wants to do it through Roserade!? What was the meaning of this!?

May trembled, she tried to regain her composure but to no vain.

"Rose..." please
"Rose rose Roserade rose" please listen to me May! Please.
May glanced at Roserade, who was on her knees. Nothing made any sense to her.

"Roserade ROSE ROSE" take me to LaRousse now PLEASE MAY
"Wh-What? But why?"
"Roserade rose Roserade!" Before it's too late May, please take me to him!

The urgency in Roserade voice alarmed May. She didn't want to see him. She didn't want to go there. But something told her she had to. So she immediately booked a train to LaRousse and informed Soledad and Harley about it. They told her they would meet her there.

And they did. Roserade was worried the entire train journey. She was pacing back and forth muttering to herself. May couldn't make out what made Roserade feel so uncomfortable. But if it's cause of Drew, she is going to slap him. And hit him very hard where the sun never shines.

The moment they reached LaRousse, May was greeted by Soledad and Harley. They, however, couldn't celebrate their little reunion as Roserade dashed away. May called out to her as they all ran after Roserade. The pokemon's heart was beating very fast as she made her way through the crowd to the place her master lives.

Or....

Her footsteps stopped as she stared at the mansion. There were people leaving, all dressed in black.

"Rose!" No!
She hurried inside while her human friends had a hard time keeping up. She couldn't find her master. River of tears escaped as she gasped for air. Upon reaching the garden of roses, Drew's favourite place in the mansion, she saw the graveyard with white roses in front of them. The graveyard had "Drew Hayden" written on it.

Roserade collapsed on the ground.

On the other hand, May and the others located the mansion.

"Is there some sort of party going on?" Harley spoke looking at the guest.
"The vibe doesn't say so." Soledad replied looking inside the mansion. May looked troubled, her heart was racing, but it felt concerned. It was telling her to run, run away from there. But May was determined to find Roserade.

"Well we are about to find out." May said as she walked in. Candles were lit in the way. There were black paper roses on the wall. Mats spread on the floor with picture in front of them, of two brothers.

"Wow I never knew Drew had a brother Soledad." Harley said
"He never mentioned." Soledad said as she looked around.
"We are not here for sightseeing, we have to find Drew and Roserade." May spoke determined as she walked past them, calling Roserade's name.

"May, maybe we should ask someone what's going on here." Soledad suggested. But May ignored and moved on.

"Let's just follow the boss Sol." Harley said as he chuckled. " The sweetheart is heartbroken anyway. She wants answers. Let her have it her way." Soledad sighed but decided to follow May. They searched the grounds but didn't find anything, or anyone. No one was upstairs, no one in any rooms.

"Where did Roserade go?" May murmured as she looked inside the last room. She sighed. There was nothing she can do now, not if she can't find the pokemon. Her eyes then glanced over the window. She stared at the garden. A garden decorated with waterfalls and roses of all Colours.

'Maybe Roserade is there?' She thought before heading that way. The smell of roses filled the air. May tried to smile, but couldn't. Her heart wasn't at ease at all. She walked  casually until she broke into a run. With no idea where she is heading, May was mentally debating whether she needs to see a counsellor because apparently her hearts always overpowers her brain.

Her eyes widen as she saw the gravestone from the distance.
No.
She ran faster, but tripped over and scraped her knee. But all she did was look with hopes in her eyes.

RIP Drew Hayden
The hope got swallowed into darkness. The light in her eyes were gone. She was still on the ground.
No..... no...

- To be continued-
By Saffy_saffron