So...erm, I made a cover for all four books :D

To be honest, I am pretty proud of myself for the way they turned out, what do you guys think?

Question of the chapter for this chapter is related to Sword Art Online, so if you haven't watched it I would go watch it right now if I was you.

How far do you think the world can go in terms of Virtual Reality? Personally I would love having a virtual reality gaming system and play VRMMO's like Sword Art Online, but obviously respawning being an option because it will feel better than a regular MMO, where you sit at a computer pressing a mouse. Virtual Reality is literally what it says. You feel like you are in the real world, so you feel active and actually have to move around and do things. Overall, I think that virtual reality, for the next five years can't go as far as the oculus rift. Maybe if nanotechnology is further advanced, may we be able to think about a virtual reality system.

Enough of me ranting on about VR, lets get on with the chapter!

------------

(Ash)

It was the morning after our baseball game. All was well with the other school now, so it was a straight road to exam land. How I wished that the finals would already be here so we could leave school. After finally getting out of bed, I checked my phone to find a message from Serena.

"Hey, want to hang out today?" It said. I replied back "Ok, I am coming to yours now" and then rushed into my clothes. I ran downstairs and scrounged through the cupboards in search for some food, before I finally came upon a pack of chocolate pancakes. I slyly opened the packet and took two, before ripping their packets open and stuffing them into my mouth. I ran back upstairs after eating and brushed my teeth, impatiently brushing for what always feels like an eternity when it is only two minutes. I finally finished getting ready and swung the door open, before shutting it behind me and heading to Serena's.

Ding Dong! I rang the bell and waited for Serena to answer the door. The door swung open and she walked out, standing next to me.

"Where shall we go?" I asked, thinking about any possible places.

"Well, I was thinking of maybe going to the new art museum and then somewhere for lunch?" Serena suggested, checking to see if I was ok with her plan. Art was the most boring thing in the world, but I nodded for her sake. I wanted Serena to be happy, as it made me happy. We headed out and I kind of had to follow her to get to the museum because I had no idea where to go.

Halfway there, we broke into a slow walk and Serena grasped onto my hand. It seemed to be a running theme now, hand holding. There was an awkward silence between us for a moment, so I thought hard about what I should say.

"I think after that win yesterday we can expect some attention from either the baseball manager at school or some of the other seniors. I heard Gary is friends with a few other people and we are the centre of gossip with the kids in Vaniville" I caught my breath after speaking out of nowhere, turning to Serena who looked interested.

"This will be like middle school. Me and Dawn always had a few admirers, if you catch my drift. We was just kids so what did any of us know about anything?" Serena laughed, making me smile.

"Sounds like quite the fan club" I joined in with the laughter. We got to the art museum and there was a notice on the wall that warned us to keep our voices down during the tour. Serena walked forward to pay but I stopped her and took out my wallet.

"I will pay" I said, moving to the booth before she could say anything. I handed the worker the correct amount of money and took the tickets from him. We then moved towards the entrance and there was a man at the door.

"Tickets, please" He said in a posh voice that caught me off guard. I never knew there was posh people in Vaniville, unless it was an act. I handed him the tickets before my thoughts got me distracted and we walked in. Serena's eyes gleamed at the first painting we saw, so I just went along with it.

"Looks awesome" I said in a hushed voice, sticking to the rules.

"I wish I had a painting like that in my room" Serena put her hands together and stood in silence, like she was having a vision of her room with this painting.

"That can become a reality, if I can freeload a little off my Mom" I hinted at the possibility, with a little smile. Serena's gleaming eyes landed on me and a big smile swept across her face. She didn't speak but I knew that I had to try and find a painting for her somehow. There goes my life savings.

We spent about an hour looking at various paintings of people, society, culture and even some of historic buildings and war scenes. Some of the paintings were interesting but besides that I pretended to be interested to keep Serena happy. She loved history and art, so it was like a match made in heaven.

As we walked out I check the time. "Oh, we still have half an hour till lunch" I put my phone away and turned to Serena "What shall we do?"

"Well, it won't hurt to have lunch early, so lets go find somewhere to eat" She suggested, as we headed down the street.

"What about that new cafe?" I asked, remembering that my Mom said it had opened.

"Doesn't Delia work there?" I realized Serena was right, but shrugged it off.

"Eh, that doesn't matter"

"Ok then, it's settled!" Serena seemed a little excited and she grabbed my hand, almost dragging me out of my skin. We headed down to what was the bakery my Mom worked in and was now a cafe. She still worked here but she was in the backroom more often then not, so I had nothing to worry about in terms of being embarassed. It was a quick walk and we found ourselves just outside the cafe, I opened the door and there was a little bell that rang above it. The cafe was empty and my Mom just happened to be the first person to walk out.

"Oh. Ash and Serena, how lovely" She said with a big smile "Don't you guys look cute"

"Oh, erm, Hi Delia" Serena lifted up her hand and greeted her.

"How's work going, Mom?" I asked as we chose our table and sat down. My Mom decided to come over and wait on us.

"Just fine" She brung up a notepad and a pen "And what will you guys be having?"

"I would like a chicken and pasta salad" Serena put her finger on the menu, pointing it out "And a chocolate chip muffin, please"

"I would like the beef burger and fries, please" I put down the menu and pushed it to one side.

"Any drinks?" My Mom asked, furiously scribbling into her pad.

"Two.." I looked at Serena, wondering what she would like "Soda's?" I wondered, keeping my eye on Serena, who nodded. Thank god for that. I let out a little 'phew' and relaxed in my chair.

"Coming right up!" My Mom rushed off into the back.

"Your Mom is so nice" Serena cupped her chin with her hand and rested her elbow on the table, leaning forward a little bit. I placed my hands on the table and occasionally made a little drum beat.

"I am kind of lucky to get so much leeway from her, huh?" I looked over into the back, seeing my Mom working hard. It brought a little smile on my face.

"My Mom isn't like that, she can be a little harsher at times" Serena sounded like she was moaning.

"I am sure it is always for the best. You are one of the top seniors in terms of grades, so there is a certain etiquette that is expected" Serena considered my words and moved on from the subject.

"Speaking of grades, how are yours?" Her face was asking the same question, she may as well have had a question mark printed on her face.

"Better than last year, that's for sure" I spoke truthfully. They wasn't amazing but last year was horrific.

Serena let out a little giggle and her smile was stuck to her face "True. I was just thinking, about college I mean"

"What about it?" I said with curiosity. I knew what she meant in a way, but waited to hear what she wanted to say.

"Well..You know" She tried to lead me on to find the answer on my own. I thought for a moment and then went for it.

"You mean college for the both of us?" Serena gave an instant slow nod. I considered the posibilities for a moment. "Well, it may take a lot of effort, but I am sure we can work something out, right?" I felt like the conversation was becoming a little awkward, but I was saved by my Mom.

"Lunch is served" She put our plates down "Enjoy" The burger looked amazing, so I dived right in to avoid any awkward conversation. Serena fiddled with her fork and slowly ate, as usual. Serena always tried to eat with a certain finesse, but I felt like eating quickly saved time and gave the meal more flavour.

"This is so good" I looked at my plate, already having ate half of the burger. I looked up at Serena who stopped eating for a moment.

"It is really nice. Although it is a shame you eat quickly. I can see that never changes" Serena said with a giggle.

"You got that right" I put my thumb up and smiled, before continuing on with the burger. It wasn't long before I was finished, so I sat and waited for Serena.

"Did we have any work for tomorrow?" I thought about school, but Serena shook her head.

"Not that I know of, for the classes we are in together anyway"

Serena soon finished, so we left for home, after paying and saying goodbye to my Mom first. We made our way up the street and quickly got home. I had nothing to do for the rest of the day, so I spent that time thinking about what I could do.

"You know, Serena" I began as we stopped at her gate.

"What is it?" She cocked her head to the side in a questioning manner. I took a deep breath and then smiled, as not to worry her.

"Whatever happens this year, I will try my hardest. I promise to be by your side no matter what"

"Awh, Ash" A smile crept onto Serena's face. She buried her head into my jacket and put her arms around me. I put my hand in her hair and looked up at the sky. We slowly parted and she kissed me on the cheek.

"Ok, I will see you tomorrow!" I said, with a wave. Serena turned and waved, before entering her house. I walked to my house and unlocked the door, before slowly stepping in. I closed my door to be greeted by silence.

"Oh yeah" I almost facepalmed, having forgot my Mom was at work for another 3 hours. I decided to go upstairs and loiter around in my room for a few hours. Today wasn't such a bad day. I found out I was still a little awkward around Serena. She always makes me nervous, considering I am way out of her league. But, the time we spend together is beyond amazing. It is something to cherish for life.

#ThePerfectYear