Serena's POV

"So are you going to tell us how you did that?" Green questions as soon as the surprise coordinator of the day walks over.

Gold has the biggest smile on his face like he won the lottery. He slips his hat back on that Ash was holding for him.

I know that feeling. My first Rookie Class win left me the same way.

"I'm just that good," He winks and his new eeveelution gives an agreeing cry. "I owe it to Eevee."

"Eevee isn't Eevee anymore," The brunette point out and pets the green bug type fox Pokemon.

"I can't believe Eevee evolved into a new Pokemon," Ash studies the Pokemon. "I thought I had met all of Eevee's evolutions."

"It was good timing," I smile. "You really wowed the crowd you two."

"Eevee somehow knew," Gold crouches to her level. "And I think it is actually still Eevee."

We all give him a confused look.

"I think it's a form," The former Professor continues. "Professor Cedar told me this Eevee was able to adapt to its environment and learn moves it shouldn't. This just took it to a new level."

We all stare at Eevee, waiting for her to magically tell us. Eevee just smiles with its same brown eyes.

"My hypothesis is that Eevee can revert to its normal form," Gold says and we wait for Eevee to turn back. The Pokemon tilts her head cutely. "Guess not."

"Looks like you need to do some better research Professor," Green jokes. "Anyways that doesn't explain your performance."

"Your appeal was as good as some of the one's I've watched from real coordinators," Ash comments.

"Oh yea," He avoids eye contact. "Turns out I've started getting some of my memories back, specifically of my Mom. We used to watch contests together and I guess I know the basics."

"Not just the basics," I shake my head. "That was stunning."

"I don't know," Gold shrugs. "Anyways Meredith gave me this prize for the appeal."

He holds out a shiny metal object, the steel glaring from the sunlight. 

"It's a metal coat," Ash immediately recognizes the object. "It makes some Pokemon evolve."

"That'll be helpful," Green says and goes to continue but we're interrupted by music blaring through the village. Everyone covers their ears in pain.

"Sorry!" Meredith's voice comes through the microphone. "To celebrate we're having a party! Please help yourself to the food and drinks around town and we'll be playing music at a little bit lower volume haha."

"A party?" I question.

"It's not like we have anywhere else to be," Gold says. "She didn't say if I'm allowed to continue into the Bug District."

"Let's just relax and have fun then," Green grabs my hand and pulls me towards the Pokemon Center. "I've never really been to a party."

"Then we have to," Her partner in crime, literally, smiles.

"We'll catch up to you boys later," She waves as we jump away on the lilypads.

"What's up with you Green?" I laugh and try to keep up in my performing shoes.

"I want to have fun," She looks back. "And I need a dress, I was wondering if you have any others?"

"I only brought this one," I sigh sadly. "Sorry I didn't think I'd be performing much."

"Maybe I can help," A woman walks over to lift Green's spirits. "You can borrow one of mine. I'm Laurel by the way."

The girl around our age has long forest green hair. She's wearing a beautiful handcrafted mint green sundress. Laurel has kind brown eyes, freckles, and a pale complexion compared to the rest of the village people who seem to spend all day outside.

"Nice to meet you," We introduce ourselves. 

"I don't want to trouble you," Green says but the girl waves her off.

"I would love to," Laurel leads us into her home, sitting on top a lilypad like the rest. "One of Serena's friends in my dress is the coolest story I'll have."

"Thanks!" Green beams and takes the dress into the bathroom to change.

She comes out in a beautifully crafted pastel blue dress that fits her perfectly. Like a typical dress, it's tight to her torso before flowing out to about her knees. It has a green ribbon wrapped around it like the red one on my dress.

"Green you look amazing," I awe.

"I'm happy it fits," Laurel agrees. "My grandma made it for me."

"Oh is she around?" I ask. "I've tried making my own clothing before and I would love some tips."

"No sorry," Laurel frowns. "She's been living in Caventree, another village like ours in the Bug District. Except they've been completely isolated for a few years now."

"Sorry," Green sighs.

"Why are they so isolated?" I ask. "I thought people in the same district were allowed to travel around."

"Kind of," Laurel looks out the window and then points to a tree that sticks out above the forest. "The people of Caventree are even more traditional than our village. There's a lot of sacred items there they are protecting from all of Elemente's turmoil."

Green and I lock eyes.

The plate.

"Anyways enough of that," Laurel guides us to the door. "Time to party!"

Our new squad of three hits the lilypads, careful not to slip. "I wonder where the boys are?" I ask as we approach the stage lilypad that is filled with people dancing.

"There," Green points to the two avoiding the dance floor.

They notice us and turn our way, both of their expressions turning blank. 

"Hello?" I joke. "So what do you think Gold?"

"Hmm?," He snaps out of it and raises an eyebrow. "I mean we saw you wear that dress when you performed but still looks nice I guess."

I put my hands on my hips with an unapproving stare, trying to gesture to the girl beside me.

Green's face drops a bit. Come on Gold give the girl a compliment.

"I'm Ash," Ash introduces himself to Laurel and Gold follows.

"Nice to meet you," She waves. "I offered one of my dresses to Green."

"I was wondering where you got that," The navy haired trainer comments. Oh so now you notice.

"Yea I thought my first party deserved a nicer outfit," Green says with a small smile.

"First!?" Ash exclaims. "What about birthdays or festivals or-"

"It's been a long time since we've had any of that," Laurel sighs. "Speaking of, I'm going to go find my friends so I'll see you around."

"Come on," Gold offers a hand to Green.

She rolls her eyes.

"Really?" He frowns. "I can't let you not dance with someone at your first party."

Then he glances towards Ash and I.

"I'm sure there's plenty of other guys who will dance with me," Green turns her head but I can see a smile forming. 

"At least let me set the bar."

"If you insist."

I shake my head amused at the two.

"Serena," Ash gets my attention. "Maybe we should dance too."

"U-uh yea," He takes me by surprise. 

I didn't know he was capable of such things.

We awkwardly make our way to the middle of the lilypad and face each other. Just like the fancy ball we went to in Kalos.

His shining hazel eyes and an outreached hand.

Except this time I can grab it.

We hold hands and slowly sway into a dancing pattern. Whoever Ash danced with at that ball must've been good because he's barely stepping on my feet.

"Ow," I cringe.

Barely.

"Sorry," He looks apologetic. "It's been a while since we went to that dance party."

"You're doing great," I giggle. "I'm surprised you remember that, it feels so long ago."

"Not that long ago," Ash shakes his head. "Plus we didn't get to dance that day so this makes up for it."

"Mhm," I bring him a bit closer while we twirl around with the crowd. "Look at those two."

Green and Gold are doing a similar dance but their mouths are moving more than their legs.

"Are they arguing?" Ash asks in a concerning voice.

After watching them a bit longer we notice some laughing and playful spinning or pushing away. "No that's just how they act," I laugh. "They so like each other."

"I would hope so they are travelling together," Ash says and I give him another chance. "Ohh you mean um what's the word..."

"Like like," I shake my head. "Like a crush."

"Yea that's it!" He exclaims and I can't contain the giggle. "Really? But they've been fighting a lot recently."

"Liking someone doesn't mean it's always smooth," I say. "Part of growing to like someone is to learn and understand each other. Some do it through teasing and challenging each other."

"I'm gonna need some more lectures from Brock," Ash lets go quickly to rub his temple. 

"Ash," I get him to resume dancing and slowly the crowd fades from my peripherals.

The music quiets a bit and now it's only us.

This would be a lot more romantic if he was wearing dress clothes too.

"I was disappointed we didn't get to dance at the ball."

"I was too."

I freeze and study his face. No childish grin or dumbfounded look, he actually means it.

"You were?"

"Of course! You're my best friend Serena, of course I wanted to dance and have fun with you."

My face reddens and I can barely hold our gaze.

"You're my best friend too," I say quietly and he adjusts his grip to my waist so we can dance closer. "It meant a lot when you wanted to travel together again."

We dance in a comfortable silence and I wish this moment could last forever.

But I need to do something.

"Ash I've been trying to tell you something forever now and I know you don't understand these things great but I have to say it. I can't wait forever and maybe you can-"

"Serena," He stops me with that gorgeous smile. "You can tell me anything."

I take a moment to lock my blue eyes with his brown ones. Every time we do this I think of that darn escalator.

"I like like you," My voice gets higher with each word and I shut my eyes so I don't have to see his reaction. But that doesn't keep my mouth shut. "Maybe even more than that."

"You're right," Ash starts and I feel him hold my waist a bit tighter. "I'm not good at this stuff but I think I feel the same."

My eyes shoot open.

It wasn't the most confident return of affection but I'll take it.

Two years of dreaming and fantasizing floods my brain before I can respond.

"I didn't feel right after you went to Hoenn," Ash continues and his genuine tone melts my heart. "All I could think about was telling you about my adventures when we called next. And I also couldn't forget the uh kiss."

His voice drops off and I think his face is as red as mine. I just assumed he didn't think of it as much as I did.

"Yea that," I giggle and collect myself enough to open my eyes again. "I probably should've explained that."

"Maybe," He laughs and we instantly fall out of the awkwardness.

"Soo," I trail off and try to keep my eyes off his lips.

"Gold!"

Our heads snap towards the yell to see a group of masked ninjas dragging the boy away in a body bag.

Of course.