o8.
chapter eight
lazy afternoon

It was a lazy afternoon spent sketching a perspective model of a drawing room. Ironic, isn’t it? But that, folks, is what we learned in this undergraduation.

"Say, Ser," Misty called, her tone hushed. "Can I stay at yours till five? My sisters are going clubbing, and I honestly don’t want to live with them then—"

I nodded, humming. "Sure, why not?"

She smiled, nodding.

A minute into drawing a clean stroke, I realized with a pang—Ash would be picking me up.

— xoxo —

"So, I hope it’s okay with you?" I pleaded, wearing a sheepish grin. Ash ran a hand through his hair and shook his head dismissively.

"Actually," he started. What I didn’t expect was the stance he took. Mirror me. "Gary wants to tag along to the med school, so I hope you’re okay with him."

"Oh," I mused, relaxing my shoulders. "Of course. I don’t mind... as long as..." I cast the arguing pair a tentative glance. Ash’s sigh filled my ears.

"Here I was thinking Gary would shut up around girls." His voice carried an airy distaste that didn’t go unnoticed by me—or Gary, for that matter.

"I do shut up around girls!" the other boy protested. "But that’s only around pretty ones like Miss HoneyBee. Not around Carrotheads."

My eyes widened when Misty raised a firm hand to slap the boy. "How dare you call my best friend a bee and me a carrot, you futile tree!"

"Misty, no touching!" I exclaimed, wincing. Thankfully, she held back, though she was growling like a mother tigress.

"Gods," Ash sighed, facepalming. "Perhaps it is a bad idea to share my car with those two. Listen up, Serena. If Misty breaks something in my baby, you gotta pay up."

I let out a nervous laugh at Ash’s comment, though Misty didn’t seem pleased.

"Your baby? You mean this beat-up, second-hand car that I wonder even works without breaking down?" she shot back, arms crossed.

"Hey, don’t insult the car!" Ash countered, feigning offense. "It’s got character. Unlike Gary’s convertible that screams mid-life crisis!"

"Mid-life crisis?" It was Gary’s turn to narrow his eyes. "I’m twenty! What does that make you, huh? A broke mechanic who plays chauffeur for fun?"

Ash opened his mouth to retort, but I stepped in, pushing him back from going all out on the other boy. "Alright, let’s stop this before it turns into a real road race accident!"

"You tell me," Ash scoffed, falling back against his car, crossing his arms.

"Misty, you can still stay at mine until your sisters leave. And Ash, your baby won’t be harmed. And Gary..."

I trailed off, unsure what I was consoling Gary for. Judging by his smug smile, he was enjoying the show.

"Gary... you are just Gary," I finished lamely, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.

His smirk widened, and he clutched his chest dramatically. "Miss HoneyBee, you wound me."

"That’s enough with the nickname," Ash groaned, running a hand down his face. "It’s ridiculous."

"Don’t use your name for somebody else, Ash-y Boy!" Gary snickered, hands in his pockets. Misty and I rolled our eyes, but he wasn’t done, apparently. "Miss HoneyBee likes it perfectly, don’t you?"

I chuckled nervously, unsure how to answer. You see, folks, I hadn’t quite talked to guys before Ash. And to handle a headful like Gary... wish me luck.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Ash’s jaw tighten. His arm brushed against mine lightly when he stepped to the front, positioning himself between us. "Her name is Serena." His voice was a little sharper than necessary. Wait, am I in a novel?

"Relax, Ketchum," Gary shrugged. "I’m merely being friendly."

"Yeah, well, don’t overdo it."

"Guys," I cut in. This was getting ridiculously out of hand. Besides, Mom would be awaiting us.

"Actually, Serena," Gary interrupted, completely disregarding his best friend. "Has anyone told you that you pull off the chic artsy vibe? Many girls try hard."

I blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, thanks?"

The keys in Ash’s hand made a metallic sound when he clenched them. "Enough with the nicknames. Get in the car before I change my mind."

"Touchy, touchy," Gary mused, obliging. Misty followed him, muttering something about men being idiots under her breath.

As I moved to follow them, Ash’s warm hand caught my wrist. "Hey," he said, voice low and hesitant. "You don’t actually take Gary’s words to heart, do you?"

I tilted my head, confused by his actions. "The nickname? It’s harmless."

Ash looked away, grumbling something incoherent. His grip tightened around my wrist before his gaze met mine, the protective jealousy lingering in its depth. "He’s all playful, so just don’t take it seriously."

"Ash, are you jealous?" I questioned, a teasing smile lighting my face. He let go, rubbing the back of his neck in denial.

"Heck, no!" he denied, almost too quickly.

"Mhm-hmm," I hummed, clearly not convinced. Perhaps I would grow to enjoy all this banter if it made Ash’s affection a little louder.

— xoxo —

The ride home was awkwardly quiet. Gary and Misty were talking in hushed whispers, but the question lingered: were they conversing or bickering?

The world outside grayed as a fickle change in the weather splayed water on the windshield. The swiper’s sound joined the engine’s hum and the patter of rain, almost drowning out the pair’s conversation.

By the time Ash pulled up in front of my house, the downpour had thickened. "I suppose I have an umbrella back there," Ash informed, craning his body to withdraw a black umbrella. "Ta-da!"

"There’s only one, genius," Misty pointed out, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "It’s just a short walk. I’m sure we’ll do fine, won’t we?"

"Yeah," I nodded, turning to face Ash. He was nibbling his lip. Reaching out, I patted his arm reassuringly. "Thanks for the ride."

He looked up and shook his head. "I’ll drop you both. Misty, you first."

Before she could protest, he got out of the car, holding the umbrella above her when she alighted.

I watched him walk her slowly, my heart sinking for some reason. When they reached the porch of my home, she told him something — a sentence longer than a simple thank you — that had him blushing.

Do you remember Misty mentioning she had feelings for him? Well, I suppose that was it, folks. The unnamed feeling that was weighing me down.

Gary bid me farewell in his usual style, waving and smirking as Ash opened the door for me. "Smell ya later, HoneyBee!"

I smiled, even if it didn’t quite reach my eyes. "See you."

Pull yourself together. He’s your destined one.

Ash smiled, closing the car door gently behind me. He offered to carry my bag, but I simply denied with a shake of my head and began trotting forward.

But what if he asks to see the soothsayer?

Even though the walk to my house was just a cross of the road, it felt like an eternity. The warmth of his hand holding the umbrella lingered near mine clutching my bag—close but untouchable.

Once under the safety of my home’s porch, I offered him a short bow in gratitude, though the smile was a façade. "Thank you, Ash."

Ash smirked, shaking his head dismissively. In a spontaneous rush of moments, he leaned closer. A loud thunderclap illuminated him, his breath tickling my ear.

My breath hitched.

"I was hoping you’d like to hang out with me tomorrow. After college." His voice trembled with contrasting valor and shyness, but the warmth he was radiating had my heart pumping most of my lifeline to my face and neck.

I nodded, my hair bouncing with the motion between us. He was still wearing his signature smirk when he pulled away, but this time, there was a hint of timidness underneath.

"Matta ne, Serena-chan," he whispered, turning on his heel to return to his car.

Our eyes met one more time over the roof before he grinned and got in. I watched, my hand raised in a slow wave, as the automobile zoomed out of view.

My heart was pounding in my ears, eyes growing blurry, and blood tickling like it was on fire. In that intimate moment, a futile whisper left my parched throat:

"I wonder if your heart races because of me, just as mine does because of you, Ash."

— 🫧 —

Hey guys!
Updates might be
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Miyoko x