Thanks to @Q-QUACKZZZ for the cover!
Y/N L/N has no parents. She doesn't know who they are. She doesn't know why or how they died, or any information on her past whatsoever. Raised by herself and a solitary Scorbunny from Wedgehurst, she is a timid...
But before she could finish her sentence, Goh ran up to them, with Chloe.
"I almost forgot!" said Goh. "The Valentine's Dance is tomorrow."
"Yes." muttered Ash irritably, rather annoyed. "I was asking Y/N before you came."
"Well," said Y/N, placing a finger on her chin. "I don't like Valentine's Day much. I always get sprayed with confetti, and I have to put up with everyone going all soft and sappy. Not to mention disgusting." she added with a thought.
"Yeah, I see what you mean." persisted Ash. "I hated it too. But, well..."
He grins at her.
"It would be more bearable with a friend."
"Well..."
He nodded, although he didn't feel like it. Y/N fiddled with her watch, then looked up apologetically.
"Ash, oh, I really am sorry, but Gladion texted me and told me he'd be there. He said he had to have a dance partner, and he was wondering if..." Her face was scarlet.
"T-that's fine." he said, his voice unnaturally cheerful. "I-I'll look for someone else. C-Chloe?"
"Goh asked me." she said promptly.
"O-oh. W-well, I'll try to find someone before Serena asks me."
He gave a shaky laugh.
"Is it just me, or is Ash acting weird today?" said Y/N.
"No weirder than usual." chimed in Chloe.
----------------------------------------In a shop--------------------------------------
"It's one day, Y/N." she told herself. "You can still put up with the soppy romance."
She was wearing a light blue dress that looked pretty on her, yet she felt out of place. She began to smooth down her H/C hair.
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Whilst she was doing so, Ash was getting ready for the dance that night as well.
"I shouldn't have left it last minute." he moaned.
"What are you talking about?" asked Goh, who was fixing up his tie.
"You know, Y/N. If I had asked her before Gladion had, maybe I would be the one going with her." he said bitterly. "It's been weigh on my mind for the past week."
Goh ignored him.
"Yes, I think Chloe'll approve of this one," said Goh to himself.
Ash let out a sigh.
"You know, if you really want to dance with Y/N, you could ask her out on a date." suggested Goh.
"A date? I maybe smart enough to admit my feelings for Y/N, but I can't do those things! I'm too dense for that."
"Y/N hasn't been on a date either." reminded Goh.
"How are you so sure?" snapped Ash.
"She told me when I admitted my crush on...um..."
He rushed hurriedly out the door, his face crimson, which made Ash think he had wanted to say 'Y/N'.
---------------------------------Night time, at the dance-----------------------------
Ash hadn't gone with anyone for the dance, and so he did think he looked a littles stupid. Gladion was wearing the same outfit he wore at the start of their search for his father. Y/N was talking about something Ash couldn't hear, and he saw Gladion smile at her. He knew Gladion wasn't the type to act so obsequiously towards someone, and began to wonder if his feelings for Y/N were actually more that just needing to come with someone because he was the son of the Aether President.
"Hey, Ash!"
Ash jerked his head to the person who called his name. Goh was waving, and Chloe was smiling, and seemed to be enjoying herself.
"I thought you'd come with someone?" asked Goh curiously.
"Couldn't find anyone." he said heavily. "Y/N's going with Gladion. I don't want to go with anyone else."
Goh shrugged, and went off with Chloe.
Suddenly, the music started, and it was Meditation de Thais by Massenet. Ash looked around, and saw Y/N dancing with Gladion, and there was a dreamy expression in his eyes.
An hour later, the dance ended, and Ash rushed out the door dully. Y/N was still engaged in conversation with Gladion.
"Had any luck finding your father?" she was saying.
"No, not really..." he replied, staring into the distance.
"Well, goodbye, Gladion." she said brightly.
She was about to head to the laboratory, but Gladion held her wrist to stop her.
"Wait, Y/N..."
Her hair shone in the moonlight, and he could see her misty eyes staring back at him. Ash quickly hid behind a tree, keen to hear what he had to say.
"I-I never asked you just so I didn't look stupid. I asked you because... I love you, Y/N L/N, and I would do anything, anything at all for you."
He leant closer to her, and she could see every detail of his perfect face. They were now centimetres apart, and Ash's heart sank as he watched them inch closer...
Edit: Chapter Eleven will hopefully be out Monday, if not Tuesday.
