Long Story Short

it's time to go

Serena trudged along the forest path in silence. She wiped the remaining tears hanging from her eyes. The performer noticed the stars revealing themselves at the twilight hour when she raised her head. In contrast to the majestic orange sky, Serena did not radiate her usual cheerful beauty. A burden rested on her mind. There were very few things that could make her smile at that moment. She contemplated the past and the future.

She thought of how she got into this situation. Serena relived May's invitation in her mind.

"Serena, why don't you come with us? The next contest in Hoenn isn't for another few weeks," the coordinator suggested. May welcomed Serena with warmth in her sapphire eyes.

Serena closed her eyes. She should've known accepting the invitation would result in something like this.

"I'm not sure," Serena's face turned shy, yet she mustered an uncertain grin. She could feel Bonnie and Clemont's eyes lock on her. They knew how she felt. Well, at least Bonnie did.

Suddenly, the girl from Vaniville Town got drawn to Ash's eyes. Once again, they were charmed with a noticeable glisten that expressed insistence. "C'mon, Serena, you know it will be fun!" her closest friend made an excited fist.

As charming as Ash was, it wasn't until May's warm hands touched her that she gave in. Accompanied by May's warm words, she knew her life would change if she cemented her friendship with May. Nothing would be the same again, especially if it involved Ash Ketchum. Serena took a gamble. "Alright, I'll come!" Serena smiled.

That choice led her to this moment. She shouldn't be too surprised. The night she and May discussed their pasts with Ash, she felt the outcome got written in the stars. Her mind replayed the moment after she and Ash helped May train for her battle with Wallace. The way Ash spoke to her. The way Ash looked at her. It made Serena's stomach twist into a knot. However, the knot wasn't born out of anger or jealousy. The knot came from Serena's doubts over the future. It was too painful to picture what she imagined after spending time with Ash and May. She once believed it to be a guarantee that she'd have a chance with the boy from Pallet Town. Not anymore.

Serena knew she couldn't make Ash choose between her or May. It wouldn't be fair to any of them. Ultimately, the problem wasn't with Ash. The problem was with her. She realized she was too dependent on Ash for her happiness. When she was sad and alone, she'd think of Ash. When she needed to motivate herself, she'd think of Ash. When she lacked discipline, she'd think of Ash. Serena parted ways with Ash after their initial journey to grow alone. She had to end her reliance on him.

Nonetheless, the challenge was that Ash was good to her. He was so good to her that she almost got convinced he cared about her as much as Pikachu. Her heart latched onto the memories with him.

"Serena," Ash called her name.

Serena's mesmerized eyes turned from the fireworks to him. "What, Ash?" the blue-eyed beauty smiled at him. She was surprised when Ash handed her a gift.

Ash's gentle voice echoed in her head. "Here, take this. I wanted you to have something from me."

"But, what for?" Serena gawked. She saw Ash look at their Pokémon.

"I never would've been able to choose a present for them without your help. So, this is just my way of saying thanks a lot." He rubbed his nose and became bashful.

Serena's gasps turned into joy. She received his gift with glee. "Thank you, Ash. I'll always treasure it." The pair's eyes returned to the booming fireworks. They could not contain their smiles because they sensed their friendship evolving in their hearts.

Serena squeezed the ribbon on her outfit. Its color matched her eyes. The performer's face softened. "I'll still treasure it. No matter what," she muttered to herself. Even at her lowest, she found a reason to smile.

Even if their friendship became strained, Serena knew Ash would still support the pursuit of her dreams. That was part of his appeal. Ash had an undying devotion to his friends despite the thousands of miles that kept them apart. It was a quality to admire and one that enamored her. She also knew she would do the same. Present circumstances would not change that.

Nonetheless, there was a difference between cherishing their bond and relying on it. Serena stopped her walk when her blue eyes sparked determination. She desired to be free of her dependency. Serena would need to work hard to grow out of Ash's shadow. The performer knew she wouldn't feel defined by him once she did so. Serena would break free to follow a dream she desired bigger than Ash, as would he.

It brought to mind the most evident thing she discovered during her time with Ash and May. Beyond knowing that she wasn't the only special girl in Ash's life, she knew Ash's heart desired something more than whatever she or May could give him. Serena didn't believe he acknowledged it yet, but she knew he could feel it. It hurt knowing she wasn't the person who could tie Ash down then. Maybe May could, or maybe not. Trying to predict such a thing no longer mattered. Regardless, Serena couldn't wait on him. She didn't want to compete with May or Ash's dream of becoming a Pokémon Master.

Serena briefly thought of May. In just days, the coordinator from Hoenn shifted her view on many things. She was grateful for the powerful lessons. It saddened Serena to know she couldn't pay her back for what May had shown her. It pained her heart to part with the kind brunette, but Serena knew when it was time to go. She hoped May would understand. The Kalos girl didn't know when she would see either of them again after this adventure concluded, but she needed to brave through the uncertainty and move on.

Night replaced twilight, and Serena stared at the stars. An ultimatum stood before her. It was either cling to Ash or face the future alone. The performer closed her eyes to take a deep breath. She clenched the ribbon Ash gifted her. She decided in her soul. I have to take a chance on myself. Serena did the toughest of things. The girl chose.

After May's victory tomorrow, which she firmly believed in, she would talk to Ash. She didn't know if she had the heart to tell May her decision. "I'm sorry, Ash...May," Serena's hair danced when a soft breeze passed.