Goals Off Court | SatoSere

Chapter 58 - Deeper Feelings

Serena's heart felt lighter, knowing Ash would be able to do both activities. He had messaged her some time ago in his typical Ash fashion, and she stared at the screen of her phone.

[Text from: Ash]
I told you I'd figure it out

He didn't say anything else, despite her pestering him for answers. He always kept her on the edge, but she was honestly dying to know how exactly he had figured this out. Even in person, he refused to tell her; although, she'd been bugging him all week.

She puffed out her cheeks and tapped her foot against the ground. She always got to the studio before him, hoping to get out some of her nervous energy, and today was no different. With only this last day left before the competition, it was their final practice together.

Serena let out a soft sigh, the silence was loud in the large room. She wanted to speak to him about what he planned to do after all this. It had been weighing heavy on her mind. Yes, she was thrilled they could do the competition, but what about after?

She kept meaning to ask him, wanting to ask him, but every time she thought to, she would chicken out, or something else would happen. She probably should just blurt out the question. With Ash, that would be the easiest thing to do?

Stay my partner!

The words echoed so loudly in her heart.

Shaking her head, Serena reached over and turned on her phone, a soft alternative instrumental played into the room. It would be better for her to clear her mind before Ash got there.

Pressing her hand to her forehead, she rolled her body around, following the flow of the song. She wrapped her arms around herself and swung her head backwards. She rolled through her spine and her body followed every shape she created with her movement.

The deep tones of the music brought her body closer to the floor, grounding her in the moment.

She did enjoy dancing alone, there was something freeing about not worrying about anyone else, expressing all her emotions with her body. Partner dancing had an intimacy she adored, but this was freeing in its own right.

She curled her hands to the sky, leaping forward. She let her knees crumble, collapsing to the floor as she rolled to the side pushing herself up and sweeping her leg around her body in a circular motion.

Ash was the first person she had felt that intimacy with, and just her luck, of course he wasn't a dancer. She cared about him, she loved dancing with him, despite his lack of experience.

Hell, maybe she just loved him.

Serena froze, her arms wrapped around herself as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her black leotard was tight around her body and her chest was heaving as she stared at her rosy cheeks.

She loved Ash Ketchum.

The music continued to play in the background and Serena ran her fingers through her hair. Her legs trembled and she shook her head. As much as she wanted to keep training Ash and pushing him so he would get better and better even after this competition, she couldn't force him to do anything he didn't want to.

But she wished he would want it. Want her more than anything else.

"Serena!" The door was swung open and Ash stepped inside, placing his bag down. "Are you starting without me?"

She gasped. "Ash?"

She almost forgot he would be showing up, she was so lost in her own feelings.

I love you.