A Dream, A Destiny

All fall down

Ash's Bucket List- Give Blood.

Serena POV

Despite Ash's prior warning, I didn't realize just how acute his phobia of needles was till we walked into the MetLife Donor Centre.

Up until that moment, he'd been all smiles ever since we met at grand mall, offering to buy me the hugest candy apple I ever saw.

"I don't know if anyone's ever told you, but you look so cute when you eat," he informed me, his eyes glinting with mischief with a mischievous grin making my cheeks start to heat up when he complimented me.

Somehow, I don't think I would look very cute with a white cream down on my nose. Pass.

Still, it was sweet of him to say, even though it was a huge lie.

Ash seemed to be in an amazing mood despite the frigid air and the frosty sidewalk. While I was walking as slowly as possible to avoid slipping on ice and falling on my booty, he was practically bouncing around in front of me, dressed in nothing but a fully black t-shirt, grey tight jeans and nikes, cracking dumb jokes.

"Okay, I got another one for ya," he said as he held open the entrance door leading to the lobby, standing aside like a true gentlemen so that I could walk in before he did. "What kind of Christmas present do you give a man who has everything?"

I shrugged, making a beeline to the building tenant listing, searching for Lumiose Center. "I don't know," I replied, my eyes glued to the colorful directory as expensively dressed business people milled around the lobby.

Undeterred by my obvious enthusiasm, Ash came up behind me.

"Give up?" he pressed, sliding his warmth hands slowly onto my free shoulders.

"Yes," I said in a light tone. I didn't know I had it in me! But really, today Ash was kinda acting rather cheerful.

Sliding his hands up and down my upper bare arms in a smooth, sensuous way. he brought his lips so close to my right ear that I could feel the warmth of his breath fluttering against my neck.

"Want me to tell you?" he asked softly, a faint teasing sound in his voice as though he knew that the way he was touching me was giving me butterflies. He probably does know. And he probably likes it, too.

My own voice came out breathless, and I wasn't trying, which is unfortunate because I could have worked it. I just couldn't breathe right when Ash touched me like that.

"Okay." Was all I could say.

Just don't let go of me!

Brushing his lips against my ear, Ash replied, "Crack, so that next year he doesn't have anything."

And on it went.

By the time I figured out how to get to the donation center from where we were, Ash had told me a variety of ridiculous jokes laughing all the way.

"Why are you in such a good mood?" I had to ask, feeling slightly jealous. I'd just found out that Clemont had to cut my hours at work and I wasn't too happy about that. It meant less money at a time when my family needed it most.

Ash gave me that signature crooked grin and I almost melted. "I don't know. I just feel free."

Way to be vague, Ketchum. However, the instant we started walking towards the donation center, all signs of happy camper Ash flew out of the proverbial window. He suddenly clammed up by stopped walking on, staring down at the piled floor as he shuffled his feet, something I could do without.

I hate when people shuffle their feet. And even though the main reason I was supposed to be there was to support him, I took one look at the terrified expression on his face and burst out into a fit of giggles.