I Can Do This!

Chapter 7

The following day after her lunch with Mallow, Lillie was wondering why her friend wanted to meet her in front of the shopping center. Like always, it was sunny in Alola. She silently thanked her hat for providing her with shade from the rays. The light breeze flowing also aided in fighting the heat. After making sure to be on time, Lillie was upset at Mallow's apparent tardiness.

"Lillie!" A voice called out. She looked around, unable to find who was calling out to her. The large number of people shopping made it difficult to pick any one person out. "Lillie!" It called out again, sounding much louder. At this point, she clearly knew whose voice that belonged to, but still the person eluded her. Then suddenly, she felt someone reach around her from behind, giving her quite the shock. It was Mallow, appearing very excited.

"Ahh! Get off!" She responded to the hug. Brushing her dress once that was done, she scolded her friend for being late.

"Sorry, I was making sure everything was perfect." Mallow tried to answer for her tardiness.

"You still haven't told me why you wanted to meet in the first place." They walked into the store, now that they were together. They stayed close to make sure they wouldn't be seperated, given the large crowd today.

"Ah ah ah, that's my secret."

"I mean, really a shopping mall. I'm pretty sure I have a good idea what you're planning." Waiting there gave her plenty of time to think up why Mallow would bring her here after telling her about her feelings for Ash.

"Oh I know what you're thinking, but I think you're going to be surprised." That smug look didn't fill her with confidence. What could be going on in her mind? Wouldn't take long for her to find out. Despite the fact that the place was so crowded, it was obvious that who they met next was no surprise.

"Lillie! Mallow! I didn't know you guys would be here too." Ash said to them when he and the professor ran into them.

"Yeah, we were just out to get some groceries." Kukui followed up. "We've got a lot of hungry mouths to feed lately." He mentioned quietly to them as Ash turned his attention elsewhere.

"Yeah, it's a surprise seeing you guys here too." Mallow replied, something that Lillie was confident that was a complete lie. This was too big of a coincidence to have just happened by chance.

"It's a surprise alright..." Lillie sarcastically responded to the two before her. "But I'm pretty sure that you two are in on something here." She told them outright. Knowing that they were scheming up a plan made her not look forward to what it was.

"You always were one of the smarter students I've had" Kukui commended her.

"Professor I'm not sure this is something that a teacher should be doing. This seems a little immature."

"Oh you'll understand when you get older, but I'm always there for my students." He answered. By now, Ash had returned to the group. "Ahh, Ash I need to discuss with Mallow about some things we need to pick up."

"Cool." Ash responded. "We'll have lots of fun."

"Actually you won't be with us." Mallow corrected, to his confusion. "You see, Lillie over here need to get some shopping done herself." She grabbed her friend's shoulders.

"I do?" She looked at her having no clue what she meant.

"Yep, you have some new clothes you'll be needing. Don't you?" She hinted at her.

"I... guess?" She answered. This didn't seem like a good idea, nor did it sound like something that Ash would want to do either. He wasn't exactly excited when the girls forced him to shop with them a while back.

"Sure I'd love too!" He said enthusiastically, shocking her like a thunderbolt. To be honest, even the other two weren't entirely sure that their plan would work.

"Great! Then we'll see you two in about an hour." Kukui stated as he and Mallow zipped off to the market before Lillie could get a word in edgewise.

"Huh, they're acting weird." Ash commented in classic clueless fashion.

"Yeah..." Was all she could respond with. Her disappointment in them was at an all time high. But looking at Ash made her realize the situation, they were now on a 'shopping date'. She felt a tingle in her body at the thought. But she also didn't have a plan, she wasn't expecting to be doing this when she walked into the shopping center.

"Hey, if you're looking for new outfits. Why don't you try that store?" He pointed over a little down the way. It was an exclusively girls' clothing store that was advertising a sale.

"There? Are you sure?" She asked, thinking that he might feel out of place there.

"Why not? I'm not looking for anything, we're just shopping for you. Right?"

"Right..." She answered, unsure. Maybe it was the anxiousness that was making her more worried than usual. She took a calm breath and collected herself. Centering her thoughts. "Alright lets' go then." Yet once they started making their way there, her nervousness quickly returned, and it wasn't going to be easily contained.