What If (A Mirror Amourshipping Story

Chapter 4

Much to both Serena and Ash's relief, Calem did wake up early in the morning and was released from the hospital within the hour. Ash apologized to Calem about a dozen times or so on the way back to Vaniville Town before the couple stopped him with Calum patting him firmly on the back and Serena rebuking him with a half-playful slap upside the head. Ash felt better despite needing to rub his head in pain before they go their separate ways. Ash and Serena continue to message each other via text and email and hang out whenever they have the time. Meanwhile, Calem slowly begins to heal and decides to put a lock on the window upon Serena's personal...request.

A couple of weeks have passed since the disastrous dinner at Calem's apartment, and Serena is at her job in the Showcase Animation Company. In a few hours, the guy who took the general managing job, Alain, will be flying to Sinnoh to aid their animation branch there for a year. Serena's boss, Palermo decided to host a going away party in the entire floor to send Alain off. Serena and many other employees including her friends Shaunna and Nina surround the main hall where Palermo and Alain are standing at the center.

"Artists, workers, good friends," Palermo call out with a proud grin. "Soon, Alain will be heading off to meet with our partners in Sinnoh. I think I speak for everyone in the company when I say we expect great things from him."

Shaunna and Nina scoff in disgust as they reluctantly listen to their boss' speech with Serena.

"Alain, do you have anything to say?" Palermo asks.

"I sure do," Alain says as he steps in with a proud grin. "My fellow animators, it really is an honor to be given this position. I thought I would be waiting for years for this moment, but it looks like I am actually the best person for the job."

"The dickens you are," Nina hisses quietly. "You're only standing there because Serena let you. "

Serena shushes her friend as Alain continues.

"You can be sure I'm going to work hard and get the project off the ground before you know it," he says. "What else can I say but viva Sinnoh!"

Everyone politely applauds and Palermo thanks Alain before she says, "Alright, everyone, enjoy the cake and be sure to say your personal goodbyes, then get back to work."

The crowd disperses to quietly eat cake with only a small group of people coming to wish Alain luck. Serena sighs quietly before walking away toward her desk followed by Shaunna and Nina.

"Seriously, Serena, how could you turn down the position?" Shaunna whines. "You started the project, it's your animation, and everyone knows that Alain is a slacker."

"I know," Serena says. "But the managing position involves more paperwork and business meetings. Plus, I don't know anyone in Sinnoh and I would be away from all of my family and friends."

"Yeah, but that's no excuse to have Alain get the position," Shaunna protests.

"Shaunna, leave her alone," Nina says. " Serena is right. She's got a nice life here with friends like me, kind of you, and let's not forget her relationship with Calem."

"Exactly!" Serena says with a proud smirk. "I love that hunk way too much to leave him for a year. He doesn't even have it in his heart to be away from me for more than a couple days before he returns to my arms right where I want him. Nothing in the universe is going to break us apart and neither of us will let it."

Shaunna and Nina smile and sigh blissfully at their friend's boast.

"I envy you two," Shaunna says. "Five years together and still in love with that tall figure of pure cuteness. It's a wonder he hasn't proposed to you yet."