Serena's Secret

Serena's Secret Part 13

Ash and Bonnie watched as Serena left the room before exchanging a worried glance to one another.
"Ash... what happened?" Bonnie softly spoke. Ash looked at Bonnie.
"Uh... How 'bout you go check on Clemont and I'll make sure Serena's okay?" He smiled. Bonnie looked down. Ash noticed and put his arm round her shoulder. "She's fine! I promise. Just give me a couple minutes and we can all open our presents. Deal?"
Bonnie smiled up at him and nodded her head. Ash headed toward the bathroom door which had been locked. He gently knocked on the door. "Serena? Is everything okay?" There was no reply. "Sere... please speak to me..." He sighed. Serena opened the door just enough for Ash to see that she was no longer crying. She gave him a weak smile.
"Can we talk?" She asked him. He nodded, and walked into the bathroom. Once he was inside, Serena locked the door behind them. "Ash... I..." She looked away. "We've become really great friends... I just... don't want what just happened to get in the way of that."
Ash's face grew a small smile.
"Is that what you're worried about?" He grabbed her hand. "Serena... I've traveled with girls before... and developed what I used to think were crushes. But, both times... I realised they'd fallen for someone else. I was always second best. But with you... It's different. You've always supported me and liked me for who I am... I know I acted oblivious to the fact that you liked me but... That's because I was scared. Scared of getting hurt again. And the thing is... I'm not scared anymore."
Serena blushed.
"Ash... Are you saying that you... L-like me?" She looked at him hopefully, until the wonderful moment was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"If you two don't hurry up I'm gonna open all your presents!" Bonnie warned, growing impatient. Ash looked at Serena and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Guess we should get out there, huh?"

"Here you go, Ash!" Clemont handed Ash a present. Ash thanked him and tore off the wrapping paper. He looked at the device that stood in front of him. "I know what you're thinking!" Clemont smiled. "Cool, huh? I call it the FoodTester1.0, any food you have, scan it with this bad boy and it'll tell you whether you like it or not!"
Ash's eyes seemed to grow wider. "Science is so amazing!" He shouted as he quickly grabbed a Christmas cookie and scanned it. The machine began ticking. "Uh... Is it supposed to do that?" Ash asked, remembering what usually happened to Clemont's inventions.
"Just watch." Clemont smiled confidently. The machine stopped ticking, and a small piece of paper popped out. Bonnie took out the paper and read it.
"It says you like it!" Bonnie cooed. Ash smiled with cookie crumbs all round his mouth.
"It isn't wrong!" He laughed.

The gang continued opening their presents. Bonnie had given Ash a drawing of him and Pikachu. Clemont had gotten a microscope from both Ash and Serena who had bought it together, and Bonnie has made him a pretty drawing of them both. Bonnie had gotten a new outfit from Serena, an Eevee hat from Ash, and a beautiful bracelet from Clemont. Ash and Serena had not yet opened their presents from each other, but so far Serena had gotten a hand made bracelet from Bonnie, and a pair of white sun glasses from Clemont. Ash held a small, beautifully presented parcel in his hands. He stroked the bow on top before worriedly handing it to Serena. "I'm not sure if you'll like it..." he told her. Serena took hold of the parcel and gently opened it.
"What is it?" Bonnie curiously asked. Serena pulled a small box out of the wrapping paper.
"Well? Open it!" Bonnie impatiently pulled on Serena's red skirt. Serena smiled and opened the box, revealing a heart shaped locket. The words "don't give up 'till its over" engraved on the front. Serena's face lit up.
"Open it." Ash told her.
Serena took the locket out the box and opened it. She stared at the picture the gang had taken with Korrina and her Lucario.
"Ash, I don't know what to say! It's beautiful!" Serena beamed brightly.
Ash took the locket and fastened it around Serena's neck.
Serena turned around and smiled.
"I have something for you too." She smiled as she handed him a flat, square box; again, beautifully presented.
He opened it. Inside was a mega ring and a mega stone
"Serena... Where did you find these?" Ash looked at her.
"I've been speaking to Professor Sycamore." She told him.
Ash delightedly picked Serena up and spun her around.
"You really are amazing!" He said as he put her back on the feet and hugged her.
Bonnie giggled and hugged the pairs feet. Serena and Ash looked over to Clemont who has just realised what was going on. They reached their arms out to Clemont as he stood up and joined the hug.
"Merry Christmas you guys." Ash smiled.