“The stars are beautiful tonight.” May said, looking up, trying to find another topic.
“I guess.” Drew replied. May looked over at him, but he wasn’t looking at the sky. He was looking directly at her, smiling, in her case, seductively. May’s brain shut off, and her heart took over. They stared at each other for a long while, and both of their hearts raced. Drew let go of May’s hand and wrapped it around her waist. He pulled her in closer, and muttered, “May… I…” Drew’s voice died away when their faces were two inches apart… one inch…

BOOM

The noise snapped them out of their trance as colorful fireworks filled the sky. Both of them jolted away from each other and stared out at the fireworks. Both of them were unsure of what to say, so they both stayed quiet. The operator let the Ferris wheel stay where it was since there was no one else, and he knew that the three people on the ride would want a good view at the fireworks. When the fireworks were over, the Ferris wheel started running again, and the three thanked the operator and went on their way. Rodney had just finished the last game there, and he successfully got a toy from each booth. His arms were crammed with gifts and toys as he made his way back to the pokemon center.
Max went inside, saying he was too tired to do anything else. He said good night to May and Drew, and went on his way. May and Drew stood there a little uncomfortably, until May broke the silence. “I had a really great time.” May said to Drew.
“Me, too.” Drew said, smiling. There was just a little more silence.
“We’ll, I’d better get back to my room.” She said. But just before she left, she planted a light kiss on Drew’s cheek before blushing and walking away quickly. Drew was left wide-eyed near the front of the pokemon center. When his mind registered what just happened, Drew felt like he was floating on air when he made his way back to his room. But just around the corner, Rodney had seen and heard everything. He threw down all of the gifts he earned and snarled to himself. Rodney needed May.
“I need a plan.” Rodney muttered as he walked away grudgingly. In the far distance, Harley had also seen and heard everything. Harley clenched his fists and teeth. His whole entire plan was backfiring. He had no idea that May would actually like Drew like that. He had to do something to keep them from being together, now.
“I need a plan.” Harley muttered as he walked away grudgingly, much in the same manner as Rodney.
The next morning wasn’t too different in any way. Max kept his mouth shut about the carnival, and so did May. Ash and Brock hadn’t noticed anything unusual, so they went about their daily business. After breakfast, the team split up again, only this time, Max went along with Ash to the battlegrounds again. Brock decided to hit off on all of the girls he could find, so May went around the shops again. As she walked into almost every store, her mind kept going back to the other day. Personally, she really wanted to see Drew and talk about last night. Now that her brain was now fully functioning, she realized what had almost happened on the Ferris wheel. Seeing that she already went into all the shops she wanted to go to, she decided to go back to the cherry tree. She sat down at its trunk again and closed her eyes. She hoped to hear Drew’s footsteps walking up to her, but after about an hour of waiting, May gave up and joined her friends she found sitting at a picnic table.
The day was starting to get dark, and Ash, Brock, May, and Max decided to leave the next day. May was a little disappointed at this, but couldn’t refuse. They had to keep moving. Ash needed to earn more badges, and May needed to win more contests. Still, May just wanted to say bye to Drew, and Rodney, for that matter. In fact, May hadn’t seen him since the carnival. She wondered what happened to him after the carnival. She hadn’t even seen him in the morning, and she’d been all around town. Then again, she hadn’t seen Drew ever since the carnival, either. May decided to visit the cherry tree, just one last time. “Hey, guys. I’m going out for a while. Don’t worry, I’ll be back before it gets too dark.” May said, as she walked away.
“Don’t stay out too long.” Brock called after her. She waved and then headed towards her destination. When she reached to tree, May was surprised to see Drew already there, staring out at the sky as she had done a few days ago. He looked back when he heard her walk up, and he smiled and turned back around. May sat down next to him, unsure of what she should talk about. There was a long minute or so of just staring at the stars in silence. ‘Tell her already.’ Drew’s mind said. He had to tell her soon, because he had no idea how long she was staying. So he decided to break the silence and ask her.
“How long are you staying in the city before you head off?” He asked.
“We’re leaving tomorrow morning.” May answered, still looking out at the stars. ‘Dang.’ Drew thought. That means he had to tell her now. But the question was how to tell her. Just tell it to her straight? Give her a hint and hope that she knows what he’s talking about? Drew sighed. ‘Alright, this really is now or never, Drew.’ He said in his mind. But he just couldn’t get the nerve… He shook the thoughts of May rejecting him out of his mind, but he couldn’t shake the thought of May laughing in his face. If she did… Drew didn’t want to think about it, but it was all he could think of at the moment. But he had to tell her. ‘This is it.’ Drew said as he gulped.
“May, I…” Drew began. But just then, another voice interrupted him.
“Hiya, May! Hey Drew!” An over enthusiastic voice that made both May and Drew jump.
“Harley!” They both said, surprised. They stood up, and Harley eyed both of them curiously.
“So you two are finally a couple?” Harley said, pulling a fake smile. Both of them blushed, turned away from each other, and shook their heads fiercely. Harley smiled evilly. ‘He hasn’t told May yet. Well, then. I guess I can put my best plan ever into action.’  “Well, I guess that’s a shame. When are you leaving, May?” Harley said, just a little too sweetly.
“My friends and I are leaving tomorrow morning.” May said to Harley, just a little suspicious of why he wanted to know.
“And you two aren’t a couple?” Harley asked again, almost too excitedly. Drew knew he was up to something. May blushed and shook her head again, but Drew was now very suspicious of Harley.
“What’s it to you?” Drew questioned.
“Well, then, you lose the bet, Drew.” Harley said, smirking. May’s eyes widened.
“What bet?” May asked, staring at Harley and then Drew. Drew looked surprised. He completely forgot about the bet! But what was Harley up to? She was still in the city… And why was he telling her?
“Oh! Drew didn’t tell you? I guess he wouldn’t.” Harley said, an evil smile now spreading on his face.
“Drew, what is he talking about?” May said, fixing her glance on him.
“Don’t ask him, May. He won’t tell you.” Harley said. May looked confused as she looked at Harley. He continued. “It was a bet to see if you would become his girlfriend by the time you left Valero City. I tried to talk him out of it, but he just kept insisting.” Harley said matter-of-factly. Drew wanted to punch Harley so hard it sent him to China, but just as he was about to, he heard May gasp. She looked at him, her eyes framed with water, threatening to fall.
“Is Harley telling the truth?” She asked, her voice cracking a little. Drew was about to say no, but Harley cut him off.
“May, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have given in to the bet. It’s not that he actually liked you or anything.” Harley said. He knew that last sentence made all the difference to both of them. May glared at Drew, now struggling to keep the tears from falling. She did the only thing that occurred in her mind at that moment. She ran, as far away from Harley and Drew as her legs could take her. Drew was struck by what Harley said.
“What are you saying? You know that’s not true!” Drew yelled at Harley. Harley just smirked at Drew.
“Oh, come on! It’s your own fault. You should be more careful with who you make a bet with.” Harley said, acting high and mighty. Drew was outraged at this point, but he had to find May. He had to tell her the truth, and she had to hear it from him. But before he left…
“Harley…” Drew said, his fists shaking, and his voice dangerously low.
“Aww. Is little Drew mad?” Harley said, laughing at Drew. But just as he was about to pat the shorter green haired boy on the head, Drew’s fist came up from behind him, and hitting Harley square in the face. Harley screamed like a girl, and was unconscious when he hit the ground. Drew was fuming, but he turned tail and ran after May.
In the distance, May was still running. When she couldn’t run anymore, she fell to her knees, and she let her tears fall freely. ‘It was all a trick? Just to win a stupid bet? I thought… I thought… How could I have been so stupid? He would never like me. But… how could he have done that to me? She sobbed for whoever knows how long, until she felt a hand on her shoulder. May looked back to see Rodney, concern in his eyes. May looked back on the ground, trying to wipe her tears away. “Hey, Rodney.” May said shakily.
“What happened?” Rodney asked, doing his best to keep the curiosity out of his voice. May looked at him for a moment, but began telling the whole story. Rodney listened intently until May was finished, and he smiled weakly at her.
“Wow. That was some story.” Rodney said, helping her stand. “I know something that will make you feel better. Do you mind meeting me here tomorrow?” Rodney said comfortingly. May looked at him, and eventually nodded. He gave her a quick hug, which surprised May a little bit. But she felt well enough to go back to her room. She just hoped that the rest of her friends were asleep already, so she wouldn’t have to answer any questions about what had happened.
Drew couldn’t find May anywhere. He was starting to get worried. ‘Is she okay? What happened to her?’ Drew thought as he kept running. He found a river, and saw Rodney by himself near it. Drew walked up to him, about to ask where May was, until he heard Rodney say, “I’m almost ready for the last part of the mission to take place.” Drew stopped in his tracks and hid behind a tree. Rodney was talking into some telephone device.
“So you’ve found a partner worthy enough to work with you?” A tough voice said on the other line. Drew instantly got suspicious. “Yeah. You wouldn’t believe how easy it was. You find her crying out here all alone, you listen to her story, and she believes anything you say.” Rodney said, sneering. Drew knew it was May from what Rodney said. Drew’s fists clenched. So it was just for some… mission. Well, Drew wasn’t going to let Rodney lay a finger on May.
“Well, you haven’t failed me, yet. I know you’ll be able to be an asset to Team Rocket.
“ I hear you, boss.” Rodney said confidently. “She’s meeting me here tomorrow so ‘I can show her something.’”
“I’ll see to it that you get rewarded.” The voice on the other line said. At that, the conversation ended, and Rodney shut off his device. He walked up along the shore of the river, whistling quietly.
Drew waited until he was sure that Rodney was gone. He couldn’t believe what he just found out. Rodney works for Team Rocket? What does he need May for? Well, it didn’t matter to Drew. All that mattered was that May couldn’t meet Rodney tomorrow. There was no telling what Rodney would do to her if he got his hands on her. Drew walked back into his room in the pokemon center, but he couldn’t sleep a wink. His thoughts kept going back to May, as it had done for so many nights in a row, now. Drew couldn’t stand to think that May might get hurt. But the question was whether or not she would believe him. Thanks to Harley’s lie, May was probably angry with Drew. But he wasn’t going to let her go without a fight. He had to do something, or else Rodney would be able to complete his mission. Not while Drew had anything to do about it.
That morning, May awoke earlier than her friends. Thankfully, they had already been asleep by the time May came back. But she couldn’t go to sleep at all. So everything was a lie. Everything was just to win a bet with Harley. May cried in her bed, unable to get her mind off of it, no matter how much Rodney comforted her. She probably would never get over it. The worst part of it was… she really did love him. But he cheated her, lied to her, and stole her heart, just to rip it to shreds and leave it without a second glance. Her mind was in turmoil, and she kept tossing and turning. Soon, she saw the dim rays of dawn, and seeing that she couldn’t get to sleep, she wrote a note to her friends saying that she’d be with Rodney, and left without a sound.
As she headed for the river silently, her eyes clouded with tears again. She shook her thoughts away from it, but the memories wouldn’t cease. ‘It was all just a joke. He doesn’t really love you.’ The painful words repeated in May’s mind until it was almost unbearable. She wasn’t really looking, and she bumped into someone. “Sorry.” She mumbled. She didn’t know who she bumped into, and she didn’t really care that much. But as she tried to walk around, the person spoke out.