To my readers!
I'd like to apologize for a late update and for shortly introducing another dramatic problem right after. I have a bit of writer's block at the moment. But here is (yay) Chapter 40, so enjoy!
Serena walks out the doors, her first Princess Key in her possession.
ACADEMY: SERENA!!!
The students swarm the Performer, congratulating and praising her for the wonderful Showcase win, with the exceptions of Paul and Miette, of course.
ASH: That was amazing, Serena!
SERENA: *Blushes* Thank you all!
Her smile grows and her eyes fill with happiness. She receives lots of compliments as the crowd around her increases. For a short moment she stops and frowns. She lockes eyes with someone in the mass of people.
His face is masked with a neutral expression. Serena is only able to see his face. Then, he suddenly ducks and disappears.
SERENA: *Thinks* I think I know that face... Who was it?
She tries pushing back through the people, but they continue to lead her in the other direction. Ash and the others stay by her side the whole time. Finally, after some time walking, they stop and everyone fans out, leaving Serena in the center of the whole school.
???: Congratulations, Serena!
The voice belongs to Aria, the Kalos Queen.
The star celebrity gives her signature smile and winks.
ARIA: Your performance was wonderful!
Silence. After a few seconds...
SERENA: Wait, what?! You're- you're Aria, the Kalos Queen!
ARIA: Yes I am!
Everyone gasps in surprise. After all, what was the Kalos Queen doing here, congratulating Serena individually?
SERENA: It's so very nice to meet you! But why are-
ARIA: Why I'm here?! Well, I wanted to take a break from work. So I went to Lumiose City to scout some potential Performers. And I found one!
Ash grins at Serena and gives her a thumbs up. Serena smiles gratefully.
ARIA: If you don't mind, I'd like to talk about- hold up a sec.
SERENA: Huh?
Aria's phone starts to buzz and ring in her back. She looks at the screen and gasps in surprise. The Kalos Queen looks a little disappointed.
ARIA: I'm sorry, Serena. It looks like I gotta run!
SERENA: *Stutters* Th- that's fine! It's an honor to have met you!
ARIA: Same for you. I'll be watching your future Showcases! Goodbye!
And as suddenly as she came, Aria walked out of the crowd. Serena couldn't get out of her shock, even minutes after her encounter with the Performer.
ASH: See, Serena? You did so great that even the Kalos Queen had to meet you personally!
SERENA: *Blushes* Thanks, but did I really do that well?
EVERYONE: Of course!
After an hour or so, the students boarded the plane for the trip back to the Kanto region. Serena decided it was fun, Performing in front of the cheering audience with the spotlight on her.
SERENA: *Sure* That settles it. I'll be a Performer!
Though the rest of the ride is spent laughing and chatting with her friends, the honey haired girl still can't stop pondering the identity of the boy she spotted in the crowd. And how he looked so familiar, too.
SERENA: *Thinks* He's not in our school, and- ugh... why am I trying to figure out who he is so much?
A gut feeling overcomes Serena, telling her that things will get interesting on their arrival back in Kalos.