“Come on, Ash, it’s after ten. You better get up.”

She climbed down from the bunk bed and softly put her feet on the floor, but before moving further, she stood for a moment. She wanted to ask Ash a question but couldn’t quite pluck up the courage. She thought that she had caught him staring at her last night when they were in bed, but then again, it had been late and it may of been a dream, or maybe he was just looking in her direction. Neither-the-less, she hoped for the first possibility. If he had been staring at her, it implied that he may have some kind of feelings for her. He had been giving her unusual looks lately, either embarrassed of confused. Maybe he did feel for her the same way she felt for him.

But realizing it was a stupid thought, and that she should try to stop wishing for things like that, she continued on her way to help Brock with breakfast. She had agreed with herself that she wouldn’t try to intervene in his relationship with Stasi, and would attempt to stop thinking of him as more than a friend. It would be had to swallow her feelings, but she had to do it for the sake of her heart.

Ash walked into the living room, still in his pyjamas, and sat down on one of the wooden seats at the table.

“So, you got another date with Stasi tonight?” Brock said as he placed Ash’s breakfast in front of him before settling down to enjoy his own.

“Yeah, but I’m running out of ideas where to take her.”

Misty sat down beside him, looking less than happy. He looked at her face and immediately forgot about the date. “You okay, Mist?”

With a fake smile on her fact, she replied, “Yeah. I’m just a little tired.”

“O-okay.” He didn’t believe her answer. He could tell something was wrong with her, but had no idea what, and didn’t really want to pry. He wanted to help her with whatever was troubling her, but his mind was too clouded with his own doubts and dilemmas to really be any help to anyone.

Misty had to do something to help with the progress of forgetting her feelings. Helping with his relationship, like she had done before, maybe would aid it. “I know where you can take her. It’s a really romantic spot. If you go off the road where the market is and head to the forest, there’s a beautiful little bridge surrounded by cherry blossom trees. The moon will be shining tonight, so I think it would be just...perfect.”

He looked at her for a moment, then down at his breakfast. Suddenly, he felt nauseous. “I think I’m going to get dressed first. Back in a minute.” He hastily speed to the room, closing the door behind him, leaning his back to it.

She doesn’t care about me. Why the hell would she say something like that if she did have feelings for me. Those looks must have meant nothing. I’ve made the right decision. I can never have her ‘cause she’ll never want me like I want her.

“Ash?” Stasi said to him. “What’s wrong? You seem a little distant tonight. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m alright. I’ve just got some things on my mind.”

“So...so do I,” she uttered softly.

The two walked onto the bridge Misty had mentioned, stopping about halfway over. She had been right. It was one of the most beautiful places Ash’d ever seen, and Stasi seemed to agree.

“You’re leaving here in a week," she began, "and I know that we had accepted the fact that this would probably last only until then, but...I would like for us to...try to keep it going as long as possible. I really like you, Ash, and we’ve had such a good time over the past few days that I would like to see it continue. I know it’s going to be hard, but I’d like to try it. What do you think?”

Ash stared into her eyes. Why was Misty always on his mind when he had accepted the fact that nothing could ever blossom between them? Here he was, in one of the most romantic areas of the region, with an incredibly beautiful girl who had feelings for him, who laughed at his jokes, shared his interests, and was asking him to extend the time they had previously agreed upon, and all he could do was think about the girl whom he had decided that he didn’t have a future with.

I must be crazy not to take her offer up. Yes, I have feelings for Misty, but nothing will ever happen there. We are too close as friends to have a relationship. And who knows maybe things will develop with Stasi into love as well. Maybe she’s my true love instead of Misty. I’d be crazy to reject her.

“I think you’re right. Everything has went so well. Why should it end now?”

Her awkward smile widened into one of joy. She pulled him close to her and hugged him gently. When she backed away, their eyes met, and they just looked at each other for a moment.

This seemed like one of those perfect moments Misty had spoke of, when everything was just right, in its correct place. It was now or never, he decided, so he raised his right hand, and placed his thumb and forefinger on her chin to move it a little higher. He then lowered his own head slowly and brought it closer to hers.

But then his troubled emotions stirred again.

With only about an inch between their lips, he realized that he couldn’t do it, and he finally understood what he had to do, his mind in total clarity for the first time since this had all started. This decision was a mistake.

“Stasi, I can’t do this.”

Startled and shocked, she wearily opened her eyes. He could see that she had been totally overcome with the intensity of the moment, and was not altogether alert. “W-what?”

“I ... I can’t do this.” He released her chin and backed away from her a little, knowing that he wasn’t going to be very popular in a few seconds.

Confused, she asked, “Why, Ash? What’s wrong?”

“I have feelings for you, but...but I can never love you. I’m in love with her, and unless I can be with her, I don’t think I can fall for anyone else.”

“Who?” she muttered, he mind racing a mile a second. Then realizing that her suspicions were right she said her name, knowing for sure what he meant. “Misty.”

“Yes.”

She could see that he was full of emotion, but not confusion.

“I don’t know how long I have felt this way about her. I have had a crush on her since the first day we met, but not until recently did I realise how deep my feelings ran. I’m so in love with her that no one else can take that place in my heart. If I can’t have her, I feel that I would be better off with no one.”

She felt sympathy for him. She had discovered over the past week that although he acted strong and independent on the outside, within he was a very sensitive and emotional person, who always lead with his heart. That’s the way he fought in battle, and must also be the way he dealt with personal problems. She envied him for it, but she also felt anger for what he had just done.

He had rejected her for someone else. She felt betrayed. Her anger taking over, she was ready to reject him as well. “You bastard!” She then raised her hand and slapped him full force across the cheek, and stormed off in a rage.

He stood and watched her leave. He lifted his hand up to his cheek, and felt the tendered, glowing skin. “You deserved that," he said to himself.