Disclaimer: Don't own pokemon! A/N: Hey there guys! Well, here is chapter 8! Oh, by the way, thanks for all the reviews in the previous chapters, they really keep me going! Anyway, on with the show! School Days Chapter 8 Misty watched the rain from her room as it made its way down in buckets. She hadn't moved from her spot in a whole hour and her friends were starting to get worried about her. She still thought about the day's events and what had happened between her and Jared. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Misty, who was too caught up in her thoughts, didn't hear it. The door opened and Ash stood on the threshold, waiting for her to turn around, but she never did. It was obvious that she still hadn't heard him enter the room. "You okay?" He asked softly, breaking the silence. She wiped away the tears that were threatening to fall and answered him back in a soft whisper. "I'm fine." Ash, hearing her tone of voice, closed the door and walked up to her bed where she was sitting. "I can't believe he did it again...after he promised me he wouldn't." She whispered, not taking her eyes off of the rain. "I'm sorry." Ash said, sitting down on the bed with her. "You have nothing to be sorry for." She stated sternly. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have distanced myself away from him." Misty eyes started to fill with tears as she spoke. "Misty, look at me." Ash said, lifting up Misty's chin to face him. "This isn't your fault. How could it be? You were just scared. I would've done the same thing." "But Ash, I wanted to help him. I tried so hard to get him help. I don't know what else to do." She sobbed. Ash looked at the crying girl in front of him and gave her a weak smile. Then, he pulled her into a hug, letting her cry onto his shoulder. "You tried. But before he gets help, he has to want to help himself." Ash explained. "Right now, he's just lost and confused, but either way, he had no right to hit you." "I guess..." She whispered, her sobs finally subsiding. "It's a long road to recovery, but I think he can do it, especially if he has a friend like you." Smiled Ash. Misty looked up into Ash's warm and caring eyes and smiled. "Thank you, Ash." She smiled. "No problem." He smiled warmly. "You okay now?" "Yeah." She smiled, wiping away her few remaining tears. "Come on. Let's re-join the others." With that said, they both got up from their seats and proceeded downstairs. At the sound of their soft footsteps, everyone in the room shot their heads up. "Hey Mist." Smiled Melissa, standing up. "Hey Mel." Misty smiled back, engulfing her friend in a hug. "You okay?" Melissa asked. "I'm fine." Misty replied. "That's great." She started. "Me and the girls were thinking about taking you out for a while." "Out? Where?" Misty inquired. "Well, you don't have a dress for the dance yet, do you?" Melissa whispered, making sure Ash didn't hear. "No, I don't. I completely forgot about it until now." She sighed. "Well, come on. Let's go." Melissa smiled. "Besides, it looks likes the rain's letting up." "Why not?" Misty shrugged. "I need to get out of here." "Hey, why don't you take Ash out too? You could help him find something for the dance." Whispered Sarah in Chris's ear. "Fine with me." He shrugged, standing up. "Come on Ash. We're going too." "Going where?" Asked Ash, raising an eyebrow. "Shopping. Come on." Announced Chris, pulling Ash out of his seat. "Have fun girls!" With that said, Ash and Chris walked out of the room. Melissa smiled at the two boys. "I can't wait to see what Chris has in store for him." Sighed Melissa. "No offense to your boy or anything, Sarah." "None taken, Mel." Smiled Sarah. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's hit the shops!" Announced Lauren, urging everyone outside. Everyone shrugged and then piled into Misty's car. Once at the mall, the four girls were lead by Melissa, who knew the mall better than any of them. After a while of walking, she finally stopped in front of one of the stores. "Okay, here it is." Announced Melissa. "Are you sure we'll be able to find everything here?" Asked Anna, peeking inside. "I'm positive! Now come on. We're on a mission." Stated Melissa, entering the store. "Okay girls, scan the area." They all nodded and split up in different parts of the store. "Hey, how about this one?" Asked Anna, picking up one of the dresses on the rack. It was a light shade of pink with white lace around the sides. "I dunno about that one." Said Melissa, examining it. "But how about this one?" Melissa held up a dress that was a baby blue color, a halter top, and it sparkled brilliantly in the light. "Oh, it's beautiful. She'll love it!" Squealed Anna in excitement. "Come on! Let's go show it to her." The two girls searched the store and soon spotted Misty, Sarah, and Lauren. "Hey Mist! Take a look at this one." Announced Melissa, walking up to her two friends. Misty turned around, holding a dark blue dress in her hands. "That one's beautiful." Said Misty, in complete awe of the dress. "Yeah, it's perfect." Said Lauren, thumbing the smooth fabric. "Go try it on!" Misty nodded and took the dress into the dressing room with her. After changing, she came out of the room, being greeted by her smiling friends. "Oh yeah. This is the one." Commented Melissa. "Ash will definitely like this one." "Ya think?" Asked Misty taking a look at her reflection in the mirror. "Of course!" Smiled Anna. "You look gorgeous, Misty." "Thanks." She smiled. "Okay, then I guess that settles it." She walked back into the room, put her regular clothes back on, and then paid for her new dress. "I'm so happy for you." Smiled Sarah. "This is gonna be so great." "Yeah, I'm so excited." Sighed Misty. Just as the five girls were walking out of the store, they spotted Chris and Ash sitting down on a nearby bench, talking. The girls walked over to the two boys and smiled. "Hey guys." Greeted Melissa. "Find anything interesting?" "Nope, nothing." Sighed Chris. "Man, this guy is so picky." "Oh, shut up! What about you?" Retorted Ash. "What about me?" Asked Chris. "Now, now. Settle down you two." Smiled Sarah. "You're acting like two five year-olds." "Did you guys find anything?" Asked Chris, changing the subject. "Oh, you bet we did." Smirked Lauren. "Is that so?" Said Ash, raising an eyebrow. "She looks beautiful in it." Smiled Melissa. "You'll be very pleased." At this comment, Misty found herself blushing furiously. "At least you guys were quick about it. At the rate we're going, we'll be here all day." Sighed Chris. "Well, excuse me." Said Ash. "Yeah, don't be so rude. He just wants to look his best for Misty. Right Ash?" Smirked Sarah. "Uh…r-right." Stuttered Ash. "Well, we better be going. We'll meet you guys back at Misty's house." Said Melissa. "See you guys later and good luck." With that said, they headed off towards the exit. "Well, did you hear that? Melissa said that Misty looked beautiful in the dress." Smiled Chris. Ash smiled as his eyes followed them out of the mall. "She's always looked beautiful in my eyes…" A/N: Well…sorry if that chapter was kinda boring. It certainly put me to sleep, but at least it's over and done with. Anyway, reviews are always welcome. Thanks guys!