Title: First Date
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Mirageshipping (Sabrina x Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #100, Worried
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Satoshi Tajiri, Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Warnings: Time-what-time AU, het

< I can’t do this! >

“Yes you can.” Erika reassured her friend. “Come on, it will be fun.”

Sabrina shot her a baleful glare. < This is not my idea. >

“I don’t understand why you’re being such a wimp about this.” The Celadon Gym Leader frowned. “You’ve had a crush on him for years, and there isn’t that big of an age difference!”

That remark was met with silence.

Erika looked sideways at her. “What?”

< I’ve never gone on a date before! > Sabrina burst out. < What am I supposed to do? > What if she messed up and Ash never wanted to see her again?

She pursued her lips. “Oh. That could be a problem.”

< Why do you think I asked you to take me shopping? > Sabrina held up a green sequined shirt, gazing at it critically. < I don’t really have experience with these sorts of things. >

She’d been pretty demented all through puberty, after all. And she hadn’t interacted with boys except her dad.

Even now, she was worried that Ash would change his mind. She knew that despite her change of heart, there were still a lot of nasty rumors floating around.

Erika patted her on the shoulder. “Sorry, Sabrina, I guess I didn’t think about that.” She put down the cosmetics she had helped the older girl pick up.

Sabrina sighed.

“Trust me, though. Ash isn’t picky. I’m sure whatever you choose to wear will be magnificent!”

< Do you really think so? >

“Cross my heart and hope to die.” The girl perked up. “Now let’s see. If you’re going to wear dark colors, you need to match them…”

Finally, the Saffron trainer decided on a black jacket with silver and sapphire cording around the throat, and a matching skirt.

She tried to ignore the dirty look the teller gave her when she rung up the purchases. Erika gave her a reassuring look.

This was so embarrassing!

Saffron didn’t have a mall, which was why she’d come to Celadon – that and to ask Erika for advice.

Nonetheless, people didn’t trust easily.

“Hold still,” Erika finished applying her makeup, carefully smoothing the pink blush, before handing Sabrina the mirror.

The Gym Leader stared. < Is that really me? >

“Sure! You look nice. The foundation helps. Your face doesn’t look as harsh, you know?”

Sabrina was silent. “Do you think he’ll like it?”

“Yes!” Erika reassured her. “Now go enjoy your date.”

Ash was, indeed stunned, when he saw his girlfriend-to-be waiting for him. Sabrina looked amazing!

“Wow.”

He didn’t say any more, but his thoughts were broadcasting loudly enough to hear. She picked up that she looked pretty and he was excited about their date, really excited. There weren’t any negative emotions.

Pikachu grinned knowingly.

“So! Um, where do you want to go?” Ash asked.

Sabrina pecked him on the cheek, watching as he blushed. < You can pick. I don’t mind. >

The fact that he didn’t despise her was enough. Even when they wound up on a park bench, enjoying hot dogs, it was all right.

No one looked at them strangely, and no one commented.

Maybe this was what it was like to be normal.

Between Erika and Ash, Sabrina thought she had a pretty good support system. She could keep working on life.

Ash flushed when they kissed goodnight. Walking around the park after dinner had been quite relaxing.

He didn’t even mind Brock’s jibes when he got back to the Pokemon Center.

They could – and would – make this work.

End Fic

Completed 2/5/08

I like Mirageshipping ^^. And Erika taking Sabrina shopping is a fun scenario!