Chapter 1 A Brush with Death (by Embarrassment) “Who is that?” Duplica whispered to Misty. “Who cares, he is gorgeous.” Duplica stood back in shock as she examined her friend who was still staring at the painter. Duplica reached out and jokingly put a hand on Misty’s forehead. “Well you don’t feel sick.” Misty got a look of annoyance on her face as she batted Duplica’s hand away. “What do you mean sick?” “Come on Misty, you and I both know that this is not normal behavior for you.” Misty gave her a confused look “Okay, when I usually point out a guy that I think is hot you usually just say he looks okay and go back to doing whatever it is your doing. Right now you are staring at him like you are about to pounce on a juicy piece of meat.” “I am not!” “Okay your not, by the way you got a little drool right there,” Duplica pointed to the side of her mouth. “Hmmppff” Misty turned around in embarrassment and then quickly wiped the drool off. “Admit it Mist, you are acting more like Brock now than Celibate Misty.” “I told you not to call me that!” “Okay, okay I’m sorry, it’s just that the only guy I’ve ever seen you interested in is Ash Kmmmpppfff.” Misty put her hand over Duplica’s mouth. “Don’t say that name.” Misty let go of Duplica’s mouth as she took a tissue out of her purse and began to wipe the lipstick off her palm. “Come on Misty everyone knows you had or should I say have a crush on him.” “Please, I haven’t even seen him in 4 years.” “Exactly, but yet you still like him, what’s up with that. I mean sure he was cute and all but...” “Look this is none of your business, and apparently I don’t still have a crush on him since I’m attracted to that guy right over there.” “Ha, I knew it!” Misty just realized that she blurted out her secret. ‘Oh well, if Duplica tries anything I’ll just threaten to tell everybody about the crush she had on Brock when we were kids.’ Misty, pleased with herself for having ammunition against the Ditto trainer, calmed down. “Besides A-, you-know-who, isn’t the only guy I’ve ever been interested in, I have a huge crush on the man in black.” “Big deal, everybody has a huge crush on the man in black.” Giselle wandered over curious at to what was going on “So ladies what are we discussing?” “Nothing Misty and I were just admiring the view.” Giselle looked over to where the other two girls were staring. “Whoa, now that is nice, very nice.” Misty began to get nervous at Giselle’s presence. Giselle was known to always get what she wants, and if Giselle was interested in painter guy then, just like every guy before him, he’d be hers. Misty knew she probably didn’t have a chance competing against someone like Giselle. “Are, are you going to go hit on him?” “Me hit on him? I don’t think so. He is hired help, he is lower class for God sakes. Honestly now, who do you think I am, her.” Giselle pointed to Duplica. Duplica did not look happy as she began to advance toward Giselle who quickly ran behind Misty for protection. Misty was just pleased to hear that the painter guy was still free for the taking, the only problem was getting enough courage to take him. Duplica was still advancing on the frightened Giselle when Misty spoke. “So Giselle, out of curiosity, if you weren’t interested in him why did you say he looked “nice”?” “Just because he is below me doesn’t mean I can’t admire the fine craftsmanship.” Giselle pointed out with a sly grin on her lips as she took advantage of the distraction to quickly slip away from Duplica to where Brock and Gary were talking. At that moment a man about the age of 20 entered the room. His hair was long and pulled back into a small ponytail. He was maybe an inch or two shorter than Brock. He was dressed in gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt on top. “Hey guys.” “Hey Trace,” Brock greeted. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.” “No not at all, it just gave us time to admire the decor,” Gary stated sarcastically. “Sorry for the mess, the painting was supposed to be finished yesterday but it seems you just can’t find good help these days,” Tracy said mockingly as he looked over his shoulder just in time to see the painter give him a very dangerous look that went unnoticed by everyone else. Tracey instinctively backed away even though he was already several feet away from the painter. He then nervously tried to speak as his voice held a frightened high pitch tone. “Heh heh, well the Prof. is ready to see you now so follow me.” The painter laughed to himself, pleased at his achievement and the reaction of the young artist. Gary, Giselle and Brock followed Tracy into the next room as Misty was stopped by Duplica in the doorway. “What?” “Hello I thought you liked that guy?” “I do,” Duplica gave Misty a aren’t-you-going-to-do-anything-about-it look. “Now?” “Yes now.” “But Prof. Oak is waiting for us.” “I’ll cover for you.” “What are you going to say, Oh Prof. I’m sorry Misty couldn’t join us for your top secret important meeting but she is trying to hit on the hot painter in the lobby.” “All right.” Duplica pretended to go inside all ready to say Misty’s suggestion when Misty grabbed her by the arm to stop her. “No!” “I’m just kidding. Misty just go up to the guy and ask him out, if he says no fine, if he says yes great. I’ll even wait for you.” “But..” “Look Misty this is the first guy besides the man in black and you-know-who that I’ve seen you even remotely interested in. You haven’t seen you-know-who in 4 years and I’m pretty sure the only way you are ever going to meet the man in black is in your dreams along with the rest of us so I suggest you go for it with this guy. Come on Mist it’s just a date, nobody is asking you to propose to him.” “Fine,” Misty sighed as she began to walk toward the painter while Togetic chirped it’s name in her arms. Duplica looked proudly at her friend who was now only a few feet away from the painter ‘She is actually going to do it.’ ‘I’m actually going to do it.’ She was now one foot away from the painter as he turned around and was now facing her. His dark amber eyes met her ocean blue ones. Misty opened her mouth to say something but no words came out. She was left speechless as she looked at the man’s handsome face. This was the first time that she actually got to see his face clearly and suffice it to say she was definitely pleased. The young man stared at the redhead with a look of confusion and amusement on his cute face “Um, can I help you with something?” Duplica watched from the doorway as her friend stood silently in front of the guy with her mouth open. ‘Say something.’ ‘Say something.’ Misty thought to herself as the young man continued to stare. “Uh, I was, I was wondering if um, you would, I mean if I could..uh..” ‘Come on Misty you can do it.’ Duplica mentally cheered on her friend. “Yes?” the man inquired. Misty mustered up all the courage she possessed, cleared her throat so she could speak properly and said loudly “I was wondering if I could....borrow your brush?” “Borrow my brush?” ‘Borrow his brush?’ “Togetic?” ‘Did I just say that I wanted to borrow his brush?’ “Okay..., but I kind of need it to paint right now.” “Oh okay, well I guess some other time then, bye.” Misty’s face flushed with embarrassment as she quickly walked off towards Duplica leaving the painter in a state of confusion. “That was interesting.” “I know I’m very pathetic.” “Not pathetic, just a little sad,” Duplica said jokingly. “A little sad? What’s wrong with me?” “Nothing you were just nervous that’s all, don’t worry about it, maybe you will get enough courage to ask him out later.” “Yeah but now he probably thinks I’m some kind of nutcase who has a weird obsession for brushes.” Duplica started to giggle at her distraught friends ramblings. However, the giggling subsided as a voice was heard from inside. “Hey Ditto girl, Misty, where are you guys the Prof. waiting,” Brock called. “Coming,” Duplica called back as she pulled Misty inside with her. The painter watched the two girls leave as he once again began to talk to the large tub of red substance. “Is it just me or has she gotten even weirder from when we were kids?” “Slurp, slurp” “If you keep eating that stuff you are going to be to heavy to carry.” “Pi, slurp, ka, slurp” “It is fattening if you eat a whole tub of it.” The painter waited for a response from the tub but was just greeted by more slurping and licking noises. ‘Hopeless, oh well, he is going to be the one complaining about a stomach ache later not me,’ the painter thought as he shook his head at the tub. ‘I wonder what Mist really wanted from me......why did she have to look so beautiful, this is going to be harder then I thought.’