Chapter 7 Ash was lying on the bed in his room. He had stopped crying a while ago and now he was just thinking. Pikachu had been trying to comfort Ash, and seeing as Ash had now stopped crying he had gone and nuzzled himself into the nook of his neck. Ash smiled softly at the Pokemon’s affections, but that didn’t last long as he began to think of Misty once again. “If I hadn’t promised the Cerulean sisters that I’d do the play I would have quit already Pikachu” “Chu chu” “But I always keep my promises,” Ash’s tone was definitely a sad one as he thought of what he was going to do. “I have enough money for one, don’t I Pikachu?” “Pika” the rodent answered back just as sadly, aware of what his master was discussing. ‘This should make her happy’ Ash thought dejectedly as he picked up Pikachu and placed him on his shoulder and exited the room. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gary had stopped holding Misty as she was now sitting on the gym floor in silence. ‘Should I ask? Oh come on Gary, if you don’t find out now you know it’s going to drive you crazy later’ “All right Misty what was it exactly that you said to Ash?” Gary cautiously asked. Misty looked up from where she was sitting. The light showing her red, tear stained face. “I didn’t say anything to him, I didn’t even know he was there. If I had known I never would have...,” Misty was angry at herself for making Ash feel so hurt and she couldn’t bare to even utter those words that had caused this whole thing. “You never would have what? Please tell me Misty, I’m just trying to help” Misty wasn’t sure if she wanted to confide in Gary. He was being unusually nice for his character and she had been around both him and Ash long enough to know that Gary is never nice for no reason. “I don’t think it would be such a good idea Gary. Don’t worry I’ll handle it on my own. I’ll just go and talk to Ash and get this whole mess straightened out,” Misty decided not to tell Gary. She remembered that Gary had told Ash to go and talk to her, so in reality this whole mess was Gary’s fault. At least in Misty’s reality. Misty was about to go find Ash when he walked through the door with Pikachu perched protectively on his shoulder. The Cerulean sisters saw Ash enter and finally broke from their very interesting conversation about what kind of necklace says medieval period but also, “I’m the bomb”. “Like finally Ash you’re back, do you think we can rehearse the 2nd castle scene now?” Daisy asked. “Okay” “Good, and we were talking about your costume and we decided what you are wearing now is fine, but we also want you to wear this black cape,” Lilly lifted up a long, dull, black cape. “I guess,” Ash said in an unsure tone. “Like, try it on” Daisy said “Now?” “Yes now, this is going to be our dress rehearsal, and Gary you will be wearing this,” Lilly showed everyone loose fitting brown pants and a puffy white shirt. “What is that? I am not going to wear that shirt, the pants are fine but not the shirt,” Gary said disgustedly. “What is wrong with the shirt, its white and heroes wear white” Lilly explained for the millionth time that day it seemed, as her sisters rolled their eyes. “First of all it has ruffles,” Gary examined the front of the shirt and the sleeves. “Look, you got off easy, before she was talking about how you would look good in white leggings and no shirt at all” Violet stated as Lilly turned bright red and everyone looked at her suspiciously, while Gary was definitely frightened. “I’ll stick with the shirt” Gary said quickly as he grabbed the clothes from Lilly in one swift movement as to not get to close. “Let’s start rehearsing, Gary go change” Daisy commanded. “Wait a minute, why are we having a dress rehearsal now. We haven’t even rehearsed the play once yet” Gary argued, trying to delay the inevitable as long as possible, with the inevitable being the white puffy shirt. “Let me ask you ask you a few questions Gary” Daisy said calmly. “When is the play supposed to go on?” “Saturday” “How many times have we rehearsed the play?” “None” “Okay, do you know your lines by heart?” “No” “Do you think we will be able to rehearse this play more than once?” “No” “Do you understand the point of these questions?” “No” “GO PUT ON THE STUPID PUFFY SHIRT!” Gary startled by this revelation ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Ash chuckled to himself at Gary’s reaction. However, that is when he noticed what Misty was wearing and a blush rose to his cheeks. He examined the long loose princess-like skirt that seemed to float as she walked. At least it was loose until you got to the bust, that area was extremely revealing, to say the least. Ash inwardly kicked himself for feeling any kind of pleasure while looking at “her”. But that pleasure soon turned into relief as he realized he got off easy in the costume department. He then began to once again chuckle to himself as he pictured Gary in the white frilly shirt. “Um Daisy could we hold off from the rehearsing for a few minutes, I need to talk to Ash,” despite the recent excitement, Misty had not forgotten the horrible reality of her situation and she wanted to get it resolved as soon as possible. “Well...,” Daisy was interrupted by Ash. “I don’t feel like talking,” Ash said angrily. “But it’s important, please,” Misty pleaded now knowing why Ash is upset. “ Fine, if it’s that important I’ll talk to you, but it can wait till after we finish rehearsing,” Ash did not feel like speaking to Misty, especially while she was wearing that. Of course it seems to have slipped Ash’s mind that he would have to anyway if they were to rehearse. “No it can’t wait” “Well it will have to,” Daisy stated. “What?” Misty asked. “I’m sorry Misty but we haven’t rehearsed anything yet, if we keep taking breaks we are never going to get anything done. Look, if we can get through this scene and I’m happy with the outcome then we can take a break and you can talk to Ash, I promise” “Fine,” Misty gave in, realizing that Daisy was right. At that moment Gary came in wearing the white puffy shirt. He had a embarrassed blush on his cheeks. Everyone but Lilly was ready to burst out with laughter. Lilly stood in awe at the wonderful choice she believed she made. Pikachu on the other hand could not hold his laughter in any longer as he burst into hysterics . “Pika pika chuuu,” Pikachu rolled on the floor laughing as Ash, Misty, Daisy, and Violet, unable to contain themselves, joined in. Lilly stood baffled, unaware of what was so funny. Gary just hung his head down in shame as he walked over to the table and sat down. “Oh Gary, you are a vision of loveliness, I must say. In other words, your so pretty,” Ash said the last three words in a dreamy voice as he pulled at Gary’s ruffles. “Shut up Ketchum,” Gary said getting extremely annoyed while swatting Ash’s hand away. Pikachu continued to laugh as the girls looked on amused. “All right everyone we can all make fun of Gary later. Right now we have to rehearse the 2nd castle seen with Jake and Luna,” Daisy stated as Gary glared at her. “Misty you sit here and Ash you sit over here on the other side” Daisy instructed. As Misty did as she was told she realized the castle set had been built. Apparently, while all the drama had been going on for the past 3 hours the Cerulean sisters had been busy building the set. Misty was impressed, her sisters had done a very good job and in such a short amount of time. Of course they were probably used to it, what with all the productions they constantly put on. Misty then turned her attention from the set to her dress as she realized the bust had become tighter for some reason. She then saw the reason as she pulled dress up and then double checked to make sure everything was still in place. “All right guys, in the play Luna has been prisoner at Jake’s castle for a day. She is extremely annoyed and angry. Jake’s main objective is to get her..,” Violet was interrupted by Gary. “To fall in love with him” “No, not really to fall in love with him, as much as her to realize that he is really in love with her. You see, right now she hates him, and doesn’t believe anything he says. So basically he would be happy at this point if she acknowledged him as a human being,” Violet explained the characters motivation as Misty and Ash nodded their heads, understanding the concept. “All right, we are going to start the scene and try to go all the way through with no break, so if I give you an instruction pretend I’m not there and just follow it out. Okay begin,” Daisy gave the cue with her hand. Misty sat there ignoring Ash as he stared at her in amusement. “What is so funny?” Misty said as Luna. “Nothing it’s just amusing how hard you are trying to ignore me,” Ash as Jake. “Please, I do not even have to try, it is quit easy ignoring someone like you” Luna stated with a pompous attitude. “Oh really, if it is so easy then how did you even know I was starring at you and why did you ask if I found something funny?” “.....” Luna opened her mouth to speak but realized he was right so instead she “Hmmpf,” as she turned around with her back to him. Jake chuckled as he spoke again. “Even when you try to ignore me you are irresistible” Misty gave a slight smile “Why did you make me come down here anyway? I was perfectly content sitting in my room” “If I left you perfectly content I would not be able to gaze at your beauty and listen to your angelic voice” “Flattery will get you no where” “I wasn’t trying to flatter you, I was just speaking my mind. Of course if you are flattered that is all the better for me. Perhaps then you will realize how in love with you I am,” Ash had a difficult time getting the last few words out as he realized they were all too true. Misty spun around and was now facing Ash again as her heart skipped a beat at those words “That is another thing, how can you say you are in love with me, you have never even spoken to me before yesterday” Luna said, anger apparent in her voice. “One does not need words to realize their true love my lady” Jake stated calmly. Luna gazed at him, a little taken aback. “True love? If you believe you are my true love then you are sadly mistaken” “ No, I am afraid that you my lady are sadly mistaken. I know what I am feeling, my heart does not deceive me, and what I am feeling is love” “Believe what you will, but as soon as David comes to rescue me, which he will, you will be forced to give me up or die at the hands of my brother” “I would gladly die for you my lady” “Oh you are so, so....” “Irresistible?” Jake said with a smirk upon his lips. “Hmmpff” Luna said as Misty twirled around in her chair and crossed her arms with her back once again facing Ash. Ash just sat that with a grin on his face still staring at Misty. “And scene” Daisy stated with her hand as she raised it then brought it down in one quick motion. “That was great, you guys are fantastic, you portrayed the characters perfectly, that was exactly what we wanted” Daisy complimented as Violet, Lilly, Pikachu, and even Gary applauded. “Thanks I thought it was really good too” Misty said while once again adjusting her dress as she got up. “Well like I promised you guys can take a break, and Misty you can talk to Ash now” Misty had almost forgotten about that, as she gestured for Ash to follow her out the room. Ash began to follow when he was stopped by Pikachu who wanted to come too in case Ash needed protection. “Pi Pikachu chu” “Don’t worry Pikachu I’ll be okay” ‘I hope’ Ash thought as he followed Misty out the door leaving a Pikachu with sad droopy ears behind.(All together now, Aaawww) As soon as they got into the hall Ash regretted agreeing to this talk as he saw Misty’s serious face. “Look Ash, Gary told me that you heard something that I said before” Ash, not wanting to hear this again and give her the satisfaction of seeing him cry began to walk away from her. She grabbed his hand and pulled him back. “Please Ash, just listen to me” “I’ve listened to enough things that you have had to say, I know how you feel, now just leave me alone” Ash was now holding back tears. “No you don’t know how I feel, I didn’t mean those things I said, honest, if I knew you were listening I never would have said them” “Oh really, you didn’t mean them, you were just saying those things for the hell of it. I know that you think I’m dense but I’m not a fool. Believe it or not, if you had said those things to my face I probably would have thought you were joking. I probably would have thought you weren’t serious, that you were just mad and didn’t mean them. However, like you said, you didn’t know I was listening, you weren’t joking with yourself, nor were you lying” Ash said now not caring whether he was crying or not, which he was. Misty could here all the hurt in his voice as she began to speak while on the verge of tears herself. “Ash, I was lying, I was trying to convince myself that...that.....I wasn’t...” “Wasn’t what?” Ash said angrily waiting for Misty to continue. However, Misty couldn’t, she couldn’t say the one thing she had been dying to tell him since she admitted it to herself all those years ago. She couldn’t say the one thing that would end all this suffering on both their parts, or at least his. She wanted to say it so bad, but the fear of rejection was too great. Misty stood there in silence with pleading eyes as she watched Ash turn away in disgust of being betrayed by the person he thought was his best friend. “You should be happy instead of crying you know. Two of your wishes are about to come true” Misty didn’t answer him as she stood in confusion at his statement. “You will be able to go on a vacation, and best of all it will be by yourself” “no” Misty said barely above a whisper as her tears continued to flow. “I finally have enough money for one. So as soon as the play is over you won’t have to deal with me ruining your life. You can finally be happy” Misty watched Ash walk away as he said one last thing that she almost didn’t hear, almost. “I always keep my promises,” and with that Ash was out of site. Misty collapsed to the floor. She continued to cry as she finished her sentence from before, the one thing that would have saved their now failed friendship. “in love with you”