***AUTHORESS NOTES***

Yes, a new one-shot. Surprisingly, it's not romantic, it's just
dramatic. I need something to get the creative juices flowing. 

This might not be my only new one-shot today...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS
BY TORCHICK


     "I don't understand. I thought we were happy..." He was at a loss
for words. "I know what it is. It's just because this is the first time
we've seen each other in awhile. You'll get over this... Right?"

     Misty had no idea that he would take this that bad. Did that mean
he still cared? ...Of course not. He was shocked. And confused. He would
get over this quickly.

     She shook her head. "No, Ash... Once you leave, there is no turning
back."

     "Your sisters are back though! You can come with me and Brock and
May and Max and travel again!" He was pleading. And trying to bribe her.
It might've worked if it would just be her and Ash and Brock... But
Misty was not one for change, and being with May and Max, knowing that
they shared something with Ash that she didn't, would wreck her.

     "I'm sorry, Ash, I can't... I just can't." He had no idea how much
this was killing her... But maybe it was time to move on. He had done
it. Even though he had tried to convince her throughout their
'relationship' that he hadn't, she knew he had. He could go through the
days without his mind being stuck on her and without crying himself to
sleep... She couldn't. He didn't understand that this was for HER. So
that maybe she could live again...

      She placed the phone back on the receiver and choked back a sob.
Crying meant you were weak. During the night, she was weak. It was then
that she missed him most.

THE END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, I know that was short. It was meant to be. Just to warn you, my
main stories right now are "Emerald Ashes" and "Insight". I'm also
working on a new Gary/Misty-Ash triangle AU but don't expect that for
awhile. I'm only in the middle of chapter 1. 

See you guys! ^^