In retrospect, it was a peaceful day. A bright shining sun, a pleasant breeze, and the cute chirps of pidgey and starly in the air.
"Look, this is not my fault! Everything was fine until you had to come over and smack the living daylights out of me!"
In retrospect. Despite the lovely weather outside, a storm was brewing between me and my enemy/friend/rival (call him what you will) over a completely ridiculous incident that had nothing to do with me and everything to do with him.
Maybe we wouldn't even be having this argument if my parents weren't such business maniacs. Because if they weren't, I would be walking home in my direction from school, with Dawn. This new direction involved Misty (Which was good, because I loved that girl!) and the unfortunate addition of Drew.
"May, chill out. I poked you with an eraser because you were the one snoozing away in class. I didn't know you'd scream." Drew managed to keep up that irritatingly stuck up attitude of his until the last sentence. Even he seemed to be getting peeved.
"Well, you know what?—" I began.
"FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS HOLY AND ABOVE, WILL YOU PLEASE SHUT UP!"
Misty's scream actually echoed. It was effective, too, because it silenced not only me but apparently every other living thing around us. The pidgey's chirps were no more.
"There. Finally." Misty smiled in a cheerful relief.
A silent wind blew by, intensifying the already awkward silence. Drew and I simply stood there, dubious of our next action. Luckily, Misty stepped in for us.
"Okay, let's go now," the redhead declared. "But if I hear ONE MORE WORD FROM ANY OF YOU!" Her threat was accompanied with an intense glower and a fiery background.
I think she made Drew feel intimidated. I... didn't think such things were humanly possible.
Misty started walking, so I sighed and followed, grumpily kicking random things scattered on the path.
Alright, so now would be a good time for a flashback.
Mom and Dad were gone. My father and mother, both being very prominent figures in the business community, kept them quite busy. It wasn't much of a pain, because they placed a ton of importance on their lovely children and made sure they were around for us in our early years.
However, we were growing up, which now gave them a little wiggle room. Wiggle room enough to leave us behind for a month, apparently.
At first it seemed like a pain. But then, I thought: What a great opportunity! Maybe I could go stay with Misty, or Dawn for an entire month.
As you can clearly see, that didn't happen.
We were informed by Mom and Dad that one of their friends was kind enough to take us in. I mean, of course I was disappointed that I couldn't stay with someone I knew, but at that point I had ceased caring.
So it was a little surprising when I was standing at my new caretaker's house, bundled up in a my best clothes and wearing a winning smile, only to come face to face with my rival.
Or so I thought. It was actually just a woman who looked like my rival. Still: creepy. She was very pretty, with her long curly hair and her sharp green eyes. But it was so familiar...
And then my eyes locked onto my rival. Drew. The boy with his own literal fanclub at school.
At that moment, I let out a defeated sob while Drew seemed to exhale a sigh of amusement.
I mean, just... Why? Why would this happen? What kind of sin did I commit? After all, I hated that guy. He was constantly riling me up and putting me down because I had no style when it came to performances.
Oh, and don't get me started on the way the girls just fawned over him like he was some supreme being. That really made me angry.
The first ten minutes were basically spent writhing in agony. The parents discussed while I sat beside them, wearing the expression of death. Max just kept laughing at me.
Drew sat down next to me. "Just so you know, May, you aren't going to stay with me, though this might disappoint you." A smirk. A glare.
"Thank. Arceus." I bit out with clenched teeth, trying to restrain my temper.
"Why?" Max decided to ask.
"My mom's supposed to be out of town for a while, too. Even longer than your parents, I think. Unlike you, she trusts me to stay home alone." He flipped his hair out of his eyes. I tried not to scowl.
"May, Max!" I heard my mother call. Good. Escape from this prison, at last! With a renewed happy mood, I bounced over to my parents.
"Mom, so where are we stay—"
"I'll see you guys soon! Take care of yourselves!" Mom and Dad reached out to hug us and wave... goodbye.
"B-But I thought that…" With that being said, me and Max were officially stranded at my own rival's house.
We had a "babysitter". Considering, however, that all she did was lock herself up in a room and talk on the phone, it didn't make that much of a difference. Me, Drew, and Max in one household without any parental guidance. Are you beginning to see how this might be problematic?
I think you can. But back to the present.
In the beginning, I thought maybe I could make amends with Drew or something and this stay wouldn't have to be a totally scarring experience... (I was wrong).
"Hey guysssss!" Suddenly, Ash burst out through one of the doors upstairs and made his way downstairs to us in the living room, where we were unraveling the stresses of a long school day.
Misty and I both greeted him enthusiastically. Drew's brow twitched in annoyance.
"Why are you in my house," Drew greeted flatly, frown evident on his face.
Ash just smiled and shrugged. "School let out half an hour ago, Drew. Plus since you guys weren't here… your weird... butler girl let me in. Why are you all so late anyway?" Ash inquired, curiosity and suspicion now evident in his tone.
"It's a long story, Ash. Long story short, May and Drew bicker like an old married couple. No, worse than that!" Misty claimed dramatically, looking like she wanted to stab something at the memory.
I felt my face instantly heat up as I immediately blabbered out the worst response. "Lies!"
"Whatever you say, May." Misty shrugged nonchalantly. It was clear she had won this round.
"And who said you could come inside, too?" Drew looked to Misty with a slightly exasperated look.
"Look, I'm the one who has to suffer the burden of walking home with you guys, so I'm staying. You totally owe me. Plus, you've got a nice place!" Misty grinned innocently and pushed past Drew, who had clearly given up.
"Does this have to do with not going home to The Sisters?" I announced knowingly, making Ash snicker.
Misty twitched. "Oh, shut up!" she bellowed. The mallet was unsheathed, and both Ash and I cowered in fear. I swear she had that on her person at all times.
"Remind me to ask our 'butler girl' to never let you in again, Ash." Drew smirked, knowing full well what Ash's reaction would be.
Ash pouted. "Geez, no need to be so moody..."
"Don't waste your time, Ash. He's always moody." I grinned, suddenly realizing that I had the upper hand in the argument. Me! This has like, never happened! Ever!
Drew just ignored me.
"Well, I think you both are acting strange. You should be happier considering the time of year, you know," Misty brought up while she plopped herself on the couch next to me. Her blue eyes sparkled dreamily.
"What time?" I asked curiously. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Drew seeming curious as well.
"Of course, I mean…it is going to be Valentine's—"
"VALENTINE'S DAY!?"
