Ash and Misty sat alone on a bench, awaiting the moment that was due to change their lives forever.
Any moment now, that bus would round the corner, and Ash would be getting on...leaving for university. Their
Pokémon, at least those that didn't need to be in water (which basically only left out Goldeen) were at their feet,
trying to find a way to say goodbye, much like their trainers were.
Misty checked her watch for the millionth time and weaved her fingers through Ash's, leaning her
head on his shoulder. "I'm going to miss you so much..." she said for the hundredth time. "Are you sure you
have to go?"
Ash looked over at her. Her eyes were filled with such despair that made him want to forget about
university and just stay here with her. But instead, he nodded. "I'll miss you, too," he said softly. "But I'll write,
every day."
Misty nodded. "So will I," she said. She picked up Togepi, who was wailing frantically, not sure what
was going on, but knowing that it was upsetting 'mommy'. "You will try not to do any real dense things out
there, right?"
Ash smiled at her. "Yeah," he said. "It just wouldn't be the same without you there to critisize me,
anyway."
Misty heard the sound of something big coming down the street, and fear punched her hard in the
stomach. She felt Ash's hand tighten around hers. A quick glance at him showed tears welling up in his eyes,
automatically triggering her own. For seven years, the two had never been apart, and now, they were looking at
at least four years before they would even see each other in person again. They had already apologized for
everything that they had done to hurt each other, already exchanged parting gifts - Ash had given her a gold
necklace with a charm in the shape of a Tentacruel, and Misty had given him a framed photo of the four of
them - Ash, Misty, Brock, and Tracey - at a carnival, as well as a card with well-wishes from almost everyone
in Pallet Town.
Misty's heart turned inside out as the bus rumbled into view. She wanted so much to be able to just
turn back the clock and stop this from happening. She saw Ash stand up, but the teenaged boy was a little
reluctant to leave. *Please...think this over!* her mind screamed. *Please don't go!* She felt her tears spilling
onto her cheeks like rainwater.
Ash turned back to her as the bus pulled up and the driver stepped off to unload the parcels and
luggage. "Well...I...guess this is...goodbye..."
Misty couldn't hold back her emotions anymore and threw her arms around him. "Please, don't
leave!" she cried. "I just can't..."
"It's okay, Misty," Ash said softly, her relentless sobbing wreaking havoc on his nerves. "I'll be back,
I promise. Maybe I'll even try to come home for Christmas."
Misty couldn't stop her tears, couldn't let go of him. "Please..."
Ash gently pushed her away from him. "It'll go by fast," he said. "I promise." And with that, he turned
and boarded the bus.
Misty watched the bus pull out of the parking lot. She saw him in a side window, waving. She waved
back, waving until she couldn't see him anymore. And then, she began the daunting task of walking home...it
was going to be a long four years...and she couldn't see how she was going to make it.
THE END
A/N: I know this was short and all, but I just wrote it to help myself get over losing my best friend...