Arms

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Chapter 2

Kaleidoscope Heart

Misty couldn't help but smile as she looked over the beautiful dress hanging against her wardrobe. She had chosen it after an exhausting day of shopping last weekend. Misty was not a fan of shopping, especially whole days of it, but she had to admit she had been more than pleased with her dress. It was simple and understated, just like she had wanted. Black-tie, formal events were not a common part of Misty's life. She remembered her sisters dragging her to fancy parties when she was too young to protest, but back then they seemed dull and boring. Today, though, she wasn't dreading the caviar, sparkly dresses and high heels - she was actually looking forward to getting dressed up, stepping out in public with Gary, and finally admitting to the world that they were seeing each other.

It wasn't that either of them had been ashamed of the fact that they were dating, it was more the fact that they were enjoying spending time together without prying eyes that had kept them from revealing it. A Gym Leader's personal life was, to her dissatisfaction, quite a big deal to the outside world - especially when it came to who she was dating. She knew that once she and Gary were ousted, privacy would become a lot more difficult. Their secret relationship was also very convenient for Misty, because it meant she didn't have to face certain people, or specifically a certain person. It wasn't that she thought what she was doing was wrong - by no means, she could date whomever she wanted. She just had no idea what he would think about it. Would he hate the idea, or welcome it? Would he care at all? Did he even think about her these days? Misty had long since given up on the idea that Ash could or would ever have feelings for her, and her unexpected feelings for Gary had more than filled that black hole of despair. But, she wondered now as she ran her hand over the smooth satin on the dress, what if he really didn't like the idea of her and Gary? What if he hated it? Could she deal with losing her friend in order to keep a relationship with Gary?

Misty was pulled abruptly from her thoughts as her eyes glanced up to look at the clock. 4:00! Gary was picking her up at 5!

One hour later, Misty was checking her reflection in her full length mirror. Though she had rushed, she was satisfied with the result. Her dress was a shade of teal green, which was deep enough that it almost matched her eyes perfectly. It was floor length and made of exquisite satin that hugged her curves in a way that actually made her proud to have them. Jewelled spaghetti straps held it up and it was encrusted with a jewelled, gathered waist. The skirt gathered at the waist and fell like waves of the ocean to the floor, where she wore silver peep-toe heels. Her ginger hair was styled into loose curves and pinned up on one side with a pretty silver clip, and she wore a little blush and mascara to complement the softness of the look. Her sisters were away all week, and she was sort of glad that they weren't there to make a big deal about everything and turn her into their personal styling doll, but she was glad that they had taught her how to do her hair and makeup so that she could do it in a style that suited her best. At heart, Misty was a tomboy and she always felt more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt, but tonight, it felt strangely nice to be all dressed up. Plus, she couldn't wait to see the look on Gary's face when he saw her!

Misty had enough time to pick up her silver clutch bag when the doorbell rang. She took that moment to have a nervous breakdown on the spot, as she felt her chest tighten and her stomach do enough flip-flops that she felt a little nauseous. In getting ready, she hadn't had time to be nervous, but she was terribly so. A fancy party, a public announcement about her and Gary, seeing Ash, cameras and photographers and reporters... How could she have agreed to this?

Misty was still fretting as she made her way from her room to the Gym's foyer, annoyed at being slowed down by the heels that she was in no way used to. How her sisters wore these things all the time was beyond her.

Finally, she swung the door open to reveal Gary, clad in a fitted charcoal suit with a vest, white shirt and black skinny tie. His hair was spiked in its usual fashion, and his eyes, well, they were set ahead in a stare which was making Misty's cheeks flush.

"I...uh...um..." Misty giggled inwardly - she had obviously had the desired affect. Boys were so predictable, though she was totally flattered.

"What is it?" she teased, and he seemed to gather his wit.

"You look...beautiful..." he trailed off, eyes taking in the sight of her. He was truly gobsmacked in way that he had never been before.

Misty's face turned redder - she was sure it matched her hair by now. Gary leaned forward and kissed her, and then took her hand.

"Ready to go?"

"Yep," Misty nodded, hoping her face was recovering from its hotness. She would't want to turn up at the party looking like a tomato.

Gary led Misty to his sports car, waiting directly outside the Gym. Soon after, they were driving towards Pallet Town.

"So...after tonight...everyone will know about us. Are you sure you're okay with that?" Gary asked as they cruised along Route 1.

"Yeah," Misty nodded confidently. "I'll miss our privacy, but we can't keep it a secret forever, right?"

"Right. Ah, Misty...there's something I haven't told you..." Misty's heart lurched.

"What?"

"My... My uh...my parents are coming tonight," he said quickly, as though the faster the words came out the less damage it would cause. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work that way.

"What?" Misty was sent into a reeling panic. On top of everything else, she would have to meet Gary's parents tonight? He had only mentioned them a few times, to say that they lived in Australia and he hadn't seen them since he was ten years old.

"Gary! Why the hell didn't you tell me? Didn't you think this is something I might have to prepare for? Oh my God, oh my God..." Misty was halfway to hyperventilating, and they were halfway to Pallet Town.

"Hey, don't stress!" he chuckled, though nervously. "They're not that bad. I had to be born out of some type of brilliance, right?"

"Not helping!" Misty was frantically checking her reflection in the car's small cosmetic mirror attached to the sun visor. The first thing they would notice about her was her looks. What if they didn't like her? She had never met a boyfriend's parents before, heck, she had never had a boyfriend before.

"Stop," Gary put a hand over hers. "You look amazing, and they're going to love you. How could they not?"

Misty had to admit, that was a sweet thing to say, and with a sigh she forgot the mirror and turned to him.

"Ok...well, I guess there's not much sense in panicking now. Right, give me the lowdown - I want to know everything there is to know about your parents."

Over the course of the drive, Misty learned that Gary's parents were doctors, they lived in Sydney, Australia, they left Gary with his grandfather when he was ten because he had much more of an interest in Pokemon than they did and he would have better opportunities and learn more from Professor Oak than he would from them. The Professor was his mother's father, and his parents had one more child - Gary's older sister Daisy (she thought it ironic that she had the same name as her sister) was a model (also ironic!) and would also be there tonight.

By the time they reached Pallet Town, the fact that she would be seeing Ash tonight was just another complication in a collection of others. She tried in earnest to think only of the things she was looking forward to tonight - such as seeing Brock, May, Max and a collection of other people she had not seen in a long time. Amongst the others in attendance were Gym Leaders from all over the country, members of the Elite Four and Gary had told her that even Lance the Dragon Master was coming. Professor Oak was such a highly respected figure in the world of Pokemon, she wasn't surprised. Perhaps she would even get to see her idol, Lorelai again!

Yes, tonight was going to go just fine, she told herself, and then hoped like hell that she was right.

To be continued…

Credits: Chapter title is from the album 'Kaleidoscope Heart' by Sara Bareilles.