Chapter 4: When the Clock Strikes Twelve
Hello everyone, and welcome to chapter 4 of Surprise Visit. If you have followed this story for so long, thank you! I appreciate that you've actually paid attention to this story and read up to this chapter. Now, let's get started with chapter 4.
Shoutout to me for getting this out early again :)
Enjoy!
Italics such as "this" indicates thoughts.
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Misty was not feeling well. No, she didn't have a cold, she didn't eat some bad food, and she wasn't feeling sick. It was about Ash. It had six days since she had kissed him, but he hasn't done anything about it. The past six days have been really awkward between the two, with Ash looking away from her as soon as she was in the same room as him. He had been avoiding her, she concluded. Misty sighed, sitting down on her bed once more. She didn't know that her love life would be so stressful, but then again, she was falling for Ash Ketchum.
"Maybe he doesn't like me? Maybe he didn't like the way we kissed. Or I could be a bad kisser. I don't know, I don't know!" She leaned and fell back on the bed, anxious thoughts running through her mind. Realizing this, she scolded herself, knowing that self pity would get her nowhere. "Maybe he's just confused about his feelings. I know Ash hasn't had feelings for any girl in the past, at least, that I know of. I think he's just confused. It seems so simple, thinking about it. I shouldn't have been worrying in the first place." Satisfied with that, she turned her thoughts to other places.
Today the Ketchums were having another get together for only a couple people, unlike the Christmas party. While the past couple of weeks was stressful for the family, it was to be expected at this time of year. Misty insisted on helping Delia out, but the older woman had brushed her off; saying that her and Ash could take care of it. So instead, Misty stayed in her room with just herself and her thoughts.
Actually, there was one thing she had forgotten about. Misty was leaving for Cerulean soon. While she didn't want to, she knew that it was necessary to make sure her sisters didn't ruin anything at the gym. This dilemma really put a timer on her relationship with Ash. She wanted to tell him about her feelings so badly, but after his behavior for the past six days, she was unsure. Maybe just a simple goodbye would do? Maybe she could apologize? Misty sighed in frustration once again. Things were never simple, but one thing was for sure. No matter how long it would be, she would wait for Ash Ketchum.
With Ash.
Ash's muscles ached! He had just moved a table all the way to another room just because his mom thought it would look better there. He moved towards once of the couches before flopping down and closing his eyes. His arms hurt so much. He decided to lay there for a while and take some time to relax after working hard. His mother was busy getting some decorations from the basement and Misty was in her room doing something. It was just him.
Speaking of Misty, he hadn't spoken to her properly in a couple days. It had been his fault, he admitted. He just didn't know how to react when a really attractive girl suddenly goes up and kisses him! He closed his eyes even more shut, not wanting to remember how awkward he had been in the past couple of days. He had barely spoken to her, but when he had it had been short and to the point. He sighed, knowing that he had probably hurt Misty. He just didn't know what to do and how to react. He sighed in frustration. He didn't want to be clueless.
Just as Ash had sighed, Delia walked in.
"Is there something wrong, honey?" she asked him, concerned. Ash grunted in surprise before realizing that it was just his mom. He still felt sore, so he continued to lay on the couch while he spoke.
"I don't know really. Yeah, I'm still feeling sore from lifting that table, that's not really it. On Christmas, Misty kissed me. Not on the cheek, on the lips. But I-"
"Oh, that's so cute!" his mom interrupted before realizing that it was inappropriate.
"As I was saying," Ash continued. "I don't know what to do. The past six days have been so awkward between us, as you've probably noticed. It's just that I don't know when to react when a pretty girl suddenly kisses me! I know that I don't have much experience with girls, but I know what they mean when they kiss me. I liked the kiss, that's for sure. I just don't know what to do right now."
"Well, Ash, do you have feelings for Misty?"
"Well...I do." Ash admitted, surprised that he was able to do so. "I just don't know what to do." Delia sat down and pondered what to say next.
"You need to tell her, then! I know both you and Misty are leaving to go your separate ways soon, so you need to tell her tonight. It's best for the both of you. And I don't want you to live with the regret of not telling Misty that you like her. Ask her as the new year passes! It'll be romantic." Delia squealed while giggling.
"Mom!" Ash exclaimed, embarrassed.
"Just kidding honey. Tell her about your feelings. Better yet, ask her out. I know that women like Misty don't come around in your life all the time. She's truly a keeper, Ash, so you ask her out." Delia stated seriously before she smiled. "Now I'm going to go finish making dinner for tonight. Ask her out tonight, ok?" she said as she kissed him on the cheek before walking to the kitchen.
Later that night.
After Ash and his mom made the house presentable, the Oak family had arrived for dinner with the family and Misty. Professor Oak and Daisy had arrived back from where they were during Christmas to celebrate New Years in Pallet Town. The six of them sat around the table; eating the food that Delia had prepared. Misty had sat next to Ash, but it was clear that there was tension between the two. Noticing this, Delia decided to make some conversation.
"So where did you two go for the past two weeks?" she asked, referring to the professor and Daisy.
"Oh, we just went to the Orange Islands to talk to Professor Ivy. She wanted to share something important with me regarding some of the islands legends. Daisy came along with me because I can't move just like I used to. It's not like I'm getting any younger! Haha!" Professor Oak chuckled.
"Yeah, we decided to take a well-needed vacation as well. Like gramps just said, he's not getting younger." Daisy added with a smile.
"Wait, so what about the legends in the Orange Islands?" Ash asked curiously.
"Sorry Ash, but that has to remain a secret. For now, at least." Ash pouted slightly at Professor Oak's words but he knew that he couldn't get any information out of the man.
The rest of the meal passed with some light conversation. While there was still some tension between Ash and Misty, they decided it was best to put it behind them to accommodate the guests. As the they finished their meals, Delia went to go help Professor Oak take a seat while Mimey washed the dishes. Daisy dragged Misty to the guest bedroom to have some "girl talk" so Ash and Gary decided to just sit on the couch and watch whatever what was on the television at the time. They ended up watching the Kanto New Years Special, which was being hosted in Saffron. While Ash looked like he was watching, he was actually thinking about how to ask Misty out.
"You okay over there?" Gary asked him.
"Huh?" Gary laughed at the boy's confusion.
"You just looked stressed out about something. What is it? Is it Misty?"
"Um, I guess." Ash hesitated. He didn't really know if he wanted to tell Gary but decided on doing it anyway. "So you know how Misty asked me to talk during the Christmas Party?" Gary nodded as he remembered. Ash leaned forward slightly as he rubbed his hands together. "Well, long story short, she kissed me." Gary looked up in surprise, his mouth opening and closing like a beached Magikarp.
"S-she kissed you?" he exclaimed.
"I know, right? I just don't know what to do! Things have been so awkward for the past couple of days." Ash replied, shaking his head.
"Ask her out, dude! Misty is such a catch."
"My mom said the same thing. I just don't know how, Gary." Ash said as he looked down.
"Do it tonight! It'll be romantic, being New Years Eve and all. If you don't ask her tonight, I will." Gary said as he smirked. Ash glared at his friend before punching him in the shoulder.
"You're a dick."
"Okay, I deserved that. But you better ask her out." Gary stated.
"You're right...thanks man." Ash smiled at his childhood friend.
"Go get her, Ashy Boy." Gary said, smiling as he did so.
Eventually Misty made her way downstairs with Daisy in tow.
"What were you guys doing?" huffed Gary.
"Like I said, it's girl stuff. You don't need to know." his sister responded. Misty blushed, remembering what Daisy had told her. She had basically said that Ash probably returned her feelings and that she should just wait for him to make a move. When Misty heard that, she was overjoyed. She had wanted Ash to make a move for so long, and knowing that he could return her feelings lifted her mood considerably. Daisy and Misty sat near the boys and turned their attention to the television.
They sat in silence for a bit, but Ash's mind was too busy to pay attention to anything. "I need to do this, I need to do this." he thought. "But what if she doesn't want to? What if I choke? What if I mess-" Ash was brought back to reality when Gary nudged his shoulder. Ash glared back at him, wondering what it was about. Gary turned to his friend, his eyes flickering towards Misty's direction. Ash, getting the message, realized that it wasn't time to be distracted by his thoughts. Ash stood up and walked over to Misty.
"Hey, Misty." The girl looked up at him. Ash swallowed back his doubts and insecurity before continuing. "Can we go upstairs to my room for a bit? I want to talk."
"Uh, sure thing Ash." Misty responded awkwardly. Deep down, however, she was smiling brightly. This could be it. She looked back at Daisy and smiled. She returned it, giving Misty a thumbs up of approval. Misty then turned back to Ash and the two of them made their way upstairs.
Downstairs.
"So, you got Ash to man up and talk to her?" Daisy said while smirking at her younger brother.
"Oh hell yeah I did. Damn those two were full of tension." Gary laughed.
"I know, right? It took me so long to convince Misty that he liked her."
"First love jitters." Gary responded as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh, like you would know anything about love, Mr. Master of Romance." Daisy giggled as she threw a pillow at him.
In Ash's room.
Ash closed the door behind the two, making sure that nobody could be eavesdropping on their conversation. Misty sat on Ash's bed and he took up a seat beside her.
"So, what did you bring me here for?" she asked as she turned towards him. There was curiosity in her eyes, but also something else. Nervousness perhaps?
"I wanted to talk to you..." Ash said slowly.
"But about what?" Misty was slowly getting impatient at the boy's hesitation. She knew that this was what she wanted but she couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed. Ash breathed in deeply to calm himself down.
"I wanted to talk to you about us." he said with resolve. Misty looked at him with a softened gaze yet she chose not to say anything. Seeing this, the boy continued. "The past couple of days have been...tense between us. I'm sorry about that Mist, I really am. I wanted to be a good friend, but it doesn't look like I'm being that." Misty motioned to comfort him, but Ash stopped her. "But that's my fault. Ever since you, well, k-kissed me, I didn't know what to do. I mean, it's not every day that a pretty girl kisses you!
"I've just been really confused about my feelings. I'll admit it Misty, I like you. I really do. I guess your kiss really surprised me. It took the breath out of my lungs. I just needed some time to think about it and think about my feelings." Ash admitted with a smile. Misty sat there in complete shock. She had been feeling so down in the past couple of days, but he always knew what to say to bring her mood back up. She was overjoyed. He like her back! Ash Ketchum liked her back!
"I-I don't know what to say." Misty said shyly as she looked down. Disappointment and sadness flashed across Ash's face.
"Oh. It's ok Misty...I understand." he made to leave, but Misty stopped him by grabbing his hand.
"It's not like that Ash!" she exclaimed. "Jeez you can be so thick skulled at times." Ash rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "What I mean to say Ash is that...I-I like you too. I have for a while now. Ever since you came back to visit, my feelings for you just kept...growing." Misty admitted with a small smile. Ash was in complete shock. He knew that she liked him, which is why she kissed him after all, but he was surprised that she admitted it.
"Now it's my turn to not know what to say." Ash said with a smile.
"It's okay Ash. We both know you're not good at this relationship stuff." Misty said as they both chuckled.
"Actually, I do have one more thing to ask." he said nervously.
"Huh?" she looked up at him in confusion.
"Misty...will you be my girlfriend?" he asked.
"Ash..." she whispered in awe. "I would love to." Misty smiled at him. Ash sat there, overloaded with joy. Misty had said yes! It worked!
Seeing his joy, Misty leaned forward and let both of her hands make their way behind his neck.
10...
Ash sensed what she wanted and move his hands to hold her waist gently.
9...
He smiled at her, finally being able to hold the girl of his dreams in his arms.
8...
She returned his smile before brushing a stray strand of hair away.
7...
His hand moved gently up her body, resting at her cheek.
6...
He held her gently yet firmly, his thumb brushing across her face lovingly.
5...
She pulled him in closer and their foreheads brushed together.
4...
He pulled back, letting their bodies press against each other.
3...
The girl of his dreams, right in front of him.
2...
The boy she always wanted right there.
1...
Their lips touched.
As fireworks lit up the night sky, two people held each other close. There was nobody else but them and only them. Their bodies were pressed together in a loving yet caring embrace. Fingers danced on skin like it didn't want to go away. Lips were locked together as passion flowed between the two. They didn't want to stop until someone told them to. To the two, it was meant to be. For that night, they breathed the same air.
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Happy early New Years to you guys! I hope you enjoyed that, because I know that I really enjoyed writing it.
The next chapter will be the final conclusion of the story. Thank you guys so much for reading this story every step of the way! You guys are really the best. I'll reveal more of what I plan for the future in the next chapter, so stay posted. Review if you liked it!
Happy New Years!
DYFM out!