Night Adventure

Meadow Wood

Chapter Four

To her surprise, Ash didn't respond in their little game for a second, smiling, admiring her beauty. Then, leaning forward and cupping his hand around her ear, he whispered in a breath so fresh and husky, "Was not."

Ash's breath tickled against her ear and she pulled away. "Whatever." She stood up from the ground, staring at the full moon. "Where're we going next on this adventure?"

"Oh, well..." Ash scrambled up with her. "I was thinking of giving you a grand tour of the Pallet Town Beach."

"Haven't I already seen that before...like...a million times when we were kids?" Misty rolled her eyes, her hair red her billowing out behind her from the wind.

"It's really, really amazing at night though." he insisted. "You get to see the lighthouse and everything!"

Misty tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Fine. But this place better be good."

"It is! Didn't I already say it's amazing?"

"Ash, you think a double hamburger with extra cheese is amazing too."

"Well, they are!"

"Are not." Misty retorted.

"Are too-" Ash's stomach grumbled loudly, interrupting him. He blinked sheepishly, his hand flying behind his neck. "Speakin' of food, how about a little midnight snack?"

Misty crossed her arms. "I don't want to, but I suppose I can't leave you here to starve."

Ash beamed. "Thanks Mist. You're the best."

"I am?"

"Yes!" he declared. "...and for your being-the-best reward, you get to choose what place we eat at."

"That's all?" Misty said innocently.

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Fine. I'll pay for the food too."

With a smile, Misty interlocked her hands with his in an ever-casual way. "Sounds good Ketchum."

Five arguments later, Ash and Misty were seated back on Ash's motorcycle, zooming across the empty highway.

"So, what place to do you wanna eat at?" Ash wondered, the night air sweeping through his hair. The lamp posts glimmered above the dark sky, joined with the sparks of the scattered stars. The twinkle in one of the brighter stars reminded him of the twinkle in Misty's blue eyes.

Instinctively, Ash eyes travelled to Misty's and he felt his heart flutter. Blue, flecked with Green...Aquamarine.

"Huh? Blue, flecked with Green? Aquamarine?" Misty broke him out of his trance. "Are you a poet now?"

Ash, who hadn't realized he'd spoken the short sentence out loud, stammered, "Uh, I...Gary's been rubbin' off on me."

Misty's smile vanished.

Ash guility tore down the rode, trying not to look at her. He had reminded her of her stupid boyfriend when he was supposed to cheer her up. I'm so dumb... he scolded himself. I shouldn't have said his name! Now she'll get all these memories...

Misty's stomach seemed to have dropped to the very bottom as she tried not to think about Gary. She knew Ash felt bad for bringing him up, but she was too occupied to reassure him at the moment. Don't think about Gary...he's a jerk! Even Ash said I deserve better...besides, I'm having fun riding on a motorcycle in the middle of the night with my best friend...I DON'T NEED GARY.

As much as Misty trying to convince her heart and mind of those facts, something inside of her still yearned for Gary.

She glanced up to see Ash's beautiful pools of brown staring at her in concern, and in an instant, any thoughts of Gary disappeared. She was entranced by the tantalizing chocolate colour of his eyes and his sweet, lopsided smile. "Ash..." she whispered, her throat catching.

"Yeah?"

"Stop staring at me and face the front before you get us a ticket."

Ash blushed, whipping his head around and focusing on the road again. His heart thudded against his chest and his head was swirling with emotions. Hmmm...maybe its just me but Misty has really gotten prettier...or maybe she was pretty all along but I felt like she was off limits because she was dating Gary...

Wait! Off limits? What the hell am I saying? I don't even like her. She's my best friend...

Ash suddenly remembered something him and Misty used to say together and for some odd reason, it made his heart hurt.

Ash and Misty were wallking together, holding hands casually like they often did. Brock was behind them, head stuffed in the map.

"Hey Misty?" Ash would ask.

"Yeah?"

"Best Friends Forever, right?"

Misty would nod firmly. "Best Friends Forever. No less..."

"...no more."

That was how they always had decided to be. Best friends forever, no less, no more. Ash thought it suited their relationship perfectly, but today, he was feeling...well...more. Whenever he felt his stomach flare up at the sight of Misty he always told himself it was the hormones, but right now the feeling felt utterly real.

"Oh, look Ash!" Misty's voice brought him back to reality. "Take that exit. There's a Taco Bell."

"Aw Mist, Taco's are a little bit too expensive." Ash whined. "Plus, it never, ever fills me up."

"But they taste good, and you said I get to pick the place."

Ash grumbled intelligentally to himself, before glaring at her. "Fine. Whatever you want your Majesty."

Misty looked pleased. "Why thanks, you poor, worthless peasent."

"Poor, eh?" Ash scowled. "I'm paying for you!"

"Yeah, and complaining about it too."

Ash glowered at her, before veering towards the exit so they could have their meal at Taco Bell.

In the dark, he knew he should concentrate, but was finding it rather hard. The moonlight reflecting on his friend's face made her look like a gorgeous angel and for the upteenth time that day, he found himself admiring her beauty.

"Ash." Misty said. "Eyes on the road."

He chuckled, and as the parked into the empty lot in Taco Bell, it started to rain like it never had before.

Well, here's another chapter. It wasn't orginally supposed to focus so much on the road and go straight to Taco Bell, but oh well. Hmmm...okay, two to three more chapters. I think. Thanks for everyone who reviewed so far in this story! Now, next...

That is ALL! :DDDDD Reviews are greatly appreciated.

HAPPY WRITING.