Hello, everyone!

Finally! I have finally succeeded in finishing this chapter! Barely had time to write, but a little every day works.

So here it is, and I hope you all enjoy!

Reply to guests:

Guest: I guess I'm making the personalities a bit confusing, aren't I? I hope I can clear that out with more chapters. And thanks for the review!

love it: Thanks so much! I'm glad you love it!

Chapter 4: Politics

Misty walked slowly and steadily as she headed for school the next day. Gary had told her to be there as early as possibly, but she couldn't help but feel cautious. Besides, she had plenty to think about as she walked.

What is Gary planning to do? Why is he so convinced it'll actually work? What if it's all just a huge prank, and he's out to humiliate me since he thinks I'm a joke too?

And finally...

Who the heck is Leaf Green?

That had been Gary's favour. In exchange for his help, he wanted Misty to track down a girl who went to the same school as them, and pretty much give him a report about where she disappeared off to every day after school and at lunch break. According to him, she actually stayed within the school building during those times, but he had no idea where.

(Flashback)

"Stalker," Misty said.

"No!" Gary looked indignant. "There's actually a whole story behind it, but that's not really any of your business."

"Well, thanks, but no thanks. I don't want to do any stalking—oh sorry—I mean, spying for you. Do it yourself, if you're so desperate."

"You're the desperate one here, actually. You really are going to fail being president if you don't have someone like me take the reigns."

"Well, excuse me, but I am NOT failing, and I am definitely not going to play 'damsel in distress' while you do all the work! I can do it myself!"

"Misty, Misty, Misty. I don't think you get it. You are not leaving everything to someone else while you act all helpless. No, unlike most girls, you're actually doing something yourself. This is business, Little Miss Red, not a free way out. I'm getting something from you in return, aren't I? Like all businessmen, or should I say, businesswomen, you have a job that needs to be done, but as you have no means of doing it yourself, you're hiring others to do it for you. See? You're the one running the show!"

"You really want me to do your favour, don't you?"

"Hey, it'll be easy on me if you do it. She wouldn't suspect anything from you, but if I do it myself, she'd know I am, and avoid me like she always does."

"She's avoiding you? And now you want me to harass this poor Leaf-girl for you since you can't do it yourself?!"

"No, that's not what I meant! Like I said, there's a story behind it—"

"Doesn't matter. I'm not doing it. This girl doesn't want to be near you, and you still won't stop bothering her? Yeah, I am so not going to help you with this. In fact, if I ever do see this Leaf, I would warn her whenever you're around!"

"But—"

"Misty, I actually don't think it's like that," Ash cut in. "I think... this has to do with a challenge or something they made."

"Huh? What challenge?"

"Oh, there was this time long ago back in Pallet Town—"

"Wait, she's from Pallet Town too?"

"Yeah, she is. So like I was saying, they once got into a fight, and Leaf began giving him the silent treatment. It would have probably would been over in a day or two, but she was so persistent, and Gary kept trying to get her to slip up and talk to him. And then he made this joke asking her if she planned to keep this up until they graduated, or something like that. And she took it seriously! And trust me, you challenge her, she doesn't back down! We were in, I think, grade six back then, and about a few months afterwards—yep, she didn't talk to him for months—her family moved to Cerulean City. So Gary couldn't even try to win!"

"So pretty much you've been trying to get her to talk to you, but she's been avoiding you so she wouldn't slip up," Misty said, understanding what was going on. "Wow, did you seriously move all the way here just to do that?"

"No, of course not," Gary said, rolling his eyes. "The only reason I managed to get here was because Gramps was coming here to do a few years of research on the Pokemon of Cerulean Cave, so I asked if I could come along. It was a coincidence. And so, since I was heading for grade nine at the time, I started going to Cerulean High, and what do you know? Leaf turns out to be there too! Heh. Made my job easier, or so I thought.

"But that girl, she could be in the same class as you, sitting right beside you, and you wouldn't know it if she didn't want you to. Trust me, I know. She has a few classes with me, and the only reason I know she does is because I glimpse her occasionally leaving the classroom before I do. Even when I'm constantly looking around, I can't locate her within the same classroom! That sneaky girl..."

"Well, that might explain a few things," Misty said. "Like how the heck Leaf and I have been going to the same school since grade nine and I have no clue who she is."

"She likes lying low. But you must have seen her at some point, at least. Long brown hair, green eyes, usually with a book?"

"That description could fit anyone, and do you really think I'm the kind of girl who takes note of people's hair and eyes? How am I supposed to find her if I have no idea who she is?"

"I don't know, just ask around or something. You'll find her eventually."

Misty crossed her arms.

"But getting back on track, would you do it, then?" Gary said, smirking. "So, would you find Leaf for me if I help you out with your campaigning? Do we have a deal?"

(End of flashback)

Misty had no idea what had possessed her and made her agree. At first she had continued refusing, not because she was one hundred percent against getting help from Gary (it was quite tempting, actually), but because spying on someone she hadn't even seen before in her life simply seemed stalker-ish and plain wrong.

But then something in her gave in. One of the rare times her stubborn brain actually got the message for once:

You are going to fail miserably if someone like popular Gary doesn't promote you. And losing the elections means being humiliated, as people will laugh at you for even trying. Daisy, Violet and Lily, and even Paul included.

And so, very begrudgingly, Misty had made the deal, only to find that Gary refused to tell her what his plan exactly was, no matter how much she asked. And then he had just left, telling her to be at school as early as possible.

Misty sighed as she continued walking. She had now entered the school grounds, and was standing in front of the front door to the building.

Should she go in? What was Gary planning? He couldn't have been lying about helping her, right? After all, he really seemed to want to find Leaf, and even Ash had been confident Gary would help her out. And Ash simply wasn't the kind who would lie, or go so far to pull a joke on her. Especially such a cruel one.

But then again, Gary had said Ash was very manipulative. Misty still couldn't get her mind wrapped around that idea, though. He had done absolutely nothing to support that theory. Well, at least in her eyes. Gary had known Ash much longer than she had, so maybe he knew a different side to him. But really, it seemed more like Gary was the one doing the manipulating.

"Are you going in, or do you want to stand there admiring the door for a bit longer?" a voice drawled behind her.

Misty spun around, coming face-to-face with the grey-eyed, dirty-blond-haired boy behind her. She recognized him as a boy from grade eleven, Trip.

Normally, Misty would apologize for blocking the doorway, but the way Trip was watching her with a look of pure arrogance, and how his voice was laced with rudeness and condescension lit the flare of her temper.

"Well, excuse me," Misty shot back, hands on her hips. "You could show a bit more respect to your seniors."

"I could," he said with a shrug. "But you're another story. I'm sorry, but I really find it difficult to pretend that the likes of you is superior to me in any way."

"Oh, you are so asking for it!" Misty hissed, getting right up to his face. It appeared, though, that unlike most of the school, he actually wasn't afraid of her, as he didn't even flinch.

"Asking for what?" he said, smirking innocently. "Your apology for blocking my way? Of course I am."

"Why you—!"

"Trip, what are you doing?" Another voice joined them, causing both Misty and Trip to turn to the speaker.

It was a girl with disinterested green eyes, and long brown hair, and she had a few books held within her arms. She was someone Misty recognized, but only because she often saw her with her nose glued into a book in the school library. Other than that, Misty knew absolutely nothing else about her.

"Oh, hey Green," Trip said, addressing the girl in his bored, drawling voice.

"Trip stop fooling around and get to class," she said. "Oh, and by the way..." She shoved one of the books she was holding at him, which he quickly took from her grasp.

"Page 205," she said to him in undertone as she passed both Trip and Misty, heading into the school building.

"Huh. Let's see, 205..." Trip muttered as he opened the book, flipping it to the right page while walking through the doors as well, clearly forgetting about the ginger-head he had been fighting with just a moment ago.

Misty blinked confusedly.

Okay then...

Finally, she too decided it was best to head to class as well, and she entered her school and quickly located her locker. As she began taking her stuff from it, she suddenly remembered why she had been dreading coming to school when Gary Oak's loud, obnoxious voice echoed through the halls.

"Hello, fellow students!" his voice rang loud and clear. "Everyone having a good morning? No? Well, that is expected, as it is a school day."

Misty jerked her head around to see what was going on. And sure enough, Gary could be seen standing there, smirking, holding a microphone as he stood in the middle of the hallway. Ash was accompanying him, though all he was doing was holding up a large poster that said 'Gary for Vice President' on it. A crowd slowly began forming around the two as many stopped what they were doing to see what all this was about.

"Elections coming up soon, huh?" Gary continued. "You all know I'm aiming to be vice president, right? And, of course, I'm sure it's right for me to be confident I will get the most votes. You're all voting for me, right? Who's voting for me?"

He raised his fist in the air triumphantly as the crowd (mostly his fans) answered enthusiastically in the affirmative.

"I can't hear you!" Gary yelled out. "Who's voting for me?"

The crowd's roar was deafening this time. Misty wondered why no teachers had shown up yet.

"Hey, awesome guys! Now as you know, becoming vice president means working together with the rest of student council. That includes all of the class representatives, the secretary, and, most importantly, the president."

Gary stopped at this part, choosing to dramatically look over the watching crowd.

"The president," he repeated. "Now, the president is the most important figure of all, because he or she has to be the one who has the final word on all decisions made. And that means, the president has to be someone who can cooperate with the rest of the student council for maximum benefits.

"So this year, I'm sure we all want someone who can work well with everyone else in the council. So who's going to be president? Let's see... Ah-hah! From my careful investigating, there is one person who I discovered has a high chance of winning. And his name," Gary said, gesturing to Ash, who pulled out a different poster and raised it high to show everyone the word written on it, "is Rudy."

The crowd cheered, as Rudy was clearly popular, and Misty felt her face heat up in fury. Hadn't Gary promised to promote her and not Rudy? Was this all a joke?

"Yes, yes, we all love Rudy," Gary continued when the crowd's screams died down. "Well, most of us do, anyways. The truth is, well... It's kind of hard for me to break it to you, but Rudy just isn't cut out to be president."

There was a silence, everyone regarding Gary curiously as the words flowed from his mouth. They were evidently wondering why the most popular choice for vice president was suddenly saying the most popular choice for president was, in fact, not a good option. They all watched him with puzzled eyes, waiting for his elaboration.

"It's a sad truth," Gary continued, feigning sorrow."I myself find it hard to believe. It appears he certainly is really popular, but as president, according to my careful analysis, it's just... not going to work."

He's a pretty good actor, actually, Misty thought to herself. His crestfallen behaviour was very convincing.

"And I'll tell you why," Gary said, beginning his explanation. "First, tell me: what exactly has Rudy promised all of you? Anyone?"

At first, it didn't look like anyone had an answer, not even Rudy's own fans. Misty found it unsurprising, as, after all, he was being voted based on popularity, so not many had paid attention to what he had promised. But then someone did speak up. A girl known as Dawn Berlitz, the chic, stylish fashionista from grade eleven.

She was someone literally everyone knew. Nobody could miss this bubbly, sweet girl. She was so social, she had talked to pretty much everyone in the school at least once. And if she hadn't, then she still most likely knew about them anyways, and they most likely knew about her.

"He promised us plenty of things," Dawn said determinedly. "New water fountains, better lockers to replace these old rusty ones, plenty of bake sales and events to raise money for different organizations, the list is endless!"

"And do you really think he's actually going to be able to get all that done?"

"Of course he will! He's—"

"Dawnie, Dawnie, Dawnie, he's just doing that to impress fangirls like you."

"WHAT?! For your information, Oak, I don't support him because I'm a fan; I support him because I'm his friend! I know him as a person, and—"

The rest of Dawn's words were cut off, as Gary had placed his hand gently but firmly over her mouth, tsk-tsking like an adult disappointed at a misguided child.

"Dawn, you don't get it. I've seen it every year: popular guy impresses fans with promises, gets the votes over the actual hardworking people, becomes president, and ends up not fulfilling any of his promises at all."

Dawn's eyes glared at him, practically screaming, 'You're one to talk!' And Misty knew that the only reason so many were blind to the fact that Gary himself was possibly being a hypocrite was due to the crowd being mostly comprised of his own fans.

"Now, what I want is a person, someone worthy of the president role, to get a chance. Because out of all the candidates, according to my investigation, there is one person who I think is serious about this job, about making sure this school gets the best of the best."

Misty suddenly began to feel her heart thumping. Was he talking about her? Was he going to bring her up now, and ask everyone to give her his or her vote? What if everyone laughed and thought Gary was just kidding around like he always did? Then that would only lead to humiliation. But it was too late now. No turning back. Whatever Gary was doing, it better work! His own well-being depended on it, because there was no way Misty wasn't going to get revenge if it ended in total failure!

"And who is this person, you ask? Well, it may be hard to believe. I, too, was shocked at my own discovery. 'How could it be?' I asked myself. 'How?' But, alas, it's true, and I need to support this person. For the sake of the school."

"Who is it?" someone called out, followed by a bunch of more curious calls.

"It is..." Gary said, pausing dramatically as he looked around. He didn't lift his hand from Dawn's mouth, but had the audacity to challengingly look directly at her furious eyes before he answered with two words, which combined to form the name everyone had been waiting to hear.

"Misty Waterflower."

Murmurs broke out instantly as Ash switched the poster he was holding up for one that said, 'Vote Misty Waterflower for President!'

"Misty Waterflower?!"

"The girl with the anger issues?"

"Is he serious?"

"He's kidding, right? Tell me he's kidding."

"He can't possibly expect me to vote for her!"

"How did she get him to support her?"

"Bribes, maybe?"

"I'm guessing blackmail."

And, to her horror, Misty began feeling eyes land on her. She felt herself heat up, and hoped she didn't look too red. The stares weren't friendly. They were almost angry. And Misty wanted to get out of there. She wanted to get out of there now.

Her eyes made contact with Dawn's. The blue-haired girl may have been the sweetest, nicest of them all, but everyone knew you weren't to get on her bad side. Do that, and you could find yourself at the receiving end of the biggest, most persistent grudge known to humankind. And the way she was looking at her right now, with narrowed eyes, full of suspicion and something akin to anger, Misty felt she wouldn't be surprised if she started a rally against her.

"People, people," Gary said, finally stepping away from Dawn, who said nothing despite no longer having a hand clamped over her mouth (most likely because she was curious about Gary's reasoning). "Now, I know all of you are wondering, 'Why Misty? Why her of all people?' Well, it's like this.

"We all know how tough she is, right? How stubborn. When she gets her mind set on something, she doesn't quit until it's done! Now don't you think that's what we want in a president? Someone who's tough enough to handle the pressure? Someone who doesn't go back on what she plans to do and makes sure she gets it done? Someone who isn't afraid to get her ideas out there, no matter how impossible they seem? I mean, she's already doing that kind of stuff! She knew Rudy was more likely to get the votes instead of her, but she still hasn't given up. Because she knows what she can offer the school is much better that what any popular pretty-boy can give.

"And... she's being overlooked. Despite her trying so hard for the sake of making this year a better year, she's being overlooked. And why? Because there is a boy out there, bribing you with his looks and fake charms. Anyways, if it's that what you like about Rudy, his looks and all, wouldn't it be more logical to not vote for him? Being president would mean he wouldn't have free time for anything, and you'd be seeing him less and less, with all the student council meetings he'd have to attend. Meetings he won't even take seriously.

"Just thought I'd put that out there. So keep it in mind," Gary concluded. He grinned, winking at the crowd, and sending them a small wave. "Later, everyone!"

"What the heck was that all about?" Misty shrieked as her fist tightened around Gary's front collar.

"Whoa, chill! What's wrong with you?" Gary said, trying to act as if he didn't really care, but looking surprised all the same.

"Come on, Misty, let him go," Ash tried to say. "What did he do?"

It was lunchtime now. While Misty hadn't had the chance to speak to Gary for the first hours of the morning, she had been able to do a lot of thinking about that speech Gary had made, promoting her for president. No matter how many times she tried to justify that he had made some great points about her, some things she hadn't realized herself, there was still one thing that had been bothering her, and the more Misty didn't get a chance to question Gary about it, the more the frustration built up.

Until she erupted.

She literally tracked down Gary, dragged him with her into an empty hallway (with Ash following behind, wondering what was wrong with Misty), and began letting it all out.

"What he did," Misty hissed, "was that he made up stuff about Rudy, practically ruining his reputation! Rudy might have actually been serious about it all, but you made him look like a fake! Like a slacker only doing it for popularity! I wanted you to promote me, not ruin him!"

"I don't see what you're so worked up about," Gary said. "He's the enemy, isn't he? That's how the elections work. Make yourself look good, and the opposition look bad."

"But I don't want to make the opposition look like rubbish! I don't want to go around lying!"

"Gary said that's what you do in politics," Ash interjected, causing Misty to redirect her glare at him. He cautiously stepped back.

"And you!" Misty began yelling at her next target. "I never thought you'd agree to something like this, Ash! What in the world made you go along with it?"

"Well, Gary said—"

"I don't care what Gary said! Seriously, yesterday he was saying that you're manipulative, but I think he meant he was the one manipulating you! Do you seriously believe everything he says? Do you not understand the concept of lying?"

"Hey, I don't lie that much," Gary protested. "Just as needed."

"You be quiet!" Misty snarled.

"Misty, I was just helping him out," Ash tried to explain. "And I don't let Gary push me around to do stuff for him anymore. He just said that if I do certain things to help him out, it'll help you."

"This is exactly what I mean! He brainwashes you into thinking that you'll achieve your own goals by doing what he says, when really, he's just taking advantage of you. And why in the world are you so set on helping me out in the first place?!"

Ash gave her a blank look as if he were surprised she didn't know the answer to that. And it only annoyed her even more.

"Well, because we're friends," he answered, catching Misty completely off guard.

Friends? How in the world were they friends? She tried to think back to any specific moment that would be an example of their friendship, but found none. All she had ever done to him was yell at him and threaten him for ruining every one of their chemistry lab experiments.

"When did that happen?" Misty blurted out, bewildered.

"What?" Ash cocked his head confusedly.

"There was never a single time that indicated us magically becoming 'friends'... Unless," — Misty narrowed her eyes — "you're just doing all this to get on my good side so I won't kill you one day for ruining my bike. Oh, I won't forget about that, Ketchum! You still owe—"

"ACHOO!" Ash made what was undeniably a wild and failed attempt at sneezing to interrupt her sentence. "Must be allergic to something around here. Oh, look at the time! Gotta go have lunch. See ya!"

"Ash Ketchum!" Misty yelled as Ash darted off around the corner without delay. Misty, realizing that he had escaped, could do nothing but grit her teeth.

"Soooo, can I go now?"

Misty glared at Gary, who was clearly wondering when Misty would release her grip on his shirt collar.

"No," Misty said irritatedly. "Look, sure I wanted you to promote me, but I never wanted you to do that by dissing Rudy! I don't know why you don't like him, but even though he's pretty popular, he's always seemed respectful enough to me. I've got nothing against him. And you just had to—"

"Misty, I didn't ruin his reputation," Gary drawled. "You really gotta think about it. All I did was make you look like the better choice to vote for. It's not going to make him any less popular, trust me. People don't care whether he gets voted or not, as long as he continues looking like the pretty-boy he is."

"Yeah, but—"

"It's politics, Misty. Deal with it. And besides, you can't really pin me as being the dishonest one here." He smirked. "Weren't you the one bribing me to do this in the first place? I wouldn't have given you a hand if you hadn't agreed to doing my favour."

Misty sighed, finally letting go of his collar and folding her arms. She really couldn't argue with him there. It was her own fault, after all. Besides, her anger had tired her out, and she was slowly cooling down.

"Speaking of which," said Gary rather triumphantly, "you still have to find Leaf for me. I'd like you to get started as soon as possible, maybe even today, if you don't mind."

"Actually," Misty said, leaning against the wall, "I don't have to go Leaf-hunting just yet."

"Um, yes you do." Gary raised an eyebrow questioningly. "It was part of the deal. I help you, you find Leaf."

"Exactly." Misty stood up straight, facing him. "I only find Leaf if you help me. However, there is no proof that your little speech was any help at all. If I don't get the votes, it means your efforts weren't good enough, and didn't end up helping. So it's basically like you didn't do your part of the deal, so I don't have to do mine."

She couldn't suppress the small smirk forming on her lips as she stuck her nose in the air victoriously. She knew she had won this round. That meant that if Gary truly wanted her to help him find Leaf, he was going to have to put in a lot more effort to guarantee her winning the elections. All those witty little squabbles with Paul had taught her how to use wordplay to her advantage.

Gary just blinked at her at first. Then, he grinned, raising his hands to admit defeat. "Clever girl," he said. "Well, you got me. I guess you're going to make me wait until after the elections before doing your end of the deal, huh?"

"Exactly. Which is why you're going to continue helping me. But this time, you're going to have to get my approval before you do anything, or else the deal's off."

"I hear ya," he agreed, though he was still grinning. "Okay then. So what I'll do is continue mentioning your name here and there, get a good word or two in for you. And if it bothers you that much, I won't say anything bad about Rudy anymore, 'kay? What you're going to do is continue your campaigning so people realize that, like I was saying in my speech, you're actually putting in some effort. And I would suggest getting some people from other grades to spread it around their classes as well. Oh, and another thing: make better posters. Yours suck."

"Gee, thanks." Misty rolled her eyes. "Sorry for not having any artistic skills."

"Then hire someone." Gary shrugged. "The way a poster looks actually makes a difference on how people see you. If your poster is unique and interesting, people fall under the impression that you are too. Trust me, I've been in the student council quite a few times."

"Okay, question. There is one thing I don't get."

"And that is?"

"Why in the world would you want to be vice president? You don't seem like the kind who would want to do so much work, and if you do want some kind of high position, why not go for president? You clearly can get the votes for that."

Gary yawned. "Oh, that? Easy. Vice president gets some power in the student council without having to do all the work of a president. Plus it just looks good on your résumé, especially when you're planning to get into a university. And I'm planning on getting into a pretty major one."

"Hypocrite," Misty accused. "You were saying Rudy wasn't serious about the position he wanted, but you yourself aren't serious about being vice president. You're just going to use the fact that you have that position to benefit yourself."

"Yeah, well, I never said I wasn't. Anything else?"

"Yes. Just wondering why you're so persistent that I be the one to find Leaf, whoever she is. Don't you have, oh, I don't know, half a school full of supporters who would gladly do the job instead? Why ask me when I might not even end up helping you if I don't get the votes?"

"Because," Gary said, shrugging, "you just seem to be the most suited for the job. Asking a guy for a favour is never a good idea, and I simply find the idea of a guy tracking down Leaf just disturbing. And the only girls I know who would agree are not the kind who would get the job done. You're the most reliable."

"Glad to hear I'm reliable for stalker duty," Misty said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Well, if that's all, then I'll get going," Gary said as he began walking away. "Farewell, Little Miss Red."

Misty stared after him as he disappeared down a different hallway. Well, at least now she knew he was going to help her out the whole way, up until elections, at least. Still, she hoped he wouldn't use any more 'make the competition look bad' tactics. That angry look Dawn had been giving her as if it were all her fault still haunted her, and even after Dawn's friend Serena had quietly convinced her to get to class instead of retaliating, Misty couldn't shake the guilt that had latched onto her conscience. Maybe she'd get the chance to apologize for Gary's behaviour some time.

But right now, it was lunch break, and Misty was only just realizing how hungry she was. She began heading off to the cafeteria, wondering about Gary's dependability. Once she got to her destination, she paid for her meal, and made her way to the table where she (and sometimes Paul) always sat. But when she arrived at it, she froze.

Before her was an unlikely scene. May, the same girl who had proclaimed herself Misty's buddy and chosen to share her cafeteria table, was there again, making her way through a pile of lunch with relish. Sitting opposite of her was a teenage boy with purple hair, staring at her with mild curiosity.

What was strange about this was that Paul never tolerated sharing a table with anyone while he ate, with Misty being the only exception. And probably Reggie at home, but at school, he usually preferred eating alone. Which was something he could easily pull off, considering his glares and aura always repelled the rest of society.

So why was he seated at the table in the presence of a grade eleven girl who was currently gobbling down spoonfuls of food was a mystery, one that packed Misty's mind with inquisitiveness.

"Hey, Paul," Misty said, catching his attention.

His eyes left the brunette before him and landed on Misty. He raised an eyebrow and gestured to May with his hand, as if to say, 'Well? What's this about?'

Misty shrugged in response and sat down as well. She stared at May for a moment before finally speaking up.

"Um, May?"

May's head shot up, and she gave a huge grin. "Hi, best buddy!" she said loudly, sending a quick glance at the table where Brianna was seated. She frowned slightly when Brianna didn't react.

Paul, on the other hand, seemed to look the tiniest hint amused for about a millisecond before any sign that he was disappeared off his face.

"May, I have a question. Why exactly are you sitting here?" Misty asked.

"Because we're buddies, that's why!" May chirped. "Right, er..." She paused, leaning in close to Misty to speak in a low voice. "I, um, actually don't know your name..."

Misty stared. Did May seriously not know who she was? What happened to everyone knowing her name? Even though they all did associate it with fear...

"It's Misty."

May's eyes widened. "Misty? As in Misty Waterflower?"

"Er, yeah." Okay, so everyone did know her name.

"Oh..." May sat straight again, frowning slightly. "You... don't seem like I imagined you. Everyone says you're always angry and blowing up on everyone."

"I... do have a bit of a temper, yes."

"But you don't look angry right now. Unless you are?"

"Um, no."

"Oh..."

May seemed to think for a moment, tapping her chin with the handle of her spoon. She finally offered a smile.

"Well, I don't think you're bad or anything. Hey, want to be my buddy? I'm kind of... buddy-less at the moment, and you're always sitting alone at this table, so I thought..." She trailed off, looking slightly hopeful.

"I'm always sitting alone?" Misty repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Then what's he? A lunch tray?" She jerked her thumb towards Paul, who had gone to eating his lunch with an expressionless face, though Misty suspected he was still listening to their conversation.

May confusedly turned to where Misty had pointed, and a startled look emerged on her face. "Who's that? When did he get here?"

"You mean you sat down here not even noticing him the whole time?" Misty said exasperatedly.

She knew she must have sat there after Paul, because there was no way Paul would sit at an occupied table. Maybe that's why he hadn't just left. As weird as the idea of it sounded, he must have been somewhat amused and intrigued by the fact that she hadn't even realized he existed. But really, Misty couldn't see why that of all things would interest him at all.

"Well, I guess I might have not... noticed," May admitted. "He's so quiet, I didn't even hear him. Anyways, what's his name?" She asked as if asking someone what was the name of a pet.

"He can answer that himself, you know," Misty pointed out. But when it was clear Paul wasn't going to reply, and instead let her do all the talking, she sighed, answering for him. "His name's Paul."

"Hi, Paul!" May greeted him cheerfully, as if greeting a kindergartner. "Can I be your buddy too?"

Unsurprisingly, Paul said nothing, acting like she weren't there. But surprisingly—like, very surprisingly—he didn't make any sign that meant 'no'. Which, in Paul language, was a possible answer in the affirmative.

"Yay!" May cheered, somehow succeeding in deciphering the meaning of his lack of response. "We're all going to be great buddies! You, me, and Paul!"

Misty blinked. This was disturbingly unusual, all of what had happened in less than five minutes. And Misty wasn't sure whether it was going to be a good or bad thing.

Good thing, possibly, a part of Misty's mind said. It means she might vote for you.

Suddenly, an idea popped up into her head so fast, she almost blurted it out. This was a good thing! Hadn't Gary told her he recommended getting people to spread her name as someone to be voted for around different classes? Wasn't May in grade eleven, and therefore had access to a whole different grade?

"Hey, May," Misty said, pushing back the childishly excited grin sneaking onto her lips.

"Yeah?"

"You think you can help me out with a little something?"

Sorry for taking so long to post this chapter, but I hope you guys liked it! I'll try to write out the next chapter as soon as I can (though something tells me it's not going to be that soon...)

Anyways, thanks for reading! All feedback is appreciated too!

Bye bye for now! Have a great day, and smile the whole way! :)