Making it to Misty's was becoming a chore (as Drew discovered while he tried to plan everything out). Since this was on his mind, the first thing he said when May walked up him was, "We can't make any stops today."
"Oh… Then is there any way we could get there early?"
Drew rose an eyebrow. "We're having trouble getting there at all. Why?"
"Well it's formal right? Misty and I don't have dresses. And I doubt Alexi does either."
Growing up the way he had, Drew didn't find the request that strange. "We might be able to. I'll try."
May smiled and nodded. As she turned to leave Drew's voice stopped her. "May..."
She stopped and turned back around. "Yeah?"
"You're limping." He stated.
She instantly flushed. She hadn't wanted him to notice. He was going to laugh at her and she knew it. He was going to call her weak or something and she really didn't need to hear it. Instead she was pleasantly surprised when he rose, grabbed her hand, and set her back down. He propped her leg on a conveniently situated rock and rolled her sock down. He touched her ankle and she covered her mouth directly after the shriek that followed.
He looked up seriously. "Does that hurt?"
She clenched her teeth. "Need to ask?"
He sighed and pulled his backpack closer. She blushed and looked away as he pulled out the bandages and started wrapping her foot.
There was silence as Drew continued wrapping. There was a sort of whistle sound coming from somewhere in the forest.
Finally his face changed. He smiled accompanied by a light smirk but it wasn't the way it usually was. He looked amused but also fascinated. "What did you do? Trip?"
The pink flushed back to her face. How many times had that happened in the last five minutes?
He smirked again as he pulled her tennis-shoe down to wrap farther. "I've done that."
"Wh-what?"
"I said that I've done that."
She was too shocked to answer his comment. This was one of the least things she would suspect him to say to her.
But he didn't stop. "A Pokemon got in my path. A Rattata or something like that. I can't remember. I tripped over my own feet. I twisted my ankle and had to splint it so I could get to the nearest town." He didn't look up as he went on. "Then I had to have a check-up with Nurse Joy. Turns out a broke it and had to stay at the Pokemon Center a couple nights. Then I had to rent a taxi so I wouldn't be late for my next contest."
May noted the way he spat the words "Pokemon Center" out of his mouth.
He looked up in surprise as she started giggling. "What?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just… imagining you during that time."
He rose an eyebrow once again. "Imagining me laying in a Pokemon Center with a broken leg is funny?"
She stifled a giggle with her hand and nodded.
He looked back down at her ankle, not seeming to enjoy her laughter at the moment.
"Oh no! I'm sorry. I just meant, imagining the look on your face while being stuck in a Pokemon Center that long."
He actually smiled and she really was feeling quite surprised with him at the moment. "Yeah. It was torture." he admitted. And then his stunning green eye met hers. "Your ankle's wrapped."
"Huh?" She was completely lost in his gaze and didn't hear his most recent sentence.
He smiled but she didn't really seem to notice his change in expression. "I finished wrapping your ankle."
"What-oh! You… right! Thank you!"
He smirked as she got up. The wrapping did seem to make her foot much more stable. At least now she wasn't going to wince every time she stepped on it. "I guess… I should go." She stumbled a bit on her first step but straitened herself.
"May…" She eyed him curiously. "Don't fall on your other one."
She scowled and stomped off best she could leaving a smirking Drew (who totally ruined the mood!) behind.
It was late into the Evening before they were out of the woods. It was quite large and May's ankle had started hurting near the end, which resulted in Drew carrying her bridal style the rest of the way. It was late and cold when they got to the outskirts of Pallet. The winter weather was only just beginning to take its toll.
Drew began heading strait for the nearest hotel with a sleeping May in his arms. Alexi stopped to glance at a jewelry story on the way there. Misty rolled her eyes at much of it but stopped as it landed on a bracelet. She wasn't usually one for jewelry, but no one could deny that it was… stunning. Silver Horsea twisted in and out of one another. Pieces of Mother of Pearl connected each piece together and also decorated certain parts of the Horsea. The moon glistened off it and she was completely mesmerized.
Misty pulled her gaze away, noticing Ash's gaze on her. "We should really get to a Pokemon Center."
Alexi looked away from some leaf pendants in the store window and nodded sadly.
Drew cut in instantly. "We are not staying in another Pokemon Center. You guys go ahead if you want to. May and I are not staying in a Pokemon Center."
Misty folded her arms and gave him a look. "Why, you and May?"
He turned so they could see May clearly. "She's asleep. She can't speak for herself."
Misty rolled her eyes but she was smiling. "Whatever."
This is about when Ash noticed all the decorations everywhere. Red bows were tied onto posts in front of almost every shop, multicolored lights were along the edges of the roofs, wreaths, candy canes, and the list goes on and on. "What are all the decorations for?"
Everyone turned to him quietly before Keagan smiled and said, "Funny."
Ash started blankly back and noticed Alexi bite her lip and look at Skye. The only thing he could gather from all of their stares was that he should know this. He quickly put on a smile. "Heh. Just kiddin'."
Everyone dropped the conversation and moved towards the hotel.
"Alexi." Alexi moved away from the group as they went ahead. "What?"
"What are the decorations for?"
She looked in between his eyes. "Don't you remember?"
He stayed silent.
"Remember when we saw snow for the first time? Remember what we talked about?"
"Uh… Oh! You mean when you sn-"
"Sh!" She quieted his sentence as quickly as she could and glanced at Skye. "Please, let's not go into it. But yes."
"I don't remember."
She sighed. "Christmas, Ash. They're Christmas decorations."
"What's it for? What's the point?"
"It's a once a year holiday when friends and people who love each other get together and give each other gifts."
He blinked at her. "So what's the point?"
"Doesn't that sound fun?"
He shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. What are the decorations for then?"
"Well there are a lot of other beliefs that go with it. But I don't know much about it."
"So I guess the real reason is somewhere in there."
She cocked her head to the side. "Yeah, maybe. I don't really know."
He shrugged. "How do you know so much about this stuff?"
"I have friends in high places."
"Really?"
"Yes! And they're leaving us behind, so let's go!" She got behind him and gave him a push.
"Whoa! Alexi, you go ahead with them. I'll catch up. Where are we staying?"
"That hotel down there."
"OK. I'll catch up."
"Well, alright. I'll see you then."
Ash waited until she left then entered the shop she and Misty had been looking at earlier.
On his way back he moved quite slowly. He was caught up in thoughts. He hadn't said much to Misty as of yet. Because… well because he wasn't suppose to. Even though they hadn't talked very much he had been watching her the whole time, and he had already began memorizing things about her that he wasn't sure she knew herself.
After asking the receptionist for the room number, Ash opened the door and noticed all the girl ssitting on the floor in a "circle". Misty looked up, blushed, and quickly left to her room. May put her hands to her mouth to suppress her giggles and Alexi fought a smile.
He stared blankly at them. "Am I in the wrong room?"
They nodded.
"Well, what's so funny?"
"There's only two per room." It was amazing Ash could understand May through her giggles.
"So?"
"So, Drew and Keagan have one of the rooms, and Alexi and I have one of the rooms. And … Skye wants to be alone."
"Um… and?"
"You're really slow aren't you? SO, that leaves you and Misty!"
His eyes went so wide it was amusing, "What? It… I…"
They laughed. "You're room 209." Alexi managed.
He looked between then sighed and nodded before leaving the room.
When he got to the room he paced outside, not sure if he should knock or just come in. He ended up knocking.
"Come in." It was pretty quiet but he heard it.
He took a breath and jumped when Misty quickly stood up off the bed. There was an awkward silence in which they both just stared at the floor.
"So, I guess we have to share a room."
Misty nodded.
"Do you want the top or bottom?"
"I'll take the top."
"K'" Ash waited until she was up and then sat on the bottom. HE pulled off his hat, gloves, vest and shoes and socks, but he left his jeans on. He didn't have to remind himself that he was alone in a room with a girl for the first time in his life.
Some time later neither of them were asleep yet. Ash could tell Misty was awake by the way her mattress was moving above his. "Misty?"
"Hmm?"
"What do you do at Christmas?"
The mattress stopped creaking above him and he was almost sure she had fallen asleep. "Nothing really."
The sudden words took him by surprise. "Oh. Is there anyone you give presents to?"
"Just my sisters usually. Do you have anything for your family?"
He paused for a moment. "I haven't seen my family in a long time."
"Oh… I'm sorry."
"It's ok. It's no big deal."
"So what do you do at Christmas then?"
"Nothing."
"Well I don't think I do as much as most people. But it's better than nothing."
He smiled from the bottom. "What do you do?"
She frowned. "Usually I spend Christmas with my sisters. But I don't think I'll be back in time this year."
"Is the party your sisters are planning a Christmas party?"
"Yeah. But they're planning a New Years one too. No. I still would have liked to be there though."
He sighed. Another holiday to try and figure out what it was. He decided to keep his mouth shut this time.
"Do you do anything for Christmas?" she asked from the top bunk.
"No. Nothing…." He found himself beginning to understand why Christmas was so important a little bit more.
"Wow… That's kind of sad."
"Yeah."
"Hey Ash! I've got an idea!" She turned onto her stomach and stuck her face over the edge of the bunk. "Lets' have our own Christmas!" she said happily.
"What do you mean?" He felt highly amused as he saw this new excited part of Misty.
"We'll get everything we need for Christmas. We'll have our friends help too. Drew wanted to be at my house for Christmas, but I doubt we'll be able too. I'd much rather spend it with all of you guys than trying to get to get there the entire time."
Ash stared at her for a moment. "So you mean. Stay here through Christmas?"
She nodded. "This hotel is beautiful and I've never been able to stay at Pallet through Christmas. It's one of the most beautiful places to be this time of year."
"When is Christmas again?"
"Three days."
He bolted up. "Three days?!" Why hadn't Alexi told him that part?
"Yeah. Why?"
"Well. There's no way to get to your house before Christmas. I can't believe you guys were even attempting it."
"Yeah I know it's pretty pointless."
"Well… if there was some way we could rent a cab or a bus or something there… that would work."
"No." She sighed. "It would cost way too much money. We're on a real tight budget."
"I can pay for it."
She looked at him quizzically. "Ash, I don't think you know how much money you're talking about. This is an over night drive."
"Trust me I can cover it."
A small smile started traveling up her face. "You would do that for me?"
He shrugged as best he could while lying down. "You really do want to be there right? Consider it a Christmas present."
Her eyes glowed with excitement. She had to resist the urge to jump out of bed and hug him. "Thank you! I really can't thank you enough! You have no idea how much this means to me!"
He smiled. "It's fine. It's no big deal."
She shook her head slowly at his statement. "No, Ash… it really is."
Ash smiled and suddenly she realized that her head was feeling very heavy. She pulled herself into an upright position and let the blood flow down. She put her hand to her forehead and heard Ash just vaguely ask her if she was alright. "I'm fine. I just let too much blood run to my head." She heard Ash stifling giggles below her. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing!" he said quickly. "Goodnight!"
It was silent and Misty lay down in bed with a smile on her face. It was strange how she found it so easy to tell him things... She was going to be there. She was going to be home for Christmas.
The Next Day:
Skye inhaled sharply and sat up with his heart thudding in his chest. "Stupid dreams!" He cursed and pushed over a skinny cabinet with a small red vase on top. He looked at the mess and groaned, before stuffing his face into his hands. His ears were buzzing with strange noises and put his hands over them to try to cover the noise. "Stupid ears!" He slowly put his hands down and accidentally brushed the knife he had beside him with one of them. He looked down and saw blood seep out of the delicate skin on his left hand. He let out an exasperated scream. "Stupid team rocket and their stupid experiments!" He climbed out of bed and began cleaning up the mess angrily, cutting himself a bit more.
Ash actually slept in for the first time in his life.
He had decided the night before to take the opportunity.
"Psst!" Ash groaned and rolled away from the voice. "Ash. C'mon Ash. Wake up!"
"Wah!" He yelped and landed on the floor with a thud.
He looked up to see Alexi laughing.
He glared. "It's not funny!"
She bit her lip and nodded. When she had calmed down enough she smiled at him.
He stood up and rubbed his shoulder. "What?"
"Misty told me."
"Told you what?"
"That you're paying to get her there on time. That's so sweet."
He blushed. "It's not what you think! I need to get there quickly!"
She rolled her eyes. "Ash we already talked about this."
He sighed and looked down. The red had receded to a pink hue but it was still there.
She smiled again. "Now let's go. I have to go shopping with May and Misty."
"Wait. Why?"
She laughed. "Because it's a party, Ash. We have to get dresses. And by the way that Misty talks about her sisters I'm guessing it's going to be very um… social? What's that word again?"
Ash interrupted her train of thought. "Should I dress up too then?"
"Yeah probably. Just get a tuxedo."
Alexi noticed his annoyed expression and rolled her eyes. "You'll be fine for one night."
"Fine, where can I get one?"
"Just come out with us. We'll find a place. Now hurry and get dressed so we can go."
"Sure. Just get out there. I'll be there soon."
"K. Hurry up."
"Sheesh. I'm hurrying."
She shut the door behind her and giggled to herself. Just as she turned to leave she noticed Skye leaning against the wall giving her a look. She stared at him then turned and ran off.
He pushed himself off the wall and readjusted the back-pack on his back before going in the same direction she did.
"Alexi!" She stopped at the bottom of the stairs to catch her breath.
"Are you ok?" May asked.
She waved them off. "I'm fine. Ash'll down in a minute. He's gotta get a tux so he's gonna come."
About twenty minutes later (a couple of the girls had discovered some last minute things they had to do), they in the middle of huge crowds. Everyone was in a hurry to get their last minute Christmas shopping done so it was quite suffocating to be in the midst.
Ash pushed his way through the crowd trying to clear a path for his group and nearly plowed over a woman. "Oh. I'm so sorry!" He was thinking about how many times he had done that since he had been let out of the base but his train of thought completely stopped when she stood up and stared at him.
"It's alright." His face seemed to have the same effect on her and they just stared at each other. She was quite a bit older than him but not aged enough to be considered an old woman. She had brown hair pulled into a low ponytail and a thin burgundy coat with a pink scarf wrapped around her neck. She had blue eyes too. Very familiar blue eyes.
"Ash!"
All three girls found their way around the people behind him and caught up. "Ash, we're really short on time." Alexi pressed.
She looked at the woman in front of him and blinked seeming to find the woman familiar too. "What's your name?" she asked.
"Oh! I'm sorry! My name is Delia. What are your names?" she asked the question much curiously than you would expect a stranger to.
He answered almost eagerly. "I'm Ash and this is Alexi..." He looked behind him to make sure the others were there. "…May, and Misty."
"It's nice to meet you."
"You too." Alexi said politely. "Ash, we really need to go."
He nodded shakily and allowed himself to be pulled away.
"Wait!" The woman called after them as if she was afraid of them leaving. "Where are you heading?"
"We're going shopping and then we're headed to Cerulean." Ash explained.
Her eyes widened. "On foot?"
Misty spoke up there. "No. We're taking a bus or… something."
"Oh well, I suppose you should be fine then. I'm heading there myself. Maybe we'll meet again."
Ash nodded nearly very eagerly whereas the others nodded as you would to a stranger.
The girls had all grabbed Ash by this point. "Nice meeting you!" he called as they left.
"Yes. It was." She said quietly to herself. "Ash…"
Some Time Later:
Ash had been completely wiped out from all of the shopping and was lagging behind while the girls just walked ahead of him laughing and swinging bags at their sides.
"I never expected shopping with girls would be so much torture." He mumbled. Pikachu wasn't bothered very much but he was in the process of falling asleep on Ash's head.
It was about two in the afternoon now and as they passed by a bus stop Ash was suddenly reminded that he needed to get tickets or something. "Could we take a bus?" he called at the girls ahead of him.
They turned around simultaneously and Misty paused. "Oh! Yes! That would be fine!"
"OK'. One sec." He turned back to walk to the bus stop and Misty watched him go.
May and Alexi had to hold down their giggles again. Misty turned and glared at them and they both started laughing unable to hold it in.
Ash came back and tapped Misty on the shoulder. She turned back around and blushed seeing him so close to her. The other girls were laughing behind her which did nothing to help the red on her face and it got worse. She took the ticket from Ash and turned away from him to hide her embarrassment, trying not to be rude in the process.
Ash didn't understand anything going on and only shrugged and moved on. "Let's get back to the hotel. The bus leaves in two hours."
Misty nodded and stared at the ground as she followed. Once Ash was ahead she turned and glared at the two.
Alexi tried her best to force the laughter away. "Sorry."
She sighed and ran to catch up with him while the other two followed behind finally calming down.
The next few hours passed pretty uneventfully and it would be pointless to type them onto this page because you stop reading out of pure boredom. Drew had been reluctant to let Ash pay but he didn't make a big deal out of it. At the end of it all he ended up paying for himself.
Misty was right when it came to the hours. It was an over-night drive. It was two o' clock the next day before they arrived. (A/N That's what I call a long drive!)
Whereas Misty usually wanted to stay away from her sisters she actually was feeling excited. It had been so long since she had seen them and getting a letter from them for the first time had meant a lot to her.
When they arrived Ash could see the excitement in her eyes and was very happy that he had offered the money for the tickets.
Misty led the way through the city until they reached the Cerulean gym. When they got to the door everyone waited patiently for her to knock. It took a few minutes. But finally she took a deep breath and rapped on the door.
The girl that opened the door had long locks of blond hair. She looked similar to Misty Ash noticed, but she had a much more proper sense of style. "Misty!"
"H-Hi Daisy."
"Oh we were sure you like weren't going to make it!" She opened the door fully and hugged Misty. "Come in! Introduce your friends."
They all walked in and she turned to the stairs. "Lilly! Violet! Misty's here!"
Two girls came down the stairs on after another. One had pink hair and one had a sort of blue hair. All three looked very similar. They hugged her just as Daisy had.
Misty pulled out of their grips and pointed at her friends. "Guys, this is May, Alexi, Drew, Keagan, Skye, and Ash."
"My. You sure did bring a like a lot of friends. It's nice to meet all of you." Daisy said.
Misty turned to the rest and pointed to each of her sisters in turn. "This is Daisy, Violet, and Lilly."
They each got a nod and she turned back to her sisters.
"Misty the party is tomorrow and I'm like so glad you made it. How did you like manage?"
"Well, actually. Ash paid a bus for us to get here." Misty motioned to Ash behind her.
"Really?" Lilly spoke up.
Violet decided to interrupt and ask a question she found a bit embarrassing. "Is he like your boyfriend?"
Misty found her self desperately fighting a blush on her face for the millionth time that day. "No! He's just a friend that was kind enough to pay for me to come see you guys."
"Whatever."
"What's wrong with Violet?" Misty asked turning to Daisy.
"Jake broke up with her."
"What? Before Christmas?"
"Well it was a little while ago but she's not over it yet. You haven't exactly stayed in contact much."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
Lilly waved her off. "It doesn't matter. He was like a jerk. She'll like realize that eventually."
Misty nodded and Daisy turned to the group. "Well, I'll show you to your rooms."
"Do we each get our own?" May asked out of curiosity.
"Of course! This is a gym there are plenty of extra rooms." She showed them each to their rooms and then paused at Misty's. Misty had gone to her room immediately and had been in there for a while. She knocked on the door hesitantly and Misty told her to come in. She opened the door and stuck her head in. The walls were all baby blue as was almost everything else. There were water Pokemon everywhere in the room and Misty had been pleased that everything was just the way it was when she was there last. "I'm just making sure you have a dress. The party is formal so you'll need one."
Misty nodded. "I figured it would be. I bought one before I came." Misty wasn't sure her sister would approve of it so she didn't go into it.
"May I see it?"
She shook her head quickly. "No. You'll have to wait like everyone else."
She smiled a little. "Alright, I'll be looking forward to it."
Misty nodded unsurely and as the door shut she let out a breath and fell back on her bed.
Ash through his backpack on the bed in his room and sighed. It had been hard watching Misty with her sisters. They had squabbles as he had learned from May but at least they had each other. As he lay on the bed he found himself wondering how Skye and Alexi felt watching it. Skye probably didn't care bit he knew Alexi and knew she must have felt something similar to what he did. He bit his lip and started fingering the pocket knife in his pocket again.
Skipping to the party:
"Misty the party is like in twenty minutes!" Lilly called outside her door.
"I know we'll be out in just a minute!"
May looked at the two beside her, suddenly realizing she was the only one applying make-up. "Are you guys going to put on make-up?"
Alexi nervously laughed. "I don't really know how."
Misty looked almost disgusted. "I'd rather put mud on my face."
May laughed. "Have you ever heard of a mud mask?"
Misty made disgusted face. "I forgot."
May straitened. "Look, I can help you guys. Misty you don't have to put on a lot of make-up. You have a gorgeous complexion. You just need something to bring out your qualities. Just a little bit of lipstick and some eye shadow should be fine." May said trying to calm her down.
Misty shrugged and May suddenly got a mischievous glint in her eye. "I bet a certain person would be impressed."
"You're trying to torture me aren't you?"
"Aw, come on! Please Misty? I swear I won't overdo it."
Misty sighed and gave up. "Fine."
May obviously got excited and pulled her make-up bag closer to herself.
Misty never understood what was so exciting about doing another girl's make-up but she did her best not ruin it for May.
"I'll help you too Alexi, after I'm done with Misty."
"Well… alright!"
About twenty minutes later, the guys were down at the bottom of the stairs waiting for them. Alexi had convinced Ash to get a dark blue tux (lol) and Keagan had a black one, Skye had a plain black as well. Drew had been raised in the setting they were in and as such took much more into account. He ended up getting a white tux.
"When are they going to come down?" Keagan asked. He sat down on the stairs feeling annoyed and bored at the same time.
"Right now."
He sat up and spun around to see them all in front of him. May and Alexi cam first. Misty was partially hiding behind them. She never wore make-up and hardly ever dresses up, so she was very nervous about what their reactions would be.
Alexi was wearing a bright green dress to her knees with small sleeves and a v-neck; she had a dark shade of green eye shadow and dark pink lipstick (Lol. Decided to do mine first and get it over with).
May had a red dress to her knees, but with crinkles at the waist so it was a different design than Alexi's. She had been much more plentiful with her make-up but it still looked very natural. "Misty." She whispered. "Come on."
Misty stepped out timidly and looked up. Ash's suddenly forgot how to breathe and couldn't figure out how to remember either.
She was wearing a blue dress with a mild green tent. She had a teal eye shadow that just made her eyes all the more stunning and plain shiny pink lipstick.
Daisy came in right then to see what was taking so long and caught sight of her sister. "Wow… Misty you look great! I was afraid you might have picked out something totally ridiculous but you really do look beautiful."
Misty found it a little insulting, but her sister saying that she was beautiful drowned out her negative emotions.
"Alright let's go. The part's started and the guests are arriving."
Everyone started moving except for Ash and he just watched Misty coming down the rest of the stairs. She noticed his stare and blushed causing Ash to blush too. He quickly looked away and started following the others.
The gym was decorated beautifully. Their seats were collapsed and pushed onto the sides and the pool had been covered.
Ash looked around and noticed the ball Misty had been talking about hanging from the ceiling. "Hey Misty?"
She pulled back and came over to him.
"…Is this the last time that ball will be up?"
"No. They're using it for the New Year's party too."
He smiled. "Good."
She stared at him and raised an eyebrow wondering why this was good thing. She didn't have time to ask however because Ash made it past her and headed to the refreshment table, eager to try anything that wasn't familiar.
She sighed and watched him go. "Typical male." She muttered.
Alexi showed up beside her. "There's going to be a dance soon."
"Yeah."
"Ash looks nice."
"What's your point?" she asked, starting to get annoyed.
"Do you want to dance with him?"
"Alexi, where are you going with this?"
"I can get you a dance with him."
Misty's eyes widened. "Oh no! I'm fine! Honest."
Alexi smiled and headed to the refreshment table with a, "That's what I thought."
Misty turned around and put a hand to her cheek as if she was trying to cool it and walked to the other side of the gym.
"Hey Ash!"
"Hey Alexi."
"There's going to be a dance soon."
"Um… yeah."
"Misty looks nice"
At this Ash blushed and averted his gaze. "Um… yeah."
"Do you want to dance with her?"
"Um… yeah…?"
"Ash, please try a different answer. We both know you want too."
He sighed. "Alexi, I have no idea how to dance."
"I'll help you. Here." She took the next few minutes showing Ash how to dance.
"You're not too bad." She sat down and massaged her feet. "Just stay off her feet and you'll be fine."
"Heh." He put a hand behind his neck nervously. "You sure?"
"Positive."
He turned to go but Alexi turned him back around. "One more thing. You see those little plants under the doors?"
Ash looked and nodded. "What are they for?"
"It's called mistletoe. If a boy and a girl are both under it at the same time they have to kiss."
Ash looked at her dumbfounded. "You're kidding right?"
"Nope."
"Thanks."
"No problem. Go get your girl."
He felt his face get hot. "Shut up."
She just watched him go with a smile.
To say Misty was surprised at his request was an absolute understatement. He stuttered at first and despite this she found herself extremely excited and consented.
At first dancing was very awkward. He had remind himself the first few minutes how to do it and to stay away from her feet.
Finally Ash decided to break the uncomfortable silence in the only way he new how. "You look pretty."
"Thanks." She whispered back shyly.
"Um… the party's nice."
"Thanks."
"Thanks for inviting me."
"No problem."
Just then May nudged Misty and motioned up before backing up.
Misty looked up and gasped.
Alexi slapped a hand to her face.
Ash noticed May's gesture and looked up too. His eyes widened in horror. He didn't know her well enough for that. That didn't stop a couple teenagers around her from chanting. He glanced at Alexi but he just got a weak shrug from her.
He looked back down and remembered his first reaction when he had met Misty. He felt like he had already met her. She was beautiful, and talented, and smart, and so much more he didn't know how to put into words. He found his gaze drawn to her lips and he knew that he really did want to.
She looked back up and saw his gaze on her. She knew what was going through his head. She could see it all in his eyes. She didn't seem to have said or done much with him, but what he probably didn't know was that she had told him more in her meager and sparse sentences than she had anyone else. She felt connected to him, and he was cute and funny, and she really did want to kiss him.
He drew a little nearer carefully. Her heart started thudding but she didn't pull away. As he drew even closer she started moving too.
As soon as her lips hit his everything inside her exploded, and she felt a connection she didn't know was there.
She felt like she had known him forever and she had no regrets within the kiss. Ash felt the same way. And, though it was just a kiss forced by mistletoe, neither of them thought that. It lasted much longer than a kiss simply done for sake of mistletoe would.
When they pulled apart they just stared at each other, suddenly feeling like they knew each other a lot better.
Misty smiled and leaned her head on Ash's chest as the dance continued. After a little while Ash gently nudged her head off his chest. Misty looked up and Ash stopped dancing.
He reached into his pocket and said quietly, "Christmas is a time to give gifts to people you care about… right?"
She didn't answer him, she just watched him pull a box out of his pocket and hand it to her. It was pre-wrapped, partially because Ash didn't know how to wrap it.
"Now?" she asked quietly still breathless from the kiss.
He nodded slowly.
She ripped off the paper gently and let it fall to the floor not thinking about how someone could slip over it. The box was small and silver but didn't compare to the gift inside. She opened it and pulled out a beautiful bracelet, the same one she had looked out in a shop before. She looked up at him in shock. "I-I don't know what to say."
He shrugged. "You don't have to say anything."
"Thank you so much."
They were still under the mistletoe but as such they were under the light too, and Ash found Misty extremely attractive with the light shining just right over her.
She pulled the bracelet over her wrist then looked up at him "One more dance?"
He smiled and nodded. "One more dance."
I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain oh yeah
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.
I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
And I will stand by you, forever.
You can take my breath away.
You can take my breath away.
I can be your hero.
This was my best chapter yet! You have no idea how long it took me to do this. I understand if no one can read and review at the moment and I apologize for not having it up earlier but I worked so hard to get this up right now and I feel so fulfilled. I finished it just in time! Christmas is tomorrow and I have to leave really soon. I am so lucky I got this up at all. Lol.
The song at the end is Hero by Enrique Iglesias which I do not own! I wanted to put a song at that part and I wasn't sure what to do. That was the first song that came to mind and it's such a sweet song.
prettygirl17
P.S. I'll probably put an amv up on my youtube account today. It will be as soon as possible if my family lets me back on. It took me forever to tyope this all up.
