Sorry for being a shitty speller and spelling Suzie's name wrong then changing it halfway through lol.
"I mean I knew you talked with him on occasion but I didn't think it was to this extent." May says, trying to act like this isn't the juiciest gossip she's heard in ages.
Misty shrugs her shoulders and stares at her own reflection. The weight of the water dripping from her freshly washed hair reveals how long it's actually gotten. "What would you like to do today?" the hairdresser asks, a bright smile gracing her painted lips.
A few moments pass as Misty contemplates what to do with her hair. She could leave it long-it's nearly down to her middle back. Or she could cut it to the length it used to be for most of her life. Her mouth makes the decision for her. "Cut it, please, just above my shoulders."
The hairdresser's eyes widen. "A-Are you sure? That's several inches. We usually start with an inch or two and work-"
"I'm positive," Misty smiles.
Suzie glances over her shoulder to ensure Dawn isn't within hearing range. "Mist, you aren't cutting it that short again because of Ash, right?" The cold expression overtaking Misty's face throws Suzie into a blabbering mess. "I mean I just remember him always mentioning how much he loved your short hair and- I'm going to stop talking."
"I started letting my hair grow out because I was too depressed to leave the gym and go to a salon. My short hair has always represented the stronger, more confident version of me and I don't know about you two, but I really miss her," she nods at the hairdresser who smiles and makes the first cut. Locks of orange split-ends fall to the floor with every snip of the scissors.
...
Misty ruffles through the dressers of the hotel room, searching fruitlessly for an outfit. "What does one wear to get drinks with your former enemy?" she asks Azurill who stares up at her with wide eyes and a smile. A huff of frustration passes her lips before she pulls out a flowy white crop-top. "Is this casual enough? Maybe some leggings and a jean jacket?" After she is dressed and pleased with the way she looks, Misty walks over to Azurill. "Alright, buddy. It's about time for you to go to sleep, don't you think?"
"Zurill," the Pokemon whines, clutching onto the television clicker.
"Fine, one hour of television and then it's bedtime," Misty giggles, kissing the top of Azurill's head. "I'll be back in a few hours."
The hallway is quiet and empty when she steps out into it, the only sound coming from the hum of the elevator. Before Misty can press the down button, the doors open revealing a disheveled looking Ash. His head is hung low and he doesn't even notice her as he passes and makes his way to her door. "Ash?"
His head snaps up as he turns to face her. He goes to say something but the words catch in his throat when he sees what she is wearing. "A-Are you going out tonight?" he asks, taking a few steps towards her.
Misty shifts uncomfortably and covers her exposed stomach with her jean jacket. "Yeah, Candice came down from Snowpoint City and we're meeting for drinks," she lies, wanting to avoid an argument.
Ash nods his head, looking more alert than before and sensing her uneasiness. "Is it okay if we talk for a second? It's kind of important." What could he possibly want? What more is there to talk about?
Just as she lifts her head to tell him that there isn't anything left to say, Ash closes the space between them. His one hand cups her cheek, lifting her chin so he can easily swoop down and connect his lips to hers. The other rests on the skin of her hip, keeping her in place. Misty freezes in shock. As everything begins to register she extends her arms to Ash's chest. The pronounced muscles underneath his shirt are starkly different than Gary's lean build. Gary, his face flashes across her closed eyes and she immediately pushes Ash away.
Her cheeks burn red and she can feel her heart about to pound out of her chest. Ash stares at her with wide eyes and an ajar mouth. "What the fuck just happened?" she questions aloud, rage beginning to replace shock. "What the fuck, Ash Ketchum?" Misty barks, shoving at him.
"Mist, I'm so sorry. I-I don't know what came over me," he admits, scratching the back of his head. "I just saw you, really saw you and I couldn't stop myself."
Ash's confession only spurs on her anger. "I don't even want to look at your stupid face right now," she hisses, turning on her heel.
"Wait!" he calls after her. "Misty, please." Misty's feet freeze. "I get that you're angry now, but please hear me out. Tomorrow at noon meet me at the lighthouse and we can talk."
She stands there for a few moments, her back to him, before she finally gives a little nod and makes her way to the elevator. She doesn't turn back around until the doors have closed again.
The second Gary lays eyes on her in the lobby, he knows something is wrong. She walks up to him, eyes unfocused and arms clutched around her abdomen. He doesn't ask her what's wrong, if she wanted him to know, she'd tell him. Instead, he holds out his hand and gives her a reassuring smile. "Let's get out of here."
...
"I bet you three shots I can finish my drink faster than you." Misty grins, her finger swirling around the rim of her margarita glass. She collects the sugar and pops it into her mouth, unknowingly trapping Gary in a trance.
Her eyes meet his and he snaps out of it. "You've got a frozen margarita which is going to be a bitch to chug. You're absolutely on." Misty counts to three and the two race to down their drinks. Halfway through Misty stops, her hand coming up to grip her hair.
"Crap, brain freeze," she groans as Gary finishes the last of his beer.
A hiccup bubbles out of his throat, making the two of them laugh loudly. "So, pick your poison," he grins after he has recovered.
She bites her lip before turning to look at the assortment of alcohols behind the bar. "Let's go with two tequila shots and two vodka shots." Gary raises an eyebrow. "You have to at least do one shot with me," she winks, catching the attention of the bartender and ordering the shots.
Once they are in front of the two, Gary gives her a half smile. "What do you want to cheers to?"
"I don't know. New friendship?" she laughs, giving a little shrug.
He grins, grabbing one of the vodka shots and raising it. "To Hell."
"To Hell?"
"May the stay there be just as enjoyable as the way there." Gary says confidently.
Misty can't stop the bubble of laughter that falls past her lips. She grabs one of the shots and raises it. "To Hell it is."
The night wears on and the two continue to drink more than they probably should. "It's starting to get late." Gary hiccups, checking his watch. Misty studies him, her head resting lazily on her hand. "I should get you back to the hotel."
She nods her head and waves the bartender over for their check. As she is rifling through her purse for cash, a girl walks up to the two of them-well to Gary. She wedges herself in between his legs and rests her hands on his thighs. "Hey there." Misty's whole body goes rigid as she watches. "Wanna come dance with me for a while and then take me home?" The girl bites her lip and leans in.
"I don't, actually," Gary says, leaning away from her and gently removing her hands from his thighs. The girl begins to protest but the words are lost on the tip of her tongue when Misty latches on to the collar of Gary's shirt and yanks him towards her. Her lips crash to his unceremoniously. It takes him a moment, but he reciprocates, his hand instantly weaving through her hair and gripping the short locks.
The irrelevant girl huffs before walking away. Slowly, the urgency between the two settles and eventually they pull away. Gary clears his throat and straightens his shirt while Misty finishes paying the bill, her face a beet red.
No words are exchanged between the two as they walk back to the hotel. The lobby is empty when they come to a stop in front of the elevator. Unable to take the silence anymore, Misty blurts out, "I'm sorry." Before Gary can tell her she doesn't need to apologize, she continues. "I was just having a rough day and that dumb girl was just all over you but then again I pretty much just threw myself at you and I didn't even ask to see if you were okay with it and-"
Soft lips capture hers in a quick kiss. Gary straightens and gently pinches her chin wit his thumb and forefinger. "Stop rambling," he chuckles, "I am more than okay with everything that just transpired, so don't apologize." He studies her face with a faint smile gracing his lips.
Misty stares distractedly up at him, her mind racing and fuzzy from all the alcohol. "I-I should go to bed." She pulls away from him slightly, ready to make an escape to the elevator when her body stops. It's as if her body moves on its own free will when she turns back to Gary and laces her arms around him. "Thank you for tonight. I hope I see you tomorrow." She doesn't miss the smile on his face when she takes her leave.
Her thoughts scramble and race around as the elevator ascends to her floor. When she gets to her room, the television is still on but Azurill is fast asleep. She strips off her clothing before throwing on an old sweater and slipping in under the covers. Azurill snuggles up to her and she eventually falls into a restless sleep.
