A/N: I decided to push back Who Let the Dogs Out until next time.
~§~
Evolution
By Jaxxon
Part Ten – Look Who's Coming to Dinner
Is this thing on? There's the light. All right, where to start? Well, after roughly eight months since the accident that changed my life, I've only made it to level nineteen. Then, it got really weird.
~§~
It was like any other day. I had just finished my last semester exam and was cleaning out locker. Gary was complaining about how hard the biology test was, and Ken was just being his annoying self.
"Hey, fire boy," he called in the hallway. "Who's this Cerulean chick I keep hearing about?"
"None of your business," I snapped back.
"Come on, man," he replied. "All I hear is that you have the hots for some girl in Cerulean."
"And that's all you're going to hear," I snapped as I slammed my locker shut.
"You know, I bet she's too good for you," he jeered. "Maybe I should go there and try my luck."
I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Just ignore him," Gary suggested. "I bet I would have better luck than him."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" I demanded.
"Jealous?" Gary laughed.
"Whatever," I sighed.
"So, are you going to see her for Christmas?"
"I didn't last year," I replied. "I'll probably just call her again."
"You'll never get anywhere like that," Gary sighed. "Come on, just go there the day after Christmas or something. I'm sure your mom won't mind."
"Actually, she might encourage it," I mumbled under my breath.
"What?"
"Nothing," I hastily replied.
~§~
"Mom, I home," I called as I slammed the front door. "Where's Pikachu?"
"He's at the Pokémon Center for his yearly checkup," she replied. "How about you go wash up. We're having company over."
"All right," I said as I ran hung my coat up. "Who is it?"
"The Waterflowers," she answered.
I froze in place for three seconds before my brain could process that bit of information.
"You invited Misty!?" I shouted.
"And her sisters and parents," she replied as she walked into the room. "And what have I told you about using that tone of voice with me, young man?"
"Misty is coming here?" my mouth replied. I think I lost control of most of my motor functions and higher thought at that moment. I just kept repeating that phrase over and over again.
"Ash, for the hundredth time, YES!" Mom all but shouted at me. "Now, go on and wash up."
"Yes, ma'am," I absentmindedly replied. "And Misty is coming here?"
"GO!" she shouted.
~§~
The next three hours were a blur. I spent half the time frantically helping Mimie clean the house, and the rest worrying about Misty's parents. I had only met them once when we stayed in Cerulean for a week right after Misty debut in the Mermaid Princess ballet. They seemed nice enough, but that was toward their eleven-year-old daughter's friend not their sixteen-year-old daughter's um, what would you call me anyway? Charles was her last boyfriend, last I heard at least. Besides, she really did not think of me as any more than a friend, right?
"Ash, please stop pacing," Mom told me. "You'll wear the carpet out that way."
"Yes, Mom," I replied as I sat down and started wringing my hands.
"Calm down," she said. "You're more nervous than your father was when he meet my parents."
Now she's comparing me to dad. Something had to be up. Maybe it was just that conversation in the hall coming back to haunt me again, or maybe it was that I was starting to develop an instinct for danger like a pokémon. All I know is, I knew a setup when I saw one.
"Why did you invite them over?" I finally asked.
"Actually, Misty called to see if she could come over for the night," she answered. "I invited her family so I could get a chance to meet them."
Trying to sum up the in-laws, I thought at the time. I recalled the conversation we both had when I got back from Brock's wedding. It was now obvious that she wouldn't wait until I found a cure.
Before I could reply though, the doorbell rang.
"Mr. Mime!" Mimie shouted as he ran to get the door.
"No, I'll get," I replied as I charged after him, but he made it to the door first.
"Is this the Ketchum residence," a tall elderly man asked.
"Mime," Mimie replied.
"I'll take that as a yes," he laughed.
"Welcome, Mr. Waterflower," Mom greeted. "Won't you please come in?"
"Thank you," he said as he walked in, "and please, call me John."
"Forgetting about something," a voice said beside him. "I'm Rose."
I gasped when I saw her. I could see whom Misty took after. I guess looking at her mother would be like looking at her in twenty years, maybe even thirty. Stop that! Just take it one day at a time. No need to plan a future that may not happen.
"Ash, where are your manners?" Mom chided. "Take their coats."
"Yes, ma'am," I replied as Mr. and Mrs. Waterflower handed me their coats.
"Now who are these fine young ladies?" Mom asked as Misty and two of her sisters walked inside.
"You already know Misty," Mr. Waterflower beamed as he pointed his daughters. "This Violet, and this is Lilly, our second and third daughter."
"Where's Daisy?" I asked as I hung the coats up in the hall closet.
"She had a previous engagement," Mrs. Waterflower replied. I noticed Misty, Violet, and Lilly snicker at this.
"What she means is Daisy had a date," Misty whispered to me when Mom led us into the den.
"Like, if I known we could skip this because of that, I would have found someone," Lilly giggled. "Like, no offense, Ash."
"None taken," I replied. "I kinda had the same idea."
"We're here because of you," Violet pointed out. "So there's, like, no way you're skipping out on us."
"Yeah, Ash," Misty agreed.
"You're, like, one to talk, Mist," Lilly snickered. "After all, Dad just wanted to get to know your boyfriend better."
"My/Her boyfriend!?" both of us shouted. We looked at each other and blushed when he noticed what we had said.
"How cute," Violet giggled along with Lilly. "They're, like, blushing."
"I'm not blushing," we again replied at the same time.
"And saying everything together too," Lilly continued. "It's, like, they were made for each other."
I really didn't know how to take that. Part of me wanted to argue against it, but another part Why did everything have to be so complicated?
"It's nice to see you entertaining our guest," Mom interrupted, "but I think you should talk with Mr. and Mrs. Waterflower."
"Yeah, talk to Mom and Dad," Misty said as she pushed me into the den. "The quicker they're done interrogating you, the quicker we can leave."
Again, what should be my reaction to a statement like that? Hurt, because she wants to leave. Compassion, because now we're both in an awkward position. Or nothing at all since we usually say stuff like that when we're trapped in a corner. I just don't know what to do.
"Now if you'll excuse me," Mom said after she shoved me into the den, "I have to check on dinner. Ash, please see to our guests."
Now I know how Pikachu felt going against Sabrina's Kadabra when we on our journey. I let out a nervous smile as I sat across from the smiling parents of Misty.
"So, Ash, how is school going?" Mrs. Waterflower asked.
"Okay," I replied.
"That's good," she smiled. "It looks like Misty may be valedictorian when she graduates next year."
"Mom," Misty blushed.
"That's great, Misty," I congratulated. "I'll just be lucky if I get in the top ten percent."
"You know that's not true," I heard Mom contradict as she stood in the doorway. "Anyway, dinner is ready."
The placements were very suspect. Somehow, Misty and I were right next to each other. I really don't know how it would out that way except Mom asked me to get the rolls and when I returned, it was the only seat left.
"I think they're trying to set us up," Misty whispered while our parents talked about something. "They been getting on me since Brock's wedding."
"Me too," I sighed. "By the way, did you know about the bet?"
"What bet?"
"The one I, like, lost fifty bucks on," Lilly interrupted.
"You too?" I sighed. "When did you have?"
"Two years ago," she replied. "Violet's still in, but Daisy lost almost as soon as it began."
"What are you talking about?" Misty demanded.
"Yes, dear, what are you talking about?" Mom interrupted. The feeling of impending doom once again returned.
"Oh, just a silly bet," I nervously laughed. "Nothing really serious."
"How come I got the feeling your not telling me everything," Misty glared. I glanced over to Lilly and Violet who were quietly eating their salad.
"Let the boy keep his secrets," Mr. Waterflower laughed. "It's always difficult for a young man when he surrounded by women."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Mrs. Waterflower asked.
"Nothing, dear," Mr. Waterflower nervously laughed. "You were saying about Mr. Ketchum?"
Something told me to learn from this guy. Having four daughters and keeping his sanity made him a prime example of how to live with the opposite sex.
"Michael passed away about nine years ago," Mom replied. "It was a pokémon attack in the forest not far from here."
"Oh my," Mrs. Waterflower replied. "I'm sorry we brought it up."
"That's okay," Mom said with a sad smile. "I have some good memories, and Ash is so much like him."
The conversation changed a bit after that. Misty and I pretty much kept quiet while the others talked about this, that, and the other. Occasionally, I sneaked a glance at her, which always received a giggle from her sisters.
"Ash, have you given any thought about what you want to do in life?" Mr. Waterflower asked.
"I've been thinking about pokémon research," I replied. Misty began to snicker. Why does she still think I'm that dense ten-year-old she pulled out of a river who didn't even know what a Pokémon Center was?
'Maybe it's because you still act like one around her,' a little voice in my head replied. Shut up, you. 'Fine, don't listen to me.' I can't believe I'm arguing with myself. 'Hey, you started it.' No, I didn't.
"That's an interesting career," Mr. Waterflower replied. "I had an uncle who became a scientist at the old Silph Co. labs before Giovanni took over."
For the next five minutes, we discussed some of the things that happened during my pokémon journey.
"So what have you been up to lately?" Misty asked. "Still not working with this Pokémon 252?"
"Actually, we've been commissioned to do a full study on it," I replied.
"So it does exist," Mr. Waterflower grinned. "What kind of pokémon is it?"
"That's one of things that's unclear," I replied. "It doesn't have any positive type tracers."
"This is very fascinating," Mr. Waterflower said as he leaned on the table. "Would it be possible to see it?"
"I'm afraid not," I replied. "We're trying to limit human contact to a minimum to study its behavior."
"A pity," he sighed.
The rest of dinner the conversation was pretty much typical table talk. Mr. Waterflower explained that after he retired from leading the gym, he started teaching at Misty's high school.
"Well, we must be going," he finally said after we returned to the den and talked for about an hour. I glanced over at the window and smiled.
"Hey, look," I said as I walked to the window, "it's snowing."
"Huh?" the others said.
"Look, it's snowing," I repeated.
"Oh, dear," Mr. Waterflower sighed as he joined me at the window. "It's pretty thick too. I guess will have to find a hotel or something."
"Nonsense," Mom replied. "What kind of host would I be if I turned me guests out into the cold? You can stay here for the night."
"Oh, I wouldn't impose" Mr. Waterflower began.
"You and your wife can stay in the guest room," Mom interrupted, "and the girls can stay in Ash's room."
I glanced over at the couch. Oh well, better get some extra sheets.
~§~
That night, I tried to get comfortable and was failing miserably. I wrestled with a problem I always had when company stayed the night. Which is softer, the couch or the floor?
Around one in morning, I noticed someone else was having problems with sleeping too when the light in the kitchen was turned on. Figuring I might as well check to see whom it was, I rolled off the couch and stumbled towards the light. In the kitchen, a redheaded girl was at the table with a glass of water. The fact that she was wearing my University of Viridian t-shirt also caught my eye.
"Misty?" I yawned. "What are you doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep," she replied. "Lilly claimed the bed, and Violet took the cot which left me the floor."
"Probably better than that couch," I sighed.
"I guess your right," Misty giggled.
I long time ago, I learned that lack of sleep and Misty are a great combination. Not only does my foot now make it to my mouth in record time, I also can say some of the dumbest things like, "I see you've been in my drawers."
"Oh, this," Misty giggled. "We didn't think you would mind if we borrowed some of your shirts."
"So, Lilly and Violet took some too?"
"You didn't expect us to sleep in our clothes," she replied. "Or maybe you thought we"
Another option had not crossed my mind until now, and Misty's blush did not help me much.
"Pervert," she said when she noticed I was turning red.
"Hey, you mentioned it," I hastily replied.
"You still thought it," she laughed as she playfully slapped me.
We both sat there in silence for moment. I really didn't know what to her. I had to be careful, or I would really say something stupid.
"So, what's this bet everyone keeps talking about?" Misty finally asked.
"Oh, just a wager between some of our friends," I replied.
"Maybe I should get in on it," she said as she took another sip of her water. "If Lilly already lost fifty dollars on it, maybe I can pick it back up."
"Believe me, I don't think they'll let you in," I replied. "The bet's on us."
"Us?"
"When we will get together," I explained. "Like that would ever happen."
"Yeah, like it would ever happen," Misty repeated. I could swear it looked like she was about to cry. Did she actually
"I better get back to bed," she said as she stood up from the table.
"Misty, wait," I replied.
"I'm really tired now, Ash," she yawned. "Maybe you should tell me whatever in the morning."
"All right," I conceded.
"Goodnight, Ash," she said as she walked down the hall to my room.
"Night, Misty," I softy spoke. "I"
I just couldn't bring myself to say it. They're just three stupid little words, and I can't say them even behind her back.
"What am I going to do?" I sighed as I fell down on the couch and pulled the blanket around me.
~§~
"Thank you so much for having us over," Mrs. Ketchum told Mom the next morning.
"I'm just sorry we didn't have more room for you," Mom replied.
Misty, Lilly, Violet and I were in the kitchen finishing off breakfast while Mr. Waterflower was getting their car ready. I had offered to help, but he refused and told me to just eat breakfast.
"So, about this bet," Misty coyly said. I nearly choked, and her sisters shook her head. "How big is the pot?"
"Don't know," Lilly sighed. "I, like, only heard about a month after Ash won his cascade badge."
"Like, we don't even know who started," Violet continued. "I think is was that Brock guy."
"Sounds like him," Misty sighed. "He's been trying to hook us up almost since we met him."
"And doing such a poor job," Lilly laughed. "If we had done it, you two would be, like, married or something by now."
"Yeah, right," Misty huffed.
I decided to just eat my cereal in silence.
"At least he is not denying it," Lilly replied. "I never would have thought he would be the first to realize that you two were, like, meant to be together."
What to do, what to do? If I deny, I could screw up things with Misty permanently. If I don't, I could screw up things with Misty and have half the money in Kanto swap hands. There was no way to win this one.
"Girls, it's time to go," Mr. Waterflower called.
Saved by the dad.
"Bye, guys," I called as they left the house. "Maybe next time I should visit you and get snowed in."
"Careful what you wish for," Mom whispered to me.
I kept my eyes on Misty as the car pulled out of the driveway. I don't know how long I just stood there, but Mom brought me back to reality.
"I think you should go pick up Pikachu," she suggested. "You know how he gets when you leave him at the Pokémon Center for too long."
"Okay," I mouthed.
I went back inside and got my coat. What's wrong with me? I've said good-bye to friends I knew I had less of a chance of seeing again and not feel this bad.
"Misty," I sighed as I walked out in the snow, "maybe I should just forget about the cure."
As I treaded through the snow, a black shadowed danced across the snow. It suddenly stopped once I was near it. Staring at for a minute, I recognized it as a pokémon but didn't know which one. I reached into my pocket and pulled out Dexter.
"Houndour," it announced. "The black fire pokémon. This pokémon usually appears in packs and is known for it bad temperament."
"A lone houndour," I commented as he put Dexter away. "I bet you're hungry, aren't you?"
The pokémon eyed him cautiously.
"Well, I'm going to the Pokémon Center," I continued. "I'm sure Nurse Joy will give you something to eat."
It still made no movement, so I decided to just walk on. I noticed that it was following behind me by about ten feet. When I arrived at the Pokémon Center, Pikachu was waiting in the lobby for me.
*About time you showed up,* he greeted.
"And it's good to see you too," I replied. "We had company over, and they just left."
*Anybody special?* he asked.
"Just Misty and her parents," I answered.
*Misty was here!* he shouted. *Did you ask her out?*
"How much do you have on this?" I asked.
*I have no idea what you're talking about,* Pikachu blushed.
"I know all about the bet," I replied.
*All right, I got sixty riding on it,* he conceded.
"Is there anybody that's not in on this bet?"
*Not that I know of,* he replied.
We started for the door when I remembered the houndour. It had disappeared.
"Guess it just moved on," I sighed.
*What moved on?* Pikachu asked.
"A houndour followed me here," I replied. "I hope it's all right."
*Don't worry about it,* Pikachu consoled me. *Those guys can really take care of themselves. I want to know all about Misty's visit.*
On our way home, I told him all about Misty and her parents. I left out our midnight talk since it was really none of his business. During all that time though, it felt like someone was watching us. At the time, I shrugged it off as merely having the jitters after Misty's visit, but soon my life would never be the same again.
To be continued