Thanks for the support last chapter guys, here's the next instalment! Quick update, right? Didn't expect it from me, right? Just enjoy it! XP

Chapter 10

Three days.

Three day was the amount of time since Leaf had returned to Cerulean City, the amount of time since the day of the wedding and the amount of time since she last had proper contact with Gary.

It was Tuesday now and Leaf could not concentrate on her work. The kiss she shared with Gary confused her. Was she wrong in thinking that Gary felt something for her too? Clearly it was. And by letting her guard down, Leaf had damaged her pride and more importantly her heart.

Leaf locked down at her notes, or rather, the lack of notes that she had taken during the lecture that had finished minutes ago. Most of the students had left already except for a few eager students who remained to talk to the lecturer. Leaf shut her notepad over and packed up her belongings, then proceeded over to the library where she would inevitably not see Gary again (it would appear that the boy was avoiding the library too).

Except today.

Gary sat at a desk by the window, his forehead scrunched up as he concentrated on whatever he was doing on the computer.

Leaf's heart skipped a beat when she saw him but it did not look like he had noticed her entrance. She dropped her bag onto her favourite desk and stared to take out some books, all the while wondering if she should go over and talk to him.

Taking a deep breath she turned round ready to march over but stopped in her tracks when she noticed another girl talking to him. She noticed the frown was no longer present, instead it was replaced with a smile that made Leaf's heart sink.

That was why Gary had not see her the past few days, the reason why he only text her once in response to her message.

"I'm home." Leaf called as she shut the door behind her. It was almost eight and she had missed dinner time due to time spent trying to teach herself the lecture that she had not paid attention to.

"You're late tonight." Misty said, looking up from her laptop. She had sprawled out on the couch and the coffee table had been moved closer to her couch so that she could easily reach her books and her glass of wine (or Tuesday teaser as they referred to it as). "I put dinner in the fridge. Just heat it up if you want some."

"Thanks," Leaf said, suddenly feeling the urge to burst into tears. "But I'm not hungry." she added then slumped back to her room.

Once inside she laid down and took in a few deep breaths. Trying to calm herself down. She had not cried since she broke the news to her parents but even then, most of the tears on that occasion had actually been tears of joy, not of anxiety, hurt and stress.

She picked up her phone, feeling the urge to call Gary but she knew better. He had not returned her message from yesterday and judging from the girl he was with today, it was likely he was out on a date. With that girl. That brunette with the loose curls. Leaf didn't catch her front but whoever she was, she looked pretty from the back.

Dumping everything on her bed onto the floor I'm a single sweep, Leaf crawled under her covers and did nothing for the rest of the night.

Leaf's concentration level was at an all-time low from her restless sleep last night and the fact that she has to work in professor Elm's lab, meaning she will come face to face with Gary at last, something she looked forward to only a few days ago.

Instead of going to classes or the library, Leaf chose to spend the day easing her mind from her stresses. She took a leisurely stroll along the waters, picking up a long branch and dragged it along the river's edge. She loved the way the ripples faded and settled back into stagnant water, creating a clean surface for her to reflect upon.

She stared deep into her reflected eyes. Her brown eyes looked distant and unfamiliar even to her and her face looked gaunt, not full and healthy like it did mere days ago. "What am I going to do?" she asked her reflection.

"About what?" a reflection appeared behind her. The owner of the reflected face managed to catch Leaf's widened eyes just before she fell forward from the fright.

The reflection's owner tried to grab Leaf's arm, saving her from the fall, only to be dragged in with her.

"I am so sorry." Leaf apologised again once he emerged from the bathroom.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it." he said with a laugh and handed Leaf the towel. "Thanks for letting me use your bathroom."

Leaf smiled at him. "You're welcome. Plus it was my fault anyway." she said then squinted her eyes at him as she tried to recall his name. In the rush of falling and trying to dry off before she caught the cold in the winter, they had yet to identify each other.

"It's Phineas, right?" Leaf asked. "We met at the wedding?"

"Good memory, Leaf." he complimented and flashed her a smile. "Glad you remember me."

"Of course I do – I rarely forget people's names." she patted her temple to emphasise her brains. "What are you doing in Cerulean city?"

"I'm currently stationed out here for a project. I work for a PR company and I've been chosen to relocate here for the duration of the project which should span a few weeks."

"Wow, that sounds cool," Leaf said in genuine surprise. With all the people around the table last time, she did not manage to talk to Phineas properly and it had also occurred to her that she didn't realise that Phineas was slightly older than her. "Where are you staying just now?" she asked and headed into her kitchen and pulled out two mugs. "Would you like a tea?"

"Sure." he replied and with that, Leaf and Phineas spent the afternoon talking as if they were old friends.

Time flew when one was stress-free and enjoying themselves. Leaf found that the day flew by and before she knew it, it was time for her first lab session with Professor Elm and Gary. She had enjoyed talking to Phinneas so much so that she forgot all about her impending encounter with the brunet.

However, running late possibly did not help her nerves. Professor Elm was known to be professional and punctual and with her flushed cheeks, breathlessness and delayed appearance in class three minutes after the hour, Leaf was neither professional nor punctual.

Gary was already in the lab and prepared. He had his book out and by the looks of it, Professor Elm had already started discussing his lab rules with Gary.

"Sorry I'm late." Leaf said as she opened the door and barged into the room, almost falling over in the process.

Professor Elm frowned but forgave the brunette. "Just this once I'll let you in but next time... You won't be admitted to my class."

Leaf nodded apologetically then went over to the opposite end of the bench from Gary and took out a notepad as the professor continued to talk. She pressed the back of her hand to her cheeks, trying to cool herself down but with no avail. She was still warm from running up three flights of stairs.

In fact, now that she tried to listen and write, she felt that more lines had appeared on her page, and that the professor's mouth wasn't matching the words that left them... And the professor seemed to have gained a twin.

Tilting her head to one side, Leaf tried to pay closer attention as the professor talked directly at her.

Gary placed the back of his hand to her forehead. "She has a fever." he said to the professor.

Leaf shook her head. "It's nothing." she said.

"Are you sure, Leaf?" the professor asked but the brunette just nodded.

"Maybe you should go home." Gary said without looking at her.

"I'll be fine." Leaf insisted and urged the professor to continue- which he did.

He continued to talk for another thirty minutes, outlining his intention, and what he expects in return. Leaf and Gary were both perched on the high stools as they jotted down information and deadlines at lightning speed, trying to keep up with the professor's introduction.

Leaf had periodically subtly put a hand to her face to test her temperature but it didn't seem to get any better. Maybe Gary was right. Maybe she should be went home. She could feel the heat spread across her body.

"Okay, now, any questions before we start our preparations for the experiments?"

"Can we take a quick break?" Gary asked, darting a quick look at Leaf, whose breathing he noted had sped up.

"You can have a ten minute break." professor Elm said, picking up on Gary's point.

"Thanks." Leaf accepted then tried to stand – only to black out onto the floor.

Leaf awoke later in tucked into her bed in her room with a cool cloth over her forehead. Her eyes slowly opened at first, adjusting to the brightness that burned through her windows before she realised that she wasn't alone.

Sharp jade Green eyes looked directly down at her with a crease of concern between them. "You're awake!"

Leaf nodded. "How did I get here, Misty?" she asked as she tried to sit up.

Misty propped up the pillow behind her. "I was just about to go for a swim when Gary called and said you fainted in class. So naturally I abandoned my swim to come home to make sure you're okay."

"I was home? How did I get home?" Leaf asked though she had a hunch about how.

Misty shrugged. "Gary must've carried you since you were asleep in your bed when I got here and he was still here."

"Did he say anything?"

"He said he gave you two pills and tucked you in and then he left shortly afterwards." Misty explained, "but since you're awake now, I'll make us some dinner and let Ash know you're fine."

"Thanks Misty." Leaf said as Misty left the room, leaving her to contemplate how Gary might have got her home.

Leaf peeked inside her bag which was set neatly on her desk. Her books were all tucked in and just sneaking out from the top of her lab book was a slip of paper that to many anyone appear ordinary but to Leaf, was totally out of place. She gently pulled said sheet of paper out and read the note:

Rest up and don't exert yourself.
-Gary

Leaf frowned at the curt manner of his note but tucked it neatly away in her drawer. After so many days, this was as close to a conversation that she's had with him. Leaf let out a sigh of frustration and collapsed back onto her bed.

The next morning Leaf felt better for her fever had gone down and she no longer felt as tired though she did look notably paler and lifeless compared to her normal chipper self.

First thing in the morning Leaf decided to head back to Professor Elm's lab to apologise to the man, mostly for passing out and disrupting class, and also to catch-up on missed work. She hated nothing more than to be behind in her studies.

She entered the lab and found Gary inside talking to Professor Elm. Both of their heads whipped round and watched her as she approached them.

Gary stood leaning casually against a worktop with his bag slung over one shoulder in a casual manner while he held his black jacket.

"Good morning." she greeted. "Sorry about yesterday, professor."

"It's okay but are you sure you're better?"

Leaf nodded. "I'm sure. I did nothing but sleep and rest last night and since I feel better, I thought it be best if I use my spare morning to catch up on yesterday's work before my classes this afternoon."

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Gary looking at her with an odd _expression on his face. Was he concerned? Was he trying to hide it?

"Okay, if you insist." Professor Elm said then turned back to Gary, "Gary, I'll read over your proposal and get back to you later."

Gary nodded. "That's okay but if you don't mind, I'd like to stay and do some work here."

Professor Elm looked at him oddly before agreeing. He was just relieved to have selected two hard working students.

"Shouldn't you be resting more?" Gary asked Leaf once he heard the professor retreat into his office next door.

"No need. I feel better." Leaf replied as she continued working, not taking her eyes of the flasks in front of her.

Gary looked at Leaf. He could hear the cold through her voice. It was obvious that she had a blocked nose.

"I don't think it's safe for you to be out and about when you're obviously ill."

"Seriously, I'm fine." Leaf replied, her tone getting defensive. She gripped the pipette tighter.

"Go home, Leaf." Gary said, "It's not good for you to exert yourself."

Leaf slammed the pipette down on the counter. "It's also not good for me to be upset yet I don't see you make me feel any way other than that." she shot him a harsh glare then returned to her work.

Gary let out a frustrated groan and headed towards the door. "Just don't overdo it." he said over his shoulder then left.

Despite Gary's attitude playing on her mind all day, Leaf managed to get through all her work and make it to her waitressing job at the hotel in good time to start her dinner shift. At the thought of the boy again she could feel her body tense. He did not deserve to care for her no when he ignored her for so long. Leaf Green was not someone who could be used to kill time whenever he has a spare moment.

She put on a strong front and entered the bar to start her work, determined not to think of Gary or his recent poor treatment towards Leaf after he kissed her... Actually, the more Leaf thought about it maybe that was all Gary was after. He'd spent those past few weeks getting close to Leaf only to kiss her and find that... He doesn't have feelings for her. And now he wants nothing to do with her.

Or maybe he did have feelings for Leaf but then he met someone else? No, that seemed unlikely considering he kissed her. Leaf was so absorbed in her thoughts that she failed to notice Melody approach her.

"Lea~f." she sang and waved a hand in front of the brunette's face.

"What?" Leaf said.

"You were in a daze." Melody said. "I asked you how you were."

"Oh, I'm fine, how about you?"

"Well, Leaf, I'm glad you asked." Melody's eyes seemed to twinkle with delight. "I think my reconciliation date with Gary is fast approaching. He's not been on any dates with anyone recently. It's only a matter of time now before the stars align!"

"Is that so?" Leaf asked. She doubt Melody was right but she went along with it. At least then Melody would never need to know that Leaf was the mystery brunette who had left her hoodie at Gary's.

Melody nodded enthusiastically. "I can sense it. It's coming so soon, I really need to get back into shape!"

"Are you kidding me?" Leaf said, "You look great as it is!"

"I know. I'm just messing with you but you, have you been slacking off recently?" Melody asked.

Normally Leaf would be offended at the rude insinuation but instead, she was hit by a wave of paranoia. Was it really noticeable?

Before Leaf had time to reply, a group of people in suits approached the bar and she and she set off to work, taking drinks orders and making them as she worked her way through the crowd until she hit a familiar face.

"Leaf? I didn't know you work here."

She looked up from what she was doing and met the eyes of Phineas. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Just a post workday drink and meal with my boss and clients." he replied and shrugged. "I didn't know you worked here."

"Yeah, I work here four days a week to help fund myself through uni." Leaf replied as she poured a drink for him.

"That's cool." he said, "Listen, I have to go keep our clients entertained just now but we should go get a drink or something when you finish." he said then left to re-join his group.

Leaf blinked as she watched his retreating form and a sly smile grew on Melody's face, she couldn't wait to get the gossip from Leaf.

As promised, Phineas stuck around until Leaf's shift ended. They left the hotel, where they both agreed that the drinks were over-priced and went to a smaller bar down the road. She had recommended this place due to its quiet backdrop and moderately priced drinks, making it a good place to sit and talk without being surrounded by drunkards. They occupied a booth towards the back of the bar and ordered drinks - a lemonade for Leaf and a coke for Phineas.

"Your work was pretty packed." Phineas commented, "Is it always like that?" he sat with one hand round his drink for ease of sipping.

Leaf nodded. "It would appear that the answer to life's stresses is over-priced alcohol." she had both hands round her glass, wiping away at some of the condensation on the side.

Phineas laughed. "And looking at beautiful girls."

"And good looking guys." Leaf pointed out since a lot of their clientele were females too, single and cougars alike.

"That's true. Have any of the customers ever hit on you?" Phineas asked.

Leaf thought for a moment then proceeded to tell Phineas about the time a guy that kept being a pain to get her attention. "So after the third time he tried to spill his drink just to get me over, I gave up and asked someone else to go clean it instead."

"Was he really drunk?"

"Nope, just an idiot." Leaf replied without missing a beat.

"He sure is." replied Phineas. "I always believe that if a guy wants to show interest in a girl..."

Leaf's mind immediately jumped back to a vision of Gary, which she tried to push aside for a moment.

"The guy should take more of an initiative..."

Again Leaf's thoughts races back to Gary and is decisiveness, how he always just announced their upcoming plans as if it was obvious that they'd both be free that day and he was certain that she'd enjoy it. And how he so naturally leaned in and-"

She cut her own thought short when she felt a warm pair of hands wrap around her own, cold hands. "He should look the girl in the eyes and ask her out before someone else does and steals her right before you get the chance to find out if she's the love of your life."

Leaf looked deeply into his eyes and contemplated his words. Phineas was right. That's exactly what a guy should do and that's exactly what Gary has done to many girls on many different occasions. She may not have ended up staring into his eyes through his usual way and maybe that was a good thing. It helped her see him differently... Helped her realise that he did have feelings for her. That look, that smile, those soft eyes that he seemed to reserve only for her and the way that hers only looked at him.

Leaf suddenly stood up, scraping her thighs against the edge of the table as she clambered out of the booth and tore her hands out or Phineas'.

She had barely managed to squeeze out a, "I've got to go" before she darted out the door and onto the icy road where her feet tried hard to maintain her balance as she half walked, half ran along the main road until she hit familiar territory. She had a serious expression on her face and ignored the mist that she created everything she breathed her rapid breaths. She stopped outside a familiar looking door and hesitated for only a second and no longer before she pushed the door open and into a close. She hurried up the steps and to the door that started it all, then knocked.

I've left it at an awkward bit just so that it was easier for me to edit and post etc. I'm halfway through writing the next chapter so review, give me motivation and I'll finish and post the next chapter reeaaallllyyyy soon!

Love you

*silver-hedgehog