Greetings, beautiful readers! It's been a while, I know, however as you've all been waiting so patiently, you get my longest chapter to date, so yay! As always, thanks for your continued support xx

Chapter 10 – A Beautiful Lie

The droning sound of quick fingers on keys was momentarily silenced as James paused, running a hand through his hair and reading over the paragraph. His earlier plan of getting the report done first was harder than he'd anticipated, and he sighed, willing his tired brain in to gear. He cast a sideways glance at Meowth, who was stretched out on the bed asleep and muttering something about chilli cheese fries. James smiled before turning his attention back to his laptop, rubbing his eyes and taking a deep breath. There wasn't much more to do; another couple of paragraphs and he'd finally be able to lie back and unwind. The thought spurred him on as he began to type.

A familiar feeling of foolishness rose to the surface as James recalled the previous night's getaway. What had seemed like a great idea had ended up in disaster. James furrowed his brow in annoyance. 'Way to go James,' he berated himself, thinking back to the promise he'd made to himself in the mirror, 'so much for being the best partner she's ever had! What were you thinking?' James stopped typing and ran his fingers through his hair, and tutted in frustration at himself. His plan to show Jessie this new and improved side of him; this confident, courageous, smart and reliable team mate on whom she could depend, in his eyes, had failed miserably. James sighed. He wasn't a leader, by any stretch of the imagination. But he'd just wanted to… wanted to… 'what?' he questioned himself, 'What is it I want?' He leaned back in his chair and searched his tired brain for the answer. 'I want my best friend back…' he thought, repeating his words from the night they were reintroduced. Yet… he couldn't help the feeling that he was missing something.

James frowned at the screen, knowing he wouldn't be able to concentrate until he'd figured this out. He pushed himself up from the desk and fished out his liquor from his rucksack, and poured a small measure in to one of the hotel tumblers, sinking on to the end of the bed opposite the window and taking a drink. The vibrant lights of Saffron City twinkling underneath the sheer brilliance of the full moon caught his eye, and he smiled. James much preferred being away from the hustle and bustle of a city, but he couldn't deny how pretty it looked from his tenth floor window. Taking another drink, he tried to focus back on his thoughts.

What did he want? All he'd desired after their reunion was to get his best friend back. It was still early days, and there was still a long way to go, but the initial awkwardness that had hung over them seemed to have disappeared. James understood that they could never go back to the way things were; they had both transformed from children to adults during their time apart. But despite all the ways he knew he himself had grown, he still felt that deep down, he was still the same guy at heart. New and improved James, but still James. And she was still Jessie. Headstrong and impulsive. Passionate. Brave. Not afraid to stand up for herself or for others. People admired her, were enthralled by her. She was a natural born leader. 'More so than I'll ever be,' he grimaced at his foolish attempt at trying to lead, at trying to impress her.

'Was I trying to impress her?' He supposed he was in a sense. After her looking out for him so much when they were younger, he supposed he wanted to return the favour in addition to trying to be the best team mate she'd ever had. But as he stared in to his drink, he realised that even though they had both grown, despite the ways in which he had changed and in whatever ways she had changed, that despite whatever hardships or trials they had encountered during their time apart, the thing that drew them together when they were young was still true today. That his strengths and his faults, and her strengths and her faults, they complimented each other perfectly. And if he wanted this new partnership, this new… old… friendship to work, then shouldn't he just be himself?

James took another drink and stared out of the window, watching a cloud glide slowly past the moon. He had been himself, for the most part. And the two of them seemed to get on really well – it felt natural being together again. Sure, there were still unanswered questions, future discussions that one day would inevitably have to take place. And yes, he still carried with him the hurt that she had caused him all those years ago. But he'd promised himself he'd wait, knowing that it wasn't the right time for her. 'Ok, no more brilliant ideas,' he smirked to himself, 'let Jessie do the thinking from now on. Relax, enjoy getting to know her again, and just be yourself!' He almost laughed at his attempt at being someone he was not. The smile faded from James' lips. 'Especially when that was something I fought so hard against as a boy…'

"Finished woikin' already, Jim?" Meowth stretched, tail in the air and front claws extended, and followed it up with a loud yawn.

"Mm? No, not quite. I was just taking a breather." James swished the contents of the tumbler round and round, staring deep in to the dark liquid. 'Why do I still feel like I'm missing something?'

James was interrupted from thinking any more about it as he felt the bed sink to his right, Meowth now sitting next to him gazing up at the moon. James took a deep drink, scratching Meowth behind the ear as they looked up at the shining orb, though the back of his mind was still swimming in magenta hues.

"Ain't it beautiful?" the scratch-cat said in a wistful voice.

James silently nodded in agreement.

xXx

It was after lunch by the time the Rockets awoke, all three rejuvenated and fresh-faced after catching up on some much needed sleep. A knock at the door signalled Jessie's arrival, and James grinned at his partner as he let her in.

"Good morning," he chimed with a dramatic sweep of his arm, welcoming her in to the room. "Sleep well?"

"It's afternoon idiot." Jessie retorted with a smile, striding in and sinking in to the chair, crossing her long legs as James situated himself on the bed facing her. "And yes I did, thank you!"

"Heh, t'ink we desoived a lie in! Sooo, breakfast?" Meowth looked expectantly at his team mates.

James glanced at his watch. "I think we missed lunch. Though I do remember seeing a nice restaurant a few min…"

"Room service!" called out his partners in unison.

James laughed as he raised his hands in defeat. "OK OK! Room service it is! Here," he picked up the menu from his bedside table and handed it to Jessie.

Meowth clambered up on to the desk to read over Jessie's shoulder, almost drooling in anticipation as his eyes darted frantically over the options. "I'll take one of evrytin'!"

"Keep dreaming, furball!" chided Jessie as she handed the menu back to James. "Order us some breakfast stuff. Bacon and eggs and sausages and pancakes and croissants…"

"Hungry, are we?" James teased, scanning the menu. Although his stomach chose that precise moment to let out a loud rumble.

"Hungry, are we?" Jessie scoffed, raising her eyebrows at him and folding her arms triumphantly whilst Meowth cackled with laughter.

James rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I guess so!"

xXx

An hour later found the two humans with full bellies and satisfied smiles, whilst Meowth gleefully slurped down James' leftover eggs.

Reluctantly, Jessie willed herself in to work-mode. "Right, where's the package?"

James retrieved it from the bottom of the wardrobe and set it on the desk next to Jessie. Unfortunately there was only the one chair in the room or he would have sat at the desk with his team mate, instead resigning himself to quietly sitting cross-legged on the bed as Jessie flicked through the folder.

Eventually, Meowth let out a bored yawn. "Anyt'ing we can help with dere Jess?"

"Mm? Oh," she reached in to the box and flung a smaller package towards the bed where he was sat with James, "here. Go nuts."

Meowth emptied the contents on to the bed and began pawing through them, pausing to put the blonde bobbed wig on his head and turning to James. "How do I look Jimmy?"

"Gorgeous" came the reply as Meowth struck a pose. James picked up a long black wig and examined it, before making his way to the bathroom to put it on properly.

Meowth continued rummaging through the objects, inspecting each one as he held it up. "Jess, you got dose identity profiles dere?"

Jessie looked up to respond and burst out laughing. "Nice haircut. Suits you." she teased, walking over to the bed and plopping on to it. "Here," she removed the profiles from the folder and passed them to the scratch-cat, before fluffing the pillows against the headboard and leaning against them as she continued to leaf through the pages.

"What do you think?" came a voice from the bathroom door, and the two rockets looked up to find James sporting his new look; his black hair parted in the centre and came down to halfway down his back, and was pulled in to a loose ponytail at the base of his neck. A few stubborn stands that refused to stay tied framed his face nicely.

Meowth let out a whistle. "Lookin' good, Davey-boy! Here, dese are yours too." He threw a pair of thick-rimmed glasses and James caught them, stepping back in to the bathroom to put them on in front of the mirror, noting that the sleek black frames and his new hair colour complimented each other perfectly.

As he exited the bathroom a second time, Jessie's pulse quickened as she instantly noted how good he looked in glasses.

"Yeah, you look great." she replied hastily, forcing her eyes back on to the pages in front of her.

James couldn't help feeling a little crestfallen. "I thought I looked quite good. And these glasses make me look rather intelligent, wouldn't you agree?"

"Dat's a foist!" cackled Meowth.

James folded his arms defensively. "Well, you look like a smoochum in that wig!" he teased. "Hey Jess, got any lipstick with you for our little smoochum here?"

Jessie laughed as she rummaged in her bag. "Of course I do!"

"Oh hell no!" Meowth cried as he tore off the wig, jumping off the bed and backing up in to the wall, claws outstretched. "You ain't comin' near me wid dat!"

"Actually James," Jessie started as she continued to fish through her purse, "we're gonna have to do something about those eyebrows." She found what she was looking for and hoisted herself off the bed, grabbing the back of the chair and setting it in the middle of the room.

"What's wrong with my eyebrows?"

"They don't match your hair. It's a bit of a giveaway." she replied as she turned on the main light. "Now, sit!" James removed his glasses and did as he was told, and Jessie stood before him. "Tilt your head back slightly, that's it."

James obeyed, closing his eyes to the blinding light above him, and his breath caught in his throat as Jessie gently yet firmly grasped his chin, tilting his head back just a fraction more. With his eyes closed, his other senses went in to overdrive. He became acutely aware of the faint scent of strawberries he'd noticed a couple of times before. The way her skin felt as her hand rested on his cheek, as she applied something to one eyebrow. James felt one of her legs bump slightly against his as she shifted her position slightly, and feeling her breath on his face he could tell she had leaned in closer. A slight knock on his other leg caused his heart to hammer in his chest as he realised she was straddling him, and he licked his lips nervously as his skin prickled with electricity.

Jessie, satisfied that there were no signs of any tell-tale lavender showing, turned her attention to his other eyebrow. She cupped his right cheek and turned his head slightly to the left, amazed at how smooth his skin felt. As she reapplied the make up to the applicator, Jessie cast a look over his features. It was the first time since they'd been reunited that she'd had a chance to really look at him, without fear of being caught staring. His skin was perfect. And with no skin-care routine, that she was aware of anyway! Any woman would be envious! He had also been blessed with perfect cheekbones, something she hadn't fully realised the extent of until she'd cupped his cheek, and a perfect jaw line too. She still found it amusing how her dorky gangly friend had matured in to someone who was both exceptionally handsome and pretty – there was no other word for it.

Jessie continued to work, unaware of James' internal battle between body and mind. Every fibre of his being was willing him to grab her hips and pull her on to him, so strong was the urge that he gripped the edge of his seat, certain his fingers were turning white with the force. 'What is this? What's happening?' James' panicked mind demanded of his treacherous body, unsure what to make of these unfamiliar feelings.

"Much better." Jessie said as she finished the second eyebrow, and she cast her eyes over his face, noticing the pink tinge to his cheeks. 'Why is he blushing…?'

James opened his eyes at her words to see her face directly above his own, the bright light behind her head creating a halo effect round her magenta mane. Their eyes locked, and James felt an unfamiliar twitch in his trousers. He gulped nervously, silently cursing himself as he felt his cheeks burn.

'…oh!' A laugh caught in Jessie's throat as it suddenly occurred to her she was straddling her partner. She'd been so caught up in the makeover and her thoughts that she hadn't realised their position. Taking a step back, Jessie noticed something else on James' face other than the blush; a look of pure fear. '…maybe I was wrong, maybe he doesn't like me like that after all…' she thought, 'good, that would only make things awkward, I suppose.' Trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach, Jessie made her way over to the bed and put her makeup back in her purse.

Slowly releasing his death-grip on the seat, James excused himself and made his way towards the bathroom, under the pretence of admiring Jessie's handiwork in the mirror. He glared at his reflection. "This looks great, thanks Jessie!" he called in as normal a voice as he could muster. Flashing a smile that he hoped looked grateful at his partner, he closed the door behind him and sank down on to the cold tiles of the bathroom floor, pulling his wig and glasses off and sighing.

'I don't understand,' James thought, running his fingers through his hair. Yet somewhere in the depths of his mind, he felt like he finally had all the pieces of this annoying puzzle, he just didn't know quite how to put them together.

James had heard the lads in the bike gang talk about sex and arousal and the like, and he understood the biology of it all. Yet even as a teenager James had never suffered the usual effects that seemed to plague the other boys his age. He had never experienced what it was to be 'horny', or to look at someone and get a 'boner'. Hell, he'd only experimented with pleasuring himself to see if he even could, after worrying for so long why he didn't have the same needs as others. As he'd gotten older, and more comfortable with who he was, he accepted he just didn't have the same drive as others when it came to sex. Sex lead to relationships, and relationships lead to marriage. And there was no way in hell he was touching any of that with a ten foot pole. Especially when the last time, as unplanned as it was, had been such a disaster.

James wandered aimlessly through the streets of Pewter City, contemplating his next move. After a couple of years, Maurice had been forced to close the shop due to lack of business, and he had kindly provided James with a small sum of money to tide him over until he got back on his feet. James had tried to refuse, however the old man could be very insistent and James had learnt a long time ago there was no use arguing with him. With no reason to stay, James had decided to try his luck in a different city and jumped on the first bus he saw, a bus to Pewter.

Since his arrival, James had managed to secure a small room in a shared house, and had spent the days trawling the streets looking for any sort of work. After another day of finding nothing, and as the first drops of rain started to fall, the weather echoing his mood, James found himself in the outskirts of an unfamiliar city with no idea where he was. The rain started to lash down, and he swept his hair from his face, looking around. Across the street, singing and laughter drifted from the windows of a bar, and with nowhere else to go, James sighed in defeat and jogged across the road towards shelter.

"What can I get you?" the barman asked with a smile as James slid in to a seat.

"Good evening. Could I have a…" James suddenly realised he had no idea what to order. Casting his eyes over the various bottles behind the barman, hoping his face didn't betray his confusion, his mind skipped back to his childhood and an image of his father drinking a brandy in the study of an evening flew through his consciousness. "Could I have a brandy please?"

"Any particular type?" asked the barman as he reached for a glass.

James shook his head as he removed his jacket, and he took in his surroundings as the barman poured his drink. It was a lot more upmarket than it had appeared from the outside, the laughter and singing wasn't coming from aging drunks as he had first assumed, rather it was coming from the small crowd seated around the piano across the room, as some catchy song he didn't recognise was played by a girl with an electric blue pixie cut.

The arrival of his drink brought James' attention back to the barman and he handed over a note. Swirling the liquid round the glass as he'd seen his father do so many times, he sighed and took a drink. It was all James could do not to screw his face up, the strong flavour making his eyes water, and he swallowed it, gasping as it burnt his throat. So much for trying to blend in.

"Not much of a drinker, eh?" chuckled the barman as he handed James his change.

James grimaced. "No, I guess I'm not."

"So," smiled the barman as he slid a tray of glasses in to the dishwasher and turned it on, "what is a not-much-of-a-drinker doing in a drinking establishment?"

"I'm new to Pewter. I guess I'm just trying to get my bearings." His gaze flew to the window. "And hide from the rain."

"Well, welcome to Pewter, it's a great city. I'm Sam." He extended his hand.

James shook Sam's hand. "My name is James Morgan. It's a pleasure to meet you." Releasing his hand, James figured he may as well try his luck. "I don't suppose you're in need of any staff at the moment are you?"

"'Fraid not." Sam's attention was interrupted by another customer down the bar. "Good luck in your search through. Excuse me. Ah yes Flint, what can I get you?"

James took a smaller sip of his drink, shuddering slightly as it warmed his stomach. Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't notice the music stop or the clapping coming from around the piano, only coming back to reality when somebody approached the bar next to him.

"Hi! Not seen you in here before."

James turned towards the voice and found himself face to face with the pianist. "It's my first time in Pewter."

"It's a great city."

"So I hear!" James smiled at his companion.

"Business or pleasure?" the pianist asked as she waved at Sam, getting his attention.

"Oh, um, neither I guess. I've just moved here."

"Welcome! I'm Clementine." She stuck out her hand.

"My name is James Morgan. It's a pleasure to meet you." he smiled as he shook it.

"The pleasure's all mine, James Morgan!" she grinned up at him.

"What can I get you, Clem?" Sam asked as he approached the duo.

'Everyone is so friendly here,' James thought to himself as he sipped his brandy, feeling a bit more positive than he was earlier, 'now if I could just find a job…'

xXx

The night passed by so quickly as James switched between chatting with Sam and watching Clementine wow the audience with her playing and singing. She certainly knew how to entertain a crowd; her personality was as vibrant as her hair and outfit. As she announced this would be her last song for the evening, the crowd booed and hollered in disappointment. James smiled as he turned back to Sam, continuing their conversation between customers. They had really hit it off, Sam was a great listener (comes as part of the job, he said) and he had given him some tips on places to try and look for work.

On Sam's recommendation, James had switched to pear cider and found it a lot more bearable than brandy. Although he had been taking it easy, James was beginning to feel a little tipsy. He hadn't intended to stay there all evening! The applause from the far side of the room signalled the end of Clementine's performance, and she disappeared into the back as people started to finish their drinks and collect their belongings, eventually filing out into the dark night. James eyed the piano as Sam cleaned behind the bar, and he thought about Maurice and everything he had done to help him. He hoped the shopkeeper was ok.

Sam followed his gaze. "You play?" he asked as he emptied the dishwasher.

James sipped his drink. "A little" he admitted.

"Let's hear you then!"

"Hear what?" Clementine asked as she reappeared at the bar, sliding in to the seat beside James.

"James can play the piano too. You might have some competition here Clem!" Sam laughed.

James blanched and looked at Clementine. "I'm not anywhere near as good as you!" he waved his hands defensively.

"We'll see." She turned her attention to Sam. "One more vodka, barkeep!" she slammed her palm on the bar, grinning at the bartender.

"Yes sir!" Sam teased. "James? One for the road?"

"No thank you. It's been a pleasure but I should get home. I don't suppose either of you can tell me how to get to Nibi Avenue? I wandered a tad far from home today."

Clementine's eyes twinkled mischievously. "That's not too far from me. I can walk you home… on one condition."

James gave her a puzzled look as Sam set her drink on the bar. "What is the condition?"

"I drink… you play." She raised her eyebrow as she took a sip of her drink.

Conceding defeat, James accepted her offer, and the pair made their way over to the piano.

Despite the past few years playing on his keyboard and rediscovering his love for music, dark thoughts clouded James' mind as he approached the seat. He took a deep breath, glancing around the room. This wasn't a grand piano. This wasn't a ballroom. The worn-down piano seat didn't belong in a mansion. The smell of the bar wasn't the same sterile odour from his childhood. The woman standing behind him meant him no harm. James wiped his palms on his trousers as he took a seat, forcing his mind to think of his keyboard on the dusty warehouse floor, music books sprawled around him, his joy of discovering new music.

"What are you waiting for, Jimmy?" The voice was Clementine's, not Jessebelle's.

James took another deep breath and forced every negative thought from his brain, and picked the first song from his time with Maurice that came to him; Let It Be.

As Clementine started to sing, James fully relaxed. Although, he supposed the alcohol helped.

"You are good!" Clementine smiled as he finished the song. "Learn more upbeat stuff and you can help me out sometimes, if you fancy a few hours part time I mean."

James whipped his head round, wide eyed. "Excuse me? Did you just offer me a job? I'm actually looking for work at the moment!"

"Woah, hold your horsea, I can't offer you many hours, but I've recently taken on another gig and I'm finding it hard dividing my time between the two. But yeah if you can help me out that would be amazing. You seem to have the skills. You just need more upbeat repertoire. Unless you wanna take some shifts at the posh hotel across town, they prefer more classical stuff."

James nervously tugged at his collar. "I can play more upbeat songs, that won't be a problem." As if to emphasize his point, James launched in to Great Balls Of Fire. "I can't sing very well I'm afraid." he called over the song.

"Alcohol is a great confidence booster, especially when it comes to singing!" Clementine laughed, setting her empty glass down on the nearest table and perching on the end of the seat. "Move up would ya?" she teased, lightly shoving him.

James grinned and scooted over, allowing her to swing her legs forward and she joined in with the song, adding her own melody over the top of James', both of them laughing as their playing intensified, fingers flying over the keys.

xXx

The weeks flew by as James made himself at home in Pewter City. He had found a part time job working in a café during the day, and two evenings a week he played in Sam's bar. The nights he wasn't working, he found himself spending time in the bar anyway, getting to know Sam and Clementine and the regulars, who were coming to accept him as one of them.

James entered the bar and took his usual seat, exhausted from the days toil in the café, and waved at Sam.

"Usual, James?" joked Sam, knowing full well James still hadn't settled on a drink he really loved, instead opting to try different things each time.

"Very funny," grinned James. "Surprise me."

Sam poured James a Malibu and orange and set it in front of him. "I think you'll like this one."

"How many times have you proclaimed you'd found me my perfect drink?" James teased, taking a sip and contemplating it. "It's nice, although I find it a touch too sweet."

Sam rolled his eyes. "You're a hard man to please!" James laughed as Sam leaned in closer. "So, how's it going with Clem?"

"What do you mean?" James asked, puzzled. He took another gulp of his drink. It wasn't too bad, he supposed.

"Now that you two are dating?"

James choked on his drink.

"You ok there buddy?" Sam asked in alarm, reaching over to slap James on the back.

Eyes streaming, James managed to stammer "yes, thank you."

A customer waving caught Sam's attention. "Hold that thought." he instructed, "I want details when I get back. You sure you're ok?"

James nodded, feeling anything but ok, as the past couple of weeks flashed before his eyes. The time they'd been spending together outside of work, the occasions they'd gone out for dinner before their evening shifts, the way she was so tactile with him, constantly touching his arm or hugging him… all of this he'd thought was just friendly behaviour. With a groan, he suddenly realised why she looked so disappointed every time she invited him in after he walked her home from the bar, and why he had been convinced a couple of times that she had almost kissed him, but simply told himself he was imagining it, because they were just friends. How could he be so naïve?!

He was now fully in panic mode, and his mind whirred, desperately trying to find a solution to this unfortunate predicament. James silently cursed his naivety, his foolishness, his inexperience, wondering how he could have been so blind. And the overwhelming guilt of leading her on. He didn't want to hurt her, but he absolutely had to get out of this terrible situation.

Except… except the past couple of weeks hadn't been terrible. He had genuinely enjoyed spending time with Clementine. James took a deep drink and tried to think clearly. Ok, so he might not have been aware they were dating, but if this was dating, then maybe it wasn't so bad after all? They were just two people spending time together and getting to know one another. James had no point of reference, no way to know if real dating was supposed to be different. A wave of nausea swept over him as he thought back to her inviting him in to her apartment. Ok, there was one big difference.

Glancing at his watch, he realised Clementine would arrive at the bar at any moment. Every fibre of his being told him to run.

'Get a grip, James,' he chided, 'you've got this far, albeit without knowing. You can do this!'

His courage wavered slightly as a flash of electric blue caught his eye, and Clementine gave him a quick hug from behind before sliding in to the seat next to him.

"Hi James, you ok hun?"

Taking a deep breath, James downed his drink then leant over to place a kiss on her cheek. "I'm great dear, how are you?"

He could do this.

xXx

It was only two days later that James realised he could not in fact do this.

Things had been going pretty well, so much so that James decided to finally accept Clementine's invitation in to her apartment. Once again, James' naivety had blindsided him as he found himself pinned under his girlfriend on her sofa, his shirt open and her hands running over his chest, her lips against his own as she straddled him.

Pulling away, she teased with a coy smile "You know, you can touch me James."

James had absolutely no idea where to touch her. As her lips found his again, he tentatively placed his hands on her waist, gradually moving his hands up her back under her t-shirt. Clementine pulled away again, yanking her t-shirt up over her head and throwing it to one side, not seeming to notice the flush creep on to James' face before she kissed him again, more fervently than before.

A few minutes passed before Clementine pulled back again, studying his face. "James, you do want to do this, don't you? Because if you don't, it's ok, honestly!"

"Yes, I absolutely want to do this." James smiled up at her. He wasn't sure who he was trying to convince; her or himself.

"Promise?" Clementine questioned, her brow furrowed slightly.

James pulled her towards him. "Promise." He whispered as he kissed her.

What was he doing? He had the perfect opportunity to get out of this situation, to just admit this was too far. Yet his stubborn newfound courage wasn't letting him get out of it that easily. 'This is what couples are supposed to do' his brain kept telling him over and over, 'just do it, get it over with, it's no big deal'

Except it was a big deal. First dating, then sex, what then? Marriage?

James was so busy panicking over the images flashing through his mind, images of Clementine with red ringlets framing her face, whip in hand, that he hadn't even noticed Clementine unfastening his jeans and slipping her hand inside.

"Um, James?" she pulled away and studied him, brows furrowed again. "Not to sound like a broken record, but are you sure you want to do this?"

James realised with a jolt where her hand was, quickly followed by a second realisation of why she was confused.

"I'm sorry," James stammered, mortified.

Clementine slid off him, plopping down on to the sofa next to him. "Look, I'm getting some pretty mixed signals here James. I just wish you'd be honest with me."

"I do want to do this, I just…" James trailed off, not knowing how he could possibly explain how he was feeling.

"Is it me?" The hurt on her face caused a huge wave of guilt to crash over James

"No! Arceus no, I…" he ran his hands through his hair, humiliation coursing through his veins, "It's not you, it's…"

The feelings of panic and shame and guilt were overwhelming. "I have to go, I'm sorry Clem." James jumped up from the sofa and pretty much sprinted out of the room, leaving his newly-found confidence behind, along with his dignity.

James pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, the feelings from that night resurfacing. Sighing, he compared that night to his current situation. What was different this time? Why could a beautiful girl like Clem not get a reaction from him, yet a quick makeover from his best friend caused his body to react in such an unusual way, well, unusual for him at least.

'Am I attracted to Jessie?' She was beautiful, that was a fact, plain and simple. But he'd been around beautiful girls before without his treacherous body leaping into overdrive. Plus, Jessie was beautiful back when they were teenagers too, and he'd never had this problem around her, despite them sharing a room and being incredibly close. 'Maybe I'm just a late bloomer when it comes to hormones.' James snorted. 'Maybe I'm officially going through my horny teenager years. Perfect. That won't make things awkward in the slightest.'

James weighed up the two options, in lieu of any other alternatives. 'Either I'm attracted to Jessie, or this is just biology.' James sat for a while, unable to figure out which one made more sense, before picking himself up and dusting himself off, catching his pathetic reflection in the mirror as he turned to open the door.

He prayed to Arceus it was the latter.