Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon...Yet ;)

Hey guys hope the one shot was ok. I was asked by a few people what happened with Gary and Leaf. I hope that answered your questions. I am so sorry that I haven't written in a while just been extremely busy but here's the proper chapter 9. Read and Enjoy! and Please, Please, Please

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Chapter9: The Hurt

I was stuck in bed the next few days. My ankle was sprained so I wasn't allowed to put any weight on it.

But even like this I can't stop smiling and I knew it had to do with Ash. I'll be honest I do like Ash. He's the person I feel like I can finally be my actual self with.

I haven't seen him the last few days though since the kiss though. Everyone else had come to see me even Paul! I mean he didn't talk or anything but it was still a surprise.

They all kept telling me he was busy and wanted to know why I cared if he was there or not. I haven't told them about the kiss and I don't think I ever will.

That kiss was my first but it was more than that it was a sign that Ash and I could work. I just wish he would talk to me.

The following Monday I came back to school. My plan today was to find Ash and find out what's going on between us.

I see the girl's leaning against my locker waiting for me. The minute they see me they run to me and wrap their arms around me in a group hug.

They ask me how I feel and If I'm Ok. My responses are limited because I'm on the search for Ash. That smile I had all weekend reappears on my face as I see "The Womanizers" heading up the hall towards us.

Paul, Drew and Gary take up the rear as that sexy raven haired guy struts up the hall. Looking like he hasn't a care in the world.

He's walking in my direction and my heart speeds up. What should I do? What should I say? I have to force myself from raising my hand to wave at him.

He's so close now I settle for a small smile. But he just keeps walking past me up the hall. "Hey Ash!" I call after him thinking he hadn't seen me but he just keeps walking.

Dread starts to fill me. Did he just ignore me. No he wouldn't he probably didn't see or hear me. I'll talk to him later.

The girl's greet their respective boyfriends or in Dawn's case "just friends" and I follow them up the hall not sure what else to do.

Lunch finally! I get to figure out what's wrong with the girl's and I sit at our usual table and I scan the room for Ash. The deafening squeal of teenage girl's reveals his location to me instantly.

My eyes focus in on Ash who struts in followed by a group of girl's appearing to be hanging on his every word. My jaw clenches with anger. What the hell is he doing!

I look back at my group of friends who are eying me carefully probably wondering why I look so pissed.

"Are you ok Misty?" Dawn cocks her head to the side examining my face. "Fine just peachy" I manage to get through my clenched teeth.

Calm down Misty the girl's are following him not the other way around. That's when I see Ash wrap his arm around some blonde who giggles and blushes while he whispers in her ear.

Ok now I can get pissed.

"Excuse me for a sec" I say getting up from my seat. I don't wait for them to answer though as I have found my target and it's time to zero in on him.

I walk over taking deep breaths with each step I take. I have to make sure not to freak out in front of the whole school.

He's still whispering but to chestnut haired girl who seems to be loving every minute of getting his attention.

I can see that stupid smirk on his face that he uses on girls and it just makes me angrier. I'm pretty much ready to kick his ass when I get to him.

The brunette sees me first and eyes me warily as I approach them. This causes Ash to finally pull his mouth away from the girls ear. But just the look he gives me as he sees me coming makes want to run and hide.

It's not his stupid smirk that's on his face like it usually would be. Actually I would rather that smirk then the look he's giving me now.

The look is cold and I can see regret etched all over his features. The eyes that are usually are warm ,friendly and even sultry towards me are exchanged for a distant, pained glance in my direction.

What the hell is going on! I can't back down no matter how much I would love to. I stand my ground but am only able to say one word.

"..Hey" The look on his face never changes as he says "Hello" Obviously I'm not the only person who feels awkward as the brunette who I had forgotten was even present because I was caught up in Ash's cold demeanour.

"Ashy I'm going to just get us a table" She kisses his cheek. Some sort of seductive look takes over his features "Thanks hotness" and winks at her as she walks away.

I feel like I have just been punched in the gut that's what he used to call me! Well ok he changed mine to Mist... but still what the hell is he doing flirting with other girl's I thought he liked me!

He did say that when I talked to him last. Didn't he? I'm so confused right now. What the heck is his deal.

"So..."What the hell can I say he's looking at me with those dead eyes I feel like they can to turn me to stone just by looking at him too long.

"... Want to explain to me what's going on?" He just shrugs his shoulders " I don't know what you're talking about" He says it in a tone almost bored. I don't know whether I should be frustrated or angry.

How about both "You know exactly what I'm talking about you're acting all hot and cold. First you chase me and kiss me. Telling me you like me and then.." I stop because my voice is harsh and getting higher.

I seem to have attracted the attention of a few other students and I really don't want to lose my cool completely in front of everyone. So I grab his wrist quickly and start dragging him out of the cafeteria.

Once I get into the hallway though I don't stop dragging him. But he doesn't stop me either. I keep pulling him until we are outside on the school steps.

I finally release him. I glare at him ready for an argument but he just stands there arms crossed waiting like he knew this was going to happen.

I don't what it is about his stance but I'm really pissed off now. "What the hell is your problem!" I yell at him but all he does is just cocks an eyebrow at me waiting for me to scream at him.

Well if he insists "What is up with you just a few days ago it was hard to keep your hands off me and now..Y-Your so cold. Why the hell are you ignoring me!"

He seems to think for a second before answering me "Your off my list" He says simply. What! I'm off his list! I didn't want to be on it in the first place but now.. What the hell "Why" Is all I can say from the shock.

I meet his gaze those familiar yet cold eyes seeping into mine feeling like he's frozen me but he won't look at me when he says this next line "Don't you get it Misty I got you... I won"

Oh my god that stupid fight. It's all ended because.. I kissed him. He doesn't want me anymore. He used me and he lied to me. I thought he really liked me but he only used me to prove a point. Ash Ketchum really can get any girl he desires.

I don't even feel like I have control of my hand. As it slaps Ash's face. I didn't see it coming and obviously he doesn't either because he looks shocked his hand clutching his cheek.

Tear's spring from my eyes uncontrollably. But I don't wipe them away I just try to glare through them at the boy that caused these tear's to fill me.

Ash's face finally contorts into something strange he looks pained and sad. He reaches out to me. But I shake his arm away "Well you got what you wanted Ash Congratulations" I laugh mirthlessly.

He looks guilty but I don't know what for? This is the famous Ash Ketchum Flirt, Womanizer and I can't forget Heartbreaker.

"Mist-" "DON'T CALL ME THAT!, NEVER CALL ME THAT!" I'm shaking with anger.

He tries to reach out for me again but this time I let him. I feel like about to collapse. So I lay all my weight on him. His arms wrap around me tightly. These arms.. The arms I felt secure, safe and protected in have lost all meaning.

Now they are just arms attached to a body that I truly despise.

"Guys what's going on?"

I turn still in Ash's arms to see our group of friends all with worried expressions on their faces.

"Just get me out of here" I say darkly and pushing away from Ash and into the comforting arms of May.

"Misty wait-" I just look at him my glare cold and icy " Get me away from.. Him" I address him like he's a despicable word.

The girl's start to lead me into the hallway and Ash tries to follow us. But the three guys block his path pushing him back. As he tries to push through.

I feel so stupid, so hurt.. so .used. How could I let my guard drop how could I think I could trust him. All I know is I'm done with Ash Ketchum. He is dead to me.

I end up skipping class for the rest of the day. All the guy's offered to stay with me but I declined.

I just had to be on my own to think. I don't know how my feet had managed to bring me back to this place. But I felt like it was a sign.

'The Twilight Cafe'

I enter the cosy little business and settle in a booth in the back. I order my usual and pull out my latest novel. Just hoping to get lost in a world where there can be a happy ending for a change.

I'm so entranced in my story that I don't even look up when the figure slides into the booth beside me.

"New book?" I glance to see Rudy smiling at me. "Yupp" I say looking back down into my book. I don't feel like talking after today and may have something to do with the fact of Ash.

I may hate Ash but I can't help but trust him when it came to be warned off Rudy. I hate how Ash can still have an effect on how I think.

"So.. I haven't seen you since the party Friday?" "Uhuh" I keep reading my book hoping he'll catch my drift to leave me alone.

"We didn't even get to spend the whole party together which really sucked. If it weren't for Ketchum-" That caught my attention. I feel suddenly defensive "Ash didn't do anything wrong!" I growl.

He puts his hands up in a sort of surrender. "Okay, Okay I'm guessing Ketchum told you about our past"

"Yupp, now could you just leave me alone" Retaining my cold demeanour and looking back down at my book. I can sense him getting up and out of the booth to leave but not before he turns around to say something to me

"There is one word you should focus on in my last sentence Misty, Past as in not anymore not for the present or the future. I've changed. Don't you believe people can?"

Yes I do I changed but sometimes I wonder was it for the better. But he's right people can change for good and maybe I should give him a chance.

"Hey!" He turns around to me to look at me curiously. "What time do you get off work?" and I smile at him.

"No way, In front of the whole school!" I laugh so hard its getting hard to breath. "Hey I was only 8 and why should only girls get to wear skirts the play was the perfect place to try one out"

This just makes slap my sides heaving with laughter. I stretch back on his camero's seat trying to relax.

After Rudy finished work we stayed and talked at the cafe for a few hours. Then he offered to drive me home.

So here I am in his car laughing so hard I'm afraid I'm going to need new underwear. Rudy really is a great guy. I know why Leaf and Ash don't like him but this 'New Rudy' is so funny, smart and amazing. I'm glad I'm giving him a second chance.

We finally reach my house and Rudy pulls up in the driveway. He looks at me so intently I can only blush and look away "T-thanks for the ride" I stutter reaching out for the door's handle.

"Hey Misty" "Ya-"I turn my head towards to him and he catches my mouth with his. This kiss isn't like the one I shared with Ash there's no sparks or fire it's just a simple kiss with no feeling well for me anyway.

It doesn't send those shivers I love so much down my spine. When he pulls away he smiles at me sweetly I want to return it but I just can't. He seems to notice that's something wrong.

"Hey what's the matter?" I sigh "You're a great guy and everything Rudy I'm just not ready for a relationship" He seems a little disappointed but it just changes into a grin "Okay but what about a friendship can you atleast give me that?"

I'm unsure but he's being so understanding and hey you can never have too many friends right? "Okay friends" I smile and hold out my hand. He smiles "Friends" he confirms shaking my hand.

Well look at that I have lost one unexplainable friendship/relationship and traded it for a new one that I hope will be so much better. Maybe Rudy wasn't Ash but maybe in a way that's better.

I don't make much conversation at dinner. I don't feel like mocking Jerry. My mind is filled with unexplainable emotions. I just excuse myself to my room and lie on my bed thinking about everything that has happened today.

Eventually I manage to drift off into a sleep with the weirdest dreams of Ash and Rudy. But I'm soon woken by a strange thumping noise against my window.

I get up annoyed at whoever would interrupt my beauty sleep. But annoyance turns into rage when I see who's been throwing stones at my window.

I open the window just to get slapped in the forehead with a stone. "Oww" I groan with pain "Sorry Misty" the idiotic raven haired boy yells up at me. "What the hell are you doing here?" I bark at him " I need to talk to you" He begs.

"We talked Ash! All the talking is done, I'm done with you" I say about to close my window again.

"Misty you should know how persistent I am and I won't give up until you talk to me" I know he's telling the truth from experience. So I groan "Wait there"

If he wants a relationship he can go f*** himself. If he wants a friendship I take back what I said about never having too many friends. I have plenty.