'What the heck, Ash...Get a grip...' I told myself mentally. It was the day of the festival, and even though it wasn't even lunch time yet, people were in the streets, going about their merry way and having fun at carnival games and rides. I stood in front of a mirror, wearing some relaxed jeans and a grey, long-sleeved shirt. Not my usual attire, but since I was home and it wasn't night time yet, I figured this would be good enough. My mind was racing about yesterday. Misty's bully, the necklace, me saying going out that day was a date...Not that I would mind if it was, but Misty might have been in the moment? What if she thought about it now and thought it was weird? I turned the sink on and ran some cold water, splashing some on my face. Why was I so nervous? Wasn't this why I came back? To be closer to her? A knock came from the door and I almost yelped.
"Ash? You almost done in there?" Her voice said from the other side. "We need to get going."
I took a slow breath to ease my nerves before drying my face off. I stepped out and looked down at her, smiling softly. She was sporting a, ice blue sweater and some skinny jeans, her hair in the usual ponytail. "Yea, let's go." I said. She smiled, reaching over and taking my hand gingerly. We both blushed lightly but I took her hand in mine and laced our fingers, heading out with her at my side.
This felt good, being with her, holding her hand as we walked around the small stands and shops. I had a feeling that today was going to be a good day, but it all seemed to change when Misty froze dead in her tracks, looking forward with dull eyes. I looked in the general direction and took a guess at what she saw; A tall, athletic looking young man with sun blonde hair and bright blue eyes, a woman hugging his arm. I remembered what Brock told me about Misty getting hurt by some guys, this must've have been one. I moved in front of her, blocking her view of him and lifted her chin slightly. Her eyes had gotten a little water as she tried to suppress some hurt emotions.
"Hey, you wanna go someplace else?" I asked, trying to avoid a bad situation.
She opened her mouth to answer, but a voice spoke behind me and I knew things were about to get stressed. "Yo Myst, is that you?" I turned to look at the man from earlier, somehow irritated at that smirk he had. "I didn't know you had moved on so fast. Is speed dating up again?"
My Trainer's eye got small details of him and I grinned. "No, but I didn't realize guys wearing make-up was." I mused, seeing the faint color difference around his eye, lip, and the bridge of his nose. "Someone kick your ass, or do you just like looking pretty?" There it was. A response. His right eye twitched slightly as he tried to think of a clever comeback, but I cut him off before he could. "Do you want something from us, or do you just like being a prick?" I asked, seeing him getting tense. When I got no response, I gave Misty's hand a small squeeze. "Come on Myst, this guy isn't worth our time." I said coldly, walking around them. Misty walked close to my side, her eyes down. It wasn't til a while later of walking that she spoke up.
"That's twice now…" She said quietly.
I looked down at her. "What is?" I asked.
She looked up at me, stopping. "Ash…Why do you do that?" She asked. "Stand up for me, I mean…Why?"
I looked down at her, hesitating for a moment. This was it, my moment to finally tell her how I feel. Why I came back. Why I came to Cerulean. "Well…" I started, trying to get the words right. "I, um…" Why couldn't I just say it? 'Just say it!' I screamed to myself. "Because you're my best friend, and I care about you a lot." I said.
Best friend? Where did that come from? Why did I say that? She smiled softly, but I could have swore I saw a little bit of disappointment in her eyes. "Thanks Ash…" She said softly, leaning up to kiss my cheek lightly. It took every ounce of my will not to catch her lips on mine, to hold her and show her how I truly felt. "That means a lot to me." she said, holding my hand again as we continued to walk. While it felt nice that she was happy again, I was upset at myself that I couldn't tell the whole truth. Tonight. Tonight for sure. That'll be when I finally tell her the truth.
