Chapter 11

Another school week had come and passed. Every day after school for the entire week, I had to get help from my tutor, Gary.

He was probably the most irritating tutor in the history of the Earth. He'd argue with me more than he'd actually help me. He was pretty useless.

Now, it was the weekend and I was hoping to be able to relax. My friends and I had even planned a beach vacation later today. Wouldn't that be nice? I just needed to buy a new swim suit.

So that's what I'm doing right now. I'm at the mall looking for a new swim suit. Why a new one? Because all my old ones are either ruined or too small now or really ugly.

As I looked through some one-pieces boredly, someone behind me tapped my shoulder. I turned around and groaned. WAS HE A STALKER OR SOMETHING?! If you guessed that Gary Oak was standing behind me, you guessed right! Congratulations! Have a cookie.

I gave him one of my usual glares. "If you don;t walk away right now, I'm going to kick your ass."

Gary rolled his eyes, unafraid of me. "Can't I even say hi to you?"
I glowered at him. "No."

He looked at the swim suits I was looking at. "A one piece? You'd look better in a bikini."

I could feel my face getting red. "I never asked for your opinion! Why do you care about what I'm wearing anyway?"

Gary shrugged and took a sip of the drink he was holding. "If you're going to dress up you might as well dress up right."

I growled at him. "I'm not dressing up! I'm just going on a trip to the beach later. Now if you can get the hell out of my sight, that would be great!"

Gary chuckled. "You don't need to get so mad at me all the time. You're a lot prettier when your smiling."

I huffed and grabbed a random bikini off of the rack. "Whatever. I'll just buy this and leave!"

After I paid for it, Gary trailed behind me again.

"Why are you following me?!"

Gary smiled. "Not sure. Why don't we go somewhere together? I'll even pay."

I sighed, knowing he wouldn't give this up. 'Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere that would make you smile."

I grunted. "You're really stupid. Whatever. I hear that there's a new arcade in the mall."

Gary smiled. "Alright. Let's check it out!"

I sighed once more and walked over to the arcade. I couldn't help but smile when I saw it.

It was so huge! And really colorful too. I had all kinds of arcade games. Old and New. It was like paradise.

I set my bag down in a cubby up front and ran over to a game called 'PokeRacers.' I used to play this game all the time as a kid. You chose a Hoenn starter Pokémon, bought different cars, and raced against friends. It had been popular.

Gary sat in a chair next to mine. "Let's have a race!"

I didn't really feel like hanging out with him, but my competitive side took me over. "You're on, Oak!"

I chose my racer to be Torchic and he chose Mudkip. We gave the Pokemon little accessories and customized our cars. Then, we started up the race.

Gary was pretty skilled at video games, but he lost to me every time. Just when he thought he'd won, I'd pull in front of him and steal away his victory.

He held in a furious scream as I laughed so hard that I was crying. Suddenly, his anger vanished and I looked over at him.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

He stared into my eyes. "You really do look a lot better when you're smiling."

I ignored him. "Whatever. Do you want to race again or how ab-"

He cut me off. He did something I never would've predicted. Something I hadn't been prepared for. Something I couldn't understand.

He kissed me. His lips pressed against mine. I quickly pulled away, my emotions beginning to stir. I didn't know reality from fantasy anymore.

I could barely speak. 'You...kissed me."

He nodded and blushed. "I like you, Leaf. Please say that you feel the same."

I was terrified. Frozen with fear. He liked me? He hadn't just been teasing me? He loved me?! But... I hated him. Didn't I? My head was swirling. I couldn't answer him.

I hopped out of my chair and grabbed my bag, running out of the arcade. I heard Gary call after me.

"Wait! Leaf!"

I wouldn't wait. I couldn't. My legs carried me far away from him. My heart was beating faster nd I was laughing and crying at the same time. My emotions were all mixed up.

I hopped on my bike and rode somewhere. For whatever reason, I was at Gary's mansion. I wasn't here to wait for Gary though.

I ran inside and banged on his sister's door. I needed help from Daisy. I needed it desperately.

She opened the door with a smile, but frowned when she saw me. I was crying and laughing and I was all jittery. I didn't know what to do. I'd never experienced this before.

"Leaf!" she gasped, ushering me in. "Come on in. What's wrong?"

I couldn't speak. Not right now. I just cried and Daisy hugged me until I calmed down. Then, she looked me in the eyes.

"What happened?" she asked worriedly.

"Gary...kissed me. I'm sorry, Daisy. These feelings...I can't understand them. Please help me!"

She sighed and pushed some hair out of my face. "I'll try to help you. Just try to tell me everything you're feeling right now."

After I explained, she nodded her head. "Either you're in love with Gary too and don't know it, or you're upset because you don't feel the same way about Gary."

I nodded stupidly. What was I supposed to do to tell the difference? I wanted to talk with Daisy more, but it was time to meet up with my friends. I'd put on a brave face and bottle my feelings for now. I didn't want my friends to see my weak side.