Next to last chapter D: I'm actually half sad, half happy that this is almost over. I love this story, and I've loved getting to know you guys through your reviews and pm's. But I'm ready to start working on something else. So far only 9 people have voted on the poll! I'd like to get a little more input than that if it's possible! One of the stories has 5 votes, another has 2, and 2 people don't have a preference. I won't tell which story is in the lead though. If you are planning to read my next story, and you haven't voted yet, please do! I'd really appreciate it. You can find the poll on my profile.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
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"Misty! May! Wake up right now!"
Misty groaned and rolled over in the bed, expecting to bump into Leaf. When she didn't hit anything, she figured that the girl had already gotten out of bed.
"What do you want?" Misty mumbled. Dawn was insane to always be waking up so early. Why couldn't she let the normal people get their rest?
"Yeah. I know it's our last day here but seriously?" May asked. "What time is it - like five a.m?"
"Leaf is gone."
"Where did she go?" Misty asked tiredly.
"No. You don't get it. She's gone." Dawn repeated.
Misty and May both woke up at that. Misty sat upright in bed, her eyes wide open. "Dawn, what the h*ell are you talking about?" she asked.
"Her suitcase - everything - it's gone, and she left this note on her pillow," she said, holding the piece of paper out to Misty. The red-haired girl snatched it away fiercely, flipping it open. She began to read aloud so that May and Dawn could hear it too.
" Misty, May, and Dawn; when we were in Castelia City a couple weeks ago, Gary and I went to a bar. We performed a song we had written together, and an agent came up to us afterword. I guess you can say we got discovered. I wasn't planning on doing something this reckless, but Gary and I have decided to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. You know as well as I do that my parents would never support this. Neither would his parents. So we've left. I can't tell you where we're going, because I honestly don't know how you're going to react to all of this and we can't risk having you tell my parents. They'll be asking you where I've gone. I'm sorry . Everyone is going to demand that you tell them where I am, and I've left you with no answer to give. I strongly suggest you keep this letter to show them as proof that you know nothing.
I'm really going to miss you guys. I'm going to miss you so much. Dawn, you're the most beautiful person I've ever met. Stop feeling so insecure about yourself because you're gorgeous. So many things in my wardrobe were picked out by you. Thank you. May, you've seemed to be a lot happier lately, but I can tell that there's still some heavy stuff going on inside. I'm sorry that I couldn't have been more help to you. Whatever's wrong, just please stay strong. You're a tough, beautiful, face-punching girl. You were always a great listener whenever I needed someone to talk to. Misty... My best friend, I am so sorry to be leaving you like this. I know I'm breaking your heart right now, and I hope that someday you'll be able to forgive me. I'll never forget all of the happy moments we've shared together. Not a single one is going to be forgotten. Not a day will go by where I don't wish I could laugh with you. You've always inspired me to be bold and daring. I'm finally doing it, Misty. I know that as mad or sad as you're feeling right now, there's some part of you that's proud of me. Thank you.
When the time is right, I promise to call all of you. My number has changed. You can't call me. It's not safe for me to contact you yet. But once Gary and I have made some success, I'll definitely contact all of you. I promise. Yours truly, Leaf."
Misty's voice cracked as she finished reading the letter. Everyone was crying. Leaf's good-bye letter had been so honestly heartbreaking. Misty tossed the letter away from her. "She's gone. She's gone she's gone she's gone," Misty crumpled into a ball on the bed where Leaf had been sleeping beside her just a few hours ago. May and Dawn tried to comfort her, but it was no use.
"How can she be doing this?! Leaf is supposed to be the smart one! This is completely stupid and what am I supposed to do without Leaf!? Leaf, Leaf, Leaf..." Misty buried her face into the mattress, pressing her nose in so hard that it hurt.
When your best friend leaves you, your whole world falls apart.
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"So, where do you think Gary is?" Ash asked.
"Who cares?" Paul responded.
"Affectionate as always, Paul. Gary probably just went out early with Leaf or something," Drew said with a shrug of his shoulders. "By the way, Ash, you and Gary's side of the room is a mess and we're leaving tonight. You need to clean up all your crap."
"I know, I know," Ash muttered, picking up a piece of paper off the bed and crumpling it up into a ball. He threw it towards the trash can, but missed. Drew rolled his eyes and went to retrieve the paper wad.
"What is this anyway, Ash? It was on Gary's pillow. Don't you think it could possibly be important?"
"No," said Paul.
"It's a note. Addressed to us?" Drew said confused. He began to read the letter. "Hey guys, you may or may not have noticed that my suitcase and guitar are gone -"
"Hey! He's right!" Ash exclaimed.
Paul face-palmed and groaned while Drew just stared at Ash like his presence was an inconvenience. He then returned his gaze to the letter and continued. "I've left to follow my dream. My lady and I are off to become musicians, as we were discovered in Castelia City."
"His lady?" Paul scoffed. "When did Gary get bees in his brain?"
"Enough with the interruptions!" Drew barked. "Just let me finish!"
"Do continue reading the letter from our favorite idiot," Paul said with a wave of his hand.
"Please don't worry about us. We'll be fine. And I'll call you as soon as I can. Smell ya later, Gary."
"I wish he would stop saying that all the time. It's kind of creepy," Ash stated. Paul was just leaning back in his chair chuckling.
"God, Gary is such a dumb*ass," he said.
"Is neither one of you concerned that our friend is gone?" Drew asked. "I think most people would be worried right now!"
"Drew, don't be silly. Of course we aren't worried. Gary is stupid. Here's what will happen. We'll go home tomorrow, Gary's parents will freak out, and then Daddy will go retrieve baby Gary from wherever he thinks he's going."
"Well, I suppose that's highly probable, but still!" Drew said incredulously. "Our friend has disappeared! And Gary is smart, remember? That's kind of the reason we're in Undella Town right now. Leaf is even smarter than he is, so don't you think they would've covered their tracks pretty well?"
"There's only so much you can do," Paul pointed out. "There's going to be at least one clue to tip them off. And Gary's dad is a lawyer. You think he can't get the best investigators out there to find his son?"
"I guess you're right..." Drew said, not completely convinced.
"If it means something to you, I'm concerned," Ash said.
"You're lying."
"I thought it would make you feel better."
"Ugh!" Drew banged his head against the wall. "Well even if you guys aren't freaking out, we all know who is! There are three girls a few floors up who are probably in tears and throwing things at the wall right now, and we have to be men and comfort them." He smacked his fist into his other hand for emphasis.
Paul barely contained a chuckle. "Jeez, Drew, you're acting like we're about to go to war."
"Have you ever tried to comfort a crying girl before?"
"Do I look like the kind of guy who holds crying girls in his arms?"
"Prepare yourself for a hell*storm."
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Eight hours and twelve boxes of tissues later, the girls had calmed down enough to sit still without shaking. The guys looked horrible- their shirts were wet with tears and Ash had a bruise on his face from Misty punching him when he tried to first hug her.
"So what do we do about all of this?" Dawn asked quietly.
"When we get home, we tell their parents that they they're gone," Drew answered. "We show them the notes they left... and answer any questions to the best of our ability. That's about all we can do."
"Will they find them?" May asked.
"Yes," Paul answered.
"Probably," Drew agreed.
Misty was quiet. She'd refused to say anything now for hours. There was a quiet rage settling behind her eyes, and they could all see it, but they all knew better than to say anything. You don't poke a grenade with a stick.
"It's our last day here," Drew finally pointed out. "It's only afternoon. We should try to make the most of the day... and get our minds off what happened."
The others nodded silently except for Misty. They all broke off into their couples. Today was their last day together. It was time to say their good-byes.
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"In Leaf's letter, she mentioned that she's noticed that I'm happier lately," May said. Drew had taken her to the beach. They'd gone to their sheltered cove where they'd had the picnic on their date. This was where she'd told him her secret, and their bond had been forged. They were lying on the sand and watching the ocean sweep onto the shore.
"You have been happier," Drew said. "And that makes me so glad."
"It's all thanks to you," May said, smiling at him. "But Leaf also said that she can tell that I'm still holding stuff in. That I'm still struggling."
"Is she right?"
"Yeah. It doesn't really go away, you know? It's not like there are days where I don't think about it. And sometimes I relive it in nightmares. I... I really wish I could get some counseling or something."
"Why don't you look into it when you get home?" Drew suggested.
"I'd have to tell my parents. There's no way I can do that," May said lowly.
"I'd be scared too," Drew said. "I think it would be the best thing to do though. But only you can decide. It's all up to you."
"I would like to start feeling better, but... it will hurt them so bad when I tell them. And they would get the police involved and then I'd have to go to court with Brenden and... He scares the h*ell out of me."
"I wish I could meet this guy. I'd put my foot so far up his a*ss that he'd have to have it surgically removed."
"That doesn't really make me feel better. It just creates an awkward image."
"Sorry."
May smiled at him. She felt an urge to be closer to him, so she rolled over and pressed herself against his side. Drew rolled too and wrapped his arm around her.
"You don't flinch anymore," he said.
"Nope," she sighed. "Your arms are the safest place in the world."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I wish I could keep you in my arms forever then. God, I'm going to miss you, May."
"I'm going to miss you too, Drew."
"There's been something I've been meaning to ask..."
May smiled brightly. She knew what was coming next. She'd been secretly hoping for it all along.
"Yes," she said.
"What?"
"I'll be your girlfriend."
"How did you know that's what I was going to say?"
"Silly Drew," May said. "When you have a connection like ours, you just know."
"Yeah," he said, smiling back at her. "It just feels right, doesn't it?"
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"Misty, won't you at least say something?" Ash begged. They'd stayed in the girls' hotel room because Misty refused to do anything. The girl stared at him, but would not speak.
"Come on, Misty... You're the strongest person I know. It kills me to see you this way. If you want to use me as a punching bag, then do it. Just do something to calm down enough that you can function because I can't watch this any longer."
"Shut up," Misty said.
"Well that's progress," Ash said positively. "Paul really thinks there's not going to be any problem you know. They're going to come back because their parents will make sure they're found."
"You don't understand," said Misty, turning away.
"Do you know something I don't?" Ash asked.
"Leaf never does anything unless she's super confident she'll succeed. I think those two have some kind of plan where they know they won't be found."
"Drew seems to think that too, even though he tried to paint a positive picture when he was up here. Misty... I know you're scared, and... that's okay."
"I don't get scared, Ash. You know me. I'm supposed to be strong and fearless and indestructible."
"Everyone gets scared, Misty."
"Well, I don't want to be scared."
"You don't have to be scared alone. I'm here with you. Please stop being so isolated and let me in, Misty."
"Okay. I'll try harder, Ash."
"Good. Why don't you start by letting me hold you, then?" He moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into him, allowing herself to feel the comfort.
"No one's ever been able to get to cooperate like you do, Ash."
"Does that mean I'm special?"
"Yes. Very special."
"What am I going to do without you, Misty?"
"I don't know. And now Gary isn't here to make sure you don't die from stupidity. Drew and Paul better keep you out of trouble."
"I wouldn't count on them too much if I were you."
"I'm going to die being apart from you too."
"It'll be okay. I'll call you every day."
"You better."
"Did you just smile?"
"Maybe."
"I always have been victorious against incredible odds."
"That you have, Ash. That you have."
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Only one more chapter left now D': So sad! Only one chapter left to tie all of this together... Lots of Dawn and Paul next chapter! Get ready everyone! It's gonna be epic!
Thank you so much to all of my readers! I couldn't have done this without you!
Remember to vote on the poll if you haven't yet! Please and thank you!
