A/N:- Am I updating quite late? Yes. Should I be ashamed of myself? Oh yes! But. Was this month extremely hectic for me? Damn yes! So... Am I sorry for being late? Maybe... Absolutely!
Anyways...
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
The last time she danced with Ash Ketchum was seven years ago on her birthday, when the entire universe forced him to dance even though he kept talking about how bad a dancer he was. There were other times too when they had shared a dance, but none of them were as magical as this dance. None of them had dim lights, none of them had a careful Ash. This Ash was afraid to step on her feet. This Ash didn't want to hurt her.
"Don't you wanna dance miss perfect?"
She blinked. "Dance?"
Ash giggled. "I'm not that bad of a dancer, at least I won't step on your feet. This time!"
"Don't make me take it back. Let's give you a try, Ballerina!" She laughed.
Last time she danced with him she had wished for these situations, but it seemed God had finally granted her wish seven years later.
Now, she wanted to stab the DJ for suddenly playing romantic mashup of Ed Sheeran with slow beats. She wanted to punch herself for agreeing to dance with him. She wanted to avoid his eyes which convinced her that this was a good idea.
It seemed that the entire universe wanted to shove him into her heart again. Every particle was working to push him closer. It seemed that fate decided to mess with her head; that the whole purpose of this wedding was to make her love this wiggling man again.
She did not want to dance with him like a pair of love struck swan. She did not want to hold his broad shoulders like this. She did not want him to grab on her waist. She did not want to look into his eyes. She did not want to smell him again. Yet, her heart was adoring the situation. Her brain seemed to stop working. How had her heart suddenly become the dominating decision maker?
Was she mad at herself? Definitely yes. For hugging him when he returned. For sitting next to him on that shallow pool. For pretending she was okay. For everything.
She didn't want that heartache again. The same one the young Misty had when she realized she was nowhere near her sisters. When she had to run away. When she felt alone. When she had a crush on him. When he let her leave with that repaired bike. She felt alone. Again.
The shattering of her heart whenever she declares to herself that she's over him, all he does is smile. That smile. That damn smile. It proves her wrong every time. Everytime she sees that stupid smile, it refreshes her feelings. Her emotions. But the next thing she knows, he's gone. Gone for yet another adventure, left all alone again. Heartbroken.
That one time when she realized that they, Ash and her, will be the most impossible couple. Their paths are different, his life is an adventure, he loves it and he moves on. He loves his dream much more than she could ever love him. It's time to move on. It's time to let him go. Seven years ago after her last birthday spent with him, he left for another adventure. He never turned back, neither did she wait. Yes, they met twice after that, but those were group reunion events, so her heart never got time to love him again. She was happy that she was over him.
But then, it happened.
May's wedding. That hug. That flirt in the pool. Helping with his shirt. Dancing with him. And all this happened, without her realizing that the seed of his love buried in her heart had sprouted again. She needs to stop herself before it grows any bigger, or else, it would be chopped off & crushed like all the saplings before, leaving pain & just more pain.
Her heart knew the result for loving Ash Ketchum. It knew that… in the end it would tear her apart again. The most preplexin thing was her heart enjoyed it, without caring about the end. It was enjoying this.
"Mist…?" She heard a voice. It was Ash.
"Huh?" She opened her eyes. A few people were staring at her, she could hear Leaf cooing from somewhere, and Ash, he was smiling at her. First with confusion but later with warmth. Oh no. She hadn't done it. For God's sake she had not done it. Dear Arceus!
"The song was over a few minutes ago," he said, a little awkwardly.
"It w...was? I...uh... didn't noticed, maybe zoned out a bit…" she said sheepishly, and mentally hit her head for dancing like a moron without any music, with so many people staring.
Oh no! I'm an idiot! How?! How can I get so absorbed in the dance that I didn't seem to notice the track was over?! I was practically dancing like a desperate woman! Idiot!
"So you enjoyed it?" He asked, or more like teased.
Blood rushed across her cheek bones, he was smiling at her, his hands still on her waist, her hands still on his shoulders, she quickly yanked them. His eyes still on her, sparkling like he just won his beloved title of Pokémon Master, like he was glancing at the rarest element of Earth, like he was watching legendaries, the shine in his eyes was brighter than the Disco lights. She kept staring at him.
While the DJ started another track, this time not so romantic. Great.
Misty continued to stare at him with wide eyes, when he realized his hands were still on her waist. He winced. A slight blush covering his freckled face.
"Wanna dance again?" he asked hopefully, trying not to sound awkward. For the first time in his life, he wanted to dance. Dance like he doesn't care about anyone. He wanted to dance with her, again.
"Too loud. I'll just get some fresh air…" she made an excuse while looking over her shoulder, too nervous to make contact with his eyes, or anyone for that matter.
His smile dropped. She didn't seem to notice though, too busy with avoiding all the teasing glares. Leaf and Max were dancing a few steps away, where Leaf was looking from the corner of her eyes. Misty avoided them, avoided everyone, and rushed to the exit.
"Did you kiss?" Someone nudged Ash. It was Gary.
"Shut up!" He pushed Gary's face away, which was near his ear.
"Okay...I just started to like this idea." May mumbled. "And this happened out of nowhere. I mean, my bachelorette party was so fun."
Aside from the night club's event, the bride and groom were still trying to succeed in their mission of secret date.
"Shhh…they'll hear us…"
"C'mon! He's your friend! So what, if he finds out that you want to spend some time with me?! I'm your fiance! It's not a crime! Besides," May sighed, "we're not allowed to meet, but he may understand how much anxious you were."
His eyebrows raised. "What? Anxious? Miss Maple, I want you to have the best time of your life before you become Mrs Hayden." He said goofily.
"And you thought sneaking around the resort would help? What do you want me to feel like anyways? An infiltrator?"
He facepalmed. "Even Max would've understood by now. I'm taking you to a special place where we can have some quality time. But to get there we will have to pass this human filled area."
May raised her brows, then rounded her lips sounding 'ooo'
They were hiding behind a big statue of a greek lady, the space between the statue and the wall just narrow enough that Drew was facing the statue's back, his back glued to the wall and May facing Drew while her back was facing the statue. She was almost standing on his feet as the place lacked the space needed. Technically May was relying on Drew for standing, making the couple extremely close to each other.
He smirked at her reaction.
"And Paul is not my friend. He's my father's second cousin's son. But being extremely close, my father insisted to invite him. I couldn't say no to my father." He explained.
Paul was on his phone and seemed to cut the call anytime soon.
"Of course you can't," she tried to suppress her giggle. "If you could meet before the wedding, we wouldn't need to be sneaking around."
"He's going." Drew whispered, his eyes keenly observing the area. "Let's go before anyone else shows up."
He locked his fingers around May's, while she followed his lead.
They tiptoed across the lawn and reached the gallery. This was the last obstacle before they reached their destination.
The gallery was empty, bachelors were in the night club, non-bachelors were off to the beach for karaoke night, organised by May's parents. So the path was clear. "By the way… why can't we go there separately?" May asked while she tip-toed across the area, behind Drew, as if she was a spy. "Then we wouldn't have any problems."
"C'mon Maybelline." He used her actual name and turned to face her. "Going separately means I have to tell you the location, then it won't be a surprise! And it's fun sneaking around with ya!" He winked and continued walking.
She blushed. "Right, Mr. Smarty Pants."
"I'm an idiot!" Misty grumbled from her spot on the edge of a fountain, She removed her heels and was barefoot on the soft, trimmed grass.
She wanted to run away, but then everyone would try to find her. And she was damn sure that Ash, being the hero, would lead them, find her, save her and she'd look like an idiot., which according to her she was, and fall for him even more. Does she have a choice? Staying here was the best option.
"Where is Brock when I need him? Or May? Please, for the sake of this pure, confused red head soul, send some help!" She groaned dramatically. "I am an idiot!"
"Me too.." someone sighed. Okay, someone was behind her probably watching her have this stupid conversation with herself. Great.
"Huh?" She turned to find someone sitting on the opposite edge of the same fountain. She couldn't see his face but he seemed a tall, tan skinned blond. He had a muscular body, was wearing black T-shirt and a sleeveless navy blue jacket, and had camera on his side. "Do I know you?" she asked.
"Sorry if I scared you," he smiled, "or overheard you."
She smiled back, "It's alright."
They sat there in silence, like two lost souls having a deep conversation. The silence was really comfortable. The man broke the silence, "Why is life so hard, oh beautiful stranger?."
"Because we can't control ourselves, our brains, thoughts, and this big mouth," she tsked.
She could hear him snicker sadly over the splashing sound of fountain water.
"Nicely precise. You just explained my original problem exactly."
"Really? So I'm not the only one then?"
"I might be worse than you!" He laughed.
"Not a chance!"
Silence. Her mind wandered to the thought that he might be the angel she was wishing for?
They both started to chuckle at the same time. He turned his head, for the first time, and stared at her back for a few seconds, then turned back with a smile. "Can I come to your side?"
She rolled her eyes, "Sure!"
She could hear his footsteps getting closer and closer, and in a few seconds, a tall, handsome, young man, stood right in front of her, with a goofy smile.
He smiles like Ash.
"Hey, I'm Ian Blaise. Miss Maple contacted my studio, the studio I work at, to shoot the wedding." He stretched out a hand for her, she received it gracefully and stood up from her spot, with heels in her free hand.
"Hello Mr Blaise! I am Misty Williams-"
"Gym leader of Cerulean city?!" He stared wide eyed.
She giggled with a slight blush. Gym leaders didn't get this sudden recognition very often.
"Gym leader of Cerulean city." She repeated. "Sounds like you love Pokémon?"
"Oh I sure do! I love brave ladies with water Pokémon." He winked. Was he flirting?
She didn't reply, instead began to walk while he followed her slow stroll.
"Why are you an idiot?" She asked.
He snickered, "Maybe because I'm talking to a stranger?"
"I'm speechless."
"I got into an argument with Jared, incharge of our team, and he insisted that I needed a break. I'm an intern, and the studio I'm working in was my dream, so, I messed up." He shrugged.
She pursed her lips.
"It's okay… just give it some time, everything is going to be fine."
Damn! How can I be a two timer? Seriously? I am an idiot! He's a stranger! She shouted in her mind.
Misty Blaise or Misty Ketchum? Argh! An idiot! I'm an idiotic two timer despo! Elsa was always right. You can't marry a man you just met!
"Thanks." He said.
The couple continued walking. Yet the red head liked his company, she wanted to be left alone for some time. Some alone time always clears up a confused mind.
"See you later then!" she tried, slightly holding up her breeth, wishing him to be as oblivious as Ash.
"Kay then!"
He definitely was.
May couldn't blink her eyes. Oh no, she couldn't, or she'll waste those milli seconds she can utilize to marvel at the sight.
She was gratified. Yes she was. Her slightly parted lips were unable to pronounce anything anymore, her heart was flipping wildly as if trying to get out of the rib cage, her lungs were filled with all the love present in the air, she felt she was about to burst with joy. Blush spreading across her cheeks, neck, and collar bone.
She exhaled strongly. That's all she could do right now. Her whole body getting warmer and warmer every second.
"May I?" He offered his hand, a naughty spark in his eyes. Not surprised by her reaction as if he was expecting this.
"Uh…y..yeah..! S...sur..e..!" She stammered. Feeling like the twelve year old May, helpless, flattered and crazy for him.
She delicately handed him her hand, he kissed it gently, and they both ambled towards the table, which was right beside the lake, the ground near the table was covered with light pink rose petals. Centre of the table had a beautiful candle, a bottle of wine and fancy glasses. Beside wine, a chocolate box was left open inviting the desired couple.
It was a full moon winter night, though beach was barely a kilometer away, wind was chilly yet warm not becaus all those candles surrounding the table kept on fancy stands but due to heat rising through the couple's faces.
Reflection of moon on surface of lake was adding a bonus.
Drew pulled a chair out for her, and gestured her to have the seat. She took it with a flattered smile. Flattered with his gentleness, flattered with his smile.
Speechlessness of May was quite understood, but lack of words from Drew was something new. It was all those bubbles of joy in his stomach letting him from speaking or maybe jitters. He was quite disappointed in himself, having jitters a day before his wedding? He is much confident then that.
The night is going to be the best memory of couple's life. When love is in the air. When the three magic words will make the night even magical.
Please review and let me know your opinions on the chapter and, of course, on Ian Blaise. He's cute right?
;)
-IndianKnight