Unexpected Response

Six months after "Too Far"... (in other words, read it before this)

"Have you even thought about what you're going to say Ash?"
"N-ye-I...that doesn't matter! I'll know what I'm gonna say when we get there!" Ash bit his lip nervously as he, Brock and Pikachu approached the sign, signifying that they were in the city.
The sign had two huge words.
Cerulean City.
"Pikachu?" Pikachu asked.
Ash glanced at Pikachu on his shoulder. Pikachu knew why they were there. Why they had traveled back to Cerulean City.
Misty.
Ash had to apologize. He had missed his chance back at the pokémon center, six months ago, when she had left.
He had been an idiot for yelling at her, Brock and Pikachu. They didn't deserve it. It was him who had messed up, not them. He was lucky that Brock hadn't also left, or that Pikachu hadn't abandoned him.
Misty on the other hand, wasn't about to hang around after that night. She'd stormed off, probably never to return.
Ash couldn't blame her.
Brock forgave him and Ash was grateful for it. He was a good friend and never let Ash down, even when Ash acted like he had that night.
Pikachu didn't leave. Pikachu never would. The strong thread that held them together had worn thin when Ash had yelled, but over time had become stronger than ever.
"We're here Ash," Brock announced, interrupting his thoughts.
Ash looked up. They were in front of the Cerulean City Gym.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
Ash sighed and reached out, grabbing the handles on the door. He held onto them for a moment, suddenly wondering if he was making a big mistake.
He had to apologize. He had to say he didn't mean it. He had to say he had made a big mistake. He had to say he loved her.
Brock put his arm on Ash's shoulder and gave him a smile. "You have a lot of courage Ash. Use it."
Pikachu patted Ash's head and nodded.
"Thank you Brock, Pikachu," Ash smiled too. "Let's go. No time like the present, right?"
Ash pulled the doors open and stepped inside. It had been a long time since he'd been there, but the gym hadn't changed.
Brock headed towards the giant pool, where Daisy, Lily and Violet had practiced their swimming and done the underwater ballet. He couldn't wait to see if they were still there and if he could ask them out.
Ash wandered mindlessly around the gym, wondering where he could find Misty. It was a big gym, and he soon found himself lost.
"Ash?" a voice asked. "Is that you?"
Ash froze. He knew that voice.
It was Misty.
He slowly turned around. Misty stood in a doorway, with a questioning look on her face. Ash swallowed nervously.
Misty looked the same as she always had, except she was wearing a blue bathing suit and had a towel draped around her neck. Her hair hung loosely, dripping wet. Ash guessed that she had just gone swimming. She crossed her arms and frowned at Ash.
"Uh...Misty..." Ash began.
"What are you doing here Ash?" Misty interrupted. "I left so I never had to see you again, not so you could come here and prowl around the gym."
"That's not why I'm here," Ash stated firmly. He bit his lip. He should have listened to Brock and thought about what he was going to say.
"Pikachu?" Ash had forgotten that Pikachu was still with him. "Pika pika pi?" Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and did an impressive Brock impression.
Ash had to smile, despite the situation. He nodded and with that, Pikachu ran off in search of Brock.
"If you're not going to tell me why you're here, I'm leaving," Misty adjusted the towel around her shoulders and turned to leave.
"No Misty wait," Ash protested. "I came here to apologize."
"For what happened six months ago?" Misty asked.
"Yes. I'm sorry I yelled at you. You didn't do anything wrong, I did." Ash pulled off his hat and twisted it around in his hands.
"You yelled at me and Brock, just because of a loss to Gary. It's not the end of the world Ash. If you react like that, then Gary IS the better trainer." Misty glared at him.
"I know! I was under a lot of stress! I couldn't keep it in!"
"I'm sorry Ash, I can't accept your apology," Misty walked away, leaving Ash with a shocked look on his face.
"But..." Ash was heartbroken. He ran in front of her, sticking out his arms so she couldn't get past.
"There's no reason for you to still be here so why don't you just leave?" Misty folded her arms and glared at Ash again.
"There's something that I haven't told you yet," Ash began twisting his hat again.
Misty tapped her foot impatiently. "Well?"
"Um...well...I..." Ash decided just to blurt it out and get it over with. "I love you Misty."
"You wh-"
"Let me finish. I've loved you since you fished me and Pikachu out of that river near Pallet. When you followed me to the pokémon center with your er, totaled bike, I realized it. I'll never forget when I saw you in Maiden's Peak. You were so beautiful. And at the-"
"Stop it Ash," Misty cut in. "I don't want to hear it."
"But...why?" Ash frowned.
Misty sighed. "I don't feel the same way. I'm sorry."
Ash's mouth dropped open. He felt like someone had just grabbed his heart and smashed it into tiny pieces. Misty was already leaving, and Ash couldn't stop her.
"Come back," he whispered, being hit by déjà vu so hard he couldn't believe it. He slumped to the floor, letting the tears flow freely. He remained there for a few minutes, then tossed his hat to the ground and stormed out of the gym, angry at himself for letting his feelings slip out. "Goodbye," Ash muttered. He turned and ran.