Love Will Find A Way
Part 5: Bye, Bye, My Love
"Um... Jeremy, I've got to go," said Misty looking frantically around for Ash.
"Misty... What's wrong," Jeremy reached out for Misty's hand and placed his upon hers. Misty stared down at his hand then back at him.
"Jeremy, I have to tell you something..."
"What is it?" Before Misty could say anything he interrupted, "I really like you, Misty." Misty paused and look at him quizically.
"Wha-"
"April could never make me feel this way, I saw her with another guy yesterday and now I see that she's moved on, maybe I should too," He smiled. Misty gave a small nervous smile.
"O-oh... Did you... Uh... See who that guy was?"
"No, but I don't care, I don't love her anymore..." He leaned closer to Misty, "I love you." Misty looked at him with a total shocked face.
"You-You do?" Misty couldn't believe it, the words she desired so much to hear from Ash, she was now hearing from Jeremy. Was this a sign? Does this mean that she should be with Jeremy or did it just mean this was all a test to see how much she really did care for Ash?
"Jeremy, you're nice but there's something you should know... Do you know how hurtful it is to love someone and not have them love you back?" Jeremy's eyes filled with questions as Misty continued, "I do... At least I think I do. It hurts me more that I don't even know, I mean even if he didn't love me at least I'd know something."
"Misty, I don't understand... What are you talking about?"
"I'm trying to say that I don't see you the way... You see me."
"How do you know?"
"Because I love someone else and you can't be in love with two people at the same time."
"But how do you know it's not me that you love, I mean we've been having dinner together for a while now, Misty, just think about it. If you didn't love me, then why are you with me?" Misty moved her hand away from his grip and looked at him as if looking at someone she's never seen before, a complete stranger and it scared her a little.
"Jeremy, why are you doing this? Why are you trying so hard to make me love you?" Jeremy stood up and knocked the plates off the table, everyone in the restuarant turned their heads to watch the whole scene happening where Misty and Jeremy was.
"Because I love you, Misty and I could give you everything, you should be with me!" Misty stared up at him softly.
"It wouldn't feel right."
"Right? I'll tell you what's right, giving up this life of traveling with your little 'playmates' and joining me in my car to see the world, with me. ME! The only thing that feels right is us being together, not me and April, not you and... Ash! Me! Me and You, Misty, we're less likely to get hurt. If you came with me life could be perfect."
"I guess you have a point..." Misty then stood up too and angrily shot her eyes back at his, "No! I don't want perfect, I don't want secure and predictable, I want exciting, I want surprises, I want amazing," Misty lifted her jacket from her chair and swung it over her shoulders.
"I want Ash!" Jeremy's eyes grew softer wishing he could think of something else to say to change her mind. Misty stared back sympathetically.
"Jeremy, you don't want me, I'm a hot head and can be a hard load to take, you don't love me either, you just think you do."
"I know I do, Misty, you're none of those things to me, when I look at you, all I see is a beautiful person with a good heart that now I see I can never have, and it's killing me." Misty blushed at the sweet things he was saying.
"Thank you, Jeremy, I never had anyone who was that crazy about me ever before in my life, it's nice to have someone care about you like that, it gives confidence and makes you feel loved and appreciated, I like feeling that way."
"Ash couldn't give you all of those things," Assumed Jeremy.
"He could if I gave him the chance."
"Why do you have so much faith in him, he's never gonna change, he's never gonna appreciate you or be the guy you want him to be, so why do you keep believing he will?" Misty looked at Jeremy as if that was the stupidest question she ever heard. She walked foward to him until they were standing face to face.
"Because love is all about compromise and patience, you may never know for sure but you've just got to believe and deep inside you know that goes the same for April. Maybe we could settle for each other, you and me, Jeremy, that would mean we're less likely to get hurt. But isn't love worth the chance? And if be were together we'd spend all our lives pretending, knowing that we settled for easy when if we waited and tried hard enough we could have gotten the person we ever really loved which would have been much better, right? You love April and I love Ash. And Ash may be a stubborn-ungrateful jerk," Misty frowned and then gave a big smile thinking about him, "But he's my stubborn-ungrateful jerk... And there's no limit to what I'd do for him. So... Just.. Never say never, okay Jeremy?"
"He doesn't know how lucky he is to have someone that cares so much about him, he doesn't know how good he's got it with you."
"No... I'm the lucky one," Misty held her hand out for Jeremy to shake, "Friends?" Jeremy stared at her blankly and then smiled and shook her hand.
"Never a doubt in my mind."
"Good."
"So... Whatcha gonna do now?"
"Wait. Wait at April's house for my prince charming to come," Smiled Misty walking to the door as Jeremy following her, "Dream of the day when he'll be right beside me, holding my hand, looking in my eyes, knowing there's no person on earth he'd rather be with. It may take some hours, days, weeks, months, years, maybe even forever but I'll keep waiting." Misty put her hand on her head as if some damsual in distress.
"I'd bet anything you two are gonna end up arguing again."
"Is that love or what!" Grinned Misty leaving the restuarant with Jeremy. They forgot to pay for the check or clean up the mess Jeremy had caused, but the waiter didn't mind, he just smiled at the two leaving, this time it was on him.
* * *
"What's this place?" Asked Ash as April held his hand and they walked along the coast near a beautiful sparkling water. It was getting dark now, stars once again lighting the sky and another full moon.
"Lover's Court, a beautiful field park where couples come to visit, isn't it beautiful?"
"Yeah..."
"Oh, Ash, I can't tell you how happy I am you chose to be with me. I love you and you love me and now we can be together, forever and ever," She deeply sighed and turned around looking deep into his eyes, she got herself closer to him and wrapped her arms around him, "All you have to do is get rid of Pikachu, and we'll be okay."
"What?" Ash backed away from her embrace.
"Ash, he's an amazing pokemon but he's very disobidient, he won't get in his pokeball and he doesn't even like me very much."
"So everyone has to listen to you or it's over."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I'm right? I'm always right and if you want us to be together you have to give Pikachu up." April was being unreasonable and stubborn and now even in the cute way Misty did it. And Ash knew even though Misty may not be as perky as April usually was but she never would suggest such a thing, Misty knew how much he cared about Pikachu and she cared about Pikachu almost just as much. And Pikachu was all that mattered to him really, if you couldn't love him, it was hard for Ash to love you. Ash knew he could put up with Misty but April was another story.
"Ash, it can't be that hard, I mean he's just a pokemon," smiled April like it was no big deal, "What we have is real and... Worth it." An evilish grin rose on Ash's face.
"Whatever you say, sweetheart," smiled Ash obiediently. April returned the smile.
"Good," She walked over and kissed him on the cheek, "And you'll stop being friends with Misty too, right?" April was so determined to have Ash, she'd even knock Misty; who helped her so much, just have Ash. Ash just smiled again.
"Sure, dear."
"Good," She took him by the hand, "I'm glad you agree with me." She started walking again and Ash followed.
"Sure, I'll dump Pikachu and Misty," smiled Ash, he froze and then April turned around and stared at Ash puzzled, Ash stared out at the water as if looking for something.
"What's wrong, Ash?" Asked April.
"But you have to dump... Jeremy. Agree to never see him again." April stared at confident Ash with hurt eyes.
"Me? Never see Jeremy again...? I don't know if I could do that."
"What's the matter, you do love me, don't you?" Grinned Ash. April stared at Ash nervously.
"But Jeremy's my-I can't-It's just-"
"What is it? If I give up something you have to too, it's only fair, love's about compromise, right? Unless he's the one you do love, then I'd understand." April thought for a second and smiled at Ash, she knew what he was doing.
"Oh..." She said as if she finally got it.
"What?" Asked Ash, pretending he had no idea what she was talking about.
"Don't play dumb, Ash, you're too good at it. But turns out you're not as clueless as Misty thought you were."
"Huh?"
"You know I love Jeremy the way you love Misty."
"What! You love Jeremy?"
"Ash, stop it, I know what you're doing, I get it now." Ash dropped the act and looked at her.
"Do you now see why I could never give up Pikachu or Misty?"
"Yeah..."
"Good," Sighed Ash, "I was hopeing you'd get the message."
"Loud and clear. You know, you're smarter than Misty gives you credit for."
"Thanks," shrugged Ash.
"Cute, Smart and an excellent trainer, Misty's very lucky to have you, Ash." Ash blushed at the comment.
"No... I'm the lucky one," Smiled Ash.
"So... I guess I should get going to Jeremy's apartment and you should get going to Misty, you think they'd both be able to give us a chance?"
"Hope so. I think so, you know how Misty is so understanding and all." April giggled at his comment.
"Yeah," she laughed, "So you go to your soul mate and I'll go to mine and we'll live happily ever after?"
"Yeah right," smiled Ash skeptically. April giggled again and let out her hand.
"Friends?" Ash took her hand and gladly shook it.
"Of course."
"I don't know if I can do this," confessed April, "I'm so scared."
"Me too."
"What if he doesn't love me anymore?"
"Never know unless you ask..."
"Well, what are you going to say to Misty? Are you going to just come out and say how you feel?" Ash shrugged.
"I don't know how I'm going to tell her... I'll think of something, the important thing is she'll know by tonight."
"What if you back out?" Asked April.
"Then hopefully Misty won't let our chance slip away."
"I wish I had as much faith and determination as you do, Ash... Well... Bye," April gave one last wave, "I mean... See ya." And she left to find Jeremy. Ash watched her go and as he walked away, he smiled.
"Bye, April."
To Be Continued
Part 5: Bye, Bye, My Love
"Um... Jeremy, I've got to go," said Misty looking frantically around for Ash.
"Misty... What's wrong," Jeremy reached out for Misty's hand and placed his upon hers. Misty stared down at his hand then back at him.
"Jeremy, I have to tell you something..."
"What is it?" Before Misty could say anything he interrupted, "I really like you, Misty." Misty paused and look at him quizically.
"Wha-"
"April could never make me feel this way, I saw her with another guy yesterday and now I see that she's moved on, maybe I should too," He smiled. Misty gave a small nervous smile.
"O-oh... Did you... Uh... See who that guy was?"
"No, but I don't care, I don't love her anymore..." He leaned closer to Misty, "I love you." Misty looked at him with a total shocked face.
"You-You do?" Misty couldn't believe it, the words she desired so much to hear from Ash, she was now hearing from Jeremy. Was this a sign? Does this mean that she should be with Jeremy or did it just mean this was all a test to see how much she really did care for Ash?
"Jeremy, you're nice but there's something you should know... Do you know how hurtful it is to love someone and not have them love you back?" Jeremy's eyes filled with questions as Misty continued, "I do... At least I think I do. It hurts me more that I don't even know, I mean even if he didn't love me at least I'd know something."
"Misty, I don't understand... What are you talking about?"
"I'm trying to say that I don't see you the way... You see me."
"How do you know?"
"Because I love someone else and you can't be in love with two people at the same time."
"But how do you know it's not me that you love, I mean we've been having dinner together for a while now, Misty, just think about it. If you didn't love me, then why are you with me?" Misty moved her hand away from his grip and looked at him as if looking at someone she's never seen before, a complete stranger and it scared her a little.
"Jeremy, why are you doing this? Why are you trying so hard to make me love you?" Jeremy stood up and knocked the plates off the table, everyone in the restuarant turned their heads to watch the whole scene happening where Misty and Jeremy was.
"Because I love you, Misty and I could give you everything, you should be with me!" Misty stared up at him softly.
"It wouldn't feel right."
"Right? I'll tell you what's right, giving up this life of traveling with your little 'playmates' and joining me in my car to see the world, with me. ME! The only thing that feels right is us being together, not me and April, not you and... Ash! Me! Me and You, Misty, we're less likely to get hurt. If you came with me life could be perfect."
"I guess you have a point..." Misty then stood up too and angrily shot her eyes back at his, "No! I don't want perfect, I don't want secure and predictable, I want exciting, I want surprises, I want amazing," Misty lifted her jacket from her chair and swung it over her shoulders.
"I want Ash!" Jeremy's eyes grew softer wishing he could think of something else to say to change her mind. Misty stared back sympathetically.
"Jeremy, you don't want me, I'm a hot head and can be a hard load to take, you don't love me either, you just think you do."
"I know I do, Misty, you're none of those things to me, when I look at you, all I see is a beautiful person with a good heart that now I see I can never have, and it's killing me." Misty blushed at the sweet things he was saying.
"Thank you, Jeremy, I never had anyone who was that crazy about me ever before in my life, it's nice to have someone care about you like that, it gives confidence and makes you feel loved and appreciated, I like feeling that way."
"Ash couldn't give you all of those things," Assumed Jeremy.
"He could if I gave him the chance."
"Why do you have so much faith in him, he's never gonna change, he's never gonna appreciate you or be the guy you want him to be, so why do you keep believing he will?" Misty looked at Jeremy as if that was the stupidest question she ever heard. She walked foward to him until they were standing face to face.
"Because love is all about compromise and patience, you may never know for sure but you've just got to believe and deep inside you know that goes the same for April. Maybe we could settle for each other, you and me, Jeremy, that would mean we're less likely to get hurt. But isn't love worth the chance? And if be were together we'd spend all our lives pretending, knowing that we settled for easy when if we waited and tried hard enough we could have gotten the person we ever really loved which would have been much better, right? You love April and I love Ash. And Ash may be a stubborn-ungrateful jerk," Misty frowned and then gave a big smile thinking about him, "But he's my stubborn-ungrateful jerk... And there's no limit to what I'd do for him. So... Just.. Never say never, okay Jeremy?"
"He doesn't know how lucky he is to have someone that cares so much about him, he doesn't know how good he's got it with you."
"No... I'm the lucky one," Misty held her hand out for Jeremy to shake, "Friends?" Jeremy stared at her blankly and then smiled and shook her hand.
"Never a doubt in my mind."
"Good."
"So... Whatcha gonna do now?"
"Wait. Wait at April's house for my prince charming to come," Smiled Misty walking to the door as Jeremy following her, "Dream of the day when he'll be right beside me, holding my hand, looking in my eyes, knowing there's no person on earth he'd rather be with. It may take some hours, days, weeks, months, years, maybe even forever but I'll keep waiting." Misty put her hand on her head as if some damsual in distress.
"I'd bet anything you two are gonna end up arguing again."
"Is that love or what!" Grinned Misty leaving the restuarant with Jeremy. They forgot to pay for the check or clean up the mess Jeremy had caused, but the waiter didn't mind, he just smiled at the two leaving, this time it was on him.
* * *
"What's this place?" Asked Ash as April held his hand and they walked along the coast near a beautiful sparkling water. It was getting dark now, stars once again lighting the sky and another full moon.
"Lover's Court, a beautiful field park where couples come to visit, isn't it beautiful?"
"Yeah..."
"Oh, Ash, I can't tell you how happy I am you chose to be with me. I love you and you love me and now we can be together, forever and ever," She deeply sighed and turned around looking deep into his eyes, she got herself closer to him and wrapped her arms around him, "All you have to do is get rid of Pikachu, and we'll be okay."
"What?" Ash backed away from her embrace.
"Ash, he's an amazing pokemon but he's very disobidient, he won't get in his pokeball and he doesn't even like me very much."
"So everyone has to listen to you or it's over."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I'm right? I'm always right and if you want us to be together you have to give Pikachu up." April was being unreasonable and stubborn and now even in the cute way Misty did it. And Ash knew even though Misty may not be as perky as April usually was but she never would suggest such a thing, Misty knew how much he cared about Pikachu and she cared about Pikachu almost just as much. And Pikachu was all that mattered to him really, if you couldn't love him, it was hard for Ash to love you. Ash knew he could put up with Misty but April was another story.
"Ash, it can't be that hard, I mean he's just a pokemon," smiled April like it was no big deal, "What we have is real and... Worth it." An evilish grin rose on Ash's face.
"Whatever you say, sweetheart," smiled Ash obiediently. April returned the smile.
"Good," She walked over and kissed him on the cheek, "And you'll stop being friends with Misty too, right?" April was so determined to have Ash, she'd even knock Misty; who helped her so much, just have Ash. Ash just smiled again.
"Sure, dear."
"Good," She took him by the hand, "I'm glad you agree with me." She started walking again and Ash followed.
"Sure, I'll dump Pikachu and Misty," smiled Ash, he froze and then April turned around and stared at Ash puzzled, Ash stared out at the water as if looking for something.
"What's wrong, Ash?" Asked April.
"But you have to dump... Jeremy. Agree to never see him again." April stared at confident Ash with hurt eyes.
"Me? Never see Jeremy again...? I don't know if I could do that."
"What's the matter, you do love me, don't you?" Grinned Ash. April stared at Ash nervously.
"But Jeremy's my-I can't-It's just-"
"What is it? If I give up something you have to too, it's only fair, love's about compromise, right? Unless he's the one you do love, then I'd understand." April thought for a second and smiled at Ash, she knew what he was doing.
"Oh..." She said as if she finally got it.
"What?" Asked Ash, pretending he had no idea what she was talking about.
"Don't play dumb, Ash, you're too good at it. But turns out you're not as clueless as Misty thought you were."
"Huh?"
"You know I love Jeremy the way you love Misty."
"What! You love Jeremy?"
"Ash, stop it, I know what you're doing, I get it now." Ash dropped the act and looked at her.
"Do you now see why I could never give up Pikachu or Misty?"
"Yeah..."
"Good," Sighed Ash, "I was hopeing you'd get the message."
"Loud and clear. You know, you're smarter than Misty gives you credit for."
"Thanks," shrugged Ash.
"Cute, Smart and an excellent trainer, Misty's very lucky to have you, Ash." Ash blushed at the comment.
"No... I'm the lucky one," Smiled Ash.
"So... I guess I should get going to Jeremy's apartment and you should get going to Misty, you think they'd both be able to give us a chance?"
"Hope so. I think so, you know how Misty is so understanding and all." April giggled at his comment.
"Yeah," she laughed, "So you go to your soul mate and I'll go to mine and we'll live happily ever after?"
"Yeah right," smiled Ash skeptically. April giggled again and let out her hand.
"Friends?" Ash took her hand and gladly shook it.
"Of course."
"I don't know if I can do this," confessed April, "I'm so scared."
"Me too."
"What if he doesn't love me anymore?"
"Never know unless you ask..."
"Well, what are you going to say to Misty? Are you going to just come out and say how you feel?" Ash shrugged.
"I don't know how I'm going to tell her... I'll think of something, the important thing is she'll know by tonight."
"What if you back out?" Asked April.
"Then hopefully Misty won't let our chance slip away."
"I wish I had as much faith and determination as you do, Ash... Well... Bye," April gave one last wave, "I mean... See ya." And she left to find Jeremy. Ash watched her go and as he walked away, he smiled.
"Bye, April."
To Be Continued