Reasons of the Heart – I Thought She Knew
"C'mon Ash," his friend and roommate Parker Angel pleaded. "We haven't been to a good party in ages."
"I'm not really in the mood," Ash sighed.
"There's going to be heaps of girls there," Parker offered.
"You go, I'll be alright," Ash told him.
"What's her name?" Parker asked.
"What makes you think that there's a girl?"
"Maybe I'm psychic," Parker guessed, "But then, maybe it has something to do with the fact that you've been moping around school for how long and that silver frame on your nightstand."
"OK so it is a girl," Ash admitted. "But its not just any girl," Ash told him. "She was my best friend and I loved her."
"I have an idea," Parker said after thinking about it for a minute or two. "Why don't I set you up with a friend of mine? It'll help get her out of your head even if it's just for a bit of fun."
"Sure," Ash shrugged. "Let's hope you're right."
Parker was quite happy with his accomplishments so far. It had been easy enough to get Ash to agree, she shouldn't be much harder. He knew that she and Ash were the most stubborn people he had ever met, he was actually kind of afraid of the results of having them in the same room together. She could keep an argument going for hours even if she forgot what it was about. All she needed to know was that she was right, even if it wasn't the case though usually it was. Ash was just as bad.
Parker knocked on the door. It opened almost straight away. He smiled at the girl before him; her long golden brown hair cascaded over the shoulders of her long sleeved crop top and reaching the edge of her gray pants. A light sweat covered her face giving it a heavenly shine.
"Hey Parker," she smiled. "You want to come in?" He nodded trying hard not to stare. "Sorry about the mess."
Parker tried not to laugh at the remark about the immaculate room she had called a mess. He would hate to find out what she would call the sorry excuse for an apartment himself and Ash fondly referred to as a bachelor pad.
"So, what's up?" Melody asked as she handed him a can of soda.
"I needed to ask Misty if I could set her up with one of my friends," Parker said sipping the drink.
"Who?" Melody asked.
"My roommate, Ash," Parker said.
"Really? That's Great!" she cried ecstatically. Then just as suddenly as before, she regained her composure and straightened her shirt. "I mean . . . Misty really needs something like that to . . . uh . . . get her out of the . . . um . . . slump she's in."
"Who's in a slump?" Misty asked. Luckily she had only heard the last words of the conversation as she came in to grab a drink.
"Certainly not you," Melody replied with what appeared to be genuine innocence.
"Very funny," Misty sighed. "Hey Parker," she added as she noticed him. "How long have you been here?"
"Not long," he shrugged.
"I'm sure Melody entertained you," Misty said coyly causing both Parker and Melody to blush.
"Actually I came here to ask you if I could set you up with one of my friends," Parker told her.
"Who?" Misty asked.
"It's a blind date," Melody said quickly before Parker could answer and erase any chance of a happy ending for her best friend and Ash. "You're not supposed to know who it is."
"Fine. I'll go," she said.
"Really?" Melody asked disbelievingly.
"I wasn't finished," Misty stated. "I'll go, on one condition."
"I must be clinically insane," Parker muttered. "What's the condition?" he asked trying hard not to look as nervous as he felt. People like Misty could small fear and fed on it like normal people and ice cream.
"I get to set you up," Misty replied.
Parker let out a sigh of relief as he heard Misty's condition. "Doesn't sound too bad," Parker smiled. "We'll meet you and your friend at Antonio's on Saturday at seven."
"OK, see you then," Misty smiled.
Parker waved goodbye and left. Now all that was left to do was get the reservation.
"So what are you wearing on Saturday?" Misty asked.
"You are the best friend I've ever had," Melody cried excitedly.
"You do realize that the real reason I insisted on setting Parker up was for my own selfish reasons?" Misty asked. "This way when he's as much of a creep as I expect, I can completely ignore him without having to talk to myself the whole night to get an intelligent conversation."
"I don't think you'll have any trouble with conversation," Melody said cryptically.
"Do you know who he is?' Misty asked her voice and face filled with suspicion.
"No," Melody lied quickly trying to think of some kind of excuse to stop Misty from asking questions. "It's just that Parker is such a good judge of character so I just figured that whoever he picks will be far from a creep. I don't think you'll have any problems with an intelligent conversation." 'It's the civil ones I'm worried about,' she added silently.
"Should I take Togetic?" Misty asked. Melody sighed happily as she realized that Misty had been satisfied with her explanation.
Melody shrugged her shoulders and decided to get back to her workout, after all she did have a date with Parker Angel on Saturday.
Ash and Parker sat at the table for four at Antonio's. It was ten to seven Saturday night. They guys talked while they patiently waited for their dates to arrive both unaware of who their dates were.
"So what's your idea of the perfect girl?" Parker asked. "So we can see how good I am at matchmaking, see how she compares."
Ash closed his eyes for a few seconds picturing Misty as he tried to put everything he loved about her into words. "She's more beautiful than the angels, she has a smile that puts even the brightest stars to shame and eyes that sparkle like the sea on a clear day.
"She's not afraid to speak her mind," Ash continued. "She's got this sarcastic sense of humor that always makes me laugh. She's always at my side cheering me on no matter what I do. She puts up a strong front but only those close to her know that in truth she's actually sweet and fragile like a delicate rose. She's caring and smart, and humble. She's up for everything, whether it's saving the world or a simple race. And she won't let you get away with anything."
Parker was surprised at how much Ash's description of the perfect girl sounded like Misty. "I think I've found your perfect girl," Parker smiled proudly.
"Don't tell me there's two of her?" Ash said with mock shock. "One of her is bad enough," he joked. "In all seriousness, my perfect girl would never agree to this," Ash sighed as images of Misty flew through his head.
"I thought this evening was supposed to get your mind off her," Parker sighed.
"Yeah, I know," Ash sighed. "Just forget I said anything. So who did you choose?" Ash asked.
"Misty Waterflower."
"Misty?" Ash asked.
"Yeah," Parker said. "Do you know her?"
"You could say that," Ash shrugged. "You're not joking are you?" Parker shook his head not quiet sure why Ash suddenly seemed to be a lot more nervous. "Then you really did find my perfect," Ash said below a whisper.
Pikachuu jumped off the chair he had been resting on and ran towards the entry. Ash followed the yellow Pokemon with his eyes watching it jump into Misty's arms.
"Pikachuu," Misty cried out in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Pikachuu"((We're your date))
Misty didn't quiet understand but followed Pikachuu to their table. Ash stood up and pulled out her chair
"Hmmph," Misty said as she sat down turning away from Ash and glaring at Melody and Parker who were both sitting on the opposite side of the table.
Misty sat silently playing with Togetic unsure whom she should yell at. She could yell at Parker for setting them up in the first place, though she was pretty sure he didn't know anything about their history. She could yell at Melody for not telling her it was Ash and setting up that stupid bet, but then it was kind of her own fault for being so competitive. She could of course yell at Ash. He didn't need a reason, she could just yell at him for being there, but then she had promised Delilah she would give Ash a chance.
She had to do everything in her power to keep from running out the restaurant. She sat still trying to block him out. She promised she wouldn't let him get to her, and this was one promise she was going to keep.
"How are you Myst?" Ash asked her.
Misty blinked away the tears that threatened to appear. 'Damn you Ash,' she thought as she forced a small smile onto her face.
"I'm fine," she replied her voice void of any emotion
Parker looked between Ash and Misty seeing that there was something deep between them. "Do you guys already know each other?" Parker asked.
"He stole my bike," Misty said simply leaving it at that.
"Misty used to follow me around," Ash told him.
"Why'd you stop?" Parker asked her.
"Why don't we dance?" Melody suggested.
Parker saw the single tear roll down Misty's cheek, so did Ash. Misty quickly wiped the tears away as her eyes locked with Ash. "I . . . uh," she started not sure what to say. She quickly excused herself cutting off Ash's attempt to console her.
Misty looked at herself in the empty bathroom's mirror. Her face was tear streaked and her eyes red from crying. She knew why she was crying; he was the only reason she ever cried. It only made her cry harder to think of him.
"Stop crying," she told herself between sobs. "It's been five years. You can't let him do this to you anymore. You've got to get over him."
More tears filled her eyes. She couldn't understand how he could make her feel like she was the most extraordinary and important person in the entire universe yet so insignificant at the same time. She always felt like he was the one person she could depend on, she never expected him to hurt her the way he did.
"Bad move Mr. Matchmaker," Melody whispered to Parker.
"You know don't you?" Parker asked her.
Melody nodded. "They were best friends," she sighed. "Ash hurt her really badly before she came back to Cerulean, that's why she came back. She still loves and cares for him, but she can't forgive him. He knows her better than anyone and he knows what he said would hurt her, but they were both just too proud."
"No wonder his perfect girl seemed to be a perfect description of Misty," Parker said.
"I'm going to go check on Misty now," she told him. "So you can talk to Ash about it if you want."
Parker nodded and went back to the table while Melody headed to the bathroom.
"Misty?" Melody asked as she entered the toilet.
"Over here," Misty called quietly from the end stall as she sat on the closed toilet lid.
"You feeling better?" Melody asked sympathetically. "Are you ready to face the world?"
"It's not the world I'm worried about," Misty sighed.
"You can do this Misty," Melody said. "All you need is a little faith in yourself."
"What I need is a miracle," Misty sighed.
"I understand if you want to pretend you don't know me," Ash stated not looking up from the interesting spot in the middle of the table.
"Why?" Parker asked. "I understand that you only fought with her because you love her and just wanted to prove that you can keep up with her."
Ash looked up and sighed. "All I want to do is make it up to her, even if it takes a lifetime," Ash sighed. "I want her to know how sorry I am, and that I love her."
"You should be telling her, not me," Parker told his friend.
"Believe me, I've tried," Ash said, "I just don't have the courage to admit it to her. When I was younger I didn't tell her because I was afraid it would ruin our friendship. I already ruined out friendship, but I still can't tell her. I . . ." Ash stopped as he saw Misty and Melody walk back to the table. Ash looked down at the floor not wanting to upset Misty anymore by looking at her.
Misty sat down silently blinking away tears that threatened to fall just by seeing him next to her. She and Melody had swapped seats so Misty sat next to Parker and Melody next to Ash.
"So how do you like Davison?" Parker asked trying to make light conversation.
"It's ok," Misty shrugged.
"Do any of you have Professor Hoyle?" Ash asked.
"Oh my gosh," Melody gasped think of the teacher, "She looks like Mimi off Drew Carrey."
Even Misty let out a light giggle from that comment. 'Just like old times,' Misty thought to herself. 'Too bad its not.' She looked across the table at Ash shoveling food into his mouth. She smiled slightly and stifled a giggle.
"What?" Ash asked his fork suspended above his food.
"I just thought you would have grown out of that," she shrugged.
"What's wrong with the way I eat," Ash asked pretending to be offended.
"Nothing really," Misty said. "It's just that I know your mother taught you better manners than that."
Ash blinked and went back to his food slowing down the intake slightly.
Misty sighed and went back to her own food. 'I miss this' she thought. 'After all that's happened he's still probably the best friend I'll ever had.'
"Hey Myst . . . ty," he said quickly adding the 'ty' to the end so as not to offend her. "Are you ok?" he asked genuinely concerned for her well being.
Misty looked up at him and nodded. "I'm fine, just tired," she lied.
The meal went on without any more troubles. They made jokes and talked just like the old friends that they were. It was almost like it was all those years ago, just two best friends spending the evening together catching up on old times.
" . . . so the Presidents like 'This looks like a woman so we can see that this race was family oriented and held women in high esteem. You can tell they were intelligent because the next symbol resembles a donkey so they were smart enough to have animals help them. The next is a shovel so it means they had tools. futher proof of their intellignce is the fish so if they had famine they would go to the sea for food. The last is the star of David which shows they were Hebrew.' The rest of them nod in approvement so the presidents quite pleased with himself till the guy in the back yells 'Idiot, first of all everyone knows that the Hebrews wrote right to left not left to right. Look again . . . now it says Holy mackeral, Dig the Ass on that Woman!'" Everyone laughed happily.
"Do you want to dance?" Parker asked Melody as they heard the intro to a slow song.
Melody nodded and joined Parker on the dance floor leaving Ash and Misty alone together.
"I love this song," Misty sighed as she recognized the intro.
"May I have this dance?" Ash stuttered holding out his hand to Misty.
Misty blushed and nodded as she stood up and took his hand. Ash led her to the dance floor and held her loosely as they danced.
Ohh … Ohh . . . OhhShe wan my once in a lifetime
Happy ending come true
Ohhhhh I, guess I should have told her
I thought she knew
She said I took her for granted
That's the last thing I would do
Oh I'll never understand it
I thought she knew
I thought she knew
My world revolves around her
My lover light burned
For her alone
But she couldn't see the flame
Only myself to blame
I should have known
I should have known
A heart full of words left unspoken
Now that we're through
I'd sell my soul to have this silence broken
Oh I thought she knew (I thought she knew)
I thought she knew
My world revolves around her
My lover light burned
For her alone
But she couldn't see the flame
Only myself to blame
I should have known
I should have known
She was my once in a lifetime
Happy ending come true
Woahhhh I guess I should have told her
But I thought she knew (I thought she knew)
I thought she knew (I thought she knew)
Ohhhhh I thought that she knew
('I thought she knew' N sync)
Ash looked into her eyes and searched them for anything that would give him the courage to speak. The sparkle of hope in her eyes was all he needed. "Misty," he said softly. "I would do anything for you if it would mean that you would forgive me." Misty's body tensed as she was frozen to the spot. Her thoughts were all incomprehensible as her mind debated whether to forgive and forget or to runaway as far as possible as long as it meant she would never have to face him again. "What?" she asked as she had finally regained herself enough to speak. "Misty, I'm sorry," Ash began. "Tonight has been just like old times, it reminded me of all the things I've missed out on because of my stupidity. I miss everything we had," Ash told her. "But most of all I miss you."Misty turned and stared down at the ground, but not before ash saw the tears forming in her eyes. He placed his hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a loose hug in an effort to console her.
Misty shrugged out of his embrace. She squeezed the tears out of her eyes and hardened her jaw before turning to glare at Ash. "Why did you go and ruin a perfect evening?" Misty asked her voice failing to cover the emotion.
"Misty," Ash pleaded. "Just forget everything I said. Just . . ." he began but stopped as Misty cut him off with a simple gesture.
"Good night Ash," she said. She walked away leaving Ash stranded on the dance floor. She left, not bothering with explaining, running away from the scene before anyone noticed the fresh tears rolling down her face.
Ash sighed as he watched her go. With three words she had pierced his heart like a knife cutting through him. But it's not like that was a new thing, Misty had always been good with words.
"I better go too," Melody told Parker as she ran to follow her friend. Melody caught up to her best friend and encircled her in a hug allowing Misty to cry on her shoulder.
'That use to be me,' Ash thought as he watched the two girls leave. 'Now she crumbles to tears when I say her name like a withering rose, and shrugs out of my embrace.'
"Don't worry," Parker said as he clamped a hand on Ash's shoulder. "The tricks never to give up."
"How can I expect her to forgive me when I don't even forgive myself?" Ash asked.
~ to be continued ~
I hope you liked this chapter. I know it my not seem like it yet but it will end up as an AAMR it'd just be a lot easier if Ash would learn how to keep his goddamn foot out of his mouth. Please review no matter what you think.