YUA: Okay, next chapter is about to start! Thanks to all that had the decency to review! ^^ Oh, and from now on, every chapter will start with Misty's POV, and then Ash, etc, etc…Oh, and kefu? I have MAJOR writers block for 'Deal With Desire'. Sorries!

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"The reputation of a thousand years can be changed by the happenings of one hour."

-Japanese Proverb

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Chapter Two: Care for a ride?

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Oh God…I can't believe it…I knew that dance perfectly, and yet I messed it up big time. How did it happen? My timing was perfect, my form was perfect…he…he was perfect.

That's it.

That's what caused me to mess up. He did. I remember now…I looked him in the eye, and I tripped over myself.

His chocolate eyes…

I hope Jacob doesn't see me walking home. He'd become so worried and keep watch over me for weeks. He always does that when he gets worried about me. He's almost like my father. But…my real father…well, he…he was killed in a car accident.

But I'm not going to let myself get hung up on that. Right now, I'm trying to find out why that boy did what he did?

Ash, was it? Yes, Ash…

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey, Gary! I'm gonna leave now. The place is dying down a bit."

"Alright man! See ya later! And be careful with the girls you pick!" That was the last sentence he could get out before Duplica pulled him back into dancing.

I went out the metal double doors, and found my motorcycle in the back. Yeah, that's right. Motorcycle. My dad agreed with me hands down, but my mom went nuts. Thank God for that father-son bond.

I hop on, pulling the helmet over me head, and revving the engine. She's a good bike, has 115 horsepower. Dad got her for me on my eighteenth birthday. My mom went crazy. So far though, I've proven to her that I can handle a bike.

I wonder if that girl got a ride home. Misty, was it? Yeah, Misty.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm almost home. Then I can just go to bed and wake up the next day for more depression.

Hm? What's…that sound…?

"Hey, babe." Oh no…I turn to look, and two guys are standing right there. They look, maybe…twenty three or so.

I turn back the way I was going, and walk much faster than I was before.

"Where you goin', honey?" I hear loud footsteps behind me, and I quicken my pace. A hear an engine in the distance. Probably more of their gang or something.

"C'mere, we just wanna talk." Their pace elevates to running, and before I can run, one of them has me pinned against the side of some building.

"P-Please…leave m-me alone…" All he does is smirk, and his hand slides up my leg.

Oh God, please…no…

"Heads up!" Someone else comes from nowhere, and lands a punch square in the guy's jaw. I hear a sickening crack, and he let's go of me, and I tumble to the ground, too scared to move.

"Get'em!" Both of the older men charge this one guy, who I notice is wearing a helmet. I don't know where he learned it, but he fights wondrously. A kick connected with one of their stomachs, and the other takes an elbow right in the chest. Both of them stumble backwards, and they run off.

"You picked the wrong people to mess with, man!" They disappear into the woods.

The other man walks up to me, and extends his hand. I back away, afraid of what might happen.

"Are you okay?" I know that voice…he removes his helmet, and a familiar face is behind it.

Him! It's…Ash…

"I'm…I-I'm fine, thanks…" I grab his hand, and he pulls me up on my feet. Is he stalking me? How did he know where I was?

"You shouldn't be out in this part of town. If you lived past here, you should've asked for a ride."

"I…I didn't…want to…"

"I'm sure you want one now, right?" I nod timidly, ashamed of my ability to defend myself.

"Where do you live?" He asks, as he begins walking towards a large bush.

"I live…on…" Wait. Should I tell him? What if he is stalking me?

He disappears behind the bush for a second, and comes out walking a motorcycle.

That's what it was! That was the engine I heard earlier. This was all just a chance meeting! Thank God!

"I live on Mariata Lane."

"Just past Lolington?" I nod.

"Hop on, then. Here, you can wear my helmet." He hands me the sleekly designed helmet, and I slip it on.

"I've never ridden a Motorcycle before."

"When I lean, just lean with me. And keep a tight hold on my waist. That's all there is to it."

"Okay." He gets on, and I get on behind him. I do exactly as he said, putting my arms around his waist.

"Are you ready?"

"Yeah."

"Hang on!" He revs the engine, and we take off down the street.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I honestly didn't think I'd run into her again. Good thing I came by here. I don't even wanna know what they were planning to do.

I think this could turn out into a relationship, actually. But what about my reputation? What will everyone else think about me? If this goes further, will we have to keep it a secret? I can't believe it…

I'm getting worried about losing my popularity for someone I could possibly love. But…I just met her. It can't be possible. Yet, I've never felt this way with any other girl. Mind you, I've met a lot.

But…

What is it about her?

I've known her for what, an hour? Yet I already think I love her? It's complete lunacy! Yet, I believe it.

"Turn here!" She yells over the roar of the wind, and I do so, turning onto a street of elaborately built houses and mansions. Is that why everyone hates her? Because she's rich? Hmph. Sounds like a pretty poor reason.

"This is it!" She points to a rather large house, with marble columns right out front. A little overkill, if you ask me, but I'm sure it wasn't her choice.

I coast to a stop, but keep the engine running. She takes of the helmet and gives it back to me.

"Thank you very much." She's smiling. That's the first smile I've seen from her all year. Incredible.

"Anytime. Listen, if you ever have to take that road again, just give me a ring." I give her my cell number, and she waves me off, stepping into her house.

She was a natural, actually. Knew just when to lean, how far, and what not to do. I pull the helmet over my head, and pull down the visor.

"See you Misty." Don't know whom I was talking to, but I rev the engine, and speed off.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hello, mother."

"Hi, Misty. Did you have a good time?"

"Oh, I had a wonderful time!"

"Really?" I stop talking to listen for a moment, and realize what song is playing on the radio.

"Mom! Turn it up! I love this song!" She presses a button on the remote, and Love Fool begins playing again.

"Aahhh…" I dance and twirl up the stairs.

"Someone's happy."

"Mother, you have no idea!"

"Hm…teenagers." I slam the door to my room, and Togepi is waiting for me on my bed.

"Toge!"

"Oh, hello, baby! Did you miss me?"

"Brriiiii!"

"I'm sorry…Oh! Guess what?! I met the most wonderful person today! His name was Ash! He was actually nice to me!"

"Togebrriii?"

"Oh, no, of course not! You're nice too! I love you!"

"Brrriiiiii!!" I can't help but giver her a tight hug, and I hear my mother's voice.

"Misty, dear! Someone's on the phone!"

"Got it mom!" I carry Togepi in one arm, and put the phone to my ear.

"Hello? This is Misty."

"Misty? Um, hey. It's Ash." As soon as he finished, I felt a tad lightheaded, and felt a faint blush creeping upon my face.

"Hello. What's up?"

"Well, just curious. Do you need a ride to school tomorrow?" I know he was nervous. I heard it in his voice.

"Sure. Thanks for asking. I'd love a ride."

"Alright. I'll, uh, be there by…what? When's your first class? Ten?"

"Yeah, come pick me up around nine." To tell the truth, my first class was around twelve, but I wanted to make the trip as long as possible.

"Okay. See you then."

"Bye, Ash!" He hung up, and I replaced the phone on the cradle.

"Togeto?" Togepi inquired with a skeptical face.

"Yes, that was him."