***Author's Note***
As usual, thanks for the reviews. Please keep in mind that any helpful feedback on improving this fic will most likely not be incorporated this time because the entire fic is already written out. Has been for a year in fact. I just never posted. But I will keep the thoughts in mind next time I write something new! Now, read on!
Disclaimer and Dedication as on previous chapters. I'm too lazy.
A Few Helpful Pushes
Chapter 3: Good Morning
The next morning, Serena awoke at the sound of Ash's snoring, this time real. She had a hard time sleeping when anyone snored and now that she was awake, she couldn't go back to sleep. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, looked to her left and smiled. The other three were still asleep for it was still somewhat early but what had made her smile was Ash and Misty.
Although they had all put their sleeping bags at least a foot apart from each other, somehow, unconsciously, Misty had rolled over near to Ash. Serena remembered that whenever she slept over Misty's or Misty slept over with her, she'd always have to push Misty away from her. She always did have weird sleeping habits but this was too hilarious. Cute too.
She had her arm around Ash and his snoring didn't seem to bother her at all. Probably from traveling with him so long, Serena thought. Ash looked like he had stayed in his sleeping bag but he then turned over so that his head was touching Misty's and both slept on.
From the moment she saw Misty and Ash together, Serena knew that they had thing for each other. It was so obvious but it was also obvious that they were scared to tell each other. Well, she would just have to help them. But first, this was too good of a chance to give up. Quietly slipping out of her sleeping bag, Serena tiptoed over to her backpack and unzipped it. She rummaged around for a minute, found what she was looking for, walked back over and stood over the two.
Opening the shutters, she zoomed up to first their top halves where Misty's arm was draped over him and their heads touching. Then she took another shot of their entire bodies. They looked too cute. Finishing the task, she then looked at Brock. If he were in a funny position, it would be a good picture to take. But he was normal. Almost normal. He wasn't in a funny position but what was funny was that he was muttering nonsense under his breath.
"Girls! Wait come back! No don't leave!" she heard him mutter. She could see him practically crying while dreaming. Poor guy. If this is his nightmare, that's sad, she thought. Of course, she could always use her powers and change his dream but of course, she always forbid herself from going through people's minds or dreams. The only time she entered someone's head was when she was sending them a message telepathically and that was only her talking to them. When she did that, she couldn't read any of their thoughts. Remembering that, she went back to her bag, picked it up and walked back to the creek that she had been near yesterday to wash up.
About ten minutes after Serena had left to go to the creek, Brock woke up. He had such a nightmare! Every girl he walked up to rejected him. But then, as he thought about it, every girl he talked to rejected him. Life wasn't fair. He stood up and then almost fell over in laughter. To his right, Ash and Misty were still sleeping soundly like a pair of lovebirds. He grinned. If only he had a camera. Too bad that they had to spend all their money on food and other needed supplies.
Speaking of food, he thought. I'd better start breakfast.
Five minutes later, both Ash and Misty began to stir, each still unaware of the situation that they were in. Ash awoken by the aroma of the food that Brock had begun preparing and Misty by the noise of his clanging.
Darn that Brock! Misty thought. She wanted to sleep a little longer but Brock just had to be loud while cooking. She kept her eyes shut a while longer. She felt something warm and soft beside. What is this? she asked herself, her arm still around Ash unknowingly. Must be a pillow, she thought. Finally, she slowly opened her eyes and her eyes went wide.
Mmmm.....something smells good! Ash thought. Eggs, he thought. He could almost see and taste the food in his mouth as he lay there with his eyes closed. He moved a little and it was then that he felt something somewhat heavy on his chest. Not opening his eyes, he lifted his left arm to feel what the heavy thing was and it felt like, A hand? he thought. Strange. And what was this beside him? He felt someone's presence beside him. He turned his head and opened his eyes, which went wide.
As it turned out, Ash and Misty had opened their eyes at the same time and were staring at each other. Then suddenly, they erupted, each one blushing like mad tomatoes.
"You pervert! How dare you!"
"Me!? You're the one with your arm around me and away from your sleeping bag! I was on mine!"
"Well you know about how I move around a lot sometimes! It was your fault for putting your sleeping bag so close to me!"
"It is not my fault!"
"Is so!"
"Is not!"
"Is so!"
"Is not!"
"Is so!"
"Not!"
"So!"
"Not!"
"So!"
"Not!"
"So!"
They would have kept arguing until they forgot what it was that they were arguing about in the first place but were interrupted by them first getting shocked and then by a voice in their heads, yelling at them.
First of all, Pikachu had been woken up by the two teens. He knew of their arguments and most of the time tolerated them because Brock always had them under control. But anyone who disturbed the pokemon's sleep was the next target for shock practice no matter who it was. The shock worked but then, Misty and Ash were shocked again but not literally.
The voice in their heads surprised them. At first, Misty was confused and then she understood. It was Serena. She was yelling at them mentally saying, I can hear you two yelling all the way here by the creek! Keep it down before you wake up the entire forest! You don't want bugs everywhere do you? I hate bugs you know!
But Ash was still unaccustomed to his new friend's powers. "What-what was that?" he asked looking around.
Misty laughed. "That was Serena talking to us in our minds."
"Can we talk to her back like that?" Ash asked. Both had forgotten their argument from moments before as always. And Serena's telepathic message had gotten them interested in something else.
Shaking her head she started rolling up her sleeping back. "Only she can talk to us. But we can't talk to her because we're not psychics."
"Oh." Ash too began rolling up his sleeping bag. Sleeping bag. Sleeping. Oh my gosh. Misty was sleeping right beside me with her arm on my chest. Okay, that doesn't mean anything to me. I mean, she's only one of my friends. Just one of my more pretty friends. Hey! Stop thinking like that. Friends. Friends. Only friends. Too bad. I'd love to go out with her but we're only friends. But she was so close! At least if I die any time soon, I'll know die knowing that at least I got that close to her. Ash began blushing at how he was thinking. He couldn't start liking her now. Well, he didn't. He'd started liking her from when he was old enough to actually start taking interest in girls. When he was twelve. Thoughts kept running through his head and he kept his head and eyes down, avoiding Misty's so that she couldn't see the crimson spots that had appeared on his cheeks.
I had my arm around him! Oh how embarrassing! Misty thought. Of course, it was kind of cool. I mean, I've wanted to do that forever. But what if he figures out that I like him and have liked him since I was like, eleven!? Oh god no. That would be so embarrassing. I couldn't take the rejection. But oh well. I still was that close to Ash Ketchum. But we'll only always be friends. He never notices me. Only other girls like Giselle and he even offered his shirt to my best friend! But has he ever done that for me? No. She sighed and began to blush as well, avoiding Ash, not knowing that he was avoiding her as they finished rolling up their sleeping bags and packed them away.
They sat away from each other as Brock handed them breakfast. "Eggs I found. But I can save 'em for you if you want to go wash up first Misty," he said.
She shook her head. "Later. I'm famished," and took the plate. Ash had already begun to gobble up his.
Just then, Serena walked back, face washed, hair tied back in a ponytail. She wore blue flares and a red t-shirt that read, "I Am Psychic" with a picture of an Abra on the back.
"Cool shirt," Brock commented.
"Thanks. Misty gave it to me before I left for my journey. I still have it though it shrunk some. I'm glad you gave me a large size then Misty!" Serena sat down beside her and took the plate Brock offered.
"That's the reason I got it. I can't believe you're still wearing it!" Misty said with a laugh as she took a bite of toast. Beside her, Togepi pulled her clothes and she fed it bits.
"Togepi is so cute Mist!" Serena said while tickling Togepi a little.
Misty smiled. She felt weird. Serena was the only other person to have ever called her by 'Mist' for the longest time. It was a best friend thing. She would call her Rena. But then, Ash had come along and he had called her 'Mist' quite a few times and when he did, it made her feel...well, nice.
"So," Brock said sitting down beside Ash with his own breakfast. "What's on the agenda for today?"
Ash gulped down some water and said, "Well, we're supposed to be headed back to Pallet remember? Mom wants me back home for a few days since we're so much closer than were a few weeks ago."
It was then that Serena remember another reason she was so intent on finding Misty. "Misty! Remember how your sisters always have the Annual Cerulean City Ball?"
At this, Misty's eyes widened with recollection. "Oh yeah! Oh my gosh! I haven't been to host one since I left! When's it this year?"
"In a few days," Serena replied eating some egg.
"Are you serious, Rena? We have to go! We're both together and I can't miss it again! I just kept forgetting with all this other stuff going on and my sisters probably forgot to tell me or we were too far to make it back in time."
"Yup. I just was in Cerulean last week. Your sisters know that I was still hoping to see you so they told me that they had gotten in touch with Ash's mom and that they found out that that's where you were headed. So I came down here hoping to find you and I did!"
"Well then, it's settled. Cerulean City, Misty and Serena are coming back!"
All this time, Ash and Brock were too busy with their food to take notice of anything the girls were saying but the last part that Misty had belted out, they caught and were now staring at the girls who had suddenly gone quite giggly.
"Did you just say Cerulean City Misty?" Ash asked finally finished.
She nodded. "We have to start today so we can get there in time for the ball."
"Ball? Like the one that they throw down every year on New Year's?"
"No idiot! It's the Annual Cerulean City Ball!" Misty said rolling her eyes.
Ash retorted, "I am not an idiot!"
"Are too!"
"Am -"
Again, they stopped fighting because again, Serena was telling them to do so in their heads. She found it much easier to quiet people down by talking to them in their mind rather than try to yell over them.
"Thank you. Ash, Brock, the Annual Cerulean City Ball is one that the Cerulean Gym has been holding every year since who knows when. Misty, I haven't been to the ball since I left either so this year, I'd be wonderful if we both went. And you two are welcome to come too!" Serena said looking over to them.
"Well Ash, what do you say?" Misty asked.
He thought for a minute. "Well, I told my mom that I'd be going home. She really wants to see me."
"Please? Please, pretty please Ash?" Misty pleaded giving him her best puppy dog-eyes. It worked and Ash soon gave in.
"I'll just have to let my mom know then."
"Actually, she might be at the ball. I'm sure she's been invited along with Professor Oak and..." Serena suddenly got a dazed far away look in her eyes and she smiled. "Gary Oak."
"Gary!" Ash said his still-rival's name like it was a curse word.
Serena didn't appear to have heard the disdain in his voice for she continued in her faraway voice, which had to make Misty giggle. "Yes Gary. Isn't he the most wonderful? And a great pokemon trainer. He's as good as me. I hope he goes to the ball." Then, almost as suddenly she had drifted into her dreamland, she drifted out only to see two amused and one crushed face staring at her. "What?"
Misty giggled again. "You've fallen for Gary Oak!? I would never have believed that my best friend would fall for someone like him!"
Ash nodded in agreement. "I can't believe that you did fall for him. You're such a good trainer and definitely much too good for him!" he declared.
"Noooo! She chose that Gary over meee!" Brock wailed.
Serena looked at the group and shook her head, deciding to defend Gary instead of trying to tell Brock, again, that she was not interested in the sixteen-year old. "Look, I don't know why you think he's so bad! He's really sweet once you get to know him and like I said, a good trainer as well."
"Just how do you know him?" Ash asked.
She shrugged. "We met at the Pokemon Trainer's Convention last year. I had heard about him from other trainers saying how tough he is so I decided to check him out. I challenged him to a battle. I must say Ash, he's kind of like you. Thought he would beat my Rapidash with a water-type. Actually, he almost nearly did because his Starmie was really strong. It kind of reminded me of battling with you Misty. Anyhow, I beat him with my Jynx against his Gastly. After that, he thought I was really good and we started talking and then battled once more. We tied. And then we just kind of traveled for a while. And then split up cause he wanted to get more training in and we were headed in different directions. Haven't seen him since."
"Well maybe you'll get lucky and see him at the ball. After all, my sisters always invite the best trainers from around as well. Even though I don't know what you could have possibly seen in him but if that's what you want..." Misty trailed off.
Brock stood up. He had finally accepted defeat after listening to the tone in which Serena talked about Gary. "I think we should be on our way. It'll take us at least a day to get to Cerulean. But at least we're closer to Cerulean than Pallet."
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Ash said jumping up with Pikachu on his shoulder.
"I never thought I'd see the day when Ash Ketchum, Mr. Pokemon Trainer would get so excited about going to a ball," Misty smirked.
The fifteen-year old turned slightly red in the face. "Ha ha. Well if you don't want to go, we could always go back to Pa-"
"No! Come on! You're right. Let's go!" Misty grabbed Ash's arm before he could change his mind and pulled him off.
"Wait! I haven't packed up my sleeping bag!" Serena called after them
"Oh no! I left my bag!" Misty exclaimed running back.
"And you almost made me leave mine in your haste to leave!" Ash said running back after her.
"My haste? You mean yours. You're the one who was the first one to say, 'Let's go'!"
"Was not!"
"Was so!"
"Shut up!"
Brock sighed as he watched his three younger companions shout after one another, mostly in a playful way. "Kids." He muttered as he packed up his gear into his large camping backpack and hoisted up upon his shoulder, but he smiled as saying it.
Serena came running by him, chased by Ash and Misty. She was grinning and they were blushing and yelling at her. Obviously, she must have said something about them liking each other. That was the only time the two paired up to gang up on a friend.
"How have you put up with these two after all these years?" she yelled running around here and there with the other two chasing.
"I'm used to it by now. But you should have an easier time with your psychic powers. I mean, you could just stop them from chasing you," Brock said.
"True." Serena stopped suddenly and did what Brock asked only a little more than stop her two pursuers. Her eyes glowed red as Misty was suddenly lifted into the air. Not too high but just enough and Serena positioned her just under Ash. "Catch her Ash!" she said in a giddy voice as she suddenly let go of Misty with her mind. Unexpectedly, but as if on instinct, Ash held out his arms to where Misty fell perfectly. Ash staggered a bit under the sudden weight but he kept his balance.
"Wonderful catch Romeo!" Serena clapped along with Brock who whistled.
Ash and Misty blushed and Ash realizing that he still held Misty, quickly dropped her. "Ouch! You could have dropped me a little gently and warned me first!" she said getting up and rubbing her backside when she heard a familiar voice in her head.
Ash and Misty sittin' in a tree! Serena sang in Misty's head. Fortunately for her, Serena hadn't broadcasted the telepathic message to Ash as well because Misty just kept on blushing.
"You!" she turned to her best friend.
"Uh oh," Serena said and began to run, orange backpack oh shoulders. She could always use her powers but where was the fun in that?
"Come back here!" Misty yelled after her.
"Hey! I have a bone to pick with you too!" Ash followed behind.
"Hey this is an almost familiar scene only with an extra person," Brock said and then ran after the three crazy teens.
***Author's Note***
Finally there was *some* amount of romance…I guess. As I mentioned in the beginning, I wrote this fic a loooong time ago. I started writing it when I wasn't that great at romance writing so yeah, that's why there's a slight lack. But we're getting there! That's why Serena's here…to help the clueless couple get together! Anyway, enough chitter chatter, go and review please!
*Maura*
P.S. If you would like me to e-mail you next time I post, please let me know and leave your e-mail address. Thanks!
I decided to be nice and give you all a preview of Chapter 4 ^_^ :
"So Ash, are you planning to ask Misty to the ball?" Gary asked smoothly as if he were talking about Pokemon.
For perhaps the millionth time in the last few days, Ash blushed. "Misty? Why should I ask her?"
"Well," Ralph said. "Maybe the tiny fact that you like her."
Tomato red was what Ash's face and neck was now. "Like HER!? Are you out of your mind!?"
"No."
"So, when will you ask her?" Brock asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about. And it's not like she'd go with me anyway if I did ask her," Ash said not quite meeting the gaze of the three guys.
Gary grinned more widely. "Well, you'll never know unless you ask."
