Ok! Here's the deal, I am extremely sorry about the delay to anyone who's still reading this story but I started college this year and its taking up a lot of my time.
And I have some sad news, anyone who's ever seen one of my reviews or I might have mentioned her earlier but my beloved pet cat Sushie ran away about five weeks ago and I was heartbroken.
We're looking for a kitten at the moment and if anyone has any idea of a good name for a kitten please feel free to tell me.
These characters don't belong to me but the story is mine so don't steal it.
Please read and review. Please?
Lots of Love and Merry Christmas
Nibbs
"Oh I get it, so now you finally have something to gloat about. It's like Christmas and your birthday rolled into one." Giselle growled, looking away as Brock stood over her.
"Yeah, this is the stuff dreams are made of" Brock replied and even in her hysterical mood, she was able to pick up on the sarcasm and even graced him with a small sardonic smile.
Brock let out a small sigh at even the slightest hint on a smile and the stunning brunettes' face.
Even like this, she was one of the most beautiful creatures that walked the school grounds.
And by some miracle, Brock was able to speak to her without stuttering or blurting out things that should never be said.
It seemed different this time, maybe it was the fact that he knew he wasn't going to try and make a move on her.
Right now all he wanted was to stop her tears and bring as smile to her face and his fraternal instincts were guiding him.
As well as that, she didn't seem so untouchable.
Brock could see how vulnerable and scared and sad she was and she seemed like a little puppy that had been ignored too many times and was just acting out.
It was a well-known fact among his friends that Giselle was possibly one of the top three topics he gave intense thought and consideration to: his friends, his family and Giselle.
"You know it doesn't even bother me anymore" Giselle informed him with an indignant sniff, well it was supposed to be indignant but it came out as an injured sniffled.
"I know" Brock tried to soothe, slipping into his ways of comforting his younger brothers and sisters.
"I am not five, I don't need the "daddy agrees with you, sweetie" treatment" she snapped, whipping her head around to glare at him and catching Brock off guard with her smouldering brown eyes.
"I'm sorry, force of habit" he answered instantly, averting his eyes.
Giselle noticed this and smirked slightly. He was kind of cute in a goofy never gonna happen way.
"You know I've become a strong and independent person because of that. It's in spite of them that I am the determined popular outgoing person I am. I'd say that it just strengthened me and"
"Ok ok! It's like listening to the "after" girl of a mental health book infomercial," Brock cried still averting his eyes.
"End up watching a lot of infomercials, do we?" Giselle asked, condescendingly.
"Well yeah, I end up staying up late a lot of the nights with one of the kids. One always seems to be sick. They take turns." Brock muttered softly, but loudly enough for Giselle to hear.
Giselle regretted her taunts, Brock came out here to help her and all she could do was throw insults at him and as if that wasn't bad enough, he wouldn't fight back.
With Ash, Misty, Duplica or Richie, she could expect something snapped back at her and she could handle that.
"Me too" she confessed, watching him from the corner of her eye.
The amount of times she was all alone on the house, late at night watching infomercials and it was always too late to call Joe when she got really lonely and slightly scared.
She learned a long time ago not to watch horror movies during these times, cause she had no one to run behind when she got scared.
"You know everyone's family has flaws. You were right, no one has the perfect family." Brock tried to console.
"Your friends don't" she shot back.
(Yeah which one. Ash? The guy who's only ever known his Mom and is an only child. Or Misty? Who doesn't have parents and lives with her sisters who she doesn't get along with at all, or maybe Richie, whose mom ran off with his dad's best friend or Duplica who's just trying to get some sort of attention} Brock thought somewhat bitterly but simply replied.
"They don't have it perfect, either. Trust me"
Giselle looked him straight in the eyes and whispered "I do"
Her eyes filled with tears and with a short wail, she buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed all her troubles out.
"It's not fair, why did he have to do that. Andrea's so horrible. He would he marry her and why doesn't she ever leave me alone." she moaned and she pressed herself into him and rested her cheek against him.
Brock blinked in surprise but placed a comforting arm around her shoulders and held her till her tears subsided.
She was this entirely different person when she let her defences down.
Eventually he spoke, breaking the calming silence around them.
"You want to meet a flawed but great family?" he offered, very unsure of himself.
Giselle looked up at him; eyebrows raised but gave into the force to smile and accepted his outstretched hand.
"Ok, we're doing good" Aine announced cheerfully.
Misty tilted her head and gave her a very dubious look.
"In the loosest sense of the word" Aine admitted.
Misty just wasn't good at this out on the spot and also it was difficult to train her because she was used to doing it without proper instruction that it was second nature to her.
So as well as planting new ideas, Aine had to get rid of old ones which was especially hard given Misty's stubborn nature.
"Misty!"
Misty jumped at the cry and turned around to see Mr Crefell behind her smiling broadly. She couldn't help letting out a small groan.
"You'll be happy to know that most of the songs on your little record here can and are being used in the show. Well many of them are, try as I might, I just couldn't find anything relevant for "Fame" " he looked puzzled as he said that.
"Its not what it looks like" Misty objected instantly, cheeks reddening.
"And how did it happen?" Aine asked, resting her chin in her hand and looking at Misty, most amused.
"It was late, we were tired cause we were helping Brock baby-sit, we had a little too much sugar to eat and drink, there was a 70's and 80's movie marathon. We watched Fame"
Misty lowered her eyes as she continued, embarrassed.
"And Ghostbusters...and Flashdance"
"And you ended up singing them and Ash took note?" Aine asked curiously.
Misty nodded and then sighed.
"It was such a big mistake, I can't believe Ash remembered and did this"
"Remembered and did what?" Ash's voice asked from behind them.
"Fame" Misty replied glumly.
"Oh there's nothing funnier that seeing Misty singing that. Man, you had such a sugar high, you didn't even remember you dance number" Ash said grinning.
Misty glared at him.
"You know, it's about time we finished up. Misty, work on this after rehearsal. I don't want to see you waste a gift." Mr Crefell said softly and then turned around to the group and dismissed them.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Misty" Aine said cheerfully as she grabbed her bag and stepped off down the stage.
The room emptied out leaving only Ash's group.
They gathered near the stage and remained quiet until Ash burst out laughing.
"He just laughing at me signing Fame" Misty explained, in a tired voice and let out a large sigh.
"For old times sake, Mist?" Ash asked hopefully.
Misty laughed at herself in her mind because she always laughed at people who went weak in the knees at the sight of someone else but her knees felt like water jelly and she was just grateful she was sitting.
Given the puppy dog eyes and bright boyish smile Ash was giving her, there's not a thing in the world he could have asked that Misty would have refused.
It took all her effort not to smile back at him dreamily.
She stood up and they both started counting off till.
"FAME!" they all sang out and Misty even threw in a couple of twirls and splits because that she could well.
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna learn how to fly
High
I feel it coming together
People will see me and cry
Fame
I'm gonna make it to heaven
Light up the sky like a flame
Fame
Ahhh I'm gonna live forever
Baby remember my name
Without much grace, they all danced among themselves.
Tracey spun Lisa around and they had fun doing that.
Ash and Misty danced as clumsily as they could for fun but even then it was obvious that they were the best partners for one another as their movements always seemed to work well together.
Snap amused himself with taking as many pictures as he could catching them all in different angles and different poses, most which were embarrassing.
Richie and Duplica enjoyed themselves with various dances they knew form any time, varying form the chicken dance to the batman dance.
Misty spun around a little too fast and Ash caught her before she did herself harm and found himself gazing down into the deep sea green orbs that fascinated him for so long.
A small smile spread across her face and she blew wisps of red hair away from her face.
"Thanks hero boy" she whispered softly which caused Ash to blush and drop her.
"Misty let out a cry and glared up at him which made the others laugh.
She got up and dusted herself off making a point of ignoring Ash.
The group headed out of the theatre and then spilt up to go various routes home.
Misty, Ash and Richie walked out first, followed closely by Duplica walked behind them with Snap.
They paused and looked back in.
"Tracey, you and Lisa coming? "Ash called back.
Tracey looked over from the stage and saw their heads peeking around the doorframe.
"We might just stay here and work" he called back praying that his voice wouldn't crack.
Lisa blushed and nodded.
This was greeted by five smirks.
"Yeah well you guys, you do your work" Ash agreed nodding
"Never knew you had such a great work ethic, Trace"
"Yeah you gotta fill us in on that"
"Don't work too hard. Might be nice to have you two standing tomorrow"
"Don't let HIM work too hard"
Lisa bit her lip holding back a laugh as Tracey's friends sniggered.
"Don't you wise guys have somewhere to go like...not here"
"So, Melody? What a brat!" he began cheerfully.
"No Misty's a brat. She's worse!" Ash replied.
"Hey?" Misty objected, taking a swipe at him.
Lisa appeared from the doors causing all conversation to cease.
She laughed self-consciously and scratched the back of her head.
"Bathroom" she said briefly.
"Ohh good idea" Misty said.
"You guys know you don't get to take credit for that right?" Richie asked.
"As in the place we are going, you numbskulls...as in what's inside your skull has gone numb" Duplica shot back.
Richie and Ash made a face at her at which she giggled.
With that, the three girls walked off towards the bathroom chatting and giggling.]
"Women" the boys all groaned in unison.
"Why do they have to travel in packs? Its very intimidating?" Snap asked.
"Easy! What's the scariest place in the world for a little boy?" Ash asked.
"The girls bathroom"
"Exactly, it's a territorial thing. They're trying to protect the one place they know no man would dare to tread"
Snap threw a puzzled glance at Richie who shrugged.
"He had a bad experience playing Hide and Seek with Misty when they were seven" he explained.
"Still though, things would be half as interesting without them" Ash said smiling softly.
"Yeah did you see Jan's tee shirt today. It was so low you could totally see her"
Someone cleared her throat loudly behind them.
"Geography notes" Richie finished off weakly.
Misty and Duplica stood behind them, arms folded across their chests glaring at the two boys.
"They were witty and informative," Ash added faintly.
"You guys were fast" Snap squeaked out.
"We were taking a whiz, and we didn't have that much to..."
"Please we don't need to know"
"Oh that's rich. You guys are always informing us of your accomplishments in the bathroom.
"Yeah but that's on a need to know basis"
"How could we possibly need to know the gale force and direction of your belches"
"And other such expulsions of gas"
"Wow, you guys really know how to have fun" another female voice remarked, vice dripping with sarcasm.
"Is Tracey's cousin actively seeking us out to insult us now?"
"Don't flatter yourselves. I'm looking for Giselle." Melody growled, tapping her foot impatiently.
The small group looked around and made a point of doing a head count.
"Yeah she's not here"
"Yeah I can see that" she snapped back.
"Really? Cause it seems like you don't" Richie replied cheerfully.
"Listen just because you're cute, that doesn't mean have to put up with you" Melody retorted, flipping her long hair over a slender shoulder.
"Who's asking you too?" Richie demanded.
"Loser"
"Obnoxious whiny lil'..."
"I bet a million quaglons on the male" Ash whispered to Misty who rolled her eyes at him.
"STOP!" she screamed in frustration.. Once she had everyone's attention she turned to Melody.
"We don't know where your perfect leader has gone but she's not here and we have our own friend to find so scamper away" she continued.
Melody glared at them, spun on her hell and walked away without looking back.
Richie watched her go, eyes fixed on her lower half and then tore his eyes away only to be greeted by four suspicious faces.
"How do you think Brock got on with Giselle?" Ash asked.
"WE could pop around and have a word" Duplica suggested.
"Cause we have no lives of our own?" Misty asked exasperated.
Everyone exchanged looks and then raised their eyebrows at her.
You're right, lets go"
Giselle giggled as two children ran around her feet, cheering about something. Another one lined themselves up on the back of the sofa, about to dive off.
"Super Manny away!" he cried as he leapt only to be caught in mid air by his eldest brother Brock.
"Super Manny returns to check on his little sister" Brock teased placing him on the ground.
"Awhh Brock. I'm a superhero, evil doers will laugh at me if I have to stop defeating them so I can watch my little sister" the young boy complained.
Giselle crouched down in front of him and the way the light shone behind her, she seemed like an angel to Manny...and to Brock.
"That's what the best heroes do," she said softly, kissing him gently on the nose and then ruffling his hair.
"That's that I'll do. Evening Mam." He tipped his cape to her and then ran off crying "Super Manny".
"Unbelievable" Brock said clearly impressed.
"You'll pick it up, someday" Giselle teased.
"Let's see what else I can pick up," he cried, lunging for the pretty brunette and throwing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Giselle squealed with delight and began swinging her legs, howling with laughter. She froze when Brock carried her into the living room.
Standing at the other side of the room, Ash, Misty, Duplica, Richie and Snap stared at them in shock. All of the kids ran past Brock and Giselle.
"Misty and Ash are here," they cried out with excitement shining on their young faces.
They loved Ash and Misty and thought they were the funniest married couple in the world. Well in their young minds Ash and Misty were married, they always showed up together, argued, told stories about silly things they did and played together. In their minds that was what marriage was and Brock found it endlessly amusing that they should tell the pair about their theories.
"Hey guys, pile on Ash" Misty instructed, staring at Brock and Giselle in shock.
Ash looked at her, oblivious to what she had just said and next thing he knew he was football tackled by twenty kids.
"You know you're like Mary Poppins gone horribly wrong" Brock grinned at Misty letting go of Giselle who instantly straightened her clothes avoiding their eyes. She swept past them.
"Bye" the children chorused but got no reply.
"Okay Brock, share with the class" Richie commanded.
"Giselle what is up with you?" Melody demanded, snapping Giselle out of her reverie.
"You've been spaced out all morning" Melody whined.
"Sorry Mel, what were you saying?" Giselle asked, much more subdued than normal. She was in turmoil...again. She loved the time she spent with Brock and his family but then his friends saw them. She was humiliated, all the time she spent mocking them and then they saw her acting like a child and what if they spread it all around the school, her reputation would be ruined.
Her friends would desert her and his friends would never accept her.
She'd be ridiculed and scorned for her fall from grace and without her friends she had nothing.
"Do you know who's really been bugging me? Richie! Wherever I go, there he is being all cute and just hanging out with his loser friends. Stupid big loser."
Giselle watched her friend with interest. She could either tell her what she wanted to hear and that Richie was a loser who was doing this on purpose to get at Melody. Or she could tell her that Richie was just hanging out his friends and maybe she was just going near him all the time because she really liked him. But which answer would ensure she didn't damage her friendship.
"Hey Giselle"
Giselle looked up and frowned at Brock and in her most obnoxious voice she replied "What?!"
Brock backed away, looking hurt and sank into his seat behind Ash and Misty, and Ash was gripping his stomach and groaning in pain. Misty wore a worried expression and was rubbing his back comfortingly.
"Ash I told you that the milk in the biology lab was left out for an experiment. They were making yoghurt "
"Not a lotta' help now, Misty" he moaned resting his face on the desk.
Giselle decided then and there that she was going to get this stupid lovesick nonsense out of her system. She turned around and saw Ash.
"You know Ketchum's pretty cute" she told Melody with an evil smile.
"Yeah if you want to scrape from the bottom of the proverbial barrel"
"Yeah but think how upset little Misty would be if after all groundwork she did, I went in for the kill. " Giselle said with mocking frown.
"Hey if you think you can" Melody said with a sneer.
Duplica walked down the hall smiling at some memory when she heard a familiar
"Hey Plica"
"Misty?"
Misty was sitting on the floor leaning up against the wall, school bag by her side, next to the boys' bathroom.
"Staking out a spot huh?" Duplica asked raising an eyebrow.
Misty pushed open the door when a loud retching sound filled the air and Misty pulled her hand away again, letting the door slam shut.
"That's my boy" she remarked, with a roll of her eyes.
"And here you are waiting out in the hall, bored out of your mind until Ash's brief fling with the toilet bowl ends." Duplica said with admiration in her voice.
This was what made them best friends, the lengths they went to for each other.
Misty looked at her as she sat down and smiled softly, eyes downcast.
"He's my boy"
Her face darkened.
"I just wish he'd notice I've got geography notes too" she muttered as Jan walked past them.
"He knows Misty. But he's Ash, he's not good at this sort of thing and for what its worth, I'm sure there's plenty of people in this school who notice and admire your geography notes" Duplica said, then paused looking confused.
"Thanks... I think" Misty replied and Duplica shrugged helplessly.
The door swung open and Ash stood there looking like he could faint at any moment.
In an instant Misty was on her feet, feeling his foreward and allowing him to lean on her.
"I think I'm gonna go home" he muttered weakly.
"Sure" Misty agreed, in a quiet voice.
Duplica handed him a packet of chewing gum.
"Sorry man but you're breath is seriously nasty" Duplica said with a weak smile.
Misty shot her a glare but helped Ash to the nurses' office.
"What is the matter with you?"
Giselle turned around and saw Brock glaring at her.
They were in a quiet part of the hall near the nurse's office and they were alone.
"There is nothing the matter with me. It's you who has some creepy fixation on me"
"What? No I don't!
"I am not interested and I guess I'll just have to prove it to you"
"Misty?" Ash muttered looking at the red head that pulled back nearly gagging.
"Awhh please use the chewing gum" she pleaded.
Ash grumbled and shoved five sticks of gum into his mouth at the same time.
He chewed the huge wad of gum quickly and then spat it out into the bin next to him.
Misty smiled at him.
"Minty fresh"
They paused at the office and she sat him down.
"I'll go in and talk to the nurse, kay?" she asked gently before getting to her feet and walking into the small room.
Ash closed his eyes and rested his head against the wall. All he could think of was Misty. He had this perfect mental image of her standing right in front of him, tilting her head to the side and smiling coyly, then placing her hand on his cheek, caressing it, leaning in, their lips nearly touching when he felt lips firmly plant themselves on his.
It felt strange but he was convinced it was Misty and didn't want to open his eyes
The kiss lasted for a few seconds later when the lips pulled away.
Ash opened his eyes.
"Misty?" he asked.
"No" two voices answered.
When Ash focussed he realised that the girl in front of him was Giselle and Misty was standing at the entrance of the office, looking shocked, angry but most of all hurt.
Giselle smirked at Brock who was watching in horror and said in a triumphant voice.
" Told ya"
To be continued.
Ohh what a cliffhanger eh?
Awhh never mind. Please read and review and I hope you enjoyed it.
C'mon everyone together
Snow is falling all around
Children playing having fun
'Tis the season for love and understanding
Merry Christmas everyone
{My favourite Christmas song ever)
Lots of love
Nibbs
And I have some sad news, anyone who's ever seen one of my reviews or I might have mentioned her earlier but my beloved pet cat Sushie ran away about five weeks ago and I was heartbroken.
We're looking for a kitten at the moment and if anyone has any idea of a good name for a kitten please feel free to tell me.
These characters don't belong to me but the story is mine so don't steal it.
Please read and review. Please?
Lots of Love and Merry Christmas
Nibbs
"Oh I get it, so now you finally have something to gloat about. It's like Christmas and your birthday rolled into one." Giselle growled, looking away as Brock stood over her.
"Yeah, this is the stuff dreams are made of" Brock replied and even in her hysterical mood, she was able to pick up on the sarcasm and even graced him with a small sardonic smile.
Brock let out a small sigh at even the slightest hint on a smile and the stunning brunettes' face.
Even like this, she was one of the most beautiful creatures that walked the school grounds.
And by some miracle, Brock was able to speak to her without stuttering or blurting out things that should never be said.
It seemed different this time, maybe it was the fact that he knew he wasn't going to try and make a move on her.
Right now all he wanted was to stop her tears and bring as smile to her face and his fraternal instincts were guiding him.
As well as that, she didn't seem so untouchable.
Brock could see how vulnerable and scared and sad she was and she seemed like a little puppy that had been ignored too many times and was just acting out.
It was a well-known fact among his friends that Giselle was possibly one of the top three topics he gave intense thought and consideration to: his friends, his family and Giselle.
"You know it doesn't even bother me anymore" Giselle informed him with an indignant sniff, well it was supposed to be indignant but it came out as an injured sniffled.
"I know" Brock tried to soothe, slipping into his ways of comforting his younger brothers and sisters.
"I am not five, I don't need the "daddy agrees with you, sweetie" treatment" she snapped, whipping her head around to glare at him and catching Brock off guard with her smouldering brown eyes.
"I'm sorry, force of habit" he answered instantly, averting his eyes.
Giselle noticed this and smirked slightly. He was kind of cute in a goofy never gonna happen way.
"You know I've become a strong and independent person because of that. It's in spite of them that I am the determined popular outgoing person I am. I'd say that it just strengthened me and"
"Ok ok! It's like listening to the "after" girl of a mental health book infomercial," Brock cried still averting his eyes.
"End up watching a lot of infomercials, do we?" Giselle asked, condescendingly.
"Well yeah, I end up staying up late a lot of the nights with one of the kids. One always seems to be sick. They take turns." Brock muttered softly, but loudly enough for Giselle to hear.
Giselle regretted her taunts, Brock came out here to help her and all she could do was throw insults at him and as if that wasn't bad enough, he wouldn't fight back.
With Ash, Misty, Duplica or Richie, she could expect something snapped back at her and she could handle that.
"Me too" she confessed, watching him from the corner of her eye.
The amount of times she was all alone on the house, late at night watching infomercials and it was always too late to call Joe when she got really lonely and slightly scared.
She learned a long time ago not to watch horror movies during these times, cause she had no one to run behind when she got scared.
"You know everyone's family has flaws. You were right, no one has the perfect family." Brock tried to console.
"Your friends don't" she shot back.
(Yeah which one. Ash? The guy who's only ever known his Mom and is an only child. Or Misty? Who doesn't have parents and lives with her sisters who she doesn't get along with at all, or maybe Richie, whose mom ran off with his dad's best friend or Duplica who's just trying to get some sort of attention} Brock thought somewhat bitterly but simply replied.
"They don't have it perfect, either. Trust me"
Giselle looked him straight in the eyes and whispered "I do"
Her eyes filled with tears and with a short wail, she buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed all her troubles out.
"It's not fair, why did he have to do that. Andrea's so horrible. He would he marry her and why doesn't she ever leave me alone." she moaned and she pressed herself into him and rested her cheek against him.
Brock blinked in surprise but placed a comforting arm around her shoulders and held her till her tears subsided.
She was this entirely different person when she let her defences down.
Eventually he spoke, breaking the calming silence around them.
"You want to meet a flawed but great family?" he offered, very unsure of himself.
Giselle looked up at him; eyebrows raised but gave into the force to smile and accepted his outstretched hand.
"Ok, we're doing good" Aine announced cheerfully.
Misty tilted her head and gave her a very dubious look.
"In the loosest sense of the word" Aine admitted.
Misty just wasn't good at this out on the spot and also it was difficult to train her because she was used to doing it without proper instruction that it was second nature to her.
So as well as planting new ideas, Aine had to get rid of old ones which was especially hard given Misty's stubborn nature.
"Misty!"
Misty jumped at the cry and turned around to see Mr Crefell behind her smiling broadly. She couldn't help letting out a small groan.
"You'll be happy to know that most of the songs on your little record here can and are being used in the show. Well many of them are, try as I might, I just couldn't find anything relevant for "Fame" " he looked puzzled as he said that.
"Its not what it looks like" Misty objected instantly, cheeks reddening.
"And how did it happen?" Aine asked, resting her chin in her hand and looking at Misty, most amused.
"It was late, we were tired cause we were helping Brock baby-sit, we had a little too much sugar to eat and drink, there was a 70's and 80's movie marathon. We watched Fame"
Misty lowered her eyes as she continued, embarrassed.
"And Ghostbusters...and Flashdance"
"And you ended up singing them and Ash took note?" Aine asked curiously.
Misty nodded and then sighed.
"It was such a big mistake, I can't believe Ash remembered and did this"
"Remembered and did what?" Ash's voice asked from behind them.
"Fame" Misty replied glumly.
"Oh there's nothing funnier that seeing Misty singing that. Man, you had such a sugar high, you didn't even remember you dance number" Ash said grinning.
Misty glared at him.
"You know, it's about time we finished up. Misty, work on this after rehearsal. I don't want to see you waste a gift." Mr Crefell said softly and then turned around to the group and dismissed them.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Misty" Aine said cheerfully as she grabbed her bag and stepped off down the stage.
The room emptied out leaving only Ash's group.
They gathered near the stage and remained quiet until Ash burst out laughing.
"He just laughing at me signing Fame" Misty explained, in a tired voice and let out a large sigh.
"For old times sake, Mist?" Ash asked hopefully.
Misty laughed at herself in her mind because she always laughed at people who went weak in the knees at the sight of someone else but her knees felt like water jelly and she was just grateful she was sitting.
Given the puppy dog eyes and bright boyish smile Ash was giving her, there's not a thing in the world he could have asked that Misty would have refused.
It took all her effort not to smile back at him dreamily.
She stood up and they both started counting off till.
"FAME!" they all sang out and Misty even threw in a couple of twirls and splits because that she could well.
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna learn how to fly
High
I feel it coming together
People will see me and cry
Fame
I'm gonna make it to heaven
Light up the sky like a flame
Fame
Ahhh I'm gonna live forever
Baby remember my name
Without much grace, they all danced among themselves.
Tracey spun Lisa around and they had fun doing that.
Ash and Misty danced as clumsily as they could for fun but even then it was obvious that they were the best partners for one another as their movements always seemed to work well together.
Snap amused himself with taking as many pictures as he could catching them all in different angles and different poses, most which were embarrassing.
Richie and Duplica enjoyed themselves with various dances they knew form any time, varying form the chicken dance to the batman dance.
Misty spun around a little too fast and Ash caught her before she did herself harm and found himself gazing down into the deep sea green orbs that fascinated him for so long.
A small smile spread across her face and she blew wisps of red hair away from her face.
"Thanks hero boy" she whispered softly which caused Ash to blush and drop her.
"Misty let out a cry and glared up at him which made the others laugh.
She got up and dusted herself off making a point of ignoring Ash.
The group headed out of the theatre and then spilt up to go various routes home.
Misty, Ash and Richie walked out first, followed closely by Duplica walked behind them with Snap.
They paused and looked back in.
"Tracey, you and Lisa coming? "Ash called back.
Tracey looked over from the stage and saw their heads peeking around the doorframe.
"We might just stay here and work" he called back praying that his voice wouldn't crack.
Lisa blushed and nodded.
This was greeted by five smirks.
"Yeah well you guys, you do your work" Ash agreed nodding
"Never knew you had such a great work ethic, Trace"
"Yeah you gotta fill us in on that"
"Don't work too hard. Might be nice to have you two standing tomorrow"
"Don't let HIM work too hard"
Lisa bit her lip holding back a laugh as Tracey's friends sniggered.
"Don't you wise guys have somewhere to go like...not here"
"So, Melody? What a brat!" he began cheerfully.
"No Misty's a brat. She's worse!" Ash replied.
"Hey?" Misty objected, taking a swipe at him.
Lisa appeared from the doors causing all conversation to cease.
She laughed self-consciously and scratched the back of her head.
"Bathroom" she said briefly.
"Ohh good idea" Misty said.
"You guys know you don't get to take credit for that right?" Richie asked.
"As in the place we are going, you numbskulls...as in what's inside your skull has gone numb" Duplica shot back.
Richie and Ash made a face at her at which she giggled.
With that, the three girls walked off towards the bathroom chatting and giggling.]
"Women" the boys all groaned in unison.
"Why do they have to travel in packs? Its very intimidating?" Snap asked.
"Easy! What's the scariest place in the world for a little boy?" Ash asked.
"The girls bathroom"
"Exactly, it's a territorial thing. They're trying to protect the one place they know no man would dare to tread"
Snap threw a puzzled glance at Richie who shrugged.
"He had a bad experience playing Hide and Seek with Misty when they were seven" he explained.
"Still though, things would be half as interesting without them" Ash said smiling softly.
"Yeah did you see Jan's tee shirt today. It was so low you could totally see her"
Someone cleared her throat loudly behind them.
"Geography notes" Richie finished off weakly.
Misty and Duplica stood behind them, arms folded across their chests glaring at the two boys.
"They were witty and informative," Ash added faintly.
"You guys were fast" Snap squeaked out.
"We were taking a whiz, and we didn't have that much to..."
"Please we don't need to know"
"Oh that's rich. You guys are always informing us of your accomplishments in the bathroom.
"Yeah but that's on a need to know basis"
"How could we possibly need to know the gale force and direction of your belches"
"And other such expulsions of gas"
"Wow, you guys really know how to have fun" another female voice remarked, vice dripping with sarcasm.
"Is Tracey's cousin actively seeking us out to insult us now?"
"Don't flatter yourselves. I'm looking for Giselle." Melody growled, tapping her foot impatiently.
The small group looked around and made a point of doing a head count.
"Yeah she's not here"
"Yeah I can see that" she snapped back.
"Really? Cause it seems like you don't" Richie replied cheerfully.
"Listen just because you're cute, that doesn't mean have to put up with you" Melody retorted, flipping her long hair over a slender shoulder.
"Who's asking you too?" Richie demanded.
"Loser"
"Obnoxious whiny lil'..."
"I bet a million quaglons on the male" Ash whispered to Misty who rolled her eyes at him.
"STOP!" she screamed in frustration.. Once she had everyone's attention she turned to Melody.
"We don't know where your perfect leader has gone but she's not here and we have our own friend to find so scamper away" she continued.
Melody glared at them, spun on her hell and walked away without looking back.
Richie watched her go, eyes fixed on her lower half and then tore his eyes away only to be greeted by four suspicious faces.
"How do you think Brock got on with Giselle?" Ash asked.
"WE could pop around and have a word" Duplica suggested.
"Cause we have no lives of our own?" Misty asked exasperated.
Everyone exchanged looks and then raised their eyebrows at her.
You're right, lets go"
Giselle giggled as two children ran around her feet, cheering about something. Another one lined themselves up on the back of the sofa, about to dive off.
"Super Manny away!" he cried as he leapt only to be caught in mid air by his eldest brother Brock.
"Super Manny returns to check on his little sister" Brock teased placing him on the ground.
"Awhh Brock. I'm a superhero, evil doers will laugh at me if I have to stop defeating them so I can watch my little sister" the young boy complained.
Giselle crouched down in front of him and the way the light shone behind her, she seemed like an angel to Manny...and to Brock.
"That's what the best heroes do," she said softly, kissing him gently on the nose and then ruffling his hair.
"That's that I'll do. Evening Mam." He tipped his cape to her and then ran off crying "Super Manny".
"Unbelievable" Brock said clearly impressed.
"You'll pick it up, someday" Giselle teased.
"Let's see what else I can pick up," he cried, lunging for the pretty brunette and throwing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Giselle squealed with delight and began swinging her legs, howling with laughter. She froze when Brock carried her into the living room.
Standing at the other side of the room, Ash, Misty, Duplica, Richie and Snap stared at them in shock. All of the kids ran past Brock and Giselle.
"Misty and Ash are here," they cried out with excitement shining on their young faces.
They loved Ash and Misty and thought they were the funniest married couple in the world. Well in their young minds Ash and Misty were married, they always showed up together, argued, told stories about silly things they did and played together. In their minds that was what marriage was and Brock found it endlessly amusing that they should tell the pair about their theories.
"Hey guys, pile on Ash" Misty instructed, staring at Brock and Giselle in shock.
Ash looked at her, oblivious to what she had just said and next thing he knew he was football tackled by twenty kids.
"You know you're like Mary Poppins gone horribly wrong" Brock grinned at Misty letting go of Giselle who instantly straightened her clothes avoiding their eyes. She swept past them.
"Bye" the children chorused but got no reply.
"Okay Brock, share with the class" Richie commanded.
"Giselle what is up with you?" Melody demanded, snapping Giselle out of her reverie.
"You've been spaced out all morning" Melody whined.
"Sorry Mel, what were you saying?" Giselle asked, much more subdued than normal. She was in turmoil...again. She loved the time she spent with Brock and his family but then his friends saw them. She was humiliated, all the time she spent mocking them and then they saw her acting like a child and what if they spread it all around the school, her reputation would be ruined.
Her friends would desert her and his friends would never accept her.
She'd be ridiculed and scorned for her fall from grace and without her friends she had nothing.
"Do you know who's really been bugging me? Richie! Wherever I go, there he is being all cute and just hanging out with his loser friends. Stupid big loser."
Giselle watched her friend with interest. She could either tell her what she wanted to hear and that Richie was a loser who was doing this on purpose to get at Melody. Or she could tell her that Richie was just hanging out his friends and maybe she was just going near him all the time because she really liked him. But which answer would ensure she didn't damage her friendship.
"Hey Giselle"
Giselle looked up and frowned at Brock and in her most obnoxious voice she replied "What?!"
Brock backed away, looking hurt and sank into his seat behind Ash and Misty, and Ash was gripping his stomach and groaning in pain. Misty wore a worried expression and was rubbing his back comfortingly.
"Ash I told you that the milk in the biology lab was left out for an experiment. They were making yoghurt "
"Not a lotta' help now, Misty" he moaned resting his face on the desk.
Giselle decided then and there that she was going to get this stupid lovesick nonsense out of her system. She turned around and saw Ash.
"You know Ketchum's pretty cute" she told Melody with an evil smile.
"Yeah if you want to scrape from the bottom of the proverbial barrel"
"Yeah but think how upset little Misty would be if after all groundwork she did, I went in for the kill. " Giselle said with mocking frown.
"Hey if you think you can" Melody said with a sneer.
Duplica walked down the hall smiling at some memory when she heard a familiar
"Hey Plica"
"Misty?"
Misty was sitting on the floor leaning up against the wall, school bag by her side, next to the boys' bathroom.
"Staking out a spot huh?" Duplica asked raising an eyebrow.
Misty pushed open the door when a loud retching sound filled the air and Misty pulled her hand away again, letting the door slam shut.
"That's my boy" she remarked, with a roll of her eyes.
"And here you are waiting out in the hall, bored out of your mind until Ash's brief fling with the toilet bowl ends." Duplica said with admiration in her voice.
This was what made them best friends, the lengths they went to for each other.
Misty looked at her as she sat down and smiled softly, eyes downcast.
"He's my boy"
Her face darkened.
"I just wish he'd notice I've got geography notes too" she muttered as Jan walked past them.
"He knows Misty. But he's Ash, he's not good at this sort of thing and for what its worth, I'm sure there's plenty of people in this school who notice and admire your geography notes" Duplica said, then paused looking confused.
"Thanks... I think" Misty replied and Duplica shrugged helplessly.
The door swung open and Ash stood there looking like he could faint at any moment.
In an instant Misty was on her feet, feeling his foreward and allowing him to lean on her.
"I think I'm gonna go home" he muttered weakly.
"Sure" Misty agreed, in a quiet voice.
Duplica handed him a packet of chewing gum.
"Sorry man but you're breath is seriously nasty" Duplica said with a weak smile.
Misty shot her a glare but helped Ash to the nurses' office.
"What is the matter with you?"
Giselle turned around and saw Brock glaring at her.
They were in a quiet part of the hall near the nurse's office and they were alone.
"There is nothing the matter with me. It's you who has some creepy fixation on me"
"What? No I don't!
"I am not interested and I guess I'll just have to prove it to you"
"Misty?" Ash muttered looking at the red head that pulled back nearly gagging.
"Awhh please use the chewing gum" she pleaded.
Ash grumbled and shoved five sticks of gum into his mouth at the same time.
He chewed the huge wad of gum quickly and then spat it out into the bin next to him.
Misty smiled at him.
"Minty fresh"
They paused at the office and she sat him down.
"I'll go in and talk to the nurse, kay?" she asked gently before getting to her feet and walking into the small room.
Ash closed his eyes and rested his head against the wall. All he could think of was Misty. He had this perfect mental image of her standing right in front of him, tilting her head to the side and smiling coyly, then placing her hand on his cheek, caressing it, leaning in, their lips nearly touching when he felt lips firmly plant themselves on his.
It felt strange but he was convinced it was Misty and didn't want to open his eyes
The kiss lasted for a few seconds later when the lips pulled away.
Ash opened his eyes.
"Misty?" he asked.
"No" two voices answered.
When Ash focussed he realised that the girl in front of him was Giselle and Misty was standing at the entrance of the office, looking shocked, angry but most of all hurt.
Giselle smirked at Brock who was watching in horror and said in a triumphant voice.
" Told ya"
To be continued.
Ohh what a cliffhanger eh?
Awhh never mind. Please read and review and I hope you enjoyed it.
C'mon everyone together
Snow is falling all around
Children playing having fun
'Tis the season for love and understanding
Merry Christmas everyone
{My favourite Christmas song ever)
Lots of love
Nibbs