Alright let's get on with this! It's been well over a year since I updated this story, or did any writing at all, so it really was about time I got myself into gear and got writing again, starting with finishing off Wasting Love! I just want to say there's been one thing that made we want to give this fic an ending, rather than just leave it to rot - your reviews and comments. To get reviews for this story months and months after I updated is an amazing feeling and makes me want to give this story and ending as a thank you for everyone who reviewed :) This fic WILL be completed within the next fortnight, that is an absolute promise on my life!
Once again thank you to everyone who reviewed so far, and for those of you coming back to read this. As it's been so long (And I doubt anybody will re-read it and I don't blame you!) I should probably start with a little reminder about where we are...
So far: Ash lost to Gary in the semi-finals, resulting in an injury to Pikachu. While at the Pokemon center, Misty and Ash argue about what went wrong in the battle, leading to Misty accusing Ash of not caring about his Pokemon. This cuts Ash deep, but an improvement in Pikachu's condition puts Ash in a better mood, and less hostile towards Misty. Misty begins an apology...
Last time:
(Misty) "I just don't want you to hate me for it…."
Misty allowed her eyes to drift sadly down towards the floor, awaiting Ash's response. Ash still hadn't said a word or even changed his expression. Several seconds passed and still Ash said nothing.
Misty remembered Brock speaking: 'You should wait until Ash is feeling better, until he's in a better mood…'
What did Brock know anyway? This was one piece of advice she shouldn't have followed. She was such an idiot. Next time she saw Brock she was going take her mallet and……
A movement in the corner of the room had captured Misty's attention. She glanced up towards Ash. She watched as he lifted Pikachu off his lap and onto the bed.
Then he stood up…
Chapter
5 - Confessions
Misty watched as Ash left his chair beside Pikachu's bed and moved towards her. His expression told Misty nothing. He sat down beside Misty and allowed his hand to rest tentatively on her knee. Misty felt a warmth rush through her at the mere contact with Ash. She looked up at Ash and was surprised to find him looking at her with a gentle smile on his face.
"Do you really think that I could ever hate you, Mist?" said Ash quietly
Misty closed her eyes slightly and sighed, half in relief, half at herself for being so dense in front of Ash. "No I guess not. You did seem pretty annoyed though," Misty said hesitantly.
"Yeah I guess I did. I thought I was doing the right thing and what with Pikachu and all."
"Yeah I know Ash…Sorry…"
"No Misty it's my fault. I was wrong to have expected so much from Pikachu. I should've quit before he got so hurt."
"What's going on? Ash Ketchum actually admitted he was wrong for once?" teased Misty, biting her tongue between her front teeth. Ash gave a slightly embarrassed smile and continued:
"I was there for ages thinking about everything, and the more I thought about everything the more I realised you were right."
"It's a pity you don't think more often then!" chuckled Misty
"Well I never get the time to think…"
"That explains a lot…" Misty teased again, whilst silently cursing herself for once again taking advantage of Ash's new-found humility.
"You know what I mean, I never properly think, about everything..."
"So what have you been thinking about so hard then?" asked Misty, curious as to what could be playing on Ash's mind.
"Y'know - lots of things. Pikachu, next year's championship……you…"
Misty's heart skipped a beat.
Oh god, what did he just say? He was thinking about…her? No, he obviously hadn't finished what he was saying...but no more words left Ash's mouth. She must have misunderstood then. Or maybe she misheard. Maybe both. She desperately searched for a reason she could pretend Ash hadn't said it…but he had. Misty heard it perfectly clearly. He was right next to her after all…
Oh God he was right next to her!
Misty's brain was working overtime. So much so in fact, that she hadn't said anything for what seemed like an eternity and Ash was beginning to look a little concerned.
"I...but…wha…" stuttered the stunned redhead.
"I know it seems really crazy but I was thinking about what it would be like if you just went back to Cerulean – I was really upset with you after all – and the more I thought about what it would be like, the more upset I became...I need you here Misty. You make this adventure more than just a journey. I realised you're the reason I keep pushing myself to reach higher. I…I want to make you proud of me Misty. The more I thought of what my life is without you, the more I realised how much you mean to me. You make my life worth living Misty, I don't know what I'd do if you weren't there."
The last few words that Ash spoke echoed in his ears. He was mortified. He could not believe he had spoken those words aloud to Misty. There was no way he was going to make eye contact with Misty after saying THAT…
Misty had, in fact, been smiling sweetly at Ash all through his little speech. She watched his eyes on every word and could tell he truly meant everything he said. For the first time since she had known Ash Ketchum she was finally able to see what he was really feeling deep down.
Ash, on the other hand, had been staring at his shoes. Those laces were looking a little frayed by now…
He hadn't dared look at Misty for fear of what her reaction actually was. Ash's brain was finally catching up with his mouth, and it began to lecture him. It told him over and over to stop looking at the floor in the hope that it would open up and swallow him, and to look up at Misty instead.
Ash obeyed. He quickly glanced at Misty then back down to the floor again. He noticed Misty with a smile on her face, and that gave him the encouragement to continue:
"I know that sounds really dumb and it probably is. But it's true Misty...you mean so much to me."
Misty bit her bottom lip as she listened to Ash. "That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me Ash…And you mean a lot to me too..."
Ash had already turned and was gazing into Misty's eyes, "No...You mean everything to me..."
That stunned Misty. There was a world of difference between 'you mean a lot' and 'you mean everything'. And she knew it. She didn't know what to say, but somehow words found their way out of her mouth:
"You have no idea how great that makes me feel inside Ash…but Ash, I …"
"What Misty?" Ash gazed at Misty with puppy dog eyes, pleading for the answer he wanted to hear.
"I…don't feel that way about you…" Misty looked at Ash almost guiltily.
Ash felt his heart rip in two...
To be continued...
Ok, thanks to everyone for reading! Please review, positive or negative, your comments are what make me want to write :) Next chapter soon, ending not far away :)
