A Jewel in Water

Part 24

A/N: Its getting harder to remember where each character is right now… I should have planned it better

Ash strode back into the scene and heard the discussion between May and Brock. After listening to Drew's problems, he figured that even if he overcame them, there would be other problems on Mays end to stop any smooth endings. He couldn't quite believe that the May he knew, and admittedly had a crush on when they were younger, was love crazy to this extent.

"Why are you sitting here moping about when Drew could be out there achieving great things? Was the fact that you couldn't see your rival an indication for you to give up?" Ash asked sternly as he approached them both.

"Come on Ash, don't act like you don't know what it feels like to be infatuated with someone. You know it's devastating when they leave." Brock tried to diffuse the tension.

"That's why it's all the more important for her to have goals! Why is she relying on a guy when she is the one who has to go out and live her life?" Ash was getting more and more frustrated with each word. May stood silently. Whilst she couldn't disagree with Ash, it didn't mean that he wasn't making her mad. Really mad. Then as if on cue, the maid came over to the group of them and announced that dinner was being served.

"We'll be right over," said Ash, with arms folded, not taking his eyes off of May whilst she looked to the ground. Then suddenly she lifted her head up, and looked right into his eyes. The signalled a declaration of war. She wasn't going to run up to her room, not right now. She wouldn't give Ash the satisfaction. She swiftly turned around and headed for the dining hall. Frustrated, Ash followed her, and exasperated Brock followed them both.

They all reached the dining room to see that only Paul was sitting here waiting. They sat down silently watching each other. Trying to break the tension, Brock spoke up.

"So Paul how are you feeling?" he asked.

"Well its not like I was feeling bad in the first place." He said sharply, annoyed at Brock for interrupting his observation of the scene. "Food poisoning happened, its not a big deal." He looked back towards Ash. Brock sighed. If this was how dinner was going to go, he may as well have requested it in his room. Misty then made an entrance, with Elliot in tow, apologising for being late and sat between May and Paul, whilst Elliot went across to sit opposite May, next to Brock. Then silence. May was so infuriated that she didn't even notice Elliot and Mistys' unified entrance. She looked up to see Ash, brows still furrowed looking at her. She didn't back down. Everyone else had picked up on the tension by now. Brock sighed a heavy sigh.

"Are you okay Brock?" Misty asked to fill the silence.

"Oh don't worry about me Misty, I'm just peachy." Brock said, clearly fed up.

"What were you guys up to just now?" Elliot asked, to try and get some of the gossip out.

"Nothing that concerns you," said May snappily, shocking Elliot for a few seconds. But before he could say anything there was a chuckle emanating from Ashs' end. May whipped her head round.

"What? What is it now?" she asked bitterly. Ash bit his lip. The laugh was unintentional but there was no taking it back right now.

"Why are you taking your problems out on innocent bystanders?" he lied to cover his tracks.

"Guys, please calm down, let's try to enjoy one meal together." Misty asked putting her head on her hand.

"Yes I agree with Misty," piped up Brock, "Stop ruining the mood you two."

"How can I calm down. My life feels like its in turmoil and he just comes in and acts as if he knows it all." Shouted May.

"I'm just trying to impart some of the experience I have on you, do you know how it feels to see someone you really care about moping about like this?" Ash shouted back. Misty and Elliot couldn't help but feel a bit angry after hearing Ash's comment, but thought it was best to just let this blow over.

"I don't care. I really do not care if you are doing this from the bottom of your heart. All I wanted was some advice. But on second thoughts I don't need the advice of someone who was so one minded he could sacrifice everyone around him to achieve his goals." She stood up.

"At least I didn't give up on everything I worked so hard for just because the guy I had a crush on rejected me!" Ash retorted whilst also standing up. There were a few seconds of silence, the calm before the storm.

"I freaking loved him you idiot!" she screamed, "It wasn't some childish crush; I really loved him. And after making such a mess of my life, the thing that really gets me, the thing that makes me want to rip out of my own skin, is the fact that I still love him." She sobbed "I don't know why I'm like this, I don't know how I became enamoured enough to turn my life to shit. That's all I want the answer to," she carried on crying whilst excusing herself out of the room. Ash glanced at Elliot quickly to see his reaction. There was no denying that his skin had changed to a tomato red. Geez Drew, hide your feelings a little. You really made her suffer. He slowly sat back down and put his hands in his head.

"Ash, you really do know how to bring out the worst in people." Misty said calmly. Ash smiled woefully.

"That hurts Princess."

"Well I should hope so. I hope that you can cool down a bit on your trip home."

"Yeah Ash, think you need to clear your head out a bit. You've been in a bad place ever since you came here." Brock added. Ash laughed fakely, and avoided making eye contact with Misty at this point.

"Yeah, you're probably right. I think I better excuse myself also, please enjoy your meals, and I apologise for the ruckus." And he swiftly left the room. Misty sighed.

"Now that that's over, shall we eat?" Everyone nodded in silence as Misty signalled for the maids to bring in the food.

"I guess we all have bad days," she said, trying to smooth over the previous occurrence.

"When you work in a high pressure job, your emotions get skewed because of stress, I assume," Brock agreed.

"Very true," agreed Elliot.

"I just wish this trip could have been a more pleasant reunion." Misty sighed.

"Yeah. I think the only way this place is going to get more pleasant is if Mr Pokemon Master takes a leave of absence." Paul suggested.

"Somehow, I don't disagree." The other three agreed.

"I'm so glad to hear that!" exclaimed Rudy as he walked into the room, and took Mays seat next to Misty. "Sorry I'm late my dear Princess, it seems like I've missed an interesting conversation! Care to bring me up to speed?" he asked as he took her hand and kissed it.

"You idiot." Paul muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. The hall erupted with laughter once again because of Rudy, but maybe this time he was just what the doctor ordered.