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Chapter 4 - Confrontation, Part I

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"Well, that's quite an initiative, eh? I usually invite you over whenever I see you. It looks like the tables have turned or however that saying goes." Zach said and smiled at the charmer.

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Ruby managed to get Zach's phone number thanks to his master. Wallace asked why, but the Charmer just responded that he needed it. Before Wallace could ask again, Ruby ended their call and proceeded to dial the number.

After several seconds of waiting, Zach answered the call. "Hello there," A cheerful-hesitant voice spoke on the other line. "Who is this I'm speaking with?"

Ruby swallowed his anxiety. Here goes nothing. "Zach, it's Ruby. Are you busy? I just need to talk to you."

"Well, you're lucky! Oh, wait, luck runs out. I should say blessed. Oh, crud! My restaurant's name! It's supposed to be a good luck charm, but crap! It should be blessed or something. Oh, sorry for my rant, mate. The truth is I'm not busy. If you wanna talk to me, I'm at Sawsbucks in Lilycove. See you there! Wait, Wallace gave you my phone number, right?"

Ruby didn't respond at his question. Instead, he ended the call. Where else could he get his phone number? It was obvious the answer is positive.

"What did he say?"

He met her beautiful gem-like eyes and nodded. "I have to go Lilycove and meet him there."

"Just don't forget that I'm comin' when ya take too long." Her tone was calm and sympathetic despite she badly wanted to go with him.

"I won't. Don't worry." He reassured and sent out Rara to teleport him in Lilycove City.

He arrived there shortly. After fixing his clothes due to the consequences of teleportation, he wasted no time and went into Sawsbucks Coffee. As usual, the smell of coffee, cream, milk, sugar, and cinnamon greeted him. He scanned the area and immediately saw Zach eating alone on the corner of the café where its glass walls were located. He was sitting on a sofa-like chair and the table had lots of plates on it. Assembling all the courage he had, Ruby approached the peculiar man and sat across him.

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"I-It's important," Ruby responded with a serious tone.

"It must be serious since you said it seriously." Zach let out a silly chuckle at his pun. "Anyway, what is it? I'll do my best not to interrupt. You know me, I'm quite a talker."

Ruby just nodded. He turned his gaze on the different flavors of cakes slices placed on the table. Despite how desperate he was to tell it, he's mysteriously a bit anxious. He didn't know why, but it was probably the fact it's his first time to not let Zach do all the talking. He was usually the one who partially or fully listened to Zach, but the odds have now changed. He was the one talking and Zach was the one who's going to listen. "I... I..." He let out a heavy sigh. It was his chance to say it! Now is not the time to be anxious. He has to tell him now. "W-What's with you... about... about asking her on a date?"

Zach gave him a confused look. He had asked a lot of girls on a date. He didn't know whom Ruby was referring to at first, but he later got whom he meant. "You mean Sapphire? Well, I like her. That's my reason."

"You already told me that." He bluntly said and did a face-palm.

"I did?" Zach tilted his head. One of the disadvantages of being a talker was he often forgets whether or not he already told someone about it. After thinking about it for quite some time, he finally remembered. "Oh yes, I did. I forgot. Oh man, I am so sorry." He let out a silly chuckle and gave Ruby a slice of the chocolate mousse cake. "By the way, try this. I swear it's delicious. It'll help ease that freaking awkward tension about my so-called memory loss."

"Thanks, but no. Seriously, I don't have time for this." Ruby muttered the last words and gave him a serious look.

Zach flinched at the cunning resemblance he had from Petalburg City's gym leader. He only met the Normal-type user once, but his amazing skills and cool atmosphere were already enough for him to remember. In their short talk, he had never mentioned who his son was. In his suspicion, Ruby kind of looked like Norman. Or was it just him? If only he would take that hat off, then he could be a hundred percent certain on his suspicion. "You know, it's kinda funny, 'cause—"

"Zach..." Ruby reprimanded and glared at the man.

"Oh right, sorry." His neck started itching while a guilty smile formed on his lips. "I promised I wouldn't interrupt." He used a fork to take a miniature slice of the chocolate mousse cake and shoved it awkwardly, yet politely it into his mouth. "Go ahead."

Ruby let out a soft grumble. Now that his anxiety was gone, he could properly tell it to him. "Look... Sapph had enough of you asking her out. Sh—"

Zach immediately swallowed the cake and exclaimed something with a hysterical voice, "But I only asked her twice!" He just couldn't believe this. There was nothing wrong on asking a girl on a date. At least that was based on his experiences.

"As I was saying," Ruby continued after Zach's complaint. "She's not interested in the first place, and you, just simply asking her that question, is already enough to frustrate her."

Zach placed his arms on the back of his head. "Geez. I didn't know that, honestly. But, I already gave my word. I mean come on! I swear she'll have a good time. Most of the girls I asked on a date had a great time. They said they have never had a great time in their lives until our date happened... Well, for the record I don't have a girlfriend yet... Anyway, why won't you tell her that?" He removed his hands on the back of his head and pleaded like a child who badly wanted to go to an amusement park.

Ruby just shrugged at his plea. "Zach, she said she's not interested. There's nothing I can do."

"Then where is she?" Zach's tone was cunning. He didn't seem satisfied at his answer. "I can accept rejection, but that's not stopping me."

Ruby mentally groaned in frustration. He was more stubborn than he thought he would. "Look, she said she'll come here if it takes too long. But—"

"Good. That just settles things then."

Ruby used his left fingers to rub his aching forehead. How many times does he have to say it?! Does his hair cover most of his head?! "Look, Zach, I'm not gonna leave until you realize she's not interested. Heck, she was never interested in the damn first place."

"Oh bonkers." Zach let out a soft snicker.

"It's the truth." Ruby's tone was dark. His gaze at the man was resentful.

Zach responded with a sly smile. He knew Ruby liked Sapphire. He first took notice it when he treated them at his restaurant. Every time he observed them, Ruby often had that certain look in his eyes that Zach couldn't quite put a finger on it. His suspicions were uncertain at first but made his conclusion when Ruby gave her that genuine, warm smile. Furthermore, Ruby often treats her differently from the rest which gave him more satisfaction in his conclusion. Honestly, it wasn't his intention to have a crush on Sapphire. In fact, it was unexpected. He developed that certain feeling the day after he saw her. She was quite adorable after all. Who was he to not resist an adorable person? Besides, he didn't know Ruby liked her as well until that day on his restaurant. "Oh man. You. Are. Completely. Jealous."

His statement almost made Ruby flinch from his position. He thankfully regained his balance and stared at him quizzically. "W-What?!"

"I said you're jealous. I mean come on, it's obvious." Zach bluntly said while giving him a teasing grin. He planned on teasing Ruby until he would admit his jealousy, and he was starting to have fun with it.

"I-I'm not." Ruby harshly denied and gave him a glare. What was with him?! He was definitely not jealous! There was no reason why he should be! If this continued, his fuming emotions might take control of him.

"Right," Zach responded with a chuckle. "*When Grumpigs fly... unless they used psychic on themselves... Never mind the grumping part. What I meant to say, you're making a fool out of yourself. I mean come on, you like her and I like her too. I asked her out on a date more than once, but she declined more than once as well, and you're just abso-freaking-lutely jealous. You're jealous 'cause I like her as well."

"I'm not jealous." He quietly spoke through clenched teeth.

"Yeah right. Explain why are you so tense when I first ask her out? Don't tell me you're not jealous."

It caught Ruby's attention which made his eyes widen in shock. How did he notice that?! He swore he had hidden it perfectly. "I-I'm not tense back then and I'm not jealous! I'm just annoyed at the fact that you like her." He muttered the last part, making sure Zach won't hear it. Unfortunately, he did.

"Then you are jealous, bro. Admit it."

"I'm not."

Zach was stunned at the lad's stubbornness. It looked like he needed to elevate his mocks. "Well then, if you aren't jealous, then you don't like her. And that means it's 'okay' to ask her out again."

Ruby's fuming emotions unexpectedly got out of hand, which caused him to slam his right fist on the table. The sudden thud on the furniture caused some of Sawsbucks' customers and employees to stare at the lad. After several seconds of staring, they continued their personal businesses. Ruby didn't mind the stares, for he was too focused on the guy in front of him. "Don't ask her out again." He said with a threatening tone with his fists clenched.

Zach just shrugged at the threat. He knew he had gone a bit far with his mocks, but he felt no guilt. "If Sawsbucks had a jelly-flavored cake, I would certainly give it to you 'cause you're freaking jelly. Of course, it means you're jealous. And I don't think jelly goes well with cakes."

Ruby mentally groaned at his response. This talk was starting to feel like a kid's argument. "For the fourth time," He let out a sigh to ease his anger. When would it stick in that thick head of his?! "I'm not jealous."

Zach didn't respond at his denial. Instead, he finished the chocolate mousse cake he's been eating since their conversation. After eating the dessert, he took the glass of water on his left side and continued with a mischievous tone, "You're jealous, and admit it."

Ruby managed to let out a groan. He turned his head on his right and focused his attention outside through the glass walls. In spite of his denials, Zach would just contradict it and it was starting to bug him. He had a feeling Zach was doing this on purpose. He hated to admit it, but whatever Zach said did make sense. Did he like Sapphire? On a scale of one to ten, it would be a positive infinity. Hence, he absolutely loved her more than a friend. Was he jealous? Well, he was just stubborn to admit that he is. He mentally slapped his forehead at the thought. He's jealous? No, that can't be right. He was just annoyed and that was it!

Seeing the lad's reaction, Zach's lips curved into a teasing smirk. He knew Ruby was a patient guy. It was not a surprise that he hadn't got totally mad from his teasing. Ruby definitely deserved some kudos. Most of the people he teased often get mad despite that it wasn't hard-core. Well, the main reason was most of them were hot-headed. Thank goodness Ruby wasn't one. They may like the same girl, but he still treated him like a friend and not a threat. Nonetheless, he wasn't gonna stop from teasing the boy. He was having fun doing it and the look on Ruby's face was priceless. I should have brought my camera. Oh man this is hilarious. I'm sorry Ruby, but this is fun. Friends also tease each other, eh? His smirk grew wider and continued to tease the lad. What he didn't know, however, was his teasing had hit that certain point where Ruby just simply couldn't take it anymore. "Why are you so against it? It's just for a day, heck, a night. Just admit that you are jealous and this story will now end."

Ruby gently slammed his right palm on the table just enough to get Zach's attention. "I told you I am not jealous, and for your information, I don't just like her."

"I'm sorry, what now?" He said in his best deadpan tone. "I feel like I need to clean my ears or something."

Ruby couldn't control his emotions any longer and blurted, "I said I love her for crying out loud!" He gasped for air after unintentionally saying it. A few seconds later, his eyes widened in terror as he observed Zach's reaction. Hold on a second, did he just say that?! He observes Zach's reaction again. Judging his shocked look and gaping mouth, he certainly did and he couldn't believe he just said that. No one knew about his deep feelings for the girl except... well, Sapphire. I lost it. I can't believe it. Another few seconds of observing the man, he averted his eyes at him and looked at the now empty plates while panting for breath. He regretted he had lost his cool.

Zach finally closed his mouth and slapped his head to return himself in reality. He did not know and expect that. "Oh, shi-shizzle. Holy freaking crap... Oh shoot! Holy shizzle!"

Ruby refused to look at the man in front of him as he continued to pant for air. He couldn't just blurt his feelings for her just because someone wouldn't stop teasing him! This had to be a dream. His alarm would ring at any moment and he would finally wake up from this... odd yet terrifying nightmare.

"Seriously, I know you like her, but wow. I did not see this coming." He continued after a minute of silence, not knowing Ruby was partially listening. "I didn't expect this! You're a grown man, Ruby. I'm proud of you. But... you know... man this is hard, but you know that doesn't change the fact that I like her. I mean, I respect that you love her, I really do, but we don't know whom she likes. It may be neither of us or you or me or that guy on the counter." He took a glance on his left side to see any reactions from that guy on the counter. Fortunately, the guy on the counter didn't hear him. If he did, it might ruin his so-called joke. "Okay, that guy on the counter doesn't make sense, but you get my point."

Ruby couldn't believe this nightmare was real and happening. He had to leave this place at once.

"Who knew this vacation turned out to be... quite a shock?"

Ruby finally made an eye contact with the man. Based on whatever Zach was talking about, it seems he wasn't giving up on asking her out. He wanted to say it again that Sapphire was uninterested, but he had to take care of this later. He had to regain control with his emotions first. "I'm sorry, but I have to go."

"Already? There's a lot we need to talk about like—"

"Just don't ask her out again." Ruby intervened with a small voice and stood up from his seat. He bid farewell to Zach and went outside of Sawsbucks as fast as he could. Once he was out, he released a long, heavy sigh of relief with one hand on his right temple. Today was absolutely an emotionally exhausting day.

"I guess that didn't go well."

The voice sent shivers on Ruby's spine. He turned on his left side and saw Sapphire with her arms folded together across her chest. Judging her expression, she didn't seem elated or mad. In fact, she looked kind of worried. Did she hear their conversation? If she did, what would he say? What would he do? He didn't want to tell a lie. Moreover, he reassured he would never lie to her again! Oh well... The truth could set you free, right?

After what seemed like an eternal stare, though in reality, it was only fifteen seconds, he finally managed to talk. "Sapphire," He didn't know why he sounds relieved and terrified at once, but it was nice to see her. In fact, she was the only person he wanted to see after the early circumstance.

"Yeah?" Her tone was calm in spite of her anxiety.

"H-How... W-What did...? Y-You heard?" He looked into her gem-like eyes. Somehow, he couldn't read her expressions.

"Everything," She could sense his anxiety just by looking at him. They have to talk about this. She unfolded her arms and mustered all her courage to extend her left hand at him. She may be uncomfortable at holding his hand since it was treated as a romantic gesture when opposite genders of almost the exact age did that, but for now, she mustn't mind about it. She had to help him let go of anxiety first.

Ruby didn't hesitate for a second. He held her hand tightly and linked their fingers together. It made him feel better. However, his mind came up with another idea to completely lessen his anxiety. He brought her closer until they were a few centimeters apart. He intended to give her a quick hug, but instead, he planted a kiss on her forehead. The contact brought heat on their cheeks and a rapid heartbeat. He swore what he did was an unexpected, unintentional act. Oh darn.

Wait, what just happened?! Sapphire backed off a little the second he kissed her. She was expecting a hug, but the kiss surprised her. Sure it was not her first time receiving a kiss from the charmer. In fact, he had kissed her twice: on her cheek and on her lips. His third kiss may only be on the forehead, but it was still a big deal. I must me dreamin'.

There was no doubt they liked the kiss, but the mere thought of it made them uncomfortable. They cursed their shyness sometimes. They both knew they loved each other and it was normal for them to show a little affection. But how come it was easier said than done?!

"L-Let's go t-talk about this somewhere else." Sapphire finally managed to say after a moment of silence listening to their rapid heartbeats and happy yet embarrassed thoughts.

Ruby took a glance at his surroundings. He saw some people either giving them a smirk, a glare or a nonchalant stare. He felt embarrassed from what he did. She wasn't his girlfriend yet, but they already showed a little *public display affection! The mere thought of it made the temperature on his cheeks rise. What an emotional day it had been. "R-Right."

Sapphire didn't hesitate and dragged him away from this café and possibly, this city. But before they took their first step, some of the café's customers commented about their early doings.

"Aww, look at the happy couple go!"

"The next time you're kissing her bro, don't do it outside!"

"They look so cute together!"

"Ugh, flirting couples. I thought the *city of love is in Kalos?!"

"Now I wish I had a girlfriend!"

"Man they should get a room."

"Hey! When is your wedding?! Don't forget to invite me!"

The last two comments had only helped to increase the blush rising on their cheeks from red to crimson.

Sapphire swore to not go in this city or this café for a while. Returning in this place would certainly bring a natural drift of awkwardness, for these people were already making her feel uncomfortable. It was a good thing Ruby was not her boyfriend yet. If she were his girlfriend, it would be twice as embarrassing as it was now.

Ruby bid farewell at the crowd and quickly averted his gaze from them. There was no doubt he liked the attention. However, he kind of hated it when he had their attention by means of public display affection. In fact, getting the crowd's attentions were only applicable whenever he and his Pokémon perform in a contest. He made a mental note to not kiss her in public for a while. He blamed himself to all of this. He had placed not only himself but her as well in a very humiliating position. He just hoped she would reconsider this.

*You know that saying: "When pigs fly"

*Most people don't tolerate PDA's and I'm one of them. I'm so sorry for that. ^^'

*Since, you know, Kalos is based (loosely based, I think) in Paris, France. So, yeah, smooch city. XD

I know Ruby sounded a bit out of character when he said he loved Sapphire and I'm sorry for that.

PS: Blame Zach