Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, it belongs to its respective owner.

Thanks to Amorous-Thunder for beta-reading~

The Part of Me I Will Never Forget

Chapter 3: Perfect Timing

"Beep, beep, beep, beep!"

Click.

Stretching, the youngest Waterflower yawned sleepily and glanced at the time before letting a smooth smile spread across her face.

"Not long now," she whispered, half to herself, half to a snoozing Togepi wrapped in stitched blankets that Misty herself had made. Shifting her eyes to a calendar that was pinned solidly down on her note board, she was reminded yet again of her birthday. August 3rd.

She was relieved, and always had been, that her birthday was in the midst of the hottest days of the year. She could go swimming or spend just a day-out with her friends. Her birthday didn't need to be all that. She wasn't like some girls at her school who hired limousines even after their birthday, and who invited the whole-year group - to which nobody arrived... She just wanted to enjoy the little things.

After getting dressed into a tied short skirt and top (in which were all turquoise in colour), she looked out the window and faced the house directly in front of her.

"Up for sale still." She smirked. "But I seem to remember someone mentioning an offer was made for it. I hope if it's bought that the residents will be nice."

Only living in a small coldersack, the neighbours were close. And having feuds really wasn't a brilliant idea, especially since Misty's three "sensational" sisters could have you on your knees, begging for mercy in an argument.

Picking up her shades and mobile, she texted Sakura: 'I'll meet with you and Erika at the café at 12-12:30. Have some errands at the gym first. Gyarados is acting up again (´Д` )'

Flipping the screen back and making her Pikachu charm shake a bit, she shoved the phone into her pocket and grabbed a soda from the fridge. She then sat outside the house for the Cerulean Gym.

Shaking her head at the unruly garden, she reminded herself of her sisters' words. 'Like, an hour's-work, Mist, and it'll be done!'

She sauntered down the path, making a mental note to ask for her two friends' help.

When she was about to turn the corner out of the street, she stopped, turning to face the house across from her. It was nice. The garden was better - that's for sure.

'I hope a girl my age moves in,' she thought. She then frowned. 'But what about a boy...'

Sudden thoughts of Ash came fleeting through her mind. Angered, she waved her hand, flitting the contagious thoughts away.

'Hah, like hell,' she confirmed.

... But she knew that 'it' wasn't that simple to forget.

Deep down she wanted to see him more than anything else. She wanted to confess to him. But he wasn't here right now... And even if he was-

A car turned the corner. Misty jumped and was suddenly knocked out her reverie. It stopped in front of the sale-house.

A familiar voice became heard:

"Oh my! We're here!"

'Delia!' Misty couldn't believe what she was hearing.

It was that friendly, motherly voice she had only heard recently, coming from a videophone speaker.

She stepped out of the car, her arms up with fingers stretched like a child wanting a toy.

"Our new home!"

"Delia!" Misty squealed. The mentioned person turned suddenly - eyes lighting up as she soon saw who was calling.

Running across the street, Misty nearly bowled her over by hugging her.

Delia patted Misty's head. "Dear, I somehow knew you'd be here as soon as we arrived!"

Pulling herself from the hug, Misty's face formed into that of horror. "W-We...?" She stuttered.

Delia nodded slowly. Of course, She knew about Misty's past, but wasn't exactly sure how she'd take this change.

"I better, erm..go and sort out the house...," she said quietly, shifting away down the path to her new house- knowing they needed time.

Peering into the car window (but by not moving any closer to it), she recognised a sickeningly familiar face: sleeping, he was. His raven black hair was piled in a messy heap called "style." A snoring Pikachu was atop his shoulder. And the remains of devoured crisps and biscuits was on his lap.

That's Ash, all right.

His eyes opened slowly, blinking a few times before yawning. "Mumm, are we-"

Now face-to-face with Misty Waterflower, his reaction became a mix of disbelief and confusion.

"-There yet...," he finished, his voice deteriorating.

Shock appeared on Misty's face.

"AIIIEEEEEE!"

Looking at the house and back to Ash, she blurted, "Why are you...? What are you...? Why? WHAT?" She jumbled with her words while tears welled up in her eyes.

Ash woke up immeadiately upon this. "Mist...!" He cried and ran over to her, stumbling around the car.

Putting his hands on her shoulders, he shook her. "How have you been? My letters - didn't they reach you? I haven't seen you in years!" He questioned rapidly. He pulled her into a hug. "Why didn't you contact me...?"

Quiet at first, Misty was unsure of the situation. Then, when she was finally was able to grasp at just 'whose' arms were clasped around her, her eyes widened and her teeth clenched. "Get away-" She shoved him away with all the power she could force. "-From me!"

Ash (who should had seen this coming), was taken aback.

Blistering with fury, she smacked him square in the mouth.

Staggering away, he touched his cheek where she had landed her fierce blow.

"What was that for?" He asked.

Misty's eyes bulged out of their sockets as she pointed an accusing finger towards him. "You seriously think I'm going to read your stupid letters? Don't you have a brain? Don't you even REMEMBER?"

Shaking with anger, hate, and sadness, she continued before Ash could even get a word in, "We were friends! And you went and did THAT!"

"Did what?" Ash shouted hopelessly.

"Ruined it all! All of it!"

"All of what?" He was questioning madly, helplessly.

"Y-You..." Misty trailed off.

'I'm going to regret this. I can feel it. I'll say something stupid.'

Her shoulders sagged.

"You know what, Ash?" She whispered bleakly. "I don't need you. I don't need THIS." She stamped her foot on the pavement while a tear trickled down her cheek.

He stood there, watching her as she cried. He knew he couldn't do anything, as it would only cause more pain.

"We'll now live on the same street? Yeah, so what?"

She trembled. "Just stay the hell away from me..."

Turning on her heel, she marched off down the street, leaving Ash stranded once again.

(A/N: déjà vu, anyone? #the matrix has changed #slapped).

As soon as she was around the corner, behind a hedge, she broke down. Tears cascaded down her cheeks. Once again.

Sobs wracked her body as she crouched to the floor, her arms fixed tightly around her legs.

"H-He's doing i-it a-again...," she stammered through her tears. "A-A-After all t-these years..."

Shaking uncontrollably, she lifted herself up from her position.

'I have to go to the gym,' she thought.

At first, she walked slowly, and then - after a few moments - she broke out into a sprint down the path towards the Gym, ducking her head from view.

'I'll call Delia and Sakura when I get there. I want an explanation, Delia. Sakura and Erika, I need to talk to you both.'

"I stood there like an idiot...," Ash muttered to himself. "Idiot! The first time I see her in years; and I just stood there and watched her cry!"

Kicking the ground angrily, he shook his head. "I'll make it up to her. I swear."