Being Second
An Egoshipping Fanfiction
by: i need sleep
A/N: Over and done with my poetry recital and religion exams. All I have to brace for is the fact that I have two major tests tomorrow, one right after the other, and a prac book write up due on Friday. Mama mia! It seems that with age comes responsibility - screw power!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. At all. Now, read on!
Chapter 7: So, Gary, how's your lovelife? (or Lovelives and Restaurants)
After brunch, Delia, Misty, Gary and Tracey left for the venue. Professor Samuel Oak refused the offer of coming along, saying he still had some work to do. So after sending Eevee back into her Pokéball and chucking art gear back into his room, Gary and Tracey hopped on the convertible and zoomed away.
They made it to the first venue after driving for ten minutes. Delia excitedly jumped off the vehicle and zoomed to inside the fancy restaurant, leaving the three teenagers confused after her.
"Well, I get the feeling she likes this place," Tracey said, as he glanced at the entry way of the elaborate restaurant. "I mean, she was practically glowing like an Illumisé when she ran off!"
They walked in and suddenly felt out of place. The restaurant was extravagant! With a high ceiling and plenty of chandeliers, the restaurant was definitely incongruous in tiny Pallet! Misty found herself whispering, "Are we still in Pallet town?"
Gary answered, "Yep, but we're technically in the outskirts." He walked to Mrs Ketchum who excitedly conversed with a well-dressed man in his fifties, just a few years older than his grandfather.
"Well, I was wondering how much we have to pay if we… host a party here," she explained. "See, it'll be my son's 18th soon, and I was wondering if I could get… a quote of some sort?"
He led them over to the counter, "May I just ask what the possible date is? We'll see if we have any reservations then."
"Oh, yes," Mrs Ketchum happily. "How about April 15?"
"We're free then," he smiled gently. "As for a quote, here is a brochure for you. Would you like us to hold a temporary reservation for you?"
Gary shook his head, "No, thank you. We'll take the brochure though, and, if possible, a number to call in case we do go with this."
The old man nodded, "Of course," he said, as he handed Gary and Delia brochures and pamphlets. Misty and Tracey looked around.
"Ash probably would feel as out of place as we do, here."
The artist agreed. "True. This doesn't really scream 'I like Pokémon and I'm totally obsessed with becoming the next Pokémon Master!'"
She laughed, and walked to the car as Mrs Ketchum and Gary walked out. "Well? Are you guys going to take it?"
Gary shook his head as he glanced at Mrs Ketchum. "I don't think we should, Mrs K. Ash isn't really the most elegant person we know."
"That's true," she said, biting her lip as she slipped into her seat. She tucked herself in and slung the seatbelt across her. "I guess I got carried away!"
"That's alright, Mrs. Ketchum!" Tracey smiled from the front seat. He watched as she ticked off Le Perle de Clamperl from her agenda. "Where to now?"
"Now we check out places in Pewter," she said, as she tracked the list with her finger. "After those, we check out venues in Cerulean."
Misty smiled. "If it gets too late, I wouldn't mind you guys staying in the gym." She had wanted to check on her Pokémon as well as Daisy, and she was sure that Tracey wouldn't mind. They had two spare rooms now that Violet had moved out after getting married, so she had rooms for Mrs Ketchum and Gary. She was only hoping her sister had not invited friends to stay the night as well.
Tracey has is own room anyway—the tiny one across from Daisy. If someone told her he sneaks in to her sister's room at night to sleep with her (innocently, of course), she wouldn't be surprised.
"Thank you, Misty!" Delia smiled, patting Misty's leg. "That would save us the drive around tomorrow! Cerulean has so many wonderful venues; it would be nice to check them all!"
Gary drove on silently, occasionally asking questions. He listened as they all chatted cheerfully and chose not to join in; he didn't know what to say. They were talking about art and the gym, so he couldn't really contribute. Tracey knows about his research—so do Misty and Mrs Ketchum. There was no need to ask. He felt slightly bummed, but was grateful for the break for his mouth.
"Gary, dear," Mrs Ketchum interrupted, tapping his shoulder. "We're almost there," She pointed onwards. "A few more meters."
"Gotcha, Mrs K," he grinned.
They stopped by a less fancy looking restaurant they found at the outskirts of Pewter City. It was a bit more casual, but it still didn't scream "Ash was here!" They couldn't reserve it anyway, because the date was booked out.
"That was a good one, too," Tracey sighed, climbing back on the car.
They drove on towards the next one, stopping as they got to a building in the heart of the city. "This one is the third one on my list," Delia read, "Fewster's Forrage."
Gary snickered inwardly. This looks like Chuck E. Cheese's.
They walked in and stayed in there for half an hour before walking back out. "Too childish," was all they agreed in.
"Ash's turning 18, not 8," Misty sighed. "Well, we'll definitely not reconsider that, would we, Mrs K?"
She agreed profusely. "Definitely not!" She crossed "Fewster's Forrage" off.
"Where to now?"
"Yuri's Restaurant," she read, "18 Bauxite Street, Pewter."
Yuri's Restaurant was more casual than formal. There weren't any dress codes in effect, and the menu was extensive. They had been given samples of food and were informed that 15th of April was free, all day.
"Yes, we'll definitely reconsider this," Tracey cheered as he walked out, feeling quite full.
"I agree!" Misty said, as she patted her now-full stomach.
Gary laughed, "Yuri's Restaurant was good, if all you want to think about is the food. The ambience was too… casual for my taste. Doesn't really scream 'you should celebrate your 18th birthday here!' to me."
Mrs Ketchum agreed, "I actually agree with you, Gary. I liked their menu, but not so much the environment."
"Aww," Misty smiled, "Alright."
"Don't worry, Scarlet, we'll keep that in mind for your boyfriend. Food is one of his top priorities you know. Besides Pokémon, that is."
"Ash is not my boyfriend!"
He laughed, "Sure, whatever you say."
Even Delia and Tracey laughed at the now blushing Misty. It was true she liked him—but she knew she wasn't interesting enough or attractive enough for him. "Guys!"
"Sorry, Mist," Tracey apologized. "It's just… Yeah…"
Wanting revenge, Misty turned to Gary and asked, "So, how's your love life, Gary?"
Crap and non-existent, that's what, He thought. But I can't really say that now, can I? I am Gary Oak – bachelor extraordinaire; I can attract just about any girl I want… With very, very few exceptions! He stole a glance at a smug looking Misty.
"Good," he mumbled, not knowing what to say. "Been single for some time now—just savouring my freedom, you know? I mean, I am young and handsome—why not take advantage of it?"
Tracey fell into a fresh bout of laughter. "'For some time now'?" He laughed, smacking the dashboard as Gary glared murderously at him, thinking up several hundred ways to murder him and hide the carcass. "You've been single for almost two years now, Gary!"
"What's this?" Misty mocked, "The Great Gary Oak, girlfriendless? Wow, I never thought I'd live to see the day! Someone alert the international newspapers! The hopefuls better know!"
"Shut up," he grumbled. "For your information, I'm just… waiting for the right… girl."
"Did I hear a bit of hesitation there?" Tracey teased. "Were you going to say something… else?"
They laughed, smacking whatever surface they can smack. "Oh my God, Gary, that was priceless!"
"Ha. Ha." He glared. "Very funny."
"Don't worry, honey," Delia said affectionately at the distraught (and annoyed) looking young man. "You'll find someone, all in due time."
He nodded, smiling at her but grimacing inside. That was slightly cliché, but he knew she meant well. "Thanks, Mrs K."
"Gary is girlfriendless," Misty sang in a sing-song tune, "Gary is girlfriendless!"
"Shut up, Red!"
"It's true though!"
He snickered. "At least I haven't been pining for the same person for 6 years now."
"Why you-!"
"We're here!" Delia interrupted before a mass murder began. "Come on, kids!"
A/N: Well, that was a bit short, but I hope it was worth the wait! I had fun writing it - I hope you guys had as much fun reading. :) Thanks to everyone who reviewed or added this story to alert or favourites. I'll try to update again as soon as I can before I become drowned in endless exam prep. :D