Being Second
An Egoshipping Fanfiction
by: i need sleep

Author's Note: This is where you start to know how bad I am at maintaining chaptered fics. I have a very plausible reason though, and I wish you guys would hear me out. I had two-week-long exams, a lot of work to do as the stewardship captain, and a lot of things to get ready for next year (I'm graduating next year, yewww). I tried to squeeze time in between to write, but now that it's the holidays, so other than work, and possibly, skate training, hopefully I will have a ton of time in my hands to write. :)

But what does this matter? Read on folks!

Disclaimer: This good for nothing girl doesn't own Pokemon. ;D

Chapter 8: Nice Crib, Red

Cerulean City was beautiful at night. The lights glimmered and Misty smiled as she breathed in the fresh breeze that was comfortingly sweet. Home sweet home.

"Wow, Cerulean City sure looks awesome at night," Gary commented as they drove through the silent city. Very few people were out, and why would they be? Most of the citizens were probably at home, asleep, snuggled in their warm beds. After all, it was 10:00. Way past most people's bed times.

Tracey yawned loudly as he stretched his arms. It was past his bed time – he needed to sleep soon, before he hits overtired. He leaned against the window and watched as streetlights zoomed past, trying his hardest not to fall asleep. The gym was close, he knew. The roads were as familiar to him as the lab in Pallet, and he wanted to see Daisy before he fell to a drooling heap. "Are we there yet?"

"Tracey, I swear to God, if you decide to ask that question repeatedly until we get there, I will pour my scalding hot coffee down your crotch," Gary glanced at him through the rear view mirror as Tracey raised his hands in surrender.

Mrs Ketchum was asleep in the passenger seat, leaned against the cold window. She had been asleep for an hour now, fatigue and excitement finally catching up with her. Misty was at the back, seated behind Gary, lazily leaning against the headrest, staring ahead.

"Eyes on the road, Oak," Misty stared back at him from the rear view mirror and he grinned.

"Don't mind me, Red, I was just checking out the hot chicks in the car behind us."

She quickly turned around and checked for vehicles behind them, but found nothing but an empty road. "Right," she glared at him as he snickered, focused back on the road ahead. "Take a right."

He tipped an imaginary hat off, "Sure thing, Missy."

She shook her head at him, "Whatever."

Soft snoring was soon heard from beside her, and she smiled as she noted Tracey's sleeping form. "Jeez, Trace," she whispered, "We're nearly there; Could've waited a few more minutes."

-o-

The gym was warm, despite the fact that the entrance itself had a wall of glass and water and Pokémon. There was something welcoming with that bright paint and Gary sure as hell liked it. For a few seconds, he contemplated painting his lab something of the same colour scheme – it was relaxing, and he could just stare at it when he starts stressing – but realized he would probably get too distracted to get any work done at all. He sipped his coffee which had gone lukewarm, and decided to take in the details of the gym. After all, it's not everyday you get to see what actually lies in the gym besides the field.

"Nice crib, Red."

Misty rolled her eyes as she grabbed glasses for everyone. Tracey had gone upstairs in search of Daisy while Mrs Ketchum was busy looking around; this meant she was stuck with porcupine-head. She handed a glass to Gary and poured him some lemonade, "Thanks, hedgehog."

He glared. "My name's Gary. Ga-ry," he emphasized, "It's two syllables!"

She glared back, "My name's Misty," she repeated, in the same mocking tone. "Mis-ty. It's two syllables!"

"Touché."

He drank some of his lemonade and got up, waving Misty off as she said, "I'm going to prepare yours and Delia's rooms; I'll be right back." He looked at the photos that scattered the walls and couldn't help but grin.

And be jealous.

The walls were lined with numerous picture frames, some of the red-head and her sisters, some of only the Sensational Sisters, some of only Misty, a few of Ash, Misty and Brock… and an occasional one of her with her parents. He traced the frame that contained the photo of a young Misty, her sisters and their parents and smiled sadly.

We never had any of this.

His hand fell and found his pocket when he heard footsteps from the stairs. Casually, he walked back to his seat, crossed his legs, and tapped his fingers on his knee. Misty emerged from the dark hallway and smiled at him and Delia, who had just walked in the living room.

"Your rooms are ready. Have a good night."

A/N: Well, that was very short. And very terrible.

I need to get my writing swing back. School tends to drain it out of you, stupid things.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, added to alert, or favourites!