Update April 2013: This chapter has been updated and revised from its original version. Past errors have been fixed and adjustments have been made but the plot of the chapter, characters, and events have remained the same.
LOLz, your reviews were too funny! xD Thanks so much! I literally want to hug each and every one of you when I read them! *hugs* Happy reading, hope you enjoy! Remember to review, review, review! You did an amazing job last chapter; I'm seven reviews away from reaching 100 now! :D
Responses to Reviews...
Blademon: Awh, thanks for reading my fanfiction instead of sleeping! :)
iCanSeeTheLight: Hah! No actually, I didn't do it on purpose, completely by accident. :) But you'll be reading her reaction in this chapter!
tinytogepilover: Thanks!
Jace'sVampiress97: Lol, thank you!
LoveLoverGrl: Yes! I just realized how mean I've been to Brendan. Sorry buddy! :P
misspokemonpro: I agree with you on that one, Contestshipping is my favorite pairing out of all the Pokémon ones. Hope I didn't keep you waiting long! :)
chocolatehell: Lol, I kinda figured. Hi there! :D And yes, I love Lifehouse! I haven't heard Hanging By A Moment before though, I should go check it out... I'm bringing Brendan into the picture in this chapter and hah! I love what you said about Skyler! :) As for the music from the two artists you requested, I chose one of them to put in this chapter. I hope you like my choice! Oldies ftw.3
Monochrome13: Hah, same! :D
LuvAllPokemon: Ahah, we have someone on Gary's side! :D
The Last Poison Apple: First off, I LOVE your username! Second, thank you! Hope I don't keep you waiting long!
SiennaxShipper: I'M HYPER TOO! :)
Claudette14: I do! I get a lot of laughs out of it when you do! And really? I'm glad you like it with all of it's love-squaredness! You know, I hadn't even noticed that it was a love square until you pointed it out. Thanks :D
leotinees: Hah! I can just imagine May sprouting Beautifly wings and flying away xD
Shadow Lillies: I'm glad you thought that! That means I did a good job with my descriptions, score! But you don't have to beg, here's the next chapter! :D
EeveeTransformed: Lifehouse ftw!3 I still remember my formal night (we call it a formal here too, it's basically a prom for middle school :), it was so fun! The links to the dresses, shoes, hairstyles, etc are up on my profile now, go check them out if you'd like. Poor Gary, don't hate the poor guy. :)
light-chiix3: Hah! All your questions will be answered in this chapter :]
Horselover: Thank you!
ObviouslyAsian C: Thanks!
EvansxAlburn: Thank you!
Love Unexpected chapter 8
From beneath his touch, Drew could feel May freeze, and so he stopped moving as well. Then, he looked at her eyes, followed the direction in which they were staring, and turned around to find a spiky brown-haired guy.
The guy was clad in a casual, yet formal outfit, consisting of a black V-neck tee under a dark grey blazer, with black slacks and black dress shoes, that gave him a bit of added height. Despite them though, anyone could have seen that his height exceeded Drew's; he easily towered over Drew by at least three inches. Had the expression that he wore on his face been less warm, he could have easily intimidated anyone by his height alone. He was the one who had asked the question.
Drew didn't recognize the guy from school, but he did recognize him from everywhere else. The internet, magazines, newspapers, television—they had all, at some point if not currently, had some type of article that revolved around the guy standing before him.
The guy was Gary Oak, grandson of the famous Professor Oak of the Kanto region, and a well-known Pokémon Professor himself. He was also the Gary that Max was talking about. The Gary that May was apparently in love with. His competition.
Drew could not believe it. Never in a million years would he have guessed that his competition would be Professor Oak's grandson. He had to admit, he had been trying to convince himself that Gary was someone who was beneath him in all aspects, whether it was in physical appearance, skill with pokémon, or popularity with the girls. He had never expected the guy to be Gary Oak.
The guy was known worldwide, and it wasn't just for his blood ties with a famous professor. It was for his reputation as the "Heartthrob Professor", his history of winning gym matches and participating in Pokémon Leagues, his ease with working with pokémon, and all of his success as a professor at such a young age. The guy even had his own cheerleading squad following him around back when he was only ten! Had he chosen to continue his pokémon training career, he would probably still have one.
Drew never would have guessed that May would have even known the brunet, let alone be "head over heels" for him since she was twelve. When would she have met him, anyway? She would have been on her journey with her brother, Ash, and Brock at that age, so it could not have been then. And it could not have been while she was attending Lilycove University High because, from what Drew heard, Gary had been home-schooled by his grandfather—who would need to attend an actual school if they had Professor Oak to personally homeschool them, anyway?—so it could not have been during school.
It also could not have been recently because, from what Drew remembered, the brunet professor had been in the Sinnoh region conducting research with Professor Rowan for the past couple of months. In fact, he still should have been conducting research in the Sinnoh region with Professor Rowan. So why was he in the Hoenn region? And at the Lilycove University High prom out of all places?
"Gary!"
It all happened so fast then that Drew could not even registered what had happened. One second, he still had his hands on May's back, holding her in place as they danced. The next, his hold was broken and May was gone from in front of him.
He stood frozen and dumbfounded, still unable to grasp what had just happened in that short amount of time until a laugh that came from behind him eventually snapped him out of his daze. He turned around to find that May had flung herself into Gary's arms, clinging onto him as he held her to himself securely with his arms around her waist. Anger instantly surged through Drew's veins and enveloped him like a wave.
"What are you doing here? I thought you said you weren't going to be able to make it!" May asked breathlessly, pulling away from Gary, who still kept his hold around her waist.
From all around them, her classmates had slowed in their dancing or paused whatever they were doing to stare in her direction, whispering amongst themselves as they took in the sight of her being hugged by the famous Gary Oak. Envy was more than evident on each and every one of the girls's faces, including Skyler, who had been standing off to the side sipping a glass of punch that she had to get herself since Drew failed—or rather, neglected— to do so. She had been glaring at May when she had begun dancing with Drew earlier, but now she was practically gaping in awe.
"I wasn't originally, but Professor Rowan suggested that we do some research in Lilycove for the weekend, so I figured I'd come for at least one dance with you," Gary explained.
His explanation instantly earned him a huge grin from May, who pulled herself in for another hug with a happy squeal. He laughed lightly before he glanced at Drew with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry for interrupting your dance, by the way. I just wanted to give May a surprise," he said.
Drew mustered his best smile, but it ended up looking like a strained grimace. "No worries," he replied flatly.
"I can wait for the next dance if you'd like," Gary offered politely, his arms slowly dropping from May's waist.
The brunette pouted slightly.
"That won't be necessary," a voice inserted before Drew could reply.
The three of them turned to find Skyler heading up to Drew, easing herself into his arms while wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thanks for keeping my date company while I was in the bathroom, May. I'll take it from here," she said, a fake smile plastered on her face.
With that, she began to coordinate her steps so that she and Drew danced away from the brown-haired duo, leaving May blinking in surprise.
"Thanks for that," Drew murmured once he and Skyler were out of Gary and May's hearing range. He didn't want to say it aloud, but her timing was truly impeccable; she had saved him from any further humiliation.
Never before in his lifetime had he ever felt so humiliated. There had never been a time before when a girl had chosen another guy over him. He had never experienced the feeling of rejection because he was always the one doing the rejecting, not the other way around. The feeling was an uncomfortable stinging right in his chest, and it hurt. It was his first time feeling that way and he did not like it one bit.
Instinctively, his eyes swung over to Gary and May, who were now laughing as they danced together, both lost in their own world, with many people watching them with a sense of envy. Envy directed at her for dancing with him. Envy directed at him for dancing with her. Envy at the both of them for being so damn happy. Drew had been so lost in watching them that it wasn't until Skyler spoke up that he actually turned his attention back to her.
"Your welcome," she said, but her tone made it clear that he wasn't welcome in the slightest.
They danced for a little while—or in Drew's case, mindless rhythmic stepping as he watched a certain couple—until Skyler finally grew tired of being neglected by her date.
May was—as much as Skyler hated to admit—really beautiful in her dress and she was dancing with one of the most sought-after bachelors in the world, but it didn't matter in that moment. She was Drew's rightful date, and she refused to be ignored any longer. With a tug of his arm, she brought his eyes back to her and smiled a fake, sweet smile, demanding his total attention.
"I know it hurts to see them together, but I won't serve as a replacement for long," she said in a voice that was strained due to her attempt to suppress her anger. Then, she leaned in to whisper warningly into his ear. "This is also a once-in-a-lifetime event, Drew. Don't ruin it for me."
Drew swallowed and nodded slightly before pulling her in closer to him, his expression growing hard and stern when he rested his neck on her shoulder. In return, Skyler leaned in to rest her cheek against his shoulder, satisfied enough to enjoy the rest of her night, but not enough to keep herself from glaring at May.
"I just can't believe you're here," May whispered to Gary, still unable to accept the fact that he was actually at her prom.
It bugged her that he was able to come but couldn't be her date. If only Professor Rowan had decided earlier that he wanted to do research in Lilycove then maybe he could have. She silently cursed the man in her head.
"I really am here, May," Gary chuckled.
To prove it, he leaned down to nudge her forehead affectionately with his, which flustered her to no end. The girls, who were watching them, all gaped behind their dates' backs.
"Uh-until when?" May stuttered, an evident blush slowly developing across her cheeks.
Gary was just too gorgeous and dazzling for his own good. She hoped he wouldn't be able to hear her heart palpitating in her chest.
"I'll be here for the weekend, and then I'm going back to Sinnoh," he told her.
She almost frowned in disapproval before she was struck with fear when a thought came to her.
"Will you be here for my graduation?" she asked, her eyes widening slightly in fright.
"Of course!" the brunet exclaimed immediately, as if it should have been a given. "Why wouldn't I be here for such a significant event in your life?"
May smiled sheepishly before she ducked her head to hide the ever-growing blush on her face. Once she was certain that it wouldn't be as noticeable, she lifted her head to meet his eyes. Even in the dim lights, his gentle black eyes were crystal clear, accented by his glowing skin. The two orbs had the ability to charm even a primeape out of its rage. They were what she loved most about his handsome face.
"Alright then—I'm reassured," she laughed.
He smiled in response and pulled her closer to himself.
She sighed with content and buried the side of her face into the crook of his neck while they danced to the rest of the song.
There's no love, like your love
And no other, could give more love
There's nowhere, unless you're there
All the time, all the way, yeah
Look into your heart, baby
Oh, you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more
Yeah, I would fight for you, I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you, yeah I'd die for you
You know it's true
Everything I do, oh, I do it for you
Everything I do, darling
And we'll see it through
Oh we'll see it through
Oh yeah
"That song ended quicker than I wanted it to," Gary whispered after the music began to fade away into silence.
His hold around May's waist noticeably loosened and she looked up at him questioningly.
"I have to go," he told her, nodding his head in the direction of the left wall, where a clock was mounted, displaying the current time. Both of the hands were just a little ways away from landing on the eleven.
A wave of disappointment instantly washed over May and showed on her face when she frowned, her sapphire orbs clouded over with sadness.
"Why so soon?" she acquired.
"I promised Professor Rowan I'd only be here for a song; I have to get back before eleven-fifteen."
"Are you going to spend time with me this weekend then, or are you going to be spending the entire time doing research?"
May had tried to make the last part sound as casual as possible, but it sounded a bit sour, even in her ears.
"With you, definitely—you're far more important," Gary assured her, and she grinned in satisfaction.
Next thing she knew, he had cupped her cheek in one hand and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. The feel of his lips against her skin instantly sent her heart racing again. Many jaws of the girls who had been watching them hit the floor simultaneously.
"You look beautiful tonight, by the way," he murmured when he pulled away, but May could not find the words to respond.
A soft smile graced his handsome face as he backed away from her.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he affirmed, and turned to walk through the group of dancing couples, who all made way for him.
And then he was gone.
"He kissed you! He kissed you!" Dawn all but squealed to May after she and Paul joined their friends beside one of the white snack tables.
"Shush!" May ordered her, quickly throwing a hand over the blunette's mouth, while her cheeks became flushed with the color of a tomato berry.
She still had not gotten over the kiss yet, and the fluttering in her stomach had yet to cease. Dawn's enthusiasm over the matter certainly didn't help.
"But he kissed you!" the blunette exclaimed when May removed her hand. "Why did he kiss you? Are you guys dating now? Why'd he leave? Why in the hell would he leave if—"
Dawn was silenced once again when Natalie nudged her in the arm. Hard.
"Ow! What did I do?" she cried, while rubbing the spot that Natalie had nudged her.
"Dawn, will you please keep it down?" Marina whispered. "Everyone saw it—you don't have to announce it to the entire senior class. It's bad enough that May's been receiving death glares from every girl since it happened. Don't make it any worse for her."
"Expect Dawn to always be the one to put every little thing on blast," Paul mumbled with an eye roll, which earned him a glare from his girlfriend. He responded to it with a glare of his own that was enough to make her drop the case before she could protest.
"Paul, quit being mean to your girlfriend before she goes all glameow on you," Jimmy snickered from beside Marina.
This, of course, got Dawn to get on his case and the two began to bicker, much to the aggravation of Paul and Marina, who both looked at each other before rolling their eyes and crossing their arms over their chests.
"Grow up, guys," both Cam and Natalie said at the same time.
Dawn and Jimmy turned around to face them and, before they had a chance to defend themselves, snapped at them both.
Meanwhile, Brendan and May had remained silent the entire time throughout the conversations between their friends. May was still recovering from the shock from Gary's kiss and coming to terms with the fact that it had actually happened. The feeling of his lips still lingered on her forehead, as if he had just kissed her instead of an hour before.
Dawn had spoken the question that she had been asking herself in her head since he had done so: why had Gary kissed her? She wasn't complaining about it, but it had been distracting her all night. Not to mention, it had left every girl in the room—aside from Dawn, Marina, and Natalie—glaring at her like there was no tomorrow. It made her extremely uncomfortable and self-conscious; she felt as if she was going to be mauled to death at any second.
"They're going to be arguing for while. Let's go and dance," Brendan suddenly whispered to May.
She nodded and slipped her hand into his, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor once again, where they wrapped their arms around each other to dance.
I am thinking of you
In my sleepless solitude tonight
If it's wrong to love you
Then my heart just won't let me be right
'Cause I've drowned in you
And I won't pull through
Without you by my side
I'd give my all to have
Just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel
Your body next to mine
'Cause I can't go on
Living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight
Baby can you feel me
Imagining I'm looking in your eyes
I can see you clearly
Vividly emblazoned in my mind
And yet you're so far
Like a distant star
I'm wishing on tonight
I'd give my all to have
Just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel
Your body next to mine
'Cause I can't go on
Living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight
Give my all for your love
Tonight
Brendan remained silent as he held May in his arms, just as he had for most of the night after he had returned from the bathroom to find Gary kissing her forehead. He had had a glass of punch in his hand at the time when the brunet had kissed her, and he nearly dropped it in shock, which was instantly overcome by pain. To say that his night had been simply crushed was the understatement of the decade. The sight had not been a pleasant one, especially on a night where May was supposed to be his and only his until he had to wake up the next morning to a reality where she wasn't.
For a few hours—just a few hours—he would have liked to have had her by his side without the constant reminder that her heart belonged to someone else. To a lucky guy whose name was, unfortunately, Gary Oak, not Brendan Birch. Though he knew how much his best friend liked the guy, he couldn't bring himself to be entirely happy for her. He would have liked to, but he couldn't. How could he be completely happy for his best friend if she was in love with a guy that wasn't him?
The kiss had been like a smack in the face for him, waking him up from the illusion that he had been living for the past four years of his life. He could not believe how stupid he had been for thinking that he actually had a chance with her. It was so obvious that he had never had it—and most likely, never will have it—if a simple kiss on the forehead from Gary could make May so happy. She made it seem like she wasn't, but Brendan knew (because he knew her) that she was just repressing the excitement, containing it inside herself to avoid angering the girls in the room even further.
The pain from it all engulfed him, submerging him in an ocean of despair and drowning him in his misery. He kept the emotions from showing on his face, but everything was reflected in his smoldering amber-colored eyes. The anger at himself for keeping his feelings from her. The pity towards himself for not being good enough to win her heart. The sorrow he felt at the loss of the slight chance that he had thought he had had to becoming something more to May than just her best friend.
Author's Note: Don't you guys just pity Brendan? The poor guy. :'( Did you guys like Skyler's reaction though? She was maaaadddd! xD And did you like the song I chose chocolatehell? Hope you did! :) Please tell me what you guys thought in your reviews! Thanks for reading!
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You
Bryan Adams
My All
Mariah Carey