Chapter 2: Decisions, Decisions

"Trish, you're very nice and all, and don't get me wrong, today has been wonderful, but I just can't see us as any more than friends. I hope you understand," the raven-haired hero told the blonde walking beside him as they made their way to her one-bedroom apartment. This was probably the fiftieth time he'd said that in the past year. Why couldn't he just settle on a single girl he's dated?

"Yeah, it's fine. I totally understand. We can still be friends though, right Ash?"

"You can bet on it!" he answered as Pikachu poked its head outside of his backpack. She smiled over at the little yellow mouse and nodded quietly in affection.

"Well, I guess I'd best get going. Things to do, places to go. Call me?" Trish asked, meeting Ash's eyes for the first time that night. Her irises were an emerald green, reminding the boy even more of a certain someone he used to know and hadn't seen in almost six years.

"Uh, yeah, sure," he replied, nodding as she hugged him and ambled up the porch steps. He'd lost all track of thought, like he normally did whenever he thought of that girl. That irrational, hotheaded, melodramatic redhead that travelled with him when he first started his journey as a Pokémon Trainer twelve years ago. Why did this even have to happen to him? He hadn't the slightest clue, and no matter how many logical answers he thought he had for that question, they all came down to the same thing: he missed her, missed her like crazy.

He began walking back home, contemplating everything that had happened over the years. He'd just went to spend the day with May and her newborn only two days ago, so why couldn't he bring himself to go visit Misty? In truth, he felt horrible for not going to see her sooner, but it seemed like every time he finally got up the courage, something else prevented him from making the short trip. And just as well, a call would never suffice, because he had so many things that he wanted to tell her. So many things that he felt couldn't be explained through a little green video box and its even smaller telephone receiver.

And as much as it pained him to think about it, she might not even want to talk to him. Not after the way he'd done her. Not after the way he acted toward her all those years. He knew about her crush, he always had, but always acted oblivious because he was scared. Scared of what, one may ask?

He was scared of many things: Scared of losing her as a friend; scared he'd mess everything up; scared of getting hurt; and, most of all, terrified of his own feelings for her. Though he'd most likely never admit it, he kind of liked her too, all those years ago. But that was the past, and there wasn't anything he could do to change it now. Maybe if he'd just told her, he wouldn't have to worry about breaking another innocent girl's heart. But what if he would've broken the heart of his best friend?

He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he'd done that. When he'd finally made it home, he decided to think about something else. Wouldn't want his mother worrying about him too much, right? "Hey, Mom, I'm home."

"Welcome back, honey. How did the date go?" Delia asked, crossing over to hug her son, who had grown quite taller than her over the years.

"It went fine, I guess," he muttered, not really wanting to talk about it.

"Are you sure? You don't really seem very happy about it. Did something go wrong?"

"No, not at all. I just don't think Trish is the girl for me," he answered, sitting down at their kitchen table as Delia handed him a glass of water.

"I see. Still searching for that perfect girl. You'll find her someday, Ash. Reminding me, did you ever stop by to wish Misty a happy birthday yesterday?"

"Of course I did," he lied, hoping she wouldn't see through his ruse. It wasn't that he'd forgotten, he just couldn't bring himself to go see her again. Not when he knew who she was with now. True, he and Gary were no longer enemies, but still, it kind of felt like a betrayal of their friendship to hear that she was betrothed to him. Yet another reason why he didn't relish the idea of visiting Misty.

"Wonderful, honey. You know, she misses you a lot when you leave town. I'm glad you're keeping contact with her, though. It really means a lot to Misty." Did his mother really not know that they hadn't spoken in years? Or was this her way of saying he needed to talk to her now, while he still could?

"Well…" he trailed off, feeling guilty for not telling his mother sooner.

"Yes? What is it, Ash?"

"I, uh, haven't exactly been 'keeping contact' with Misty over the years. In fact, I haven't even seen her in six years. Aside from yesterday, that is."

He knew she could see through that last little bit, so he wasn't surprised when she looked at him incredulously and scolded, "Ash Ketchum! You can't be serious! And she never even bothered to tell me…Why would you do that to her?"

"Seriously? Why would I do that to her? I don't see her trying to talk to me after all these years. She's moved on, Mom. Face it; we all have." He didn't mean to sound so snappy, or so rude, but he knew it was the only way he felt he could get his mother to understand.

"Honestly, I have a hard time believing that. And you mean to tell me you didn't even wish her a happy birthday like you said you had?"

"Well, no, I guess I didn't," he huffed, angry at himself for telling her everything like that. "It's not like I've been home very much these past few years to see her very much anyways." That part was true, at least. Out of his six years as Champion, he'd only been home a week every six to eight months, depending on how many challenges he had, or events he was to attend. Overall, he hadn't had very much time to see anyone, much less someone who probably never wanted to see him again anyhow.

"Still, you could've called," his mother stated bluntly, taking up for Misty as if she were her own daughter. She had always been very protective of Misty like that.

"I know, and I was stupid for not doing that," he finally conceded, not wanting to fight with his mother any more than was necessary. "But it's too late now."

"It may be, but it also may not be. I can't tell you what you should do, but I can tell you that no matter what happens, someone's going to get hurt in the process. I love you, Ash, so much. I hope you know that nothing could ever change that. I just trust and pray you'll have the courage to make the right choice this time, no matter how much it could cost you."

After hugging him one more time, she decided to go on to bed, leaving Ash at the kitchen table to ponder her somewhat puzzling words. Now what am I supposed to do?