Spitfire, Chapter 6: and thin..
After lunch, the group found themselves seated in the living room; Serena and Brock were chatting about her recipe at lunch after Ash properly introduced the two. Misty, on the other hand, took her time, taking a small stroll around the house. Taking significant time to glare at each picture of Ash, while looking at the wall dedicated to his 'group' photos. There was a new one, of the group he was traveling with now—and Misty could already see Serena leaning in and taking more attention to Ash than to the picture. The water pokemon trainer couldn't help but crack a small smile.
Oddly enough, what Misty felt for Serena above all else was a sense of devote sympathy for the moments that would come when meeting the rest of Ash's companions as Ash's 'girlfriend' and not as a friend. She hoped slightly that somewhere inside of herself, she would be able to help the other girls like Brock asked, but with how she currently felt—she would only make matters worse.
With a sigh, she traced her fingers along the dust frames of former groups photos. All Misty really knew how to do in a relationship, was make matters worse by yelling and bickering. She laughed inwardly at herself, and shook her head while gazing the photos.
Finally, her green eyes stopped on the very first picture down the hall ways. Right beside a happy picture featuring Misty, Brock, and Ash, was the very first picture taken of Ash, Misty, and Brock's group. Not from when they were finally getting along as trainers, but before all of that; when Misty was still upset over her bike, and Ash still thought she was a nuisance.
Before they were friends.
In the image, Ash and Misty were facing opposite one another, both having a face of immense frustration, and both had their arms crossed, thy refused to look at the camera for what ever reason and she could see that Ash's mouth was moving slightly, but couldn't bring herself to remember what he said.
And then she laughed, reaching her fingers up to dust off the small collection of dust, and her laugh caught the intrigue from the group in the living room.
They could see her from their seats, and Ash blinked at her.
"What's up?" he asked smoothly, and Misty turned at her friends with a look that Brock and Serena could only adjust as sadness with a mix of happiness.
"Just looking at some of these old pictures." She smiled at them, and then tore her body away from the memory of their travels together. She made her way into the living room, and intentionally sat on the rocking chair that was furthest away from Ash.
"God, I can't believe how much we used to fight." She thought, drifting off into her own world as she heard Ash, Brock and Serena continue their talk; they were laughing off and on, and were sharing stories of Ash's previous adventures, but Misty couldn't focus on that right now. In fact, her chest felt heavy, and for the first time since she arrived; she wanted to pat Ash on the shoulder and just leave. Pretend like she had never seen any of this, and just move on with her life—move on from Ash...but she couldn't. It was like an illness crept inside of her, and forced her to remain seated.
Her mouth drew into a line while she crossed her fingers together and placed them over her stomach. She was practically laying in the rocking chair, gently swaying herself back and forth as if she was part of the background. She missed this; specifically, she missed being with her friends. It got so lonely at the gym. Her sisters were rarely around, and the only conversation she had was with her pokemon. If she had to talk to psyduck one more time, she thought she might go insane.
Misty grimaced slowly and in habit of forgetting where she was, she let out a long, depressing sigh; once again catching the attention of her friends.
Before they could ask however, she seemed to meld completely with the chair, and made a face of defeat.
"I forgot to pack a change of clothes..." She muttered, causing everyone else to slap their foreheads. Serena, specifically, fell forward, pressing her chest onto her knees, laughing at Misty's response.
"You're an odd one." Serena called earnestly, and Ash and Brock stiffened. However, Misty merely smiled back at Serena as if she were doped.
"No, I'm the asshole. He's the odd one." She lazily pointed to Brock, who looked taken aback.
"Hey!" he called in his defense, and Ash puckered his lips and looked at her defensively.
"Then what am I?" He asked, pointing to himself, and then Misty gave him a wicked grin and rocked a little harder in the chair.
"The idiot, of course." She muttered, laughing. Serena hadn't meant to laugh, but she did; and Ash looked completely betrayed and visibly upset at what was said, making Misty only laugh harder.
"I'm joking, settle down." She cleared the air, and then crossed one leg over the other. For the first time, a calm silence ensued after wards, but Misty didn't seem to mind it, if anything, she welcomed it. Serena dared to glance at her, and fluttered her eyes a little bit. A question rang at the tip of her tongue, but before she could ask it,
the door bell rang.
–
Ash didn't get up right away, he was fixated on something outside of the window, he tapped his fingers against his cheek lightly, as if counting. He wondered when Pikachu would be back from visiting with Professor Oak. He felt almost guilty for not being there with Clemont and Bonnie, but they were good at taking care of themselves. His lips puckered, and he tapped his foot against the ground impatiently. It sure was quiet, Misty was quiet, Brock and Serena muttered off and on about food, and he was itching for a battle.
It was like a crave he couldn't exactly stop, and for the first time since the events with Serena, he felt his body relax, as if this was how it was supposed to be. His group of friends, chilling in the living room. Friends.
His eyebrows scrunched up, girlfriend and friends, he corrected himself, trying to adjust to the new idea. It was weird to think that he, Ash Ketchum, had a girlfriend. That was the last thing from his list of things to complete, and it felt like it was p-
the door bell rang, awakening him from his stupor. He sat up instantly, half expecting it to be Bonnie and Clemont, he rose quickly.
"I told them to just come in when they got here." He half muttered, rushing to the door; only when he opened it, it wasn't who he expected it to be.
–
"May!" Ash called, half-elated, "Max, Drew! You guys made it!" Ash's voice rang happily in the ears of the weary travelers, and May clasp her hands together happily, a wide grin spreading across her face at the sight of Ash's familiar hat, messy hair and jeans.
"Hey Ash! What's up?" May spoke, while Max bud in to her side to raise his hand; expressing excitement over seeing Ash himself. In the living room, Misty came to life, clearly showing joy at the mention of the travelers names. She and Brock stood up quickly to approach the front door, leaving Serena to sit alone in the living room.
Where she sat, twiddling her fingers awkwardly.