Sorry, this took a little bit longer than the usual, I had a bad day yesterday :S

I don't own Pokémon but I do own a lot of stupid merchandising.

Chapter Three

It was a brand new day today. I decided to stop thinking about those things that were running through my mind last night as I change my pajamas to my typical outfit.

I stayed at home with my mother, leaning how to take care of myself in the kitchen. I accidentally cut myself a couple of times but it's nothing that some band aids can't cure.

The doorbell rang and I ran to open it.

"Mr. Ketchum? Is that you? We're from the PokéChannel and we want to ask you some questions. Is that all right?" A lady with a microphone said. She was probably new in her job and she looked really nervous. She was pretty, too.

"Sure" I said smiling.

I let the girl and the camera man into the living room. My mother looked at us funny, but I didn't pay much attention to that.

"So, tell us Mr. Ketchum, how does being a Pokémon Champion feel? Was it difficult to train your Pokémon?" The reporter asked.

"Things haven't changed much; I just have a title now. I'm also glad that my dream came true." I started "My Pokémon? Well, some of them were a little bit stubborn like me, but our friendship was what counted."

She asked some similar questions and I asked them with the first thing that came to my mind. At least until she asked a different kind of question.

"That's great! And… what about your relationship with humans? Anyone special?" She said winking.

I blinked. "Hmmm, well, I've got a lot of friends and my family-" A chuckle interrupted me.

"I wasn't talking about that. I meant… You know, any romance in your life?" I blushed.

"W-Well, I've been kind of busy training. I don't know much about… that kind of stuff."

But I thought about it, sure I can notice when someone is good looking, like the lady in front of me or Gary, wait, what? Anyway I probably won't notice if I have a crush on anyone.

"You aren't interested in anybody? Like, when you feel butterflies or you just don't want to let her go?" I shocked my head nervously. I'm not a good liar and the woman was looking at me, probably suspecting something.

The interview lasted a few more minutes but I wasn't paying too much attention. When the camera man and the girl left, I sighed. There's no way of getting away from last night's question, so I took Gary's advice.

I left my Pokémon at home and I went to Gary's house to check if he was there. As he said, I was 'running away'. When I was about to give up, a surprised Gary opened the door in his researcher clothes -the beloved lab coat and contacts included.

"Ash? I didn't expect you. Please, come in." He said. He looked kind of tired and he wasn't as cocky as always.

"You OK? You seem tired" I asked him.

"Don't worry, I just been working all night, it's all right."

"Sorry then, maybe I'm disturbing you. Do you want me to leave you alone?"

"No, Ashy-Boy! Please entertain me!" He said smirking. I try to be nice with him and he doesn't change a bit.

"I just wanted to come around and… I don't know, do something. You're my only friend around here." I said. I even hesitated at the 'friend' part, but I think it's right.

"Well, I don't know what to do either. Let's just watch TV."

He started to switch channels until he found the last thing I wanted to watch- myself. How is it on TV already?

I jumped to get the remote control and change it, but he was faster than me and he lifted it higher.

"Gary! I don't wanna watch this!" I said trying to get it down, but he is stronger than me.

"Hey! I think it's interesting! Who's that boy in the screen? He looks like a completely loser!" He said smirking.

"NO! Change it right now!" I ordered.

"Why? Do you want to hide anything?" I blushed. There isn't anything I want to hide, I think… There isn't, right? It's just a normal interview.

"Fine!" I said looking away angrily.

He laid back "This will be sooo much fun~" He focused all of his attention on the screen.

My face was still red. Do you know that feeling when you watch something you did some time ago and simply hate it? Well, now I know it.

"My, my, looks like someone was trying to flirt with Ashy-Boy!" He smirked.

"W-What are you talking about!?"

"Hey, I studied some psychology, and I know when someone is flirting. Hell- I'm a good flirter myself." He said punching me softly in the arm.

Please, Arceus, cut the scene you know I don't want him to see – Please, please, please, pl-

Well he didn't.

"Ashy-Boy! I didn't know you had a love interest!" He said focusing now in the real life me. "Tell me!" He said mockingly sitting closer to get my attention.

"W-What are you talking about?" I said. "No one!"

"Well, Ashy, I'm sorry but I can't believe you, your face doesn't seem to agree with you." He said.

"Why should I tell you? It's none of your business!" Then an idea occurred me "Why don't you tell me who is your 'love interest'." He looked kind of surprised.

"Well, why should I tell you?" He repeated. "I know! How about we say our crushes out loud at the same time?" He joked.

"Ha, ha. Then you don't say anything and I stand here looking like an idiot. I'm not so stupid, you know?"

"Wow, that was actually my plan! Impressive!" He smirked. Then he faked a pout. "But if you tell me I swear I won't tell anybody. Or are you afraid?"

"N-No, I'm not! I just don't want to tell you!"

"OK, Ashy, relax! Not even a clue?" I hit him with my cap. "Hey, I get it! I'll leave it alone. But don't get so angry! I was just kidding, Ash." He ruffled my hair.

I don't know why, but hearing my real name calmed me down. I even laughed a little bit.

When the interview finished he talked about the research he was doing. It was pretty interesting, but I just could notice that his eyes were glowing. It wasn't the light what made them glow, but I don't know what else it could be.

We talked, laughed and smiled, just like two childhood friends would do. He was nice to me and I think he even enjoyed my company. We're so much closer now than when we were in our journeys.

We're too close now. There was a strange silence in the middle of our conversation.

"I'm sorry" I heard him say.

"Excuse me?" I said a little bit confused. "What for?"

"You know… Our journey… How I acted like I didn't know you when I got my squirtle… I just hate to think I was such a moron." He looked sad.

"I… Wow, you don't need to apologize; I know you didn't mean it." I smiled and then I patted his shoulder "You're still a little bit of a moron anyway."

"Hey!"

"I think I have to go home now. See you another time?"

"Whenever you want" He threw his arm around my shoulders and then he let me go. I was confused.

I went home thinking about two things:

I need to learn about flirting signs. I guess it's time to visit the flirt master.

There is no way that Gary was flirting with me (check number 1). It's not something that bothers me but it's weird, right?

But believe me, I'm not hostile, I just want to hear you laugh when I'm sarcastic like that. And that just makes me a damn human, like you.

The End of chapter 3

It's a little bit short, I think. Well, I hope you enjoyed it, I'll be posting new chapters faster from now on.

Review if you liked it or if you didn't or if you notice any mistake. I'll read every comment.

The Heavy Carrot~