Chapter 4
Gary stood in front of the mirror in his bathroom, turning this way and that, admiring and critiquing his appearance. He'd been surprised to answer the phone and hear Ash's voice on the line. And even more surprised to hear Ash agreeing to see him later. After that he'd been a whirlwind of activity as he went through the afternoon. He'd helped his grandfather a bit and then retired to his room to pamper Eevee for a bit. Bathed and groomed the small pokemon sat curled on the foot of his bed sleeping.
Looking back to his reflection he decided he was finally satisfied. He felt like he'd spent an hour rummaging through his closet looking for something to wear and another hour getting ready and styling his perfectly messy hair. Glancing down at his watch he realized the time was getting away from him. It was nearly 5:15 and he'd told Ash he'd be by his house at 5:30. He rushed out of the bedroom, scooped up Eevee, and thudded down the stairs towards the front door.
Ash stood in his room looking around. He'd cleaned it up as best he could. He'd even allowed Mr. Mime to come up and help him with his full supervision. It was as good as it was going to get he decided. He'd showered off all the dust earlier and put on something his mother had begrudgingly approved. "At least it's not a baggy t-shirt and dirty jeans and sneakers", she'd said when he ventured downstairs for a glass of water.
Now back up stairs with Pikachu who had also hopped in the shower with him, he sat on the edge of his bed looking at the clock.
"Pikachu, what in the world am I doing?" he asked the electric mouse.
"Pi?" the rodent said cocking its head, ears pointing awry. "Chu. Pi-pika."
"Ughh, I know", the raven-haired trainer said flopping back onto his made bed. "I'm just really nervous. Gary and I haven't really been friends since we were little. I always looked up to him, and now sometimes I feel differently about him. And I don't know what that means", he trailed off staring at the ceiling fan.
He heard the door bell ring and launched himself off the bed. He stumbled around the room wildly for a second before spinning back to smooth the Ash-sized wrinkle out of the bed covers and then raced down the stairs trying to intercept the door before his mother could get to it.
Ash rounded the bend in the stairs and realized he was too late. Delia was already at the door, one hand extended towards the door knob. She shook her head and smiled. "Not a chance..." And then she was opening the door beaming at a well-dressed and slightly flushed Gary Oak.
"Gary, I feel like I haven't seen you in ages", she beamed. "Hi Eevee. Come in, come in. I was so pleased to hear Ash say the two of your boys were going to spend the evening together. How are you?"
"Hi Mrs. Ketchum. I'm good. Grandpa sends his regards." He paused and leaned around Delia with a grin. Mr Mime was peeking out of the kitchen and waving. "Hi Mr Mime", he said waving back. "Is Ash ready to go?" he said turning back to Delia. "I don't think I was early."
Delia stepped aside and Gary looked up the stairs to see Ash and Pikachu standing on the second-to-last step. Gary caught himself smiling at the younger boy. He and Ash were the same height, or just about. "Hey Ashy-boy", he said with a cool grin. "You ready to go?"
Ash just stood there blushing like a dolt. "Umm, yeah. I'm ready. Let's go." He was so nervous he forgot he was on the stairs and took the last two steps in one go. Delia didn't even have time to move before Gary was past her and catching her son as he headed for the floor.
Ash realized his mistake on the way down and began flailing to catch himself. Connecting with something solid as he rushed towards the floor he was relieved to realize he'd been able to grab the banister, and thoroughly mortified to realize he'd "grabbed" Gary after hitting him in the face and was currently sitting across the older boys lap while the brunette gazed from behind a lock of hair rubbing his jaw.
"You okay there?" Gary asked his childhood friend.
"Yeah, thanks. I'm sorry", he said with a grimace. I didn't mean to hit you on the way down. You okay?"
Gary smiled. "Yeah, no problem. So what do you say we get out of here?"
"Yeah, sure." Ash began blushing furiously for the second time when he realized he was still in his former rivals lap. He scrambled up and offered a helping hand to Gary.
Gary stood brushing of his pants and straightening his shirt. He turned back to Delia Ketchum who was for her credit maintaining all of her poise as well as containing her amusement at the two boys. "Thanks Mrs. Ketchum for letting him go out."
"Absolutely. You two have fun and stay out of trouble", she said as the two boys and their pokemon headed out the door. "And if you get hungry I'll be starting dinner soon. It should be ready in a few hours."
"Thanks Mom!"
"Thanks Mrs. Ketchum!"
She closed the door as the two boys headed down the garden path towards the drive. She looked at Mr. Mime who promptly mimed Ash tumbling down the last steps. And she lost it completely. She laughed until tears were running down her cheeks. "Oh you terrible pokemon. You stop that", she cried breathless. Once she'd finally regained her composure she rang the good Professor to fill him in on what had happened. She was sure now that Gary had feelings for Ash. And she was just as certain that Ash shared feelings similar to his childhood friend's. Hanging up she said aloud, "If only Ash realizes it. He can be so..." words popped in to her head as she trailed off. "Dense", she said with a definitive nod.
