"So what did you boys do today, Ash?"
"Um, we walked around and Jake showed me around his old neighborhood."
"Yup. It was a fun stroll down memory lane."
"That sounds cool. Maybe you'll show me around next time?"
"Sure, May. Well, it's been a long day so me and Ash are just going to go up to my room and swap stories about battles."
The two dashed up the steps. Operation Evasion complete. Ash took a seat on the bed as Jake lowered himself on to his computer chair. He spun back to face his hero and somewhat student. Being a confidant seemed to fit Jake. He knew what to say and how to say it, whom to ask what questions, and most importantly how to read people and what makes them happy. He also knew that knowing the right people was not essential. It was who knew you.
"So, Jake, you never told me how you met Melody."
"I went on a vacation with my Pokemon somewhere around the Orange Islands and I happened to come across her. She said that I reminded her of this really cute Pokemon trainer from the year before and that he always carried a Pikachu with him. So I asked if she was talking about you. Her face beamed and we hit it off. I had to leave the next day so we didn't get to know each other as well as we would have liked, but we exchanged phone numbers and promised to keep in touch."
"Wow. So you guys hit it off because of me? haha."
"In a manner. I do have to say though that she's unlike any girl I've ever met. She's one of the few girls that didn't want me to take them out from the get-go. I mean not to say that she acted uninterested, but there's just something more attractive in a woman who acts interested but doesn't try to jump me. Figuratively speaking of course."
"Well, you sure are popular with the ladies."
"Eh. I guess. I'm not really one to respond to every offer I get. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate them, but I've always been a bit hesitant. Just in case."
"Why's that?"
"Another time, Ash. It's a bit personal. Besides, you have to get some shut eye before your next dance lesson."
Jake walked over and pulled out the bed attached to the bottom of the one that Ash was currently resting on. He shut off the light before saying goodnight. He couldn't sleep though. Looking back on past relationships never helped him calm his nerves before sleep. Restlessly tossing and turning, Jake had let loneliness lull him to sleep and lay beside him for another night.
---
Breakfast was quiet. May and Joanne had left before the boys had woken up. Joanne left a note that informed the boys that they were going to go look through antique stores and stop by some boutiques to find something to wear for her Eevee.
Pikachu ate next to Ash while Jake was retrieving some milk from the kitchen. He had watched observantly as events began to play out and wished the best for his best friend. He had always felt warm feelings towards May (much greater than towards Misty). She made him feel safe, but more importantly loved. She never said much to him, but he felt as though she loved him as one of her own Pokemon. Pikachu always reciprocated these feelings towards May as almost a second partner. What could be better than the two of them coming together? Ash would lead with steadfast determination and May would support with affection and warmth. Pikachu could see no better way for all three of them to happily coincide.
"Jake, Pikachu seems to like the noodles. He's almost eaten two bowls."
"That's Joanne's cooking for you. Friendly to Pokemon and human alike. Looks like you've eaten as much as Pikachu has, Ash."
"Haha. Like you said, friendly to Pokemon and human alike. And I think it's very friendly."
"Well, you're going to need those carbs today. We're not only going to be learning more dances, but you're also going to learn a little etiquette. I was thinking that you would go to dinner in a fancy restaurant the day before the ball so you would get used to acting like a gentleman. Also, that would give you a great opportunity to give May her gift."
"Ok. So not old fashioned stuck up gentleman."
"A gentleman is never stuck up. He always puts the lady first because while she is with him, he will do everything within his power to make her feel like she is the only woman in the world."
"Where'd you get all of this?"
"Joanne. She would complain about boyfriends and such. She'd bring me to chick flicks whenever her friends weren't available."
"At least you learned a lot."
"You'll learn even more from experience. Let's hit the road. Girls like Melody won't wait forever. It's impolite to make the lady wait. We should get our suits on too."
"Why? It's not the real thing yet."
"Well, isn't it a bit weird to think of wearing a suit?"
"Yes. Of course. I haven't worn one since I was young and went to a wedding."
"That's why. You've got to feel comfortable. It's bad enough to be nervous about a woman that you love, so why not lighten the load a bit by at least feeling comfortable in what you're wearing?"
"That makes sense. And I'm guessing you're dressing up to share my pain."
"Well, I actually like wearing dress suits. They make me feel even more like a spy, but that's not much of a promising prospect after hearing the scorcher that it will be today. Misery loves company."
"Why didn't we just change over there?"
"How you show up to meet a lady says a lot about how much you value her opinion because if you showed up in torn up jeans and an undershirt, she would think you didn't care too much about what she thinks."
"But it's Melody. Why do we need to do that for her? May's the one I'm after."
"Um. It's practice."
The two quickly slipped on their dress suits and shoes. Jake did a double take in the mirror to make sure that his hair and clothes were in order. This scene reminded Ash of the fiasco with May over her staring too long at the mirror. Ash always liked to think that this was for his benefit, and he was right, but this current scene puzzled him. What was Jake looking in the mirror for? He never paid particular attention to it when he was out with Ash before.
"Jake, you're hair's fine. Didn't you say something about not making the lady wait?"
"It's also impolite to show up in nothing less than a presentable manner."
Jake finished fiddling with his hair and walked with Ash out the door. Ash grew a bit suspicious of Jake's recent actions. Although he had not become a master at reading people, from what Ash could tell, Jake was nervous about something. He would always put on the same face whenever he was nervous for a battle, or more recently when he was nervous around May.
Jake was not kidding about the weather. When the two stepped outside, they could see the heat manipulating the air to create various optical illusions. Not the ideal weather to be wearing an itchy black suit in.
"What are you nervous about, Jake? I'm the one that's got to learn how to dance and be a gentleman."
"Um. It's nothing. I just hope things go off without a hitch."
"For whom? You seem nervous for a personal reason."
"Well, I take anything having to do with my idol very seriously. Thank goodness we're here. I'm incredibly happy that this isn't a mirage."
Jake quickly opened the door and stepped in to greet Melody. She was now in a long, silk light blue dress with spaghetti straps and a see-through scarf.
"Hey, My Lady. Err um Melody. Sorry, it's the heat," he said with a nervous laugh.
"Not at all good sir," said Melody with a smile and curtsey.
"Hey, Melody!"
"Hello there, Pokemon master. Jake would you be so kind as to be my dance partner?"
"I'd be honored."
Jake nervously walked closer and took her hand clumsily trying to create the proper frame.
"You know for one who's spent enough time here with his sister, I would think you would know how to frame up."
"Um. Sorry, it's been a while."
"No worries. It'll be fine."
As music began to play, Ash saw a different side to Jake, not the usual boy who was evasive to any member of the opposite sex, but one who's eyes asked for another's to look into and whose request was granted.
