Melody gave Ash a gracious curtsey after he had successfully completed his basic instruction in the waltz.
"Remember, most of what you'll be doing will be the turning box step. It's all very basic. Be sure to thank the lady for the dance afterwords."
"Well, thank you for the dance and the lesson."
"Anything for the 'Chosen One,'" she said smiling at Ash.
"Now that our lesson's over, I'm really itching to get out of this thing, no pun intended."
"Sure. Take your time."
Melody saw him off with a smile. She pulled up a chair and sighed as she sat down. Looking over at Jake, he noticed that he had begun to stare. He quickly averted his gaze when she looked in his direction.
"So, Jake, are you going to the ball?"
"Yeah, but not with a date."
"You can't go unless you accompany a coordinator, or you help out with something like catering or something like that."
"I know. That's where it's handy to have a cousin that's an amazing cook and is going to be making a few dishes for the ball. They liked her cooking so much that they said she could bring two guests with her."
"So who are you going to bring?"
"I was thinking actually of asking you. I think that we'd have a lot of fun," said Jake sheepishly.
"It would be a pleasure to accompany you, good sir," she said with genuine cordiality.
"No, it would honor me," he said with a small chuckle.
"So where'd you learn to be so polite?"
"Haha. It's the negative side effect of chick flicks."
"Hey! Don't make fun. A lot of girls dream about the knights in shining armor that are in 'chick flicks'."
"That's interesting. I'm not really sure I fit that profile too well."
"Modesty is one of those desirable traits of a knight in shining armor. Well, perhaps that's just a personal preference."
"Ah, I understand. I'm surprised no knight has swept you off your feet yet."
"Trust me. All the guys that pretend to be prince charming are just trying to get to know me on the physical level. They're not really interested in me, just 'what I've got' let's say."
"I understand. Most men are dogs," he said with a slight chuckle, but felt a bit guilty while doing so.
Melody must have been hurt a few times. A lot of good girls are. He didn't need to add insult to injury.
"Sorry, if that laugh came off a bit insensitive. I do actually believe that a lot are."
"Haha, please don't worry about it. But I do wonder why you are single. I mean what's not to like?"
"Well, I am an itinerant Pokemon trainer."
"That doesn't mean that there aren't lots of lovely girls that are willing to travel the world with you. Overly romantic as it may sound."
"Perhaps. I really wouldn't know though. I'm not too keen on letting anyone get too close. Don't get me wrong. I like women and they seem to like me, but I'm always cautious about possible serious relationships."
"You've had some bad relationships I take it?"
"That's a story for another time. Let's just say that the easiest way to avoid someone leaving you is to leave before they get the opportunity."
"If it's any consolation, she didn't deserve you."
Ash walked in almost immediately after Melody had said that.
"Why the serious faces guys? What'd you guys talk about?"
"Just idol chatter. Let's get back home."
"I'll see you both tomorrow. We're going to start with the Cha Cha, and we'll keep up with learning how to treat a lady. Bye Ash. Bye Jake."
"Bye, Melody. Thanks for the lesson."
Before leaving, Jake walked up to her and asked, "Um, would you mind if I called you later? I have somewhat of another favor to ask of you."
"You know you could just ask for my number," she said as she batted her eyes.
"Um. This is for um, Ash. Yes. You know to help him out with May."
"I know. I just like giving you a hard time," she said giggling.
"Um. Ok. Well, Bye."
Jake had a bit of trouble with the door, which Ash was holding open for him.
"Jake, watch where your going."
"Oh, sorry, Ash."
"It's impolite to stare."
"Haha, so now you're giving me lessons?"
"I'm just saying. Staring's a bit strange."
"Yeah, I know. It's so weird. I haven't acted like this since."
"Since?"
"Well we're here.
Ash didn't even notice them getting close to the house. He figured that it was best to leave this subject alone. That much he knew about people: when they start to push, give them some space and wait until they come to you. He learned at least this much from Misty. She was a bit caustic after the 'bike incident' and learned to just let her be and bond with Pikachu instead. Ash looked over at his partner sitting on his shoulder. He wondered why Pikachu kept so quiet. Perhaps it was because Ash hadn't been paying too much attention to him. Pikachu wanted Ash to be happy, so sparing a bit of attention for the sake of his happiness was not a problem. To top it off, Pikachu always liked May, much more than any female that Ash had encountered. Besides, he did get to laugh at Ash's expense as he struggled through his 'grooming' for May. Pikachu assessed that his partner must have truly desired May's affection and his master's taste was undoubtedly impeccable.
"Hey, boys. What did you do today?"
"Oh, just kinda you know danced around from place to place," Jake said coyly.
"And you, May?" inquired Ash.
"Oh, um. Ran into...some shops. You know cuz we were in a hurry,"she said with a nervous laugh.
May looked at the piece of paper that said "Pyramus 7:00 p.m."
"Alright."
Ash suspected something, but believed that May wouldn't keep anything from him.
"You guys going to do more manly bonding tomorrow?"
"During the day, don't make plans for dinner. I got an invite from a friend to go to this fancy restaurant. He knows the owner. I said I'd bring four people with me and he said he'd have a few tables ready."
May proceeded to ask fearing his reply, "What restaurant?"
"Pyramus. It's got a lot of different kinds of food. It's a bit like a buffet, but not quite."
"Um sure! That sounds great!"
"No prior engagements?"
"Nope, none at all," said May shaking her head.
Joanne wondered why she didn't tell Ash about meeting Drew or that he had invited her to the same place.
"May, I'd like your help in the kitchen please."
"Alright, be right there, Joanne."
Jake began to wander off.
"I've got to make a phone call."
Ash immediately looked up at him and inferred that he would be calling Melody. He didn't bother to ask questions because he'd eventually hear about it if it was about him and May, so he walked into the T.V. Room to relax. He didn't suspect anything out of the ordinary would be waiting for them at the restaurant tomorrow. May failed to mention that quality food was not the only thing waiting for her at Pyramus.
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I think i might be too into character development.
Hmm i don't feel completely happy with this chapter.
Please read and review.
