LEAF'S POV

I was outside playing with Ditty, seeing all the things it could change into. I sat on it, approving its recliner setting. I checked my phone for the time, which read 2:45. I had a little over two hours until Brandon came. I already chose what to wear, so I could do whatever I wanted for the remaining time I had. I was probably the most bored person on the planet, so I returned Ditto and ran over to Ash's house.

When I knocked on the door, Mrs. Ketchum answered and simply said, "He's in the backyard."

I thanked her and quietly walked to the back. Ash was sitting on the porch swing with his hat over his face, probably sleeping.

"Ash, are you awake?" I asked.

He replied with a snore.

I groaned and shook him. "Ash! Wake up!"

All that happened was his "precious" hat he won when he was ten fell off his face onto the ground next to me. The only thing that might've woken him up was a train to go rumbling right through the backyard. I smirked and ran inside.

Mrs. Ketchum looked up and smiled. "Is there something you need, Leaf?"

I smiled back and sat down at the breakfast bar. "I just needed something to do so I thought I'd come talk to Ash, but he's sleeping."

Mrs. Ketchum chuckled. "He is quite the heavy sleeper, isn't he?"

I nodded. "Sorry if I'm bothering you, Mrs. Ketchum."

"Nonsense, Leaf. I enjoy your company. How is life treating you?"

"Great, actually. I'm going on a date later today for dinner."

"Really? Ash mentioned something about you going on a date and Gary being in a bad mood."

My eyes widened. "I didn't know Gary was in a bad mood. Maybe I'll stop by there later to see what his problem is now."

Mrs. Ketchum chuckled. "Okay, Leaf. I'll see you around, and please tell me how your date went. Sometimes I need a girl to talk to."

I smiled and gave her hug. "Will do. Bye, Mrs. Ketchum." I waved goodbye as I shut the door and slowly walked over to the lab.

It would take me at least ten minutes by walking so I calmly took my time. After wondering about why Gary was so pissed when Brandon asked me out, I decided to just run. I jogged the rest of the distance and adjusted my hat before ringing the doorbell.

Professor Oak opened the door and let me in. "I'll go upstairs and get him," the professor said as he slowly went up the stairs.

I sat myself down on the black leather recliner and gazed at the stairs, waiting for Gary to come down. Five minutes went past. My elbow was on my knee and my chin was in my hand. I tapped my fingers against my chin and started to hear yelling. My eyes widened when I heard a door slam. I sat up as Professor Oak and Gary emerged from upstairs, Gary trudging behind him. He plopped down into the black leather recliner opposite of mine.

"I'm going to check up on the Pokémon outside," the professor muttered, sensing the tension in the air.

Gary was staring at the floor avoiding eye contact.

"Gary, what happened yesterday?" I asked, wishing he'd look at me.

"We went to school and flew home," he stated, keeping his eyes glued to the floor.

"You know what I'm talking about. What's wrong?"

He still refused to look at me. It made me want to scream.

"Gary, will you look at me? What's wrong?" I said forcefully.

"Nothing," he said, mimicking my forceful tone. "Don't worry about it."

"I am going to worry about it. You're my friend, and I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong."

He finally looked up at me with bloodshot eyes showing his lack of sleep.

"Gary, please talk to me," I said, attempting to sound persistent.

"It's just, Brandon doesn't seem like the kind of guy you would fall for."

I sighed. "Seriously? That's what this is about? My date?"

Gary rested his hand on his forehead.

"Why don't you want me to go on this date?"

"I don't think you'll like him."

"Why not?"

"Because."

I sat there and just looked at him. "Why should you care?"

He groaned. "You're my friend, and I don't want you to get hurt." He looked at me, waiting for a reply.

I just shook my head. "That's not why you're upset. Why won't you tell me?"

"I can't," he replied shakily.

We just looked at each other for a full minute and a half.

"I can't believe you…" I whispered to myself, just loud enough for him to hear.

"Leaf…"

I heard the back door open, signaling Professor Oak coming back inside. 'I better wrap this up quick.'

"Are you going to tell me what your problem is or not?"

He intently stared at the floor.

"Fine. Don't tell me," I said, heading for the door. "If you want to hide yourself from me, go ahead. I won't care," I said, my voice cracking during my last sentence.

"Leaf, please…"

"Save it for someone who cares," I barked, venom dripping from every word.

His eyes widened in surprise at what I said, but before he could reply, I slammed the door in his face and ran from his house as fast as my legs would carry me. I pounded up the stairs and flopped onto my bed, gazing at the ceiling. I wiped my eyes and sat up. I was going to have fun on my date, and whatever Gary thought was his problem.

XXXXX

After fussing over my makeup and some last minutes shirt switching, Brandon showed up with his Salamence.

"Wow, Leaf. You look great."

I smiled. "Thanks! Now let's go out to eat!" After boarding his Salamence, I got really nervous. 'What if I embarrass myself? What if he thinks I'm weird or something?'

One hour later…

Oh my gosh! It was awesome! Brandon was so funny and he was really nice. I was so happy I decided to go out with him. What an awesome dinner! I laid on my bed and smiled to myself.

"Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Phone call! Phone call!"

I snatched my phone from my side table and sat up. "Hello?"

"Hey, Leaf."

I groaned. "What do you want, Gary?"

"How was your date with Brandon?"

"Don't you mean 'Did you absolutely hate Brandon?'"

"So you're still mad at me?"

"Of course I'm mad! My own friend isn't supporting me! At least Ash is a good friend!"

"Wait a second. Ash is supporting this?" he asked, shock evident in his voice.

"Yeah. He's the one who set me up with Brandon in the first place."

"Ash did what?" he yelled into his cell phone.

"Why do you care?"

"I can't tell you."

I groaned. "Why not?"

"I just can't."

"So I can tell you anything, but you won't tell me why my date bothers you?"

"You make me sound like a jerk when you say that."

My eyes swelled with tears. "Maybe it's because you are a jerk!" I screamed, slamming my phone shut.

I shoved my face into a pillow and screamed at the top of my lungs. After screaming three or four times, I started bawling hysterically into the pillow. I calmed myself down, letting tears silently race down my cheeks. My phone rang again and his picture flashed on the screen. I clenched my fists and chucked the phone into my closet as it continued to vibrate in a pile of clothes. Five minutes later, my mom yelled at me to come down.

"What?" I asked, wiping my eyes for the second time that day.

"Gary's on the video phone. He said he wanted to talk to you."

I gritted my teeth. "Tell him too bad," I hissed.

My mom raised an eyebrow. "Leaf, I don't like that tone you're using with me."

"I'm not talking to him, and you cannot make me."

"Leaf Raquelle Green! I will ground you if you give me one more snappy comment!"

"Please, Mom," I pleaded. "Please."

She sighed, running a finger through her brown locks. "Whatever. Go back to your room."

I mouthed a thank you and ran back upstairs. I stood in the hallway, listening to my mom as she told Gary I was busy. Sure, I felt horrible doing that to one of my best friends, but he so deserved it.

"Mom! Can you drive me to school tomorrow on your way to work?"

"Sure, Leaf! I'll wake you up extra early!"

Gary won't be hearing from me anytime soon.

I swear I'll try better to update more and read my friends' updates.

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