Alright, guys! This is it, the chapter I know you all have been waiting for: THE CLIMAX AND ROMANTIC STUFF! After this one, we've only got one or two more (I still have to finish them and such) and this story is finally, FINALLY done!

Just so you all know, this chapter was mostly written years ago alongside the other original ones, but there are a few add-ins here and there that I had to stick in for the story to make sense. I apologize if some places seem a little choppy or don't flow too well.

Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing other than my few OCs (Brandon, Trina, Layla, etc.).

LEAF'S POV

"Like, sit still!"

"This curling iron is going to burn the top of my head off!"

"What the hell, Lily?! Are you trying to make me look like a hooker?!"

"I, like, found the purple eyeliner!"

"I'm about to, like, throw this thing, like, out the window!"

Misty's living room was converted into a ginormous makeup studio as her sisters pulled, plucked, glossed, and mascara-ed us to death. Misty was furiously wiping her face down with makeup removing wipes, and Violet was yelling at Lily for her use of eye shadow. Daisy was curling my hair, making it a bunch of soft, wavy ringlets. I swear to Arceus that Daisy had burned off half of my scalp, but my hair was looking pretty nice.

Misty sat back down into her chair and crossed her arms. "You two can fix my hair. Lily is not allowed to touch my face!"

Violet started to carefully brush Misty's tangled hair out, letting it rest on her shoulders. All three of the sisters had their own hair tied up out of their faces and laboriously worked on making us perfect for the Winter Bash.

"Can I, like, leave your hair without, like, any bobby pins? It looks, like, perfect."

I shrugged. "Sure."

"Great! Go, like, put on your dress!"

I took the dress from the hanger on the front of the bathroom door. I hadn't worn the dress since I bought it a week earlier, and I was actually excited to wear it again. I slid the cool fabric over my head and smoothed the skirt beneath my fingertips. My gold eye shadow glimmered in the lights above the bathroom mirror. I smiled brightly and left the bathroom.

Daisy squealed. "Like, amazing!"

Misty turned around in her seat and smiled at me. "You look great, Leaf."

"Thanks. Is your makeup done?"

She sighed. "Finally, yes. I'm gonna get dressed."

Misty shut the door to the bathroom, and I turned to a giggling Violet.

"Does she know you drew a smiley face on her cheek with purple eyeliner?"

A shriek echoed through the house.

"I'm, like, gonna go with yeah."

XXXXX

"Alright, Leaf. I'm gonna get Ash and head to the dance. We have a little over half an hour to set everything else up, and I need all the help I can get."

"Okay. Brandon and I will see you there."

"Are you sure you don't want me to bring you?"

I smiled. "He said he'd come and get me, but thanks."

Misty opened her car door to get into her car. "See ya!"

I waved as she backed out of my driveway, and walked inside my house. "Mom, I'm home!"

She rushed down the stairs and gasped when she saw me. "Oh, Leafy. You look absolutely beautiful."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Let me go get my camera!" She ran upstairs again, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Of course," I muttered.

XXXXX

MISTY'S POV

"Misty, where do you want these?"

"Misty, we're out of light blue balloons."

"Misty, Sarah's hair is stuck in one of the lights!"

I looked at three of my classmates, who were all as frantic as I was. "Those go on the centers of all the tables, just spread them out more, and do we need scissors?" I followed one girl and helped Sarah untangle her hair from the wall.

"Five minutes!" someone shouted.

I glanced out the window, and kids were already starting to line up at the door in dresses and suits. "We're almost done, people!" I exclaimed.

They all cheered. This preparation thing was almost as bad as prom.

I sighed and looked over at a girl named Ariel. "Get someone to welcome everybody and take roll call."

She nodded and ran off. Most of the people on the committee were girls, but a lot of them had dates that we forced to do a lot of stuff. We had a huge banner that was supposed to hang up above the stage, and I reluctantly asked Ash and Steven to do it. They were both on ladders that were, of course, held by no one at the bottom.

I walked over to the stage and looked up at them. "Are you guys done yet?" I shouted.

They both jumped at my voice.

"Almost, Mist," Ash called down.

I looked between the two of them and nodded before walking away. A loud crash echoed behind me, and I cringed.

"I'm okay!" Steven yelled.

"Someone else please hang the banner!" I exclaimed.

XXXXX

? POV

I greeted all of the senior students as they filed into the room. Every now and then, there was a kid I didn't know that had to be explained. Everyone was allowed to bring one guest, but I had to make sure that everyone listened to the rule. A boy who was in my French class came over with a girl with dark brown hair attached to his arm.

"Welcome to our school. Who are you?"

She held out her hand. "I'm Layla. The decorations are amazing."

I smiled. "Thanks. What's your name again?" I asked the boy.

"Brandon."

My eyes widened. "Okay. Have fun."

They walked off, and I grabbed Ariel's arm. "Can you take over my job?"

"Sure. What's up?"

"I gotta ask Misty something."

"Alright. I'll finish up for you."

"Thanks so much." I ran as fast as I could in my shoes and found Misty fixing some decorations on a table.

"Hey, I have a question. Leaf's dating a guy named Brandon from our school, right?"

She nodded.

"He's got dirty blond hair and brown eyes, right?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Just asking. I gotta go. Bye!" I rushed around people out into the hallway and yanked my phone out of my clutch.

"Oh Arceus," I murmured.

XXXXX

GARY'S POV

I heard a knock at the door. I got up and Cassie smiled happily at me. "Hey, Gary! You ready to go?"

"Sure. First, I was wondering, how are we going to make her jealous?"

Cassie looked at me with confusion. "What?"

"Y'know, you said you'd help me get this girl. Remember?"

She shook her head. "No. You must be thinking about something else."

"No, that was our plan."

She rolled her eyes. "You're so funny. C'mon, let's go. I don't want to be late!"

"Cassie, you know this isn't really a date, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"This never was a date."

"It always was a date."

I looked at her. "No, it wasn't."

She smiled like she knew something. "Gary, you and I both know that I'm this girl you're talking about. Let's go."

"Cassie, you must be confused."

"Gary, just knock it off. We're going as a couple."

"Maybe this was a mistake."

Her smile fell. "What?"

"I shouldn't have agreed with you. This is too weird for me."

"But you have to go with me! You can't just dump me!"

I shrugged. "Well, I guess I am."

Her hands balled into fists at her side. "Don't you dare…"

"Bye, Cassie."

"Y'know, who'd want to go to a dance with you anyway? You're just an egotistical moron."

I walked to the door and held it open. "Get out."

She stomped out the door, flipped me off, and sped away in her car. I groaned and trudged back into my house. When I shut the door, I heard my phone ringing loudly from the living room. I picked it up, but the number wasn't registering. I answered anyway.

"Hello?"

"Gary?"

"Who is this?"

The girl on the other end sighed. "It's Trina."

I went to hang up, but she yelled, "Don't hang up!"

"What?"

"I'm not some crazy fangirl anymore by the way, so I'm not gonna stalk you or anything."

I sighed in relief. "Good. Then what's up?"

"It's Leaf. She's not here."

"She's going with Brandon. Maybe they're running late."

"That's the thing. Brandon is here, but he's got some chick named Layla hanging on him."

"What?"

"I think he stood her up."

I gaped, and then my eyes narrowed at no one. "I'm getting her."

"Gary?" she asked as I went to hang up the phone.

"Yeah?"

"I know you two were fighting or you still are or whatever, but she pretty much told me herself that she likes you. I can tell you like her too. Let her know."

I smiled. "Trina, I owe you big time."

"I'll remember that. Bye."

"Bye." I shoved my phone in my pocket and headed outside. I sighed shakily. It's now or never.

XXXXX

LEAF'S POV

I glanced at the clock for the millionth time. My mom had left for a night shift about an hour ago, and Brandon was supposed to pick me up almost half an hour ago. I kept telling myself he was late, but realization hit me. He stood me up. I felt my eyes prick with tears, and I quietly wondered if waterproof mascara really worked. The doorbell rang, and I smiled. I had been worried about nothing. I walked to the door, but instead of Brandon, it was Gary.

I blinked back tears as he looked at me. "He stood me up," I mumbled, looking down at the ground.

"I'm so sorry," he said.

I looked at him. "What are you sorry for?"

"I've been a crappy friend lately."

The tears silently flowed down my cheeks. "So have I. I shouldn't have kept bugging you about-"

"I'll tell you," he whispered.

My eyes widened. "Really?"

"I don't like Brandon. Never have, never will. He's a lying cheater who uses girls for no freaking reason."

I sniffled and nodded.

"Are you crying?" he asked.

I turned away. "No."

"I'm not stupid, Leaf."

"Is my makeup running?" I asked jokingly.

He shook his head and slightly smiled. "You look beautiful as always."

I felt my face burn, and I smiled. "Don't mess with me, Gary."

"I'm not," he stated, his tone even.

He tilted my chin to face him, and his lips pressed against mine. I froze, unable to move. Then I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. His arms snaked around my waist, pulling me tightly against him. I smiled against his lips. We pulled away, and my forehead rested against his.

"I've been in love with you since I was thirteen. I couldn't stand seeing you with Brandon. It killed me inside."

"Is that what you wouldn't tell me?" I asked.

He reached up to my face and wiped a stray tear away with his thumb. "Yeah."

"I'm glad you did."

He chuckled. "Me too."

He leaned in again, and the sparks flew.

XXXXX

Gary led me to the lab, and Professor Oak looked up at us from the table. "What are you two doing here? I thought you were supposed to be at the dance."

"Can we borrow your car, Gramps?" Gary grasped my hand in his, and I smiled warmly.

Professor Oak stood up and picked up a pair of car keys. He tossed them to Gary, and Gary looked at the keys in shock.

"You're letting me take the other car?"

Professor Oak nodded. "You both deserve it."

"Thanks, Gramps. I owe you one."

I waved goodbye to Professor Oak as Gary dragged me outside and opened the garage. I gaped. There was the regular silver car I always saw, and a shiny red car that looked untouched rested next to it.

"He's letting us use the red one?"

Gary nodded, and we both climbed into the car. Gary started it up, and we started driving toward Cerulean City. My entire clutch purse began vibrating, and I pulled my phone out. Misty was calling me.

"Hello?"

"Leaf, where are you? I haven't seen you, and I swore I just saw Brandon."

"Oh. He stood me up."

"He what?!"

"It actually works better this way."

"But you bought a dress and shoes and were all done up for nothing!"

I glanced at Gary. "Don't worry. I got a ride."

"From who?" she asked, suspicion in her voice.

"It's a surprise."

"I'm still going to kill Brandon."

"Don't worry. I'll help you with that. Wait until I get there."

"'Kay. See you soon!"

I put my phone back into my purse.

"Who was that?"

"It was just Misty. She was freaking out."

"Why?"

I sighed. "Brandon's at the dance."

Gary nodded. "Yeah, I heard he had some girl hanging on him."

"Wait, what? A girl? Who?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I forget her name."

"How did you even know that?" I asked, looking at him with confusion.

"Trina called me."

"Trina?" I asked, thoroughly surprised.

Gary nodded, glancing at me. "Just because you didn't want to be her friend anymore doesn't mean she felt the same."

XXXXX

Gary pulled into the school parking lot, and we both got out of the car. Gary squeezed my hand, and I gently squeezed back. We walked into the school gym, and I started scanning the crowd for Misty. I saw Misty sitting at a table with Ash, and she looked at me. Her mouth fell open and she rushed over toward me. Ash looked up, smiled, and started walking toward us.

"Oh my gosh, no way!" I heard Misty exclaim as she ran toward me. She looked between me and Gary, a smile plastered on her face.

Ash stood next to Misty. "Leaf, did you and Gary come together?"

Misty gave him a look of disbelief. "They're all together and stuff now, Ash." Misty looked at me and Gary. "Right?"

I looked up at Gary, and he smiled at me genuinely for the first time in weeks.

I grinned and looked back at my friends. "Yeah."

"Yay! Everybody's happy!"

Ash rolled his eyes at her. "Now we get down to the dirty work," Ash stated, looking at Gary.

Gary nodded, cracking his knuckles. "I've been waiting for this day for too long," he added.

I cast a worried glance at Misty.

"I'm in charge of the dance." She shrugged. "I won't mention this or kick them out if you don't care."

I sighed. "As long as you don't make him bleed, I guess it won't be too bad. And he does deserve it."

"I'll get Layla if you get Brandon."

I nodded. "Go, Misty."

I watched from a distance as she walked over toward Layla. She started talking to Layla really nicely, but I saw her point to Brandon a few feet off and whisper something in Layla's ear before pointing to me. I smiled and waved while Layla's eyes grew wide. Angrily she pushed past Misty, marched up to Brandon, and slapped him across the face. She strode out of the gym and out of sight. Meanwhile, Gary and Ash took Brandon by the arms and pulled him out of the building.

Misty walked up to me, a confident smile on her face. "There. I think that takes care of everything."

I laughed genuinely for the first time in a long time. "Yeah, I think it does."

A few minutes later, Ash and Gary walked back into the gym. Gary's hair was slightly messed up and Ash was shaking his hand as if he were in pain.

"There you go, Your Highness," Gary stated, running his hand through his hair in a vain attempt to fix it.

Misty rolled her eyes. "Alright, Prince Charming." She linked her arm through Ash's. "You be careful with her, or you'll be ten times worse off than Brandon."

Gary nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"Everyone, if you'd please gather around the stage!"

We turned to face the stage, where Trina stood in her sparkly silver heels, her pink skirts swishing around her ankles as she walked to the front. I had almost forgotten she was on the Winter Bash committee.

She smiled. "It's time to crown our Ice Prince and Princess!"

Well, there it is, Chapter 26! I tried to go for a little cliffhanger type of thing with this one (I had to shove in those last few lines with the original text), and I think it worked with what I had already done. Next update will be next weekend.

Thanks for reading and please review!