"Do I open it?"

"What else?"

Twenty years old Ash Ketchum undid the red ribbons and put them aside. Then, he opened the beige bakery carton.

"Chocolate this time." Gary Oak patted Ash on the back. "You like these, I know."

"They keep getting it right. It's creepy."

"Or someone is just trying to make you fatter because they're jealous of how hot you look."

"But I'm fat already." 

Gary started walking away. "Fine. Leave them in the fridge for when my big brother's girlfriend comes. She's pregnant and eats everything on the way."

Ash chuckled. "My big brother's girlfriend will be upset." The Ketchum-Oak rivalry was getting to the partners too. Well, not really rivalry. The two girlfriends hated each other. Gary's little sister caught them pulling each others' hairs in the laundry room when Ash and Gary were home for spring break last year and Ash's parents invited the Oaks over for lunch.

"They can share, for once."

"They're idiots." Ash turned to look at the elegant bakery box with the small chocolate fondants in it. Black wraps, wonderful smell, pure butter, pure cacao. He recognized the name of the bakery written in large letters on the top of the box.

Ash grabbed the note he found on the top of the box.

Bon appétit, Ash.

Who was buying pastries and putting them at his door?

It's been a month exactly since he's started finding pastries boxes at his door. They always had the sticky pink note with 'Bon appétit, Ash' written in cursive, so Ash was sure it wasn't one of those crazy ex girlfriends of Gary.

Who was doing this?

He didn't have friends in Goldenrod city who'd like to play pranks on him. He's just gotten here with his childhood friend Gary to attend university after spending two years in a college in Cerulean, and the two haven't been opening up to people around. How long has it been since they arrived to this city? Six months?

"It's a girl, Ash. I'm sure." Gary told him after Ash received the fourth box. The notes were pink and the handwriting was way too pretty, and Gary is never wrong about women.

That fourth box was special. It had lemon and crème pastries, and one slice had raspberries. It was an extra. The thing tasted like heaven, Ash had to admit.

Yeah, he eats them. So?

Ash couldn't remember if he even engaged in conversations with any girl of his major. And how did they even know he had a soft spot for pastries? Who was spying on him? Who was buying him those expensive pastries from that expensive bakery in the Goldenrod City Center? Who is trying to get him addicted?

Creepy.

He had to make this stop. He wasn't involved with any of the girls in the university. None of his old friends were in Goldenrod either. His pants were getting tight - I mean that this had to stop. Who was doing this to him? It wasn't fair. He can't just see pastries and not eat them. Life isn't fair. What was happening to his head? He was confused.

Ash took a deep breath. He got up, closed back the bakery carton and picked it up.

"Fine! You want to play? I'll play too!" He snatched the spoon and opened the box again. "But first, I'll eat this!"

-

When Gary got out of the shower, he found Ash sitting on the floor with his back against the door of the apartment. He was still in his pajama shorts and shirt.

Gary raised his eyebrow, "What are you doing exactly?"

Ash stuck his ear to the door.

"Since when..." Gary trailed off. He shrugged and headed to his bedroom. Ash was weird in the mornings. He needs to eat to get to his normal human state. What's weirder is Ash waking up early, but God knows what he had in mind. Must be the sugar rush from yesterday's chocolate pastries.

Ash put his hand on the door handle, getting ready.

Right when he heard a bit of shuffling behind the door, he opened the door quickly and got up.

"YOU!"

There was a loud high pitched girly shout, a box landing on the ground and a gasp.

Ash remained in his spot, not moving a finger. "MISTY?"

Misty Williams hid her mouth with her red manicured hands.

Misty Williams?

"W-what?" The redhead stuttered. "What's the problem? What's your problem, Ash Ketchum?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you looking me like that?" She shouted angrily, her face all red.

It was Misty Williams, Ash was sure. She may have gotten thinner and curvier in prohibited areas, painted her nails and put on make-up; wore those flowery headbands and accessories that look like candy, and switched to dresses instead of pants and shirts she use to wear in high school, but he recognized her. He recognized Misty after two years of not seeing each other. It was the same Misty Williams he liked.

"Why am I looking at you?" Ash wasn't even sure why he was smiling. "Fine, I won't look at you." He looked down and gestured to the bakery box Misty dropped. "What's this?"

Misty cocked her head and looked away.

He's always thought Misty was... special. He admits he could never imagine her wearing lipstick and have her eyebrows traced and perfectly shaped, but tomboy or girly, but dang, he liked her both ways. Misty knew that very well.

"You're wearing a dress." She never did anything to her hair when they were in high school. Was it just him or her hair was French braided now?

Misty put her hands on her hips. "What is your problem?"

"Nothing! Nothing!" Ash shook his head quickly. "I was thinking someone was stalking me."

"Are you calling me a stalker?"

"Nooo, but it was creepy to find pastries at my door every day. What has gotten into you?"

Misty bent down and collected the box she's dropped. She was about to leave when Ash grabbed her hand.

"Where?"

"I'm leaving." She pouted.

"Why?"

Misty turned around. "Apparently, I'm not welcomed around here."

Ash smiled. "Why were you leaving pastries and running away, Misty?"

"I wasn't running away!" She snapped. "You didn't get it! You weren't supposed just to stuff yourself!"

"Huh? Then what?"

"You're so dumb!" Misty let a squeal. "You're dumb, now I'm sure!"

"Are you sure?"

Misty slapped him playfully across the face and pulled away. Ash chuckled. "Whaat?"

"Yes, you're dumb." The redhead nodded. "You find the pastries at your door. You go inside, eat them and then you just go and do whatever you usually do - probably eat more and more and more until you can longer move!"

"What was I supposed to do?" Ash blinked. Pastries were made to be eaten, no?

"What are you made of? Rocks?" Misty gasped. "Did you ever think about trying to go check the stairs, the elevator or even go to the lobby and ask the janitor who's been bringing these boxes for you like Gary did?"

"What? He KNEW?" Ash gasped.

"..."

Ash gulped.

Misty nodded. "You're dumb."

Wow, he really felt dumb. He never thought about checking who was behind this - well, he thought about it, but he never tried to investigate around. The pastries were delicious and he always thought first about eating them. And Gary was supposed to be his friend. Why didn't he tell him it was Misty?

"You're dramatic, Misty. Why not just ring the doorbell?" Ash raised his eyebrows. "Was it really necessary to make the drama? You're not in a movie."

She cocked her head. "I was trying to surprise you, that's all."

He narrowed his eyes. "Were you going to keep buying those pastries, put them at the door and stay in the lobby until I catch you?"

Misty shrugged. "I was starting to get bored and hopeless, but this has become part of my routine and I know you like pastries."

"I knew it wasn't a prank..." Those pastries were too expensive to be a prank.

"So? Are you going to leave me at the door now that you've finally found me before I leave?" She smiled and blushed.

"Of course not." Ash smiled back and opened the door wide. "You look different with the make-up and the girly sandals but I guess I still like you."

"You're so dumb. I can't believe I like you." Misty sighed and got inside. "All you think about is your stomach."

Ash laughed. He mumbled, "And you." and closed the door after they got inside.