It was hard to believe Delia and Ash were related. She was incredibly nice and has offered Misty all kinds of delicious sweets and drinks. She was treating Ash like a little child, asking if he wanted to eat this or that. He was doing horribly at school and was annoying! Why was his mom overly nice to him?

"He's spoiled."

"Yeah. He's the youngest of four."

Misty pouted at her friends Dawn and May. They were having lunch together. "I'm the youngest of four too."

"He's the only boy. Everyone in his family spoils him." Dawn shrugged.

"Drew said his sisters treat him like a baby."

"That's unfair."

"When five people spoil you, you'll turn out the brat Ash is."

Misty groaned. "Why did I have to be paired up with a brat like him from all people?"

"Oh, well..."

"Speaking about the devil..."

Dawn pointed at something behind Misty. This latter turned around and her eyes widened in shock when she noticed Ash walking toward her.

"You." He got to their table and stood facing Misty.

"What's your problem again?"

"Don't come to my house, do you get it?" Ash placed the notebook she gave him on the table. "I did the work, so stop being a freak and leave me alone!"

"You're so rude! Screw you!" May and Dawn blinked as Misty yelled while Ash walked away from their table.

"He's really handsome! I love his tan! He just needs to lose a tiny bit of weight."

"But Misty doesn't like skinny men like you! She likes men who eat!" May giggled loudly.

Misty shot her friend a glare.

"Fine! We said nothing!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"So, are you still sure you don't want to join the basketball team?"

Ash caught the ball but quickly threw it back to Gary. "With this stupid braces stuck on my teeth until next year, I'd rather not."

"The cheerleaders won't see them."

Ash blinked. He chuckled. "What the..."

"Maybe you're right. Drew always ends up sending the ball to the guys' faces when May is watching our game." Gary started dribbling. "I saw you this morning."

"Saw me?" Ash sat down on the grass. He and Gary were on at the basketball court of Gary's house on the backyard. It was a Saturday and they always enjoyed some basketball on the weekends.

"You went to see Williams." Gary shot the basket.

"Yeah. I gave her back her stupid damned cursed book."

"Even though she's flat chested, I think she's hot."

"What?" Ash chuckled.

"Come on, Ash. Don't act like you're innocent and all the other shit because you're not. You share porn on Google Drive for us."

"Paul says my Wifi is the fastest." Ash shrugged his shoulders and lay down on the ground. Gary grabbed the ball and sat by his side with the basketball between the hands.

"Back to Misty." Gary put the ball aside. "She's cute."

Ash narrowed his eyes. "She's got freckles and pimples all over. She'll look horrible without the makeup."

Gary turned toward his friend. "I thought you liked skinny women."

"Not Misty."

"Well, I guess I don't really care since I like Leaf."

Ash gave him a look. "You like her boobs."

"Just like how you like Misty's thigh gap."

The raven haired ignored him. Gary got up and shot the basket from his spot and he actually scored.

"You know," Gary began and stretched his arms. "You could date Misty someday."

"Someday in dreamland." Ash got up and walked over to get the ball. "She's a freak."

"Even if she's got all the things you like in girls?"

"No, she doesn't." Ash shot the net.

"Yes, she does. Don't speak like I don't know you." Gary got the ball after Ash scored. He turned toward him. "She's skinny, pale and she has a cute butt. Isn't this it?"

Ash made a face. "Can we stop talking about the freak?"

"But-"

"I'm off." Ash grabbed his towel from the grass and started making his way toward the backdoor. Gary followed after him with a smirk.

"You don't hate her."

"I do. She's annoying!"

"She can be annoying and cute at the same time, right?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?"

Ash and Gary stopped in their tracks when they noticed Misty standing beside the fence of the Oaks household. It was the first time they'd see her wearing a dress but that was the last thing Ash would think about at the moment - how slender her legs looked that is.

"I told you not to come here!" Ash walked out of the house. "Now what?"

"Excuse me, but you've written nothing!" Misty had the notebook in her hand. "What kind of lame joke is this?"

"It's due in two months! You're sick!"

"How low can you get? You lied!"

"It was the only solution to get rid of your face!"

"The solution is actually working and studying, fatso!" Misty inched closer. "And what's wrong with my face? Huh?"

There was a moment of awkward silence. Gary looked between the two, a little shocked. He really hoped his friend wouldn't say anything stupid though. But knowing Ash...

"Do you really want to know?" Ash nodded his head. "It's full of pim-"

"Ash, stop." Gary knew he had to butt in. He pulled the raven haired away from Misty. "It's enough."

Gary snatched the notebook away from Misty's hand and gave it to Ash. This latter took it.

"It's fine, Misty. It's Saturday and we were training. He'll do the work later."

Misty's face seemed to light up after Gary talked to her. She smiled at him. "I know. I relax on Saturday's too."

Ash blinked, not believing the sudden change in Misty's mood. Gary smiled back at her. "And I think two months is enough for everyone in class. Don't you think?"

"Yeah, it is. How's the work with Melody, though?"

"I wish she was as motivated as you!"

"Really?"

Ash shook his head to himself and headed toward his house. Gary noticed it.

"Uh, yeah. Well, we'll see you at school."

"Okay. Bye Gary."

"Bye."

As soon as Misty left, Gary went to Ash's house and rang the doorbell. It was Ash who opened the door.

"Really?"

"What?"

"I wish she was as motivated as you!" Ash mimicked him. "What was that supposed to mean? And why were you even talking to her?"

Gary remained silent for a moment.

"Well?"

"Wait, you're not jealous or anything, are you?"

"She's the devil!" Ash hissed. "She completely changed after you looked at her!"

"Does that mean you're jealous because she treats me better?"

"Treats you better? Please. This is a joke." Ash rolled his eyes and slammed the door shut. Gary chuckled and said, "You really are, huh?"

"Stop saying stupid stuff and go away."

"Come on, Ashy-boy, open the door."

The door swung open and Gary slammed it shut before following after Ash and hugging him over the shoulder.

"Did you see what she was wearing?" Gary had that grin Ash hates so much. "Did you see?"

Ash turned toward his friend slowly. He pushed Gary away and walked toward his bedroom.

"Aw, Ashy boy! Come back here!"