Misty was nuts.

She was convinced she was nuts.

To say that she woke up early on Saturday to take a shower, wash her hair, blow-dry it, pluck her eyebrows, paint her nails, put on makeup and skinny tight jeans to go to Ash's house... it's pretty disturbing.

But the fact that she felt lonely without him being around this week is even more disturbing.

She was used to him being in her life now, yeah. Both were paired up in a project, and they were used to each other. Not that Ash spoke or called her often, but you get the point. He's a new addition in Misty's routine.

She wasn't even sure of what she's doing anymore.

But hey, Gary was his neighbor, and chances were really high she'd see the brunette again. It'd be a really good to start the day with the sight of the handsome Gary Oak. But Ash was her work partner, and she, as his work partner, has to pay him a visit when he's sick. It's a duty. She has to go see Ash. It'd be pretty impolite not to go see him when he's sick and they've become... well, friends, maybe?

Misty stood in front of the mirror and checked her eyeliner again.

She always wore makeup before going outside. It's not any different, now, is it?

-

When Misty got to Ash's house, she stood hesitantly facing the main door, debating mentally if she should really knock on the door and expect the unexpected or go to her house and spare herself drama and awkward situations.

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when the main door opened widely. This time, it was neither Ash nor his mother. It was a middle aged beefy man who wore an all-black suit; he had his black-grey hair brushed to the back with gel and was more tanned than Ash. His eyes were an incredible icy blue that stood out even more thanks to his bronzed skin.

Misty froze when she realized she may or may have not ended up meeting the famous Mr. Ketchum, Ash's father and one of the richest businessman in the region: Joseph Garcia Ketchum, an Orange Archipelago native (which clearly explains his tan and body build). 

"Oho, it's a Garcia thing, I see!" He placed a hand over Misty's shoulder and walked quickly past her, a strong fragrance smell emitting from him. "Seniorita, the door is open! Go inside."

He looked to be in a big rush. Misty watched him hop in a black big Mercedes and take off quickly. She was left facing a largely open door with the chance of running into-

"Dad? You for-..."

Ash stopped talking when he saw Misty at his door.

"Hi." Misty bit her lip and tried to flash a smile. She could never get off her head what Mr. Ketchum has told her before leaving. What did he mean anyway? "Your father opened the door..."

"Uh, yeah." Ash pulled down his t-shirt. He looked really uneasy.

"Uhm, Gary told me—he said you were sick, so..." Misty thought she sounded ridiculous. "Are you feeling well?"

"U-uh." Ash nodded quickly and gestured inside the house. "You can come in—I mean, if you want. I was having breakfast."

He asked, Misty, he did. You're coming in because he asked and not because you want to Misty smiled in response. "Okay, thank you."

The redhead glanced quickly toward Gary's house and got inside, following after Ash. She didn't see Gary, but that's okay. She came to check on Ash, and she could see the brunette later.

Yes, she was hoping to see Gary; she liked Gary, and just because she was looking up and down Ash's body as he walked ahead of her and she had her eyes fixed on his tall and filled body and his thighs and legs and butt and shoulders and arms doesn't mean she likes him instead, of course.

Misty drifted her eyes away quickly, knowing her little checking-out session will make her feel really uneasy and she could end up acting in a way she would regret her whole life. 

The two were met with the sight of Mrs. Ketchum in the dining room, cleaning up the table.

"Oh, Misty! Good to see you."

"Hi Mrs. Ketchum."

"I'm not finished yet." Ash grabbed the tray from his mother's hand and put it down.

"I thought you went to see Gary."

"No, no, he's probably sleeping." Ash shook his head quickly and took a seat. He gestured to the seat facing him and Misty sat down.

"I saw him this morning-"

"Mom, I don't like talking a lot it in the morning and you know it!" Ash snapped and started eating.

Delia eyed him curiously. Misty felt a bit weird. She blinked as she heard Mrs. Ketchum laugh whilst she walked away. "You could have said from the beginning that you want to stay with Misty heart to heart!"

Ash instantly looked at Misty. He shook his head. "Ignore her."

Misty wished she could. Heart to heart? The pressure was high. "Uh..." the redhead wanted to save the episode and fast. "I got the questions ready."

She knew that Ash will snap at her for bringing up something about school this early in the morning; after all, he hated talking a lot in the morning.

Ash looked up. Misty took out the notebook (the one Ash hated, you guessed) and she placed it on the table. "You can check it out—later, of course. You have the whole time for that. We're not pressed."

"Alright." Misty thought it was a miracle he didn't call her a freak. "Uhm..."

"Yeah?"

Ash grabbed the notebook and opened it. He then looked at Misty. "We can start filming next week if you want."

Misty was receiving a shock after another. Was Ash seriously being... serious? "Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, I'd rather not have this come at the same time as exams." Maybe she was in a dream?

"Great, then. I have a couple of friends who will gladly accept to be filmed." Misty was feeling really reassured and happy.

"Uh, well." Ash cleared his throat. "Maybe we can do it naturally? Like, go outside, and ask people..."

"Hum?"

"You know... me and you. We can do it, someday—like, Wednesday for example? We can head to the mall and... you know that there are a lot of people at the mall, all ages, men and women." He shrugged. "I don't think people would mind being filmed for a little school project."

"I think you're right!" Brilliant. Ash was cooperating and Misty wasn't worried about her grade anymore. "And Wednesday after school is okay for me! It's a deal, then?"

"Deal."

"Perfect!" Misty got up. Happiness was written all over her face. "I have to go now. I'll see you next week at school then."

"Okay. Bye Misty."

"Bye Ash. Thanks for everything."

She flashed him a very sweet smile before she dashed away from the dining room. Soon, Ash heard the main door close. He sighed heavily.

"Oh! She was here?"

Ash jumped in his spot at his father's voice. Joseph was looking toward the door. He walked up the dining room and grabbed the iPad he forgot.

"I followed you to give it to you but you were gone already."

Joseph put his iPad in its pocket. "The seniorita who was here."

"Yeah?"

Joseph laughed. He looked in the direction of the main door and he turned toward his son. "Leche skin!"

"Dad!" Ash chuckled. "Someone will hear this bullsh*t!"

He laughed again. He took a seat facing Ash. "She'll make your kids latte, café crème. Like your mom did to you."

Ash hid his mouth and cheeks with his hands and looked down at his food. "Bullsh*t."

"Esto es especial a la familia Garcia."

Ash sighed. "Bullsh*t."

"Are you-"

"No, I'm not sleeping with Misty." 

Joseph nodded slowly. "I see it. If you were getting that type of exercice, you wouldn't be so padded."

Ash tried not to feel offended but he couldn't. Was it just him or everyone these days is making comments about his body? It's like everyone  suddenly noticed he wasn't in shape. Ever since Misty called him-...

"At least, uh..."

His father looked to be in thought. "But I guess they call them love-handles for a reason."

"Dad..."

Mr. Ketchum nodded. "Leche, mucho leche."

"Daaad..."

"Adios!"

Ash let a groan as his father left. He could hear his parents talk to each other and soon the door get closed. He suddenly didn't feel like eating anymore. He let another groan when he looked down at his own unfinished café crème.

On the other side of the door, and a little far from the Ketchums residence, Misty has suddenly stopped walking in the middle of the street, realizing that Ash may have or may have not indirectly asked her to go on a date with him to the mall.

Or maybe she was just imagining things?

"And what's the Garcia thing anyway?"

Yes, Misty was nuts.