Ash stretched his arms again to reach the light bulb. As he stood on the chair, he was using his forces to unplug the burnt light bulb so he can plug in the new one he got.

"Soo?" Misty cocked her head and looked up.

"It won't plug out."

"Try harder?"

"I'm trying."

"If it's stuck, maybe you should use something to unplug it? Dad gave me a screwdriver in case I need it."

"Uh, Misty... seriously?"

"Hey!"

Ash smiled to herself even though he wasn't in the mood. He was standing on a chair barely standing still and hardly reaching out for the stupid bulb.

"Come on, Ash, we don't have the whole day for this." Misty pulled close to Ash. She put her hand around his bare legs as he wore shorts. "Do something!"

"Don't touch me! I'll fall!" He cried out.

"You won't fall." Misty patted Ash's thigh. 

"Get your hand off, then." Her hands tickled him.

"Alright, alright." She giggled and pulled her hand away. Misty looked up. "It won't get off?"

"I'm trying..." Ash stretched his arms higher to get a better hold of the light bulb. A stupid tiny light bulb couldn't beat him, could it? He couldn't let this happen. Misty was watching. He should be able to get something done properly for his girlfriend by now. She relied on him. 

"Why won't we just call a technician?"

"A technician? For unplugging a light bulb?"

"Never mind."

"Still not moving." Ash sighed heavily, stretching his arms high again to get hold of the spoiled item. The chair moved slightly and he lost balance for a second.

"Hey, take it easy." Misty put a hand on the chair and her other hand on Ash's leg. "We don't want you to break the bulb like you broke the basketball net."

Ash slightly scowled. He admits he's a little out of shape for basketball now, but the steel net circle was surely already ruined. All basketball players hang on the net after they score close, even the heaviest ones. "Thanks for reminding me of that."

"Aww, Ash, it's okay. At least you scored and won against Gary." Misty patted Ash's thigh.

"It's because I broke the net. The game was over."

Misty giggled. "It's a special Ketchum win."

"It's moving!" Ash was succeeding in unplugging the bulb very slowly. It was wincing as it got unplugged. His arms were still stretched high as much as he could. Why were the ceilings in these dorms so high? He was supposed to be tall. His mother always relied on him to get to the top shelves when he was home.

"Oh, finally!" Misty clapped her hands together.

"It really is an old light bulb."

Misty cocked her head, watching the bulb get unplugged very slowly. She gripped at the chair.

"You can let go, it's fine," Ash told her.

"It could move like earlier." Misty shook her head and handed Ash the new bulb.

"It's fiiine." Ash plugged the new bulb. It instantly lighted up. "Thanks for keeping the lights on while I was trying to be useful."

"I totally forgot!"

Ash chuckled and got off the chair. He glanced up at the bulb. "I'm still not sure how you managed to burn it."

"I didn't do anything! They probably never change the bulbs in these dorms!"

"Fine, fine." Ash walked over to near Misty's room door and turned the light off. At the same time, someone knocked on the door.

"Maybe it's Leaf."

Ash opened the door. It was Serena.

"Am I interrupting something? No?" Serena let herself in. "Okay. Good morning. I need help."

Misty and Ash blinked.

"Your pajamas are so cute!" Serena squealed when she saw Misty wearing her baby blue pajama dress.

"Uh, thanks?"

"I'm borrowing him." Serena pulled Ash by the arm.

"No more than ten minutes. He has to jog today." Misty nodded.

Ash turned toward Serena and whispered. "Please borrow me more than ten minutes."

"Less than ten minutes!" Serena nodded quickly at Misty.

"Thanks."

Misty giggled and left to see Leaf as Serena dragged Ash to the bed and both sat down.

"I need help with Clemont." Serena looked very serious.

"What happened with him?"

"Nothing." Serena narrowed her eyes. "That's his problem! It's like he's nothing!"

"Huh?"

"Look, Ash." Serena lowered her voice. "Can you please hang out with Clemont sometimes? I think he needs a guy friend."

"And do you think a guy who's grown up with three girls is your best choice?" Ash chuckled.

Serena glared.

"I'm joking. What's your problem?"

"He just... doesn't act like a man!"

"What have you been reading recently?"

Serena looked away. "He has no friends. He has to learn from other guys how to, you know, be a man."

"So, if I got this; you want me to be Clemont's friend."

Serena pulled a cute face. "Can Gary do it too?"

Ash cocked his head. "He's busier making Leaf swoon over him but I guess we can get him once a week."

"It's the end of the freshman year and I want Clemont to meet people to get convinced to get transferred to Celadon!"

"Is he in Celadon now?"

"He's staying for a week."

"So, is it about making Clemont more of a man or convincing him to transfer to your university and live with you?"

Serena blushed.

Ash grinned mischievously. "There, I get it now."

"He's lonely! He doesn't have friends. I just want him to be more familiar with guys his age..."

"Okay."

"Okay? Really?"

"Okay."

"Perfect! I'll give you his phone number! He's doing nothing particular so you can meet up with him anytime!" Serena did a quick share of Clemont's phone number and got up. "Thanks again! Bye bye!"

"What a good friend." Ash watched Serena leave quickly. The ten minutes weren't over yet!

"Hey Ash." Misty came in as she put her hair in a ponytail. She was wearing new tight legging, a sleeveless shirt and her sneakers. "So, you're coming with me, right?"

"Uhm..." He didn't want to go to this stupid jog. It involved moving. "Aren't you putting on sweatpants?"

"The sweat shows on them." Misty turned around and walked outside. "I forgot my smartband in Leaf's room!"

Ash thought Misty looked way too sexy in those leggings to be left alone.

"I'm right behind you."

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I updated early because I'm so happy ;o; thanks for everyone who wished me happy birthday!

Story ending soon though :c

peace