After taking a shower, Misty headed to Ash's bedroom and sat on the bed, drying her hair with the towel.

"Are you going somewhere?" She looked at Ash who was changing his clothes in front of the closet. "It's late." She glanced at the digital clock on Ash's nightstand that was flashing 10:35 PM.

"I'm just going out for a walk." Ash walked over to the nightstand and picked up his wristwatch. "I want to move a bit after eating."

"Take your phone."

"Okay." Ash fetched his phone and put it in his shorts' pocket.

"Don't leave the neighborhood."

"I won't."

"Make sure the phone isn't on Silent mode."

"Misty..." He chuckled.

"Check it before you go." She pointed to his pocket.

Ash took out his phone. He glanced at the screen. "It's not on Silent mode."

"Okay, then." Misty grabbed her make-up bag. "Don't be late."

-

After a good walk around, Ash was heading to his usual store to buy beer. From behind, he could spot two familiar silhouettes. He stopped walking.

Gary and Serena.

Gary was handing over Serena the groceries bags. He gave her a quick hug and the two walked forward the street. Gary got her a cab and he stood there until the car was out of sight.

Turning around, he spotted Ash who was looking at him the whole time.

Gary raised his hand and smiled. "Hey!"

Ash did the same.

-

Ash and Gary knocked their beer bottles against each other and took a sip at the same time.

"She doesn't want to bother you." Gary spoke up. "She's heard you're going out with Misty and she doesn't want to butt in. That's what she told me."

Ash sighed. Serena avoided him because of Misty. Nothing has ever happened before but knowing Serena, she was just being too cautious.

"She's got good intentions. You can't blame her." Gary took out his cigarettes.

"I get it she comes to your house."

Gary shrugged. "So far, she only came once. She didn't have enough space for some books so she put them in the guestroom."

Ash took a sip of his beer.

"You probably feel responsible because you convinced her to come to Goldenrod, but I must tell you that she's a big girl. She takes care of herself." Gary smiled. "She's doing great."

"And what was that earlier?"

"Just us doing some catching up." Gary leaned back. "Come on, Ketchum. Are you that jealous of me and Serena?"

"She doesn't answer my calls or my texts!" Ash chuckled.

"Well, let's say Misty doesn't look friendly at all." Gary picked up his beer. "I mean, going around wearing mini short in Pallet town..."

"Gossip." Ash drank more beer.

"You know what I mean." Gary grabbed a cigarette and put it between his lips. "She's a spoiled bitch."

"You're talking about my girlfriend."

Gary chuckled. He lit up his cigarette and exhaled. "She's not your girlfriend."

"Of course she is."

"No, she isn't." Gary looked at his rival. "Stop pretending you don't know."

Ash looked down at the green beer bottle.

"I'm not saying she doesn't love you-maybe she does. I don't know. You know better." Gary said. "The problem is her intention, Ketchum. She had other plans when she first started her game."

Ash said nothing.

"And that's why that woman makes me sick to the bones." Gary sighed. He took a quick drag and exhaled. "You still smoke?"

The raven-haired shrugged. He slid the pack closer to him and grabbed a cigarette. "Doesn't she make you sick because she turned you down?"

"Do you want the truth?" Gary narrowed his eyes. "I asked her out because I felt you had your eyes set on her. I thought it'd be fun to push your buttons. I like pushing your buttons, Ketchum. I was born this way."

"You really haven't changed, have you?" Ash chuckled. He lighted the cigarette and exhaled.

"Nope." He shrugged. "I thought she was hot-I still do. Every guy in the company thinks she's hot." Gary spoke after he drank a bit of the beer. "But liking her? Never. I think she's repulsive, too spoiled, a nag."

Ash leaned back. He looked up and exhaled slowly.

"Misty wanted me to hang out less with you."

Gary laughed. "That carrot top and I just get each other so well!"

"She was scared..." Ash shrugged. "... We might have this conversation."

"It's not like you didn't know about her intentions. How old does she think you are?"

Ash took a drag of the cigarette and smashed it against the table. "I haven't realized it until recently."

"Now it depends on you." Gary gestured to the beer bottle in Ash's hand. "It depends if you see that bottle as half empty or half filled."

Ash looked down at the bottle.

"I don't know anymore."