"He's been hanging out with Misty a lot lately. No time for us anymore."

Gary sat down on Anabel's desk and drank some of her coffee. She sat down on her chair and messed up with her phone.

"Misty...?"

"Yeah. The mentally-ill girl I told you about? The one who hates men?" Gary snatched the phone away from her hands and placed it on the desk.

Anabel giggled. "Gary, please. Stop being so jealous because she didn't pick you."

Gary confessed, "I'm glad she didn't. I just feel sorry for Ash."

"It's his life."

Gary rolled his eyes. 

"Oh, Ash's coming this way."

Gary was slightly surprised to see Ash at the office, since he worked from home. It was busy season, so he probably had to come around sometime. Well, he didn't tell Gary anything about it.

"Hey, look who's here." Gary smirked as he and Ash did a bro shake. "Did you get the wrong building or something?"

"I think I did." Anabel got a kiss on the cheek. It was their way to greet each other since she and Ash were very close.

"Our morning just got better. Right, Anabel?"

"Absolutely."

Ash smirked. He drank some of Anabel's coffee too and sat down on the desk, shoving away some papers and folders.

"Why is nobody using the chairs?"

Gary laughed. "We get a better view this way."

Ash turned toward him instantly and smiled. "Hey, you get a better view, Oak. Don't include me in!"

"Better vie—oh, damn you two!" Anabel gasped and hid her chest with her arms.

"It was a joke."

"Excuse me." Gary stood on his feet and showed them the screen of his phone. Leaf was calling him.

"Oooooh, she called you!"

"Someone's given up."

"This is Gary Oak you're talking about, man."

"Go answer your babe and leave us alone."

"She'll bow to me." Gary smirked and answered the call as soon as he was away from Anabel's office.

"So..."

"Let's head out and grab some coffee. The office is suffocating, right?" Anabel asked him politely. "Gary will join us later."

"Oh, okay."

-

Ash put his phone back inside his pocket and took a sip from his coffee cup. Anabel sat down facing him.

"So, Ash."

"Hum?"

"Gary told me about Misty."

"Oh."

"You haven't told me about her. I thought we were friends?"

Ash thought he should be straightforward about this. "I thought it'd be weird since you asked me out and... I like the girl."

"You know what's weird?" Anabel sat straight and confessed, "My friend not telling me about things like these. It doesn't have anything to do with me asking you out or not. That story is old news anyway and we got over it. It just hurt me that you started keeping things from me, and you never did that."

"I didn't want drama, Anabel."

"How old do you think I am?" Anabel chuckled. "I thought I was your 'sister', Ash."

"You are."

"Then include me in, okay? Keep me. Don't throw me away."

Ash has met Anabel thanks to Gary so he never knew he meant so much for her. He thought he didn't matter.

"Don't say that. You know I'd never throw you away."

"I don't know anything. You don't even consider me anymore."

"That's not true."

"Okay then," she said and smiled weakly. "Shouldn't you introduce me to Misty at least?"

"Seeing us... she could get the wrong idea, you see?"

"I thought you made it clear that you like her."

"Yeah, but I don't kiss her on the cheek, hug her and pick her up all the time." Anabel smiled at that. He and Gary did really treat her like a queen, to be honest.

"She's distant, and if she ever sees me being this close to you, she could get a wrong idea. She could get everything wrong."

"It's still not fair that Gary has seen her before and I didn't." Anabel told him. "I promise I won't kiss you on the cheek when she's around."

"Anabel..."

"That's what you meant, right? No kissing and hugging when Misty is around!"

Anabel didn't have that much luck when it came to getting female friends. No bragging, but most felt jealous of her. She had the looks, and it put some girls down. Anabel never meant anything. It was something she couldn't control. She was lonely, until she met Gary, who introduced her to Ash.

They had the best college years ever; Anabel sneaking into the boys' dorm late at night, stuffing their faces with pizza and watching movies. It was a miracle they made it this far.

"I guess."

"We could go bowling, or whatever she likes."

"Oh, I think Misty would like somewhere where she can eat as much as she wants."

"A restaurant?"

"And she doesn't have to pay for it."

"Oh wow, sounds like us. Remember college buffets?"

"Pffft, come on, I'm so done with being reckless. I used to look like King Kong."

"I wasn't better off! We still need a... an Indulgence Day! To revive college memories! Once a month, maybe."

"No."

"Once in two months."

"No."

"One in three months? Four?"

"No."

Anabel stood up and slapped the now-empty cup of coffee against the table, her face lit up. "Today!"

"You got it." Ash did the same. It was refreshing to act silly and let your desires win every once in a while.

"Hey guys, I'm back! Leaf apologi—... why are you two staring at me like that?"

-

"Pfft! Just because she's the head-nurse doesn't mean she can keep treating me like sh*t! And for no specific reason! I'm sick of this!" Misty popped open the Oreo's and poured them into the empty bowl. She kept staring at the two other Oreo's packs, debating about opening them or not.

... and finished by popping everything open and emptying them into the bowl.

That was her one-month Oreo's supply.

"People stress you out and tell you not to stress-eat... losers! Ugh! Screw you!" Misty opened her fridge and took out every soda can she had inside.

She dumped them into a tray, grabbed the bowl full of Oreo's and headed to her living room. As soon as she placed the food on her coffee table, her phone rang.

"Now what?"

Misty, I'm sorry—I didn't mean to yell at-

"No! You are not sorry! Keep the sorry for yourself, Miss Gina, the so-called head-nurse! You think you're better than everyone else because you're married to a doctor! Right? Well, guess what, you are not! I'm switching hospitals, okay? I'm switching, that's it! You won't have to see my face anymore! Someday, it will be just you and your cocky husband in that hospital!"

Misty! Wait-

Misty hung up and threw her phone to the couch. "And I used to think being a d*ck was only a guy thing!"

The redhead sighed and slumped onto the couch. Right when she turned on her TV and grabbed the Oreo's, her doorbell rang.

"Can't I get a break? I can't, apparently! I can't!"

Misty grabbed her robe from the ground and put it on. (What? She lived all by herself, and it was totally comfortable to go around with only her wireless bra and boy shorts on). She walked over to the door and opened it.

It was some kids she recognized. They lived in the fifth floor. "What?"

"Uhm, Miss Misty? We were playing and we dropped our ball... it landed in your balcony..."

Misty sighed. "Wait here. I'll go get it."

The redhead found the ball on the outside corner of her balcony. How did they get the ball here she'll never know.

"Here. Be careful next time." Misty wasn't going to be nice next time, that's for sure.

"We will! Thanks, miss Misty!"

"Thanks, miss Misty!"

"Thank you!"

Misty smiled slightly as she closed the door. At least they were polite. The redhead walked to her spot in the couch and took off her robe. She grabbed the Oreo's and placed the bowl on her lap.

Ding Dong

"Oh, come oooon..." Misty sighed heavily and put on her robe again. This is official; Jesus hates her.

She opened the door of her apartment, and people just bust in her apartment, pushing the door wide and letting themselves in.

"Hey—Ash?" Misty's eyes shot wide.

"So, this is Misty!" Anabel shouted with a large grin, holding several boxes of pizza. The guys were behind her. "Hi! I'm Anabel!"

"What-"

"Ooh! She has soda already!" Anabel rushed to the living room. Gary winked at the redhead and followed his best friend. "Beer?"

"She has no beer!"

"I want beer."

"This is intolerable!"

"What's going on here?" Misty turned toward Ash, who was grinning too. He was holding a box of cupcakes.

"Let's just say we got crazy."

"What...?"

"We're the special guests for today. Ready to feel guilty?" Ash lifted up the box. Misty narrowed her eyes.

"What—what?"

"Food night. We decided to have a breakout."

"In my house?" Misty was confused. But he did say food, right? Free food? The pizza smelled delicious indeed, and the cupcakes...

"Yeah."

Misty had no idea what was going on. Suddenly, Ash and his friends burst in her house and decide they want to eat—wait, what was this again?

"I'm—I'm going to go get changed..." Misty realized she wasn't really wearing anything underneath the robe. She walked over to her bedroom and left the three at the living room. She still could hear their yelling.

"We forgot the beer!"

"I thought Misty would have it."

"No, we can't let you get drunk in Misty's house!"

"I won't get drunk!"

"Don't eat the cupcakes now."

"Don't touch the vanilla one!"

"Why is this happening to me..." Misty mumbled to herself as she put off the robe-

"Hi Misty—oh! You're naked!"

"HEY!" Misty hid her body with the robe. Good thing it was just Anabel, but this was just embarrassing. Misty was red in the face it was making Anabel amused.

"You can't get inside people's bedrooms like that!"

"Your butt is so sexy!" Anabel hid her mouth with her hands. Misty groaned. "Go away!"

Anabel giggled and got out of the bedroom.

"Oh my God..."

So many things were happening all at once... Misty started laughing. It started as a small chuckle, then into a  crazy-a** laugh. As soon as she put her pajama on, she stormed out of her bedroom.

"LET'S EAT!"

-

Misty opened her eyes very slowly. Her eyelids were so heavy and her head hurt. She tried hard and finally fully opened her eyes. She pulled herself down slowly from the couch, her eyes falling instantly to Gary and Anabel who were sleeping on the ground. She couldn't really remember when Gary took off his shirt (not that she minded).

"I shouldn't have drunk that much..." Gary insisted he goes to buy some beer. He bought two six-packs. They drank all of them. Misty was having horrible headache and a small stomachache too. It wasn't shocking though. She ate for two last night. Or for three. She wasn't really sure. She was still feeling really full.

She glanced at her clock. Four in the morning.

And Ash was nowhere to be seen. She could hear some voices coming from the bathroom. It was like gagging. It didn't sound too reassuring.

Misty shoved away all the food boxes and rushed to the bathroom. "Ash? Are you okay?"

"No... I threw up... everything..." He sounded completely tried.

"Ouch..." Misty bit her lip. She chose not to bust in. She wouldn't be pleased. "Well, you're not really used to eating that much, are you?"

"I haven't done this... since college..."

Misty smiled to herself. "You used to?"

She heard some chuckles, and the toilet flushing. "I had a dad bod."

"Really? I could never imagine you not muscular." Misty giggled loudly. He was probably now cleaning up. She waited at the door, impatient.

The door opened. Ash was slightly panting. He was shirtless too. When did he take off his shirt? "Sorry I used your mouthwash. I had to."

"It's okay. How are you feeling?"

"Not bad." Misty tried not to stare too much at him. It was hard though. "I'll never do this again though."

"Coffee?"

"We need it."

The two sat on the stools in front of the kitchen's counter, drinking their coffee. 

"I don't even know what has gotten into me and into Anabel. Suddenly we wanted to eat everything. It was a mad moment." Ash turned around to glance at his friends. They were still sleeping. It will take an eternity to wake up Drunk Gary.

Misty smiled. She was blushing. "I had a rough day yesterday, and you guys lighted up my mood, so I guess I'm okay with it."

"That was out of the blue. Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. We had fun!" It wasn't everyday that Misty had someone eat like crazy with her and make jokes about it. Last night was probably the best night she's ever had so far.

"Oh, yes, we did. It reminded me of college days."

"My college days weren't that fun. I pulled all-nighters. I looked like a zombie—a fat zombie. I gained a lot of weight. The change was so drastic my brother-in-law asked me if I was Misty during my own after-graduation party. It was awkward."

Ash chuckled.

Misty felt like she had to 'defend' herself. "Hey! Did you really think I always looked this way? Of course not, duh! Back in high school, I was skinny, just like my sisters—just like Anabel. Yes, exactly like her. I know it's hard to believe, but I was skinny in the past. I was a size two, no joke."

Sensitive, like always. This time though, Ash decided not to push her buttons. "I didn't think you always looked like this."

"Oh—oh, good..."

"Bodies change. Mine did. Yours did. So they don't matter—at least not for me. That's why I never go for looks; I never did, and never will."

"But you care, right?"

"Just enough. As long as you can get up on your own, you're not overly sweaty, and you don't dress like a grandma, I guess you're fine."

"You really don't have high standards, do you?"

"I don't know. What do you think?"

"Well, you like me, so..."

"You're low standards?"

"..."

"I don't know what others tell you, but for me, you're pretty. You're not really supposed to be this negative. I thought you were better than this, considering your character and all." Ash confessed, shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of his coffee. "Working today is going to be hard. My head is still hurting."

Misty blinked and turned to look the other way, her face red. Ash couldn't be serious, could he? Misty, pretty?

For the rest of the day, Misty blushed every time she thought about Ash calling her pretty, and to Gina's surprise, she didn't fill in the transfer application. Later when she headed to the home care, her colleagues kept asking her about the change in her mood, since she was very mad yesterday about what happened with Gina. 

"Ash..."

"Oh, the guy who stalked you all the time? What about him?"

"Is he still annoying you?"

"I think... I... it's... l-love," She confessed, making the other nurses squeal and fake fainting. 

To be continued.