This time, Misty was drawing in the backyard of the Ketchums' farmhouse. Her red manicured fingers brushed the canvas in fast moves. She was working on shadowing so she now and then wiped off her fingers with a small towel that was on her lap. She had her hair French braided and was wearing a white summer dress.

Her gold ring shone when the sun hit the crystal on its center. Misty paused often to admire it. She'd giggle to herself and go back to shadowing the portrait she's drawn.

It was for tomorrow's graduation ceremony.

She's finally found it.

She's woken up at six in the morning to start drawing it (she's got the idea in the middle of the night and couldn't wait. Living as an artist was hard). She was planning on using other paints she's gotten done, but suddenly, it hit her. It could be it. It was what she's been looking for.

Misty put her hands down, admiring her artwork.

"I guess that's it, Ash."

She stared at his face and put her fingers on the drawing. She never knew she could love a man as much as she loves Ash. She could never imagine herself deciding to marry a guy this quickly. The university has given her an additional month to get her painting done since she was more busy putting a ring on it and trying to calm down her way too excited sisters, but let's face it; she's known Ash for one month, and now it's been two months since their engagement.

She doesn't regret it at all. She enjoys every single second of being Ash's fiancée.

Misty glanced down at the henna tattoo on the back of her pale hand. Leaf says it's a sign you're a newly engaged woman. It's a sign you're taken. She's gotten it only a few days after their engagement got official, and it was Ash's grandmother whom tattooed her hand. Flowers, swirls. Misty loved it. 

"Misty?"

The redhead instantly turned the canvas around. She got off the stool. "Yes?"

"I thought you were inside the house." Ash stood beside her. He glanced at the white back of the canvas. "Were you drawing?"

"No." Misty shook her head. "Just checking the paint I'm going to present tomorrow."

"Okay..." Ash didn't look convinced. He rubbed his face and sighed. "I was sleeping so peacefully until mom butted in and kicked me out of the bed."

"It's past lunch time, Ash." Misty smiled.

"Who spent the whole night loading the wine in the truck until dawn? Her?" Ash sighed.

"You'll mix up day and night this way. It's bad for your health."

He shrugged. Ash pulled close to Misty and ran his hand through her hair. "I kissed you on the lips before I sleep. Did you feel it?"

She laughed. "I'm your fiancée, Ash. You don't need to wait until I sleep so you can kiss me."

"Eeh! I know! You just looked really pretty and I couldn't stop myself — plus, you smelled like candy and strawberries."

Misty has learned Ash and company didn't have a culture of using flowery shower gels, exfoliating creams, Aloe Vera facemasks and lip balms. Ash always told her she smelled like candy.

"You're so silly." Misty punched his arm playfully.

"I know, I know. Now, tell me." Ash put his hand on the back of the canvas. "What's on it?"

"Huh?"

"I know you were drawing something. Your fingers are telling me."

Misty looked down. The tip of her fingers still had the pencil traces. She tried to wipe it off with the towel.

"Can I?" Ash put both his hands on the top of the canvas. "I'll turn it around."

"Do it." Misty blushed.

Ash chuckled and turned the canvas around.

"Huh?"

"..."

Ash blinked. "Wait, that's me?!"

It was a portrait of Ash carrying a wooden box of wine bottles on his shoulder. Call Misty crazy, but she thought it was the perfection definition of The World Of Passions. Passion of working, passion of love, passion of life — Ash just had all the passions in him, and maybe this is why Misty fell in love with him too quickly. Ash was the world of passions for Misty. He was her world of passions.

He turned toward her. "That's me."

"Of course." Misty smiled shyly.

"Wait... it's really me!" Ash let a chuckle, not taking his eyes off of the drawing. "Are you trying to graduate with a drawing of me?"

"With a drawing of my fiancé, yes."

Ash cocked his head. He suddenly pouted. "Uhmmm..."

"What?" Misty blinked. "Is something wrong?"

"Well..." Ash kept staring at the drawing. He cocked his head.

"Would your parents be against it...?" She'd never know. She was still new to the culture of Pallet town. Misty calculated every step she made and she always asked Leaf for directions, but this... she forgot.

"It isn't fair." He made a face.

"What's not fair?"

Ash made a face as he stared at the drawing. "My belly sticks out on your drawing."

Misty hid her mischievous smile behind her hand. "It's because your belly is like that in reality."

"What?" Ash looked down. He put his hand over his belly. "Really?"

She nodded in a serious manner. "I tell you not to eat a lot and drink wine at night with Gary, but you don't listen." Hum. She wasn't really bad as a wife, was she? Ash's been a free soul for all these years. He needed someone to put him back in track.

Ash gulped. "Euh..."

"That's what I thought too." She nodded.

"Okay, fiiiine." Ash waved his hand. "It doesn't matter."

Misty blushed slightly. "So, do you like my drawing?"

"I like so much I don't think I'll let you take it out of the house. It's mine." Ash put his hand on the canvas. He smiled. "I love it."

"I love the guy on it more."

Ash looked at her. He and Misty pulled closer and-

"Misty? Where are you?"

Both pulled away from each other instantly and Misty turned over the canvas. When Delia walked in, Misty was pulling at her braid and Ash was pretending being interested in his shorts.

"Oh, there you are!" Delia walked up to Misty. "Are you crazy? No, you really are!"

Misty and Ash blinked.

"What are you doing under the sun? It's midday! Your skin will darken." Delia gestured to the house. "You're going inside right now. RIGHT NOW."

Misty and Ash exchanged a look. "Uhm, well..."

Delia said, "Do you hear me?"

"Uh." Misty nodded. "I'll get inside right now."

Delia shot her a look.

"I'll..." Misty gestured to the canvas. "I'll grab this and then get inside."

"You can draw inside!" Delia sighed and walked away.

Misty instantly looked at Ash. "Why is everyone trying to make me stay in the house these days? Did I miss something?"

"Leaf didn't tell you?" Ash smiled.

"You think this is funny, don't you?"

"It's a stupid old tradition."

"I deserve to know."

"It's simple." Ash nodded. "For their wedding day, women want to have white skin. That's why they don't leave the house months before the big day so their skin gets to its natural color, which means, lighter."

"Wow, it's really serious, isn't it?"

"Women have a love-hate relationship with the sun in this town."

"It's because the men are obsessed with white skin, no?"

Ash chuckled. He planted a small kiss on Misty's lips and walked away. "Go inside the house, Misty. It's for your best."

"You're so old school, Ash." Misty giggled, grabbed her drawing and followed after Ash. "And tomorrow?"

"Oh, tomorrow? Mom will probably make you wear a ridiculously big hat."

THE END

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//Sobs. 

I enjoyed writing this story a lot

new story on the way? c;

peace