The Bucket List

25: See Romeo and Juliet Live

A/N: I changed Paris and anything French related to Kalos. Also, I do not speak French, so if I'm wrong, please let me know.

Chapter Seven

Misty groaned as sunlight streamed through the window and onto her face. She rolled over, pressing her face into the pillow. It'd been a few weeks since her surgery. Although she was steadily growing stronger and starting to resume her responsibilities as the Cerulean City Gym Leader, she was accustomed to sleeping in each day.

"Ten more minutes," she mumbled.

"Okay, but I have a surprise for you." Misty stilled, rolling back over and cracking open an eye to see who was in her room. The blurry image began to slowly focus to reveal the unruly black hair of Ash Ketchum. As the two made eye contact, he grinned back at her. "I knew you'd never turn down a surprise."

Misty huffed, slamming her face into the bedspread and shoving her middle finger in his direction. Ash laughed, a smug look on his face. What she would give to wipe that expression from his face. He'd gained the upper hand in her weakened state. Once she fully regained her strength, he was in for it.

"Pika!" She sensed the tiny dip in the mattress as Pikachu landed on her bedspread. Pikachu grew closer, sticking his nose directly in Misty's face. He tilted his head, calling to her in a questioning voice. "Pikachupi?"

Reaching out her arm, Misty rested her hand on Pikachu's head, lightly scratching him between the ears. Pikachu closed his eyes, leaning into the attention he was receiving with a soft chaa. On the days when Gary wasn't able to stay the night, she'd fallen asleep with Pikachu curled up on the pillow next to her head. The buzz of static that radiated from his body and his light snoring was like white noise that helped her fall asleep when her mind was spinning.

Finally giving in to the idea of waking up, she sat up and flexed her arms to the side. "What time is it anyway?" She blushed as a loud yawn escaped her mouth.

"One."

"What?"

How had she slept that long? The last time she'd slept past 12, she was still traveling.

"Brock made lunch. Everyone else is downstairs, so come down once you're ready," Ash explained before standing up to leave. Pikachu leaped from the bed and onto his shoulder to hitch a ride. His face flushed as he said, "If you need any help...uh...you know..." he gestured vaguely at her. "Daisy said to text her."

Misty nodded, despite having no idea what he was trying to say.

He waved before walking out the door. "See ya downstairs."

"Pika pika!"

oOo

Dressed in an old sweatshirt and sweatpants and with her hair pulled back in a messy bun, Misty sat on the bleachers in the Cerulean City gym, a blanket wrapped around her. Pikachu sat in her lap, eyes fixed on the Olympic-sized pool in front of them. The pool had been closed off by two giant panels that pushed together to create a stage. To her left, and what felt like a mile away, sat Layla, her eyes slightly narrowed and a grimace on her face.

Misty had tried to talk with Layla, but the girl's answers were snippy and very unlike the warm and welcoming person Misty had been introduced to the week prior. The tension between them felt suffocating, but Misty had no idea what she had done to make Layla so cold towards her. Even Pikachu seemed unsure what to do as he cast worried glances between the two women. Layla was clearly still upset about whatever she and Ash had been fighting about, but Misty didn't know how she was involved. Had she said something to Layla that made it seem like she was on Ash's side?