The Bucket List

3: Get Over My Fear of Bug Pokémon

Misty sat on Daisy's bed, mindlessly flipping through one of her sister's fashion magazines as she watched her run around the room, throwing various items into her suitcase. Daisy briefly paused to examine her makeup collection before deciding to shove it all into her makeup bag.

"I can't believe you're leaving for my birthday," Misty grumbled.

Daisy brushed her off, ignoring her as she continued to flutter around the room. "I told you we were going to start filming soon."

"Yeah, I know, but I'm going to be all alone," Misty moaned.

She really shouldn't be surprised that her sisters would leave her all alone on her birthday. As much as they loved each other, sometimes they occasionally put their needs before hers.

"What about Brock?" Daisy suggested.

Misty sighed. "Working."

"Ash?"

Misty frowned, shooting her sister a distasteful look. "Traveling. I think he's in Hoenn."

"That's not too far..."

"Too far for what?"

Daisy finally turned around, her hands on her hips. "To visit?"

Misty shook her head. "I have to run the gym, remember?" Daisy scowled, having heard the underlying sass in Misty's voice. She hadn't meant for it to come across that way, but if Daisy wanted to suggest she go and visit Ash, one of her sisters would have to give up their trip and watch over the gym. "Besides, I don't know where exactly in Hoenn to find him. He could be off the grid for all I know." She shrugged. "Maybe he's not even in Hoenn anymore."

It'd been months since she'd heard anything from Ash, but that seemed to be the average amount of communication between them lately. After he and Layla had visited for Daisy and Tracey's wedding, they'd resumed traveling so Ash could continue to compete in the World Championships. He texted sporadic updates in their group chat about battles he'd won or old friends he'd run into, but they hadn't spoken over the phone in ages. She'd been anticipating a call from him announcing his engagement with Layla, but they never received one.

Daisy grimaced, suggesting Misty should ask Gary, but she quickly shot down her suggestion after seeing the hesitance on Misty's face.

"I think I've already done enough damage there," she reasoned.

Aside from Daisy-and by default, her sisters and Tracey-she hadn't told anyone that she and Gary had broken up. She didn't know if Gary had handled the situation the same way, but as far as she knew, he still lived in the apartment they had once shared, and although she saw him consistently, they barely talked unless they had to.

Daisy sighed, walking over to gently rest her hand on Misty's shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze. "We'll celebrate when I get back, okay?"

Misty nodded, having no other option. "Yeah, okay." It wasn't what she was hoping for, but she supposed it was better than nothing.

Weeks later, Misty wandered into the kitchen to cook dinner when the bell indicating someone was in the lobby echoed through the hall.

"We're closed!" she yelled down the hall. "There are still some open spots tomorrow if you want to battle."

"No worries," a voice called back, giving her pause. "I've already got this gym's badge."

Misty rushed out of the kitchen in disbelief. There was no way. He was supposed to be in...

"Ash?"

"Surprise!"

Her face lit up, her smile pushing its way through as her fatigue seemed to vanish, replaced by an overwhelming rush of euphoria. She came to a standstill mere inches away from him, convinced for a moment that she was either dreaming or making up the entire thing. But then he stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace, and her body relaxed as she wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing tight as she pressed her face into the crook of his neck, inhaling the familiar aroma of fresh-cut grass mixed with earth and the body wash she was sure he'd been using since the day she'd met him. It was so Ash, and it made her heart ache at how much she'd missed it.