Promotion

15. Ladders

"So I've heard about you, miss Williams..."

Misty locked her car. She walked slowly toward Gary who was smoking in the parking lot.

"Good morning, Red." He lifted his hand up.

"Good morning, Gary." Misty crossed her arms over her chest. "What is this you heard?"

"It's about Ketchum." Gary took a pull of his cigarette. He continued talking as the smoke escaped through his mouth. "I've heard you two were together."

"Depends on what you mean by together."

Gary chuckled. He looked down and then at his cigarette. He took a drag and exhaled. "You know what I'm talking about."

"No, I don't."

"You're sleeping with Ketchum." Gary nodded. "You want to climb up the ladder."

"Excuse me?" Misty was alarmed.

"You're playing dirty, Red."

"I'm not playing dirty." She retorted. "I like Ash and he likes me."

"You're doing it for the promotion." Gary pointed at her with his cigarette. "It's all over town."

"You're wrong."

"It's all fake." Gary let a laugh. "Everyone can see it. It's so fake it hurts me in the head."

"Honestly, I couldn't care less if you believe me or not. Your opinion isn't any important to me."

"Isn't the company important to you? Isn't your job important?"

"What are you talking about?" Misty let a chuckle. "I thought you were over that dinner I refused you."

"I don't hold grudges."

"You're just jealous of Ash. You've always been jealous of him because he got promoted and you didn't."

"At least I have a real girlfriend, not a fake redhead one." Gary threw his cigarette to the ground and smashed.

"Don't throw your stink on the ground! There are cars here! " Misty shouted. She sighed. "Where did this idiot come from?"

-

Misty was comfortable as she rested her head against Ash's shoulder and cuddled close to him. This wasn't the first time she'd spend the night in Ash's place and it already felt like home.

"Hey Mist."

"Hum?" She pulled closer to him and wrapped her arm around his.

"What was Oak telling you this morning?"

Misty pulled away and sat down straight. She and Ash looked at each other. "What?"

"I saw you talking to him and you didn't seem happy." Ash pulled his right knee up. "What did he say anyway?"

"Just, you know, his compliments..."

"Is he bothering you?"

"No, at all. You know how Gary is like. He has a big mouth."

"You looked angry." Ash grabbed the pizza box from the table. "I know how Gary is like. He's from my town."

"Really?" Misty had no idea.

"We grew up together." Ash chuckled. "We were more enemies than friends. It was complicated. Maybe rivals? I was always jealous of Gary."

"I think he's jealous of you."

"We go out for a glass sometimes. He comes over too." Ash shrugged. "We're buddies. We're over the childhood bullshit."

"Oh..." Misty gulped and pulled closer again to her boyfriend. "Did you know he asked me out before and I turned him down?"

"I've heard about it."

"I think he'll do anything to ruin this thing between us." Misty was prepared for the worst. "You should stop being his friend."

"What are you saying?" He laughed.

"I'm serious." Misty shot Ash a stern look. "Stay away from him." She looked at the TV. "He drinks, he smokes and he sleeps with random girls."

Gary's voice tone was very threatening today, and she was worried. If Ash and Gary were buddies like Ash says, of course he'd believe him if he tells him about the first reason behind her going after Ash.

Because Misty's reasons have changed.

"This is really weird, you know?"

"You've got the girl he asked out, Ash. Things have changed."

"But Gary is dating right now."

Misty stared at Ash. "Did I make myself clear?"

"You're not serious, Misty..."

"I'm serious."

"Fine!" Ash sighed. "I won't hang out with him... often."

Misty thought that was good for a start. "Good." She rested her head on Ash's lap, smiling.

"It sucks to have someone to boss you around."

"You've seen nothing yet, Ketchum."