Pokemon: Next Generation

Chapter 16: Pillow Talk

Chapter 16: Pillow Talk 

The boys had their own room while the girls took the one next door. It was odd; usually we all slept together outside, but now that our group was so big it seemed best to separate everyone based on gender. My muscles tightened as I got nervous, wondering if Daniel was keeping out of trouble and not causing the so called "Beautifly Effect". Anthony I wasn't worried about, but Daniel enjoyed stepping over the line occasionally for a good laugh. 

"What do you think they're talking about over there?" Amanda asked quietly, seeming just as anxious as I was. 

"Probably girls." Misty snorted. 

Amanda and I jumped. We'd thought she'd been in the bathroom. 

She continued matter-of-factly, "After Brock's encounter with Nurse Joy I'm sure he's still acting like a zombie. The second he does find a girl who likes him I swear he'll forget who Ash and I are and get married, not that I actually see that happening." 

Amanda hesitated. "So since they're probably talking about girls, why don't we talk about guys?" 

Misty cringed as if a Bug Pokemon had just appeared out of nowhere. 

Amanda laughed. "So does that mean there's a guy you like?" 

I glared at Amanda, wondering why she was going to torture me with talking about guys with my mom. What if she said she had a million crushes on other boys? Amanda shrugged, looking apologetic but too curious to take back the question as she stared intently at Misty. 

"No, I don't like a guy." Misty walked over to her bed, her eyebrows scrunched almost painfully together as she punched her pillow too harshly. She looked up at our all-knowing faces and read our disbelief. "I don't like anyone!" 

Amanda shrugged again. "That's fine, Misty. It's just you're acting really defensive about it." 

I shot icy daggers at Amanda again, which she avoided and continued shyly, "Well, I like someone." 

Misty's expression softened. "You do?" 

"Yeah." Amanda smiled. "He's amazing." 

"Does he know?" Misty suddenly seemed very interested. I looked at my mom's young face, my mouth open in surprise as I realized she seemed to have no experience with relationships and was actually looking up to us, well, to Amanda, for advice. It was the strangest thing. Usually we were the ones coming to her for advice. 

"That's kind of hard to explain," Amanda began slowly. "I haven't told him, but I think he knows. Deep down somewhere, at least." 

"Deep down," Misty repeated, staring into space. A long minute passed in which we all remained quiet. Misty glumly lowered her eyes. "I don't think he knows." 

"The boy you like?" I guessed sympathetically, hoping it was my dad. 

She nodded, still looking like she'd rather not talk about it. 

"Misty," I said softly, "I know everything will work out. No matter if you're ever apart from him, even if it's for years, he'll never forget you. And he'll always be yours." 

Misty blushed. "What makes you say that?" 

Self-preservation, I thought dryly. "I just know what I'm talking about is all." 

Misty smiled wryly. "So do you have a boyfriend or not? I thought Daniel-" 

No! He's not my boyfriend." I tightened my hands into fists. 

"She's in denial," I heard Amanda whisper while Misty laughed. 

I groaned.