Tracey's POV

I decided to visit Misty at the Cerulean City Gym again today. I don't know what it is about her that always makes me feel like she reminds me of someone. Yes... someone important to me. I don't know how, but she reminds me of someone I use to know who was very close to me. I knew her a long time ago... and we'd known each other for as long as I could remember. I also don't know how I can usually sense when she's not okay. It pains me of how hard she's taken the loss of Ash. He was her first real friend that didn't treat her unkindly. She thought highly of him, no doubt. I had always seen the way they looked at each other, the way they laughed off the stress they inflicted on each other after arguing. I know that she doesn't see it like I do. She sees herself as a lowly, bossy, rude girl, that was the least important of her best friend's other friends. She sees herself as a hopeless romantic that fell for her best friend, that'd never love her back because she couldn't change who she was in time. But I see someone who's beautiful and sweet, and especially thoughtful. She knows when to stop herself from crossing the line. I see someone else, who deep inside, knows that Misty is special to him, but sadly, she's too blinded by her negative thoughts to see that. What I see, is two best friends, that love each other. Not like. Love. Real love. Yet, they don't understand.

But... what she also doesn't see... is that I love that way too... and understand it. I think I've learned it from experience, but I'm not sure how. I've never had a --um-- real girlfriend before, so how would I have this knowledge?

I looked ahead to smile as I see the Gym in front of me. I giggled to myself as I overheard the fiery orangette yelling in annoyance at her crazed sisters who, in my opinion, weren't nearly as sensational as her.

"Ugh! What do you guys not understand!" I heard her shout. I wasn't even that close... "We aren't like that!!"

Now that got my attention. I wonder who she could be talking about.

I heard some other voices, but I couldn't tell what they were saying. I decided that it probably wasn't worth it, and decided to make my appearance. That's when I heard Violet say...

"Misty! We know how you feel about Ash!" Could that be who they're talking about? I know Misty better than to deny how she feels about him, even if it's her sisters, "You shouldn't have another boy come over here just so you can replace Ash with him for your own amusement!"

I halted, pain stabbing at my heart. I was already a foot past the entrance inside the Gym. They haven't noticed me though. Could that be true? That she only replaced Ash with me so she wasn't bored? T-that couldn't be... She... She wouldn't do something like that... Am I really that meaningless to her?

They still didn't notice me when I saw her face redden from anger. She looked offended. None of the other sisters joined in with Violet, so I assumed that they had conflicting opinions.

"HOW COULD YOU EVEN SAY THAT!?" Misty sneered at her sister, much louder now that I was in the Gym, "I'D NEVER DO THAT! NOT TO TRACEY!"

"What makes you say that!?" Daisy responded this time, jealousy trickling like a stream, "Why Tracey?!"

I internally twitched. I knew why she'd be jealous. We went out together for a couple of weeks until Misty told me the truth about why Daisy went out with me. Daisy was only impressed with my plumbing skills when they had asked me to fix the pool. She said that Daisy only wanted to dare me was because I was cute, and above all, gullible. She only wanted me so she could show me off to her friends to make them jealous. She used me, and Misty knew that I hate fake relationships, so she helped me break up with her.

I noticed the gears turn in Misty's mind. Analyzing the way her features quickly turned into a smirk for a split second before her scowl returned, I realized just what she was going to say. Thankfully, I knew what she was planning to claim wouldn't be true, thanks to me knowing that she was only going to say it to upset Daisy.

"BECAUSE I LOVE HIM AND ASH MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER LOVE A MAN!!"

Okay, I'll be honest. I wasn't expecting the word the 'love' word, so I was probably blushing.

Daisy was furious at her remark, but not before Lily and Violet finally noticed my presence by the door. They sent each other knowing glances, before worried looks crossed their faces like Meowth's Fury Swipes, if you get what I'm saying.

Misty looked at me, realizing what she said in front of me, and instantly became flustered. Unexpectedly, Misty's concerned sisters rushed to hold back their enraged sibling, and hurriedly sped out of the room after Lily muttered something along the lines of her and Violet being sorry and that they'll take care of Daisy.

It was just me and Misty in the room now.

She bravely approached me, considering I'd be running for the hills if I was her right now.

I knew in my heart that she was regretting everything, thinking that our entire friendship was at risk. I knew that she was worried. I only wish I could show her that I understand. That I knew that she didn't feel that way about me. I wanted her to know, but my throat was dry, restricting the words to escape my lungs. I don't know why. I know that she didn't mean it, yet here I am getting Butterfree in my stomach. I can't believe I'm saying this to a bug type, but curse you, you stupid Butterfree.

"Look... Misty I--"

"I'm sorry!" She screeched, holding her arms up in front of her, protecting herself.

I frowned. She was afraid... afraid I'd hurt her... for what she said.

"Please... I'm not mad at you," I said, putting my hand on her shoulder.

She looked up at me cautiously, "You're... not?" I nodded.

Slowly, she lowered her arms.

"I know that you only said that to upset Daisy, and that you didn't really mean it," I sympathized, "It's okay, honest," I gave her my best attempt of a reassuring smile.

I sighed when she returned it with a small one of her own.

We left the Cerulean City Gym behind us, and went to the bridge on Route 24 so we could chat without having her sisters around to bother us.

I leaned over the railing, looking out to the water as Misty did the same.

"Actually," Misty spoke up, turning to me, "If you think about it, it's true."

No doubt that I looked at her as if she had gone mad.

She continued, a light chuckle in her voice as she said it, "There's no way she'd ever be able to love someone as much as I love you and Ash."

I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks as I awkwardly looked down at my hands. Why can't I just keep myself together? I know she only meant me as a friend... right?

I couldn't see it very clearly, but from the corner of my eye, it looked as if she flushed at my reaction after realizing what she implied. Though she didn't bother correcting herself, so I wasn't sure.

"At least... not in the same way... that is..."

I looked back up at her curiously.

"What do you mean by that?"

She seemed to smile a little, as the awe of the sunlit water soaked into her. It was glorious, "I mean... she wouldn't really... care about them, like how I care about you guys..."

I heard my heart pound.

"She wouldn't really be in it for love... You, if anyone, should know exactly what I'm talking about," she said, trying to make a joke, but we both know that it wasn't funny.

I simply nodded, wishing the Butterfree frolicking inside would go burn in hell.

I shouldn't be feeling this way. I know that she belongs with Ash. They love each other too much for me to feel like this. This isn't okay. I shouldn't be feeling this way. I can't do this to her. I couldn't. I don't want to.

She leaned back from the edge of the railing, peacefully watching the ripples of the stones that this one kid skipped along it's surface.

It was amazing. How beautiful she was when she was happy.

I quickly shook the thought from my head when I realized that I was staring. I can't have her, so why can't I stop feeling this way. Honestly, I don't want to feel this way. I... I felt like I'd be betraying someone. Someone who I was silently committed to.

After awhile, she sighed, and offered me a smile, "Could you tell me more about her, Tracey?"

I smiled. I loved it when we talked about her. I met her a long time ago. She was my childhood friend, and I miss her very much. I loved the way Misty's eyes would just light up whenever I spoke of her. Misty told me once that she liked the way I talked about her. She never explained why though.

"Of course," I said to her, feeling warm inside.

"What was she like?"

"Beautiful. Very, very beautiful."

"Well that's a very broad thing to say out in the open," Misty chuckled.

"Hehe, I guess so," I said, a little embarrassed, but happy, "But there's no way to not describe her like that. It's true. She was very beautiful," I said, smiling away.

"Was she more shy or outgoing?"

"Mhmm, more like perky. She was kind of shy when I first met her, then again, I was too, but when she got use to me, she was as talkative as the sun is bright."

Misty giggled, "Was she more calm and collective, or did she have a temper like me?"

I laughed at her classification of herself, "By far, calm and collective. She was a great person to talk to cause she'd just sit there, and listen to you rant on and on about what's on your mind," I explained.

Misty laughed lightly with a warm smile, "Like you?"

I paused, before smiling to the water, "Yeah... I guess so..."

She sighed, looking down at our reflections, "I wish Ash thought of me like that..."

Alarmed, I instinctively went to Misty's side. I can't have her think like this. I know Ash loves her, "Of course he thinks of you like that, Mist."

She raised her head, hope sparkling in her dazzling cerulean colored eyes, "You really think so?"

"I know so, Mist," I whispered, "There's no way he couldn't. You're too beautiful to be thought of any other way."

Wait... hold up.

Did... did I just... say...?

Crap.

"Tracey...?" She said wearily, taking a step back. I watched as she slowly put all the pieces together.

I was redder than a Darmanitan. How could I have said that?! How could I have been so stupid!?

She took a couple more steps back and looked at me, "You love me... don't you?"

It was then, I felt like it was all over. No more hiding, just the unfortunate truth.

I had to look down. I was too ashamed in myself, "Yes..."

It was then, her eyes set on fire. No more friendship, which is the unfortunate truth...

"What the hell, Tracey!? How could you?!"

"I'm sorry..."

"I thought I could trust you!" She burst into tears, "I thought you knew how I feel about Ash!"

"I do!!"

"THAN HOW COULD YOU THIS TO ME, TRACEY!?"

"I-I DIDN'T MEAN TO! IT JUST HAPPENED, OKAY!?"

"NO!! IT'LL NEVER BE OKAY! I THOUGHT YOU CARED!!"

"I DO!"

"NO YOU DON'T!!! IF YOU CARED, THEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE- Y-YOU WON'T LOVE ME!!"

"MISTY! PLEASE! I DON'T WANT TO FEEL LIKE THIS!" I shouted, salty tears drenching my face, "I JUST WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY!"

Misty fumed, "WELL YOU OBVIOUSLY WEREN'T GOOD AT MAKING TEARI HAPPY, CAUSE IF YOU WERE, SHE WOULDN'T HAVE DITCHED YOU!!!"

I took a step back. There was no way in hell I was going to let her insult her without paying the price, "YOU BETTER F**KING TAKE THAT BACK!!"

"NEVER!"

I couldn't contain my rage any longer and lunged at her, tackling her to the ground, "YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT!"

But before I could do anything, she used her feet to kick me off of her in the stomach. I landed on my back with a thud.

"Alrighty, Tracey," she snarled, pinning me down with her foot, "I'll take it back only if you promise never to speak to me again!"

I couldn't move. Honestly, I don't think I ever want to see her again. Good f**king riddance. If she would dare to insult my bestest friend, then she doesn't deserve to be my friend.

"Fine," I spat.

She lifted her foot and let me go, but not before inflicting several hard kicks to my ribs, making me cry out in pain.

As I laid there, holding my side through my tears, she told me to leave, and never come back.

And that's exactly what I did.

~

Hope you enjoy the dark side of my writing! XP

I've been having a few technical difficulties so please bare with me

There's more to come

HaVe A nIcE DAy!

~Lilly