5 seconds into the silence that followed Misty suddenly felt very foolish and exposed. Ash and Casey’s eyes made her skin crawl and she just wanted to get up and run. She had just declared Ash her boyfriend. She had not implied it, nor suggested it, but flat out declared it. Ash WAS her boyfriend. But did Ash feel the same way? What would his reaction be when he and Casey stopped gaping at her like magikarp out of water. She was almost positive he felt the same way she did but…… What if he laughed at her? What if he told her she wasn’t pretty enough, what if he said they’d been friends too long and it would just be awkward? Whatever his reaction, Misty hoped it wasn’t laughter………. Her two friends just sat there, paralyzed, staring at her.

“I’m your boyfriend?” Ash finally muttered, more or less to himself, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“Y-yeah…….. That is, if you wanna be.” Misty felt the blood rush to her cheeks and she turned her head away.

She decided to look out the window instead of looking Ash in the eyes. Outside she saw a flock of pidgeys flying overhead. She decided to fix her sights on them.

“Misty……… I don’t know what to say.” Ash sounded a little choked up.

“I’ll….. Leave you two alone for a while.” Casey got up.

Though Casey loved to tease and poke fun even she knew it wouldn’t be appropriate right now. She left the room.

Misty heard the change in Ash’s voice yet kept her head still, not averting her gaze from the flock of pidgeys. She wouldn’t turn to Ash until he said what he needed to say. She was too nervous to do other wise.

“Misty….”

It was only her name but it caused her heart to beat faster.

“You don’t know how happy I am to hear those words. I thought you wouldn’t want anything to do with me since I became a shrinkee. I know I know you better than this but a small part of me, deep down, thought you only might be holding on to me out of pity. Misty, you mean more to me than anyone else. I’d love to be your boyfriend. I just never imagined you’d let a shrinkee……..” Ash’s voice trailed off.

Misty turned back to him, her eyes brimming with emotion. Misty stomped her foot down hard, “Ash Ketchum how could you even think I might keep you around out of pity? You know you’re my best friend, you always have been, your size doesn’t change that.”

Ash smiled, “I know….. thanks.”

Misty could hardly contain her happiness, a few tears rolled down her cheeks. She’d waited for this day for months.

“Oh Ash.”

A question Misty had posed to a different shrinkee not long ago came tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop it. It was just that things were going so well and Misty couldn’t help but pop the question now. It had been bothering her for quite some time, “Ash…… do you think I’m pretty?” she asked in a hopeful almost childlike tone of voice.

Ash looked up at Misty like she was crazy, “Of course, you’re beautiful!”

“Really?” Misty sniffed, Ash was the only boy who’d ever told her that and meant it, he was also the only boy who’s opinion she actually cared for.

“You’re beautiful to me.”

Misty snorted slightly, more to be playful with her newly declared boyfriend than out of disappointment.“I’d prefer ‘beautiful to everyone’ but I guess your compliment is acceptable.” It was more than acceptable, Misty thought she might faint; her emotions were so intense she almost blacked out.

It all seemed like a dream, Misty had to pinch herself to make sure it was real. Nothing could ruin her mood now that she finally had her Ashy! Nothing that is, except his mother. Delia had reentered the room and her eyes fixed on Ash. She gave Misty a quick frown before learning to mask it with a smile.