Misty groaned tiredly after she slammed her apartment's door. After Ash had dropped her off home after their dinner all Misty wanted to do was take a long and warm bath and then maybe watch a few episodes of her favorite soap operas.

Yes, she needed that.

Misty tiredly began walking towards her bathroom when a voice stopped her. "When the hell were you going to tell me?"

Misty whipped her head towards the voice, pokèball at hand before she froze at who it was. There standing a few feet away from her was May. Her arms were by her side and she had a scowl on her face. She was also wearing a baby carrier which was being used by her child, Hazel.

"What in the bloody hell is wrong with you!" Misty hissed, putting her pokèball away.

"No, ma'am. I asked you a question first." May said in a serious tone before adding with a pout "I can't believe you didn't tell me the great news first."

"What news?" Misty asked, confused.

"About your engagement silly! Tell me everything!" May said excitedly as she grabbed Misty by her arms and dragged her to one of her sofas. Misty was surprised at how Hazel was still sleeping even with all the noise her mom just caused.

"Oh..." Misty said feeling uneasy.

The baby May was holding then opened her eyes and began to fuzz.

"Oh look who just woke up." May cooed as she took Hazel out of her carrier.

"Want to hold her?' May asked Misty.

Misty nodded as she extended her arms and held her close.

"Proceed now woman." May said with big eyes, hungry for the juicy news. Misty only sighed sadly before she told May the whole truth.

________________________________________________________________________________

May was silent for a while before she said, almost angrily, "You're so mean Misty."

"It isn't a huge deal. It's just a small white lie."

"No, you don't understand. You're hurting the wrong one by doing this fake engagement." May said softly, almost sad.

"Okay???" Misty replied, unsure why May was acting like this. She expected her to shower of support and happiness. She was in a way fighting for her happiness.

"Alright. I'll do what you asked me to. At the end of all this commotion, I'll say I dared both of you and yada yada. How much are you paying me again?" May said, now giving Misty a small smile.

Misty smiled.

"Thanks, May."

"No problem Misty."

________________________________________________________________________________

The next day, when Misty awoke, she didn't expect her morning to start off with a baby screaming in her apartment complex. She also didn't expect the smell of mouth watering food filling up her home.

In ten minutes Misty, all cleaned up, raced to her kitchen and smiled at the image before her. May had decided to stay the night as it was too late to go back to her home.

There stood May holding a tray of french toast, Delia by her side holding a strawberry shortcake, all three of her sisters with boxes of presents and then there was Hazel. In her booster chair with a scoop of ice cream mushed in her tiny hands. Iris was beside May and she had in her arms a long stick, no doubt for the piñata they had hidden somewhere, and lastly there was Dawn, who was holding her baby boy.

Everyone was wearing party hats.

Misty's kitchen island was filled with mouth-watering breakfast food and desserts. In the center was a huge stack of humongous colored pancakes.

They had hanged a long colorful poster in the kitchen which spelled out

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISTY!

Misty laughed before she walked towards them.

"You guys! This is too much. Thank you all. I completely forgot about my birthday." Misty said as she hugged all of them

"Aw, you mean a lot to us Misty. This is all for you!" Dawn said happily before she hugged Misty tightly.

As everyone began to eat Misty took the chance to talk to Delia.

"Delia?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Thanks for this again."

"Oh, dear. It was my pleasure. You're like the daughter I never had." Delia replied softly.

"Thanks Delia." Misty whispered, feeling proud at what Delia had just called her.

"We wanted to throw you a dinner party but you were booked tonight with Brock and Suzie." Delia then added.

"Oh, that's right. But either way, it worked out as you have a date with Ash later tonight."

"Huh?" Delia replied.

Misty saw the way Delia's expression turned confused. 

Misty raised her eyebrows before she asked, "Don't you two have a date la-"

"A toast to Misty!" Iris yelled, making everyone raise their cups and cheer as well.

Misty smiled but didn't understand why her stomach felt very uneasy. 

Something was not right.

________________________________________________________________________________

"How was brunch?" Misty asked on the phone as she helped herself to more ice cream.

"Marvelous. Suzie made huevos rancheros that are just to die for," Brock exclaimed.

"Hmm," Misty replied, rolling her eyes.

"Are you okay Mist? You sound a bit tense," Brock pointed out suspiciously.

"What? I'm not tense? What made you think that?" Misty snapped.

"You sound tense, Mist. You have to relax. It is your birthday after all."

"Hehe.."

"Hey so I was also calling about tonight," he continued.

"Oh yeah.," Misty said, remembering Ash's answer.

"So apparently Ash had some sort of league meeting and won't be able to come but can you still be able to make it?"

"I don't know Brock..."

"Please Mist," Brock begged, "Please?"

Misty hated when Brock did that. He knew she could never say "no" when he begged. But she didn't want to be the third-wheeler tonight. Specifically to a relationship where she was in love with the guy and hated the girl.

"Alright then," Misty replied.

"You rock Mist! We'll pick you up at seven at night."

With that they both ended the call.

________________________________________________________________________________

The restaurant Brock took Misty and Suzie was about just in the heart of Cerulean City. It was on the tallest building of the city and the restaurant was on the last floor. All the way at the top. It overlooked the whole city, mountains, and the beach. It was very nice.

Misty, Brock, and Suzie all had a pleasant conversation as they ate their dinner. Later Brock surprised Misty every single waitress and waiters began to salsa dance and sing happy birthday to her.

After she blew her candles Brock went to the bar to get them a couple of drinks leaving Misty and Suzie alone.

"Did you fight with Ash?" Suzie asked Misty, suddenly looking at her in a concerned expression.

Misty widened her eyes in surprise at her question before she asked, "What makes you think that?"

"You're quiet and you have had this sad look on your face. Don't be sad, it's your birthday."

"No," Misty replied, "Ash and I did not fight. I was just thinking about..."

Did he lie to me? No, he wouldn't. Misty thought

"Nothing. It isn't that important." Misty replied, smiling a bit.

Suzie looked like she didn't buy it but still replied with a small smile, "If you ever need to talk. I'm here for you."

Misty smiled at her. This one, being a real smile.

Upon Brock's return, they talked for another hour before Misty felt uneasy again. Something was bothering her so much and it wasn't the fact that now Brock and Suzie were finishing others sentences nor Brock kissing her.

No, it wasn't that.

Ash hasn't called her all day and it wasn't like him to miss her birthday.

Stop exaggerating Mist, he's at that meeting. Misty thought violently.

Deciding she had enough she stood up with a small frown as she said hastily, "I am sorry but I have to go," She grabbed her coat, and noticed how her hands were shaking and her breathing became violent.

"Why? Is something wrong? Are you okay" Brock asked worriedly.

"I don't feel well," Misty answered sadly.

"I'll see you both tomorrow, alright? Thanks again for tonight." Misty said with a small smile.

"Do you want us to drop you home?" Brock asked.

"No it's alright. I'm taking a cab to my sisters' place" Misty replied with a small smile before she left them.

________________________________________________________________________________

Instead of telling the cab driver to take her home Misty was dropped off right outside Ash's house. She knew he always leaves his spare house key under his flower pot on his porch. Misty bent down to retrieve it and opened his house door slowly.

She expected to be greeted with absolute silence and maybe a few lights turned on. What she didn't expect was Ash's voice followed by a woman's voice down the corridor.

Misty didn't dare go inside and just stood there listening to their conversation.

"I promised myself I would move on."

"It's okay Ash. I understand."

"I am such a coward. Look at me."

"Pika!"

"No, you're not. You're Ash Ketchum, the most ambitious, strong will, brave, and most loyal person I have ever met!"

Silence.

Misty heard ruffling noise which she could only imagine that this girl had moved closer to Ash on the sofa.

"Where is the Ash I know? Bring me back to the old Ash."

Ash laughed softly before he said, "Thank you, Serena. You always know what to say."

Misty heard some giggling before Serena spoke again, "I'm always here for you Ash. Always."

"I'm glad I have you. I don't need to hide my feelings from you. You truly understand me."

Misty didn't notice that tears running furiously down her soft rosy cheeks.

She felt so pathetic. Since when did she, strong-headed Misty Waterflower, become so... girly and weak?

Misty walked back outside and closed the door. Leaving no evidence she even came to his house.

________________________________________________________________________________

Much later that night, at eleven fortyish Misty heard a knock at her door. She had been sobbing at how sad she felt knowing Ash with another girl. He had really priotized her instead of her. She couldn't understand why it hurt her so much. Normally, she would be delighted at the idea of Ash having a date, but not now, not in the situation they were in.

Misty didn't open the door. She didn't want the person to see her vulnerable side. Something she only showed to a few people.

Misty then realized that her door's doorknob was turning around and it opened revealing Ash.

She completely forgot he knew where she left her spare apartment key.

She saw him popping his head inside and looking for her.

"Mist? Are you here?"

"Leave," Misty said coldly. He looked at her and realized she was crying. 

She could see his face filled with concern in seconds before he asked worriedly, "What happened, Mist?"

"Nothing. It's not something you would care about." Misty answered trying to be mean but failing miserably before she began to sob.

"What are you talking about?" Ash asked, setting the present he brought Misty down in one of the tables and shutting the door shut.

"I can't believe you! How can you do this to me?" Misty cried.

"Do what to you?" Ash asked, looking confused.

"You lied to me!" Misty yelled.

"Ash, you're supposed to be my fiancé! You're supposed to be my best friend. I thought you trusted me." Misty said sadly.

"What are you talking about?"

"I went to your house earlier because I was worried about you.." Misty began.

She looked at Ash but she couldn't read his expression. It was as if he was hiding it.

"I heard you and Serena talk. Can you imagine what'll happen if Brock sees you with another woman?"

"Okay first of all, what are the odds that Brock will see me? Cerulean is a big city. Second, just because I agreed to be your fake fiancé that doesn't involve me being your fiancé for all twenty-four hours of the day. I have a life too, you know? Third, what gave you any right to listen to our conversation?" he said, a little angry.

"You never date! Why did you have to start now?"

"That does not concern you Misty." he replied.

"What's the matter with you?" Misty asked, wiping her tears.

"You're acting so selfish!" she said glaring at him.

"I'm being selfish? Misty, listen to yourself! You're not like this."

"But that isn't the reason why I'm crying," Misty said.

"Why then?"

"You don't trust me. I don't know how to feel about that Ash.." Misty said before she softly looked at him distraught.

"It hurt me knowing you run away from me." Misty whispered, angrily trying to erase the images of Ash with another girl.

Why was she thinking like this?

"Mist... it's not like that." Ash began but Misty only shook her head sadly before she said: "You should go now, Ash."

"But Mist.."

"Goodbye."

Misty then turned her back on him as she bit her lower lip to stop herself from crying more. Ash looked at her sadly before he followed her order and left her alone.

She turned around and saw how Ash did leave. She walked toward the present he left on the table and read what he wrote on the name tag,

" Happy 28 Birthday Mist. I love you more than you'll ever know! Pikachu loves you too! :) "

Oh, what a memorable twenty-eight birthday it was.