Chapter 18- The Ocean's Pride; The Wind's Protector

"Misty! Misty! Missssstttyyyy! Mimimimisty! OI!" Ash hollered.

"What?" Misty snapped. "Argh, Ash. Shut up please! I'm trying to think here!" Ash held his hands up in defeat as Misty sighed. "What do you want, anyway?" she asked, irritated.

"I just wanted to ask you to spend time with me," said Ash. "Paul's being moody—I talked to him a while ago, and he completely ignored me. Inigo keeps on glaring at me every time I walk five feet near him; I feel like that's guy has a huge problem, and Drew isn't even talking to me. I'm lonely."

"Ask someone else then," said Misty. "And besides"-Misty gestured to Ash's seat—"you shouldn't be standing in front of my seat begging me to spend time with you. You should be seated on your seat, the teacher is coming soon."

"Oh, who cares about the teacher?" asked Ash. "I want to spend time with someone!"

"And—you know what, I don't care. I'm facing a serious crisis now, and I don't need someone to add to my problems!"

"But Miisssttyyyyy-"

"Shut up Ash!" Misty shouted, irritated. "Please. Just leave me alone."

Ash's eyes widened in surprise at the harshness of her tone, and opened his mouth to reply. It continued—Ash opening his mouth, then closing it again. Finally, after he saw that Misty really was going to ignore him, he walked away.

"Oh and Ash—" Ash turned around "—you can get yourself another date."

Ash fist closed and his knuckles turned white, but he ignored the feeling of dread coursing through his system. "Why?"

"Because I found myself another date," said Misty flawlessly, "His name is Rudy, and I'm going with him to the dance."

"When did he ask you?" ask Ash.

Misty's eyes twitched. "I don't remember. But right now, I don't want to be anywhere near you and your group of friends. We have our own personal matters to deal with, and I'm not sure if I can handle your child-like behaviour; Cheska can't handle Inigo's indirect attacks; Dawn can't take Paul's impassiveness, and May can't stand Drew's arrogant characteristics. So please—for all our sake's—leave us alone."

"Fine."

A shiver coursed through Misty's spine. His voice—it sounded so distant. So far away, so cold. Misty heard his distant footsteps slowly fade—and she found herself regretting everything she had said. On instinct, Misty turned around to talk to him and apologize, but her pride was too strong. She would not apologize; he was the one who irritated her beyond her wits.

It was scary, what pride can do.

Ding Dong Ding.

"Attention all students."

"Another stupid announcement," Misty grumbled.

"Please cooperate; Stay under your desks for the next ten minutes."

"Eh?" erupted from the classroom. Murmurs and whispers echoed throughout the room.

"Probably just another earthquake drill," said one.

Inwardly, Misty agreed. This was just another earthquake drill made by the teachers—and of course, they would force all the students to join their stupid drill.

"This is not a drill."

"Shit," Misty cursed as she crawled under her desk. She wasn't scared—no, not in the slightest. But she was worried, worried about her friends.

"Please do not leave your classrooms. A sudden sandstorm has occurred in our beach."

'Sandstorm?' Misty thought. 'Last time I checked, there were no winds or anything. There can't be a sandstorm!' Misty glanced at her distraught classmates. "Damn it, we're also alone in a classroom without a teacher! Idiots," murmured Misty.

Misty looked at Ash. He wasn't under his table. He was just sitting there, his hair over his eyes.

"Ash! Ash, you idiot!" Misty called. "Get under your table!"

Ash looked at her with his dark eyes. Misty felt a shiver run down her spine. "No."

"Please!" shouted Misty.

"Students, the sandstorm is closely approaching the school, please remain under your desks as a safety precaution."

"Ash! Please!"

Ash shook his head slowly, his cold eyes staring at Misty blankly.

Misty frowned, and she crept out of her desk. She walked over to Ash, grabbed him, and pushed him down his desk with her. "There."

Ash refused to look at her. Misty sighed. She opened her mouth to speak. "Aren't you going to apologize to me?"

Damn, her stupid pride!

Ash looked at her blankly. Misty sighed once more. "Look, that's not what I meant to say. I mean… I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I was just really stressed and—"

Misty's eyes widened as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her in an innocent embrace. "It's okay." She gently returned the hug and smiled.

"Thanks Ash."

"Students, the sandstorm has miraculously disappeared! It is now safe to resume your usual duties. Thank you for your cooperation; we are going to investigate this matter immediately."

Misty gently pushed him away. "I take back everything I said."

May grumbled as she crawled out of her desk. "That escalated quickly(A/N MEME!)," she said. "Are the teachers playing a trick on us or something?"

"I don't think so Maple."

"I didn't ask for your opinion Hayden," May retorted angrily. "Can't you just leave me be?"

Drew smirked. "No can do, May. It's my job to watch over you."

"I'm not your property, Drew, if you haven't noticed. You have no right to 'watch' over me." May crossed her arms over her chest.

"I might as well be your bodyguard," said Drew, his smirk growing wider.

"I don't need one!" May shouted.

"If you say so."

"Cabbagehead," May murmured.

"Students, I apologize for the slight delay. Today we are going to spend a day in the gym. Please gather all your Physical Education equipment and report to the gym in fifteen minutes. Our period is extended because of the sudden sandstorm."

A loud groan erupted from the classroom.

May sighed. She hated gym. She was clumsy and tripped often.

"May?"

May looked up. "Oh, hi Brendan. What's up?"

"Umm… could you hang around a little?" Brendan asked, running a hand through his silver locks.

May stared at him, confused. "Oh… alright."

Brendan smiled at her, and May couldn't help smiling back. 'He really is charming.'

May stared at the leaving students, and she couldn't help but grin as she saw Drew's retreating figure. 'He's finally gone!'

"So Brendan, what was It you wanted to sa—" May's eyes widened as she felt her hands being pinned to the wall and feet stepping over hers. May screamed, until she felt a pair of lips cross the side of her neck.

"May, don't play naughty," Brendan said, his voice sending a shiver through May's spine. "But I like playful ones like you, those who scream before they—I don't know."

May opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. May could hear the wind outside howling louder than ever. 'My powers! Please… let someone hear my call. . .'

"Now May," May felt Brendan's lips go dangerously close to her chest, "What do you want to do first?"

May shook her head, scared. She closed her eyes in fear. 'Please. . . someone! Save me!'

"Maple, your friend Misty's looking for you. You still he—"

"Drew!" May shouted.

"Ahhh," Brendan smirked. "Drew Hayden—my greatest rival. What are you doing here?"

Drew glared at Brendan, his emerald eyes turning dark and ominous. "Get off her."

"I didn't quite hear that Hayden. Why don't you come here and tell me?" Brendan taunted.

The wind outside was calling—louder. The trees swayed in rhythm to the strong winds, as if it was ready to answer its call.

"Get off her."

"What if I don't?" asked Brendan. "What will the oh-so-mighty Drew Hayden do?"

Drew lunged forward, his fist instantly meeting Brendan's jaw. He aimed a swift kick towards his side, sending him flying across the room.

The Wind slowly tamed, and the trees' stood their guard.

Drew stood in front of May, and his eyes glowed emerald. Two vines shot out of nowhere—instantly whipping Brendan and pummelled him to the ground.

"You are not to hurt The Wind; I am her protector!" Drew shouted.

May's eyes widened in realization. Drew—he was her protector. That must mean—no, he can't be. He was—May gasped—her opposite.

"Are you okay May?" Drew asked turning to her; the emerald glow slightly flickering and disappearing from his eyes. May nodded, speechless. "That's good to hear. . ."

Drew collapsed.