Chapter 16

~New Character Introduced~

Richie

Original Date of Post: 11/11/2007

Narrator: Ah cheating, there’s nothing like it! Don’t be uptight! Everybody has cheated at least once! I mean, we all know that George W…

*Technical Difficulties*

Narrator: Eh, what a bunch of crap! I better go on with the story before they cheat me out of my paycheck! It was that wonderful time of the year! The snow was on the ground and the final exams were being given out. And of course, our dear friends were not letting the pressure get to them. (Sakura screams) I stand corrected!

Misty: Calm down Sakura!

Brock: Sit down and relax.

Sakura: Relax? Oh no, no, no, no, no! I can’t do that! I have to go to the library and study! (Sakura runs off)

Misty: She’s like this every time. (Ash walks up)

Brock: Well, if it isn’t Mr. Procrastination! What’s the agenda for slacking off today?

Ash: Oh shut up!

Brock: Seriously Ash, you should really think about studying this time and not putting things off until the last minute. I mean, you were lucky last semester, but I don’t think that Misty wants to come to your house at midnight again.

Misty: Huh? Oh right!

Ash: Would you all stop worrying? I’m going to be fine! I’m nothing like I was last semester. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to play Morrison a friendly little game of basketball. And then, I will get to my studies! (Outside)

Morrison: Let’s see…if I just divide the…

Ash: Hey scum bag, how about a game of basketball?

Morrison: Not now Ash! I’m studying for my math final.

Ash: Didn’t you say yesterday that studying for math is like kissing your sister?

Morrison: That was then and this is now! And now, I’m studying for my final so I can pass, graduate, and get into a good college!

Ash: You are only a freshman! You don’t need to worry about college now!

Morrison: Maybe so, but if I want to worry about college, that is my choice! Now please, leave my sight! I’ll kick your ass at basketball after finals!

Ash: (Groans) Everybody's busy. All they ever wanna do is study, study, study. They need to learn how to relax. Man! (Throws the ball against a wall, bounces back, and hits someone in the head)

Richie: Ow!

Ash: Not again! (Runs over) Oh my God, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?

Richie: I guess so! It’s just a lump on the head! Hey, I know who you are! You’re Ash!

Ash: Yeah, that’s my name. But how do you know me?

Richie: Oh, I’ve seen you and these two other guys on the basketball courts all the time here. I’ve always wanted to join but I guess I was a little shy. Plus, I’ve seen you at all of the games as the mascot! (Ash groans)

Ash: Well now that you know me, how about you?

Richie: Oh right! My name is Richie! Now that I actually see you up close, you look an awful lot like me.

Ash: Huh? Hmm…Nope don’t really see the resemblance! (Misty walks up)

Misty: Hey Ash! Huh? You never told me you had a twin brother. (Ash and Richie look at each other)

Ash: I look nothing like him!

Misty: Well, if he wears your clothes and dyes his hair black, then maybe he can pass as your clone.

Ash: Hey Mist, you come to watch me play?

Misty: No time. I got an English paper to work on. (Ash groans) Well, I’ll see you boys later! (She walks off)

Richie: So how about a game of basketball?

Ash: Sure. I’m surprised! You’re the first person I’ve seen this week not buried under a pile of books.

Richie: I really don’t have to study. Most of my classes are so easy, I find it pointless to study for their tests. Are you the same way?

Ash: Huh? Yeah, it’s the exact same thing with me! (The bell rings) Eh crap, time for class! I’ll see you later Richie! (A little later in Miss Prima's class)

Miss Prima: Okay class, remember to study these three packets. Your grammar test is in three days. That'll be enough time for you all to study.

Ash: (Thinking) Okay Ketchum, Misty won't be able to bail you out this year. Just focus and you can study and then get...well some kind of grade. (After class)

Drew: Hold up Ash, I need to talk to you.

Ash: What is it Drew?

Drew: What time should we meet?

Ash: What the hell? Oh...OH...Oh crap! I knew this day was going to come. Drew, as much as I am flattered and maybe a bit curious, I think we should stick with the relationship that we already have as friends. Okay, maybe not friends! How about acquaintances?

Drew: Not that you idiot! I meant, what time should we meet for me to tutor you?

Ash: What are you talking about? I don’t need any tutoring! Who would even tell you to tutor me?

Drew: Miss Prima asked me to be your study buddy! She said that your grade is very low and asked me to help you for the final. I just figured that you were already well aware.

Ash: Listen, I don’t need your pity! I’ll be passing this test! Just you wait and see! With a little hard work and some concentration, I can pass this test!

Narrator: Two days later.

Ash: I’m dead! I’m dead! I’m dead! I’m dead!

Brock: What did I tell you two days ago?

Ash: Not to procrastinate.

Brock: And what did you do?

Ash: Look, let’s not play the blame game on this one. I’ll just have to pull an all-nighter and I’m sure I can pass my test.

Brock: Why do you think I got Drew to help you?

Ash: No you didn’t. Miss Prima wanted Drew to help me.

Brock: Oh...right, Miss Prima!

Ash: You sent Drew?

Brock: I’m not the one on trial here! I’m just concerned, that’s all. What have you been doing the last two days that you could have been using to study?

Ash: I can’t remember! (Richie walks up)

Richie: Hey Ash, ready for another game of basketball?

Ash: Last one at the courts is going to be Harley’s husband! (They run off)

Brock: He’s doomed! (Outside)

Richie: Boy Ash, I never realized how much we have in common! You’re like the brother I never had.

Ash: Disturbing, but so cool! (Thinking) I can always study when I get home. (Nearby)

Misty: He loves this new friend more than anything else!

Brock: No, his new friend is stalling him of what’s most important and that’s studying for his final exams! Hey, I never really noticed it before but don’t those two look a lot like each other? Don’t you think?

Misty: Yeah, I said the same thing the other day. Spooky! (Later at Ash's house)

Ash: (Yawns) Man, this stuff is boring. (Snoozes)

Narrator: Two hours later. (Ash coughs) Wake up sleepy-head!

Ash: Huh? Oh man it's almost 8 o' clock! Oh man, there's no way in hell I'm gonna remember all of this stuff. Stupid teachers piling things on at the last minute. (Sighs) The only way I would pass that test would be if someone took it for me. Hey wait a second! (Flashback to two days ago)

Misty: Well, if he wears your clothes and dyes his hair black, then maybe he can pass as your clone. (End of flashback)

Ash: THAT'S IT! (A little later)

Richie: Hey Ash, what was so important that I had to rush right over?

Ash: You know how everybody is saying that the two of us look so much alike?

Richie: Yeah.

Ash: I was thinking maybe you could let me do a total renovation on you so that you look even more like me. Give you the complete Ash Ketchum experience!

Richie: I’d say now you are scaring me. Why do you want to do this?

Ash: Okay, it’s time for me to come clean. I’m not the genius you think I am.

Richie: I kind of figured that when you couldn’t tell me the difference between tuna and chicken.

Ash: Neither could Jessica Simpson! Look, long story short, I’m failing English and I need to pass this test to get somewhat of a passing grade. So I was figuring that if I dye your hair and put you in my clothes that you could take the test for me tomorrow. What do you say?

Richie: See you!

Ash: Come on Richie! I’m at my last resort here!

Richie: What if we get caught?

Ash: I guarantee that we will not get caught. Look my class isn’t until fourth period so at lunch you can go into the bathroom and change into my clothing. During the test, I will hide out in the bathroom until the end of the period. That’s when we’ll meet up with each other and we go on with the rest of the day.

Richie: (Sighs) I'm going to regret agreeing to this. Fine. (In Ash's bathroom) You know what you're doing?

Ash: Trust me! I know what I'm doing! (A few hours later) Voila! You look perfect!

Richie: I feel ridiculous!

Ash: You look marvelous!

Richie: You know with how much time you spent on my hair, you could have spent that same amount studying for your test. So that we could have avoided this whole charade!

Ash: Yeah, yeah, yeah! Now I want you to meet me in the bathroom five minutes before class starts so I can put the finishing touches on your look and so you can put on your clothes.

Richie: Don’t you think people will think something is up when I walk in with my hair dyed like yours?

Ash: I didn’t think about that. Just keep your hat on and no one will ask questions. Now get some rest, we have a big day tomorrow.

Richie: Of humiliation! (The next morning in the hallway)

Brock: Hmm, Ash seems cheerful for someone who has a big final today.

Misty: Maybe he studied last night and feels confident.

Ash: Good morning guys!

Brock: What's your angle?

Misty: Yeah, why are you so chipper?

Ash: It's a good day. That's all. I'll see you two later. (Humming and walks away)

Misty: That was spooky. (Later in the cafeteria)

Brock: He isn't even here. Actually...both of us are the only ones here.

Misty: Well Marisa, Marcus, and Tracey are in the art rooms fixing on their projects. And Sakura...she doesn't want to be bothered.

Brock: But where's Ash? (In the boy's bathroom)

Richie: You’re so lucky that no one asked me about my hair color! I don’t know if I can continue with this facade.

Ash: You can do it, you look just like me. Now I hope you know a lot about grammar because that’s what my test is on.

Richie: Well yeah, I do but I still have a bad feeling about doing this. (The bell rings) Oh crap, it’s already time for fourth period.

Ash: Stop worrying! Be thankful that you finished your work for your fourth period class. Now remember, straight back here after you finish the test. I’ll be here in the handicap stall until then. Good luck! (Ash closes the door of the stall and Brock walks in)

Brock: There you are Ash! Come on, it’s time for your test. (Richie groans) Here we are buddy, good luck. (Richie walks into the class and sits down)

Miss Prima: Okay class, you may work on this from now until the end of the period. Be mindful of your neighbors and keep your eyes on your own papers.

Richie: (Thinking) Oh man, oh man, I'm here and I'm not Ash. What if I get caught? What if I get thrown out of school? I'll have to get a job at Wal-Mart. (Paper lands on the desk) Huh? Wow, these are easy. How could Ash be scared of a little old test like this? Okay, so far so good, as far as his teacher knows, I'm actually Ash. Well let's give it a shot. (A little later) Finished! (He walks up to Miss Prima's desk)

Miss Prima: Finished Ash?

Richie: Um...yes ma'am! (She glares at him) Um...heh... (She smiles)

Miss Prima: Well then, thank you. Be on your way. (Richie walks out the door and walks into the bathroom)

Richie: Ash, are you in here? (Ash opens the stall door)

Ash: So how did it go?

Richie: That had to be the easiest test I’ve ever taken.

Ash: Did anybody suspect anything?

Richie: I think we were able to get away with this and I’m glad too! If you ever ask me to do something so stupid again, I will kill you.

Ash: Fair enough. (The door opens) Huh?

Miss Prima: I knew that it was too good to be true. There was no way that the real Ash Ketchum would finish a test that fast. Alright Mr. Ketchum, whichever one of you is Mr. Ketchum, you are in so much trouble. Now both of you, get your butts to the principal’s office! (Outside the principal’s office)

Richie: I cannot believe this!

Ash: I know! That plan should have worked! I wonder where we went wrong.

Richie: IT'S BECAUSE IT’S WRONG TO CHEAT! Thanks to you, I’m going to get in big trouble and this little charade is going on my perfect record. On top of which, both of us are going to get expelled for this!

Ash: You’re not serious are you?

Richie: Come on Ash, schools everywhere have a zero tolerance policy on cheating and if caught, they would throw out the cheaters.

Ash: Man, I hate to admit it but I think you might be right on this one. Richie, I’m sorry I dragged you into this.

Richie: It only takes you until now to realize that? I knew you were an idiot, but I didn’t know how big!

Ash: I’m serious. I shouldn’t have done it and for that, I am sorry. (Richie scoffs) Can you forgive me?

Richie: You’re asking quite a bit right there. (Sighs) It’s not in my nature to hold a grudge against anyone. No matter how much they piss me off! I guess, I do forgive you. (Miss Prima comes out)

Miss Prima: Alright boys, get in here. (Inside the office)

Oak: Sit down boys.

Miss Prima: We are very disappointed in you boys. (Ash and Richie nod)

Miss Agatha: We are going to crack down hard on you boys. We here believe in the zero tolerance policy and…

Oak: Miss Agatha, I would like to speak to these boys in private, so I would like to ask that you and Miss Prima step out for a few minutes. I'll deal with them myself. (Miss Agatha and Miss Prima leave the room)

Richie: Permission to beg sir?

Oak: Hold the pleading Richie. Now as Miss Agatha did mention, we do have a strict policy with cheating. And yes, it is true that we do throw out students who are caught cheating. But this won’t be one of those cases!

Richie: Huh?

Oak: I know both of you boys are good and this is your first offense on record. But don’t think this means you get off scot-free! First of all, you boys are going to spend one whole month in after school detention. Next, you two are going to be on probation for the next semester. You two will have to maintain at least a 2.5 G.P.A. next semester. And as for that final exam Ash, I’m going to allow you to take the test tomorrow morning. That is all.

Richie: Really?

Oak: That’s it. I guess luck is on your side Mr. Ketchum. (Ash and Richie leave the office)

Richie: I can’t believe it! We basically got off with a slap on the wrist.

Ash: Yeah but, now I have to live next semester in Hell. I can barely get a 2.0! Getting a 2.5 is damn near impossible.

Richie: I can always help you.

Ash: You mean you would actually help me even after I got you in trouble?

Richie: Seeing as though I’m going to be seeing you everyday in detention for a whole month, we might as well ride this thing out together.

Ash: So, we’re still friends?

Richie: Sure pal! I can’t help but wonder how we got off so easily.

Ash: My mother is sleeping with Principal Oak.

Richie: NO WAY! Okay, you’re the coolest friend I have now.

Ash: Wow, Brock was right! Having my mother sleep with the principal is a golden ticket!

~*Preview*~

Marisa: Adventures in babysitting! Well in a sense! Several of us are paired with someone to take care of a crying baby...well a doll anyways. Great, why am I paired with that pervert Gary Oak? Couldn't I be with someone else? Like Tracey! Oh but he has to be paired with that blonde ditz. This week couldn't possibly get any worse. Next time on Romance 101, Chapter 17...See you next time!