A/N: I've been planning this story out for a while. But I just haven't gotten around to writing it out, it's been in the back of my mind and calling me. CALLING ME! O.O After discovering that I had written the ending ahead of time in a document, I decided to just start writing and post the rest of the story. Hmm, but since I've writing the ending first, ah, it was kind of difficult to come up with the beginning and middle. So please excuse it if this story is too sucky.

Keep in mind that there is some language at times (few F bombs, blame Gary) shonen-ai, and me using the english character names rather than the original. Everyone may be OOC at times, but I haven't watched anything Pokemon-related in a little while so I'm rusty!

Basically this is the five steps it takes for Ash and Gary to realize that they don't hate each other like they think. On the contrary, they have deeper feelings than that. Five steps, five chapters.

Only when I stop to think

about you, I know

Only when you stop to think

About me, do you know

. . .

I hate everything about you

Why do I love you

You hate everything about me

Why do you love me

- I Hate Everything About You, by Three Days Grace.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Pokemon.

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~Five Steps To Falling In Love~

~Step #1: The Realization~

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It was only the second class of the day. But for Ash Ketchum, it was as like maybe the tenth or thirtieth. He didn't know. He was just utterly bored out of his mind and tired from the lack of sleep he had gotten the previous night. He had stayed up until early in the morning hours watching a marathon of his favorite TV show and didn't go to bed until at least four in the morning.

Only three hours of sleep. Three fucking hours. It sure was taking it's toll on him, he could barely keep his blurring eyes open to look at the stuff he was supposed to writing down. They were burning like Hell and he wanted to gouge them out badly, his muscles were sore from trying to roll out of bed and walk to school, and he couldn't go three seconds without clasping a hand to his mouth and yawning.

School wasn't his favorite activity. But his mom would kill him if she heard him admit that, so he didn't try to press his luck and complain.

Ash's hand finally gave in, and it fell flat onto his desk. His chin that he had been propping up fell and he just silently leaned forward onto the desk. Luckily, to his knowledge, the teacher was too into the lesson to catch him about to close his eyes just for a few minutes at least.

Or well, Ash tried to close his eyes. But that's when a piece of notebook paper was shifted over into his face. He sighed before sitting back up and quickly scooping up the note and to under the desk. He didn't want to get caught with a note again, and so he learned this time to read it inconspicuously like this.

Ketchum,

Pull yourself together and suck it up. You look like a zombie, and frankly, it's getting on my nerves.

P.S. I need to talk to you after this class...just meet me at my locker.

-Gary

Ash reread the note a second time, rubbing his eyes to try and make it out clearer. Yes there was no mistake; this slightly-messy handwriting belonged to his rival...one of the coolest and much admired guys in the entire school, Gary. He turned around to look at him, as he sat right next to him on the left.

Pfft, he was overrated. Maybe he was talented with a lot of things, and smart. But he was also cocky and didn't really appreciate things. He and Ash have always been rivals since they were little kids, and they're sixteen-and-a-half now. It's been six years...

Very deep down somewhere, Ash kind of admired him and wanted to be as cool as him someday. But he refused to accept this, he didn't want to show it at all. So he's been openly trying to find many flaws behind him and realize what a big jerk he could be. This guy right here doesn't keep any close friends because he dubs them a 'waste of time', he has several fangirls and either pushes them away rudely, ignores them, or plays with their hearts. And don't get him started about the way he acts like Ash is the most inferior person on the face of this Earth! These things were true at least. And that was what kept him burning with frustration for him.

What was so great about Gary? Why did pretty much the entire school, and maybe including himself, think he was so amazing? Yes it's true that he's talented. And he's...he is kind of hot with that spiky-yet-flat orange hair that covered over his forehead and gave him a tough look, and his piercing eyes filled with pride, and that body. Especially when he wore those tight jeans like he's currently wearing, they cling to his ass so nicely and...

Whoa. Oh no. Oh no, no, no. big NO. Ash did not just think that. He was not just taking notice to his rival's charm and sexy looks. This wasn't good at all.

Ash caught himself, and he could feel his eyes widen. He took the note and crumbled it up, tossing it to the floor as his face began to boil.

Did anybody notice him staring off into space at his rival? Did they see him smile like an idiot? Maybe...maybe they didn't. Ash's other classmates were staring at the teacher, whom was crossing his arms in obvious annoyance and making his way over to his desk. Oh crap.

"Ash, are you paying attention?" The teacher asked suspiciously, pushing up his glasses with a finger and his eyes burning holes into him. All eyes of the other students, including Gary of course, were now shifted over to the two in confusion.

And Ash sighed inwardly. He wasn't exactly on good terms with his History teacher. He's never been, because he's just not interested in history much, and has held a record of not paying attention in his class.

"I...I was paying attention." Ash's cheeks flushed a further red as his eyes had shifted over to Gary briefly, before he had tore them away and back to his annoyed teacher. "Just on the wrong thing. It won't happen again!"

His middle-aged, stern and serious teacher gave him a doubtful look. Before he nodded reluctantly. "It better not, I don't want you to fail this year and then gave to be dragged into my classroom for summer school. The last thing I'll ever want is to put up with only you for a whole summer. Pay attention." He strolled back over to the large chalkboard that had the lesson written on it, and he picked up from where he had left off.

Ash just wasn't paying attention. His mind was in a state of absolute chaos. So many emotions were taking over, and he didn't like it all. At least the other students had finally taken their eyes off of him and were either writing or actually paying attention to their teacher.

Gary, however, was still looking at Ash. He and the confused boy made eye contact and held it for approximately eleven seconds. After this, he just flashed him a cocky smirk that he gave everyone when he was either in the know of some secret that no one else wanted him to find out about, or was just trying to be charming.

It must have been the second one. And dammit, it was working. Ash usually didn't do this when he saw his usual little smirks, but he suddenly felt the tips of his ears burn, his heart pound against his ribs, and his feet to feel pretty lightweight.

"Maybe I'm just coming down with something." Ash murmured under his breath as he rested his chin on his palm once again. His eyes traveled up to the board and her tried to keep them locked there. But his mind was everywhere but the history lesson.

Meanwhile, Gary glanced at Ash and rose a brow. He was acting a little odd, he seemed flustered after he had smirked at him. Why the hell would he be flustered of all things? Or was he just jumping to conclusions?

Maybe he was just jumping to conclusions. Of course, that was it. Gary shook his head and looked back at the board, but he could feel his cheeks begin to warm very rapidly, as he realized all of a sudden how cute Ash had looked for a change.

...Wait...Ash looked 'cute'? What was he thinking?

~End of chapter~

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Well, that chapter was pretty damn short. So very painfully short that it's severely getting under my skin. T.T

But there was a reason for this. It was the beginning after all; to kick the story off, so to speak. Things are just beginning for Ash and Gary, they both have realized there might be something more to their 'hatred' of each other. More characters will appear in the next chapter, and so will more awkwardness.

In your review, could you please let me know what you think of my portrayal of Ash and Gary's relationship? I need to know because...*Cough* I may write more stories with them together in the future *Cough* :)

I'll try to update soon. Maybe...maybe hopefully by the end of the week?

Read and review!