Olivine City

The ocean is so beautiful, I thought as I looked out at the sea and breathed in the salty air. I let out a little cough. Since I was from Blackthorn City I had never been exposed to anything but the rugged mountains. I loved my hometown, but now I understood the lure of the sea.

I turned from the window and ran to change into my swimsuit. The sandy beach was waiting for me!

"Mom I'm going out!" I called out.

"Take care Lina! Don't swim out so far! Stay close to the coast," she called back.

I ran out of my relatives' house by the beach where my family was staying for the summer. Two months of sand, salt and water before we went back home to the sheltered mountains. I was determined to have lots of fun!

I ran out into the sea and immersed myself in the water. I jumped out gasping and laughing. I went out a little farther and started to swim towards the current. Unfortunately I underestimated my swimming abilities and felt panic as the waves started crashing over my head and I couldn't keep my head above the water.

"Help!" I gasped. "Somebody…!" I started to feel lightheaded and faint.

Suddenly a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me out towards safer, calmer waters.

"I've got you!" I heard a boy's voice say.

The stranger swam with all of his might and pushed against the current When I felt I could swim again I started to wade out to shore. When I reached the coast I coughed out a thank you. I turned to examine my savior. He was a young boy of my age with brown lively eyes and spiky, sandy brown hair.

He grinned. "Lucky I was here or you would have drowned. Don't you know better than to swim out towards the current?"

"Er, yeah… I'll remember that next time," I muttered, feeling embarrassed and looking down at the golden sand.

"Don't feel bad," he said laughing. "Now you owe me a favor."

"What do you want?" I asked, feeling amused. I looked up into his grinning face.

"Let's hang out for a day! Show me around."

"Alright," I agreed. "But let me warn you, I arrived yesterday so I'm kind of new too."

He kept on grinning. "What's your name?"

"Lina," I answered. "Yours?"

"I'm Blue."

We hung around the beach and later went into the city. Blue told me he was from Pallet Town, in the Kanto region. He was staying in Olivine City because he was accompanying his grandfather, who was visiting Johto to study some rare Pokemon species. I really liked Blue; he was polite and playful. He loved to talk about Pokemon more than anything, though. It was hard for me to keep up. He found it odd that I didn't really know much.

"Aren't you going to trainer school?"

"No, but I might go to Clair, the Blackthorn City gym leader. She'll teach me then. Right now I want to go to regular school and decide whether I want to train Pokemon or just keep them as pets."

"Do you have any Pokemon pets as of now?"

"I don't have any time to take care of them."

"Oh." He looked disappointed that I didn't really share his obsession with Pokemon.

"Are you going to trainer school?"

"Nope," he answered proudly. "My grandpa's teaching me everything. He's a great Pokemon researcher. I'm gonna make him proud and become the Pokemon League Champion someday."

"I hope you make it," I smiled.

He grinned. "I know. I'll be the greatest Pokemon master that there ever was and make the name of Pallet Town known throughout the world!" He struck a dramatic pose with his fist raised in the air. I laughed. "I'll be cheering for you all the way!"

I enjoyed his company very much and I could tell he did too. He came to see me everyday and we hung out everywhere- the beach, the lighthouse, the docks and the Pokemon Gym, his favorite place. I learned so many things from him. He always complimented me on how fast I picked up the information he usually mentioned offhandedly.

"You'd make a great trainer! I'd like to battle you someday," he said.

I blushed and thanked him. I learned quickly that he was always honest when he complimented anybody because it was the one thing he hardly did.

We became very close and told each other everything about ourselves. We always poked fun at each other too. I told him he had to be a little more humble whenever he bragged about his knowledge to every trainer he met. He told me I had to loosen up and have fun even when it meant breaking the rules- such as running around in the slippery docks.

"Live a little!"

"I'll fall off and drown!"

"I'll save you again."

"So I can owe you another favor? No thanks." We both laughed.

"Don't you like hanging out with me?" he said, pretending to be hurt.

"Only sometimes," I chuckled.

We were playing on the beach building sandcastles one day when he told me he was leaving home that night.

"I'm happy to be leaving," Blue said as he filled his bucket with sand. "Once I get home I can start training my first Pokemon. My grandpa told me so last night!"

"That sounds great! What Pokemon do you want to start with?"

"I don't know," he mused, "but I think I'll choose Squirtle, a Water type." He chuckled. After being near the water for two weeks I bet it'll be a great match for me! Then again, I'm certain I could raise any Pokemon to be the best!"

"Well I hope your Pokemon is happy being a part of your team," I said. "Cause it's going to have to put up with all of your bragging!"

"Whatever!" Blue threw some sand into my lap. "Sand attack!"

"Splash attack!" I splashed some of the water I had in my bucket towards him.

"Weakling!" he sneered.

"So, are you going to make your next move or are you going to keep talking to yourself?"

"Let's call it a draw."

"Afraid I'm going to win?"

"No, I just don't want to hurt you. I was about to use my Hydro Pump!" He laughed and picked up my bucket and dumped all of the water over my head!

"No fair! Now you're just being mean!" I sputtered angrily.

Blue stopped laughing. "Aww Lina I was only playing around! I'm sorry!"

"Hmph!" I turned around and crossed my arms.

"No, please don't be mad! Here I... I got you this!" He tapped my right shoulder.

"Sorry, I won't be bought."

"It doesn't matter if you don't forgive me! Just take it!" I saw his hands appear in front of me holding a thin silver chain with a small Pokeball as a pendant on it. I felt him place it around my neck.

"There you go! I bet it looks great on you! Turn around, let me see it!"

I was wrapped up in the excitement of the gift and forgot my anger. I turned to face him again.

"It's neat! Thank you!" I gushed.

"I'm glad you like it! It's to remind you that we're friends. Best friends!"

I couldn't sleep that night. I tossed and turned in my bed as the night stretched out. I turned to look at the glowing face of the digital clock on the wall. 11:00 pm…

I got out of bed and sat by the window of my room and sighed. I felt a little twinge in my heart. I was really going to miss him. Who knew if I was ever going to see him again?

I heard a little knock at my window. I turned and saw Blue!

"Outside!" he mouthed.

I snuck out, knowing my parents would be mad if they saw I wanted to go out this late.

"What-?"

"Shhh! Come with me!" Blue grabbed my hand and turned around. I felt myself blush and my heart beat faster. I didn't realize I had these feelings before... This wasn't the first time he had led me by the hand anywhere.

He led me past the quiet streets and we walked along the coast. Then he led me to the hilltop where the lighthouse was, illuminated by the guardian Pokemon, Ampharos. He let go of my hand and we stood there in silence for a while, listening to the sound of the waves. My heart was beating so loud I was sure he could hear it.

"I-" Blue finally spoke. "I'm going to miss you."

"So will I…" I responded.

"You won't forget me right?" Blue turned to me and took my hands.

"No, I have a great memory," I joked.

His lips twitched but he stayed serious. "Maybe you can come by Pallet Town someday," he suggested. "I'll show you around Kanto."

"That would be nice," I said.

He stayed silent for another moment.

"It's so far away from here..." His voice trailed off. "No matter the distance I..."

He started to lean his face towards mine. I let out a little gasp and turned my face away. He let go of my hands and looked hurt.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "I thought you might..."

I hesitated and felt myself tremble as I whispered, "Don't feel bad…" I took his hands.

Blue got the hint and he leaned my face towards mine again and our eager lips met. He held me close to him.

"I won't forget you, Lina," he whispered into my ear. "I'll find you again someday."