Prologue

It was two days into my summer break when I received the news, and it took me less than twenty-four hours to decide my fate.

"You failed your sophomore year of high school, Kennedy. You know what that means, right?"

Summer School.

I never knew that two words could harbor so much anger and grief. Summer was supposed to be a time of adventure and joy and no school, but it seems this world has too much it wants to take from me and I have nothing left to offer.

Some might say I'm being too dramatic, but I've never been one to act. I'm just a stupid teenage girl who can't stop running from her problems. And this problem is no exception. All I do is run run run.

And it's all I will ever do.

I

I packed my bag with the least amount of items that I actually needed and took off in the night without saying goodbye. All I needed was a few changes of clothes, a sleeping bag, my Glaceon, my mom's old credit card she forgot to cancel, a few other possessions, and I was on my way out of the shining city I grew up in.

Jubilife, a workaholic's town, had served me well, but I set my sights on something bigger—better. Who the hell needs school when the Pokémon League Champion gets paid for merely existing? Sure, it may seem childish, but I'd have no problem with working to make it in something I enjoy.

So that's why I'm here now, running away from the realm of the known and escaping into a world of adventure and promises.

Forget butterflies fluttering in my stomach, they must be having a nuclear war in there because lord almighty am I overwhelmed. I'm just a fifteen year old girl alone in a cruel world: the future may be marred with misfortune, but I wouldn't know until it's too late. I'm so nervous nervous nervous.

But, oh, how sweet freedom tastes.

Or maybe it's just the flowers.

Arriving in Floaroma Town, I decide to get some sleep and leave out early in the morning because I'd pass out trying to travel while sleep deprived. I settle down in a forest clearing just behind town and use my backpack as a pillow, snuggling into my sleeping bag. The rocky soil digs into my back, but I'm not one to complain; I chose this path.

I try my best to fall asleep, but within twenty minutes of quiet someone approaches and taps me on the shoulder. I cringe internally, hoping to god that whoever it is won't hurt me. Slowly and cautiously turning my body, my eyes meet with a familiar face.

"Kennedy? What the hell are you doing camping on my property?"

Trenton Gramnes, teenage boy in my grade at school, or should I say used to be in my grade until I bailed out of summer school and had to be held back.

Distinct brown hair swept across his head frames almost porcelain milky skin and compliments charcoal brown eyes. The skin showing from his tee-shirt reflects the moonlight like the ocean as his hair dances like flowers in the breeze. Beautifully slim muscles contract as his tall frame towers over me.

"Did I stutter? Or are you just dumb?"

I snap out of my trance as I remember he's a fucking asshole.

"Leave me alone, Trenton." I seethe, rolling back over to try to get some sleep.

"That's not your choice. Last time I checked this isn't your land, so either tell me why you're here or get out."

I groan and sit up, narrowing my eyes in his direction. "I'm running away."

"Little Miss Track Star is running away?" His face molds into distrust and annoyance, "From what?"

I sigh in defeat, not wanting to admit it to him. "Summer school."

"Dumb as always," He frowns and his sigh speaks for itself, "but whatever, my Grandpa says you can sleep in my parent's room tonight." His voice is a devoid of emotion, but his eyes reveal secrets of resentment and pain.

"Your parents' room? Where would they sleep?"

"He's never home—" He cuts himself off by turning away, almost as if hiding his eyes so that I can't read his emotion.

It's only as he begins to walk away that I allow myself to smile; my first day away didn't go so badly, did it? I pack up my things and follow him to a small house on the flowering hill. As I slip through the doorway he turns around.

"I don't blame you."

"What?"

"For running away."

And with that said, he paces down the hallway and to his bedroom, shutting the door tightly behind him.

Never in my life have I wondered more what in this world made him so cold.

I enter the bedroom and run the facet over my hands, splashing it up and onto my face. I look up, staring at the mirror and into a pair of piercing blue eyes, a ring of gold around the pupil enhancing the depth. Small freckles on my cheeks contrasts fair, smooth skin, and, earthy blonde hair cascades slightly past my collarbone.

I finish washing my face and change out of my clothes and into a pair of shorts and a tee shirt. After brushing my teeth I head off the bed, trying to ignore whatever darkness may still be lingering in the back of my mind.

In the morning I am awoken by the sound of Starly outside my window. I peer outdoors and fall victim to the beauty of the meadow, the swaying of the flowers and the harmony of nature itself. The rising sun illuminates the pale sky in shades of salmon and lilac, lighting up the faces of the blossoms it smiles upon.

I rise from the bed and respectfully garnish it how it was before I had slept in it. Removing my night clothing, I put on my black and white striped top and layer over a pair of rolled-up, denim overall shorts. After lacing up sky blue converse over a pair of baggy, black socks, I run my fingers over my favorite green ribbon, remembering the purpose of why I'm here: to better myself.

No, I'm not running from my past, I'm bettering my future.

No.

No.

No!

I throw my hair into a ponytail and tie the ribbon around as a headband, the excess meeting on the nape of my neck. A couple minutes later, I open the door and walk out into the kitchen, being greeted by a smiling and frowning face. Trenton scoffs as I shake his grandfather's hand and introduce myself.

"I apologize for not meeting you last night, for my back was much too sore to venture out of the bed." The older man chuckles, his youthful eyes flashing from underneath the years of wrinkles on his skin.

"That's alright, sir. I'm in your debt for providing a bed for me." I smile brightly and bow my head in gratitude.

"In return, I ask that you explain your situation. Have a seat. Trenton has told me that you're running away? Is this true, Kennedy?"

I fumble with my fingers under the table, "I—um—yes, sir. The truth is, I didn't pass my classes and I'm being forced into summer school. I know it may seem childish, but it's been a dream of mine to become the Champion of Sinnoh and I thought now would be a good time to start. Because I don't want to go to summer school and all."

"My dear, you're a couple of years late on perfect timing, but better late than never, I suppose." The grandfather's eyes have smiles of their own when he speaks. "But don't you think dropping out of school to become the Champion may be imprudent? It's a very rough path and very tough to win."

"Yes, I know it's not a smart move, but I've never been a smart person. Even if I can't be the Champion, traveling Sinnoh would be enough for me. I've worked for far too long to get my hands on a Pokémon to give up now."

"You have a strong spirit, Kennedy. It reminds me of my younger self. Your parents will surely be worried, are you sure you don't want to tell them?"

"My parents would never approve of me skipping school to travel Sinnoh, especially because I need extra effort to learn in the first place. I try hard in school but I just feel like this is what I'm meant to do. My parents have never been a fan of me having a Pokémon in the first place, so they'd surely stop me from going."

The old man smiles again, "If you wish not to tell them, I cannot force you, but please promise me you'll go back to school if you do not make it?"

I return the smile with a nod of my head, "Of course, except I won't fail." I laugh.

He glances at Trenton, and I steal a glance as well. Of course he was staring me down the whole time, so there's no surprise for me to hide. "Trenton started a journey in Sinnoh a small while ago, but he had to quit due to schooling."

"Grandpa-"

"He's a very intelligent grandson, so his father often makes him take summer classes to get ahead. This summer he's scheduled to take enough courses to skip his sophomore year entirely."

"Grandpa, enough." Trenton stands and glares at the both of us. "I'm going to my room." As he begins toward his room, his grandfather puts a hand weakly on his shoulder.

"Are you not going to wish her well?" He pleads.

Trenton pushes his hand of his shoulder an cranes his neck to meet his grandfather's eyes. "No." He paces down the hall and shuts his door loudly.

The old man sighs, "I'm sorry, he's been this way ever since his mother passed." My face softens as I look in the direction of his door.

This world has frozen his bones.

"Do not worry, my dear. I'll wish you well in his stead." He opens a drawer and hands me a pouch of five empty pokéballs. "Be safe, my dear, I'm on your side." His shaky yet soothing voice allays my fears for all but a moment.

"Thank you so much." I gather my things and head out the door; the last thing I see before the door closes is his reassuring smile.