Chapter 1

Genet couldn't sleep. She stared at the roof of her tent for answers to her troubled sleep.

She thought of recent events; like how she had just turned eighteen two days ago. The number two stuck in her mind as she remembered that she had not visited home in two years and how worried her parents might be. She ran her fingers through her green shoulder length hair and sighed with resentment that she had cut it so short.
It used to be long and flowing; 'I cut it for him.' She reminded herself. 'I cut it because I hoped he would like it.' In the humid weather it would kink up and would never cooperate.

The frigid winter air was drafting in through the thin tent and Genet shivered, knowing she was not going to get any sleep she quietly slipped her petite body out of her sleeping bag and her tent; she snuck across the newly fallen snow careful not to awaken any of her pokemon that had chosen to sleep out in the snow rather than their pokeballs because supposedly the cold was "refreshing".

She paused to gaze at the brilliant beings that rested in the freezing weather. The fire had died down to the embers that still sent off a warm amber glow across the pokemon's bodies.
Her Empoleon, Emmet, was on his back with his arms wildly spread out; left of him was her Loppuny Lucy, who was wrapped in her cotton like ears and holding her knees; next to her was Abby the Absol, who had her face scrunched up clearly unhappy to be so cold; then there was Nina the Ninetales, she was resting her head on her front paws while her lower half was twisted in a position that Genet couldn't imagine comfortable; right from her was Ralph the Richu, he was on his stomach twitching as if chasing something; finally was Gale the Gallade.

Genet's heart jumped when she realized that he wasn't there. Her eyes dashed across the landscape searching for any signs that he had got up and left.
'Gale? Gale!' she frantically called via thought.

Suddenly a hand clamped down on her shoulder and another one across her mouth before she could scream out for help.

'Where could you possibly be going at a time like this?' a deep, smooth, sexy voice entered her head.
'I-I couldn't sleep.' She stammered. Gale released her mouth but kept a firm hold on her shoulder and Genet was painfully aware of it.
'Isn't cold to be out here in a nightdress though?' he wondered. Genet gave herself a once over and was surprised to find that she had forgotten a coat.
'I thought a walk would do me good.' She shied away from discussing her attire. Gale lightened his grip on her shoulder to stand beside her.

His striking red eyes scanned the area before turning to Genet and stating that he was going with her. Genet's heart pounded at the thought of being alone with him in the forest. Gale led the way as they followed the trail they had used that day. Genet wasn't keen to night but the moon was so bright and full that it was almost as if the sun were out.

Gale veered right and Genet followed now aware that she was losing her sense of direction. He finally stopped in a tiny clearing covered in snow, the moon beams reflecting and making the snow sparkle. She gazed in wonder at the simple beauty.
She was aware that Gale was watching her do so; 'Did you freeze over there?' she joked.
'Genet…' Genet stopped and spun to look at him, he was averting his eyes to not meet hers and was watching a single Volebeat fly among the branches of the trees. She had no idea what he was being shy about, it wasn't like him.
'What is it Gale?' she said stepping toward him. He took a step back.
Now she was worried, 'Tell me.' He closed his eyes then met her gaze; she stopped herself from gasping about how his wonderful eyes were so full of worry and curiosity.

'Genet; the others and I have been talking. And every once in a while they joke about how you look at me, they tell me that you act strange around me.' Genet felt herself go ridged.
He went on, 'So I started observing you myself and reading your thoughts.' Genet knew what was coming next; she knew somehow he would find out.
'Genet….do you….have feelings for me?'