Somewhere my brain registered a knocking sound coming from close by. I turned over in bed, trying my hardest to ignore it.
"Eloise, wake up." A voice said, "I thought you wanted to get your first Pokémon?"
My eyes shot open. I sat up and saw my Dad standing in the doorway smiling. I grinned and shooed him away so I could get dressed.
"I'll meet you downstairs. I want to see you before you go!" He called through the wood.
"Sure thing Dad, I won't be long!" I called back. I leant against the door for a moment, my mind racing about all of the things I was about to do. After today there was no going back. I was going to be a Pokémon Champion! I just wish Mum was here to see me... I shook the thought away as I looked at the clothes I left on my beanbag the night before. Rushing to get them on, I didn't realise my jeans were backwards until I couldn't find the zip and button. I checked how I looked in the mirror. Dark blue jeans, a green shirt with a purple jacket. My blonde hair up in a ponytail, with my fringe swept to the side. My shoes and bag were downstairs, so they would have to wait. Everyone said that I have a weird sense of style, but whatever I wear looks good together. One thing's for sure, I will never wear any dresses or skirts unless I absolutely have to. I'm a tomboy all the way. I guess it kind of makes sense, without anyone telling me how to look or how to be a proper girl, and my Dad not minding what I do or wear, so long as I'm safe. He did notice that I'm not like the other girls around our small town, he knew that I wanted to play with the boys instead, but they all ignored me. Apart from one, who is only a few months older than me. I hadn't seen him in a few days though, so I knew this journey was going to one I took alone. My thoughts went to having a Pokémon by my side. I knew exactly which one I wanted, out of the Unova starters I had to choose my favourite type. I looked down and pictured it by my side, how we would look out for each other, battling and getting more friends on the way. But in the end, it would be us who defeats the Champion. Us who started the journey. And us who will finish it. Blinking myself back into reality, my shaking hand opened the door, and I began to descend the stairs, my stomach rumbled loudly, and I gave a small half-smile that I used so much. I heard someone in the kitchen, so hoping I was right I stepped out towards my Dad.
It's always been me and Dad. Dad and me, for as long as I can remember. My Mum died in an accident when I was little, so I can't remember anything of her. We have a picture of us three in the living room. I try to imagine what she was like, how much she cared for us, and how she would laugh when we were playing. Sometimes I like to think I remember her voice, but I know I don't, each time it sounds different.
I turn my head, spotting the photo. Checking that Dad hadn't seen me yet, I walked over to it quietly. I picked up the photo in its glass case, this was the last photo we have of all of use before she died. We have plenty more, but this is the most important. I look at her blonde hair, flowing down to her mid-back, just like mine does when I let it loose. Her bright green eyes were different from my deep blue ones, I got that from my Dad. But apart from that, we looked similar. Very similar.
"I love you, Mum." I whispered stroking her small face with my free hand, screwing up my eyes to get rid of the tears. Placing the photo back in its place carefully, I walked back over to the kitchen, wiping my eyes as I went to get rid of any stray tears that were threatening to fall.
"Ah! Kiddo!" My Dad called his favourite nickname at me as I walked through the doorway, "I made you breakfast!"
I smiled as I saw some delicious looking bacon, beans and sausages on a plate.
"How many attempts did it take you to cook the bacon this time?" I asked him smiling sweetly, trying not to laugh.
"Oi! I'm not that bad!" He complained pretending to sulk.
"Sure you're not." I said sarcastically, as I leaned past him and opening the cupboard that held the bin to check.
"I count at least four pieces of what could have been called bacon before. Now I'm not sure what to call it." Looking up at him, he frowned.
"It's called well done." He said in an attempt to seem proud. I laughed and grabbed my plate, taking it to the table to eat.
"Slow down there kiddo! I know you're excited but you carry on like that and you'll give yourself indigestion!" He laughed at my speed eating, but my mouth was too full to reply.
After I was done I ran to the living room to grab my bag that I had left on the armchair the night before. I checked I had everything, tent, sleeping bag, water, food, and everything else that I may need and would be expensive to buy. I zipped it back up and turned around to almost walk into my Dad.
He smiled, "I want you to have this, my parents gave it to me when I started my Pokémon journey, let's see if you can do better than me, eh?" In his hands was a belt, but I knew this wasn't just a belt, it was one in which you could have anything you need for battles on your waist.
"Put it in your bag, OK? Only use it for battling, otherwise keep your Pokémon in your bag where they're safe." He warned me. He would know.
When my Dad set out as a Pokémon trainer, like I was about to be, he got a Pidgey as his starter Pokémon, as the Professor had different Pokémon at the time. He managed to get two badges, and had caught two more Pokémon by the time he got to Skyarrow Bridge. All of this Pokémon were secured to his belt as he slowly made his way across. He took no notice of the other people on the bridge, until he felt a hard blow to the back of his head. They took his Pokémon then. He won't tell me any of the details after that, but I know he's still upset about it, and part of him doesn't want me to go on this journey.
I took the belt from him, and unzipped by bad, placing the belt carefully inside before zipping my bag up for a final time.
"Thanks Dad." I said hugging him tightly, and I felt his arms secure around me as I pressed my head into his chest, not wanting to let go for a second. He broke the hug and looked at me.
"Go on." He told me, "Go get your first Pokémon. I love you" His eyes said so much more, "be careful", "don't get lost" and so much more. I smiled at him.
"I love you too." I said walking towards the door.
"Eloise," I heard him call, "don't come back for a bit. Promise me. I want you to get on with your journey. Walk out of here, get your Pokémon and don't come back. Not until you have at least two badges."
"Are you sure you don't want to know which Pokémon I've chose?" I ask him. It's been annoying him ever since I got the leaflet from Professor Juniper a week ago.
He walked towards me, "I'm sure." He said, giving me the leaflet. I gave it back to him. I didn't need it. I already knew who I wanted, nothing was going to change my mind.
"Stay safe kiddo, I love you." He told me one last time.
"I love you too Dad." I sad, walking out the door before and closing it behind me I could change my mind. The fresh air of Nuvema town greeted me. Only taking one small look at the house I'd spent my life, before walking towards the place where my new Pokémon awaited me. I saw the building, and smiled, imagining my new Pokémon next to me again.
"Oof!" I'd been so distracted that I hadn't noticed someone was right in front of me.
"Watch where you're goi-Eloise? What're you doing here?" The boy asked.
Hello to whoever reads this! Thanks for taking the time to read my fanfic, and please please please review it for me :) I know it sounds pushy because it's only the first chapter, but it does mean a lot to me! Thanks for your time and I hope you liked it :D
lolcat05