You lean your head on your hand, feeling the skin on your cheek scrunch up. Your Mom walks in and slams her phone on the counter in frustration. She sighs and runs a hand through her long auburn hair and sits next to you at the kitchen island. You fidget in your stool for a moment, stalling before asking what happened on the phone.

The kitchen is relatively new to you. You and your mother moved to Hearthome City only three months ago from Eterna City. So, you're still adjusting to the apartment. The kitchen's modern style with its black cabinets and marble countertops are still foreign.

You sit up straight and take another bite of your cereal. Then, you turn to your mom and get ready to ask what happened.

"Mo-?" I begin to ask but am cut off by a knock on the mutters a cuss word to herself as she walks to the door. You swivel to the right in your seat, hoping to watch the scene from a safe distance. She opens the door and a man wearing a fancy blue suit takes a step towards her, then steps backward when he sees Mom's stern expression. He's also holding a briefcase.

"Can I help you?" you mother says in a no-nonsense tone. The mysterious man clears his throat nervously before speaking.

"Um, I'm here concerning the matter of Jennifer Stevenson's participation in the PFG," the man says quickly. You almost fall out of your chair in surprise. You'd forgotten about that. "May I come in?"

"No," Mom replies and slams the door. She turns to walk back towards you.

"Mom!" you shout in horror, then jump off of the stool and run to open the door again. The man is still on the other side, looking more startled than he did the first time, and he clears his throat. "Yes, you may come in, please."

"Thank you," he replies cautiously. You close the door and watch the man observing your apartment. The apartment is laid out in a U shape. When you walk in the door there is a wall in front of you, to the right is the kitchen and to the left is the living room. Then, in the very back, are two bedrooms that are you and your mom. You take a moment to notice the man's appearance. He has olive skin and buzzed curly black hair. His brown eyes are carefully scanning our apartment, gaze lingering on the scattered moving boxes.

"Sir?" you ask impatiently.

"Oh, right, well first, we are aware that Jennifer Stevenson is no longer with us," he starts, extremely reluctant as he refers to...Jennifer's death. You sigh at the thought of your deceased sister.

Jennifer was the child that took after your mother. She was tall with sharp blue eyes and your mom's auburn colored hair, but she got blonde highlights a few years before her death. She was happy, free-spirited, and loved her family. You were very close with her and, even though it's been seven months, you still don't feel the same without her. It still breaks your heart to think about her...

You turn back to the man and nod in response to his statement.

"We're all sorry for your loss," he nods with respect, "Should I assume that her name should be withdrawn from the PFG?"

"Excuse me?" you ask, confused. You don't remember Jennifer mentioning a PFG.

"Oh, the PFG is the Pokemon Figure Games World Tournament!" he smiles, happy to explain what he works for, "They are competing on Carmonte Island for control of the incredible Jewel Tower! It's kind of a big deal, she didn't mention it to you?" No, she didn't mention it to you, but she used to love playing with the figures. She was sixteen and still played board games with little toys. It wasn't good for her to make friends, but she had you to play with. You still don't understand the game though.

"Wait, did you say 'for control of the Jewel Tower!'" your voice increases in intensity. Carmonte Island is a small island filled with resorts, and the Jewel Tower is the most popular resort there!

"Yes! The resorts owner, Master Rose, is holding a competition to give it away so that he can retire," the man continues.

This tournament is the opportunity of a lifetime! you think to yourself, It would be so great for-

Your train of thought ends when you remember that Jennifer won't be able to participate. She would have loved this!

"I guess she can't participate though," the man says, "I'll take her out of the-"

"Is there any way that someone else can participate instead of her?" you say quickly. The man doesn't speak for a moment.

"I don't see why not, does anyone in her family play?"

"Uh," you stammer, "No, but I've seen her play it and I'm a fast learner!" You've never actually played the game, but it means a lot to you that what Jennifer started gets finished.

"Look, I don't know if that'll work," the man tries to explain.

"Please," you begin, suddenly noticing your mom's glare. She's taken Jennifer's death as hard as you, but your approaches are different. Your mom starts over and tries to move on while you're still caught up in the past. "I can do it!"

"I guess it couldn't hurt," the man says, reluctant again, "What name should I sign you up under?"

"Alex!" your mom hisses at you and pulls you aside, "Are you sure this is a good idea?" She's clearly not happy about your decision.

"Mom! I'll be okay!" you reassure her. It doesn't work but she lets you go.

The man looks at you expectantly, "Your name?"

"Alex."

"Age?"

"Thirteen."

"Will you be traveling with anyone?" I look at my mom. She shakes her head.

"I'm sorry, honey, but I have to work this week," she says apologetically.

"That's alright, Mom. I'll take Eevee!"

"So two will be traveling?"

"Yes."

"Fantastic!" the man shouts and produces a sign up sheet from a briefcase, "Can you fill this out?"

You do and hand it back to him. He smiles happily.

"Great, then I'll send you an email with the rest of the information! Have a good rest of your day," And with that, he walks away, leaving the door open in his wake. Mom sighs, shakes her head, and walks back into the kitchen while you stare at the open doorway.

"I'm going to do it, Jennifer," you mumble quietly to yourself, "I'm going to play Pokemon Duel."