Standing on the top deck of the S.S. Tree, Cade felt as if he were on top of the world. He could still remember getting the letter in the mail, admitting him to Buckmeadow- the most prestigious boarding school in the country. The ocean's spray felt like his mother's tears as she saw the letters saying he was awarded a full scholarship, and that they wanted him immediately. Looking into the distant stretch of ocean, he saw the sun rising above the crest of the waves, and some Dratini bouncing in them. All was at peace in his mind.
"Cade!" He heard the voice from behind him and his smile brightened. He turned around to see Emily, half jogging to him in black heels, her wild brown curls bouncing behind her. The two of them were the only ones in their small town of Cavern to make it out and into the world. So, there was Emily, all smiles behind her black glasses, pulling out some papers from her satchel and putting them on the table next to the breakfast paid for by Buckmeadow- just like the ship underneath their feet. "Did you know that at Buckmeadow, you can summer intern at these big law firms?"
"Yes Emily, I know." Cade chuckled. He leaned against the rail, letting the wind cool his back. Emily sat down at the white table and buried her head in the numerous pamphlets and papers that she had gotten from Buckmeadow. Her smile drooped a little, and concern grew on her face.
"Cade..." She began.
"What's up?" Cade replied.
"Are you...nervous?" She asked.
"Sometimes. Why, are you?"
"It's just... I'm getting a bad feeling about all of this."
"Why?"
"Cade...full scholarships? A paid cruise, first class? Isn't it a bit...much?" Cade opened his mouth, but stopped. He finally found the words.
"Well, they wouldn't do all of this if they wanted to do something bad, now would they?"
"I suppose..." Emily murmured. Cade stared at her there in her black dress, and he knew she wasn't convinced. He had seen that look a thousand times in school, when a teacher offered her a half-assed answer to a complex question. The schools at Cavern weren't exactly top of the line- they weren't top of the anything. Cade chuckled at the thought, his straight black hair falling down in front of his eyes. Emily's smile returned, and she looked up. "Come on, I want to eat early enough to hit the Pokémon battles later today."