This is a translation from portuguese, I hope that it is clear. If you find some error in the text, you can tell me and I'll correct.
When Hugh was younger, it was common for him to enter in arguments with Rosa because of their height differences. He became very angry every time she reached places that he couldn't, like when he wanted to pick some book in the shelf and needed to stay on the tip of his toes, while she managed to do this normally, or like when they climbed the tree of the backyard and she could reach the higher branches, as quick as a Pansage.
Then, the little Hugh always desired to grow up and become taller than the friend. And, day by day, he drank a glass of Moomoo Milk, with maximum discipline, like if it was some kind of tonic that would grant the power to solve his problems.
And, indeed, the day he managed to reach that book on the shelf arrived, and more time passed until he became taller than his friend Rosa.
-And not counting the height of the hair, see?- he would boast. Now, the little Hugh would smile triumphant and provoke his friend, just like she did when he was in the lower "level".
But what the Hugh from that time didn't predict is that, in the same extent that his height was increasing, the girl would have obtained other "advantages" over him. Just like he was growing up and becoming more like a man, his friend also grown and was more like a woman. The first time he had that thought left him disconcerted.
-This is Rosa! The idiot Rosa that nicknamed you "Qwilfish hair"! The same Rosa who put Spelon Berries in your lunch making you spit fire! – He repeated mentally. – She could be in a grown body now, but was also the little girl from before.
Or at least was that what he thought before see her battling with Team Plasma with an adult determination, and, after that, in the door of Pokéstar Studios surrounded by fans she won. And, in the course of time, Rosa proved many times to him that she was already more than that little girl he met in Aspertia City. And he became convinced bit by bit that she was no longer so childish. …And nor was he.
Hugh realized this when Rosa said that he became stronger and, she couldn't explain why, but, she said she thought that he became more kind-hearted too. In that time, he didn't know what to answer to her. He also had begun to notice some changes when he took attitudes he didn't expect to take, surprising himself; but hear that from Rosa really had a special flavor. And he felt that he was really growing up, not just in the height.
When she started to train to the league, the meetings between them became rarer and he couldn't help to miss and want to see her. So, when he finally managed to meet her again, he felt an intense anxiety and nostalgia. This was something he couldn't understand very well in the moment.
And this sensation just got worse when Rosa hugged him, sending running chills through his body. He was so nervous and confused that ended up scolding the girl. However, when the girl complained that they hadn't see each other for a long time and she really missed him, so she couldn't help want to hug him, he was caught by surprise and completely disarmed.
Later that day, after a battle, they relaxed and sat on a bench, while Rosa spoke nonstop about everything she have had in the last days: about the people who she battled with, the Pokémon She had encountered and many other things that escaped Hugh ears. He wasn't listening to her; his mind was completely caught by the beautiful sight of his friend disheveled by the wind, with the sunset at the bottom. What before seemed a strange Donuts-shaped hairstyle, now seemed attractive, framing the girl's face. And, who would tell that someday he would think that, but that style, her unique style, wasn't so bad. It was even… cute.
In that moment, he felt a strange desire of touch her and approached unconsciously. The girl was surprised, speechless by the sudden shortening of the distance between them. Happily, his conscience didn't completely betrayed him, and he was brought to reality seconds before he did something that he could regret.
-There is a leaf in one of your donuts… - he said, pretending to take something from her hair.
And, shortly thereafter, he invented an excuse to be alone. That strange behavior had left him afraid with himself and he needed to clarify his mind. The girl, without understanding exactly the situation, just stared his leave and, unconsciously, carried one hand to the spot where he had touched her before.
After that day, he started to have dreams with Rosa, and all of them, somehow, ended in some kind of physical contact. The last one, still very alive in his memory, had ended in a kiss…
Romance? Kiss? When younger he would just make a disgusted face to the mere mention of these words. And he started to wonder when the girl began to have a different meaning to him. Yes, she was no longer just his childhood friend.
He closed the eyes and thought of his friend. Lately no detail went unnoticed by his eyes. Her hair, smooth like silk, her long eyelashes, the rosy tone of her cheeks, her skin… and her lips. They seemed so inviting…
And he wondered: when seeing her smile began to be the main goal of their conversations? When had her eyes started to seem so shining? And… she had always have the scent of roses? He didn't know the answer to none of these questions.
The boy sighed deeply. His thoughts of her gave him no respite, and that was starting to worry him seriously. He even began to commit slips in battles and the last straw was when he managed to be defeated by an wild Audino. He needed to take action! He couldn't let that affect his performance! It was then that he resolved to ask the opinion of a friend.
-So, you easily get lost in thoughts about her and can't manage to get rid of them? – Nate had one hand above the chin, analyzing the situation.
Hugh nodded affirmatively. The other boy meditated for a while.
-Hm… The case seems serious… Since you are at this stage, - he spoke as if he was diagnosing some kind of disease – there is only one solution!
Hugh looked at him anxiously.
-What is it? I'll do anything to turn back to normal! – he was visibly desperate.
-You are just stressed like this because you're keeping everything to yourself. – He said, relaxing his head in his arms – To stop it, you have to tell her how you feel. Only this way you'll get rid of this burden. – he stared seriously the friend.
-Y-You are telling me to c-confess? – Hugh began to sweat.
-Ah, man, it's not that complicated. You just have to create a plan and follow step by step. It never fails. – he spoke as if he was experienced in the matter.
Hugh hadn't seem to tranquilize with that; he still was thinking in how to insert confession and himself in the same context.
-Don't be so tense, I'll help you! – he approached and friendly patted Hugh's back. – With me helping, there's no way to go wrong! – he winked trustful to the friend. – And the worst that could happen is she saying no. But since you are childhood friends, this shouldn't be a great problem. You'll only have to learn to deal with the friend zone…
The boy wasn't sure if could accomplish that feat, much less if could deal with an eternal friend zone, but it was better try to resolve than continue as it was. Furthermore, his friend seemed confident… And always is said that nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? He hoped the answer was yes.
To be continued...
