They stand there, at the Cape on the edge of town. The wind tousles the hair sticking out of the boy's cap, and the girl fiddles with her ponytail. The mouse, usually the one to relieve the tension, is back at her gym. Neither knows what to say. Finally, she speaks up.
"So…you're leaving tomorrow."
"Yeah. New region, new league." He doesn't smile and keeps staring straight ahead, avoiding her eyes, she thinks. She swallows and puts on a fake smile.
"That's good. Another step on your journey to becoming a Pokemon Master!" Her words sound hollow to the both of them, but are too soon swept away on the wind, leaving tension and silence behind.
"You don't want me to go." He says it bluntly.
She squares her shoulders. "No."
"I can't stay here. I can't stay anywhere, not right now."
"I know. You have to keep moving, keep trying. But-"
"But what if I don't make it?" he says softly. "Is that what you were going to say?"
She nods stiffly.
"I have to believe there's something out there for me."
"But what about what you've got right here." It's not a question but a statement. The girl looks at the boy, still staring into the horizon.
"I know what I've got. I'll never-I'll never leave you behind." The boy's throat is thick as he remembers someone who was.
The girl seems to understand and nods her head ever so slightly.
The boy knows she'll never truly be fine with this cycle- this endless chase. But they have a sort of deal by now. She pretends to be fine with his journey and he always comes back.
He turns around and gently kisses her. She accepts the kiss. Because he will always come back. She's not quite sure why, but the boy does. And as long as he does, she'll keep waiting.
A/N: Something I wrote on the fly. R & R please!
~Sofia