Thwack, thwack thwack! My excited foosteps' sounds trailed behind me as I darted out of my house.
"Wait! Hayli! You forgot something! And... something else!"
"It's fine, momma! I'll come get it later!" I called back, too busy with my excitement to pay much mind. Today was a huge day. A day of adventure, responsibility, chaos, and joy. The day I set out in Unova with my friend, Shyer. Granted, I'd already experienced this with Kanto and Johto, but this was a whole new adventure. A whole new challenge was ahead. Why shouldn't I have been antsy? I stuffed wads of Poké-Dollars into my pockets, pulling a messenger bag over my shoulder. Oh my goodness, I thought, who knows what could happen? I could meet all kinds of new people, and-
"AGH! Oh... hi, Shyer.." I faltered, nervously messing around with my glasses and reflexively pushing them up the bridge of my nose right after I successfully ran him over with my own two feet.
"Ha, ha.. it's okay.. I'm fine."
He was wearing his trademark grin as he dusted off his t-shirt, not giving any care to the fact I probably pulverized his internal organs.
"I just got so.. EXCITED! Rah! I know I'm not usually this worked up, but now we get to go to... UNOVAAAAAA!" I cheered giddily, jumping up and down.
Shyer glared at me, somewhat disturbed.
"Well, I can't wait either! Let's go get our first Pokémon."
"I couldn't agree with you more. Catch me if you can!"
We took off, running in haste towards the professor's lab, kicking up crimson, fallen autumn leaves off the ground with each stride. I was running close behind Shyer, and we eventually made it to the lab.
Scientists with pristine, white, crisp lab coats were running about inside the building. We could see it through the windows. I, unfortunately, couldn't fix my gaze on it long as I was panting so hard I think my lungs were ready to pop.
"Whoo! I survived... woopydeedadee." I said, a bit dazed. Shyer giggled.
"Hehe! I'm full of energy." He teased. "Let's do this."
I, still trying to catch my breath, followed him into the lab. Inside was essentially the Nirvana of all Pokémon science. I think I had a major nerd-out.
"Woah.. just look at this.. place.." I murmured reverently between loud, exaggerated breaths, drawing the worried curiousity of those around us. Stupid me. "All this stuff... machines... magazines... books.. Ooh! I'm in Poké-Nerd heaven..." I beamed.
"Well," Shyer shrugged, "What are we waiting for? Let's get the professor."
Moments later, we were waiting just outside professor's enormous officelike workroom, awaiting what we knew was coming to us.