The sun shining brightly in my window woke me. Blinking the remaining sleepiness from my eyes, I looked at the calendar; Friday, February 13th, 1998. Taking my trusty red marker, I X'd out yesterday's date to keep track of the date when I heard my mother's cheery voice call me from downstairs, alerting me that breakfast was ready. I couldn't wait! I loved Mom's cooking!
"Good morning, Dear!" She chirped happily as I bounded down the stairs two at a time. Mother made a soft, disapproving clicking noise at my haste. She often scolded me for not being careful on the steps, despite me running up and down them all the time – never once had I fallen or even scraped my knee (for as much as parents scolded about it, has anyone ever fallen on the stairs?). But that was Mother for you, always the worrywart. "I made your favorite, Cinnabar's Volcano Bakemeat! Eat up quickly, though – Professor Oak, next door, has been looking for you." I rolled my eyes at how she said it. There were like, four houses in Pallet Town, yet she had to add in 'next door'. Technically, Blue's house was next door, anyway, so it was a silly way to word it.
Naturally, though, I rushed through the spicy dish like I hadn't eaten in a month. It was a beautiful day, and I was hoping the Professor was finally going to give me my first Pokémon! I was old enough to become a Trainer now, and he was getting up there in the years now, so perhaps he'd retire and give me one of his awesome rare Pokémon. Stomach filled with butterflies – though, perhaps I should say, Butterfrees – I tossed my plate in the sink in a less-than-gentle fashion and jogged to the door. "Wait!" My mother called, gently grabbing my upper arm and tugging me towards her. Planting a firm kiss on my forehead, she sent me off with a pat on the back and a wide grin on her pretty face.
"Mom… Don't do things like that, it's embarrassing!" I complained, frustrated with her treating me like a child. She just giggled and waved, and I rolled my eyes again. Parents could really be irritating. Then again, maybe it was just a 'mother' thing - I'd never had a father to know what one was like, so I couldn't generalize all parents as bumbling idiots like my mother. Sure, I love her and all, but becoming a Pokémon Trainer and getting away from her for a while didn't seem like all that bad of an idea.
I got to Oak's and, just as I'd hoped, he explained to me and Blue that he planned on giving us Pokémon so we could complete an encyclopedia for him. I was ecstatic, and after quickly browsing the three available creatures, I settled on the friendly-looking Bulbasaur to add as my first battle team member. Blue stepped forward and chose the Charmander; this didn't surprise me, as I was already aware of type advantages and disadvantages, and a Grass-Type like my starter would be weak to his adopted Fire-type. Still, I was confident in my new little pal. We could beat Blue any day, regardless of type differences.
The battle went well, with me winning. My Bulbasaur – who I'd lovingly nicknamed Squishy (which Blue teased me for, but I didn't care) – seemed a little less than attentive and kept glancing behind me, but I figured it was because he was new to battling, as Blue's Charmander did the same thing. I was too excited to find it odd that both of the battlers had been looking behind me, though, or else I would've been more concerned. My Rival left with a few choice words, clearly displeased with his loss and being a slight bit of a sore loser. In my heart of hearts, I wished Professor Oak had just chosen me for this journey, and not added that jerk to the two-man lineup of Pokédex-wielding researchers.
Keeping opinions to myself, and bearing in mind what Oak had mentioned about stat-reducing moves being effective when you needed to gain an advantage on your opponent, I wandered out of Pallet Town with a grin on my face. The sun was shining, I had a Pokémon partner, and… I'd forgotten to say goodbye to Mother. Well, I was sure Professor Oak would explain to her what happened, anyway, and by the time I saw her again? Pfft, I'd be too mature and grown up for her to 'ground' me. I never thought I'd regret not saying goodbye…