Chapter One
I woke up, feeling both excited and depressed. I felt excited because I was finally going to graduate from Pokemon Academy and return to Hoenn; I felt depressed because I was going to have to say goodbye to the friends and teachers I had known for the past ten years. Worst of all, I was going to have to say goodbye to my lovely Kerrianne.
I don't know if this is going to be the best or worst day of my life…possibly both? I thought.
"We're finally going to graduate!" Kerrianne exclaimed, jolting me out of my thoughts. She was gleefully gathering up her clothes and belongings in her suitcases.
"It's hard to believe." I muttered.
Kerrianne turned and looked at me. Her dazzling blue eyes softened with concern.
"I'm just as torn up about having to break up as you are," Kerrianne said. "But we don't have much of a choice, Zakira. Your family lives in Hoenn and mine lives in Sinnoh."
"I know, I know. I just…it feels like this is all happening to fast." I sighed.
Kerrianne sat down beside me and took my hands in hers. "I know it hurts, but we have to go on our own journeys. What you and I had was something incredibly special and I won't ever forget you. I'll never love anyone like I love you." She said.
"What if we never get to see each other again?" I asked.
"I'm sure we will cross paths again one day, love." She replied.
I let out a heavy sigh and wiped the tears from my eyes. The two of us hugged each other for a long moment. I buried my face in her hair and breathed in her wonderful scent. She always smelled like sweet pea flowers.
"I suppose we better get ready. Graduation is at noon." I said.
Kerrianne got up and went to shower, while I looked though the pictures of us. Sorrow gripped my heart as I thought about all the memories I had of her.
I suppose I always knew that our relationship would end one day…I just didn't think it would be so soon. I thought. I guess this isn't the end of the world, though. After graduation, I will get to return to Hoenn with Father and begin my Pokemon journey. I will get to meet new people and Pokemon, and perhaps even become the greatest Pokemon trainer in all of Hoenn!
I tucked the pictures away in my suitcase and finished packing. When Kerrianne got out of the shower, I surprised her with a kiss. I knew that it would most likely be the last time I ever got to kiss her, so I was certainly going to seize this opportunity.
I pressed my lips against hers, savoring how soft and sweet they were. Our kissing started off as gentle and sweet, but quickly escalated a passionate make-out session. By the time we stopped, we were both left breathless.
"I'm going to miss you so much. You just don't even know." She said.
"I suppose we better hurry up and get ready. We can't miss our big day." I said quietly.
I reluctantly let Kerrianne go and I got in the shower. After I showered, I dried and straightened my hair. I then got dressed.
I couldn't help but to notice how gorgeous Kerrianne was in her graduation gown. The sapphire blue gown brought out her already unbelievably beautiful eyes.
"Let's get going before I start having second thoughts." I said.
Together, we left our dorm room and joined the growing mass of students downstairs in the cafeteria. Everyone was getting their final breakfast here at school. There was a mixture of excitement, anxiety and sadness in the air. No doubt the students were having mixed feelings about leaving the International Pokemon Academy and starting their own journey. The majority of us had been here since were only eight years old. We had many memories, both good and bad, of this place.
I ate slowly, trying not to dwell on the loss of Kerrianne's companionship. I tried to focus on seeing Father again and getting to begin my very own Pokemon journey in Hoenn.
Kerrianne and I didn't say much to each other during breakfast. Kerrianne was busy talking to her friends while I was too busy staring at her and thinking. The most we did was hold hands.
The entire cafeteria grew quiet when the principal, Miss Vera Ashworth walked in. She was wearing an elegant black dress and had her long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. When she walked by my table, I caught a whiff of her perfume. She smelled like roses.
"Good morning students," Miss Ashworth said as she walked to the center of the cafeteria. "Your graduation day has arrived at last. After today, you will get to return home and begin your very own Pokemon adventure!"
The students all cheered and clapped. Once they fell silent, she continued.
"I want to let you all know that I am very proud of you. You all made it through ten years here…." She said.
As she continued to talk, I zoned out. All I could think about was the day ahead of me.
I wonder what Pokemon I should start with…Treecko, Mudkip and Torchic are all adorable. Perhaps I should start with Torchic? Fire types are my favorite. I thought.
My thoughts were interrupted by the cheering and clapping of the gathered students. While Miss Ashworth started walking out of the cafeteria, I started to wonder what all she had said.
Before I could ask Kerrianne, everyone started to get up and leave. I followed my graduating class out of the cafeteria and out to the stadium. Friends and family members were lined up outside of the doors, waiting to get in. When they saw us, they started cheering loudly. The commotion was making me rather uncomfortable.
I hope I don't trip and fall on the stage. Ugh…I really don't want people's last memory of me here to be an embarrassing and awkward one! As if I haven't embarrassed myself enough in my life! I thought.
As we went into the stadium, teachers started sorting us by last name. I was put at the very end of the line while Kerrianne was towards the front. I sighed inwardly. I was going to be the very last person to graduate.
Delightful. By the time I go across the stage, everyone will be sick of being here. I thought.
After what felt like an eternity, we were finally allowed to take our seats in the stadium. Our seats were at the center, so all the guests could stare at us from their seats in the stands.
As we made our way to our seats, cheers and screams erupted from the gathered audience. The racket was annoying and deafening to me. The stadium amplified the horrendous uproar people were making. While I walked, I tried to pick out Father from the crowd. I was disappointed when I didn't see him.
He has to be there somewhere. I thought. He wouldn't miss this day for anything in the world.
Once we were all seated, the stadium grew quiet. Miss Ashworth began with a speech that I scarcely listened to. After she spoke, the presidents from the six regions spoke. The speeches and songs from the choir were nice and all, but I was growing agitated. I wanted to get out of here.
When the speakers finally stop talking, the graduation began. One row at a time, the students walked across the stage, shook the hands of the presidents, and got their diploma. When they sat down, the next row went up. This cycle continued until everyone received their diplomas.
Once it was my turn to walk across the stage, I felt as if everyone was staring at me. I was painfully aware that no one applauded or cheered as I made my way across the stage.
Fuck you assholes. I thought. I'm glad I'm never going to see you again.
I quickly shook the six presidents' hands, grabbed my diploma and sat down. I was pissed that no one cheered for me and I was depressed that I hadn't seen my Father yet. All I wanted to do was go home right now.
Miss Ashworth made another annoyingly long speech and the choir sang again. Then we were finally able to leave. I pushed my way through the massive crowd of students, teachers and families, desperately searching for Father.
It took me forever to find him. Once we found each other, we embraced each other fiercely. I started crying tears of joy.
"I am so proud of you sweetheart," Father said. "My little girl has finally graduated!"
I blushed. "I couldn't have done it without your support, dad." I replied.
Father kissed me on my forehead. "Get your bags and let's go home. I imagine you are eager to return home."
"Of course! It's been ten years! I can't wait to return home!" I exclaimed.
Father and I went up to my dorm room. When we entered the room, I saw that Kerrianne was headed out of the door. She scarcely acknowledged me as she scooted past me and ran off down the hallway with her family.
"She didn't have the decency to say goodbye?" Father asked.
"I suppose she's more excited about leaving," I said. "We broke up anyways, so it doesn't matter."
"Why did you two break up? You two seemed so happy together. What happened?" Father inquired.
"She lives in Sinnoh, Father. The odds of us getting to see each other again are slim to none." I replied.
It seemed as if he wanted to say more, but decided against it.
"Well…you two know what is best for you. I just want you to be happy, sweetheart." He said.
"Thanks dad," I said, smiling. "I'm ready to go now."
