Hey everyone. This story is the prequel to 'A Warn Welcome'. This is about everything that happened before Ben and Summer went to Oblivia. So hopefully ya'll enjoy.
"Come on, Chikorita. Don't worry. I'm sure Mommy and Daddy will walk through the door any second now. They have to right?" Chikorita nuzzled her head against my thigh. We sat in a dimly lit room. I haven't seen Mommy since she told me to go to my room. I know they had to get out though. They had to. Police officers walked around outside of the room, doing things I can't begin to understand. I think we've been sitting her for a half hour now. I just want Mommy and Daddy to hurry up so we can leave.. A man walked into the room wearing a suit. A Growlithe walked beside him obediently. He held a few papers, looking at them gravely. The man glanced at me and shook his head, taking a deep breath. "Scuse' me sir, but where are my Mommy and Daddy?" I asked curiously.
The man walked to me and knelt down to my level, taking my hand gently. "I'm Officer Walters. Summer, sweetheart. I regret to inform you that your mother and father did not make it out of the fire." His words were quiet and gentle. I stared at him blankly, not taking in what he was saying. "Do you understand?" I shook my head, on the verge of tears. "Your mother and father died in the fire. As did your baby sister. Summer, they aren't coming back." He is lying. That isn't possible. They have to come back. What else would they do? "We contacted your aunts and uncles but unfortunately, none of them are able to take you in. We have to send you to an orphanage." What's that? An orphage? I've never heard of that. "We also found this in the rubble. It was the only thing that made it through the fire." The man reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a necklace that looked incredibly familiar. "This was your mother's necklace, I presume?" I nodded my head, taking it from his hand. I clenched it in my small, weak palm.
"Mommy.. Daddy.." I whispered, tears leaking from my eyes. I looked up at them man. He was frowning and had watery eyes. "They aren't coming back to me." I cried. Sobs racked my body. The man held out his arms and I wrapped my arms around his neck. He picked me up and walked me out of the room, Chikorita and Growlithe following close by. He walked me outside and placed me in a car. I sat in the back seat with Chikorita on my lap. The man got in the front seat while Growlithe got in the passenger seat. He drove away from the police station. I continued to cry quietly, playing back the memories of my parents. It's all gone..
"Ms. Summer?" I jumped slightly, looking up from my hands. The principle sat across from me looking at me intently. I cleared my throat and apologized. "Well?" I looked at him confused. Did he ask me something? He sighed again. "Is it true, Ms. Summer, that you're parents are unfortunately deceased?"
I thought for a second. Maybe if I say no, it'll come true. They will appear out of nowhere and tell me they love me. I'll be able to hug them and tell them how horrible orphanages are. But I can't lie. I'm trying to get into this place, not get sent away. I'll have nowhere else to go. "Yes, sir. It's true." I said calmly. It's been about 8 years since that accident. I was seven. Being sixteen now, I can hardly remember anything else except that night. I've tried to suppress those memories, but they are engraved in my memory.
The principle nodded his head sadly. "Let's move on. Candice and Archie said you passed your first lesson on styler capturing with flying colors. I think you have true potential here at the Pokemon Ranger School. I, and the other staff here, are happy to welcome you as one of us." He smiled. I nodded my head eagerly. "Seeing as it is Saturday, you don't have any classes today. Just go to the secretary office and you will receive your class schedule and styler. Just giver her this note and she will take care of it. Congratulations, Ms. Summer." I thanked him and walked to the door.
"Thank you again, sir. But umm.. where is the secretary office?" I asked quietly.
He chuckled. "When you walk out of these doors, you take a left and then it is straight down the hall." I smiled and thanked him. As I walked out, other students stared at me. Trying to pay them no attention, I walked until I found the first left. I turned and accidentally bumped into a girl's shoulder.
I turned towards her, covering my mouth in shock. "Watch where you're going, huh?" She barked annoyed.
I walked backwards, still staring at her. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-" My body collided with some one else. Only this time, it was a guy.
He and his friends laughed loudly. The guy I ran into grabbed my shoulders roughly. "Ain't never seen you 'round here before. Why don't you watch where you're going, Babe." I apologized, wanting him to let go of me. He laughed again. "Whaddya think guys? She is a looker for sure." His friends agreed, staring at me intently. I could feel my cheeks heat up. Why won't this guy let go of me? It's not like I meant to run into him. "What's your name, babe? I'm Jack. And these are the guys. What do you say to comin' with me and havin' some alone time." He grinned.
"How about you learn proper English first? And how about letting go of me?" I spat. He laughed loudly but squeezed my shoulders a bit tighter. Jack studied me for a second. He nodded his head.
"Hey! Ben! Get your ass over here. I think I found something you'll like." What, am I piece of meat? Something they can just hand off? Who does this guy think he is!? A new guy, Ben, I think his name was, walked over to me. I felt my breath hitch. Ben had light brown hair, spiked on the top of his head, somehow defying all sense of the word gravity. His skin was a light tan, with a few barely noticeable freckles scattered across the bridge of his nose. Light brown eyes, with a tint of green, sparkled in the light. He was beautiful. I felt butterflies well up in my stomach and I could hardly breathe.
He grinned at me. "You know, Jack, you may just be right. What's you're name, Sweetheart?" He asked smoothly. Everything about him is captivating. But I refuse to be treated like a piece of meat. Or man-handled. He stepped closer to me, leaning against a locker with one hand. Jack still held my shoulders from behind. Ben leaned in close to my face. "Come on, Sweetheart. Your name?" He held my chin up with his hand. I blushed deeply, trying to be angry. But with Ben touching me, I thought I was going to melt. Why do I feel like this?
Jack shook me a little. "He's asking you a question, girl. Answer him." I growled angrily.
"What are you, his assistant? Let go of me!" I yelled. He scoffed. Finally fed up, I drove my elbow into his stomach. He immediately let go of me. My hand went to my shoulder. It throbbed slightly. What a prick.
Suddenly, I was pushed to the floor. I grunted as my knees and palms crashed to the floor. Ben's feet stood a few inches from my face. I breathed heavily, trying to contain my anger. "Why don't you learn to speak when spoken to?" Jack barked. I clenched my eyes shut. "Are you listening, new girl? Pay attention!"
"Summer, pay attention. Now, going to school is a big step for you. Especially since it is your first day. Now I want you to be a good girl. Don't get into trouble and do your work. But stand up for yourself. I know kids can be mean and if they say anything mean to you, I want you to stick up for yourself. You can't let people walk all over you." Mommy smiled. She let go of my hand and walked back into the car. I looked at her and smiled. As she drove off, I turned back to the entrance.
"Stick up for myself.." I whispered.
I curled my hand into a fist. Without warning, I shot up, flinging my fist towards Jack's face. But someone grabbed my wrist, slamming me into the lockers. I gasped, feeling pain run through my back. I could hear Jack chuckle slightly.
Ben held me up against the locker. He wore a smirk. I was breathing shallowly. "You're some rich little girl aren't you? I bet you come from a nice wealthy family. A Mommy and Daddy to run to if you ever needed to get someone in trouble. Cause that's all you rich people do. Well Mommy and Daddy can't protect you right now. Communication with family members is strictly forbidden while training to become a Ranger. So watch your back and stay out of our way, rich girl." He dropped me back to the ground. I collapsed to my knees, trying to gain my breath back. Ben turned around and walked over to a guy with red hair. They walked off.
"See ya later, Babe." Jack chuckled. He jogged after Ben, followed by his goonies. I knelt there for a while. No one had seen any of that.. The halls were empty. My heart ached. If only he knew.. that I don't have a Mom or Dad. I haven't had either in 8 years. How can he just stand there and pretend he knows me? Act like he knows exactly who I am. He has no right. Ben doesn't know who I am or what I have been through. There is just something about him.. I don't know what. I just know that I feel something for him. I'm not exactly sure if it is a good feeling or bad feeling. I should just watch my back for a while. I don't want any trouble. I just want to start over.
Okay, so hopefully everyone enjoyed. If anyone has suggestions, I'm happy to hear them. Till next time. -A