13. Waste
He hadn't been sure—sure wether or not his 'friend' was serious. She always was rather lighthearted and laughed with a bright smile. On the other hand, she remained mature and wise; never making flighty decisions and standing firm in her ideals. That happened to be something he admired—he actually came to realize he was fond of everything about her.
From the way that at the end of her chestnut hairs were small curls, that the deeper he stared into her ever blue orbs, they started to look as if they were gems themselves. There also were her pastel lips that tempted him so; how they curved to a charming grin. But he wasn't done—no, this young man could forever describe numerous details of the girl in his life, even if he had come to a halt, he would find another, new characteristic about his unrequited love.
Unrequited, the word crushed his chest, as if it were a heavy weight swung at him then pressed. It was a waste—he in particular felt equivalent to a waste. The irony that made him blow a dry laugh was the fact she was telling him he happened to be a a waste. It flattened his heart.
"It's a waste, Steven," she began, tossing a rock over a nearby cliff. "You're a waste."
The silver-haired male inhaled sharply, carefully analyzing his words before saying them. "What are you talking about?"
"You spend all this time, scouring for stones and gems. You're an incredible, powerful trainer, yet you waste it."
There she went again, it was her largest flaw. Her insane need to battle strong trainers. No one ever fazed her nowadays, she would have to chase after Steven or any traveling trainers from other regions. The girl wanted a real battle, one where she truthfully would break a sweat.
Steven sighed, patting the dust off his white dress shirt. "Why don't you travel then?"
"I've thought about it, Wally did get lucky and beat me," she continued, playing with her hands out of boredom. "Maybe I will. What about you?"
"Me? You know, I do travel—"
"Yeah, yeah, looking for stones again, I get it. Why are they so important to you?" She interrupted, frowning.
"Well…" he started, running a broad hand through his silver hair. "After I met someone last year, I've honestly grown less interested."
"Huuuh, I wonder who this person is, you should stick around them—maybe they'd help you get rid of this hobby."
"Maybe if I married her—"
"Alright!" She had interrupted him once again. "I'll see you, um, later. Probably not for a while." The young girl started walking off.
"Where are you going?" Steven asked, wiping dirt off his nose.
"Perhaps… Johto? I think I will travel! I'll see you again Steven, thanks for being a good friend."
The brunette smiled softly to him, he easily returned it. He steadily watched her disappear from sight, the ache in his heart becoming more painful. The silver-haired man swallowed.
"I don't think I'm the only one who's becoming a waste," he whispered.