Addiction
It was simple, something so normal that most people won't even think of giving it such strong word. Addiction. It started normally, she didn't even notice till it was well into play, it was like most addictions, no one notices when it starts, only when something makes it pull back and you desperately try to keep it from going.
It was talking, just simple talking.
She is a very friendly girl and makes a lot of acquaintance but very few friends. So, each one she has, are very special to her. She likes talking to her friends but even something as simple as talking can't be called addiction right? For it wasn't like stuff like this wasn't going to happen , she was new in the coordinating world, of course she was going to meet the old players, the experts, the professionals, the stars. She still considers it lucky she found friends among them.
But some friends become more special than others.
She didn't even realize it when she got used to a message being there on the pokedex every time she checked it. Sure, most of the topics were about Pokemon or coordinating, occasionally something personal would come up and her heart would do a little unnoticed flutter. She was happy talking to him.
Isn't that how drugs work?
She started looking forward to it, since it was a rare thing to begin with, their accidental meetings during contests and occasionally a coffee afterwards. Loser's treat, it was a rule and more often than not, it meant hers but on the rare times it wasn't, she got all her money's worth back. They talked there too. Two friends pursuing the same goal talking to each other. It was so normal.
How was this addiction? They were just talking.
It's wonder how a person can become so important in your life and you don't even notice it. How having them around, teasing them, talking about your day and even trivial things, adding to your never ending conversations becomes natural. So natural that you don't remember when it started, you don't realize you don't want it to stop.
So what happens when it does stop?
You resist. Slightly at first. You understand there are circumstances that can't be avoided so you don't bother them, after all you don't want to seem needy in front of that person, so you understand. Even if the situation isn't actually as dire as it seems in your head, you start to think. You over think.
But here is the thing about addictions, it first comes in disguise of logic and reasoning.
It disguises a desperate attempt to keep things normal as logic. 'He is my friend right? I can at least call him sometimes.' The stronger the drug, more stronger the logic and more clouds that keep you from seeing the actual truth.
The drug does this.
After it has made it your habit, it withdraws, just to see how desperately you follow it. It waits for you to chase after it, it waits for you to become restless, anxious. And it waits patiently for you to realize.
It is you, you are addicted.
But in this case, the drug was different. It, or rather he, wasn't so heartless. This drug did care, or else she would have sensed it. She knew he cared about her for he won't had spent so much time talking to her or getting those roses or going out of his way just to meet her. He certainly did care.
But to what extent?
She didn't know. As a fellow coordinator? Rival? Friend? Maybe something more? She didn't know. She wasn't sure. What were his feelings? Was he like this with everyone? Was she someone special? Could she hope to be more? All she knew at the moment was that he kept talking to her. Ah yes, the talks. It were those normal conversations that made her realize, that this had gone beyond normal. He is a drug. Yes
He is a drug and she is addicted.