Chapter 1: Against All Odds
I blinked awake. I grumbled as I turned my alarm clock off. I covered my eyes with my arm to block the light that was coming from my window. A smile slowly spread across my face. Today was the day. Today was the day I was going to start my Pokemon journey.
I jumped out of bed and quickly started getting dressed. I put on a yellow shirt with a Charizard print on it, blue jean capris, and a white baseball cap. I hesitated as I picked up the flame necklace Gary had given me so long ago. Gary… (Dun, dun, dun!)
It had been over three years since it happened. Three years since he changed and pushed me out of his life. You always hear people talk about the pain of romantic relationships breaking up, but what about the pain when friendships fall apart. I've never had a broken heart, but if it feels anything like this, I don't think I ever want to.
I slipped the necklace around my neck like I did every day. I know it seems silly, but I could never bring myself to stop wearing it. Foolishly maybe, part of me was still hoping he would come back to me. I hid the pendent under my shirt. No one could know I was unable to let go. Especially him. And I was sure to see him today. He would be getting his first Pokemon as well.
I ran a brush through my hair a few times before heading out my door. I almost ran into my little sister Alice as I came down the stairs. "Whoa, sorry," I said apologetically, pushing a strand of black hair behind my ear.
Alice just smirked. "You're excited, huh?" she guessed.
I nodded. "Yep! You'll understand in four years."
"I still don't see why you wouldn't prefer to do Pokemon contests," Alice said. "They seem so much more fun than Pokemon battles."
I rolled my eyes. My sister never got battles. "That's Delilah's thing." Delilah had become a close friend of mine ever since Gary abandoned me. We would be traveling together. "Now, if you will excuse me, I've got to get to Professor Oak's lab." I turned and made a break for the door.
"Good luck!" Alice called after me. I waved in response. I was just to the door when my mom intercepted me. I groaned inwardly.
"Honey, don't you want to wait for us? And where's your backpack?"
"You can bring it to me later," I said impatiently. "I have to make sure I get a Charmander!"
"Well, ok," my mom said slowly. "We'll meet you there then."
I nodded and ran out the door. I could feel my adrenaline pumping as I raced towards Professor Oak's lab. A wide grin spread across my face. This was it. I was finally going to become a Pokemon trainer. I had imagined this day since I was very young. And now it was finally here.
I skidded to a halt just outside the lab. What was with the crowd? There had to be at least 50 people gathered there. I shook my headed as I walked the rest of the way to the door. I couldn't think about that now. I had a mission.
"Thanks, Gramps," I heard someone say. I instantly froze. I'd know that voice anywhere. Gary Oak was standing just outside the lab. His grandfather, Professor Oak, was keeping the door open. Gary's head turned and his eyes rested on me. "Well, well, if it isn't little Rosie," he taunted, using my childhood name. But these days he used it not out of affection, but to annoy me. I rolled my eyes in irritation. He smirked. "Out to get a Charmander, I presume."
My eyes narrowed at him. Of course he knew. "You better not have chosen it," I threatened, noticing the Pokeball in his hand.
Gary let out a mocking chuckled. "Oh, no. I chose the best Pokemon."
I clenched my teeth. He knew just how to get to me because of all the time he used to spend with me. I never thought I'd regret him knowing me so well. "That, Gary," I spat his name as if it were a poison. "would be a matter of opinion."
"Hmpf." I noticed Professor Oak sigh out of the corner of my eye. He had always liked me. I bet he missed having me around so much. "Not that this hasn't been fun, but I don't want to keep my public waiting," Gary said. He motioned to the crowd. They were all there for him? He smirked at my stunned expression. "See ya later."
My shoulders slumped as he left. I hated how angry he made me. But it was better than being depressed about it. Anger was the only emotion I could control. And in a situation like this, I desperately needed some sort of control.
"You better hurry up if you want to get that Charmander of yours," Professor Oak said, snapping me out of my thought. I nodded dumbly. "Come with me." I followed him into the lab. There was a circular table with three Pokeballs around it. "I think that's the one you want." He pointed to the Pokeball closest to me. I took it and pushed the button. A beautiful orange Charmander appeared on the table before me.
"Charmander!" it exclaimed.
I grinned. "It's so cute!" I reached forward and hugged it. I smiled as I pulled back. "Now all you need is a name. Hmm…" I figured if he was going to be my new friend he should have a real name. "How about Alex?"
"Char!" Alex said in response.
I grinned. "Great!"
"You'll need these too." Professor Oak handed me six Pokeballs and a rectangular object. "This is a Pokedex. It has information on all the known Pokemon. It also serves as your I.D."
"Thanks," I said as I took the objects and placed them on my pocket.
Professor Oak nodded. "Good luck."
I smiled at Alex. "Come on." I picked him up and set him on the floor. Together we headed out of the lab. I groaned at what I saw. Gary was standing in front of the crowd, showing off his new Squirtle. There were these cheerleaders singing this incredibly annoying song.
"Gary, Gary, he's our man! If he can't do it, nobody can!"
It was all too much. I scowled as I stormed over to him, Alex at my heels. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
Gary didn't seem fazed by this. "Don't make a fool of yourself," he warned. I scoffed. As if I cared. "If you must know, I'm giving them what they want." He motioned to the crowd and they went wild.
I rolled my eyes. "If your head was any bigger you would be too busy holding it up to be a Pokemon trainer."
Gary cocked his eyebrows. "Is that so? Squirtle, come out!" The blue turtle Pokemon appeared by his side.
"Charmander!" Alex exclaimed. He stepped up to Squirtle and held out his hand. Squirtle shot water at him in response. "Char!" Alex desperately tried to shake the water off.
"Alex!" I cried. I bent down to wipe the water off my Pokemon.
Gary laughed harshly. "See? Water beats fire." The crowd cheered.
I glared at him hatefully. He had no right to do this. Alex wiggled out of my grasp. He opened his mouth and spit out a jet of flames in Gary's direction. "Hey!" he cried as the fire singed his hair. "Squirtle, put it out!" Squirtle shot water at him, making his hair and face dripping wet.
I burst out laughing. He shot me a look. "Serves you right," I said with a smirk.
"Hey! Just who do you think you are?!" a female voice exclaimed. I turned to see Gary's cheerleaders glaring at me.
"You have no right to do that to our Gary!" another one said.
I raised my eyebrows. I didn't think they posed much of a threat to me, but still, it wasn't worth it. "I don't have time for this," I said. I noticed Alice and my parents in the crowd and made my way towards them. Alex followed.
"You'll pay for that!" the last cheerleader cried.
"Girls, just let her go," Gary said calmly. "She's not worth our time." He smirked at me. I glared back up at him.
"That's a nice looking Charmander," my dad said. "Alex is his name, did you say?"
I flushed. He had heard everything. "Y-yeah," I said. I forced a smile. "Alex, return." I held out his Pokeball and he was zapped inside.
"Didn't that guy used to be your friend?" Alice asked, referring to Gary. I nodded. I knew there was no way she could remember. She was only 6. Either Delilah or my parents must have told her. Not that I cared.
"Well, he's certainly-" My mom searched for the right word.
"Arrogant? Pigheaded? A complete jerk?" I offered helpfully.
My mom frowned. She let out a soft sigh. "I just wish I knew what happened to you two."
"So do I, mom, so do I," I said so quietly that no one could hear.
"Rose!"
I smiled as Delilah stepped u next to me. "Hello Delilah," I greeted her. "Ready to go?"
She nodded. "I left my parents at my house. They couldn't bear to come."
"Here you are, honey," my mom said as she handed my backpack. I slipped it on my back.
"Thanks mom." I turned to Delilah. "Shall we go?"
She grinned as she nodded. "We shall."
I said goodbye to my family and gave them each a hug. I couldn't help the smile that grew as I walked towards the road with Delilah. The smile faded as we walked past Glary. I shivered at the look he gave me. I returned the look, eyes narrowed, until I had to look ahead to see where I was going. Once we were on the road, I sighed.
Delilah glanced back over her shoulder, and then back at me. "Your encounter with Gary didn't go well." It was a statement, not a question.
I gave her a half-hearted nod. I didn't want to talk about it. I didn't want her to know all the regret I was feeling right now. "Did you see?"
"Only the last part," she admitted. She put a comforting hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off. I didn't need her sympathy. She frowned. "Just forget about him. You don't need him."
"I know," I said softly. But that doesn't take away the hurt, I argued in my head.
"And there's no chance he'll come back to you, so just think about something else," she continued.
I nodded, but looked away. I didn't want her to see the pain in my face. Part of me knew she was night, but the other part refused to believe it. No, I argued, not impossible. Near impossible, but not impossible. I let my thoughts lead me away as we walked into an open field.
I knew what I was facing. It was against all odds Gary would change. It was against all odds he'd be my friend again. But somehow, I didn't care. As long as there was the slightest chance, I didn't care. I just needed once small chance to hold onto. It would devastate me too much to just give up. No, I had to keep trying. I will face the odds, whatever that took.
"You're being awfully quiet," Delilah commented. "Why don't you try to catch a Pokemon or something?"
I stopped walking and looked around. I noticed a Rattata close by. Perfect. I took out Alex's Pokeball and prepared to make my fist catch.
