Ruby stood beside his father. His arms crossed, his face in a permanent scowl. May and Max were standing beside their mother, while Norman s hand rested on Ruby's shoulder, playing the part of the perfect father. Brendan had been sent to Trainer Summer Camp for two weeks. Ruby was meant to be shipped off too but he refused to go. He didn't like battling, he hadn't for years. The inhumanity of it, causing his precious Pokemon any pain was unthinkable. And as Ruby threw this tantrum about not leaving his father had gotten angry.
So angry that two days later and Ruby was still in pain because of it.

A boy a few years older than him approached, with two adults that Ruby had to assume to be his parents. They talked with his father. Ruby ignored them at first, but caught the boy staring at him.
"Who was that?" Ruby's step-mother asked.
"Steven Stone," replied Norman, "challenged me earlier this year. He met his match when he reached the Elite Four though. Drake got to him. His parents said he'll train up a bit more and return. The community's buzzing though; they believe he's going to be the next Champion. It was only a lucky berry Drake had equipped his Pokemon with earlier that saved him really. Steven's a good kid. I like him. Tough, strong, sensible, a good battler and his strategy skills are exemplary." He turned to look coldly at Ruby. Ruby glared back and walked off. He didn't need this.

He ended up sitting outside on the balcony for a few hours, important members of society or the league would occasionally pass through. All of them told Ruby of how great his father was. Ruby's response was his regular scowl. All would walk away muttering about how insolent a child Ruby was, poor Norman having a child like that. Like they knew anything. Ruby ignored Max's attempts at getting him back inside and May telling him to stop being such a jerk. It got to the point where Ruby was so pissed off that he picked up leftover food and dropped it from the balcony into the garden below.

"Hey," a voice said behind him. It was deeper than Ruby's but not yet adult.

"What?" asked Ruby, not looking at him and dropping yet another parfait into a rose bush.

"Dropping stuff's only going to get you into trouble."

The boy was now beside Ruby, his crystal blue eyes inspecting the rose bush in the darkness.
"I don't care," Ruby muttered sullenly.

"My name's Stev-"

"Steven Stone, I know."

"Heard the conversation then? I didn't think you were paying attention," Steven smiled at him, "You're Norman's son, right? Ruby? Heard bits and pieces about you."

Ruby's neutral expression turned into a frown.

"Don't like your old man huh?" Steven asked.

"You have no idea," Ruby whispered.

Steven was peering over the balcony and spotted Drake, a member of the Elite Four, passing below them. He picked up a parfait and dropped it. When it hit Drake's bald head and splattered Steven quickly pulled Ruby out of view.

"What'd you do?" Ruby demanded.

"Shh," said Steven, "you seemed like you needed a little excitement, spur you out of that moment you were in."

"Moment? You're crazy!" Ruby said, his eyes wide in astonishment at Steven's impulse.

"You like it, it was fun, be honest," said Steven, leading Ruby back into the main hall.

"What if he knows who-"

"You said you didn't care, didn't you?" Steven asked, "Plus I'll go down with you if worst comes to worst. I promise."

"Oh! Ruby!" Flannery, another gym leader, stopped when she saw him, "Your father has already gone home."

Ruby froze. His father had actually left him behind? This was getting absurd.

"What?"

"He left about thirty minutes ago. I thought you were with him."

Steven looked at the shocked Ruby sympathetically. "How far away do you live?" he asked.

"Not that far."

"Within walking distance?" Steven continued, walking towards the coat rack.

"Yes."

"So do I. Come along, I'll walk you home." Steven said goodbye to his parents. Together the two set off from the Dignitary Hall.

"How old are you?" Ruby asked after a few awkward moments.

"15," Steven replied, "You?"

"9." Ruby said.

Steven frowned, "And your father left you behind?"

"He probably did it on purpose." Ruby stated this matter-of-factly, "He's mad at me."

"That's no excuse," Steven argued. Ruby shrugged.

Steven sighed and they continued walking. After about a minute, Steven broke the silence.

"What's with the hat?"

"I don't tell people I've just met." Ruby said, and in a not often displayed playfulness poked out his tongue.

Steven laughed, "Fair enough."

"I don't just tell people stuff."

"Well how long would it take me to find out?" Steven kicked a rock along with his foot. Ruby stopped at the corner and stared at him.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm heading to a contest tomorrow if you want to come with me."

"Nobody ever wants to do anything with me."

"Don't you have any friends?"

"One. She lives in a different city."

"What about at school?"

Ruby shook his head, "I keep to myself."

"Well then you're coming tomorrow."

"You don't want to do that," Ruby scuffs his shoes, "I'm bad news."

"I don't think so," Steven said, "and it's my life. I can decide who I'm friends with."

Ruby smiled a little, "I bet you won't come tomorrow."

Steven smiled back, "I bet I will."

They'd reached Ruby's two storey, solid brick home. It managed to look like a sweet home, while still intimidating. A feat in itself.

Ruby looked up at Steven awkwardly, never having really been in such a situation with a person that was new. Steven stuck out his hand and waited for Ruby to shake it. When he didn't, Steven explained that that was what you're meant to do. Ruby nodded and completed the handshake.

"I'll be here tomorrow at eleven to get you. For now though, goodnight Ruby, it was nice to meet you."

Ruby smiled, "Goodnight Steven."

And Ruby walked up to the door, finding it locked. He reached for a spare key in his pocket and opened it. Steven noted that the kid had been prepared for a time he'd need a spare key to get into his own home.