Tad
I barely slept last night, so of course, I woke up very groggy and cranky. However, when I realized that today is the day that I, Tad Strait, will be picking out my very first Pokémon, I had a sudden burst of energy!
I jumped out of bed a little to abruptly, and had a moment of blind dizziness.
"Ugh." I said to myself, and plopped into a Pokéball printed bean-bag that Professor Oak gave me last Christmas. Chuckling under my breath, at my own over-enthusiastic attitude, I began to dress. I tried to pick out clothing that my idol and great Pokémon trainer, Ash Ketchum, would wear.
He's currently training in the Unova region, but he used to live in Pallet Town, just like me! I live up to, and want to be just like him. He is only a few years older than I am, and Professor Oak says that I remind him of Ash. That's why I am really excited about getting a Pokémon today! So I can be more like him.
I settled on a blue button down over a black shirt, and some nice jeans. I also put on a red and white Knock-off Pokémon League cap (Inspired by you-know-who), that covered my messy, black hair. Don't want Kimberly to see me with bed-head! Oh Kim... She is so pretty. I have had a major crush on her, since we were kids. I used to be able to say or do just about anything in front of Kim, but now that I'm fourteen and my raging testosterone controls me, I get crazy nervous around her.
But, of course, I would never tell a soul about how I would give anything to run my fingers through her beautiful, long blonde hair... Ignore that last sentence. Anyway, as I stuffed some extra shirts into my backpack, my mother walked in.
"Tad, honey?" She asked awkwardly. My mom wasn't very supported of my choice to become a Pokemon Champion, so we haven't really talked that much for weeks. I guess this is the beginning of her 'good-bye' speech.
"Yes?" I replied, while zipping up my pack and averting my eyes from her.
She moved my bunched up my Gengar comforter to the side, sat on the edge of my bed, and looked at me. She held my gaze for a second, before getting up and giving me a very long hug. After a while we both began to cry.
We straitened up, and she told me that she would have breakfast ready in a bit. I couldn't tell if she was proud or worried for me from the small smile she had on. I wiped away my tears, embarrassed, because I don't usually cry like this. I didn't realize how much I would miss my mom!
I grabbed my backpack, and ran downstairs, to be greeted by a plate of pancakes, bacon, and a zip-lock with three sandwiches in it.
I shoveled down half a pancake, and asked, "Mom. Why are these sandwiches here? Are they for the road?"
"Yes," She replied, "Don't eat them yet. Put them in your bag, and share with Kimberly and Ace, when you see them today."
"Okay." I mumbled. Whenever people mentioned Ace, I got sort of annoyed.
We chatted about my plan to become a trainer. Mom reminded me about safety, and gave me some money, and a cheap cell phone to call her with. She hugged me on the porch, as I was about to walk to Professor Oak's Lab, which was quite embarrassing, and whispered, "You remind me so much of your father."
That almost made me tear up again. I kissed her cheek, and promised to call. She ruffled my hair and waved as I ran towards the lab. I wanted to be the first one there!
Kim
I went to bed early last night, so I woke up well-rested and ready for the new day! I stepped out of bed and began to get ready for my journey.
I wore a black tee that had a green stripe going across the breast area on it, and plain denim jeans, with green sneakers. Simple.
I didn't want to fuss over fashion on my Pokémon adventure, so I packed a bunch of clothing similar to what I was wearing. I also packed the cell phone my mother gave me (pretty cheap; It can only make a few calls), and some Pokédollars that I had saved up. I hope it's enough, because it would be embarrassing to come back home, just to ask for money.
After I got dressed, and tamed most of my tangles into a bushy bun, my mom called for me from downstairs.
"Kimmy, come down for brunch!" She yelled.
"In a minute!" I replied, but thought about it and added, "Love ya!" I didn't want to be rude on my last day at home.
I surveyed my rats nest of a hair-do, double checked my bag, and took one last glance at my room.
"I'll miss you guys!" I told my stuffed Pokémon, and blew a kiss to the giant Snorlax one (which was my favorite). "I wish I could bring you."
"Talking to yourself, again?" I heard a sarcastic voice say from the my doorway.
"Eek!" I jumped at the unexpected company.
It was Ace. He was one of my childhood friends, before he and Tad began hating each other. I wouldn't say we were exactly "buddy-buddy" anymore, but we still talked, because our parents were close.
Ace, like Tad and I, is also getting his starter Pokémon today, so we will have to be rivals. However, if it were up to me, I'd want us to be allies, because I have a bit of a crush on him.
I can't help it! He's cute, with his light auburn hair, slightly tanned skin, and dazzling smile. I just started liking Ace about a year ago, when my stupid hormones kicked in. He is just so witty, with his clever comebacks, nonchalant attitude, and general badassery.
But, of course, no one shall ever know of my interest in him. Tad would be really mad, because he hates Ace. Mother would be mad, because she thinks of him as her son. Professor Oak would be mad, because that's his actual grandson. Ace would be mad, because he's always mad! Which is actually very attractive...
Anyway, I looked into those big brown eyes of his, and giggled at my own yelp.
"No! I don't talk to myself." I retorted.
He leaned against the hallway wall and smirked. "Sure you don't. By the way, your mommy wants you down for breakfast. The 'rents wanted to eat together on our last day."
He sauntered off down the stairs, after rolling his eyes at my doll collection.
"Why am I so awkward?" I asked Snorlax, and skipped down the stairs, after Ace.
Breakfast was weird. My mom would not stop saying how excited she was for us, and Ace's kept telling him how he reminded her of his older cousin, Gary.
You may have heard of Gary. Gary Oak. He set out to become a great Pokémon trainer, but gave up to settle on studying like his Granddad, or something like that.
Ace frowned and replied, "I am nothing like Gary. He's a quitter, and I will let nothing stop me from accomplishing my dream of being a Pokémon Master!"
We finished our food, and hugged the moms, who were very emotional, and started to walk to the Lab.
I tried to hide a tear, as we walked, but I didn't fool Ace.
"Tearful, are we?" He chuckled, but I could tell that he would also miss his mommy.
I could see Tad waiting outside, with the Professor, for us. He looked eager.
Ace
I could see the little twerp, Tad, laughing with Oak outside of the Pokémon Lab. He saw us, and waved at Kim, happily.
'Now's my chance to piss him off', I thought to myself.
I casually threw my arm around Kimberly's shoulder, and pulled her closer, while waving to Tad, teasingly. His smile disappeared, and mine grew with mock-friendliness. Man, I love to screw with him.
Kim blushed and I pushed her away. Gross.
When we reached Tad and Oak, the professor lead us inside. Tad glared at me, and Kim ignored me. He showed us three chairs, and told us to sit.
"Now, children. As you know, the three of you are all here to choose a starter Pokémon. Here are the choices." he said, motioning to three Pokéballs on a table.
He picked one up. "Charmander, the fire type." He put it down, and grabbed another, "Squirtle, the water type." He got the last one and held it up. "And last but not least, Bulbasaur, the grass type."
Oak motioned for us to get up, and go towards the table. He stepped aside to let us see the options.
"Can we take them out to see how they look?" Asked Kim. Of course, she would want to see which one was 'cutest'. Ugh, girls are so annoying.
"Feel free," said Grandpa.
We all got one at random, and sent the out of their Pokéballs. The Charmander looked the coolest, Bulbasaur looked too happy, Squirtle looked chill, like he didn't have a care in the world.
"Who gets to pick first?" Tad asked, staring at the three Pokémon, lovingly.
Oak smiled at him. "You may pick first, since you came here before these two." He pointed to Kimberly and I.
I glared at Tad. Of course, gramps had to side with his favorite.
Tad grinned at me, and I noticed that his teeth were extremely white. My cheeks turned red and looked away. 'Why did I just blush? I never blush!' I thought to myself.
"Miss Barlow may go next. Ladies first!" The Professor stated.
"Yay!" she cried. Stupid women, always getting in the way.
I was shocked. "But grandpa, I'm related to you! Can't I go second?"
Kimberly looked at me, and smiled sweetly.
"You can go before me, Ace!" She said, a little too excitedly.
Ew. She really was in love with me. I averted my gaze from her sick perkiness, and crazy hair.
"Thanks," I muttered and we waited for Tad to pick a Pokémon.
He was taking his time, too. Checking each Pokémon to see which he liked best. I saw him glance back at Kimberly and I, trying to see which one we wanted. He smiled at her, and glared at me. I rolled my eyes, kind of jealous that I didn't get a smile too. Why did they have to be such good friends? I feel so lonely.