Chapter. 2: New Emotions
Kai awoke with a large yawn as he rubbed his eyes and stretched. Shortly after Alex came out of the tent and greeted his friend with a small smile. The two boys went into the forest to gather some berries for breakfast. Kai couldn't help but notice how attractive Alex really was as he watched the shorter boy gathered a small bunch of large blue colored berries. Not long after the thoughts Kai was caught up in were cut off by the purple-furred boy speaking to him. The beautiful gem embedded in Alex's forehead glistened in the light of the morning sun. Kai couldn't help but stare.
"Kai,... Kai!" Alex called interrupting the ebony colored pokémon's thoughts.
"Yeah sorry." Kai blushed under his fur as he was caught gawking at his friend.
"Will you help me with the camp? We should get going we still have a long way to go before we reach Viridian City." Alex says smiling.
"Sure, I'll take down the tent and you can pack up the gear," Kai said shaking off his thoughts.
The two friends broke camp and headed back to the road headed for route 1. They traveled for about thirty minutes before they made it to the desired route. They stopped for a short break as they were exhausted from their trek through the forest.
"Once we get to Pallet Town and pick up Lilley, we can catch a boat to Cannabar Island," Alex said wiping the sweat from his forehead.
After they caught their breath they walked the remaining three miles to Pallet Town. A small sign marked the edge of town that read. "Welcome travelers to the beautiful Pallet Town." Kai smiled in relief as they walked into town and towards the large two-story house belonging to their friend Lilley. Alex ran up the steps of the front porch and knocked on the door. A tall thin Raichu Loomed over the much shorter Espeon and grinned from ear to ear.
"Well, if it isn't Alex and Kai," The man said with a deep gruff voice.
"Hello Mr. Volt, It's good to see you again," Kai said while extending his hand for a formal greeting.
"Let me fetch Lilley for you boys," The man said as he headed for the stairs.
Not long after a gorgeous Pikachu stood packed and ready in the doorway. She smiled at her friends and hugged them both tightly.
"Take care of my daughter boys," Mr. Volt said smiling as they finished their greeting.
"It's been so long. Kai, Alex How have you been?" Lilley asked as they headed for the small pier to the south of town.
"I am so glad to finally see you again Lilley," Kai said smiling.
"I've been well," Alex said with a grin.
Finally, the dock was in sight and the boat was waiting. Kai, Alex, and Lilley boarded the small cruise to Cinnabar Island. The trip would take three hours so the three friends found a small two-bedroom to rest in for a while. They napped for an hour then headed off to lunch. After they ate they made their way to the observation deck to look out over the small expanse of sea. The three friends could see the island in the distance and were becoming excited. They couldn't wait for the island festival starting at midnight. Soon the boat made port and the three teens made their way to the hotel in the city center.
The receptionist greeted the three teens with a wide smile.
"Hello and welcome to the Cinnabar Plaza Hotel. How may I be of service?" She asked the smile never leaving her face.
"We would like to rent a two room sweet if you have any available," Kai said returning her smile.
"We do have one on the third floor second door on the left at the top of the stairs. And how long will you be staying?" The lady behind the desk asked never letting her smile slip for even a second.
"We are in town for the festival so for three days and nights," Lilley said excitedly.
"Okay, the total for your visit will be four hundred pokébucks not including room service fees," The thin lady smiled as the three teens pooled together the money and handed them each a key card.
A bellhop took their luggage to their room as the teens followed close behind. Soon night fell and the friends where all getting ready for the festival. Lilly took the second room accessed through the shared bathroom. As time went on the teens became bored with waiting and Lilley decided to go explore the island before the streets became too crowded. Kai and Alex stayed in the room just talking about their next stop when Kai found himself staring at Alex again. His beauty was intoxicating and Kai couldn't help but examine his friend every chance he got. Alex noticed that Kai was gawking again and blushed. He found him doing this more and more as their trip started but didn't know why, so he decided to ask.
"Kai, you're starting again do I have something on my face?" Alex asked confused by his friends' behavior.
"No no nothing it's just you're so," Kai stopped himself before he confessed why he had been so distracted.
"So what?" Alex asked even more confused.
"If I told you I fear that you would hate me," Kai said looking at his feet.
"I could never hate you, Kai you are my best friend nothing you say or do will ever change that now tell me what's on your mind," Alex said lifting Kai's head gently to face him.
"You are so...well...you're so beautiful I can't help myself from looking it's like every time I see you I catch myself staring at you, your eyes the gem on your head your personality its all so contagious that I can't help myself," Kai said as a tear started to fall.
"Kai do you really mean that I'm so flattered I don't know what to say," Alex couldn't help but smile and blush.
"Yeah I mean every word of it, I feel like a totally different person around you and I don't know why. I think I'm falling in love with you but it's weird. I also find myself lusting after others as well. I could never ask you to be in a relationship with you because of that, I could never live with myself if I ended up hurting you by cheating on you," Kai said as his emotions were beginning to get the better of him.
Alex laughed and looked Kai dead in the eye and said "it's not cheating if you ask first,"
Kai looked at his shorter friend in shock. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Alex smiled and gently grabbed his friends hands and said "I've been in love with you since you stood up to that jerk Ryan and defended me from his attacks,"
The shorter one leaned in slowly and placed a tender yet passionate kiss on Kai's lips. The ebony colored pokémon didn't hesitate one bit and returned the kiss. The two separated and smiled at each other. Just as they reconnected their lips Lilley walked in and almost fainted at the sight before her.
