Chia: You and that stupid writers block…
OH SHUT UP! LIKE IM HAVING SO MUCH FUN!
Chia: EEEP! *dashes to the readers* Save me! Sky's scary!
*face palm* Sigh. Well then maybe the next chapter SHOULDN'T be revealed.
Chia: *perks up* Oh? *scampers back to Sky* Whatcha got there, writer?
Winter blah's are getting me down. I need summer fun. So I dug out an old pokemon fan that many should remember 'Vacation' and then I also read a chapter of PokemonGirl14's fanfic 'Things I'll never Say' about the beach.
Chia: SUMMER FUN! I'll get the beachba-….HEY WHO PAINTED THE DIM SUN LOGO ON THE BEACH BALL!
*sweatdrop* Read, review and enjoy?
Note; I recommend listening to this song while reading the chapter.
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A quiet, peaceful morning in the Vientown Ranger Base. Bird pokemon were heard chirping. Sunlight crawled through the window and into the room of a sleeping brunette. Kate sleepily opened her eyes which met the alarm clock.
"7:58?" Kate thought. "….meh. Two more minutes."
As thanks for saving a ship from sinking (and saving lives), Kate was rewarded with a day off. No need to get up quite yet. Her head buried under the toasty covers of bed. With a sigh, Kate relaxed to the wonderful atmosphere of morning…
"Wait? Do I hear music?" Kate wondered.
BAM!
"GOOD MORNING VIENTOWN!"
...god freaking damn it. Was there one day where the base didn't start their day the crazy way?
"Wakey wakey Kate!" Crawford shook Kate's shoulder. "We've got a big day ahead!"
"Mmmmggg…" Kate's voice muffled in response.
Translation: Let. Me. Sleep.
"Awww. Someone cranky?" The afro guy snickered, turning the volume on his radio louder.
"NNNNGGGGG…" Kate groaned, putting the pillow over her head.
Translation: Let me sleep OR YOU WILL DIE.
"Know what this song is?" Crawford questioned.
"No but I think the song I should play for you is shut up and drive. Drive straight out of my room." Kate grumbled.
Crawford rolled his eyes. "It's 'Vacation' by Vitamin C. A song that speaks of summer and its awesome fun days ahead."
"What's your point?" Kate questioned.
"My point is…WE'RE GOING TO THE BEACH!" Crawford said cheerfully.
Kate poked her head from the blankets. "You serious?"
"Yep! Union decided to give us rangers a holiday! In fact, our top ranger friends, Sven and Wendy, got days off too! There's even some other friends of ours who'll be joining us! We're all going to Summerland!" Crawford explained.
"Sweet!" Kate leapt out of bed. "When's the fun begin?"
"Right after I go wake up Luana!"
….
"Yeah…" Kate sweatdropped. "I'll let you handle that one."
"You took down Dim Sun, saved a ship from crashing and yet you're afraid of Luana when she wakes up in the morning?" Crawford questioned. "….well….actually, so am I."
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Come on! Come on! Come on! (Let's go!)
Come on! Come on! (Let's go!)
Come on! Come on! Come on! (Let's go!)
Come on! Come on! (Let's go!)
Within an hour, everything was ready. Beach bags, swim suits (Kate picked her two piece dark blue one), summer fun stuff…yep! Everything! Another hour or so later, the Vientown crew (minus Barlow and the operator, who decided to stay behind) arrived in Summerland, Fiore. Kate had always imagined the place to be beautiful with sparkling ocean waves, gold sand and a tropical atmosphere. Wow had she been right! Heck, this was even better than in her fantasy!
"So what's the plan?" Kate asked, tossing the beach ball in her hands.
"We meet up with everyone on the southwest end of the island. Away from the tourists and perfect for catching waves!" Crawford replied.
"Sounds good to me!" Elaine stretched her arms.
Vacation Need a little sun to break up
all the frustration and turn it into love
Ain't nobody gonna tell us what we gotta do
because today, it's up to me and you
Talking and laughing over various things, the group walked through the beach town. Ranger Leader Cameron, who graciously allowed the use of his town for the ranger party, showed them around the island. Arriving at the location, Kate was amazed. What a place! Wide open beaches, shady trees with reclining chairs and hammocks, a cliff overlooking the ocean and huge surfing waves! And wow, were there people there! Lots of people Kate recognized!
"There's my brother!" Luana pointed. "HI LUNICK!"
"Hey sis!" Lunick waved, along with his 'close' friend Solana.
Kate could see her cousin Summer, and her friend Ben, managed to come from Oblivia for the festivities. Then there was Sven and Wendy, who had come early. A few random rangers from all over the place. And…hold on a sec. Was that….?
"KATE!"
A blonde girl in a dark green swimsuit came running up to Kate, giving her a tackle-hug right off the bat.
"Rhythmi!" Kate exclaimed.
"It's been so long!" Rhythmi squealed. "Good to see you, Kate!"
"W-what are you doing here…?" Kate asked.
"I was invited here too! Got a day off!" Rhythmi sang. "Better yet, so did Issac!"
Sure enough, by the cooler, Issac was there. He was talking to Murph about something or another.
"I thought he was working for Altru." Kate said.
"He is. But he managed to talk his bosses into giving him a day off for working so hard!" Rhythmi responded.
Kate smiled. "So any romance between you two? Or are you still too chicken to say anything?"
"I AM NOT CHICKEN!" Rhythmi turned red.
"You always say you'll tell Issac how you feel but you never do. Not during the internship, not during your birthday….heck, you backed out during the graduation party!" Kate said.
"Well today I will tell him!" Rhythmi huffed.
"Or I can tell him for you." Kate smirked deviously.
"You. Wouldn't. DARE." Rhythmi turned pale.
"HEY ISSAC!" Kate started shouting.
"SHUT UP!" Rhythmi hissed, covering the girl's mouth.
"Heh. I thought I heard noise."
That voice. No way…
"Long time no see, eh Katie?"
Kate turned.
"KEITH!"
It was him alright. And he changed quite a bit since ranger school! Shot up at least a foot in height! Hard core muscles on his chest and strengthed arms. His face changed slightly, making his red hair blaze in a cool manner of sorts. The redhead, in a smooth move, removed his sunglasses and put them in his pocket. Kate was stunned by the transformation. In the many months that had gone by, Keith had…well…grown! Puberty was certainly kind to him!
"W-what are you d-doing here?" Kate stammered.
"I work in Fiore, remember? Got the day off and I heard you did too." Keith responded pompously. "Have I grown more handsome since our last meeting? Or are you just sucking in comparison?"
...nope. Same old Keith. That idiot mind of his hadn't changed a bit.
"Then again, your boobs grew. If I'm gonna be starin at them all day, then it's some consolation." Keith sighed with a shrug. "Shame ya didn't pick a bikini."
Same Keith, same migraines. Kate growled in raging frustration. A super soaker gun was placed in her hands.
"You might need that." Rhythmi whispered.
"Thanks." Kate gave her a smile before glaring at Keith. "YOU ARE GOING DOWN, REDHEAD!"
"Gotta catch me first!"
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Temptation coming up to me
A little brief relaxation and I'll be breaking free
Come on and break it break it new and I believe it's gonna start now
(Kick it back Kick it back Kick it back to the track
Kick it back Kick it back Kick it back and relax)
"HOLD STILL SO I CAN BLAST YOUR FACE, YOU JERK!"
"NYA NYA!"
Wendy sweatdropped. "Didn't take long for the chaos to start up."
"No kidding." Sven chuckled.
Wendy shook her head, watching Kate charge after Keith with a super soaker gun. And then run off moments later when Keith found a bigger gun to use against her. Screaming, water fighting…so much for relaxation. Wendy brought out the sun screen and started to rub her skin down with it. Not easy to reach the spots on the back, where her two piece black swim suit didn't cover.
"Need any help?" Sven offered.
"EXCUSE me?" Wendy stared at Sven in disbelief.
"What? I can't help my best friend and partner put sun screen on her back?" Sven said.
There was a smirk in that sentence. A devious one that Wendy hated. No doubt the cowboy would play some mischievous prank on her. Or perv. Maybe both.
"No way." Wendy refused. "I can handle this myself."
"What? Don't trust me?" Sven raised an eyebrow.
YES. Big time. No way she'd trust this ladies man.
"Or is it you resist because I'm incredibly hot?" Sven teased, flexing his toned muscles. "You've been trying to resist my good looks all this time but here, at the beach, you see me with my shirt off. And you can't help but think…"
"OK FINE! If it'll get you to shut up!" Wendy snapped. "But no funny business."
"I swear I won't." Sven said.
There was a shake of the bottle and Sven got some lotion on his hands. Wendy shivered, thinking maybe she should back out now before something happens.
"YIPE!" She yelped upon touch. "Warn me before you start!"
"Sure thing, Wen'." Sven chuckled.
That chuckle. The smirk. And that damn nickname. Wendy hated it all. And now those hands on her back, rubbing sun screen? It was so wrong! Why did she agree to do this? SO SO SO WRONG!
…and yet…so right. In a very twisted, weird way that she didn't understand, Wendy sort of liked this. She almost relaxed to the way Sven's hands felt as they smoothed sun screen across her back and shoulders. Made her slightly pink in the face (shoot, forgot to get sun screen there too…) but hey, this was kinda nice. There were a couple times where those hands went a little too far south where they should be but Wendy forgot about it when they were rubbing down her back.
SQUEEZE
"EEP!"
Until that.
"PERVERT!" Wendy screamed, jumping up.
"Whoop! Did I grab that by mistake? My bad!" Sven smirked 'innocently'.
"YOU. ARE. DEAD." Wendy grabbed the sun screen lotion and squirted it at him. "TAKE THIS!"
"HEY!" Sven was splattered in the stuff. "Oh are we playing this game now? I see. Then have some of THIS!"
Wendy with the sun screen lotion versus Sven and a waterbottle. They squirted at each other, running alongside the beach. Once they ran out, both grabbed water guns to join Kate & Keith in an epic beach war. Though as the water struck Sven's chest during the fight, Wendy almost thought that maybe (just maybe) Sven was a little bit hot. Just a little.
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Vacation's where I wanna be
Buddy on the beach where the fun is free
We don't need a holiday to start to celebrate
(I need a break; I need a vacation)
"So what did the ocean say to the shore? Nothing! It just waved!"
Luana moaned, face palming at the joke. She and Crawford sat on some of the rocks that sat several feet out into the ocean.
"Did you sea what I did there?" Crawford snickered.
"I'm getting tide of these jokes…" Luana sighed.
"Hey don't be such a beach." Crawford joked.
"Why don't you want to go in the water?" Luana asked.
"What? And mess up my awesome hair?" Crawford struck a pose.
"PLEEEAAASSSEEEE!" Luana went anime eyes.
"Erk…" Crawford gulped nervously. "S-sure! Why not?"
"Yay!" Luana cheered as she jumped right in.
Crawford gave a whoop before cannon-balling as well. Luana laughed as the water crashed down on her. Within a moment, Crawford popped his head back up. Yep. Afro totally ruined. All flat again. But you know…Crawford's hair looked sort of cute when it was down.
"You've got to dive down there!" He said. "It looks super awesome!"
Luana took a deep breath before plunging underwater. Opening her eyes, she saw it really was a wondrous view! A vibrant pink coral reef with luscious ocean plants and colorful pokemon swimming about. She wanted to gasp!...you know, if she wasn't underwater. Though Crawford countered this by giving himself and Luana two aqualungs.
"Oh my gosh this is amazing!" Luana gasped.
"Isn't it?" Crawford responded.
"It's like magic!" Luana spun around.
WHAM!
"EEEP!"
Suddenly, Luana found herself slammed by a huntail. She was sent crashing into one of the rocks near the coral plants.
"LUANA!"
Crawford swam straight after her. He looked over her.
"Aw geez, I should've seen that coming!" Crawford muttered. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine…" Luana nodded, shaking off the shock.
Crawford relaxed. His smile became its goofy self again, though with a hint of relief. And…something else? Luana could've sworn she saw something else in that's smile. An expression deep and mysterious. Now that emotion reflected in his eyes. Luana never noticed how Crawford's eyes before. They looked so…so….
Luana felt her face turn bright red as Crawford's hand gently stroked her cheek. He seemed to pull himself closer; barely any space was between them. His eyes never left hers. From the corner of her eye, Luana could've sworn she saw some luvdisc swimming around. The water seemed to be glowing a strong light pink shade.
"W-what is this?" Luana's mind raced. "M-m-my heart's beating so fast!"
Crawford seemed to be leaning in…wait was Luana leaning in too? Crawford removed his aqualung and then Luana's. Before Luana could even react, her lips were met with Crawford's. His lips were so soft and smooth. Luana practically melted as she closed her eyes and let these feelings wash over her. Her first kiss. And it was with the last person she'd ever dream of. Before, Luana thought of him as a friend. Now? C-could it be? Was she struck by a strange emotion? Or…or had they always been there?
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Vibrations Need to get me sun
and break up all my complications and turn it into love
Ain't nobody gonna tell us where we gotta be
Because today, today it's to you and me
"Ew that is so gross!"
Summer turned to see what Ben was looking at. Within the shadows of the trees, there was a green haired ranger and a cowboy ranger kissing under the palm trees. Seemed to be deep in passion from the looks of it. More than a summer fling.
"What? T-they're just kissing." Summer said quietly.
"How do you go from blasting squirt guns at each other to making out?" Ben gagged.
"Well I think it's sweet…" Summer shyly mumbled.
Ben went on about how disgusting the scene was while Summer zoned out. They were bouncing along the waves on their inner tubes. Perfect to swim around as well as take a rest when needed. Summer stared up at the sky. Listening to Ben's rant about couples was starting to make her feel down. A nice day slowly starting to get ruined. Any other person would leave but…but Summer didn't. She never did. Only person who really stuck by Ben's side; through good times and bad. And Ben did have his moments where he was fun to be with. Just not this particular time.
"GASSSSP!"
A splash followed by coughing with deep breaths for air. A dark haired girl and a brown haired guy climbed onto the rocks. Their faces were burning up, though it didn't seem to be a sunburn of any kind. Looked a little awkward.
"Ummm…"
"I uh…"
"Yeah….er…."
"I-I'll go get the aqualungs…"
The guy dove back down into the water. Even alone, the girl still looked lost and confused. Summer could instantly tell what was going on. She may be younger than most of these other rangers but she knew.
"What the heck is with them?" Ben huffed.
"I think they're in love." Summer responded.
"Love? Super gross!" Ben coughed. "Why on earth would a dude go gaga over some girl? Love is so stupid."
Summer bit her lip. She couldn't bear to hear this. Not now. And maybe not ever.
"I'm going to get some lunch…" She muttered.
"Eh. I'll come with." Ben shrugged.
The brunnete swam through the waters and onto dry land. She walked on even as Ben asked to wait for her. Footsteps quickened as Ben called after, then even more as he started running.
"What's wrong with you all of a sudden?" Ben questioned. "Sun bake your brains or something?"
"I…I…" Summer stammered.
Ben waited for an answer, looking impatient.
"I don't like it when you talk that way!" Summer finally said.
"Wha? Oh come on. You know I don't mean have the stuff I say. Sorry for whatever's bugging you." Ben rolled his eyes. "But romance? That is pretty stupid."
"Romance isn't stupid." Summer trembled, trying to contain herself. "You don't understand what it's like to have feelings for someone."
"And what? You do?" Ben joked.
Something within the poor girl snapped. She whipped around to face Ben with furious, tear stained eyes.
"YOU ARE SUCH A KID SOMETIMES, BEN!" Summer yelled. "You're so blind to others emotions and have no idea what's going on! Why don't you take a hint? Better yet, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Ben was stunned into silence. Summer ran away, her heart crushed and emotions getting the best of her. Wasn't till she was far away from everyone else when she started to cry.
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Vacation's what I wanna do
Buddy on the beach, fun for me and you
We don't need a holiday to start to celebrate
(Repeat after me, "I need a vacation.")
Lunick popped open a soda and started to drink. Yikes was it hot out. And getting even hotter. He'd dive back into the water soon after lunch settled. Not that he believed he'd get cramps. Pfft. Old woman's tale. It's just, er, he was resting up. For awesome summer time fun.
A young brown haired goggles boy walked by. His head hung low with a dark expression. Lunick didn't know him directly. Like his sister's friend's cousin's friend.
"Hey dude." Lunick greeted as the kid fished a soda from the cooler. "You ok?"
"Yeah…I'm fine…" He grumbled.
Silence. Both guys started to sip their sodas. Lunick watched as action unfolded on the beach all over the place. What a great day this was.
"Um…"
The kid looked a bit awkward.
"Why do girls yell at guys?" He asked, looking at the sand.
Unusual question. Normally, Lunick would joke at it but he knew the kid was being serious. Huh? Oh there was a name on his goggles. Ben? Suited him.
"Women are mysterious creatures, dude. I think guys have been asking that for centuries." Lunick replied, laying back against the tree. "Why? You get yelled at?"
Silence. "….I don't get her."
"Get who?"
"This girl I know." Ben mumbled. "She's all quiet one minute and then the next, she's angry at me. Tells me to take a hint and that I'm being a kid."
Ohhhh. Now Lunick was starting to get it now. Ah the memories of young youth. Had Spenser not given him some pointers, Lunick would still be oblivious.
"Sooo…you like this girl?" Lunick asked.
Ben gripped his soda can tightly and eyes grew wide. Lunick expected an outburst of some sort. Instead the kid was dead silent. The question might've broken his brain.
"Don't worry. Falling in love happens to the best of us." Lunick said.
"Really?" The kid grumbled. "And you've gone insane over some girl?"
"Yep. I've had my eye on someone for a long time now." Lunick was staring at Solana, who was building sand castles with a mechanic.
Ben noticed this and looked the same way. "So does she know?"
"Well no. Girls sometimes don't get the hint either. Or maybe I'm too darn good at hiding it." Lunick replied. "Even after all these years, I've been too much of a coward to say anything to her."
"Why?" Ben asked.
"Rejection? Thinking some guy's better for her than me? Nervousness? Kinda hard to say." Lunick sighed. "Telling a girl you like her isn't the easiest thing in the world. Women have all these…er…emotions and feelings inside them. They react in crazy ways."
"So if I tell this one girl I like her, then that will make her not mad at me?" Ben assumed.
"Only if you like her back." Lunick responded.
Quiet. Ben seemed to give some serious thought into this. Lunick kept watching Solana. Ever since day 1, when she walked into the Ringtown Base, he liked her. The dark haired ranger guy seemed to have a thing for the blue haired girl. Lunick liked how Solana never gave up; how she was brave but also kind, caring and sweet. She did anything for the sake of her friends and for pokemon. Great ranger material. Every moment spent with her was like a dream.
"How can I give advice on romance when I can't even tell my girl I like her?" Lunick thought with a sigh.
How would Solana react? There wasn't any guy in her life. She never was interested in dating or such. And while there was that fan crush on that bird gym leader in Johto, it didn't count as liking a guy. Would Lunick have a shot with Solana? The odds were completely unknown. Huge risk. A shot in the dark. Lunick had a good chance of facing total rejection.
"I'll do it."
Ben stood up. He finished the soda and tossed the can into the wastebasket nearby.
"I'll…I'll tell her." Ben said.
Lunick grinned. "Good luck, kid."
Ben walked off in a hurry, disappearing. Lunick looked back to Solana, who squealed over the finished sand castle.
"Know what?" Lunick got up. "If that kid can take a gamble with love, then so can I."
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Let's go!Let's go!Let's go!ooooo...
Let's go
Rhythmi laid back on the beach towel, nervous and hesitant. No matter where she went, she only saw Issac or romance in the making. Wendy and Sven seemed to be starting an affair of sorts. Looks like the rumors of those two were true. Luana and Crawford were acting shy but were super close for awhile now. And…was that Solana hugging Lunick? Seriously? Another new relationship? Gah! Another reminder was what that was!
Five times. That was the number of attempts Rhythmi made to confessing her feelings to Issac. Five. Freaking. Times. But she backed out each time, too embarrassed to say anything. Well the last time she almost did it. If it wasn't for stupid Keith. Had he hit Kate with the seashell (or better, not thrown it at all), Rhythmi wouldn't have taken a hit on the head. Wouldn't have chickened out again.
"Rhythmi? Are you alright?"
Rhythmi sat up at once, hearing the voice. Issac sat down beside her.
"Er…yeah I'm fine…" Rhythmi blushed.
"That cut on your head looks bad." Issac pulled out a bandaid. "Let me help."
Issac wiped a little droplet of blood away as he unwrapped the bandaid. Rhythmi's face was redder as he leaned over her to put the bandaid on her forehead.
"You know, Rhythmi...I, um…I missed you."
Any redder and Rhythmi would be bleeding through her nose.
"Y-y-you missed me?" Rhythmi gulped.
"Of course." Issac cleared his throat. "You provided stimulating conversations and pleasant company. I relax around you. It's more fun to have you around."
"Thank you…" Rhythmi whispered, touched.
"You know, I like you Rhythmi." Issac nervously admitted. "M-more than friendship. I really like you."
Rhythmi was speechless. She was frozen in place.
"I meant to tell you at graduation but I couldn't. I didn't think a gorgeous girl like you would feel the same way." Issac went on.
"You think I'm gorgeous?" Rhythmi gasped.
"I do." Issac sheepishly scratched his neck. "Always have."
"Issac…" Rhythmi leaned in and pecked Issac on the cheek. "I like you too. I always liked you. You're such a wonderful guy."
Issac's face melted into one with care. He brushed a loose strand of hair aside to return the kiss. His other hand slid onto Rhythmi's gently.
"Well my dear. Shall we…"
KABAM!
"ACK!"
Out of nowhere, a beach ball smacked Rhythmi in the face and sent her flying into the sand. There goes a perfectly romantic moment.
"Sorry!" Elaine called. "Geez, Wendy! Don't use so much force!"
"She was just distracted by my good looks." Sven joked.
"So was not." Wendy growled.
Issac helped Rhythmi up, feeling her forehead and looking for any damage. Rhythmi instantly liking the attention.
"Maybe we should go for a walk?" Issac suggested.
"Might be safer than staying here." Rhythmi giggled.
Hand in hand, the couple strolled down the edge of the sands.
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(The one with me)
(Where the fun is free)
(So come with me)
The day passed quickly. Soon enough, it was evening. Everyone was enjoying the ocean sunset. Couples all over the place. Wendy and Sven were either bickering or kissing. Solana and Lunick were cuddling. So were Rhythmi and Issac. Luana and Crawford seemed to be spending a lot more time together. Even Summer was warming up to Ben, who was not himself all of a sudden. Elaine lacked romance but joined some of the other mechanics to talk tech stuff. Thus Kate decided to go off on her own and avoid the lovey dovey atmosphere. She went towards the rock cliffs, sitting on the very edge.
"Any room for two?"
Keith strolled onto the cliffside, sitting himself down next to Kate.
"Not unless you want to be pushed off of here." Kate warned.
"You're not still mad about the sneak attack are ya?" Keith asked with a grin.
"Cheater!" Kate poked him. "You're a total cheat!"
"What? Like I can't help that I'm born with these awesome talents and striking good looks." Keith posed dramatically. "Gotta admit my face is quite handsome."
"Too bad there's nothing in there." Kate sweatdropped.
They turned to look over at the sunset. Ocean sunsets were pretty awesome. All those colors in the sky, reflecting off the calm waves. The wind was even relaxing. Now all those artistic pieces on sunsets and oceans suddenly made sense.
"Hey Kate? Am I really a jerk?"
Kate glanced at Keith. Was he serious?
"I guess you could stand to be less of one." Kate shrugged.
"Well what about me is so bad?" Keith asked.
"The perverted remarks, the arrogant attitude, pranks can be hurtful sometimes, no regard for other people's feelings…" Kate listed.
Keith let this sink in. "What about the good parts? Is there anything good about me?"
"Of course there is." Kate answered. "You're really funny and fun to be with. Though it's rare for it to come out, you have a caring side. You never give up; no matter what the situation is. Always bouncy, in a good mood, cheering people from their dark moods. And for the most part, you're a great friend."
Kate was met with a blank stare from the redhead. He studied her face for a bit before turning back to the ocean. A long silence followed. Kate listened to the waves crash on the sandy shores and felt the wind in her hair.
"I'm sorry."
Her eyes met Keith's.
"I…I'm sorry for all of that." Keith sighed. "For everything I've done or said. I don't mean it. Well, most of it."
"I know you don't." Kate said.
"I guess I have trouble trying to say what I'm really thinking and feeling. It's always been hard for me to express that sort of thing." Keith continued.
"What do you mean?" Kate asked.
Keith didn't answer. Instead he grabbed Kate's wrist and pulled her forward. He bent down, closed his eyes and kissed her. Kate's eyes widened at the action. She. Was kissing. Keith. Her old school rival had kissed her. Kate wasn't sure to pull back or remain frozen where she sat. But….but soon something inside her stirred. It caused Kate to close her eyes and welcome the kiss, diving deep into a world of powerful emotions she didn't know existed. Kissing those soft lips sent Kate spiraling into oblivion. It almost hurt to let go when their embrace was over.
The two rangers opened their eyes. Kate saw Keith in a whole new way now. The way the light hit his face so perfectly. How his eyes shined with the same emotions that pulsed through his lips a moment ago. Not an overconfident boy but as….as a man….
"Kate, I love you."
Kate's throat was choked up. Her breath was still but the heart pounded against her chest. Did Keith just say…?
"I've always liked you. Since we became friends at the Pledge Stone." Keith confessed. "But I didn't realize I loved you until you were gone. When we were separated by regions, it felt like we were worlds apart. I missed you. And I regret causing you so many headaches. Gah…I wish I could've told you all this long ago. It's sudden and weird but I love you."
Kate said nothing at first. But she bent forward and planted a small kiss on the redhead's nose. His face burned upon her touch. Kate smiled, seeing how cute his face was in that shade.
"I love you too, Keith."
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Vacation's where I wanna be
Buddy on the beach where the fun is free
We don't need a holiday to start to celebrate
('cuz I need a break, I need a vacation)
The time came. Everyone had to leave and go back home. There was a huge gathering down by the docks. Solana was gushing about her upcoming date she was going to attend with Lunick. Ben and Summer left for Oblivia together on the back of a lapras. Though Ben was more of a gentleman to Summer than when they first arrived. Wendy and Sven grabbed staraptors to back on their own. They argued but everyone already knew the truth about them. Issac was going to hitch a ride with the Vientown rangers. He and Rhythmi embraced for quite some time, emotional about separating. They'd go long distance for their relationship but of course it wouldn't be the same.
Vacation's where I wanna be
Buddy on the beach where the fun is free
We don't need a holiday to start to celebrate
(Repeat after me, "I need a vacation")
"Hey."
Kate and Keith stood at the edge of the pier, away from everyone else. Things felt awkward and intense.
"I…um…I guess we won't be seeing each other for awhile." Keith mumbled.
"I guess not…" Kate whispered.
They already exchanged numbers for their cell phones and promised to talk as often as they could. Still, it stung Kate to be apart from Keith. Especially after they confessed to loving each other.
"Here." Keith dug something from his swimming trunks pocket, giving it to Kate. "I picked this up earlier. Thought you might like it."
Kate felt the smooth texture of the shell in her hands.
"Wow, an oyster…" She gasped.
"Oyster?" Keith blinked. "Could've sworn it was a shell."
"I love it anyways." Kate smiled.
From her swimming bag, Kate pulled something out for Keith. A small pink conch shell with swirls. It dangled off a strong string like a necklace. Kate put it around Keith's neck.
"What? Couldn't part with your swimsuit top?" Keith grinned.
Kate raised an eyebrow.
"Kidding!" Keith chuckled. "I love this. Thanks, Kate."
They gave each other a quick kiss on the others cheeks.
"HURRY UP KATE!"
Startled, Kate jumped and dropped the oyster onto the wooden planks of the pier. A loud crack and the oyster split open. At first, Kate panicked. Her gift from Keith had been ruined! All cause of her clumsiness!
"Huh? Hey check it out!"
Keith bent over to pick up something stuck inside the oyster. Kate's eyes widened as the small item was placed inside her hands. A pearl. A beautiful, shimmering white pearl that glistened like the stars. So smooth and perfect!
"Wow…" Kate gasped.
"A pearl for a pearl." Keith smiled.
"K-Keith…this is…." Kate whispered.
"KATE! Stop making out with your boyfriend and come over here!"
"ACK!" Kate's face was red (Keith's too). "I-I guess I have to…go…"
Keith gave her a hug. "We'll meet again. I just know it. Till then, I'll call you often and think of you more. Love you."
"Love you too."
I need a... (Vacation)
Come on and... (Vacation)
I need a... (Vacation)
Come on... (Vacation)
mmm... Let's go.
Kate held the pearl close to her heart as the boat sped off from the Summerland docks. Rangers there waved goodbye. Keith stood apart from the rest; his gaze never left Kate's. Kate smiled back and took in every detail of the redhead she could. He was right. They'd meet again. Of course they would. And even when apart, Kate would still love that idiot.
"Soooo Crawford. Luana." Elaine smirked. "You two haven't left the others side all day. Something going on?"
The couple blushed; their eyes wide and mouth stammering out some sort of excuse. No doubt about it. They were together.
"I overheard about you and Keith. Congrats."
Issac joined Kate.
"Likewise, dude." Kate said. "I heard about you and Rhythmi."
Issac smiled. "Ah, Rhythmi. Such a wonderful woman."
"She's been head over heels for you since day 1." Kate told him.
"Really? That long?" Issac asked, surprised.
Kate nodded. Issac leaned against the railing.
"I should've confessed earlier. Would've saved me so much trouble." Issac sweatdropped.
"Love is confusing. And weird." Kate sighed. "But…it's also the best thing in the world. I mean, all these people coming together in one day?"
"An odd coincidence." Issac noted.
"Or maybe it's summer magic."
Vacation's where I wanna be
Buddy on the beach where the fun is free
We don't need a holiday to start to celebrate
('cuz I need a break, I need a vacation)
Vacation's where I wanna be
Buddy on the beach where the fun is free
We don't need a holiday to start to celebrate…
(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)
Chia: WOW this was long!
A lot of couples to write about! And some details to try out as well.
Chia: Bravo. Does this mean you're over the block?
We shall see. Next update is (hopefully) soon!
Chia: Also because you're so stupid and forgot this last time…SKY DOES NOT OWN POKEMON, ED EDD N EDDY OR THIS SONG MENTIONED HERE!