The Ice Chest Thief: Chapter 4, Christmas Shopping Sucks.

I've always had conflicted feelings about the art of Christmas shopping. Well, shopping in general, to be honest. On one side, I was a pretty big spender, I loved to buy things, and because of the constant flow of money that I received from my "Out-Of-Town" father, spending was never a really big issue. But, on the other hand, I always found shopping for people other than myself more difficult than perceived by other, normal humans.

I could never just quite figure out what other people would want without asking them.

Now if you think about the situation from my point of view, you might understand. So look, you're buying gifts for your friends and family for Christmas. When they actually open the present that you've decided to buy for them, they always react the same way so they can avoid being rude. It's either, "Oh my Arceus! THIS is just what I wanted!" Or, "Oh my Arceus, this is really sweet, thank you."

When you get into technical terms and percentages and shit, it's basically a 50-50 split between them actually keeping and enjoying your gift, or simply returning it and just keeping the money. So, do you see the dilemma that I'm faced with? I'm shopping for two girls of my age, one friend, and my mother. I'm not actually too worried about the two ladders, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

Now, back to reality, and out of my pointlessly unrealistic head.

...

I trudged down one of the aisles in the overly large women's clothing department in the shopping center; I was completely lost. I figured that I could knock off the presents for 3 out of my four recipients in one store, but it was proving to be more difficult that I would have assumed.

"Come on, so far I've only found one thing for each of them. There has to be more for this damn store to offer!" Almost by magic, I passed by the scarf section, and my heart instantly lit up. These would be perfect alongside the sweaters that I had also gotten. I picked one for each, all varying in colours that matched with their sweaters.

"Alright, now to the check out line!" With that I bolted to the cashier stand, hoping to God that the line wasn't comedically long due to the fact that I was shopping pretty last minute. Yeah, I know. I said it was the 20th, but around this time EVERYBODY from my own town and our neighbor, Opelucid City, flocks here for shopping. It's just how it all works. But, luckily for me, the line was dwindling under 5 people. So the wait wouldn't be too long.

After checking through the line and leaving the Women's Clothing department, I stopped by the small game store, and was lucky to find a copy of the new Super Smash Bros for my friend Logan. He hadn't stopped talking to me about it ever since it had come out in November, and this would be a good way to shut him up.

I was finally finished with picking up gifts, and was on my way to the the Malls exit when I was caught up in my tracks as soon as I passed the Jewelry Store.

"Well. It won't hurt to look.." Even with my lack of patience when it came to shopping, a picture of Violet popped into my head and almost forced me to enter the store. I had to see if they had anything worth while to make her first Christmas with us a good one.

Immediately upon walking in the door, a necklace displayed on the cashiers counter caught my eye. I hurried quickly over to it to get a closer look. It was a moonstone that was chiseled down into the shape of a heart that hung from a chain which I could only assume was platinum. It was perfect. But it looked a little pricey.

"Excuse me, but how much is this necklace?" I asked the cashier who was lazily tapping away at his phone. It was obvious that he had better places to be.

"Just one moment sir." Said the cashier in an annoyingly monotone voice. He continued to text away.

"Look, I just want to know how much this is. Can't you put down your phone for 3 seconds?" I began to tap my fingers rhythmically on the countertop as a copping mechanism for my rising frustration.

"Can't you see that I'm busy? I'm settling important business here; my girlfriends moving out of her-oh never mind. This doesn't involve you." Can you believe the nerve of this guy?

"Well quite frankly, this looks more like 'business' to me considering its your job. So drop the damn phone or I'll get a manager out here to help with your attitude, and my shopping." He stuffed his phone in his back pocket and gave me the most pissed off look I had ever seen from store management in my life. Funny how when your pay is in jeopardy, you bend to the will of others.

"Listen up you stupid kid, I bet you couldn't tell the difference between real, important business and some sucky job if your life depended on it." I met his glare with an ironic, fake smile.

"Yeah. But what's that motto that people like you are supposed to to by? Isn't it something like... Oh yes, 'The Customer is Always Right.' So why don't you just suck it up, grow a pair, and tell me how much this fucking necklace costs." I maintained my smile throughout my rant, but let a small amount of angst show in my tone.

He sighed angrily, and then began to type something into the store computer. He grinned rudely,"The necklace is just under one-thousand dollars, and one-of-a-kind. It's not something that some stupid kid like you could afford. So just buzz off, will ya'?"

Half of me just wanted to scream at the outrageous price of the necklace, yet at the same time the other half of me wanted to buy the necklace anyways just to show up this poser. Jeez, I guess today wasn't a good day to be a smart-ass for my pocket, because I instantly whipped out my wallet and withdrew 10 one-hundred dollar bills from it, then slapped them on the counter.

His stupid grin faded within moments as the fact that I had such a large amount of cash on me hit him like a pile of bricks. Man it felt good to be this sassy.

"Wrap it up, peasant. Because I'll take it."

...

"Jeez! What is taking him so long? I mean, he did say he was horrible at shopping but I couldn't have imagined that he would be gone for four hours... Maybe he got into an accident or something? I hope he's okay." I thought out loud as I paced back and forth across the living room.

"Calm down Violet. The drive there is like an hour and a half. So when to add it up he would have spent like three hours driving. He's not superhuman." I heard Aquari say as she looked up from her book on the couch.

I plopped down on the reclining chair on the other side of the living room. "I guess you're right. But, still. He could be in trouble."

"Violet, there's two faults in your story. A, Robin's a really good driver, and even if he got into an accident we would of heard from the police or hospital. And B, I'm not worried about him being in some kind of trouble involving his physical safely. As harsh as that might sound, and as much as I'd hate to admit; he's completely capable of handling himself in a possibly dangerous situation."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. He's a tough cookie."

I sighed a little in relief, then reclined back into the chair as far as it would go before I heard Aquari chuckle.

"What's so funny?" I aimed a fake glare at the Floatzel.

"Oh nothing, nothing. I just think its funny how obsessed with my brother you are." My cheeks began to heat up.

"I am not! We're just friends!"

"You see, that right there is a perfect example. I only said you were obsessed with him; I didn't even specify what kind of obsession, whether it was just as a friend or as a romantic interest." My face began to burn hotter. Was everyone in this house THAT observant?

"I-I.." My thoughts were beginning to cloud; there was no way I could come up with another sarcastic comeback at this point. All I could do was keep my mouth shut, but that was easier said than done when being faced with one of the Waylands.

"Huh, Purrloin got your tongue? Or wait, Robin got your tongue? I bet you wish it was the latter." Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it!

"Aquari, what are you doing this for?!"

She laughed. "Oh no reason. I just want you to confess that you like my brother as more than just a friend, or a caregiver."

Alright. That's it, if she's got that much I don't have anything to hide. I exploded.

"GAH! FINE I ADMIT IT!" I nearly screamed. I took a moment to collect myself before continuing. "You're right. I really, REALLY, like Robin. He's given me more of a life in the past two weeks than I've had in the last two years. I was almost beginning to have suicidal thoughts before I had met him; he just, brought so much happiness back into my stupid life. And thing is, I still don't think I deserve it. I don't deserve him." I sighed heavily, stood up,and then plopped down onto the couch next to Aquari. Her huge smile said just how pleased she was with my answer.

"That's what I thought. Aquari-1, Violet-0. So anyways. There has to be more behind why you like him. I mean, if some gross, old man was the one who you had robbed, and took you in after the fact, would you have the same feelings for him?"

"Of course not, that's just weird."

"Not much weirder than a Zoroark falling in love with an eighteen year old human man."

"Oh shut up... But yeah, I guess there is more reasons why I have feelings for him besides what I've already said."

"Wellllll... You can't just leave me hangin', what is it about him?"

"Umm. Well, where do I start? He's extremely handsome, and his eyes are amazing. He's really smart, AND athletic, which is kind of a rarity today with all of the stupid douchebags that are being born. Pardon my harshness... He's so kind and generous and forgiving; you just can't do anything but trust him."

"You're forgetting something." Aquari grinned immensely. It was almost scary.

"What do you mean I forgot something?"

"Have you seen him shirtless yet?" Her question sparked a larger blush then I would have thought possible.

"N-No? Why?" I began twiddling my claws together awkwardly.

"Well I don't mean to be weird, being his sister and all. But that boy is defined. I don't know what kind of crazy workout regimen he does, but his chest and abdominal muscles are amazing... I say that in the most normal, respectable sibling way possible."

What a weird Pokemon, but nonetheless, the thought still sent inappropriate images into my brain.

"Why are you telling me this!? Because its not like it matters..." I crossed my arms and sighed.

"What do you mean it doesn't matter?"

"Are you oblivious? I can't ACTUALLY tell him. I don't want to weird him out and ruin our friendship."

Aquari frowned, and for a second I thought she was actually going to attack me. "That's fucking stupid! You can't just assume that he'll shoot you down if you confess to him."

"I-I'm sorry! I just don't want to take the risk. I'm happy with our current relationship, and even though I wish it was more than what it is; I just can't risk it."

"Violet, I don't take this stuff lightly. I think it's absolutely ludicrous when you have feelings for someone, and you don't have the balls to tell them. So, if you don't tell him, I will."

I launched myself off of the couch and stood above Aquari. "YOU CAN'T DO THAT! I-I, YOU WOULDN'T!" I panicked.

"I can, and I will. That is unless, you do it by yourself." She remained she calm attitude. It was annoying how emotionless she could remain WHILE threatening me.

I sat back down on the couch, and let all of the possible outcomes to this situations run through my head. One one hand, she tells him what I think about him, and he gets creeped out and gives me the cold shoulder; on the other hand, I tell him, and he either understands or ALSO gives me the cold shoulder. It appeared as though the only way to go around this was just doing it myself. Even though I still really didn't want him to know... I took a deep breath. "How long do I have to tell him before you do?"

Her eyes widened, and her calm smile was replaced with an excited one. "Ooh, so you've thought things through? Well, I'm going to give you until Christmas night to tell him. If you haven't done it by the morning AFTER Christmas. I'm going to do it, and I'll make it as embarrassing and blunt as possible. You got it?"

I held out my hand towards her, and she grabbed it with her own. "Deal." We shook. Almost by magic, as soon as we released our grips on each others hands, the tumblers in the door clicked, and the door opened inward revealing an extremely exhausted looking Robin. He was carrying 4 decent sized bags, presumably gifts.

I jumped off of the couch and ran towards him excitedly. "Hi Robin! How was shopping?" I gave him a quick hug.

"It was... Well, it was a bit more pricey than I thought originally; that doubled with annoying store management... It was somewhat unpleasant." Robin sighed.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Do you need me to help you carry anything upstairs?" I asked as I reached for one of the bags dangling from his arms. He instantly went wide eyed and pulled the bags out of my reach.

"No! You can't, I don't want you to see what's inside any of them." He began speed walking towards the staircase. "I'll be down in a bit after I wrap all of these."

"But Robin I-." It was too late. He had already rushed upstairs into his room.

"Oooh, tough luck. Better luck next time, kid." Aquari joked.

"Ugh. Just shut up." I sneered at the Floatzel.

...

I rushed into my room and slammed the door as fast as possible, making sure to lock it. As soon as I set down the 4 bags, I face-planted into the bed and allowed the realization to finally run through me. Why did I have to stand by the door before opening it? Why couldn't I have just not hesitated and walked in instead of eavesdropping on their conversation?

"I can't believe this." I was muffled by the pillow. "What the fuck do I do?! There's not exactly a textbook for how to handle when your Pokemon falls in love with you! God fucking damn it!"

I sighed deeply, and squeezed the sides of the bed. "Man... I guess it really is true when people say ignorance is bliss."

After a few seconds of not breathing, I sat up, then pulled the small decorative box that contained the moonstone necklace out of my back pocket. I simply stared at it for several minutes, and for some reason I couldn't help but feel a weird sensation in my chest.

"Do I... Do I have the same feelings?.. I mean, why did I get the urge to buy something this expensive for someone I barely know? It couldn't have been just to piss off that store clerk.. No, there has to be more to why I did it..." I pulled open my nightstand drawer, and gently set the box inside.

Almost instinctively, I pounded my mattress with the sides of my fists several times. "Dammit! Why do I feel like this?! It's morally wrong to have feelings for a Pokemon!"

All was seemingly quiet for the longest time until an unusual, angelic voice vibrated through my eardrums.

"Robin..."

The voice was soft, and obviously feminine. But for some reason it was like it wasn't really there.

"Great, now not only am I falling in love with a Zoroark, but I'm losing my mind!" I shouted at nothing; well, what seemed like nothing.

It was soon after that the voice called again, but this time much more clearly; like it was right there in the room with me. Actually, maybe it sounded a little too clear to not be in my head. I spun myself around only to have my face mere inches away from a small, floating, catlike creature. I nearly screamed until it held a small paw to my lips, silencing me.

"Who, or what are you?" I asked quietly; I was still in a state of genuine shock.

It floated backwards about a foot or so before uttering a light, soothing giggle. "I'm what you some humans might call a god. Most of you may know me as Mew." My heart stopped beating for a moment.

"Y-You're Mew?! There's no way! Why would a legendary entity be visiting me, some random ass teenager, in his room?! Shouldn't you be like attending to more pressing matters? Like, preventing the extermination of a species or something?" Mew, which I could only assume to be a female, laughed again.

"You're funny, you know that Robin?"

I sat back against the head of my bed, and rubbed my eyes, hoping that when my vision cleared everything would he back to normal. But nope. That wasn't the case this time.

"Th-Thanks? I guess? Anyways, you still haven't answered my question. Why are you here?"

"Isn't it obvious silly? I'm here because you summoned me."

Again, my heart and breathing decided to simultaneously forget how to function for a moment. "What do you mean, 'summoned you'?! I literally didn't even know you existed until forty seconds ago!"

"Well. I guess you could say you did it involuntarily. What really called me here was your feelings; as cheesy as that may or may not sound."

"Could you make any less sense at this point?"

"Probably not."

A frustrated sigh made its way up through my throat. "At least you're honest... GAH! Time to stop getting off topic; what do you mean by 'you came because of my feelings'?"

"Is it not obvious? You're experiencing something that a lot of people don't, which is having feelings for a Pokemon. Genuine, honest, feelings. And you need somebody to give you advice on this whole situation. I'm simply here to guide you."

. . . . . . . . .

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