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Disclaimer: We both don't own Pokemon.

Chapter 4: Mina's Gym Battle

Mina's POV

Snivy, Vine Whip go!" Hugh yelled, his Pokémon chirping in agreement and understanding before the vines flew towards the small Patrat across the field.

I glanced over at Sam, waiting to see a look of awe or excitement on her face but instead saw that her expression was completely blank.

I followed her gaze and realized she was staring at the mysterious boy that had walked in just a few minutes prior. He was now leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the field, hands in pockets, watching the battle.

I elbowed Sam and she jumped slightly before turning to me. I had noticed a slight colouring on her face the instant this boy had walked in, and I had to find out if something was up.

"So…" I started, a grin spreading across my face, "Does Sammy have a crush?"

"What? No! AND DON'T CALL ME THAT!" she whisper yelled.

I chuckled, "Well, that's not what my expert sense of romance picks up."

Sam rolled her eyes so hard I thought they'd get permanently stuck in her head.

"Oh please Mina, you're just as oblivious as I am."

"Oh, so you're oblivious?"

"No, I mean, maybe, ugh!"

I snorted slightly, glancing back to the battle field as I heard a small thump. Cheren's Patrat was out cold. Hugh was quite the battler.

"Return. Lillipup, go!" Cheren shouted and the small dog appeared.

I saw Sam shift out of the corner of my eye and looked back to her. Once again she had her eyes glued to the boy across the room.

"Oh come on, if you're staring at him like that and you don't like him, you just look like a creeper."

"HEY!" Sam once again yelled in a low voice, trying to not only keep our conversation private, but from interrupting Hugh's battle as well.

"So you don't like him?" I questioned, tilting my head to the side.

Sam puffed out her cheeks, looking irritated, "I never said that."

I smacked my hand to my forehead. Either Sam was in denial, or I was just plain confused.

"Hey, I just don't like being accused. What if I suddenly said, 'Hey Mina, why do you have a crush on Cheren?" Sam said, trying to impersonate my voice on the last part.

"WHAT?" I yelled and I saw both Hugh and Cheren jump.

I blushed slightly and said a quick 'sorry' before they got back on with their battle.

"I was just using that as an example Mina, sheesh, no need to scream your head off."

"Hmph," I turned my nose up and crossed my arms.

I heard Sam chuckle before her gaze was once again on the red haired boy. I squinted. I swore I had seen that boy somewhere before. In a magazine? In a guidebook? I had no idea, but I was sure of one thing; Sam definitely had something for him.

I grinned, leaning forward. This would be fun. Sam having a crush, I couldn't remember the last time that had happened. It had almost been two years since I got to play matchmaker with Sam and I had been eagerly awaiting my next chance.

"Lillipup is unable to battle; Hugh and Snivy are the winners!" I heard a voice call, and for the first time, realized there was a referee in the building.

"Great job Snivy," Hugh said, recalling his Pokémon.

Cheren smiled before calling back his own small dog and walking over to Hugh.

"Here, you deserve this. The Basic badge," Cheren said, placing a small shining object in Hugh's palm.

"Thanks!" Hugh exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.

Cheren then turned to us, "While you two decide who goes next, I'll go heal my Pokémon."

Both Sam and I nodded and Cheren disappeared past the door we had entered through.

We were then plunged into an awkward silence. Sam and I had already decided I would go next, and so we were just left to wait.

I glanced over at the red haired boy, who yawned and again put his hands in his pockets, then back to the door Cheren had gone through. He probably wouldn't be back for a few minutes. This would be a perfect time for Sam to go and introduce herself.

"Hey," I whispered, getting Sam's attention, "Go say 'hi'," I said, motioning over to the boy.

Sam's eyes widened and she shook her head.

"Oh come on," I said, nudging her in his direction.

"No Mina," Sam growled, a blush now quickly spreading across her face.

"What?" Hugh questioned, obviously confused.

"Sam has a crush," I grunted, now shoving against Sam to push her towards the boy. She pushed back and neither of us went anywhere.

"Oh ho ho, well then, you should go say 'hi'," Hugh said, now also looking at the boy.

"I know right!" I said, once again trying to push Sam closer.

"Stop it!" Sam squealed, "And don't everybody look at him at once! He'll start to get suspicious."

"Of what?" I asked, using all my strength to push against Sam, however she didn't budge.

"Shut up," Sam said, sounding half embarrassed and half un-amused. She then quickly moved to the side and I went flying forward with a yelp, barely able to catch my balance.

"SAM! I COULD'VE DIED!"

She burst out laughing and I couldn't help but crack a grin as well.

"Um, so, are you two busy or are you ready for a battle?" I heard a very confused Cheren ask.

My gaze whipped over to where he was standing, a poke ball in each hand and a shocked look on his face.

"Ready!" I exclaimed, pulling out Oshawott's ball and throwing him a thumbs up.

Cheren blinked a few times before shaking his head and making his way back over to his trainer's box.

Sam and Hugh walked back to the bench for onlookers and I quickly skipped to my trainer's box as well.

"This is a match between Cheren, the Aspertia Gym Leader and Mina from Aspertia City. Each will use two Pokémon, and only the challenger is allowed to switch. No time limit, go!" the referee yelled, throwing his flag into the air.

I sighed. I only had one Pokémon, and I hoped to Arceus I could pull it off with only my small water type.

"Oshawott, come on out!" I called and within seconds Oshawott was standing at the ready, his shell already in his paw.

Cheren called out his Patrat and Oshawott looked back at me for a second.

"So this is a gym battle? Your Mom agreed? YES!" he yelled, dancing around.

"Oshawott!" I hissed, trying to get his attention. He was playing around in the middle of a gym battle, and that sure didn't look good on my behalf.

"Patrat, Bite!" Cheren called and Oshawott immediately halted his actions and leaned forward, awaiting a command.

"Dodge and use Tackle!" I called.

"Alrighty then!" Oshawott squealed in happiness before skidding out of the way of the Patrat's attack.

"WATCH OUT BUDDY!" Oshawott yelled as he hurtled towards the small rodent.

I heard the Patrat squeak out a confused sound before my small water Pokémon slammed into it, sending it flying backwards.

"Now, Water Gun!" I called, holding back an excited squeal of my own. I loved battling, and the rush of a gym battle wasn't like anything I had ever experienced before.

"Yes ma'am!" Oshawott said, slapping his shell back onto his tummy before sending out a powerful blast of water that struck the Patrat right on target.

As the small scout Pokémon tumbled backwards I think I already knew it wouldn't be getting up, and sure enough it was out cold.

"Patrat is unable to battle!" the referee shouted as Cheren called back his Pokémon.

Within moments I saw a small dog in front of me, happily wagging its tiny tail. I heard Sam let out an 'awww' from the sidelines and I smiled to myself.

I glanced up at Cheren who was grinning from ear to ear and moved back a step. Why was he smiling? He was losing, that is no reason to smile!

"Lillipup, Tackle!" Cheren called, throwing his arm out to the side.

"You too Oshie!" I called and my Pokémon nodded before pushing off the ground at an impressive speed.

The two Pokémon slammed into each other and stopped in their tracks, pushing against one another.

"You better back down! I'M FEROCIOUS!" I heard Oshawott growl and I sputtered out a laugh.

The Lillipup barked out another threat and they both pushed against each other harder.

"Water Gun now!" I called.

Oshawott responded quickly and sprayed the blast of water directly into the small dog's face, sending it backwards, whimpering and blinking its eyes rapidly.

"Finish it with Tackle!" I called, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach.

"WOO!" Oshawott called, also knowing that this would be the last attack. And before Cheren could call a dodge, Oshawott had finished off the Lillipup easily.

"Lillipup is unable to battle. Oshawott and Mina are the winners!" the referee called and held up his green flag towards me.

"Yes!" both Oshawott and I cheered.

My small Pokémon happily skipped over to me and I picked him up, telling him what a great job he had done.

I had won my first gym match, and on my first try too! I had expected it to be much harder, but then again I guess all those practice battles with Sam must've really helped.

Someone cleared their throat and it brought me out of my thoughts. Cheren was standing directly in front of me, a warm smile on his face.

"Congratulations Mina. The Basic badge, you deserve it," he said, grabbing my hand and gently placing the badge in my palm.

I grinned down at it but felt slight warmth in my cheeks as Cheren gently closed my fingers around it, the caring smile still on his face.

"Way to go Mina!" Sam yelled and I broke my eye contact with Cheren, grinning over at my best friend who looked like she could burst with pride.

I pranced back over to the bench and grinned.

"Thanks Sam! Your turn now! Good luck!"

Now wasn't that cute? I really like Sam and this crush, which will be revealed in the next chapter. I also love Mina's slight crush on Cheren.

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