Welcome!
Author Notes:
All canon characters and places mentioned belong to The Pokémon Company. All the OCs in here belong to chipotlepeppers. Visit chipotlepeppers' profile for more stories like this one and for background info on these OCs. I also might write more fanfictions in the future, but now (December 31, 2017) I only have four other stories posted, this one, All I Want for Christmas is You, Cruise Blues, Playground Crisis, and Z-Charged. You do not need to read all these stories to understand context, though if you want more context, I suggest checking out All I Want for Christmas is You since that fic is the most explanatory.
I am a new fic writer and nonprofessional so please be kind.
This symbol "~" I use the same way writer WindStar27 uses it—to draw out a voice. So instead of writing 'Pikachuuu', I'll put 'Pikachu~'.
If something doesn't make sense or you have questions, leave questions in reviews and I will answer them via guest review asap. Or you can PM me if you have an account.
This fic will be dived into four chapters that are between 3,000-4,000 words each. This story will be about 14,000 words TOTAL.
I would like to get some feedback, so even if you don't like it, leave a review if you have the spare seconds. Remember to word them kindly, especially if you are responding to someone else's review.
*IMPORTANT: Italicized text presents the present and regularly formatted text presents the retelling*
Thank you for clicking!
XO
Jaylie's Future
Story Description: A short story about one of Jay Morgan's many existential crises and a prediction of Jay and Amber's future together.
XO
Tears escaped Jay's eyes and landed in front of the keyboard to my laptop. He smiled. I took a tissue and wiped under his eyes, gently so that I didn't smear his mascara or eyeliner.
"I don't understand how anyone can call me perfect," Jay murmured, almost inaudibly. "I overreact, cry, lose confidence, stutter, mumble, suck at making friends—"
"Shh. None of that is important," I told him. "Look at where you are now. Those blips of time in school, on the playground and in the halls, didn't ruin you because you braved it all."
Pip brought Jay more tissues then rubbed his cheek against Jay, which is a foolproof way to make Jay giggle. Togekiss use his Heal Bell to even out some of Jay's intense emotions. I squeezed his hand and leaned into him, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek.
Linette came up to us and crawled into the small crevice between me and Jay. Jay petted the top of her head while she played with his glasses.
"You are crying," she told Jay. "Are you sad?"
"No, I'm happy," he responded. "I was looking back at some memories. I'll tell you all about it one day."
"Soon?" Linette asked.
"Yeah, soon," he promised.
XO
Jay's birthday party two days after the drama fest was his best party so far. His parents got a bouncy house, fortune teller, magician, over fifty-yard games, and our favorite food trucks. June, Soledad, Takeshi, Tamaki, Annastasia and Jocelyn's friends, and everyone's parents and siblings came. It was crowded, and after about an hour, he and I snuck away from the festivities and hid behind the fortune teller tent so that we could talk.
"Did you go to this yet?" Jay asked as he pointed to the attraction's sign.
"Yeah. I went while you were peeing," I told him.
"Oh. I was hoping we could go together," he replied.
"We can," I said as I linked arms with him. "I don't mind hearing my fortune again."
"You're the best friend a boy-girl fusion could ask for."
We entered the tent. A woman in a fancy gown and two Ditto sat in a fake-gold chair behind a tacky crystal ball. We walked up to her together. I could sense Jay's nervousness.
"I am Heleni," the woman began. "Ms. Ketchum, you've returned."
"Duh. Is that against the rules?" I asked.
"No," she said as she stared at Jay. "You are the MVP of this festival…ten years old as of the first of January. Congratulations."
"Thank you Miss Heleni," Jay bowed. "Can you…may you read my fortune?"
"Certainly. Give me your palm and close your eyes. Keep them closed until I am finished reading your fortune," she instructed.
The lady studied his palm with care. Jay kept his eyes sealed tightly, whereas I had peeked during my turn earlier that day.
"You are a lovely child," she commented. "You help your parents around the home, you don't argue with others, you respect your elders, get along with your siblings, have a good sense of empathy…very good. This is rare for children your age."
"Thanks," Jay said hesitantly, unsure if his response made sense.
"You are an introvert at heart but become an extrovert when you are in your element," she said.
"So true," Jay agreed.
"You are artistic. You like creating something out of nothing and sharing it with the people you care about," she continued.
"That is totally Jay," I replied.
Jay smiled, and though his eyes were still shut, he was facing me, trembling with excitement.
"However, like the rest of us, you have some flaws," she continued. "You do not take criticism well. When someone judges you, you retreat. It can take you a long time to recover."
"That happens to me a lot," said Jay. "Can you predict my future too?"
"I am getting there," she responded. "Now, what is it you would like to know?"
"Will I get married?"
"Yes."
"Really!? To who!?"
"I won't say, but you'll find a partner, I promise."
"Wow. I am feeling good now…can you at least tell me what he looks like? Is he tall?"
"About your height."
"What does he look like?"
"Attractive."
"Yesss. Can you please tell me who he is?"
"Nope."
I sniggered. I didn't think this lady was for real. My mom had told me about people like her. They are skilled bullshitters, good at reading people, and have years of practice…that doesn't make them real psychics…yet no one knows for sure if they are true. But things change. Since I've grown up, I've learned to take psychics seriously—even though I don't always admit it.
"I can tell you this," said Heleni. "If you remember to be yourself and stay honest, optimistic, and kind, then one day you will have many close friends. One of those friends is going to be someone who needs you in their life in order to live."
"Is that Amb?" Jay quizzed.
"I am already your friend," I said. "Heleni is talking about someone else, someone you haven't met yet."
"I am," she nodded.
"Wow," Jay sighed in amazement. "What else can I know?"
"Stay away from marijuana if you can…you react badly to that…and drink water before consuming alcohol," said Heleni.
"Are you saying that Jay becomes a partier?" I asked, excited by the possibility.
"Perhaps. It's a precaution nonetheless," she answered. "Jay, it's important that you protect yourself because there are some things in life that Amber cannot help you with. I can sense times ahead when you are tried. People in your life will be hurt, you will be hurt, but you will experience more times than bad times. Overall, you will have a wonderful life. Remember to keep your guard up though."
"I will," Jay promised.
"You may open your eyes now."
Jay and I locked eyes. I wondered what all that business about me not being around to help Jay. I told myself that she must be thinking of small things…like I can't help it if he gets the flu or flunks out of beauty school.
"Would you like a second turn?" Heleni asked me.
"Yeah," I replied. "Will my fortune be different now than it was when you check it the first time?"
"Of course not all will be the same."
"K, whatev."
I didn't linger on that thought. Instead, I gave her my hand and closed my eyes. This time I didn't peek. I wonder if this is the reason my fortune made more sense the second time around.
"There is much to say about you," Heleni started. "You and Jay have much in common."
Neither Jay nor I saw that comment coming. As far as I knew, Jay and I are opposites. Boy and girl, soft and rough, rich and poor, uncoordinated and highly coordinated, submissive and stubborn, artistic and sporty, introverted and extroverted.
"You are both highly ambitious," Heleni clarified. "Dreamers, dreamers with confidence and ability. You have a unique sense of maturity to you, you are nonconformist, you have a love of Pokémon and friendship. You value truth and loyalty."
"Totally accurate," said Jay, voicing my own opinion.
"Amber, you in particular will have an adventurous life. I see many competitions and awards, several career changes, multiple partners, new friendships, and a large family network."
"A large family? Does that mean I give birth to someone? Because that's gross," I replied.
"Not necessarily. I said 'family network'. You may take that any way you feel is appropriate."
At the time I was too confused to comment, but now I know exactly what she means. Jay is family, Jay's boyfriend is family, Jezz, Logan, Harper, Linette, Annastasia, all our Pokémon and all of Team Rocket are family. I had also wondered about the multiple partner comment…also unfortunately true. At the time I thought she was implying that I would cheat on someone, but I never did. I guess she was just referring to my stupid teenage mistakes.
"My advice for you is to make yourself vulnerable," said Heleni.
"That's the opposite of what you want Jay to do," I noted.
"Yes. You tend to open your heart to Jay, your parents, you friend Annastasia, but you maintain a wall between many other people in your life. You will be happier if you allow others to get to know you. One day you will meet someone who will change your life forever, but only if you allow him to. This is why vulnerability will help you."
"Okay…thanks," I said.
"What else? Will Amb get married too?" Jay asked.
"She will."
"Wow, awesome," said Jay. "Will she and I live in the same house when we grow up?"
"Eventually."
"Wow…how do you know all of this?"
"I was born with psychic abilities."
"I dunno…sounds like you are telling us what we want to hear," I replied.
"Don't you want to hear about the rest of your fortune?" Jay asked me.
"You already said that I will become a Poke-Olympics Archery Champion and hold the title for 'many' years when I walked in here earlier," I told the psychic. "What else do I do?"
"You take a stab at college, help your parents out at the…Cerulean Gym…I believe it is…yes, the one with the water-types…you also become a Frontier Brain…whether that is for long or as a sub for your father I am not sure…you get a prestigious position on the Kanto Pokémon League Board, and I see you being a Trial Captain."
"That's what I call impressive," said Jay. "Not surprised."
I smiled at Jay's compliment, almost forgetting what she had just told me.
"A Trial Captain? Don't those only exist in Alola?" I asked. "I've never even been to Alola, and I don't know what a 'Trial Captain' is."
"I think you have to live there too in order to be a captain," Jay said as he looked to Togekiss for backup.
"To to~" the bird replied.
"You are correct," said Heleni.
"You have to live there in order to be a Trial Captain. Sweet! I think living on an island will be awesome!" Jay said as he put both hands on my shoulders.
"As I said, you will have many career changes and an adventurous life indeed," Heleni responded. "And Jay will be around for it all."
"Great," I murmured, truly meaning it.
Satisfied that she went more in-depth for my reading the second time around, Jay and I left the tent. Jay acted as if he were on top of the world as he linked arms with me and added a soft skip to his stride.
"Hmmm…we should have asked her about Jaylie," I said as I focused in on Jay's eyeshadow.
"I think I am done being a girl…I will miss the girl's bathroom though…you all have more stalls and it's cleaner. I would be able to pee in school without having to ask the nurse to use the gender-neutral bathroom. But there are downsides to being a girl."
"Like what?" I asked, though I already knew some potential answers.
"I can't think of many off the top of my head…actually, I noticed how people were looking at me more. I thought it was because I was new, but the other girls said that the boys watch them all day…even look up their skirts! That alone was enough to make me consider switching back to pants…but I figured I would look too much like a boy if I wore pants to school every day…"
"I don't think you'll ever have to worry about looking too masculine."
"Maybe not, but I'll stick to being only half-girl for now on. I think that will be less work."
"I guess we'll find out in the future."
"Totally…I was thinking…what did your fortune say the first time around?" Jay asked.
"Nothing super special," I answered. "I remember it was a lot like what you just heard, just not as specific. It said that if I stay loyal to my best friend, then I will one day become one of the happiest people in the world."
"Hey, I'm your best friend!"
"I think they were talking about A..."
"Hey! Amb…is that true?"
Jay grimaced, and I seriously think he didn't catch the sarcasm.
"You're my best friend," I assured him. "A is in second. Seriously, Jay, I don't think that I will ever meet someone as bad at sarcasm as you are."
"You never know, Amb. I bet someday will meet someone less awkward than myself," he replied.
"Ya, right."
"Does this mean that you'll never leave me?"
"Probably."
"Even if I marry a movie star?"
"Jay, you aren't going to marry a movie star."
"For all we know it will come true as long as I am nice and stuff."
"Nope."
"How do you know?"
"Because I'm always right."
"And if nobody wants to marry me?"
"Then I'll do it."
"Really?"
"Totally."
"Sweet…can we get cotton candy now? I want to get it before A sees me. I know she doesn't like it when I eat a lot of sugar."
"Yeah, I wanna do that too."
Jay slowed to a stop and since he was still holding on to me I halted as well. He hugged me close. I felt a flutter in my chest, and my head warmed up. It's unusual for a nine and ten-year-old to just hug like that—usually our hugs are private, or just around a few people we know well. My mom saw, then looked away, pretending that she didn't see anything.
"Are you okay?" I asked as I freed one hand in order to make a little space between us.
"I'm great. Now that I know the future is bright, I feel invininisble!" said Jay.
"You mean 'invincible'…I think that's how it's pronounced," I responded. "Heleni said that we still have to work to make it true…and everything she told us was vague…"
"That is what will make it fun," Jay reasoned. "There will be some surprises, but best of all, we don't break up."
"Break-up?"
"You know how people have 'ex-friends'? I am sooo happy that you and I don't become ex-friends. I want to be with you forever, not matter what, in sickness and in health, as Jaylie or Jay, as a purple top or…I think blue will look good on me…you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. Ditto, Jay. Happy Tenth Birthday."
"To many more!" Jay exclaimed as he punched the sky.
"Toge!"
"Pika!"
Jay, Togetic, Pip, and I got ice-cream sundaes. I thought about all of Jay's comments. Vague, but the future will be bright, and that is enough for now.
XO
"Whoa. That's some good shit," Logan remarked.
I felt the Liepard's breath on my neck. I turned to face him and then pushed his mug out of my personal space.
"You are cheesy," Logan continued. "That made me want to tear up…"
"Shove it up your ass," I mumbled as I shut my computer.
Linette and Harper were sitting right in front of me, Jezz was sleeping on the couch, and Jay was pretending to sleep with Jezz's head on his lap. Pip laughed at me.
"I didn't notice people coming in," I said as I got off the couch.
Jay opened one eye and then yawned dramatically, attempting to convince me that he had actually fallen asleep, implying that Jezz had fallen asleep on him and that it wasn't Jay being the weird cousin he is and making it look like Jezz is also in love-love with him.
"What you say Berr?" Linette asked as she looked to Logan.
"She was mean to me," Logan told the little girl.
"No, not Berr," she said as she shook her head.
"Awe! I love how she calls you 'Berr!" Jay squealed as he tickled the toddler.
I love Linette to bits, but I don't show it much around Jay and Logan because I don't want them to realize how attached I am. I don't have a very good reason for this, but I suppose it has to do with the fact that soon she may no longer be sharing the crowded cottage with me, Logan, Peruva, and Jezz shoved inside and Jay and his SO right around the corner. But everyone around me thinks she will stay with us and that she is part of the 'family network' Heleni forewarned.
Meanwhile, Harper is pissed off that Jay is smothering his girlfriend. He pushed Jay away from her. Logan and I giggled when Jay nearly fell over.
"You were getting between Harper and his woman," I said as he, Logan, and I went to the kitchen for food, leaving the sleeping magenta-boy and two children unattended.
"I suppose Harper isn't gay," Jay sighed. "I thought that…you know. I've always shipped them…but almost everything Harper wears is pink and black…which is kinda gay…"
"Your boyfriend hasn't worn pink a day in his life," Logan pointed out.
"Yeah…"
"He does think he's part girl," I reminded them. "And I don't think that has a different meaning in sign language. He's a little kid…don't be a creep."
"There is nothing creepy about young love," Jay asserted.
"It is when you ship an about four-year-old and an almost seven-year-old," Logan mumbled.
"I agree with the blue boy," I said, referencing the Liepard's dyed fur.
"Three years apart! Come on…everything is possible," Jay said defensively. "Plenty of married people differ in age."
"Let's take them to a psychic," Logan suggested, his green eyes narrowing in on mine. "Amb, you and Jay got some pretty good advice all those years back…"
"That…Logan, it's weird for us to agree twice on the same day, but you're right. Harper loves psychics and weird stuff like that…let's take him to one," I responded.
"I wonder where Heleni is nowadays…hey…Heleni…isn't that the other woman…?" Logan asked. "The one…you know, Helena…that weird lady we meet up with every once in a while."
"Heleni, the psychic from my tenth birthday party?" Jay asked. "And Helena, from the Aubergine Gym?"
"Yeah," I replied.
"When I think about it, they do look a lot alike…but that was years ago…hey, I bet Helena and Heleni are sisters," said Jay.
"They are probably the same person," I retorted.
"Helena made some good predictions even though she claims she is only half-psychic," said Jay. "And almost everything Heleni said came true…except for some things, but there is still time for it all to happen."
Jay's eyes were beaming, those eyes that always look to me. Whether they are covered by eyeliner, mascara, or eyeshadow, hidden beneath colored-contact lenses, a pair of glasses, or a combination of any or all of those things, I always see the same boy…or girl…within. I can't say 'no' to such beautiful eyes.
"I bet you are right, my friend. Let's go see what the future holds. I bet we can find Heleni out there somewhere. We can get our fortunes redone while we are at it," I suggested.
"Yesss! I am glad you're on board. It would be no fun going without you," said Jay.
There was a crash and then Harper's distinctive laughter from the other room. We rushed inside. Jezz had woken up to the sound of the window being smashed. He grabbed Harper's hand before he ran out the door.
"Harper!" I yelled.
Harper smirked. He knows that I yelled at him even though he's deaf…he's used to it…always getting scolded for misbehaving.
"Yeah, we'll take him to the psychic alright," I signed before picking up my cell phone. "But first I'm calling A to let her know that her little princess broke another window."
"Linette didn't do anything!" Jay said defensively as he lifted her onto his hip. "Right, princess?"
Linette looked unsure about that. I pointed out that I was talking about the other little princess, the six-year-old Alonian half-girl clad in pink from his toes to the tip of his ponytail.
"Good, that is what I wanted," Harper responded.
I sighed. The large family network, the job, the marriage…it all came true. And soon we'll all be united under the same roof…making Jay's childhood dream complete.
If only I could have told Jaylie back then…
XO
Notes:
+ I hope you enjoyed this fic. I am purposely leaving much of the vague references up for interpretation, those if you follow the hints, you should get a good idea of what does and doesn't happen.
+ This was very largely inspired by The Journal: I am Jezz by chipotlepeppers. Everything I wasn't clear on…Jay's 'SO'/'boyfriend', Linette's origins, Helena, Spectrum, will be part of the larger fic I am working on.
+ My plans for next short fic are undecided, but some details about the longer story I am working on are listed on my profile page.
+ Happy New Year!