Chapter 4

Rosa's POV: "So you got in trouble for battling with Marley? That girl is crazy," Nate said as we walked home from school together, along with Hilbert and Hilda. He stood close to me; maybe a little too close.

"Yeah, I know…she's angry with me over something that I can't control. But I didn't have much of a choice but to fight back. I couldn't just opt out and look wimpy, and make her feel superior," I told him. "I just hope my dad will let me watch Friday's tournament."

"I hope you can too, Rosa. I mean, everyone's going to be there!"

"Hugh's battling in it."

Nate rolled his eyes and sighed. "You and that Hugh guy."

"Sorry, I was just saying…" I said back. I knew exactly how it felt when Hugh would always tell me about Misty and all I could do is sit there and act happy for him when really I was annoyed and jealous. I bet Nate feels the same way right now. "Who do you guys think is going to win between Adam and Hugh?" I asked, trying to get his mind off of it.

"Honestly, I think Adam will. Hugh can get overconfident and really hotheaded to the point where he can't concentrate on what he's doing. Adam can be a lot more humble and strategized," Hilda explained.

"Well I know Hugh is really determined to win. Maybe he will this time, you never know. That is, if he doesn't get disqualified…" I mentioned, while smoothing down my hair from all the humidity that began to kick up.

"How would he get disqualified? He didn't do anything wrong, did he?" Nate asked.

"He got in trouble for cutting class today. We were in the office at the same time and we talked." I explained, not wanting to get into detail.

"Told you Hugh was a bad boy…" Hilbert started. Geez, It was only one time, I thought to myself.

Nate and his cousins were soon approaching their house. "Alright Rosa, see you later" they all said, waving.

"Bye guys!" I yelled back as I ran to my own house. Once I got home, I unlocked the door and ran up to my room. I was an only child and the only one living with me was my father. Luckily, my he wasn't home yet, so I didn't have to face him about me getting in trouble at school.

After I finished my homework, I went downstairs to the kitchen to get a drink. Suddenly, I heard the front door unlock. Dad.

"Rosa? Rosa, come here young lady." I heard him call from down the hall. I slowly walked over to where he was standing. "Why were you battling in the hallway? I thought you knew better than that."

"Er…I didn't want to! This girl who doesn't like me made me battle her because she got mad I bumped into her." I explained, speaking fast.

"You weren't forced to battle her. It was your choice, and you made the wrong one."

"I know, Dad. I know. I just wanted to prove her wrong because she's basically a cheater. Oh…I'm sorry, please don't make me stay home on Friday!" I pleaded him. I was looking forward to Friday so much. I wanted to see Hugh win his battle. I wanted everyone else to see how tough and amazing he was if they didn't know so before. And in the back of my mind I dreamt that he would pick me up, spin me around and kiss me, while saying, "I did it Rosa! I did it…"

"I think you need to stay home," My dad suggested.

My heart began to sink. "No, please? I promise it won't happen again."

My father stood there for a mere few seconds, silent. "Okay, I'll let you go. As long as you do ALL of your chores before you leave for Friday," He finally gave in.

"Yes! Thank you!" I shouted, hugging him. "Oh and, I forgot to ask you. Can I go out in the city with Hugh on Saturday if that's okay? It's to fight Team Plasma," I asked excitedly.

"Rosa, you're pushing it. It's dangerous out there—and when do you plan on going? Are you going to stay all day or—"

"Dad, have you been living under a rock? Team Plasma are basically taking over Unova. They've already frozen part of the northeast area. They're stealing people's Pokemon! This is the reason why Hugh wants to get back at them so badly, they stole his sister's Purrloin! He can't do this alone you know…" I tried to explain to him.

"Rosa, I know what Team Plasma is. But you're still very young and not very experienced. I don't want you getting hurt out there." Most of this came down to spending time with Hugh. I wanted to get every chance I possibly could. My father had to let me go.

"Dad, I promise I'll stay safe. Seriously, you hear about ten year olds going on Pokemon adventures across the region all the time without parental supervision. Why don't you trust me?" I kept trying to convince him to let me go.

"Alright, fine Rosa," he finally gave in. There was a long pause. "Your mother wouldn't be happy about this." He broke the silence.

"I know…I miss Mom," I said softly. My Stoutland trotted over to me, rubbing up against my leg. Four years ago, my mother was traveling in Johto when a group of evil people similar to Team Plasma named Team Rocket kidnapped her and her Pokemon. She got locked in a dungeon and nobody could come out to save her. My father has attempted and failed to find her and Team Rocket several last time we spoke to her was two years ago by telephone. Now we weren't even sure if she was alive or lot.

"I'm sure we both do, darling," Dad said, his voice quivering. We leaned in to hug each other.

"I still have hope though, that one day…maybe she'll come back…"

After a long period of silence, my father said "I know…anyway, I think you should get started on your chores if you still have this busy weekend in mind!"

"Good idea," I said, my mood lightening a bit. I tried putting Mom at the back of my mind and then thought about how I couldn't wait until the weekend. It was going to be a blast.

Chapter 4

Hugh's POV: I walked onto the bus, happy with relief that I didn't get disqualified from Friday's tournament. The dean let me off easy being that it was my first offense, and all I got was a Saturday detention for next week. The tournament seemed to be what everyone was talking about when I got on the bus.

"Hugh, you're battling in the tournament, right? Think you're gonna win?" a sophomore named Johnny asked me.

"I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty confident about it. I mean, I've been training a lot lately and I plan on doing a lot more. I don't want to miss my one and only chance by losing on the first try, you know what I mean?" I explained while finding a seat and sitting down.

"Good luck Hugh! I'll be rooting for you," A pretty redheaded cheerleader named Cassie said.

"Thanks, Cass. You'll be my favorite cheerleader out there!" I replied, flashing her a grin.

Afterward, I heard someone clear their throat. A bratty girl named Giselle who always seemed to be starting a debate stood up and decided to put in her input about the tournament. "I'm sorry, but I simply do not think that Hugh's going to win," she started. "Not to put offense towards you at all, but I have observed your battle style and I really think it needs some touching up."

"Giselle, my battle style is just fine, thank you very much. If I see something in myself that I need to change, I'll change it myself.

"Tell em' Hugh! You're gonna kick some ass out there!" Johnny encouraged me. I planned on training with my sister Tessa as soon as I got home, and I was going to train hard.

For the rest of the bus ride, everyone was still hyped up about Friday and had an ongoing conversation about it. It was only Tuesday, and I couldn't imagine how excited they'd be once it was the day before.

The bus reached my stop and I ran home from there. Tessa was already home and ready to battle with me.

"Hey, Hugh! You ready?" she shouted from the backyard.

"You bet!" I said, running out through the back door.

"Alright!" She dug through her pants pocket and swung back her arm to throw her PokeBall. "Go, Camerupt!" she yelled as Camerupt emerged from the ball.

As I reached into my bag to grab my own ball, I could hear Dad calling me from the door. "Hugh! Get in here!" he shouted. I forgot about what happened today that got me in trouble, but the voice of my dad reminded me of me cutting class again. He was so loud, the entire neighborhood could probably hear him.

"Oh, um. I guess we can't practice then…" Tessa mumbled.

"Maybe, I don't know," I said to her quickly as I ran to the patio deck.

"Hurry up!" he demanded me.

"Yes, dad?" I asked when I got inside.

"Why were you cutting class?" He asked me with a firm voice, which almost sounded as if he was growling at me.

"Eh, I uh…" I stuttered.

At that moment he gave me a hard slap on the face, with his hands rough as sandpaper. He hasn't hurt me like this in a long time. I started to feel weak and vulnerable, and I thought I really deserved it this time.

"Don't you know this kind of stuff goes on your records, boy?" he said to me as I rubbed my cheek. I began to sweat from being nervous as he got closer to my face and pointed a finger at me. "This is the third thing you done this year. And on top of that, you're slackin'. Acting up in school ain't gon' get you nowhere. Do you have any idea how much money your mother and I pay to get you and your sister into those snooty ass rich kid academies? Have you seen our fridge lately? We've barely got no food in there 'cause of you's."

I looked over to the back door. Tessa peered through the window, with a sad look on her face.

My father sighed. "I just want you to get the most opportunities possible out there. I want you to be successful like your grandfather, a professor or something of that matter. To make worth of your living and not end up working in some goddamn PokeMart like I do. You know, I was the bad kid back in my day. The troublemaker. Always actin' up n' never doin' my work. Dropped out of highschool 'cause I hated it so much and decided to run away from home and explore Unova instead. When I got couldn't find a job, needed a college degree for most of 'em. I don't want you to end up like me, son. Just try and be more responsible."

My father never told me he dropped out of highschool and ran free. I didn't know what to say, or do.

After a long silence, I said, "Okay. I'm sorry Dad, I promise it won't happen again. Um…am I still allowed to go somewhere after the tournament?"

"I don't know where you plan on going, you're punished…" He mumbled while raising his eyebrows.

"It's just a friend's house, Bridget—I promise I'll be home on time and—"

"No. I'm not lettin' you leave this house this weekend except for going out on Saturday, and that's that. You know you only get to go because of Tessa's dance recital," he replied. As he walked away into the living room, I heard him murmur, "I'm sorry for slapping you."

I stood there for a few moments, not replying. "Hugh, come here," Tessa called.

I walked slowly back outside, with my head hanging low.

"Did you…still want to battle?" she said softly.

"Not really," I said back to her, not making eye contact.

"But you won't be prepared then."

"I don't feel like it, okay? I battle all day with you tomorrow, I promise. Now's not the time. I have homework anyway," I snapped at her, still feeling anxious.

"Okay…" she replied. "You know, Mom and Dad are going out to this banquet thing Friday night. It would only be you and me home. You could sneak out," she whispered to me.

"I don't need to get in anymore trouble, Tessa," I said firmly.

"They won't find out! I promise. Just make sure they get back before they do," she explained expressively.

"Will you be okay by yourself?" I asked. Tessa was fourteen and fully capable of taking care of herself, but was known for being clumsy and making too much of a mess.

"I'll be fine, Hugh," she groaned.

"Alright," I replied. I was going to make my weekend work out.