Chapter 6- Stringent Wishing
Whatever in the world happened to sanity? That was all Elesa thought of while looking at the boy. He was so hot and was there almost every single time she was in Johto, except for the first day. Seriously, was this cosmic or a lesson for her self-control? All the same, she was incredibly flustered, but stayed calm either way.
"You were amazing! Beating Bugsy these days is like impossible, even for me!" Falkner complimented smiling a bit which made Skyla raise an eyebrow. "For you? What are you; an Elite Four?" she scoffed. Falkner just smiled suavely while Bugsy was sucking more chocolate made from Miltank milk. "For your information, Skyla; I turn out to be the gym leader of Violet City." He said while releasing a Pokémon. "This is my Noctowl, my pride and joy." He proclaimed proudly while Skyla gawked at the large owl with fascination, making him giggle a bit. "Wow! What a wonderful Pokémon! I wish I could have one too!" she exclaimed almost swooning with joy. Elesa sighed- Skyla was more of his type. There'd be no way he'd ever want her!
Then he sighed in exasperation
Girls. So freaking weird. I can't stand any of them, so weird and plain defeatist" Then seeing Elesa, he immediately winced. "No offence, miss!" he replied defensively making her blush; he looked pretty cute flailing his arms. "Allow me to formally introduce myself. I'm Elesa Capriati and I'm from Unova. Pleasure to actually have a real conversation with someone!" she said. Falkner smiled "That's nice. I like your name; it's unique. I wonder what it means though... Anyway, I'm just stalling. I loved your battle; it was so unique and amazing! I hope to become as strong as you someday miss, it was just explosive!" Elesa of course struggled to hide those awkward signs she was showing and passed. Then Skyla said "So, how old are you? I mean, being a gym leader and all..." Falkner stayed silent for a few minutes.
Elesa was praying "Please say 18 please say 18..."
"I am 15 and a half. Why do I look too young for a leader? If that's the case, Bugsy is a leader too!" Falkner retorted seemingly hurt. "I don't know, it's just you look pretty young and well, my friend thought you were some 20 or something..." Skyla answered while shooting a naughty look at Elesa making her cringe. "I look that old?!" he exclaimed into her face making Noctowl almost fly in fright with Skyla's Swanna who was playing with him. "Why thank you very much!" he said sweetly while looking at Elesa who swore she'd be kissing him had he not been so young, her hopes already crushed.
"I mean, people sometimes think of me as far too young looking which actually annoys me. I mean, I may be a teenager, but that doesn't mean I'm incapable! Rather I'm much too mature for one! I don't exactly do most teenage things like party and date." He said. Elesa looked shocked "I just don't find guys or girls good enough for me yet. I need someone new, someone fresh and imperfect. It makes life more natural..." he then dreamed while speaking until he realised he was talking to a model."But who am I to bore you with this? I mean, I just met you! Anyway, you want to look around? I know some good stuff for you to do!" he offered a bit embarrassed. He wasn't into girls much and supermodels turned him off. He was hoping she wouldn't think of him wrongly, which of course she was.
"I'd love to see around the place!" Elesa replied joyously. "Alright- where would you like to go? There are tons of places, Chuck's gym, the photo studio, a beach right here- it's a pretty good one too! You've got to check it out! Take your pick, miss." Falkner offered like a man, something fairly uncharacteristic of him.
"They all sound so exciting! I really do not know- I am in no mood for a beach, but maybe this Chuck guy would be fun to battle... right after I heal my Pokémon! Do you know any good hospitals?" Elesa gushed making Skyla a little suspicious. What was Elesa thinking?
"Pharmacy is right there." Falkner said pointing his fingers to a small building. "Now I have to get going, come on Bugsy! Let's move it!" Bugsy looked at him in disbelief. "Why would I need to go anywhere?" he insisted. "You just lost to a supermodel and I have no idea how badly you'll do next time. I'll be training you even if it kills me. Got it?" Falkner then grabbed Bugsy and powered up the hang glider. "I'm out, missus. Good day!" and flew into the afternoon sky. Elesa just kept staring on at the same blue haired boy who seemed so wild, so free, yet so disciplined and manly, even if his voice was still not completely that way.
Of course, Skyla was the first one to distract her from her thoughts. "Elesa, are you okay?" she waved her arms frantically until Elesa suddenly said "What the hell? Okay, okay- Falkner is hot!" Skyla was stunned, but stayed calm, unlike her usual personality. After playing with her nails, she then said "You told me this is the guy, right?" Elesa nodded, still dreaming of that hot young lad she hoped to possess someday. Skyla then looked at Elesa and slapped her- hard.
"Are you freaking insane?! This guy is like 10 years younger than you and you want to go out with him?! What on earth is wrong with you? Can't you see he was insulting your career in your face?" she yelled making Elesa flinch. "Okay, so? It's not like I'll actually go there and say that to him now, will I? Besides, he's more of your type and doesn't like women, so where is the big deal?" Elesa snapped. Skyla of course didn't take it lying down. "Look Elle, I know that guys are super alluring and you had the hots for all 3 Striaton brothers, but this guy is different for not only is he is a boy, he's a foreigner. I don't think he'd be happy with dating a model, eh doesn't look like that kind of a guy, okay?"
"Besides, the Striaton boys had class, he doesn't. So snap out of it and let's go!" Elesa did look a little sorry, after all she was lusting after such a young boy; it did make her feel guilty and even otherwise, he was a gym leader but not of this city, so what was the big deal? Skyla was right; this was not going to work anyway. So she sighed and continued walking with her best friend. After a few minutes of silence, Skyla then perked up "How about we look up for some good ice cream shops? I'm sure you'd want one!" Elesa smiled- she loved ice-cream. "Sure." Of course, this was short lived when she suddenly felt two strong arms garb her from behind and then she screamed.
"Crazy freak!" she cursed and stepped on his foot and punched his face only to see a disgruntled guy who resembled Burgh a bit. "Who are you?" she asked contritely. "I'm Cameron, Frances' foreign photographer. I was to take you to my studio for photo shoots and then you punch my face. Some gratitude." He spouted. "I really am sorry!" Elesa apologised and then looked at him sorely. "Forget it; damage has been done." He spouted until Frances got to the scene and scolded Cameron. "I told you not to do this!" Cameron sighed- Frances was weird. Then she looked at Elesa "I am so sorry for this behaviour. I just hired him for this, but he poses with Pokémon. Shall we go ahead and do the work? You just had 4 days of sightseeing in Azalea, Cherrygrove and Violet City; I'm, sure you're not this tired now, are you?"
"Sightseeing? I spent half my days being mobbed by a huge insane crowd of reporters, fans and random people calling me over for battles!" Elesa thought, It was true though, she had a rather stressful holiday, but then again, she did promise Frances and what else was there to do as it is? Chuck could probably wait for later and then she sighed and said "Okay, but which Pokémon?" Frances then said "Depends on the sets, poppet. Let's leave. Come on, Skyla! You would want to see your best friend in action now, wouldn't you?" Skyla followed her and then seeing Elesa's sad face, mouthed "I'll get you some ice-cream. You want sprinkles or nuts?" Elesa smiled- Skyla cared too much for her. "Macadamia." She said loudly when Frances asked "Something worrying you, dear?" Elesa immediately got defensive. "No not at all! Just missing home!" she interjected. Frances put a comforting hand on her shoulder "Don't worry. We'll get home soon after you see the whole city. We've been to Violet, Olivine, Cherrygrove, Azalea and Ecruteak, right? Now only 3 more cities to go and then we are home, okay?"
Elesa said nothing and just smiled while Skyla snuck off to get ice-cream. She was still flourishing in Falkner's words and wondered if she'd ever get to see him again. As much as she loved Skyla, this boy was proving to be a bit too powerful a distraction...