a/n: I haven't read all your reviews yet. I will after I get over the initial shock that I passed the 40 mark with one chapter. xD Also, I'm quite afraid of them...

SO, HOW MANY OF YOU THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO KISS? PFFT.

*runs away* Either way, thank you for your reviews, I'll read and reply to all of you, VERY SOON! :D

(still not home yet, so very soon is used very loosely)

-RV


-These are the confessions of a messed up mind-

Jasmine of Olivine, the girl currently being asked a question she wished people would never ask, took a deep breath and attempted to clear her hyperactive mind. There were various ways she could answer that question. All of them were a simply variation of the two letter word, 'no'. What had gotten into Volkner, anyways? What was with men who immediately want to kiss her as soon as she explained her situation to them? The nerve!

She felt her fingers wrap around the metal handle that would lead her to the outside world of Hearthome City. In three steps she could be on her way to the Contest Hall and forget all about the ride there. That sounded reasonable. But…

She sort of didn't want to forget about the ride there. She learned a lot about the man that was currently waiting for her to answer his question.

"You're hilarious, Volkner." She rolled her eyes and opened the door. "Feel free to watch a contest. Unless you're going to joke around like that." Volkner flinched, his cobalt eyes flashing with hurt. Well, too bad for him, Jasmine scoffed inwardly. That's what he gets for asking her such a personal question. She didn't like questions like that.

Then, he began to laugh. "Yeah, you got me…ha-ha." Volkner's attempt to clear the atmosphere, to lighten the load off their shoulders, was futile and he closed his mouth. He opened his door and walked around, and Jasmine didn't know why she didn't use the moment to get out of the car herself.

"Ladies, first." Volkner dipped his head and Jasmine simply shook her head and exited the vehicle. She didn't know what went on in that mind of his. He would ask her a ridiculous question, and then become a complete gentleman. Did he have a personality issue?

If you asked Erika and Whitney, they would probably scream 'Ohmigosh, yes, he does! And that's super hot~!' Jasmine simply cringed at the memories of her two friends, and shoved them into the back of her mind. Whitney was currently dating Morty of Ecruteak City, a 'troubled man with a mysterious past' according to countless tabloids. Jasmine didn't understand the basis of their relationship. Maybe it was Whitney's cheery aptitude that she didn't get. Morty was serious, and extremely dedicated to his research. When did they go on dates, anyways? Morty usually spent his off-days looking at Bell Tower, cursing Lyra's name for being the chosen one in Ho-Oh's return.

"Why thank you," Jasmine drawled, as she made her way towards the fancy building. It looked more like a cathedral than a place to show off your pokémon's talents. Did all the architects in Sinnoh get their inspiration from the Victorian era?

As Jasmine walked purposely to the glass doors, Volkner finally said something.

"I'm sorry about the question, Olivine. That was out of line."

Jasmine stiffened, and slowly turned her head towards the military-outfit wearing man. She gave him the slightest hint of a smile. "No harm done, right?"

Volkner scoffed and shook his head. "Yeah, no harm done."

Jasmine wasn't satisfied with the answer, but waved it off anyways. She continued walking, and finally passed through the automatic glass doors, and stood in awe at what she saw.

There were a lot of people and pokémon, four different reception desks, an entire wall that showcased contest winners, and various tables were positioned around, with glasses of iced tea and lemonade waiting to be drunk.

"Oh, hello there~!" Jasmine whipped around, to see a woman with short, blue hair. There were hair clips in her hair, and her eyes were navy blue. She looked like a mother, wearing a simple outfit with an apron over her blue jeans.

"…um, hello." The Olivine native said quietly, looking down. Her brown eyes slowly looked up, meeting the woman's kind stare and Jasmine found herself tilting her head up.

She smiled warmly. "Hello, you must be new around these parts." She extended her hand, and continued. "My name is Joanna."

Jasmine slowly took it, and gave it a shake. "Hello, Joanna. My name is…"

"If it isn't Jasmine of Olivine!" Jasmine turned around, along with Joanna, who smiled.

"Hello, Keira~!" Joanna greeted the brunette young adult, who simply grinned.

"Hey Joanna!" She hugged her friend and cooed. "Look at you! You look amazing darling~ Are you back for the contests?"

Joanna nodded as Jasmine stared with wide eyes, completely confused by the whole ordeal. Her breathing was quickening and she felt the room begin to spin…

Then a hand patted her shoulder.

"Calm down, Olivine." The simple sentence caused Joanna and Keira's conversation to cease.

"If it isn't Volkner! How are you, star boy?" Keira gave the blond a grin, and Volkner shrugged.

"I've been great, thanks."

That brought Keira's attention back to Jasmine. She scanned the long-haired brunette over, and Jasmine squirmed under her gaze. Keira snapped and a reporter appeared out of nowhere.

"Jasmine of Olivine, welcome to Sinnoh! Are you here for the contests?"

Keira's over-peppy voice made Jasmine bite her lower lip. Volkner slipped his right hand in her left, and the gesture didn't go unnoticed by the reporter.

"Um, yes?"

Keira let out a squeal, and did a little twirl. Joanna sighed, used to her friend's behavior. Keira flashed a peace sign.

"Fantastic! You look like a natural, but that dress…" She puckered her lips, while tapping her right index finger against her jaw. "It's got to go. Wardrobe!"

Suddenly, the contest hall was ablaze with activity. Those who were practicing for their contest debut murmured among themselves, as a handful of men and women appeared out of nowhere, dressed in uniforms, dragged Jasmine away to some unknown locale. The receptionists sighed and got up from their stands to calm the agitated pokémon down.

Volkner gave Keira a glare. "Keira, you do realize that Fantina ordered you to disband your wardrobe team a couple months ago, right?"

Keira shrugged and gave Volkner a wink. "Dah-ling, Fantina's never here~ she's usually off in France or something. Her trips are God-sends, really." She skipped away, following her team of fashion specialists. Joanna rolled her blue eyes and gave Volkner a knowing look.

"So, what is the shining shock star of Sunyshore doing with Jasmine of Olivine? Do I smell romance?" She wiggled her eyebrows and caused Volkner nearly to drop dead with embarrassment.

"No, Joanna. No romance, I'm simply her escort. She was in Sunyshore for a couple of days and was planning to come to Hearthome. I offered my help and she accepted." He shrugged. "Speaking of romance, do you know where your daughter is?"

Joanna arched an eyebrow, while placing her hand on her hip. "Dawn? What about her?"

Volkner let a slight smirk appear on his lips. "Last time I heard she was on the ferry to Lilycove with a certain childhood friend."

Joanna's face was drained of color as she immediately took out her Pokégear from her pocket. She punched in a number and muttered something under her breath as she walked away.

Man, it was so nice lying to get people of your case.

Jasmine looked around at the part of the Contest Hall she didn't know existed. There were dresses, tuxedos, accessories as far as the eye could see…and one of the dresses "belonged" to her, according to Keira.

Sinnohians were so…odd.

Jasmine strolled through the aisles of clothes, occasionally looking at a dress. She didn't like most of them. They were very loud and attention bringing. She didn't like attention. She wanted a simple dress, something that matched her, and no one else.

"How about this one~?" Keira shoved a pink and white dress into Jasmine's arms. The cut of the dress was nice, an off the shoulders ordeal, the hem ended past her knee-caps. Everything else about the dress was not nice. It was a shade of white, with an electric pink bodice, and a large bow on the back.

"No thank you." Jasmine gave the dress back, and continued her own search. After wandering around aimlessly, she crashed into a clothing rack, and dresses fell on top of her. Keira and her uniformed assistants ran to her aid, but Jasmine waved them off.

"I'm fine, really." She muttered, and then tilted her head at the sight of a dress that landed in her arms.

"I want this one."

Keira's jaw dropped. "That dress?"

Jasmine nodded, picking herself up, taking the dress with her. It was white, a pure and simple color. The hem ended above her ankles, and it had two straps. There was a small bow on the front.

"But that looks exactly like your old outfit!" Keira whined, her usually cheery eyes, saddening. Jasmine smiled at the older girl's conclusion.

"Exactly." Jasmine never liked the green sundress with the red bow on the front. The only reason she wore it was to save herself from the wrath of Whitney.

Keira pouted but took the dress from the girl, anyways. "Fine, fine. I'll get this wrapped up for you. But! I'm going to add some petticoats to it, it looks awfully dull."

Jasmine gave the woman a smile. "Fine."

Keira and her team of fashionistas exited the clothing department, leaving Jasmine alone with her thoughts.

"…how did Volkner know how to calm me down, anyways?" She murmured, as she dusted off her green dress. She quietly walked through the aisles, closing her eyes for a second. She had been very mad at him about twenty minutes ago, how did he manage to get back in her favor without even trying?

It was kind of bad, really. She usually wasn't moved so easily. There was something about him, something that Jasmine couldn't decipher. Something that simply made sense. The way he spoke, the way he acted.

But that didn't mean she would forgive him, just yet at least, for asking to take away her first kiss.

Jasmine of Olivine left the rows of clothing behind and was welcomed into the bright lobby once more. Joanna was on her Pokégear, talking to somebody, and Volkner was leaning against a wall, his blue eyes distant.

Was he waiting for her? Or was he simply making sure she was safe and sound before heading off?

Jasmine slowly approached him, and cautiously placed a slender hand on his shoulder. He flinched and shook his head, turning towards the girl.

"Hey, Olivine. You all right?"

The brunette gave him a smile and a nod. "I'm fine, Sunyshore." Volkner felt his gaze lower and locked eyes with the girl. Ocean met forest, and mingled in silence. Jasmine felt herself drawn to him, and walked a bit closer, her right hand brushing with his left. Volkner stiffened at the contact, but felt his fingers lace around hers…

The sound of a camera flash broke them from their trance.


a/n: Excuse me if I got Keira's name wrong. I was going from memory. :P I've mentioned the media so many times already that they were bound to come up eventually. Um...yeah

*bricked*

-RV