Chapter 9: Just Because
Lorelei swallowed what seemed a gallon of bitter-tasting pride. She had nowhere to sit, and now her "rival" was offering her a place; not to mention saving her dignity from some trainers. "Thanks." She said softly, her anger towards Glacia melting a bit. "No problem." Glacia responded.
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A few days later, Lorelei put away her lecture materials since the remainder of the convention would be devoted to exploring and exchanging ideas with other trainers. She smiled at the thought, though she loved to teach, she wanted some personal "me time". She opened the door to get some fresh air and came face to face with—Glacia.
"Hi," Glacia smiled. "I-I just want you to know that Pryce is giving away Eevees to both of us 'cause we worked so hard during the past week." Lorelei snorted. "What can a dumb little Eevee do to alleviate all the pains and aches we've had this week?"
Glacia laughed. "You make me laugh, Lorelei. Well, to answer your question, don't you know that in Sinnoh, you can make an Eevee evolve to a Glaceon?" "Glace-what? What kind of Eeveelution is that? If it's a fake, you're going to expect a world of pain from me." Lorelei answered. "Hahaha! I'm not joking, Lorelei. It's not my nature to lie to others." Glacia responded. Lorelei's eye twitched, since she remembered a distant event when she lied to someone about her name being "Lauren"…
"Anyway, enough of my chattering. Let's go get those Eevees." Glacia said.
"Alright…" Lorelei said.
As they walked along, Lorelei asked Glacia where they would evolve the Eevee. "If memory serves me well, it's in route 217, in a place called 'Ice Rock'." Glacia responded.
"Route 217!? Isn't that were the snowstorms rage?!" Lorelei said, surprised. They would be risking their butts to evolve the Eevees to Glaceon! Another thing was, how was Glacia sure that "Ice Rock" would be there? Could this be a ploy to get rid of her? "Wait, I get it!" Lorelei cried. "You want to lead me to 'Ice Rock' to rid yourself of me so you can be the only Ice Trainer in the Elite Four!"
As soon as those words left Lorelei's lips, Glacia's bright eyes suddenly lost their sparkle and were instantly filled with pain. Lorelei almost felt regret, but she had to keep her reputation up. "Lorelei, I really wish you wouldn't jump to such rude conclusions," Glacia started, hanging her head a little. "I would never do that to you."
"And why…?" Lorelei asked, her tone softening.
"Just…because."
"Because…what?"
"…"
Glacia didn't respond, and before Lorelei could hurl another zinger, Pryce shuffled out, carrying two energetic Eevees in his arms. At least she didn't lie about the Eevees… Lorelei thought. "Hello, ladies!" he greeted, struggling to keep his balance and not letting the Eevees loose. "These varmints are so restless; I figured that they couldn't wait to see their new trainers."
"Let us help you with that, Sir Pryce," Glacia said, taking the Eevees and handing one to Lorelei. The Eevee licked her face, and that earned it a smile from Glacia. "Those are both females, by the way," Pryce said, reading their thoughts. "I had the breeder make sure of that." "Thank you so much, sir." Lorelei said. "And I believe you girls know where to evolve it?" Pryce continued.
Glacia was about to open her mouth, but Pryce beat her to it. "From Snowpoint City, go west and then south to Route 217. You'll find a rock surrounded by patches of grass. That place is called 'Ice Rock'. Level up your Eevees there, and guaranteed it's going to evolve to Glaceons."
Lorelei's head was now the one hung. Why did she have to blurt out such a rude and rushed conclusion so quickly? She hurt Glacia deep, and she knew it. After Glacia saved her face from the sneers of other students, this was how she would repay her? "Get going, ladies! The sun sets early this time of the year. But I know that you couldn't wait to add to your Ice Pokémon collection." Pryce gave them an energetic push away from his front stoop.
The next destination was route 217, and it would be quite a hike. Both trainers were silent, and Lorelei felt awful that she was the cause of the awkward silence they were now in. From the corner of her eye, Lorelei noticed that Glacia didn't walk any farther away from her than when they began the journey to Pryce's house. Taking a deep breath, Lorelei knew she had to apologize.
"Hey, Glacia, I'm sorry about what I said back there." Lorelei mumbled. "It was rude of me."
"It's alright." Glacia said, her eyes lighting up a little.
"Um, may I ask, why didn't you walk away? If someone treated me as awful as how I treated you, I would leave that person then and there." Lorelei continued.
"Just because," Glacia repeated again, and looked down.
"Because—what? You can tell me, Glacia! It's all I can do to alleviate the hurt I caused."
"It might change your image of me, Lorelei." Glacia whispered.
"No, it won't, just—just tell me, please?" Lorelei pleaded.
"Because…if you -- a person, would you leave them?" Glacia mumbled.
"Beg your pardon? I didn't catch the other word." Lorelei said.
"If…if you…love a person, would you leave them?" Glacia repeated again.
"Love? No, of course not. If I love a person, I wouldn't…wait…" Lorelei said, the pieces falling into place. "If I…love a person…? Is that, is that…why you didn't leave in a huff? Am I the person? Are you in love with me? I…" Lorelei babbled mindlessly. Glacia has a crush on me!?
"Yes, yes Lorelei, I liked you. No, loved. Since I saw you battle in the Indigo league, my heart was yours." Glacia blushed, finally confessing. "I—I wanted you to notice me, so I thought that by becoming an Ice-type trainer, I would finally get to meet you in person, and this convention was a dream come true." Lorelei stiffened a bit, and didn't respond. Glacia looked away, and they continue walking side by side, surrounded by a pregnant silence.
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Author's notes: Whoa! Glacia finally confesses! How will Lorelei take this? Sorry for the long wait, it's tough mashing out the good stuff.
