I hummed to myself as I looked out the window. I was in a really good mood for some reason. Even as my fingers wandered along the window sill and circled the blood stain from Jaiden, I still felt peaceful.

He had been back every night this week, but our sword fights didn't feel as fierce for some reason. I didn't know what it was. Dare I say that I was starting to enjoy his company?

Drew still didn't like Jaiden. May liked Jaiden. Kitala loved Jaiden. I was still on the fence about it. I knew I shouldn't like him. If anything I should hate him, be repulsed by him or at least strongly dislike him, but I couldn't bring myself to outright hate him anymore.

I was so confused. I should hate him, but I couldn't. At times I wanted to cry, but I still couldn't keep the smile off my face from something he'd said to me.

I felt May sidle up next to me, also looking out the window. Kitala, apparently not wanting to miss out tried to jump up. She was still too small though.

I giggled and bent down to scoop her out and lift her to the window where she could see. I laughed again as Kitala's eager look slowly faded away as she couldn't see anything exciting.

"You're in a really good mood," May commented.

I nodded and let the cool breeze brush over my face and through my hair.

"Why would that be?" May asked, "Is it because last night Jaiden said you were quite amazing at sword fighting?"

I felt my cheeks heating up. Lately that had been happening. Every time Jaiden had been giving me a compliment, I found my face going red and I didn't know if I wanted to disappear from embarrassment or cry out in happiness.

Jaiden was a very confusing person. He left me feeling so many confusing thoughts and I couldn't help but over think them all.

There was a loud thudding sound on my door.

"Mina, please open the door because I have my hands full!" Drew yelled.

"I might," I said, "It depends on what you have."

"I have presents," Drew said.

In an instant, I ran to the door and opened it.

Drew came in, carrying a cardboard box.

"What's in there?" I asked curiously.

"This one's for May," Drew said, "I promised her a Pokémon. It took me a while to get one for you, but I think You'll find this one a lot more tame than Kitala."

He put the box on the floor and I peered over it curiously. May came and sat down, also peering into the box, but more eagerly.

"This isn't a trick, is it?" May asked, "It's not going to jump out and go crazy."

Drew shook his head.

"You'll find this one's a baby too," he said, opening the box up.

I blinked at the small creature inside the box. It's black eyes focused first on May and then Drew. I couldn't really see it that well because I was looking at it's back.

"It's a little Torchic," Drew said, "A lot more tame than a Vulpix. In fact, you could even carry it around in your hand all day or leave it in the box most of the time."

"Can I take it out for a walk?" May asked, cupping her hands and scooping it out.

I grabbed onto Kitala as she growled at the new Pokémon and hushed her.

"We can go for walks together," I said.

Drew laughed.

"It's not practical, but it's doable," he said.

"I need a mini harness," May said.

Drew laughed again.

"I really don't think he'd appreciate that," he said, "Don't worry, a Torchic will always stay close to the person he thinks is his mum and dad."

"Wouldn't that be the person who gave it to you then?" May asked.

Drew shook his head.

"He was hatched from an egg in a special lab that was meant to raise Torchics as pets," Drew said, "And they sell them based on special orders so that you get them only a few hours after they hatch. This guy hasn't seen anything else until now. It's meant so that he becomes attached to the first person he sees."

I giggled and fell back.

"What?" May asked, looking at me.

"You guys are parents," I said, "It saw you two first so you're it's mum and dad."

Drew and May both looked at each other and then quickly looked away again. Drew's face was lightly pink. Even May's face was red. I guess that comment made it through May's dense head this time.

"I guess so," Drew said slowly.

"That doesn't mean we're together or anything!" May exclaimed quickly.

"That's just disappointing," I said, "What will happen when his parents go different ways then?"

Drew and May both stayed quiet.

I giggled. They totally knew that I had a point there. I don't think either of them were willing to admit it.

"How about we go for that walk now?" May asked.

I giggled. So May had decided to go for the distraction then? Ok, I'll play along for now.

"Sure," I said happily.

I went up and grabbed the lead for Kitala, almost tripping over the excited Vulpix on the way. She knew the word 'walk' very well now.


I walked along next to Drew. May was running around, chasing after her new Pokémon. I noticed that Drew's eyes were focused intensely on her. It was kind of cute the way he was watching her, a small smile on his lips. I wished someday someone would smile at me that way; lovingly, adoringly.

"In all seriousness, will you ever make a move on May?" I asked Drew.

His face slowly went red and he looked at his feet, but I still saw his eyes casting upwards towards May. Even though he was older than me, he still acted like a shy teenage boy in some of the books May had brought me.

"What do you mean?" Drew asked.

I giggled slightly.

"You make it really obvious," I said, "You really do like May, don't you?"

Drew glanced away.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

"Stop lying to me," I said sternly, "I can see you're definitely attracted to her. I mean, come on, who does most of the presents go to? You give them all to May. I've seen you staring at her all the time. You look at her in a different way you look at me. You even got jealous of a guy you barely even know because of something May said. You like her."

Drew glanced at me from the corner of his eye and I held his gaze with one of my own.

"Not all my presents go to May," he muttered.

I let out an exasperated sigh. How stubborn could one guy be?

"Tell me, apart from Kitala, what was the last gift you gave me? They all go to May. All the flowers and special things you give to May. The last thing you gave to me was a book. You've given her three since then. That's either you showing her affection or you're favouring her over me and you know I don't like that."

I crossed my arms.

"I did have a present for you today," Drew protested stubbornly.

"You didn't give it to me," I said, "You forgot about it as soon as May mentioned going out."

"Here," Drew said, putting something in my hands.

I gave him a look that meant 'you're still not off the hook yet' and turned my attention to the small box in my hands.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Open it and see," Drew said.

I opened it slowly, grinning at him. I held a hand to my mouth when I saw it. Inside was a silver ring. It was a simple smooth band. Studded into the metal so that they weren't protruding were small little blue gems I'd learned were topaz. I lifted it out, dropping the box and looked at it closer. There was a little inscription on the inside that read; happy 18th, love Drew.

"Early birthday present," Drew explained.

"Drew, no," I said, "I can't take something early like this. You should've saved it."

Drew laughed and ruffled my hair.

"You would've gotten it out of me early anyway," he said, "It happens every year."

I giggled.

"Are you proposing to me?" I teased, "You know May won't be happy. You said love Drew."

Drew's laughter slowly died down.

"Yeah," he said, "I mean as a sister-brother thing though. You know I don't have any family any more. You're the closest thing I have."

My eyes welled up with tears and I gulped, my lip quivering.

"Hey, don't cry," Drew said quickly, looking at me, "I thought it would be something you could have so when I'm away you can still remember me."

I burst out crying and hugged Drew tightly, despite the fact I knew he was rather awkward with physical contact.

"Thank you," I said through sobs, "I'd never forget you anyway. I promise I'll always wear it."

He chuckled somewhat nervously and patted my back slightly.

"You don't have to cry," he mumbled.

I pushed myself away and used my sleeve to wipe my face. I smiled at him and put the ring on my middle finger on my right hand. Kitala pulled insistently on the lead, intent on catching up to May who had run ahead a fair distance while we had stopped.

She looked back at us, waving her hands and yelling something about how she was winning.

"Let's catch up," Drew said.

"I'll race you," I said, sprinting ahead as I gave into Kitala's demands.


The rest of the day had been exhausting; just May, Drew and I mucking around. I felt happy though. Now we were all sprawled out on my bed and I was trying not to fall asleep. I had to protect Jaiden by fighting him.

I frowned slightly. That didn't really make much sense.

I didn't have too much time to think about that because Jaiden jumped in through the window.

"Hey princess," Jaiden said, "I see, Drew's still here."

Drew scowled at Jaiden.

"Hi to you too," Jaiden said sarcastically to Drew.

"Hi Jay-Jay," May cooed.

Jaiden let out a loud groan.

"Please don't call me that," he complained.

I giggled and May smiled at him.

I'd found out this past week that Jaiden had been given the nickname Jay-Jay by his commander. It didn't take long to figure out that he absolutely hated the name.

I jumped up off my bed and held up my sword.

"Not yet princess," Jaiden said, "Though I appreciate your enthusiasm. Two on one isn't fair so I thought I'd even the odds. If he eventually gets up here."

Jaiden walked to the window and leaned out.

"Hurry up and get in here," he said, "Why are you just standing there?"

"I was just waiting for you to finish flirting," a different voice replied.

It was a lower voice and I paused, a shiver going down my spine.

"I am not," Jaiden said, "Just get in here."

Jaiden stepped back and another boy jumped in. This boy was slightly bigger than Jaiden and he seemed to be wearing more layers. His hair was dark purple and his eyes looked almost black. His skin was paler than Jaiden and the moonlight made it look really white.

"You have your friends here, so I thought I'd introduce mine," Jaiden said, "This is Paul. He's been my friend ever since we were stuck in class together."

"Speak for yourself," Paul muttered.

"He's grumpy," I said.

Paul glared at me and I looked back at Drew.

"Two on two," I said, "Sounds reasonable. I'm still going to beat you Jaiden."

"Paul gets pretty serious," Jaiden warned.

I shrugged.

"Don't worry, it'll give Drew something to vent his jealousy on," I said.

Drew jumped up, unsheathing his blade and I nodded to him. I swung my sword at Jaiden and the fight began, dodging and weaving. It was hard to fight two on two in my room. It felt sort of cramped, but it eventually came to the point where Drew had his sword under Paul's chin and I had Jaiden against a wall.

"I think, I win," I said, panting.

May was clapping.

"That was amazing!" she exclaimed, "You're all so good. I've never seen Drew fight that seriously!"

"Let's get out of here," Jaiden said, looking to Paul.

Paul looked at Jaiden, almost in disbelief.

Drew looked back at May, looking proud himself.

It only took a few seconds for Paul to use his clenched fist to knock Drew back by hitting him in the jaw. Drew was flung back and May gasped sharply before running to him.

"No wonder you never get anything done," Paul muttered, "You're soft on her."

I took the swords away from Jaiden and also knelt by Drew, glaring at Paul. How dare he hurt Drew?

Jaiden looked at me and pushed Paul towards the window. Paul rolled his eyes and jumped out with a loud thud as he landed.

"I'll come back alone a different night," he said, "goodnight princess."

"Goodnight Jaiden," I said softly as he jumped out.

Drew rubbed his jaw.

"Are you ok?" May asked, concern in her eyes.

"I'm fine," Drew said, "I wasn't expecting it, that's all."

"Doesn't it hurt?" I asked.

May gently cupped Drew's face in her hands and Drew winced.

"It'll leave a bruise," Drew admitted, "but it's not the worst I've gotten."

I put my hand in front of my mouth, trying not to laugh at this moment. Even while Drew was injured, they were still so cute together.


Me: Call me emotional, but I actually did shed a few tears at the gift bit where Drew gives Mina that present...SO EMOTIONAL!

May: Wait, Drew proposed? Isn't Mina still 17?

Me: *facepalm* May, did you not et the rest of that? It was a birthday gift! Drew only likes Mina as a sister. The only person Drew will be proposing too is a certain coordinator named May

Drew: *blushing* MINA!

Me: Don't worry, she has bricks in her head or something

May: OOH! WHO IS IT?! Let me guess! *starts listing random female names*

Drew: I really don't like you sometimes.

Me: *grins* You can't hate me though, those contestshipping moments are adorably cute ;P

Jaiden: I think you're falling in love here Mina.

Me: EEEEK! *blushing* NO! I refuse!

And yes, that was Paul for all of you Paul fans out. There will be more Paul involved on Jaiden's side, which I am very close to. Three more chapters of Mina's side and then I'll be switching. SO EXCITED!