Chapter 9

(Maddie's POV)

After the whole group spit up to go see their parents, Paul with Emily and Brendan with Gabby, I took Gary and Ash to my house on the island, right between Gabby's and Emily's.

My mom rushed over to me as I walked through the front door to our house which we shared with my older brother Matt and younger sister Ginny.

"Maddie!" She squealed, embracing me in a bone crunching hug.

I tried to pry her arms off of me, "Hey mom. Hey Ginny!"

Ginny smiled up at me, revealing her missing two front teeth. She swirled one of her pigtail braids around her small finger, "Hi Mads."

I patted her blonde head, "Where is Matt?"

"Oh Mattie is out with Jake and Tyler," my mom informed. She waved Gary, Ash, and I over to the living room where we sat down on our tan leather couches.

"So who are your friends?" asked Ginny, staring at Ash with big childlike eyes.

"Uh," I mumbled. "This is Gary and Ash."

"Is Ash your boyfriend?" Ginny ogled a confused Ash.

"No!" snapped Gary .

Ginny shot Gary a look then turned her attention back to Ash, "Well I am going to my room to play with my Poke dolls."

"Right," I turned my attention back to my mom. "So we'll be in town for tonight and tomorrow."

"Oh that's so nice!" my mom gushed.

I pulled on my pink flowey skirt, "So how is everyone?"

"Matt is good. He normally is with Emily's brothers Jake and Tyler. And Gabby's little sister and Ginny are usually together with their other little friends. And Kayla and Patty are doing good."

"Kayla is Emily's mom and Patty is Gabby's," I explained to Gary and Ash.

"So where did you meet these two BOYS," my mom drew out.

Ash and Gary exchanged an awkward glance.

"Uh… Gary is uh…my boyfriend," I stuttered. "And Ash is-

"Ash is just with us until he meets up with his other friends again," Gary finished.

I shot him a look, "Ash is a friend."

"Friend," my mom repeated. Her face lit up after noticing the discomfort in the air, "Who wants some Leppa Berry juice?"

I stood up, "I'll help you get it."

My mom and I walked silently over to the kitchen, where she pulled me aside and whispered frantically, "You've been traveling with these two BOYS?!"

I gave my mom a look. "Yeah. They're cool, don't worry nothing happened." I lied, glancing over at Ash and Gary who were in a deep conversation about Rattata.

"Fine, I believe you. But tonight they are sleeping on the couch. Now help me with this juice." She ordered crisply as we hustled around the kitchen.

Ding Dong!

The doorbell rang, scaring me senseless and making me spill Leppa Berry juice all over the floor. My mom gave me a disapproving look before rushing over to the door, wiping her hands in her off white apron.

"EMILY!" she smiled.

I heard Emily laugh from the front door and walked out.

"Hey Em," I waved.

"Hi," she smirked a little. God… she was getting more and more like Paul every day.

"HI PAUL!" I smiled obnoxiously.

He nodded.

My mom stared at him, "And who are you?"

"Name's Paul," his eyes darkened.

My mom stared at him and unsure look in her eye.

"Well Mrs. Kane, my mom asked me to come over and tell you that we're having all of Gabby's and my own family over for dinner tonight and we would like it if you all came too," Emily nudged Paul for being rude.

He simply smirked and my mom threw her apron over the coat rack, "Well come on in!"

"Thanks," Emily walked past her, dragging Paul by the hand.

"Well I'm going over to Kayla's house," my mom put on her sun hat which was decorated with Sunfloras. "Behave."

"Gabby's mom is over too," Emily called after her.

My mom rushed out the door, making it shut with a slight slam.

"So," Paul said, making it even more awkward.

"So," Gary repeated.

"Yeah…" I sighed. "So…anyone want Leppa Berry juice?"

"I do!" Paul jumped up quickly, and all of us stared at him, wide eyed.

"Woah…Paul…" Gary mumbled as Ash stared gaping at him.

"Okay then…um…well I'm going to go get ready." Emily grabbed Paul's hand. "You're coming to."

"No! I love juice!" Paul screamed as she dragged him away.

I began cracking up, and in between gasps I said, "I-I'm going t-to get ready."

I took the steps three at a time, finally reaching my room at the end of the hallway. I the walls were pink and I had a magenta and white bedspread with fuzzy matching pillows. I opened my closet and slipped into a scarf printed tube dress, with turquoise, black, silver and magenta patters on it.

I let my hair go wavy and had on a silver rose necklace, with black heels.

"Maddie?! What are these two guys doing in here?!"

"Matt!" I squealed happily; I had missed my brother a lot while I was away, even if he was a little overprotective.

I walked as fast as I could in heels down the carpeted steps and back into the living room.

"Matt! Hey!" I grinned from ear to ear.

Matt was standing over Ash and Gary, who both had frightened expressions on their faces. Matt was three years older than me, and had short spiky brown hair and brown eyes. He was muscular, but not in the overly gross kind of way, and he always wore baggy jeans and t-shirts. Matt turned at the sound of my voice and his face brightened.

"Mads! Hi! I haven't seen you in six months! I miss you around here you know." He rushed forward, hugging me tightly, and then pulling away. "You're my little sister! Look at you!"

I laughed. "Thanks, Matt. I missed you too! Oh, and before you go beating up these two guys, this one here's Gary…my boyfriend… and the other is my friend Ash."

"Hey, nice to meet you." Ash smirked awkwardly as Gary just waved absent mindedly in response.

I realized that they had changed their outfits; Gary had on baggy dark jeans with a white t-shirt and black hoodie, while Ash had the same kind of jeans Gary was wearing, but with a black t-shirt and a dark blue hoodie. Both had gelled the front of their hair in the time that I was upstairs.

"C'mon guys let's go to Emily's." I pressed, pushing Matt out the door as Ash and Gary followed me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~EMILY' POV

I walked up the steps with Paul behind me, holding the juice box I gave him. We walked down the long hallway to my three part bedroom, it had my bedroom, bathroom, and then a sitting room all attached to it.

My bedroom walls were painted a navy blue color with a white and navy bed set up in the corner of the room. I looked over at Paul who sipped his juice happily, "You can sit down."

I walked into my closet and quickly changed into a pair of dark skinny jeans, a black silky tight tank top and a black and grey plaid bandanna which I looped around my neck and hooked one side with a safety pin which had tons of dangling black jewels on them.

My hair was pulled back in a ponytail so I let it loose and let it fall down straight. After pinning my bangs back in a poof I walked out to see Paul lying back on my bed, half asleep with Umbreon curled up next to him.

I smiled to myself then jumped over onto my bed, startling both of them.

"Jesus!" Paul laughed. I looked down at his clothes to make sure he was dressed appropriately.

He had on a pair of slightly tight jeans which were so dark they were almost black looking and a black zip up hoodie with thin gray pin stripes going across it. He had it zipped up more than half way and his hood was hanging over his head, making his hair hang more in his face than usual.

He pushed a piece of hair out of my face, "So when do I get to meet the rest of the family?"

"Well my brothers Jake and Tyler should be home now," I rolled over so I was leaning on him as we lay down.

"Ooh older brothers," Paul laughed.

I rolled my eyes, "Well Tyler is really weird, and he's the funny one. And Jake is the more serious twin."

"Twins?"

"Yeah."

"What about dad? I've only met your mom so far," Paul asked, petting Umbreon a little.

I clicked my tongue, "He…wont be here."

Paul didn't say anything.

"My parents are divorced and my dad lives in the Sotho region," I explained.

Silence.

"Whatever," I sighed, "Do you want to go downstairs?"

"Sure," we both stood up.

I went to open the door but Paul held it shut for a second. He kissed the top of my head, "I'm sorry."

I smiled to my feet; that was the first time I have ever heard Paul say sorry for hurting someone's feelings.

"Hey Jake, hey Tyler ," I waved as I saw two look alike boys standing with their backs faced to me. They were putting away some of my mom's pokemon food which she used to feed some of the pokemon she took care of being that she was a breeder.

They both turned around at the same time. Tyler with a big goofy grin on his pale face and Jake giving me a slight smile.

"Hey shortie!" Tyler laughed, hugging me tightly.

"Ty!" I hugged him back, trying to hug him tighter but failing.

He towered over me by about three feet along with Jake. They both were replicas of our father, tall, pale (like me), and brown eyed. They both had black hair which each wore differently.

Jake wore his hair shorter, with the front gelled up and tamed to perfection. He worked in the weather center near Fortree city, studying different weather patterns with his fellow colleagues.

Tyler on the other hand had long straight black hair which he tied back in a ponytail. His face was always smiling and he always had a twinkle in his eye. He followed in the family business and he was a breeder along with my mother. He helped around with the pokemon people brought from all around Hoenn to train and take care of them.

"Hello Emily," Jake nodded. "Who is your friend?"

"Why hello Jacob." I teased.

"Who is this kid?" Tyler patted Paul on the back, making him grimace a bit.

"This is my…boyfriend Paul," I choked.

"BOYFRIEND?" hooted Tyler .

When Paul didn't say anything Tyler pushed, "Well does he talk?"

"He's kind of like our little Jakey," I teased, poking Paul. "He has another side but only shows it in private."

"Aw Jake," Tyler laughed. "Our little business man."

Jake and Paul eyed each other.

Jake didn't break eye contact, his voice serious as usual but it had a different tone to it. "Paul, right?"

"Yeah. Jake, right?" Paul retorted.

They stared at each other for a few moments, each as serious as the other..

"Have you kissed him yet?" Tyler jumped.

" Tyler !"

"I like him," Jake said flatly and walked away, going to sit at the table next to Gabby and Brendan.

Tyler and I shrugged to each other.

"So Paul," Tyler began. "You are my baby sister's boyfriend."

Paul nodded once.

"And you know you have to respect her, or else?" Tyler sounded slightly serious, which was weird for him.

Paul nodded again, "Of course."

Tyler smirked, "Well then welcome to the family my friend!"

"TYLERR!" I groaned. "STOPP!"

Tyler tucked a stray piece of hair behind his ear and took off to sit next to his twenty three year old twin.

I looked up at Paul, "Well that was interesting…"

"I liked Jake," Paul said.

I rolled my eyes, "Jake…come on, lets go sit."

Paul took my hand and walked over to the table, sitting next to each other between Jake and Maddie.

I looked over at Maddie, "So how did your mom react to Gary ?"

She gave me a look, "How do you think?"

I snickered, "Right."

Gabby chimed in, "My parents love Brendan! He made us all laugh so hard that even my dad had tears in his eyes."

Maddie and Gabby began talking in a deep conversation about their boyfriends. I looked back over at Paul who was talking to Jake.

"Its quite simple actually all you need to do is use a fire pokemon which knows some fighting moves that you can use," Jake explained.

Paul looked at him, "Really? I always thought you just use fire."

Jake shook his head, "No you need to counter balance it. My favorite is brick break after flame wheel."

"My Chimchar knows both of those," Paul told him.

Jakes eyes widened, "Really now? Hmm possibly would you show me?"

"Sure," Paul nodded. "Tomorrow?"

"Sure! And we can talk more about this. It's nice to have someone who shares my interest in that topic!"

Paul smirked, "I agree."

I took a bite of potatoes and turned my attention back to Gabby and Maddie, "Do you guys know if Steven Stone is in town?"

"No," Gabby shook her head. "I went to check before I went home."

"Aw," Maddie sighed. "I miss Steven!"

"I know!" I agreed. "Oh my god… look at Ash…"

We all turned our attention to Ash who was sitting across us from the table was scarfing down food so quickly that he was pretty much just a blur with food bits flying around.

"I think he's hungry," Gabby mumbled.

"Hungry as a snorlax," Brendan chimed in from the other side of Gabby.

The table that we were all sitting at fit twelve, five on each side then two at the ends. On our side was Tyler, Jake, Paul, me, then Maddie. Gabby sat at the end. The other side was Brendan next to Gabby, Gary , Ash, and then Matt who was talking to Tyler . The chair next to him held Ginny and then at the end side next to Ginny was Gabby's sister Tammi.

On the floor next to them was Umbreon, Leafeon, Luxio, Chimchar, Eevee, and Brendan's Farfetch'd which were all munching away at pokemon food that my mom and Tyler made themselves earlier today.

Our parents were all eating at the table in the kitchen which was big enough for all of them.

Gabby stuffed her mouth full of berries that were from the trees outside in the field that my mom kept all of the pokemon she took care of.

"You know," she chewed, "Tomorrow we should all go down to the space center and see what Christian is doing."

I smiled remembering our friend who we went to school with.

"Sounds cool," I nodded.

"Yeah," Maddie agreed.

"Whose Christian?" Brendan asked, stuffing his mouth with more corn than he could handle.

"Our old friend from school. He works at the space center now," Gabby explained.

Gary looked over, "Christian Belle?"

"Yeah," Maddie said. "How did you know?"

"He's only the whole reason Mossdeep's space center made it so big!" Tyler exclaimed.

Matt chuckled, "Ty, that's a bit exaggerated."

Tyler sighed, "Still."

We all turned out attention to Ash who looked like he was going to explode from eating too much as he slouched down in his seat.

When we were all finished our group (Me, Paul, Gary, Maddie, Gabby, Brendan, and our temporary member, Ash) all went to sit in my sitting room. Some of us were on the couches and some on the floor. Our pokemon who were eating beside the table all went with Tyler for him to give them treats and play with them outside with the pokemon which were left here for my mom to take care of..

"I want to do something," Gabby sighed, leaning back onto Brendan who tickled her sides.

She giggled uncontrollably and began tickling him back.

I looked back at Paul who was sitting on a circular black chair with me in his lap, "You and Jake got along."

"Yeah," he played with the ends of my ripped looking bandanna scarf. "He is really intelligent."

Maddie, Ash, and Gary all sat on the couch together with Maddie snuggled up to Gary .

"Hey guys!" Gabby jumped up a little. "Why don't we go down to Club Ludicoulo?!"

"Will there be a ton of little kids running around?" Gary sneered.

Gabby hopped around, "NO! You have to be sixteen to get in!"

"Let's go then," Ash cheered.

"Absolutely not," Paul muttered. "I don't dance."

I rolled my eyes, "Please? We don't have to dance."

Everyone waited for Paul to answer; Gabby and Brendan were squirming in anticipation on the floor.

"Whatever."

"WHOO!" Brendan danced. "Come on Gab, we gotta show them our moves."

"Gabby has no moves," I laughed as I stood up off of Paul's lap. "She's more of the white girl snap kind of person."

Gabby laughed, "SO true."

Maddie grabbed Gary 's hand as we rushed out the door, "I'm so excited!"