Chapter Eleven - Pizza, Partners and Him
"So, did he hold your hand a lot?" Kris asked, bouncing around me excitedly. I swear, if she did not stop...
"He held my hand," I crossed my arms, wishing she would back off. It wasn't her business about what I did with Falkner. We didn't even do anything, really, we just hung out and got to know each other, so I really didn't know why she was so curious. I told her everything that happened last night when I got to our room.
"But did he hold it a lot, or was it just to drag you around, or did he say you have soft hands, or-,"
"Oh my Arceus, Kris, SHUT UP! I already told you, nothing really happened!" I screamed just a little bit too loud, and it may have been a little bit unneccessary, but maybe she just needed to shut up a little bit. She looked up at me with wide eyes, taking in just how annoyed I was with her. I sighed. "Look, Kris, I'm sorry. I just, I mean I told you everything, and it's not really important anyway." Kris's eye twitched. "Look, let's just drop it and continue looking through this route. I'm pretty sure we don't have all the data we need from Route 32."
"Alright," She sulked for a moment, but then perked back up again as she took a picture of a little Hoppip with her Pokedex and registered some information. "So, did he kiss you?" I froze and blushed at the thought, but my other best friend came to my rescue.
"Kris, what did she just say!?" Ethan was also getting annoyed with her. I understand being excited for your friend to have met a cute guy, but it's not like he just proposed to me or anything! "Just drop it, okay." Marill rolled his eyes at Kris and stuck his tongue out. Ethan patted the head of Ekans, a Pokemon he just caught an hour ago, who was hanging around his neck.
"Alright, alright, just calm down. I was just curious." She whispered to me, "Well, did he?"
"No! Now stop it already!" I stomped away to a patch of grass far away from my overly perky best friend. Cyndaquil followed not far after and looked up at me with a concerned squeak. I could hear Ethan getting onto her and telling her that I might need some space. After all, she didn't stop questioning me from the moment I came through the door. I didn't even get sleep last night because she was begging for answers, and that might explain why I was a little bit cranky. "Come on Cyndaquil, let's look for Pokemon over here. I think we've got most of them so far." He nodded and we inspected the bushes and trees.
I absent-mindedly leaned against a tree and gazed around at the canopy. Remembering Falkner's hug, I felt my face heat up slightly, but it probably wasn't enough to be a noticable blush. I remember his strong arms wrapping me close, feeling his lean body in my own arms, and the way he smelled of pine and wilderness. He was very warm and sweet to talk to. He honestly and openly expressed his apologies for what happened to my dad, and he held my hand tightly as we went through the ruins. We were handling it just fine, sticking close to each other, until we heard something scream angrily in the woods. Then we hauled ass to get out of there, and moved on to the other aspects of Violet City. Falkner was just an overall dream guy, he had the looks, the personality, the adventurous and fun atmosphere and apparently he was a good battler and could totally keep me safe. If only we hugged a little bit longer...
"Baaahh."
A strange bleat awoke me from my trance. "Huh?"
"Baah!" A fuzzy thing nudged my leg, and I looked down to see that cutest little sheep looking up at me. She tilted her head to the side and looked up at me with interest. "Baaahh!"
"Aww!" She was so cute as she bleated happily at me in greeting. She stood on her hind legs and leaned her front ones on me, as if to get a better look at my face. I laughed at her, and leaned to down to play with her. Cyndaquil didn't seem as amused since he walked off to examine some flowers off to his side. I patted the little creature's head. "And what's your name, sweetie?"
"Baah!" Right, as if you expect me to understand that. I pulled out my Pokedex and took its picture as the device gathered information on it from the picture. Apparently, it was called a Mareep and it was an electric sheep Pokemon. Hmm...
"Hey Kris?" I called for my friend, who came over to me with a brow raised. She didn't seem upset that I yelled at her for being a little obnoxious, but then again, nothing really bothered her anyway. "You're the best when it comes to types. Do you remember what flying-types are weak to?"
"Easy. Ice, rock and electric-types." She said without hesitation, and turned around to go back to what she was doing. Weak to electric-types... Interesting...
"Hey Ethan! I need something!" I stood and ran up to him, Cyndaquil following and Mareep bleating at me. I saw her shuffle around, deciding whether or not to follow me.
He looked at me over his shoulder ad raised his brows in question. "Whatcha need?"
"Do you have any spare Pokeballs that I can use?" I asked shyly, and he rolled his eyes in thought as he dug into his bag.
"Um, I might have a few or so..." He hummed, and held out two red balls to me. "Here you go!" He placed them in my hand softly. "Why you need 'em? See something you like?"
I pointed over to the Mareep who was now chewing on some grass, and Ethan smiled at me.
"Nice one, looks like a good strong Mareep over there." Hearing her name, the little sheep looked up at me and bleated. He placed a hand on my shoulder gently in a brotherly manner. "Come on, I'll help you catch her, just do what I say, alright?" I nodded, and he patted my back and laughed. "Alright, let's go catch you a Pokemon!"
"Cyndaquil, use Ember!"
My partner did as I asked and his back erupted in flames, sending sparks and embers in all directions. Mareep's coat deflected most of the heat, but her face was unprotected and she winced as the flames slashed her cheek.
Mareep tackled Cyndaquil, but he didn't flinch at the attack, and instead rolled around to explode into flames again, but this time the explosion was more intense, and it sent Mareep flying into a nearby tree.
"Good, good one," Ethan congratulated my Pokemon as Mareep stood up, a little bit dizzy, but up nonetheless. "Alright, have Cyndaquil keep her cornered in one spot. That way she can't move out of the way when you throw the Pokeball. The last thing you want is for the target to run away."
I did as he instructed. "Cyndaquil, keep her steady! Hold her right there!" Cyndaquil barked to confirm my request, and he kept her herded by the tree trunk, barking at her and growling every time she made a move to escape.
"Alright, now what you're gonna do," He was standing closely behind me, and he reached down and placed his hand on top of mine. "Just pull back and throw it. Gently, nice and easy, don't forget to aim." His hand guided my arm, and I pulled back, took a deep breath, and sent the ball flying in the direction of Mareep.
I missed by an inch and it flew into a bush.
"Don't worry about it, these things happen." He patted my back. "Marill, go get that Pokeball, we can still use it." The blue creature obeyed and ran off into the bush to forage the Pokeball.
"Damn, I can't believe I missed," I groaned.
"Just keep cool, and- Dammit Cyndaquil, go get her!" Ethan yelled as Mareep ran off in another direction. Cyndaquil barked again, and he set himself of fire and rolled around in circles...
"W-what move is that, Ethan!?" Ethan's brows creased, then he smiled at me.
"Congratulations, he knows Flame Wheel! This might work..." He watched as Cyndaquil caught up to the electric-type. "Cyndaquil can trap Mareep in a ring of fire if he just-,"
"Cyndaquil! Trap it in a ring of fire! Don't worry about setting things on fire, Marill can fix it!" I called out, and he circled the Mareep without hesitation, setting the grass ablaze. Mareep shrieked at the flames surrounding her, and Cyndaquil stopped to bark at the fire walls containing the little sheep.
"Lovely, now let me help you out," Ethan squeezed the hand that held the Pokeball, and he pulled it back for me. "You ready? I'm gonna help you catch her now."
"Yeah, let's do this." I took a deep breath and focused on my target. I could see her shuffling inside the fire circle that surrounded her, trying to find a way out.
"Alright, ready, set," His breath tickled my cheek slightly. "Throw!" He guided my hand outward and sent the ball flying from my fingertips... It arched in the sky, twisting and dancing its way through the air to my target...
The ball opened once within catch range, and in a flash of blinding light, the Mareep was gone. The red ball fell to the ground and shook lightly as it fel behind the flames. Cyndaquil curled up rolled around again, but didn't set himself on fire, rather rolled over to suffocate the flames. It beeped faintly as it shivered, but once it stopped moving, I heard a satisfying ding.
The ball stopped moving as it lay on the ground. I knew that the sound of the ding was confirming a catch.
I stared at my accomplishment, almost afraid to confirm that I caught it, but I did.
"E-Ethan..."
"Congratulations, Lyra." He said, smiling at me proudly. He gave me a tight one-arm hug and then pat my back. "You just caught a Pokemon!"
"I-I did? I did... Holy Miltank, I did!" I jumped up and down excitedly and danced over to my Pokeball which contained my new partner. "Cyndaquil, Cyndaquil come on! Let's meet her!" Cyndaquil barked and rushed over to us, and once he was at my feet, I pressed the button on my Pokeball.
"Bahh, Bahh baaahh!" Mareep bleated in glee and danced around my legs, laughing.
"Wow, you put up a good fight, little fella!" I giggled and pat her head happily and she nuzzled her head against my leg. When Mareep turned to Cyndaquil, she tackled him playfully, bleating and smiling gladly. Cyndaquil hissed at her and tried to shrug out from under her, but she bleated, and by her tone, I'm pretty sure she was asking him to play.
Marill came running out of the bushes and gave Ethan back his Pokeball. Ethan took it and placed it in his bag. "Marill, did you meet the new kid?" He laughed and pointed to Mareep. Marill squeaked and waddled over to the electric-type to play. Ethan laid down his arm and Ekans slithered down to greet the others.
"Hey, what did I miss? I heard something cute..." Kris came over and stopped at the sight of Mareep. She squealed excitedly and ran over to her, frightening my new partner a little. "Oh my Arceus, that is the cutest thing I've ever seen! Where did you get her?" She scratched Mareep's fur playfully, fluffing it.
"Right over here. She seems strong-,"
"She's super cute! Haha, oh that reminds me! Check this out!" She stood and took a Pokeball with a big smile. She tossed it in the air, and when it landed on the button, out of the light came a weird, but cute blue, fish/salamander critter. "Tada! I caught a Wooper!" The blue Pokemon whooped and did a flip. When he landed, he did a little dance, and bounded over to the group of Pokemon at our feet.
"Hey, how cool. Is it a water type?" Ethan asked as he bent down to check out the team, who were having a fun time playing.
"Water and ground, so it's weak against grass-types, but not electric ones. Electric moves actually have no effect, so that's a plus, but when it comes to grass, it might become a problem. I'll have to catch sometime advantageous to grass to even that out though..." She started to ramble on about types, but when she caught our bored stares, she laughed awkwardly. "So, yeah, to answer your question, it's a water-type."
"Good to know." Ethan commented, and he sat beside Marill to see how the new additions were getting along. "Man, look at that. Pokemon are so different from people when you think about it, because people are shy around strangers. Pokemon don't care who or what they're gonna meet, they just greet each other with a friendly smile and play time. It's pretty weird, but in a good way."
It was true. Ekans was slithering up to Chikorita, but it seemed he gave her the creeps since she slowly backed up from him, but smiled shyly to be nice. Marill and Wooper were wrestling, and Mareep was still trying to get Cyndaquil to play, but to no avail. Cyndaquil managed to wriggle out from under her, and he tried to run away from her in my direction, but Mareep leapt on top of him and squealed happily. Cyndaquil just barked at her, but she must've been super playful and oblivious.
"Guys, I'm hungry. Are y'all?" I asked my group. Ethan nodded, and Kris just shrugged.
"Yea, I guess. Who has money?" Kris asked, rubbing her tummy.
"I'll pay. Last night, when I was-,"
"Dating Falkner..?" Kris raised a brow playfully.
"IT WASN'T A FUCKING DATE!" I heard my voice sound like one of those Pokewood monsters, so I instantly calmed down because I scared myself and Kris and the crew. "Anyway, we passed by this cool-looking pizza parlor. You guys down?"
"Yeah, I'm down as long you're paying." Ethan stood up and returned Ekans to his Pokeball.
Kris shrugged, shaking slightly from my sudden outburst. "Yeah, I like pizza."
"Well, cool, I'll show y'all where it is." Kris returned Wooper, and carried Chikorita in her arms. I let Mareep follow me on the ground with Cyndaquil, but Cyndaquil didn't seem to like that plan. Mareep giggled and nudged Cyndaquil, who blushed while hissing and tried to crawl up my leg. "Um, Cyndaquil, are you okay?" He shook his head and growled when Mareep got closer. I sighed and leaned down to pick up Cyndaquil in my arms. He was tense, but not ranting at me, instead sighing of relief.
"Hey Cyndaquil," Kris giggled. "I think that Mareep has a little crush on you!" She tapped his head, but he nipped at her and growled, snuggling into my arms. "Well, gosh, Cyndaquil, I was just making a joke!" Mareep, however, was blushing slightly as she followed behind.
"Well, it's this way, so just come with me." I lead my friends back into town.
"Okay, the boy wanted a large zesty three-meat treat pizza, the bluenette wanted a medium cheese and you, Cutie Pie, wanted a large supreme, right?" The waiter asked with his cart of pizzas and cheese sticks.
"Yeah, that's right. Ethan was sitting here," I pointed out where my friends wanted their food since Ethan went to the restroom and Kris was talking to this little girl and her Igglybuff, squealing over its cuteness. "Her food goes here, and you can set mine here." The waiter did as asked, and then he handed out drinks on the table.
"Okay, I'll come drop off the bill in a few minutes. And, say girl, why don't you write your number on that receipt for me, huh Cutie Pie?" He was very flattering, but all I would do to accept the compliments was give him a decent tip when we left.
"I'm fifteen."
"And I'm not a pedophile!" The young adult turned around hastily and left rather quickly. I snorted.
The restaurant was an outside parlor with a playground for Pokemon, and the tables were park benches. The little shack was where the restrooms and the order line was. I chose the bench under the shade of a tree and our Pokemon were playing and lounging around beside me.
I took a pulled a slice off of my pizza, put it on a little plate and handed it to Cyndaquil. "Here you go, buddy. Mareep, come here girl and get your food." I called, and the little sheep waddled over after playing with some guy's Growlithe. I placed the slice on another plate and placed it a few good feet away from Cyndaquil, just to be safe.
"Damn, I could smell that from all the way on the other side of the street corner!" Ethan came running up and immediately he and Marill dug in, pausing only to offer Ekans a slice or two.
"I thought you were in the restroom?" I took a bite of my pizza, loaded heavily with all the veggies, just the way I liked it. Unlike Ethan's, who had the pizza that many Tauros and Grumpig and many other meaty Pokemon had to die to create. I wasn't saying I was a vegetarian, because I'm not, I just couldn't bear to eat that much meat in one sitting without feeling bad.
"Well, when I left, I saw a sexy babe walking by, and I just couldn't help but follow." He shrugged, then continued to stuff his face. Typical guy...
"Then you chose pizza over her?"
He shook his head and tried to swallow, but his mouth was too full.
"Boyfriend?"
"Worse, she's engaged. I saw the ring after they met up." He took another bite, and Marill patted his leg in a sympathetic way, but his trainer shrugged. "But it's cool. I was probably way outta her league anyway."
"You mean vice versa?"
"Shut the hell up." I laughed at him, and he smirked in response which made me feel better.
Kris joined us moments later, and we sat there eating our pizzas and talking about everything under the sun. One thing I learned over the past few minutes, Pokemon love pizza!
"No, I think the movie would actually be better if they used something cuter than a Riolu and Lucario. Maybe something like a Mienfoo? It didn't even have to be a fighting-type-,"
"You see, Kris, that's where you're wrong." Ethan said. We've been discussing movies for the past few minutes, and right now the subject of debate was the Lucario Girl versus Brycen-Man series. "Lucario made the actress look like more of a badass because it's a badass Pokemon. Not to mention that the more badass a girl is, the sexier she is."
"I don't think the movie was made to portray her as sexy. They were trying to make a good, family film featuring an attractive and strong heroine."
Ethan shrugged. "Look, I only watched it because I thought she was hot. I looked her up, her name is Rosa Grey, she lives in Unova and she has a twin brother named Nate, who has major hair issues. I think you two would make a cute couple." He winked at Kris, and she rolled her eyes. "She's a great actress. She's pretty fucking hot too."
"Doesn't she have a boyfriend? Hug, or something."
"It's Hugh, I think." I butted in. "What kind of name is hug?"
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Ethan slammed his fists on the table. "Hot damn, why is every attractive woman taken?" He pouted, staring at his empty tray.
They started calculating his chances of getting with her, which seemed pretty bad, and when Kris uploaded pictures of them to show him on her Pokegear, he flipped out even more.
"I'm so much more attractive than that guy is! Look at him, he's like a fucking vampire wearing tight-pants! And his head looks like a swollen Quilfish!" He started ranting, which I found hilarious. He went on about it for a few minutes and it was quite the show, especially when Marill started to mock him.
Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I reflexively turned to see who it was.
"Hey Lyra."
I blinked a few times to clarify it was him. Last night still sort of seemed like a dream to me. "Falkner! Hi!" I patted the spot beside me, inviting him to sit down. He happily took the invitation, and he sat so close that his legs were touching mine firmly. I pointed to my half-eaten pizza on my tray. "You want a slice?"
"Don't mind if I do." He took one and chewed it eagerly, smiling at me after he swallowed his first bite. "How'd you know my favorite kind of pizza?"
My eyes widened and I smiled back at him. "No way! We like the same pizza, that's weird!" We laughed at the coincidence, and he took another bite of the pizza. I almost forgot about my friends sitting across from me.
"Oh, Falkner, I'm sorry! I should introduce to my friends. We grew up together back home, and I trust these guys with everything!" Falkner looked up them and they smiled kindly. "This is my metaphorical brother, Ethan," I gestured to the kid with the backwards hat.
"'Sup?" He extended a hand and shook cordially. "So I hear you're the gym leader?"
"That's right. Are you a potential challenger?" Falkner released Ethan's hand.
"I'm a definite challenger." He smiled, a glint in those eyes, and I felt Falkner get excited at the thought of a good battle.
"And this is my home-girl, Krystal. We just call her Kris, though." She smiled much brighter than Ethan did.
"Hi, I'm Lyra's BFF!" She said in her perky tone, instantly uplifting everyone with her exuberant and cheerful attitude. "That stands for best friend forever, by the way!"
"Well, it's great to meet you guys! You're all Lyra talked about last night." He said, nudging me in my side. I giggled, feeling giddy because he was so close to me. I've never been this close to a hot guy before yesterday, so he still made my heart race.
"Really, Lyra?" Ethan teased. "You didn't have to brag about how amazing your best friend is to your new boy-toy over here." Kris did not hesitate to smack him upside the head for saying that. I blushed heavily and hoped Falkner didn't notice.
"Well, from her childhood stories that she told me, you guys seem pretty cool." Falkner complimented being the charmer that he is. "I kind of wish I grew up with people like you from the things that she told me."
"It's true. You guys are pretty cool and you were my only conversation piece." I admitted, and I felt Ethan softly kick me under the table playfully.
The longer that they talked, the more they bonded, and they got along very well.
I think I'm starting to really like Falkner.
Falkner hung out with us for the rest of the day as we trained on Route 32. He mostly paid attention to me, though, and he gave me training and battling tips and gave me helpful advice. We stayed behind when Kris and Ethan went to the room early so I could finish up with Mareep. Now she figured out a manuever to take out Bellsprout in a one-hit KO. Currently, he was taking me to my room.
"You did good today. I'm proud of you, rookie." He commented with a smile and patted my head, keeping careful to not knock off my hat.
"Thanks for helping me out. But remember, you need to train to, Falkner! I'm expecting a tough trainer worthy of his Gym Leader title, and I better not get any less than that!"
"Oh don't worry about it. I was training this morning before I came across you and your friends today." He winked at me. "It's you who needs to keep training."
"Well then, don't worry about it, because I am determined to win against you." I nudged him playfully, and he laughed.
The elevator stopped on my floor, and he escorted me through the hallway to room 109. He stopped at the door to say his awkward farewells.
"Well, today was fun." He said, standing so close that if my nose were an inch longer, it would touch his neck. I gazed back up at him, feeling the same satisfaction of a good day.
"It was. I'm looking forward to the battle." I winked, but he looked down.
"I'm not." My brows creased in confusion. I thought he was excited too..?
"Why not? You afraid of losing, or afraid of me losing and not wanting to be your friend anymore, because I promise that won't happen."
"No, no it's not that."
"Well, what is it?"
"Because once we battle," He pursed his lips tightly before continuing. "Once we battle, your business in town will be over and done with. You won't have anything to keep you here anymore." He looked down sadly.
"Oh, Falkner..." I looked up at him, but he wouldn't make eye contact. I lifted his chin with my small hands to make him look at me. "I promise that won't happen. I swear, as soon as I leave town, I'll hurry to come right back as soon as I can. I promise I'll come hang out as often as I can, okay?"
He made eye contact with me, and smirked slightly. "Alright, that makes me feel a little better, Lyra." He chuckled and hugged me, and I didn't hesitate to hug him back tightly. I could still smell pine on him, and I think I've decided my favorite scent as I buried my face into him. His breath tickled the back of my neck and I held onto the firm, warmth of his body.
But all too soon, he let go.
"Goodnight, Lyra."
"Goodnight, Falkner."
He turned to go down the hall, and as I took out my key to place it in the lock...
He felt his lips on the top of my head, and I looked to see his blushing face walk hurriedly down the hall.
Sporting the same shade of crimson on my cheeks, I hurriedly shoved my key in the lock, and hurried past my friends to get ready for bed.
And that night, I dreamed of Falkner.
Author's Note:
I updated before the weekend, so I won a bet with my friend, so yay me! Goal in life accomplished (Not really, Lol!) Girl owes me three dollars! :)
Anyway, most importantly, I really hope that you like this chapter, and send reviews if you liked it or saw something that needed fixing or just to say hey!
Long chapter, now I'm done with chapter eleven!
Damn, I started this late December, and now it's February, and I'm already at chapter eleven! I must need a life, but my friend is forcing me to go to a party with him tomorrow night, so I guess that counts as a social life...
I don't know why I throw in my life references in my notes, but too bad!
Hope you liked it, bye guys! :)