Route 38 and 39 were quite short, but they were littered with trainers. It took us much longer than expected. By the time we had reached Olivine City, the sun was far down beneath the horizon.

We passed the city gym as we were walking to the center. Just as we walked past it, the doors opened up and Brandon walked out. He glared at Lyra for a couple of seconds, then walked over to her.

"You again?" He asked.

"If it is a battle you are here for, then I am ready!" Lyra brought her hands to her belt with the empty pokeballs on it.

Brandon laughed. "There's no need to be alert. I don't bother with wimps like you."

"Wimp? Didn't I beat you in the last battle?" Lyra laughed.

Brandon waved a hand in the air as if to push the question away. "Speaking of weaklings," he continued, as if Lyra hadn't even said anything, "The city's gym leader isn't here, and is supposedly taking care of a sick pokemon at the lighthouse. Humph! Boo-hoo! Lets all cry for the sick pokemon! She should just let it go! A pokemon that can't battle is worthless!"

"Wow...harsh..." Lyra said quietly.

"Well, in the mean time, why don't you go train at the lighthouse? It might actually make you a better trainer."

"Hey! I am already better than you!" Lyra yelled. But Brandon had already started to walk away. "Humph! Arrogant little punk!" Lyra yelled after him. He kept walking.

Lyra looked back at us. "Well lets just head to the center. Tomorrow we will train at the lighthouse, then see if the Olivine gym is open yet."

I couldn't sleep at all that night. I made sure the rest of the team was asleep before I got up and left the center.

Olivine city was on the edge of the beach. At the far end, there was a port filled with boats. I sat down on a bench near the edge of the city. One group of people were just pulling their boat in to the port. They were tying it to the docks. I watched them as they went about their business, not even aware I was there.

A few minutes passed, and I heard footsteps behind me. I whirled around and saw James standing behind me. "This is one of the cities I have always wanted to see," he said quietly.

"Cause it is on a beach?" I asked, looking forward again.

"Yeah. And because the people actually go in the water. In most areas, the people are too afraid of what might be in the water, so they never go in. But here, they have to. The city relies on it."

"Hmm..." I watched as the group of people walked off the docks. They walked right past us, not even seeing us.

"Listen..." James came around and sat down on the same bench as me. "I wanted to say that...about last night, and all...well, I just...I feel bad and all...so...I'm sorry..."

I looked at James. A wide smile crept across my face. "Are you actually apologizing?! I didn't know those words were in your vocabulary!" I started laughing.

James growled and punched me in the shoulder.

"Sorry, sorry," I said. I was finally able to stop laughing, but I still had the smile on my face.

"Thanks," James grumbled. "You're really helping."

"You know, I am sorry, too. About trying to make you jealous today."

"You were doing that on purpose!?"

"I was just getting you back for what you said last night."

"I thought you already got me back when you slapped my face!"

I shrugged. "Guess I just wanted to mess with you."

"You're horrible," James muttered.

"You know you love it," I said in a sing-song voice.

"I would rather sit in a pit of Grass types."

"No need to be so cynical," I laughed.

"Whatever..."

There was a silence between us for a second. It wasn't awkward or anything. It was actually calming.

"You should be more like this with the rest of the team," I said.

"Hmm?" James turned towards me.

"You are always with Lyra, and you never actually talk to anyone else much. You should."

"Don't have a reason to talk to them."

"And you have reasons to talk to me?"

"You're different."

"Gee, thanks!"

"Well, you are. I can't put a finger on it, but somehow, you are different than the rest of the team." James was back to looking out at the water.

"I don't think I am very different," I muttered.

"Think what you will." James shrugged.

The silence was back again. This time it was broken by my yawn. "Holy crap! I think I am actually tired!"

"Surprise, surprise. Why don't you go back in the center and go to sleep?"

"Eh," I rubbed the back of my neck. I thought of Ta'jean, who had slept on the opposite side of the room tonight. I guess he was kinda spooked by me. "Ta'jean and I had a little incident while you guys were at the gym. It is just a little weird to be in the same room with him."

"What did he do to you!?" James quickly stood up. He turned to me and put his hands on my shoulders, looking into my eyes. "Do I have to hurt him!?"

My eyes were wide with shock for a second. Then a smile spread across my face. "Well, well. Look at who is getting all protective. I thought you were only like that with Lyra."

James looked at me, shocked. He let go of my shoulders and sat down next to me, not looking at me. "If he hurt you, I will kill him," he said in a voice that was nearly a whisper.

I laughed. "Don't worry. All you need to know is that you won't have to hate him so much anymore."

I was looking out at the sea. I could see James looking at me from out of the corner of my eye. Suddenly, James grabbed me in his arms and embraced me. I was a little shocked by the sudden motion.

My back was against James's torso. He had his arms wrapped around me. His head was leaned against mine. I decided not to question him. His body was cold, and soothing. I felt my eyes slowly close and I drifted off to sleep.