I cannot even believe it! They pushed back my moving day and I already packed up a majority of my belongings! That just inconveniences me because I have to rip open boxes for clothes…then again I don't really need decent clothes to lounge around the house. I'll just stick to my footsie pajamas. They are the best one piece of clothing I ever invested in. I have a slight headache because I have been playing video games for about four hours straight so I don't know how well I'll be able to focus here, but I promise I won't disappoint. The last thing I want to do is let down some amazingly faithful and sweet readers. Thanks for reading and I hope you love this next chapter.

~Rolyn~


Chapter Twenty Nine:


Thanksgiving break disappeared. It was swallowed by visits to hospitals, statements from insurance agencies, and claims of lost belongings that now remained in the pile of ash that was once the Dragonite Girl's home. May could easily admit, she had seen better Thanksgivings, but she was glad that everything that happened didn't shake her and her friends too bad. They all seemed just as tight as before, possible tighter. They always seemed the closest whenever misfortunate complications came up in life.

Today was Tuesday and it was raining. It had been since early that morning when May had woken up. It was also the first day back at school and while May had a perfectly good reason to call out of school much like Alex had jumped at the opportunity to do, she along with Dawn and Patou had actually dragged their sorry, homeless rear ends to school. It would be a good way to get their minds off things while Marina and Alex stayed behind, spending time with an incapacitated Rolyn and her equally as incapacitated fiancé.

Everywhere, people were approaching them, offering apologies for the situation the girls found themselves in. May would simple smile and offer her gratitude for their words of consolation. In all honesty, she was getting a little annoyed. She came to school to forget that her home had burned to the ground at the hand of some lunatic and their Pokémon, not be reminded every step she took.

Her grip on her umbrella tightened a bit when a girl she never said two words to smiled sadly at her and nodded. Of course, May nodded back, but she just wished everyone would let her be…

"May!"

The brunette tensed as she halted in her steps. She was heading towards the lunchroom in the student center in hopes of getting some food and maybe a little peace of mind, but those plans looked like they were being delayed. May turned slowly and almost sighed in relief when she recognized the petite girl with the bubblegum pink hair. May smiled lightly and waved at her classmate and supposed-to rival. Lana beamed as she finally caught up to the brunette.

"You looked to be in a rush," Lana pointed out as she adjusted her books and umbrella that she was trying to juggle. May took a small step back so their umbrellas wouldn't bump. "Are you alright?"

May sighed. "As alright as I'll ever be…"

Lana gave her that sad smile she had seen way too many times today and May resisted the urge to scream in Lana's face. Lana hadn't done anything wrong. If anything, she had more of a reason to worry about May's wellbeing than anyone else did. She actually knew May and spoke to her before all of this happened. Lana actually knew details.

"Well things must be getting better," Lana breathed as she gestured for May to walk. They moved in time with one another and May was glad that people were starting to ignore her now that she was talking with someone. "You're in school. If I were you, I would have taken a temporary leave just to get my bearings together. However, you are a strong girl…you and the rest of your friends." Lana smiled and May smiled right back.

"Yea…but it's still a little unnerving to think that someone actually did this knowing very well that someone could get hurt." May murmured. "I never thought there could be anyone to dislike any of us that much." She admitted.

"Well, what about that Jasmine girl?" Lana offered with a shrug. May's brow furrowed a she turned towards the slightly shorter girl. She wasn't wearing one of her impossible heels today so her actual height was made apparent. "Did she not verbally attack you and your friends on many separate occasions and even got into a scuffle with you in the bathroom at Jynx?"

"Yea…" May said slowly with a nod. She then turned to face forward with a furrowed brow. She knew she mentioned one or two times that she had run into Jasmine with Lana, but she never mentioned the time she and Jasmine actually fought in the bathroom at Jynx. "I told you about the fight at Jynx?"

"Oh, no…" Lana admitted with a shake of her head. "Although Jasmine went on about it for about a week. I share at least three classes with the girl and let me tell you, she is quite the gossiper. She claimed you brutally attacked her for no reason which of course, no one believed."

May smiled lightly. Of course Jasmine would shoot her mouth off and spew lies. It was what The Mayor's daughter did best. "Do you…actually believe Jasmine could do something so horrible?" May asked quietly just as they approached the back doors of the student center. Lana opened the door and held it open for the brunette and May murmured a thank you.

"It's hard to know…I mean, how can you actually expect something so insane when there are no signs that the person in question is insane?" Lana sighed with a shrug of her shoulders. "Then again, sometimes there aren't any signs…sometimes people just act irrationally one day and hide it perfectly the next." May nodded slowly.

"That's…unnerving."

"It's the world we live in, May." Lana breathed with a shake of her head. May pursed her lips and trained her eyes forward. The brunette's blue eyes widened when they met a pair of amber eyes staring right back at her. May paused as did Jasmine and the simply stared at one another as though both of them were shocked to see one another. Wondering why May had stopped, Lana lifted her eyes and swallowed nervously.

Jasmine was alone this time. Michelle and Marissa were missing, and the small bleached blonde looked like she had just finished purchasing something from the school bookstore. Neither girl seemed capable of looking away. May wasn't sure why Jasmine was staring at her without that malice she usually held towards the brunette, but as May stared at her she couldn't help but think about what Lana had just told her. Could Jasmine really have been as cruel as to burn someone's house down? Was she secretly that spiteful towards her and her friends?

"I'm surprised to see you here." Jasmine spoke up. Her tone was anything but kind, but it was a long way from the sharp tone she usually had with the brunette. Jasmine gave May a quick once over and scoffed. "I thought you'd be with your friends right now seeing as you're all caught in an…unfortunate situation."

"Yes." May said simply with a nod. "But sitting around moping isn't going to help me graduate from college." May retorted just as evenly. Jasmine perked a brow briefly before shrugging and then nodding in what probably was understood.

"True…" She sighed.

Neither of them spoke after that, but they did stay there for a moment longer, just sizing the other up. Jasmine showed no signs that she was behind this, then again, why would she if she didn't want to get found out? Finding the conversation over, May finally looked away.

May gestured for Lana to follow and the pink haired girl did so without question. The pair had made it all the way to the other end of the student hall by the stairwell that led up into the cafeteria, before Jasmine called out to the brunette. May tensed slightly as she glanced at the Mayor's daughter over her shoulder. Jasmine looked like she was searching for something to say. Her mouth would fall open only to snap shut again. May furrowed her brow.

"I don't like you anymore than yesterday…" Jasmine started with a brief narrowing of her snake-like eyes. May returned the look, but Jasmine sighed and shook her head, looking away. "But…I'm sorry about what happened to you." She finally got out.

May blinked in surprise.

"But like I said! I still don't like you." Jasmine added quickly with a shake of her head. Despite that, May still offered the bleached blonde her brightest smile. Lana smiled lightly behind the brunette as Jasmine huffed as if she was frustrated with herself and strutted on her way.

May turned her bright smile on Lana who clapped a hand on the brunette's shoulder.

"That was quite a surprise." Lana laughed lightly as she and May scaled the stairs to the cafeteria.

"Yea…it was." May murmured.

"Do you…" Lana hesitated and May turned to look towards her. "Do you still believe she's behind what happened?"

May set her jaw and took in a deep breath before her lips pulled in a smile once again while shaking her head. "No…I don't think she did."

"Are you sure…?" Lana pressed.

May didn't respond.


"Here," Rolyn murmured as she perched herself on the edge of Jason's bed and handed him a glass of water along with two of the pain pills the hospital had proscribed for him. Jason took the offerings with an exasperated sigh before popping the pills into his mouth and washing them down with a gulp of water. Rolyn took the cup back and placed it on his nightstand before turning back to him looking almost expectant.

"You really didn't have to." Jason said firmly as he slumped in his bed. "You're just as hurt as I am." He added with a nod towards her casted wrist. Rolyn glanced down at her cast before bringing her eyes towards his casted leg, his wrapped up arm, torso, and other leg.

"You can't walk Jason." She said reaching over to push his hair out of his face. Jason closed his eyes as her fingers brushed along his brow. "Fetching you water is the least I can do after what you did for me…"

"Why does everyone think what I did was some amazing feat?" Jason groaned. "I would do it again and again because you always come first for me. They should expect that out of me because I love you." He took hold of her wrist and pulled her hand to his lips. Rolyn resisted a smile as he kissed the palm of her hand.

"I love you too…" Rolyn murmured with a nod. "Which is why I hate seeing you like this."

"I'm fine…" Jason drawled with a roll of his eyes.

"You could have died, Jason…" She reminded. "I'd rather be in your place right now than be where I am and not have you."

"Yea, but I'm not dead." Jason smiled lopsidedly. Rolyn rolled her eyes. "I don't plan on dying until after I've married you, had beautiful children with you, and I'm too old to think straight." Rolyn blushed a bright crimson.

"Gag me with a spoon." Alex made a choking noise as she entered the bedroom with her hands wrapped around her throat. Rolyn's expression blanked and Jason let her hand go as she turned around to look at her short friend. Alex smiled cheekily at the couple as she sat on the edge of Jason's bed by Rolyn.

"Who invited you?" Jason grumbled.

"I got bored." Alex groaned letting her head loll back. "Marina is asleep and the rest of the guys are at school and Jocelyn's at work – of course I'm going to interrupt one of your sappy little moments." She laughed.

"I wouldn't expect anything different." Rolyn sighed with a roll of her eyes.

"If you guys really wanna be alone…although I don't think sex will be all that spectacular with both of you being crippled and all…" Alex trailed off as she tapped her chin and feigned thoughtfulness. Rolyn gaped and Jason snickered childishly.

"Alex!" Rolyn gasped.

"Nah, I think I could make it work. Nothing will ever get in the way of sex." Jason said with an affirming nod. Rolyn's eyes widened.

"Jason!" She squealed. Jason and Alex snickered together at that point and Rolyn flushed scarlet before huffing. "You guys are so gross…" She murmured crossing her arms over her chest the best she could while having one arm wrapped in a cast.

"You love us both regardless." Alex said as she draped an arm over Rolyn's shoulder and pulled her into a side hug. Rolyn rolled her eyes once again, but smiled despite herself.

"But you love me more." Jason added.

Alex snorted. "As if."

"I'm her fiancé."

"I'm one of her best friends."

"She has sex with me."

"She tells me how much it sucks."

Jason gasped dramatically and Rolyn introduced her hand to her forehead. Alex smirked at Jason as his eyes widened and he began to whimper like a wounded puppy.

"Rolyn…?" Jason simpered reaching over to tug on the hem of her t-shirt.

"She's lying." Rolyn deadpanned with her hand still firmly pressed to the spot between her eyes. Jason sighed in relief before sticking his tongue out at the purple haired girl. Alex scoffed and rolled bubblegum pink eyes.

"Anyways…" Alex sighed. "Besides the fact that I was bored out of my mind, I had an actual reason for coming by."

"And that would be?" Jason grumbled with a roll of her eyes.

"I was wondering what was gonna happen…you know with living arrangements and stuff." Alex murmured as she looked towards Rolyn. "Did Officer Jenny get back to us about what happened?" She added.

Rolyn pursed her lips and shook her head. "They've gone through Hoenn, Kanto, Sinnoh, and Phoenix and there is still no record of a Favon being brought into any of the centers." She explained. Alex huffed. There were still so many regions left to check. It was frustrating.

"Just put it out of your head." Jason groaned throwing his head back in exasperation. "I think I already expressed how annoying it is to constantly hear about what we're gonna do about who did this. Frankly, I don't care. I'm just happy to be alive."

"You're lucky to be alive." Alex grumbled. Jason shot her a narrowed eyed look.

"Put it out of your head." Jason repeated a little slower. Alex pressed her lips together in a fine line while crossing her arms over her chest.

"Whatever…" Alex sighed with a flippant wave of her hand. Jason gave her a hard look and she quickly turned away. Rolyn glanced between the two before sighing. All of this was seriously getting to their heads and it would be a while before it completely passed over.


"I'm really sorry about leaving so suddenly." May said with a small frown. Her mother smiled from the other end of the video call while shaking her head. May hadn't spoken to her mother for more than twenty seconds since the day before Thanksgiving and May felt indescribably guilty. She had been looking forward to spending time at home with her parents and her little brother, but no more than a couple of hours into that time, she had to run off again.

"We all understand, May," Caroline sighed. "I'm just glad everything is alright over there. Jason and Rolyn are gonna be fine, right?" Caroline smiled hopefully and May returned the expression while nodding.

"They'll be fine." May confirmed. "But we're all a little rattled about everything that's happened. The insurance just sent someone over to the house to take an inventory of what is recognizable and the search of Pokémon center databases for the Pokémon that caused the fire is well underway."

Caroline nodded. "That's good…I still can't believe someone would deliberately do something like this to you girls." Caroline breathed with a shake of her head. "You girls have done nothing wrong. I've never heard word of you harming anyone or having ill will. You and your friends did not deserve this."

"It doesn't matter why it happened, Mom…but it did and we're coping. Mrs. Hayden was gonna take us shopping later to get back some of the clothes that we're missing." May attempted to change the subject. Caroline smiled brightly; she easily took the bait.

"That's so kind of her!" Caroline gushed. "I almost forgot she was still over there in Jewel. Although, I don't know how I feel about letting this woman put out for you like that. She's already done so much…"

"She's using money from the insurance, Mom." May sighed with a slight roll of her eyes. "You don't have to worry. She's just going with us to oversee and stuff."

"Oh well, that's fine." Caroline chuckled with a shrug. May couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I'm sure you'll all have fun."

"Hopefully." May muttered. Caroline didn't catch the small comment.

"I have to go pick up Max from school, but I will talk to you later, okay sweetie?" Caroline smiled sweetly and May hummed in agreement. With that said and a small wave, the connection was cut between the two brunette's and May's computer screen went blank with the flickering message that the connection had been lost. May sighed as she snapped her laptop shut just as someone knocked on the threshold of the room she shared with Marina.

"Hey," She immediately smiled and Drew forced his own. May tried not to look too disappointed. Drew's enthusiasm had been anything but as of lately and May could hardly blame him. Despite the fact that it wasn't his home that had caught on fire, his sister and his best friend were hurt…but May felt like there was more to it. Something was really bothering him. Drew just refused to tell her.

He had actually promised to both Rolyn and his parents that he wouldn't mention to May that her room had been the first place to catch fire. He didn't want to worry the brunette and until everything was dealt with; they didn't want to risk scaring her. If the person who did actually do this was never caught...Drew wasn't sure how he'd handle things. What if they really wanted to hurt May? Who would want to hurt May so badly minus for Jasmine who Drew had been watching much more carefully lately?

"Are you coming with us to Diamond Mall?" May questioned as she swung her feet over the side of her bed and stood to her feet. Drew simply hummed in agreement as he moved to approach her. May met him halfway, automatically letting her arms wrap lazily around his neck when his hands moved to her waist.

May couldn't say she was so surprised when he pressed a tender kiss to her lips that left her breathless and weak. He didn't smirk at her like he usually would after a kiss. His expression was neutral and he didn't bring his eyes to meet hers.

"Something wrong?" She asked hesitantly.

Drew shook his head. "No…I just have a lot on my mind. Finals are coming up soon." He supplied. May's brow furrowed. Surely finals wasn't what had Drew acting so…lifeless. He was too smart for his own good. Schoolwork was nothing to him.

"Are you sure that's it?"

"Am I giving the impression that says otherwise?" Drew answered her question with one of his own.

May nodded. "Kind of, yes…" She said. Drew sighed deeply through his nose. "Tell me what's really bothering you…please?"

"Don't worry about me." He said quickly while tightening his grip on her hips. May frowned lightly. "Just don't…and trust that everything is going to be fine. You don't have to worry about me. I'm just…still processing everything that's happening." He only spoke half the truth. "Let me be the one to worry."

"Why are you worried?"

"I dunno." He lied.

May sighed, taking the lie. She pulled Drew towards her into a hug. Drew hid his face in the crook of her neck and sighed again, this time more contentedly. He had no idea what he'd do without May. Despite everything they've gone through, she always maintained to keep him grounded and made excuses for him he didn't deserve and trusted in words she wish she questioned. She was too much.

"I love you…" Drew murmured into her neck. May smiled lightly as she gently stroked the back of her neck.

"I love you, too…" She murmured.

"I love you guys, too…"

May blinked in surprise and Ian smirked at her.

"You creep." She squealed as she pried herself out of Drew's arms and shot the golden-eyed boy a glare. Ian simply shrugged carelessly. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm going to be babysitting the injured puppy while you guys go shopping." Ian waved his hands with a fake smile that made May's expression go blank. "But Patou told me to fetch you guys. They're leaving, apparently."

"Oh…" May murmured as she turned back to Drew. The green haired boy shrugged and took May's hand in his leading her out the door, past Ian. "See you later." She waved and Ian waved back before Drew muttered something about hurrying up. Ian rolled his eyes before pulling May and Marina's door shut and heading down the hall.

He knocked on the second to first door in the hall, and when he received no response, he slowly nudged the door open. He laughed behind closed lips when he saw Jason curled up into a ball snuggling a Tropius plush in his mouth open sleep. Being the sweetheart Ian was, he decided to wake Jason up the best way he knew how.

He slapped him in the face with a pillow.

"The hell…" Jason grumbled groggily.

"Get up sunshine, ya gotta take your pain meds." Ian said as he took the empty cup on Jason's nightstand and went into the connected bathroom to fill it with water. Jason clutched to his plush doll tighter and whimpered, muttering to himself about mean people. Ian perked a brow as he set the full cup on the nightstand.

"It's too early." Jason whined.

"It's two in the afternoon." Ian corrected.

"Too early." Jason argued.

"Take your pill."

"I will if you give it to me using your mouth." Jason gave a tired half smirk and Ian rolled his eyes, but smiled despite himself.

"Maybe next time when your meds won't be so strong I'll pass out if I do so much as poke them with my tongue." Ian retorted as he took the pill bottle and poured two of the tablets into his hand.

"I'll give you something to poke with your tongue…or lick. Both maybe." Jason sat up in bed, indiscreetly hiding his Tropius plush toy under the covers. Ian snickered inwardly.

"Seriously. They got you on some strong shit."

"Cause I'm in some serious pain." Jason groaned. Ian frowned at that. "Oh, do not give me that look and do not give me some lecture about my reckless behavior and how I need to realize that I almost died and all that crap. Thank God I didn't, but we all know why I wouldn't care if I did."

"Okay yea, I get it. You wanted to make sure Rolyn was safe but that doesn't mean we're all fine about you being in the condition you're in." Ian countered sharply. Jason clenched his jaw and Ian sighed as he handed Jason his pills and then handed him the cup of water. "Like it or not, there are a lot of people who worry about you."

"I'm guessing one of them is you?" Jason said sarcastically before downing the pills with a gulp of water. Ian shot him a narrowed eyed look before flicking him in the forehead. Jason cringed and shot him a glare.

"Of course I'm one of them." He grumbled. "You're like my best friend and I love you."

"You love me?" Jason cooed, cocking his head to the side. Ian flushed and this time punched Jason in the head. "Ow! Bitch!"

"I've been called worse." Ian sighed with a careless shrug.

Jason huffed and gingerly rubbed his abused head. "And here I was gonna say I love you, too." Ian smiled lightly. "You're my best friend, too." Jason gave a wolfish grin. "And you know what best friends do? They have sex with each other." Ian laughed openly.

"No, that's what lovers do."

"Fine then, we can be lovers."

"You're getting married next year."

Jason snapped his fingers. "Oh yea…almost forgot!"

Ian scoffed. "No you didn't."

Jason smiled. "Nope…"

"Rolyn is really lucky to have an idiot like you." Ian chuckled as he reached over and ruffled Jason's hair.

"Patou's lucky to have a selfish little brat like you." Jason retorted. "And I'm lucky to have such an amazing friend…thanks for being there."

Ian smiled weakly. "What are friends for?"

"Sex." Jason responded automatically.

Ian rolled his eyes.


Oh wow this chapter was really, really late and I feel so bad. I think it's been over a week since I last updated. I've just been so busy with moving and I'm volunteering at church so I've been all over the place. Thank you all for waiting patiently. Trust me I will get back on track and I won't make you guys wait like that again. I don't need to disappoint anymore people. Everything will start moving again from here…hopefully. You never know with me…seriously, even I don't even know. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

Feedback would be wonderful.

~Rolyn~