Outright Truths

I couldn't stop grinning. Rina had won her first battle in the Sinnoh League and the four of us were celebrating her success in our room, along with all our Pokémon. Psyduck, Happy, Sandshrew, Breloom, Froslass and Mothim were taking turns to use Tubby's belly as a bouncy castle while Ivysaur and the rest of Rina and Rikki's Pokémon interacted with each other, getting along as only friends did. The room was pretty crowded as a result of everyone's Pokémon being out of their balls.

Rikki was gleefully shaking up yet another Soda Pop so she could spray it all over Rina, who was hiding behind Andy like he was a human shield, both of them laughing. Click. I took a picture with my BlukBerry phone, to remember the moment forever. Grinning, I joined in the madness and popped open the party poppers I had been storing for such an occasion. Brightly coloured pieces of paper fluttered everywhere, getting tangled up in hair and fur alike. Suddenly, all eyes were on me and the laughing had stopped. Rina groaned.

"It was just one battle! I still have a long way to go. I'll probably get knocked out in the very next battle..."

"Who's going to clean up this mess?" wondered Andy aloud, looking at the multi-coloured paper strewn across the room, not to mention the damp, sticky patches on the carpet from Rikki's Soda Pops. Well, since he was so concerned about it, he might as well clean it – right? I knew it wasn't bothering me. Rikki flung an arm around Rina's shoulder casually.

"Don't worry about it! We all know you're going to be great, Rina," she said encouragingly. Rina looked at Rikki, her eyes shimmering.

"You really think so?" she asked, unable to conceal the pleased smile spreading across her face.

"I know so." Rikki tore her eyes away from Rina to look at Andy quickly. "And you; don't worry about the mess. Tizzy will help you out." With those final words, my fate was sealed. I was forced to pick up all the loose bits of party popper paper from wherever they had landed while Andy scrubbed at the damp carpet with a sponge dunked in soapy water. I wondered why Rikki didn't have to clean even though she had played a big part in messing it up in the first place, but one look at her cold blue eyes and I knew not to ask. Rikki had threatened me for a lot less.

As I was scrounging around on the floor for little pieces of paper, Andy whispered to me. He asked if I wouldn't mind going somewhere with him in about half an hour and of course I said I would be glad to, though I was curious as to why Andy warned me not to let Rina or Rikki know about it. Just what was Andy planning that was so top secret?

The four of us soon realised why we don't let all our Pokémon out at once: conflicts were sure to arise. A fight looked like it was breaking out between Ivysaur and Sparky, with many of the others backing up the Raichu. Ivysaur was glaring at Sparky, whose cheeks were igniting with electricity in a menacing manner. Flareon and Monferno were growling at Psyduck, causing him to blubber like a baby. Tubby just looked confused at everything going on, probably dazed as an after effect of the Pokémon jumping on him. We hurriedly returned them all to their balls before things could get serious and looked at each other, relieved. I think we all were thinking the same thing; we wouldn't be trying that again in a hurry.

Andy announced then that he and I were going to take a short walk downstairs to the shop. He asked if Rina or Rikki wanted anything but neither did, so he and I left swiftly. We hadn't gotten very far when Andy stopped walking and turned to me, quite serious.

"Tizzy, I chose you because well, you're my best friend. The thing is, I've been talking to this guy online and he seems really nice so I suggested we meet up. Apparently he's here to watch his older sister battle in the league. But I've been having second thoughts about meeting him alone, just in case he turns out to be...Someone else. A creep, I guess." At least that explained why Andy knew so much about that online profile thingy he taught Rina how to use... Andy bit his lip nervously and fiddled with his hands.

"You don't have to come if you don't want to. I'd really appreciate it if you did though, and I thought it would be good for you to do something different so you weren't thinking about TJ and his new girlfriend," Andy said, giving me a small smile. He rested his hand on my shoulder and looked at me sympathetically. Suddenly I couldn't take it anymore; all the lies, the deceit. It had gone on long enough and I was fed up with it. I knocked Andy's hand off my shoulder and placed my own on his, staring at him intently so he would believe me.

"Andy, I'm sorry to say that I've been lying to you – or rather, not telling you the truth. The reality is, I'm way over TJ and have been for a long time now. I'm sort of still in love with you but I know we'll never be together as a couple. I've grown used to the idea of us simply being best friends and in fact, am quite happy with that." Glad to have got it all off my chest, I sighed contently.

I stood back and waited for Andy's reaction. His already pale face grew paler and his mouth hung open slightly – he was understandably surprised. I saw Andy visibly swallow, closing his eyes to process the information. When Andy opened his eyes again, he was smiling. He grabbed my hand.

"Thanks for being honest with me. I do love you Tizzy, just in my own way." I smiled back at him.

"I know," I said. "Let's go meet that guy!" I pulled him after me as I raced down the stairs, eager to see Andy's knew friend. I wondered how we would identify him from all the other teenagers milling around aimlessly and Andy informed me that his friend, who went by the name of Nev_Jr16, would be wearing a bright red jacket. Being inside the building meant that not a lot of people were in jackets – red or otherwise – so it was pretty easy to spot Andy's friend from the other side of the room. Nervously, he and I walked up to the boy, who had a Mime Jr. at his side.

"N-N-Nev_Jr16?" stuttered Andy.

"D-Drew_Ivy?" the other boy asked. The Mime Jr. stared at us curiously. Andy looked back at me and then at his online friend.

"Ye-Yeah, but c-call me Andy," he said. His friend gave a faint smile, as did his Pokémon.

"I-In that c-case, I'm N-Nevada." Nevada was cute and had on a grey cap that covered most of his short lilac hair and hid his anxious brown eyes. His red jacket was a rather feminine-looking trench coat, which he wore over black skinny jeans, paired with red trainers. He was dressed in a similar way to Andy, just with more of a sense of fashion. It probably helped that both were as pale as each other, and seemed to have a habit of stuttering. I cleared my throat loudly, prompting Andy to remember my existence.

"Oh! Sorry. Nevada, this is my best friend Tizzy," Andy hurriedly added. I smiled broadly at Nevada and his Mime Jr.. They seemed nice enough to me. It was obvious they weren't the creeps Andy had feared. I nudged him encouragingly and he blushed. Nevada shifted on his feet uncomfortably.

"I-Is she coming on our d-date, too?" he asked, eyes wide. Andy began choking while I laughed heartily.

"Is that what this is?" asked Andy, at the same time I said,

"Of course I'm not!" We regarded each other for a moment before I turned my attention back on Nevada.

"Andy wanted me to come with him in case you turned out to be a creep. But you're not, so I'll be going now. Have fun you two!" I trilled, already retreating back upstairs. In all honesty, I didn't mind much that Andy was going on a date. Nevada looked harmless enough and after Roger, I knew Andy needed a huge confidence boost in the love life department. If Nevada made Andy happy, then I was happy. Besides, at first glance Nevada was perfect for him. I could tell they were going to get on wonderfully and even if they didn't officially go out, they'd make great friends. It was my job as Andy's best friend to be there and do what was right for him, after all.

And also to annihilate Nevada if he did anything to hurt my little Andykins.