"Why won't you talk to me?" Carl said on the other side of the door.
I had taken up residence in my mother and brother's room. I couldn't go back to the room Caleb and I had.
"Just go Carl. I'm not talking about this tonight. I have a battle tomorrow to focus on."
"Oh and you are just going to do it without Caleb?"
"That's the plan."
"That's weak," he said almost yelling.
Maybe he's right. I am being weak. I'm hiding behind a closed door attempting to stifle my emotion. The damp spot on my shirt from wiping away the tears shows it isn't working.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
He hesitated. "Because you are my friend and I care. Is that a crime?"
It should be at this point.
"No, why are you here instead of Caleb?"
Silence. "Exactly," I add.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Why isn't my supposed boyfriend here fighting for our relationship? Why was he out there cracking under the pressure because of what Iwika said? Why was he believing any word that she said over mine? I told him that you were my best friend and he was boyfriend and that was all."
I wanted to punch the wall in front of me.
"I-I don't know Cam. You'll have to ask him."
I scoffed. "If he cares so much about this relationship then he should fight for it. He should be here.'
I heard Carl take a deep breath. "Please open the door, Cam. Your mom and bro will be here soon. You'll have to open it anyway."
My mom and bro went to dinner with Kukui. Obviously I wasn't in the mood to go.
I sighed and placed my hand on the lock. I slowly turned it and then opened the door with my head down. As I opened the door I saw two pairs of feet so I looked up. Caleb was standing right next to Carl.
"Why?"
"Cause I knew you would tell the absolute truth to Carl instead of me."
I look at Carl who was afraid to catch my eye. Then I turn my eyes' attention to Caleb who looked mad and sad at the same time.
"I'm sorry. You were right. I did let Iwika's words get to me. She did spark doubt in me. But it's not there anymore. I realized how stupid I was, or am I guess."
"I should've known this would happen after what happened in Ever Grande."
Carl raised his eyebrows and said, "Wait, what happened?"
I sighed. "I mentioned about taking on Kanto and Hoenn next year. With you and him. He thought he'd be third-wheeling."
Caleb shook his head. "That isn't why. They are barely related. The only thing the two thoughts have in common is my insecurity."
Now it was my turn to be confused.
"I'm afraid I'm going to lose people, Cam. People that I love. I lost Zach and I never let anybody else in after he died. Until you. I never knew how to handle our friendship because I felt in some way I was going to lose you too. That's why it was easy for doubts to creep into my head that what we have isn't real and isn't infinite."
I stepped aside and allowed them to finally enter the room. I took those few seconds to try and think of something to say in response. After I closed the door I took a deep breath and turned around.
It was hard for me not the empathize with Caleb. I know his story and I've spent the last 8 or 9 months understanding him. It made sense even though I was still upset.
"I'm sorry," I finally said.
"Why do you think I looked up at you after I won?" Caleb asked not accepting my apology.
"Huh? Um I don't know."
"Because you are my boyfriend. Because I was able to get through that battle cause of you. Having you by my side throughout this entire adventure has allowed me to accomplish my goals."
I looked away and faced the window looking out towards Championship Row. I watched as people strolled by under the full moon of Alola. The smell of Malasada seeped in through the open windows from the restaurant next door.
I felt the breeze hit right below my left earlobe sending a shiver down my spine. I looked back at Caleb and took a step closer to him. I watched his shoulder slouch a little so I moved in and hugged him.
"Are we good?" he asked me.
I pushed away slowly and said, "Of course."
A brief silence gripped the room when Carl cleared his throat. "Okay lets go eat. All this tension has made me hungry."
Caleb and I chuckled.
As we were leaving the room I turned around and looked at Skitty who was laying on the bed.
"Skitty, you gonna come and eat with us or sleep?"
Skitty opened his eyes and looked at me. This was truly the toughest decision of his life.
He yawned and then hopped off the bed and followed us as we went to the Malasada restaurant.
...
The sun was blazing. It was the hottest day of the summer yet. People were outside enjoying the ambiance of an Alolan summer day. They were drinking lemonade and local drinks. The man-made lake was packed and so were the beaches. Some of the local shops handed out free drinks and ice cream to those walking around.
I looked up at a sign that had a scrolling message: "The Semifinal Match between Cameron Alistar and Castor Reigns will start in 35 minutes."
Then I looked up ahead and saw the beautiful stadium. It got closer and closer with each step I took until I was right under the main gate. People wished me good luck and happy thoughts. I even signed a kid's Pokeball. That was a new experience for me.
I eventually made my way to the center of the field where I was facing Castor. This was my semifinals match. It was happening and I'm calm.
Castor smirks at me. "Ready to lose, Splits."
"Do you ever realize that you kill people's brain cells when you speak?"
He scoffed. 'You got quite the mouth. Maybe I need to do to you what I did back on Akala."
Skitty growled at him. "You don't scare me, Castor. You are nothing."
The announcer sensed our tension and whispered to us to keep the battle clean. He went back to playing up the crowd as he introduced us. He was tentative when he told us to shake hands.
I put my hand out but Castor didn't. Castor chuckled and turned around. The crowd booed him. I just shrugged my shoulders and went back to my box. When I made it there I saw Skitty was still standing in the middle of the field staring at Castor.
"Skitty! Come back, would you."
Skitty trotted his way back to my side.
Looking at the field, I thought about who my first Pokemon was going to be. Castor quickly sent out his Diggersby. I could go for Toxapex for the type advantage but I had a different idea.
"Go Decidueye."
Castor laughed.
"Going big huh?"
I ignored him. Skitty didn't. Skitty growled and hissed in Castor's direction.
I was tired of talking. "Decidueye, Double Team."
The battle has begun.
