senirasushipping — just because
- 8 -
Moonlight
I couldn't face Volkner after that. There was no way. So I did what any girl in my position would do. I turned on my heel and booked it down the nearest side street.
I know. I know. Not my most mature moment. But I panicked, okay?
I have no idea what I'm going to do next. I have no idea where I'm going. There's that Ferris wheel, taunting me from above as I collapse onto a bench. How did my daydreams get so far away? How did it all fall apart?
I bury my head in my hands, blocking it from my view. Stupid Ferris wheel. I hope it goes down for maintenance.
"Candice? Are you all right?"
I look up, and suddenly wish I'd run out of town.
It's not Volkner. It's not even my friends.
It's Elesa, towering over me in all her couture-clad glory. I hate Nimbasa. We should've gone to Undella instead.
"Fine!" I force a smile. I won't give her the satisfaction. "What are you doing here?"
"Leaving the gym," she says.
Right. It's next to the Ferris wheel. How could I forget?
"Shouldn't you be at a musical?" Elesa checks her custom Xtransceiver phone—as if I'd expect anything less—and frowns. "At least, that's what Volkner said when he called off our battle."
What musical, I want to say. But I can't. That's on a whole other level.
Could I really get away with it? Am I about to sink so low? Does it matter, if I'm never going to see her again?
"Oh?" I cross my fingers behind my back. "I guess Volkner lied." And I wait for that perfect face to fall.
It doesn't. And up close, it's not so perfect.
Well, she's Elesa. It's pretty well perfect. Only her mascara's smudged at the corner, like she's been training all day—and the day's just begun. Does she always hit the gym on the weekends? Is that how it is, with a schedule like hers?
Not only that. Her expression's making me nervous.
"Why would he?" Elesa's words come as more of a challenge than a question. "It was his idea."
Maybe I shouldn't have said that.
No. I know I shouldn't have said that. It's exactly what I've been doing all along. And look where it's gotten me.
"He didn't." I take a deep breath. "I lied. The truth is, Elesa… I owe you an apology."
So I told her the whole story. How I fell for Volkner that fateful day long ago. How I've been trying to capture his attention ever since. How this retreat was the opportunity I'd been waiting for. How I've fantasized about that Ferris wheel moment. And how he walked right past it and into her gym.
How I'd never seen Volkner so impressed. How I refused to let him go without a fight. How I brought all the leaders to football, which I had to pretend to like. And then to that musical, which we got kicked out of. By the time I finished, Elesa was laughing so hard she said her sides hurt.
But not in a mean way or anything.
"Well, you can stop sabotaging our battle plans," she tells me, once she's regained her composure. "I'm not after Volkner."
"You're not?"
Elesa leans in confidentially, like we're sharing secrets between friends. "I mean, I can't say I didn't think about it. But I gave up on him before long."
Believe me, I've been there. "He's hard to get to know."
"No. Because he kept choosing your plans over plans with me."
I never thought about it that way.
We end up talking for hours. I promise to let their battle go ahead—not that I could stop Volkner now if I tried—and Elesa promises to call me if she ever does a show in Sinnoh. And she'll put me in the front row. I've already got the perfect outfit in mind.
Oh, and it turns out she likes my dress. The top model of top models herself.
So I take back what I said about hers, that night in the gym. It was pure jealousy. Nothing more. And she rolls her eyes a little, but I think she understands. She gets that a lot from other models. And other girls, in general.
It's not easy being Elesa. Took me long enough to realize.
"You know, they're wrong about you," I say, as I hug her goodbye. "Reserved? I don't see it."
"Where'd you hear that?" she asks. But she's practically glowing. I've made her day.
"Just something I read once."
Forget Volkner, Elesa said. Suppose Volkner wasn't even here, she said. How would I be spending the rest of my vacation?
Shopping Mall Nine is everything I envisioned it to be.
Floor after floor of to-die-for stores. Clothes as far as the eye can see. Styles that haven't even made it to Sinnoh. I want it all. Hey, if I can't win at romance, I can at least make up for it in fashion before I get back to Pokémon, right?
Elesa agreed it made perfect sense. Then she called and pulled a few strings, so now I get a VIP discount at her favorite boutique.
In fact, they're giving me the full celebrity treatment. What a pleasure it is to have a top international Gym Leader as a customer. Are the fitting rooms all right for me? Would I like to try their signature cocktail?
And after one of those signature cocktails, I have to say, I'm feeling a whole lot better. Only I'm not sure this forget Volkner thing is working the way it's supposed to.
With every outfit I try on, I'm like, what's the use, if I've lost any chance I had with him? Then I'm like, I'll make Volkner see. I'll look so good…
Oh, who am I kidding? He'll never notice.
Volkner doesn't care for fashion. I asked him once. Which is too bad, because he, of all people, could do some serious shopping. With the work he's done in Sunyshore, he consults on so many projects, he's set for life. But I know him. He'd probably rather buy a state-of-the-art battle simulator.
Oops. So much for getting my mind off Volkner.
I haven't had Volkner off my mind since I got here. Once, when I stepped out of the fitting room for a second opinion, I just about swore I heard Volkner's voice. What's wrong with me?
Nothing. Don't answer that. On the bright side, I've never felt so fashion-forward in my life. As I twirl before the mirror in a chic navy coat, I feel my worries float away. I could stay here for hours. I don't even know how long it's been.
But it's all temporary. When I leave Shopping Mall Nine, it's back to reality.
Back to our hotel. Back to the room I'm sharing with Fantina. Back for one last miserable day of retreat. And then back to Sinnoh—how am I going to avoid Volkner on our flight?
There'll be League meetings. Nights out with our friends. I don't want to stress about it. I'm happy right where I am.
"Would you like to shop our new collection?" the manager calls through the door. "It's not out to the public, but for you, we're willing to make an exception."
"I'd love to."
It's only when it takes all the staff in the store to gather my purchases and bring them to the checkout that I start to think I might've overdone it.
You know. Just a tiny bit. Like when those romcom girls go out for a drink or two to rebound from their love lives gone wrong and suddenly it's one too many. Same here, except clothes.
But what's being a VIP for, if I can't look the part? Besides. I need this now more than ever.
"You deserve it," says one of the chattier sales associates. "After the day you've had."
How does she know? And why are they all watching me, like they're waiting for my reaction?
"About that," the manager speaks up. "There's someone here to see you."
I turn around, and almost drop my purse.
Volkner's coming my way. I'm thrilled and terrified all at once. There's no time to compose myself, or even to think. Is this for real, or has that cocktail gone to my head?
"Elesa told me I'd find you here," he says, when he reaches me. "I tried calling."
What else has she told him?
No. She promised she wouldn't say a word. And I believe her.
I check my phone, but nothing registers. "It's frozen." Which I guess must happen sometimes after you've thrown it at a wall.
"So. Obsessed, huh?"
Arceus. Volkner's not messing around.
But he's here. Halfway across Unova. And I realize, with a fragile, growing hope—he doesn't have to be.
He didn't have to go along with any of it.
"I don't obsess, I focus." I lock eyes with him and hold his gaze. I'm facing up to this, for better or worse. "Maybe a little too much on you. But I'm really, really hoping you came because you've decided you don't mind."
I break off into silence. My hands tremble. I can't tell what he's thinking, but when could I ever?
"You're all set." The manager points me to an assortment of bags, all done up with tissue paper and bows. "Hope to see you next time you're in Unova!"
"Thank you so much," I say, thankful for the diversion, too. "I'll be at the checkout in a minute."
"No need." She nods toward Volkner. "It's been taken care of."
It's what?
The other girls in the boutique are looking on in amazement. Like they wish some gorgeous guy would show up out of nowhere and buy them all of their stuff.
Somehow I can't find the words. "Why would you… I mean, thank you…"
"Elesa and I had that battle," Volkner says, after a pause. "Only a battle, in case you're interested."
"And?" He's teasing me again. And he so hasn't answered my question.
"I blew it."
"You lost?" I try not to gasp. Volkner hasn't lost a battle since Lucas. That I know of.
"My head wasn't in it." Something in his expression changes, and I find myself wondering if this is Volkner with his guard down. "For someone who's all about focus, you've sure done a number on mine."
Okay. Now I truly am speechless.
"Well," he says, like it's nothing at all. "You wanna get going?"
Right. We can manage this. No problem. It's only a few shopping bags.
It's not like I even got that much, I assure myself, as we pack the hotel elevator from floor to ceiling. Just a few things for the gym. And wearing out and about. And showing Volkner exactly what he was missing.
Not that I'll need to, it happens.
"How are you getting all this back to Sinnoh?" He's on my case as usual.
But I've got it more than covered. "Elesa's best friend owns a cargo plane."
Her name is Skyla and her employees will pick it up tomorrow while we're out at the Multi Train. Isn't that the greatest?
"Convenient," says Volkner, leading me into the last remaining inches of space. "I have a feeling you might need one."
"Hey." I squeeze closer to him as the doors shut—and we're lucky they do. "You didn't have to buy me the whole boutique, you know."
There's that smirk on his lips again. "Let's call it a gift. After all you've done for our retreat."
"After I ruined our retreat." I might as well tell it like it is. "No one had fun, everyone bailed on me, you pulled an all-nighter just to get the Battle Subway in…"
"Oh, I had fun." He grins. "More than I've had in a while. It was worth it to watch you eat popcorn and talk football."
"I don't know the first thing about football." I giggle.
"Yeah," he deadpans. "Just ask Chad Mistralton Driftveil, star goalie… I mean, quarterback."
Which is so like him, I think, with a playful pout at Volkner. Does he have to catch me out on everything?
Fantina, I remember, as we arrive at my room. Arceus, no. I've got half the mind to turn back and spend our last night in Nimbasa camped out on Maylene and Gardenia's floor—if they'll still have me, that is.
Then again, just wait till she sees us together. Fantina was out for revenge. To make me wish I'd never even gone on retreat. And look at me and Volkner now.
I fling open the door, steeling myself for a confrontation. But there's no one in.
Just clothes. Everywhere.
Volkner casts an amused glance around. "I see why Fantina has it in for you."
"Don't mention her. Please."
"Fair enough." He carries in the last of my bags. "But you might want to know that she caught an early flight back to Sinnoh."
"Good." Relief floods through me. I almost didn't notice her stuff was gone. I'm a disaster.
A loud knock sounds, and I will myself to relax. A knock that strong could only belong to Maylene.
Or Wake. But I mean, why?
"Candice!" Sure enough, it's Maylene, with Gardenia close behind. "We've been looking all over for you!"
"Guess we should've checked the mall." Gardenia scans the scene, brightening at the sight of Volkner. "Are we interrupting something?"
And I laugh.
On any other day, this is the part where I'd blush. Change the subject. Start talking way too fast. But all my feelings are out in the open. There's nothing left to give away. And you know what? I kind of like it.
"Maybe," I say instead. How's that for bold?
"Volkner told Fantina off," Maylene cuts in. "You should've seen it!"
"You didn't tell me that!" I beam at him. I'm almost wishing I'd stuck around.
"It was nothing." He shrugs it off.
Maylene shakes her head. "It was awesome." And either she and Gardenia have forgotten they're mad at me—or they aren't.
I should've known they wouldn't be. They're my friends. The best friends a girl could ask for. Even after I made our retreat all about myself.
Or Volkner, more like.
"Can we talk?" Suddenly, I'm desperate to make amends. "I've been more selfish this weekend than I had any right to be."
"We'll talk tomorrow." Gardenia smiles. "That Ferris wheel isn't going to run all night, you know."
Best. Friends. Ever.
Before I can so much as blink, Gardenia's rushing Maylene out the door. Subtle as always, but I'm learning to appreciate her ways.
"You coming?" Volkner asks, when it's just me and him. "Wouldn't want to miss the one place in Nimbasa everybody goes."
If I ever doubted he paid attention, I don't now.
Through the window, I watch the Ferris wheel turn—or not. Its lights are shining bright, but it's motionless in the sky. "We might be a little late for that."
"Don't worry about it." Volkner types a text into his phone. "Elesa's got connections."
Of course she does. But for once, I'm not jealous in the least.
We're back in the entertainment district. There's no chance we'll end up at the gym. I bet Volkner wouldn't even protest if I tried to call this a date. This is it. It's finally happening.
He knows how I feel. He's made it obvious he feels something himself. And the best part is, the more I own up to, the easier it gets.
"I love Pikachu," I say, when we walk past the sculpture. "Reminds me of you."
If only Gardenia could see me now. She'd be so proud.
Volkner grins triumphantly back. "I knew your favorite color wasn't yellow."
"You were right, too. Blue all the way." I smooth down the hem of my dress as a wind blows by, and to my astonishment, he takes off his jacket and hands it over.
"Not that you need it." He catches my eye, as though daring me to confess. "Just because you like it so much."
"You saw that?" I can feel my so-called sunburn coming back already.
"Looks good on you."
Oh, Volkner. This is only the beginning. Wait till I wear it to my gym—the girls will flip. Or on the moonlit beaches of Sunyshore, casually thrown over a white bikini.
Elesa gives us a wave before disappearing into her gym. I wave back and pull out my phone to snap a quick Ferris wheel selfie.
Never mind. Still frozen.
Maybe Volkner can fix it. I'll ask him. Later. And only if I can somehow delete my texts about him first. He doesn't need to know that much.
"I got it." He offers up his own—without a hint of reluctance.
I wrap my arms around him. Our faces nearly touch. And when I see the photo, my heart skips a beat. He's smiling for real. At me. Because of me. Like he can't even help it.
"Perfect," I say. Then I set it as his wallpaper.
"Really?"
"Hey, you can always change it back."
He pockets his phone. "Maybe later."
"Elesa's guests?" A ride attendant comes forward. "Right this way."
That's us. Elesa's guests. How cool is that?
We board the Ferris wheel like my daydreams come true—or close enough. The sunset's long gone. And it turns out you don't sit down in these Poké Ball things.
Well, you could. But why would you? Unless you'd planned on going full romance novel heroine and claiming fear of heights in hopes of seeking comfort in your true love's arms.
I wouldn't. Not anymore.
We're lifted off the ground, and right away it's clear—my fantasies have nothing on Nimbasa at night. I gaze out at the streets lit up like a neon playground and the point where the skyscrapers meet the stars.
"It's beautiful," I say, just as I imagined I would.
"Yeah." He takes in our surroundings, then fixes those blue eyes on me. "But I'm gonna guess you didn't ask me here for the view."
The echoes of the city are fading fast, and I'm acutely aware that we're alone. His footsteps sound over the faint mechanical whirr of the ride as he comes closer.
Volkner doesn't hesitate. He kisses me.
Like he means it. Like he's been wanting this. Since that moment in his room, I hazard, as his hands find their way beneath my jacket and I slip into utter bliss. At least.
Well, his jacket. But he'll be lucky if he ever persuades me to give it back.
We're ascending high into the air—which is just about how I feel. Somewhere in the whirlwind of my mind, it dawns on me that we're only partway up.
"Volkner," I tease. "You're supposed to do that at the top."
"I couldn't wait." He laughs. "Neither could you, I take it."
It's exactly like I said, I muse to myself as I kiss him once more. Volkner just isn't the romantic type.
And I'd never want it any other way.
A/N: Now that Candice and Volkner have reached their happily ever after at long last, I'd like to thank everyone who's read and reviewed and faved and followed over the years—I appreciate it more than anything! Fingers crossed for a Sinnoh revival in the not-so-distant future!