Slowly, but surely getting there. Hope you're enjoying the ride :)
Eight years.
Eight years since she had been taken away and her life tossed around, since her family moved to live in a clan that didn't want them and treated her as if she was a plague. She had started off with no friends and only her parents as her family. Life was bleak and she was sure she wasn't going to make it far.
In those eight years, she's learned to control her new psychic powers, gained two best friends through thick and thin, two pokemon who are her bases, and she has proved her and her family to be part of the clan. Eight years later and she can show her face around the city without worrying about adults sneering at her and children shoving her aside. There may still be some bad blood but many of the families have come to accept the Lockwoods as part of the clan.
With each return of her birthday, Serena gets a little uneasy. She's not worried about being kidnapped again, no way, not here in Blackthorn. This time she'll be able to fend off her crazed uncle and his goons. Instead it has to do with her mind and the dreams it creates.
She's not sure whether they're her own dreams or someone else's with how muddled and confusing they are. Images of gorgeous landscapes fill her mind as if she's been there before, lived there with pokemon for months. Other times she can hear voices, their words garbled as if she were underwater, and her vision dark as if she were blindfolded. Those dreams leave her head pounding. Other times she feels a slight breeze over her face as she faces the sun with her eyes closed. Far off in the distance, she can hear someone talking to her, but she can barely hear their voice or what they say. But every time the breeze flutters by she can catch a bit of a laugh. Those dreams leave her heart aching when she wakes up and she never understands why.
This morning is no different with a dream about a dark place and a vast emptiness in her chest. In her mind, as if the memories were her own, she recalled someone helping her with something. As vague as that sounds, she suspects it was important because that memory brings her happiness, just a tiny spark of warmth in the cold darkness surrounding her.
The scars on her back ache as she slips on skinny jeans and a v-neck shirt. She pulls her long hair back into a quick sloppy braid before heading down the stairs to breakfast. The dream is part of most of her mornings and this one, just like the others, is pushed to the back of her mind in order to focus on herself on this day. At least until the next weird occurrence.
"Happy birthday!" Rowan greets her daughter with a flurry of confetti and a crown. She places the crown carefully on Serena's head and pushes a cupcake with a single, lit candle, into her daughter's hands. "My little princess is turning sixteen, where has the time gone?"
Serena giggles blowing on the candle. "Thanks, Mom."
"Don't forget about me!" Aaron bursts from the kitchen with a heaping plate of food in his hands. "Happy birthday, my love!" He plants a kiss on her head and turns to place the plate on the table. He pulls out a chair for her and gestures for her to take a seat. "I made all your favorites... with your mother's help, of course."
Rowan rolls her eyes in a joking manner at her husband before they take a seat on either side of her. "There's gonna be a small party like you wanted, cake, pokemon and friends."
"That sounds perfect," Serena admits portioning out her food and digging in.
She and her mother carefully planned out her day, so that she would feel safe and in control of the day's events. Aaron, after making a few work calls and runs, has managed to get some extra security around the house without his daughter knowing. At least, that's what he believes. She's known since the thought was implanted in his mind, but hasn't said a thing to spare his feelings... Or maybe it was to spare her own, extra security provides her with a sense of comfort.
"You're sixteen and starting your journey soon," Aaron discusses at the table.
Her mother nods. "Yes and you're ready, right?"
"I just have to pack," Serena confirms. "Wynn and Ty are pretty pumped. They're getting stronger too."
"That they are," Aaron nods in agreement. "Are you?"
"Only one way to find out, right?" she grins at him in return. "I'm nervous about all the walking. I'm not gonna make it far."
"Not everyone makes it far in their first week," Aaron reassures her. "As long as you can break up your miles and do the best that you can, you'll be just fine."
"And don't forget to call...Everyday," Rowan states with a firm nod.
"I'll do my best," Serena sighs, not sounding enthusiastic about that at all.
Her parents leave her be to get ready for her school day. With graduation coming up and a bunch of preparation to be made for their send off, Serena and Lance have been busy keeping their grades up, training their pokemon and taking walks. Walking everywhere they can even if they don't want to. It's said that the hardest part of being a trainer is walking almost everywhere when there's no other mode of transportation available. Exhaustion is the main reason many have been close to death on their journeys.
Despite her exercising, Serena is still a bit worried about her image. She's gotten better about eating and has tried her best to go to wrestling with Clair, but that's just not for her. She hopes her journey will be kind and grant her some rise to sudden beauty.
"Birthday girl!" Clair calls as Serena exits her front gates. She turns to see the blue haired girl skipping over to her with Lance and Jax not far behind. Serena smiles as Clair gathers her up into a tight hug and spins her around. "Happy birthday!"
"Thanks," she giggles.
"You still have to go to school on your birthday?" Clair nudges her with her elbow. "That sucks."
"My parents offered, but I want to go to school," Serena shrugs with a roll of her eyes. "Some of us have to try to do good in school, you know."
Clair clutches her chest as if struck, "I try."
"Whatever."
Lance and Jax catch up by then and the four of them begin their stroll towards the school.
"Happy birthday," Lance beams at her, patting her on the back. "Glad you could grace us with your presence today."
"You're welcome," she grins right back. "I had to let you peasants know that I truly care about you."
The four share a laugh as they come up on the school. After all these years, Serena can't believe the slight sense of belonging she has to this place. Maybe it's because her mother works there or the memories she has of her, Clair and Lance against the entire school during the start of her time there. She doesn't dwell on it for long though, as the first bell rings and they rush to class.
"Serena!" Jax calls out as she turns to head towards her trainer class. She pauses and half turns to see him catching up to her with a grin on his face. Other kids in the hallway turn at the sudden exclamation and begin to whisper. Her cheeks flare up at the attention, but she forgets it as he falls into step with her. He shoves his hands into his pockets and grins. "Happy birthday."
"Oh, thanks," she smiles, brushing back a stray strand of hair. "Are you ready for the test today?"
"Am I ever?" he replies in a light tone.
Serena laughs realizing that over the past few months she's gotten to know Jax well after saving Clair and Lance. It's as if they came to a mutual understanding about their mutual friends. As long as the other keeps them safe and happy, they, too, can get along. Not that she's gonna complain.
She doesn't have a crush on him, but being around him causes others to leave her alone. He's a good kid. He has opinions on almost everything and tries to be a mediator whenever there's a fight. This is true academically too. Just barely scoring below her on many of their shared exams and tests. He pretends that he's not, but it's just a modest cover of his hard work ethic.
The class they're heading to now is the advanced ones for students graduating at the end of the year. It teaches them how to survive, how to care for their pokemon and tips for traveling. The tests are written and require every detail told in class to get them completely right. It's the most tedious of her classes and Serena cannot wait for it to be over.
So far, Jax has shown to be a good study buddy. He's got a good memory for terms and she has a good memory for showing processes. While everything is common sense, neither of them think it hurts to be prepared. After all, while on your journey, anything can happen.
OoOoOoO
Serena knew that something was going to happen the minute she stepped foot into her house again. It started with a small headache that turned into her scars aching as she got ready for her small party. It's a feeling that's impossible to shake now that it has started and she is annoyed. Every single year something has to go wrong, one year her headache was so bad the party was cancelled, the next year her father was out after her uncle for some crime and came up empty after days of searching. Every year it's something she doesn't see coming and, sure enough, this time she can't figure out what's going on this year.
The dreams she can handle, the aches she can deal with, the headaches she can deal with too. But all of this together? No. It's enough to get her to cancel the party.
"I'm sorry, baby, but it's a little late to do that," Rowan grimaces at her daughter's pained face. "Everyone's on their way here."
"Ugh!" she groans, clutching her head. "Okay, I'm just gonna take some medicine then."
"Do you wanna meditate quick?" Rowan calls after her as she leaves the dining room to go to the kitchen.
"I won't be able to concentrate," she replies with a sigh.
Crockpots and containers filled to the brim with steaming foods sit atop the granite counters of the kitchen waiting to be dug into. Serena passes them by, swiping a buttery bun on her way to the cabinet next to the sink. It melts in her mouth as she pulls out two white pills and chases it all with cold water. She breathes heavily over the sink, her breaths matching that of the pounding in her head and the pulsing in her scars. She fights to slow it down, concentrating on her breaths.
It's just one night. It's your day, you can make it.
The affirmation does nothing to soothe her nerves, just as it didn't the last few times. But Serena is willing to pretend to believe it and goes about her business taste testing everything on the counters. She never had huge parties in the past, just get togethers with Lance and Clair and then her parents. It's not like she wanted more, her little parties were more than enough for her especially after her last big party.
Knock, knock, knock.
She starts at the sound, dropping a bit of sauce on the floor. Before she can clean it up, Ty swoops in and licks it up with a happy cry. A smile touches her face at the sight of her frolicking pokemon as she bends over to pick him up. He's gained some weight since she first got him, and his training with her father's pokemon has given him some muscle and tough skin.
"Serena! Your guests are here!"
Her mother's words send her springing into action, darting out of the kitchen and to the front entryway to see Clair, her parents, with Lance, and his parents, piling into their house with presents. The sight brings on a wave of warmth into her chest, pushing out the anxieties dragging her downward.
"Rena!" Clair exclaims, dashing up to her and pushing her present into her hands first. "Open mine first!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Rowan holds her hands out in front of her. She flicks her wrists to coral everyone towards the living room. She shoots a glance at the adults, so like Clair to decide where they start first. "Let's all convene in the living room so that we all have a chance to see what everyone got her."
Seated with everyone around her, Serena tries to keep her breathing even. With everyone here there is no way she could ever be kidnapped. Not with her father and Lance's father here. They wouldn't let her be taken away a second time. Was there even a chance that could happen? She'd know, wouldn't she?
"Serena?" her mother's voice pierces her thoughts.
She glances up to see everyone watching her with their brows creased and eyes troubled. Her own face screws up in a bit of frustration as she tries to keep her focus on the present. Swallowing her nerves, she picks up Clair's present, a crudely wrapped rectangular object with rounded edges. It's mendable and hollow in her hands as she twists it around to rip off the paper.
Her eyes sparkle as she pulls out a perfect sized pouch to hold her toiletries while on her journey. Pictures are taken as she showcases Clair's gift to her and then accepts Lance's gift. His is a badge case and a belt specially fitted with connections for pokeballs. The two have already started their rivalry off with promises of battles every time they meet. They're gonna start off together, to get the hang of traveling, but once they're settled; off one will go.
Her parents present her with new sneakers durable for the outdoors. Her mother must have found them at the store, they're practical and fashionable. A blue pokeball with a lightning strike through it, cute and simple.
Rowan orders the gifts on the coffee table and snaps a picture of Serena with her gifts. Then one of Serena, Lance and Clair with the gifts. From there, the food is served as the teens talk of their plans in the coming months. The hum of conversation in the presence of people she trusts relaxes Serena and eases the pain of her headaches.
Not long after dinner has started Rowan's parents arrive, bringing forth more presents themselves. The first gift is a framed painting, taller than Serena but wide enough for her to grasp without spreading her arms to her sides. It's a family tree with beautifully dark blue-green branches spreading outwards from the center. Her father's side is not pictured, just her mother's extensive Clan history. The names are elegant, some hard to pronounce, and the faces look just the same. Their eyes stare at her, telling her that she will be the same, carrying their name with pride and honor.
Rowan peels the painting from her daughter's hand, beckoning for her parents to move onto the others. They pass her some gear she'll need to travel, a lighter, some money, extra socks and a mini flashlight. Practical as ever.
She finally reaches the end of the rain of gifts to find her grandfather passing her a long piece of navy blue cloth. It's durable yet smooth in her hands as she holds it up to the golden light in the living room. It's a deep navy blue color, she wonders if her hands will melt into the fabric with how rich the color looks.
"What's this? A blanket?" she twists the fabric around only to find a fastener at the top.
"It's a cape," her grandmother explains with a proud grin. "Only the finest Dragon Tamers wear one. It will fit you fine when it is time."
Where Serena went to school before, the kids always made fun of capes, saying that only superheroes wear capes. There's no way she will ever be a hero, and so, the cape shall wait for another time. Of course, she keeps that to herself and puts on a big smile for her grandparents. She thanks them for their gifts before being told to join the rest of their guests in the dining room with a plate full of food packed on by her mother. Knowing that a dismissal was given so that her parents can talk with them, Serena scurries off to do as told, eager to get back to the food.
"What did they get you?" Clair speaks between mouthfuls of food.
Serena gets a few bites in before answering. "Just some stuff for the road."
Clair seems satisfied with that and the party continues. By the time Rowan is finished talking with her parents, Aaron has the cake prepared and the birthday song is sung. Serena rolls her eyes at her parents' childish ways, but is rather content that she can have normalcy on her birthday. Her grandparents head off soon after as do Clair's parents, the girls are having a sleepover while Lance will stay late to hangout with them.
As the adults veer off to the kitchen to talk, Lance, Clair and Serena begin to head upstairs. She makes it to the first step when there's a knock on the door. It doesn't sound out of the ordinary, three straight raps on the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Sharp, quick and calculated. As if someone had been waiting until that precise moment to do so. Serena freezes mid-step, her head swiveling towards the front door with a faint trace of fear rolling down her spine. Her mother rounds the corner ready to answer it and she finds herself reaching out to stop her.
"What's wrong?" Rowan glances at her daughter, a frown forming on her face.
"I'm... not sure," Serena retracts her arm and hugs herself. "Don't answer it."
Seconds pass as she feels something heavy lumber away from the door, her chest expands with fresh air. Aaron and Wesley come to stand at her side, both of them watching her for the signal to check it out. After a couple deep breaths, she nods at them, still clutching her own body as if in pain.
Clair and Lance put a hand on each of her shoulders and watch as the two men approach the front door. Their movements are slow and deliberate. Their training kicking in as they approach. The air is thick with tension, no one is sure that there is even threat outside. It could be a neighbor, or one of Clair's parents coming back to grab something they forgot. Deep down, but Serena knows that there was someone there. Someone she couldn't trust, but someone familiar.
"One... two..." Aaron counts off under his breath.
He stands in front of the door, body poised for attack, while Wesley has taken a position behind the door with his hand on the handle. At the count of 'three', he rips the door open and they take similar fighting poses only to find no one there. They look down to see a clear box containing a pokeball and a small note beside it.
The two share a look before Aaron bends over to pick it up with Wesley keeping watch the entire time.
"Serena," Aaron's voice comes out so cold it startles her.
"Yes?"
"It's for you."
All eyes gauge her reaction as she steps forward to accept the mysterious gift. Who could have brought it to her? Well, that's easy. From the way her father won't look at her and the way his jaw is set, it has to be her uncle. She never asked him for anything, how could she? She hasn't heard from him since she was kidnapped. She figured he was busy hiding from her father and for good reason.
"It's safe to open," Aaron mumbles as she accepts the case and note from him.
She nods, opening the small card to see a short and sweet message in the center: 'Happy birthday, Serena. And so, a special gift for a special girl'. At the bottom is Giovanni's signature glaring up at them all. A reminder that he exists and he is aware of where they are.
"What's inside?" Lance whispers to Clair.
His words shock life into Serena and her parents. The brunette starts by opening the case and pulling out the pokeball. She frowns as she feels a familiar wave of psychic energy emanating from it.
There's a psychic pokemon inside, not one that she knows, but one that is exuding enough energy to alert her to its distress.
"I think it's hurt," she comments before tossing the ball into the air.
It pops open and white light bursts forth, splashing onto the ground and taking on a four-legged form. She watches as the ears emerge and then the tail splits and her heart leaps into her throat. The light dissipates and an Espeon stands before her.
Her parents suck in a quick breath as the pokemon glances around the house, it's deep eyes landing on each one of their faces for a quick second. The air becomes charged with static as she shakes her delicate fur and sniffs the air. Everyone is frozen in fear, wondering what could possibly be going through her mind.
Where am I? She asks aloud, not glancing at any one person in particular.
You're in my house, Serena doesn't hesitate to answer, taking a half step forward.
"What's going on?" Rowan recognizes the concentrated look on Serena's face. "What's she saying?"
"She's confused."
Where is my trainer? Espeon suddenly lowers her body to the ground, glaring at Serena. Why did you take me from him?
It wasn't me! Serena holds up her hands, alerting everyone in the room to take a step back.
Espeon begins to growl and her gem begins to glow a faint red color. Tell me now!
I didn't take you, check my memories, Serena volunteers holding her arms open. Don't hurt us, we can help you.
The espeon pauses for a moment, her eyes scanning the area again and again. She recognizes the scent of food, but is confused by the new human and pokemon smells. This isn't the same smell that ambushed her in her own home so long ago... She isn't in any danger.
I need to go home. She plops her bottom on the floor and begins to clean herself. He will be looking for me.
"She said she needs to go home," Serena translates after realizing the long silence was making everyone uncomfortable. "Her trainer will be looking for her."
"Does she happen to know where she lives?" Wesley wonders.
Serena bites her lip and asks.
A big city with many lights, is the response.
Can you be more specific?
Not really.
"That could be anywhere," Aaron comments when the message is passed along.
"Well, she is an Espeon. She has to be reported missing by someone," Rowan comments glancing between her daughter and the psychic type. "You said her trainer was a man?"
"That's what she told me," Serena shrugs kneeling down to sit at Espeon's height.
Behind her, Clair and Lance creep up to get a closer look at a rare pokemon. They pause behind Serena and lean over her to get better looks as the psychic type takes her time grooming herself. Her velvet purple coat glows in the light in the entryway, looking so soft that it takes all of their resolve not to reach out and stroke it. Her red gem reflects a soft light as the pokemon's head moves around her lower body. The pokemon stares up at the three teenagers with a dry look. She is unamused by the three young humans and their antics, but is also perturbed by them.
"Can you ask her to show you some memories? If you can recognize any major buildings, it could help us locate her owner faster," Aaron prods his daughter while scratching his chin. "A pokemon like this has got to be missed by someone rich and with power. I wouldn't put it past my brother to try and cast us in a bad name."
"I'll see," Serena promises, turning her head towards Espeon. She prods at the pokemon's mind and is welcomed inside again.
Did you find him?
No, but can you show me some memories you have of where you lived. We can probably get you home faster that way.
No.
What do you mean no? Serena jerks back at the answer, startling Clair into moving back. We're trying to help you.
I cannot allow you to see anything aside from what I want to show you, Espeon sits up and waves her tail. Whether or not it will help me is irrelevant. Memories are mine and I will not toss them aside.
Not even to find your trainer?
My memories are not just mine but also my trainer's. If I give away a memory you could use that information to destroy him and leave me all alone.
"She has a point," Serena says out loud.
"What?" Rowan asks.
"Oh, she said she won't share her memories because she isn't sure if we're trusted enough to know who and where her trainer is."
"Smart pokemon," Aaron comments with a half shrug.
"So what're you going to do?" Clair peeks over Serena's shoulder at the psychic type.
"Ask her," Aaron gestures to Serena.
"What?" his daughter responds, her stomach drops and she feels her face get warm. This is a lot of responsibility on her shoulders for her birthday.
"What do you want to do about it? It seems that she's been dumped onto you and now she's your responsibility," he explains with a firm stare.
"Aaron!" Rowan glares at her husband. "That is too much for her."
"Not it's not, honey," Aaron shakes his head. "She's going to be out in the real world, we won't always be there to make decisions for her. Besides," he turns to Serena and takes her hand, "I'm not leaving you hanging. I will help you, but you have to decide what to do. I want you to have control over this."
Rowan seems uncomfortable by this fact, she shifts on her feet and crosses her arms with a huff. Sometimes her husband is right and those are times she has to just trust him and see where it goes. Serena, however, is elated at this. He knew that she has been feeling powerless and although, this situation is clearly under his jurisdiction, she wouldn't mind helping out a lost pokemon if it meant traveling to a new place to get her home. She glances between everyone before facing Espeon once more.
I don't know how you got here. But I am leaving on a journey tomorrow. If you come with me, maybe we can find your trainer?
Espeon tilts her head at Serena, her split tail flicking behind her as she contemplates the deal. Will I be free to do as I please?
That depends. I won't make you battle for me, Serena explains after some thought. She doesn't want to restrict Espeon. The pokemon isn't hers, she can't force her to do anything, they just need to be able to work together until she can get home.
That is acceptable, Espeon yawns. I accept your terms, you seem like a capable trainer and I sense an immense psychic power emanating from you, it is...interesting.
Thanks, Serena tilts her head at the pokemon.
"So?" Claire nudges the brunette for an answer.
"We've agreed to travel together to find her trainer. She won't be my pokemon, but she will travel and stay with me," Serena explains out loud, glancing around the room before landing on her father. "Is that okay?"
"That's perfect, darling," he beams at her, a look that makes her face warm. "I'm proud of you." He turns to his wife with a lopsided grin. "I'll also send out the info that we found an Espeon, there will be a report for her."
"Good," Rowan rolls her eyes at her husband.
"That makes three pokemon! You're already halfway to your limit!" Clair exclaims, beside her Lance nods his head with grim realization.
"Espeon doesn't count," Serena points out.
The two begin to argue, signalling to the adults that everything is going back to normal. They retreat to the kitchen to start discussing possible ideas for Serena while she is on her journey. They can't let her go on it without some sort of supervision. It would be careless and neither of her parents are going to be like that ever again.
"Let's go upstairs," Clair nudges Serena.
The dark haired girl nods and turns to Espeon, would you like to go in your pokeball now?
Yes, I need rest.
Serena returns the psychic type, pocketing the pokeball before heading up the steps with the other two. The hum of the adults talking diminishes as they reach the top and sweep over to her room as if on a mission. Immediately the two settle on her bed as she crashes on her bean bag chair. The three of them let out a breath simultaneously, Serena never fails to make their lives exciting.
Her room has changed considerably over the past few years. What started out as a room with simple pokemon posters and pictures of a life lived so long ago, Serena barely remembers it, has become a normal teenage girl's room. There are posters of good looking men by her bed (from Clair), above her desk are photos of the three of them over the years at various birthday parties, sleepovers and events.
Serena stares at the two playing some strange hand game on the bed and grins. The first time she had Clair over for a sleepover, she hadn't flinched at the sight of Serena's back scars. At that point, Serena knew the blue haired girl well enough to not be surprised by her curious reaction. Clair wanted to touch them and was curious as to how she got them. At the time, before Serena had saved her she had to lie and, well, she hasn't fully told them what really happened. They don't need to know about her Uncle and she hopes to keep it that way for as long as she can.
She has yet to show Lance, there's really no reason for the boy to see her without a shirt and she doesn't plan on giving him one anytime soon. Clair may have told him and he may just be waiting his turn to see them. That sounds like Lance, there are times where he will give others the time they need to show him something. A rare side, but one that she appreciates nonetheless.
"Ouch!" Lance winces at Clair's smack.
She grins at him, waving her hands so that he can place his over hers, palm down with hers palm up. Serena watches them, her own smile growing as Lance's hands tremble with anticipation. This is his cousins favorite game. She challenges everyone at school any free time she gets. This leaves many students with red welts on their hands during class.
"Ow!" Lance glares at his cousin, reaching over to smack her. "That was too hard."
"Don't be a baby," she laughs, shoving him back.
He huffs, mumbling to himself as his eyes wander the room before falling on Serena as she toys with Espeon's pokeball. His brows furrow and he sits up. "You know your dad won't leave it all to you, right?"
Serena glances up at him. Her blue eyes are clouded with her thoughts, as usual. He knows she's always worried about something, whether it's an upcoming test or an interaction with a classmate. Her worries aren't unfounded, he just feels that she has too much on her plate sometimes.
"I know... I'm just worried about what happened, that's all," she admits, releasing a sigh and placing the pokeball on her bookshelf.
"Oh, yeah. Who gave that to you?" Clair points at the pokeball. "Do you have a sibling we don't know about?"
"Of course not," Serena laughs, but she shifts in her chair. "I just have a crazy Uncle that's all."
"What do you mean crazy?" Lance frowns, then he pouts as if hurt. "Why didn't you tell us about him before?"
"He's not someone to bring up when it comes to family functions," Serena reasons. "I mean, he literally stole this pokemon. Why would he want to be around my dad? Let alone yours too."
His face changes in that instant and he laughs. "Oh. I forgot about that. Okay, I understand why you wouldn't bring him up. But, like, wha-what's going to happen now?"
The question is confusing for all of them. Is her uncle going to get away with it? They don't know the whole story, Serena can see on their faces the confusion as to how this could have happened. It looks like her father is just letting this psycho go around and steal pokemon. What they don't know is her uncle has been evading capture for a long time now. For all they know, he hired someone to steal Espeon and once it's investigated, he'll have some alibi that keeps him safe.
Serena knows the frustration her father will feel all too well. She feels it herself at times, at night when it's just her and her thoughts.
"What are you going to do?" Clair breaks through her thoughts.
"Well, I already said I was going to take Espeon back to her city... Or, I'm gonna try," Serena replies in a meek voice. "Dad's going to do whatever it is he and Wesley do until then."
"I think this is a good opportunity for you," Clair admits, surprising the other two. "What? I just see this as a goal for you. You've been kind of goal-less for a while, now you have something to get to."
"Kind of a messed up goal," Lance snickers, but his face drops into a more serious look nonetheless. "I mean, she's kind of right."
"I know, I know," Serena sighs picking at her hair.
They've been worried for her ever since they went to the Pokemon Center to get their licenses registered in the Trainer's Catalog for the league. Their class had gone together and as a fun activity their teachers asked what everyone's goal was and she had no clue. Traveling around had always seemed fun to her, that's all she wants to do. She wants to see the world, but that's not a good enough reason to leave home. She's decent at battling, that's good enough for her parents to let her leave, but there's no way she could take on gyms.
"I'll find something," she promises them.
"Let us know when you do," Clair mutters. At Lance's nudge, she curls her lips inwards. "I meant that wholly, I want to know when you do."
Serena laughs, "I know what you meant."
Clair makes a 'see? Leave me alone' face at Lance, nudging him back and off of Serena's bed in the process. The dark haired girl laughs watching the two argue, adjusting herself to lay on her stomach on the chair with her head resting on her hands. The majority of their hangouts are like this, Lance trying to be Clair's filter, Clair being supportive and harsh in that loving way of hers and Serena worrying about something. Each time it ends with them all curled up on her bed listening to some story from their classes that week or telling secrets about other classmates or themselves to each other.
And Serena wouldn't have it any other way.
