Something is wrong. Serena could tell when she woke up before dawn and packed up her things before leaving the center this morning. However, the beautiful, large fluffy clouds dotting the sky say otherwise. A light breeze flows in and out of her hair and across her exposed scars. Her back tingled for most of the morning, an ominous sign her hunch is right despite the current weather saying otherwise.

We must walk faster, Espeon urges Serena from behind.

For the past few days, Espeon has been out enjoying the walk and spending time with her temporary trainer. Serena enjoys their bouts of friendly banter and some intermittent training. The route to Saffron is a beautiful route of rolling fields and forests. Farms dot the landscape here and there, advertising for trainers to stop and rest if they need it in exchange for some work on their farm. There were plenty of trainers to battle, too.

Why's that? Serena replies while kicking a rock with her foot. The day is so nice out.

Don't you feel that humidity? It's going to storm.

Serena pauses mid step and closes her eyes. The sun beats down on her, warming her skin up and shining behind her eyelids. When her eyes open, Espeon is tilting her head at her as if to ask, 'See?'.

I don't feel it.

Of course you don't, Espeon turns around and trots off. It's going to rain soon.

Okay, we can hurry.

Serena takes off at a jog to keep up with the quadruped. The next city on her list is Saffron as a pit stop to search for Espeon's owner. The Saffron Gym is the sixth in the lineup, so taking the challenge now is out of the question. But seeing as it's the central hub of business and entertainment in Kanto, it would be a smart place to start searching.

That being said, the last Serena checked (which was a few days ago at the center) she should have seen a pokemon center by now instead of farms. Maybe she read it wrong?

See?

Serena doesn't even want to acknowledge the word as dark gray clouds gather in the otherwise clear sky. Along the rolling hills of Route 5 there is little shelter from the impending storm and Serena curses herself for not checking the weather at the center before leaving. It didn't cross her mind that she's been traveling for an awful long time with little to no towns in between...

As the sunlight slowly dots out, the two keep pace pushing through a few trees to a straight path that diverts away from a large building. Serena halts and nearly collapses as Espeon crashes into her legs. She laughs with her pokemon, picking her up from the ground and gazing at the metal gates in front of them. Her eyes peer to the left of the gate to a metal plaque reading 'Pokemon Tech' and other inscriptions on it. In a beat, Serena's heart is pumping as she takes a step forward to hit the buzzer.

The worst they can do is say no.

"All students should be inside already, who is this?" a male voice comes through the speaker, Serena eyes a guard house adjacent to the metal gate and wonders if the man is watching her from inside.

"I'm just passing by, but it's going to rain. Can I come in for some shelter? I can sit in the office or something," she starts in an even tone, glancing down at Espeon with a grimace on her face.

"Not allowed, I'm sorry, miss. You'll have to keep going," he replies in a curt tone.

"My mom used to guest teach here, a long time ago," she pleads again just as a drop of water hits her forehead. "I'm not dangerous."

Like that's not suspicious, nice Serena, she admonishes herself for adding that in.

"Who was your mother?"

"Rowan Lockwood."

It takes a moment, but suddenly the gates swing open and an older man is stepping out of the house. He looks to be in his fifties, his skin wrinkling around his eyes as he gauges her face. He gestures for her to hurry as rain begins to splatter the ground. Returning Espeon to her pokeball with a triumphant smirk, Serena jogs over to the man and greets him with a smile. His dark brown skin is smooth and his dark eyes are warm and welcoming. His smile is kind as he gestures for the two to walk towards the front entrance. Behind them, the gates swing shut with a metallic thud.

"I remember her coming by here every so often, she was a kind lady," he holds out his hand. "Name's Don."

"Serena," she replies with a firm handshake.

His eyes light up as he takes back his hand and turns towards the front of the large brick building. "She always talked about you, even showcased your baby pictures. I can't believe I remember it, I don't even know the chances of running into you but... Well, I couldn't let you sit out there with Vermillion still a day's walk away."

"Wait, I was supposed to go to Saffron," Serena pauses in the doorway. She frowns. "How did I miss an entire city?"

Don's laughter bursts from his belly as he pats her on the back. "Happens all the time, actually. There's a new path on the route and every trainer takes a wrong turn. We'll mark your map up before you leave so you can see. I would recommend just going to Vermillion, it's easier that way."

"Thanks," she mutters, still disappointed. Espeon is not going to be happy, but they might as well go to Vermillion anyway.

Once inside, Serena feels a wave of warmth wash over her. The school is grand inside and out with high ceilings and long tube lights hanging at different heights as she walks along a wood brown and white linoleum floor. Right away, four pillars surround some couches and a round coffee table in front of the front office, it's a modern and professional lobby to show off to visitors and potential students.

Serena's head is on a swivel as she follows the guard past the tables and chairs up to the door. There's navy trim where the floors meet the walls and navy crown molding too. On the floor in front of the door is a gold insignia of an open book with a pokeball on it. Her mother always said that this school was proud of its turnout and recognized achievements across the region.

Two large glass windows and a glass door separate the lobby from said office where Serena spies two secretaries sitting at a large wood desk, and a few other workers talking behind them. Don leads Serena through the doors and into a chair to the left. The chatter and work going on when they enter continues, as if the office is visited frequently enough. Neither of the secretaries bother glancing up until Don greets with them.

Serena relaxes in the chair, her body melting into the cushions after hours of walking. Her eyes settle on Don explaining who she is and feels warmth surge at their excited smiles. Her mother's kindness is truly a gift.

"Good news," Don returns with an envelope a few moments later. "We can put you in your own room for the night with a few meals on us. Our staff can look at your pokemon as well."

"That's awesome," Serena beams while accepting the envelope from him. "Thank you."

"Anything for Rowan's daughter," he winks back. "I'll take you to your room and then the nurse station."

Serena hikes up her sweaters hood around her scars and on top of her bag before following him out of the office and down a long corridor of classrooms. Serena tries her best to not stare into each room in case she finds several pairs of eyes peering back at her. Their steps seem so loud as they march down the hallway, each echo making her try and retreat towards the entrance. Better to take on the rain than another school.

Don pauses in front of an ornate wooden door and glances back at Serena. "Through here is a stone walkway to the dorms. Yours is closest to the Community Advisor in case anything happens; for safety reasons they will be checking in with you tonight and again in the morning. Dorms are co-ed and lights out, meaning no leaving to the academic buildings at 10 o'clock."

"Sounds good to me," Serena accepts the rules with a shrug, she has no reason to be out so late anyway.

With a grin, Don pushes open the door, the sound of rain pounding on the pavement grows as the doors swing open. The air is much cooler outside now, Serena shivers at the chill. The walkway is large and dry as they wander through, the courtyard is hard to see past the sheet of rain pouring from the sky.

Good thing Espeon warned me about this, she grimaces at the thought of being caught in the rain in the middle of nowhere.

"Hard to believe the sun was just shining," Don comments as they come up to another door. "But that's spring around here for you."

Serena nods in reply and follows him into the foyer where posters and bulletins litter the large cork boards on the two walls in the entryway and around the main area. The dorms are 'U' shaped with two floors to house students as shown on a map posted on a side wall. Don takes Serena to the first door just past a front desk where a student is busy taking notes from someone else's notebook.

He gestures for Serena to hand over her envelope and pulls out a navy blue card from inside. He presses it against a gray pad on the door above the handle and waits for a curt beep before entering the room.

"It's a standard set up; two beds, two desks, two closets, a pantry and a small living space," he explains with a sweep of his arm after flipping on the lights.

Serena grins at the layout, much like a pokemon center's double suites for a group of two for a long term stay. The beds are in the far corner of the room with one shelf overhead, both beds are made with fluffy blankets with the school's emblem on the front. The 'pantry' is just a small opening with folding doors to the right of the entrance, there's also a shoe rack inside. On the left is the 'living area' just an open space with a simple stand for a TV and some small chairs.

It's plain, but more cozy to the young trainer than a tent on the ground.

She crosses the room to the premade bed in the corner and plops her bag on it. She empties her bag of her pokeballs to get checked out.

Don waits for her outside of the room with his hands behind his back. He offers her another warm smile when she emerges. "Nurse station and then one more stop."

Serena builds on her mental map as they go back the way they came towards the Nurse Station, apparently she is going to have to practice to prevent getting lost in the future. Class has been let out and the halls are swarming with students, the buzz of several different conversations piques the interest of Serena's mind. Voices whisper in her head until she disperses them with a firm shake of her head. With too many people about, it's much easier to just 'slip' into their heads and hear what they're thinking.

Most students look Serena's way before turning to their friends and whispering behind their hands. Serena's scars tingle, tempting her to just take a peek. What does she look like to the outside eye? Do they know she's from Johto? She stretches her neck and takes a deep breath, deciding to watch as Don happily greets several students on their journey towards the main office.

Walking past the main office, the walkway curves around to a more subtle and quiet part of the building. A sign hanging from the ceiling denotes the upcoming area the nurse center for humans and pokemon. No doors separate the hallways the only change is from white and brown linoleum to white and pink. It's a little sudden, but that makes it obvious where you are in the building. It's reminiscent of a pokemon center.

"Nurse Joy here will take great care of your pokemon," Don pats the counter just as said nurse walks up.

She's perky and kind as she regards the two of them. "Hi there, how can I help you?"

"They just need a check up, please," Serena sets her pokeballs into the tray on the counter while grinning at the nurse. Joy places the tray on a rolling rack and types at the computer mounted on the desk, she stares at the screen for a moment before turning and picking up a black device with silver buttons along the top. "Here you go! This will vibrate when your pokemon are ready to be picked up."

"Oh cool, thanks," Serena marvels at the device while passing her fingers over its smooth service.

"Of course, see you soon."

As they walk away, Don taps the device with his finger, "Don't head to the dorms with that. It doesn't reach that far." At her nod, he continues, "We've got one person to find and then I have to go back to work."

"Sounds good."

"She's going to be your guide while you're here. We don't expect the rain to let up so this is a safety measure," he continues to explain.

"I understand," she replies with an easy shrug. At least they let her stay in the first place.

Walking back the way they came, they take an alternate turn after the office, to the right, and head to a cafeteria. Past two large doors sits a spacious room with a plethora of aromas wafting through the air. All of them different and all of them appetizing to Serena as she tries to recount the last time she ate something. She glances around at the storefronts, each one a different theme, as students go up and give their order. Barely any of the students look her way as they push past the lines towards the back of the room.

Oblivious to her uneasiness, Don weaves through the crowd with practiced ease and comes to a stop beside a long table of teachers. Some of the teachers are clustered together to discuss specific topics while others are spaced out reading or grading papers. The teacher he stops by is a middle aged woman with dark brown, hair cut above her shoulder in a neat straight back style. Her clothes are business casual; gray pants with a white long sleeved shirt with a pink and green floral pattern. It's a cute outfit and softens the woman's light brown complexion. Serena eyes the way her jaw ends in a rounded point, giving her face a full look.

The woman glances up at the two of them, her light brown eyes warm and welcoming as she offers a kind smile. "Well, hello Don," she greets in a firm voice, catching Serena off guard by the intensity in a few simple words. "Who is this?"

"Hello, Ms. Flores. This is Serena Lockwood, the daughter of-"

"Rowan Lockwood?" Flores tilts her head at Serena, her eyes sizing up the young girl making her scars shiver with the tension. "My first name is Natalie, you may call me Ms. Flores or Nat."

"Oh, n-nice to meet you," Serena replies in a meek tone. Nat reminds her of her mother, sure of her place and charging into new situations head on. It's intimidating.

"I remember your mother," Natalie trails off with a smile. She glances at Don and frowns. "You haven't explained why you're here."

Don lets out a bark of laughter. "I was getting there, Nat. Serena is a guest for the afternoon and she needs someone to-"

"Babysit her," she interrupts with a grin. "And I was at the top of the list? Interesting." It's Serena's turn to frown at her. Her mouth falling open to ask when she's interrupted by the teacher. "I'm just not one of the overly friendly teachers, that's all."

"Now, that's not true!" Don beams before winking at Serena. "You're in good hands now. I'll see you off tomorrow morning."

"Okay, thank you for your help," the trainer nods as the security guard makes his exit to continue his shift.

"Take a seat, Serena," Natalie bids with a quick gesture towards the open spot in front of her.

Serena does so while watching her return to the book she was reading. The air between them is calm and not at all tense like it was moments ago. Serena's gaze sweeps over the woman as if to make sure she's the same person she just met. Outspoken, kind and not overly friendly. Did she know Rowan? Serena can't imagine the two of them hanging out and being chummy with each other. Though it is possible as Rowan is loved by almost everyone she comes across, at least that's how it feels to Serena.

"Did you get caught in the rain?" Natalie questions without looking up from the book.

Serena toys with the beeper in her hands while answering. "Yeah I did, I was walking with Espeon when it started to pour."

"Where are you heading?"

"I was going to Saffron, but I think I'm too far out of the way now," the trainer replies with a nervous chuckle.

"Yeah, that happens often," Natalie nods her head. "There's a fork in the road and one way winds down to Saffron and the other takes you a long way to Vermillion."

"Oh."

It's silent after that as Natalie continues reading through her book with no further questions. Serena glances around the cafeteria as students file in and out. It reminds her of her own school and she suddenly aches for the days with Clair and Lance beside her. What was she doing here? Hiding from the rain, and yet she feels so left out and so... scared. The comfort and isolation of her dorm room here was the only thing enticing her to stay more than a day. But out in the open with anyone able to look at her, brings an awful, churning feeling to her stomach.

Suddenly, the food isn't as appetizing as it seemed when she first walked in.

She's about to ask to go back to her dorm when her buzzer begins to vibrate. She jumps at the sudden intensity in her lap and tries to play it off as Natalie raises her brown eyes to hers. Waving the buzzer, Serena begins to excuse herself when the teacher holds up her hand.

"One moment and I will join you. We have just enough time before my next class starts and I would like for you to sit in on it, if you don't mind," she offers though her firm tone makes Serena believe it's something she's going to do even if she doesn't want to. Now she's starting to see the relationship between her and her mother.

"O-okay," Serena nods and waits while Nat gathers her things and waves her arm for her to follow.

"I know of your mother. I've only met her once," Nat starts as they exit the cafeteria. "You two are alike in so many ways and also not so many ways."

"Oh?" she feels her chest tighten with a bit of hurt at the statement.

"You seem so scared and out of place, I can't understand why," the teacher responds in a gentle tone. She gazes at Serena. "I know what it was like for your mother, teaching outside of the Clan as well as marrying outside of it. What she did was brave, for her time and probably for a while. I'm not going to pretend to know what you've been through, but I want to help you gain confidence."

"Confidence?"

This was a surprising turn out for Serena. She knows she hasn't been the most confident in her life. Tough? Hell yeah, compared to what the other students put her through, she can hold her own when faced with people who don't like her. Confidence isn't a trait that stands out to her. This journey is an example of that, she has no idea what she's doing and her battling skills still require work. Her first step was knowing that she needed this journey to learn more about herself, now she needs to actually try to.

"Yes, confidence."

Nat leaves it at that as the two make their way back to the pokemon center. Serena picks up her pokemon and on the way to Nat's class, the teacher stops at the cafeteria to pick up a to go lunch for her. While she doesn't feel hungry, Serena can't say no to kindness and forces herself to eat a few bites of the apple inside.

Nat's classroom is a large lecture hall with a projector and screen at the front flanked by two white boards. Students fill every single seat, from the ground floor and up, all of them chatting with each other until Nat sets her things down and pulls out a single desk and chair from a back room. The echo of the desk and chair scraping against the floor draws everyone's attention. Serena's cheeks burn as she feels the weight of everyone's attention on her, Nat must be doing it on purpose. She pulls her scarf a little tighter around her neck to prevent them from seeing her scars.

It's silent as Nat gestures for Serena to take her seat. She does so, quickly and quietly, putting her lunch under the chair and sitting down with her hands in her lap.

"Now I am Ms. Flores, welcome to my class," she says in a low tone to Serena with the first real smile she's seen on her since their meeting. Ms. Flores turns to everyone in the class and grins at them. "Today we are learning more advanced battling techniques. I can't teach you wit per say, but I can show you how people have thought outside of the box in the heat of a battle."

There's a murmur through the students as they take out their notebooks and flip to a fresh page. Serena finds herself wishing she had been able to grab her stuff from her room, she wrings her hands under the desk, cursing her double sided luck.

"Hey," a voice whispers from behind.

The blue eyed girl turns to meet the hazel ones of a girl with wide rimmed red glasses, a flurry of freckles across her cheeks and nose. Her fiery hair is pulled back into a frizzy ponytail with bangs falling on her forehead and framing her face. Her thin lips are set in a tiny grin as she holds a pen and paper out for Serena to take. She accepts them with a light blush and a muttered 'thanks'.

The girl nods before focusing on the screen up front. Serena does the same, marking the paper with today's date and the topic of the class. She turns her eyes to the screen to see it warming up a video paused on a ferocious battle between a Nidoking and a Kingler. In her mind, Serena knows that the Kingler should be the winner, but given the opening statement by Nat; she can't wait to see the real outcome.

The video plays, showing Kingler coming in with its glowing claw: Crab hammer. Serena watches, surely Nidoking will go down against this attack. It looks powerful. Another murmur rolls through the room and then gasps of awe as Nidoking slams its tail onto the ground to launch itself up into the air above Kingler to use Body Slam. The height from its launch combined with its weight makes the attack way more powerful.

In the video the crowds silent as the dust thrown up from the impact settles to reveal Nidoking the winner. Cheers both on and off screen are cut short when Nat stops the film to address everyone.

"Why show you this?" her question echoes for a second before turning to Serena "Miss Lockwood?"

Serena's face burns and her chest tightens. "Be-because we, uh, all assumed it was going to be, um, a-a one hit K-O."

"Precisely," Flores grins turning away, allowing Serena to breathe. "Sometimes the odds are clear, water versus ground, easy. But we shouldn't let that stop us."

Serena thinks back to her time in the clan and how it was rigged against her. She survived and maybe now she can use that to her advantage.

OoOoOoO

"How was your first day?" Flores greets Serena after another class.

Serena glances up from Nat's desk and her notes to grin at the teacher. "Wonderful, I learned so much."

"I'm glad!" she beams at her and Serena can't help but blush under her gaze. "Let me take you back to the dorm."

"Okay, thanks for letting me sit in on your classes."

"You're welcome. Academics come easily to you. You did better than the majority of the class, I'm impressed."

"Thanks. My mom always helped me study."

Serena steps outside and the sound of rain fills her ears again. Not as heavy as before, but still coming down good, Serena is awfully glad the guard recognized her mother's name. Nat pauses along the cement railing and gazes out at the puddles in the courtyard with a thoughtful look.

"I'd like you to stay for one more day," she speaks in a quieter tone. This is one that Serena could argue with if she wanted, but she decides to let the conversation play out.

"Why?"

"I want to see your battling skills and help you learn more about our regions," she glances at Serena with a soft smile.

"And my confidence?"

"Yes, and you need more confidence."

"You say I need more confidence, but I did really well on my quiz," Serena points out, she pauses and leans against the cement railing to take in the sound and smell of rain around her.

"Exactly, you have the smarts, the grit and wit. You just need to back it up, speak up, be proud of what you can do," Nat stops a few feet ahead of Serena, turning to her with bright eyes. "Too often I see young trainers clouding their potential with their doubts. I see you and I see a girl just trying to find her strength. I think you were meant to come here and I want to make good use of your time."

"But why?"

At this, Nat pauses. Her arms drop to her sides, her mouth slides shut and her eyes turn thoughtful again as she faces the pouring rain. She steps up to the ledge and places her slender fingers along the edge, feeling the roughness of the cement as she forms her words.

"Our regions are broken and lost, Johto and Kanto used to be connected. Now we're divided, you know nothing of Kanto and I know nothing of Johto," she speaks in a gentle tone. "We're right next to each other and yet... I want to teach my students that they can make a difference as long as they think outside the box and are confident in what they know. Seeing you in my classroom apply the knowledge you gained from your journey and those videos, I see a bright future ahead for you."

Serena's heart warms at Nat's encouragement, the only people to tell her has been family and friends and that's what they're supposed to say. She was just being a good student, as she always has, there's no way she could do anything remarkable. But with the way Nat's eyes seem to glow as she gazes at the rain and the way her chest heaved when she explained her reasoning, Serena can't help but imagine herself in the way Nat sees her.

She pictures an older girl, maybe 20 with short, straight cut hair wearing business clothes, akin to what her mother would wear to lectures, and holding an expensive looking leather bag. She imagines that this woman has an assistant and is constantly on the move. Everyone respects her and listens to what she has to say...

"You're thinking hard over there," Nat eyes the young trainer with a knowing smirk. "I can pull some strings and get you an extended stay. I doubt you'll change overnight, but we'll get it started."

Serena nods her consent to stay another day and with that Nat walks Serena to her dorm and makes sure she's safely inside before leaving the dorm area.

Once the door shuts, Serena can't stand the silence and moves for the video-phone to call her mother. It looks standard, if not a little old as she takes a seat at the tiny desk and picks up the receiver. The picture on the screen is a bit grainy, the photo is one her mother and father took when they first got the phone installed in the house. Serena's lips form a ghost of a smile as she looks at the younger version of herself, eyes closed and smile wide as her parents press kisses to her cheeks.

The picture disappears and the face of her mother replaces it. "Hi sweetie!" her mother's voice interrupts the memory.

Serena nearly tears up at the sight of her mother in her pajamas, her light hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She didn't even check the time when she called, Serena just wanted to hear her mother's voice. "Hi Mom."

"Are you okay?" Rowan tilts her head into the screen, her light blue eyes taking in her haggard look. "You look... stressed."

"Thanks," Serena can't help but snort as she presses the speaker button and hangs the receiver up. She begins untying her scarf to allow her scars to breathe. "It's been a long day..."

Rowan listens while her daughter explains the events of the day. Rowan's elated the school is allowing her to stay and the staff is giving her such wonderful treatment. She understands Serena's fear and reassures her that she is safe. Serena explains Nat and her motivations, feeling relief as her mother smiles and nods. At least someone understands.

"I adore this woman," Rowan comments once Serena is finished talking. "I think you're in a good place and should take your time about being there. Let her lessons soak through and take what you want out of them."

"But I don't really understand it," Serena starts and pauses when her mother lifts up a hand.

"Don't get caught up in that, pay attention to the lessons and the meaning with shine through," she explains before glancing at the clock on the screen. "You should shower and get to bed, honey."

Always the mom.

"Okay, okay. Good night, Mom. I love you."

"I love you too. Sleep well."

Once her picture disappears, Serena turns the device on silent and approaches her bag at the bed. She explored and found no shower in her room alone and figured she'd have to use a public shower. Gathering her things and some shoes, she heads out the door to find it. Key card in hand, she turns and crashes into someone her height and build.

"Whoops! I'm sorry!" Serena steadies the two of them as their toiletries hit the floor.

It's the girl from Nat's class, the one that borrowed her pen and paper. Serena realizes that she also kept the pen given to her and wonders if she was trying to get that back. She bends over to help pick up the girl's things and place them in her plastic carrier.

"It's okay," the girl's voice is soft. "I was going to ask if you wanted to walk with me to the baths."

Serena straightens her things before standing and meeting the girl's hazel eyes. "Oh, uh, sure. Thank you."

"Of course," the girl smiles and holds out her hand. "I'm Vittoria. You can call me Vivi."

"Oh. Nice to meet you, um, Vivi," the name rolls off her tongue awkwardly. She straightens up before offering her own hand and smiling. "I'm Serena."

The two take off towards the baths, Vivi complimenting Serena on her knowledge and her quiz score she peeked at. She's a sweet girl on the quiet side, different from Layla and vastly different than Clair. Serena finds herself relaxing a little bit more in her presence until the steam emanating from the bathroom surrounds her. She tenses up and pulls at her towel around her neck harder as she follows Vivi to the storage cubbies to the right of the entrance.

Most of the other girls are finishing up, drying their bodies and getting dressed when she and Vivi walk in. None of the chatter dies down at their entrance, a welcoming sign for the young girl as she clutches her items closer. With Vivi in the lead, Serena takes the farthest cubicle setting her things inside and taking only what's needed. She takes her time, waiting for the room to empty out while Vivi wastes no time in stripping down and heading towards the showers.

Serena unrolls her towel, wrapping it around her shoulders before quickly stripping herself down and letting her hair cover the top part of her neck as she follows Vivi. The other girl eyes her towel with curiosity but stays silent, rather she begins soaping up her long hair. Serena's back faces the wall when she drops the towel and drapes it on the divider.

Washing her body to avoid any curious gazes has become a quick process. She doesn't waste any time dousing herself in hot water and lathering her body up before lathering her hair up. By the time she's ready to sit in the bath, Vivi is still shaving her legs.

"You're fast at this," she remarks with a glance up at Serena. She freezes as Vivi catches her with her back to her. Hazel eyes narrow at her before Serena realizes she's not wearing her glasses. "I'm not glaring at you, I can't see anything without my glasses on."

"O-oh," Serena exhales and slips into the water with a smile. "I learned to shower fast while traveling."

"I suppose that helps," Vivi comments with a hum.

The rest of the shower goes on in silence until both girls are done. Serena keeps a fast pace until she's back in the changing area and has thrown on her pajama shirt. With her wet hair against her back, she doesn't have to worry as much about her scars being visible much less Vivi seeing them without her glasses on. Serena finishes getting dressed and folds all her clothes for washing the next day.

"Are you going to class tomorrow?" Vivi wanders in with a towel wrapped around her body.

"Yes, I'm not sure of the time though," Serena responds while squeezing hair cream into her hands. "Ms. Flores wants me to stay a day more to learn more things, and I'm excited."

"Nerd," Vivi mutters, Serena gives her a furrowed brow look until she spots the grin on Vivi's freckled face. "Just kidding. That's great. Tomorrow is when we learn more about the history of Kanto and Johto, then some battle practice."

"History and battles? Perfect."

"I'm in room 215 A if you need anything before you leave," Vivi says as the two stop in front of Serena's door. "We can trade notes and stuff if you want? I, um, really can't wait to be on my own journey."

"That would be great actually. When are you planning on going on your own journey?" Serena leans against her door. Her eyes light up as the new topic comes up.

"I'm not sure yet, I don't feel as confident about leaving the more I learn about how difficult it is to train more than one pokemon," Vivi tugs on her wet hair and glances at the ground.

"What? It's not that difficult, we can talk it over tomorrow, during lunch?" Serena offers after a quick yawn.

Vivi lights up at the offer and nods eagerly. "Sounds great. Good night!"
"Night," Serena waves her off before ducking into her room.

With a short exhale, she drops her things on the spare bed and plops on to her own to stare at the ceiling. The aches and pains of having to run earlier suddenly settle into her body, she never should have skipped working out after leaving Kent. Serena turns on her side, reaching for her alarm clock to set it for an earlier time. She supposes she can find a way to go for a run in the morning. As she settles down she barely registers the pain her scars bring as she falls into a deep sleep.