"No," said Liam. "You're out of chances. Get out of here before I make you get out."

The Sneasel on Liam's shoulder bared its teeth and snarled. Claire took a step forward into the light of a nearby lamp. She wasn't wearing her Team Power uniform—she had hoped that would make her seem more like a friend.

"Please," said Claire. "Just… just let explain—."

"I already know what 'explaining,' means for you," said Liam. "Lies and excuses. Now leave."

Claire took a deep breath. This was the reception she had expected, and she resolved to persist.

"I've never lied to you," said Claire. "Please. You have to—."

"I really don't," said Liam, his face still hard. "I don't have to believe anything you say. You've threatened me, you've threatened my friends, you've used me just so—."

"I didn't—."

"Why did you come to Hempshear Town if not to pump me for information?" said Liam coldly. "I know everyone thinks I'm a sucker, but I can put things together. Go ahead, tell me you weren't using me just to get information."

Claire chewed her tongue. He wasn't going to let her off easy.

"Fine," she said. "Rasmus sent me to Hempshear Town because he wanted to know how to get Silas away from the Tubon Plateau. And just so you know, he'll find out about everything I tell you. He's… creepy like that."

"So you did use me."

Claire felt the sting in his voice.

"I didn't… really have a choice," said Claire. "If you met him, you'd understand."

Liam seemed to be letting his guard down. He looked around, as if to make sure no one was watching him talk to her.

"And what about two weeks ago?" said Liam, lowering his voice. "I suppose Rasmus told you—."

Claire shook her head.

"All me," she said.

"Okay," said Liam. "So let's go back to how you're going to leave before I have Sneasel slash your face open."

Claire gave a weak laugh. She didn't know Liam that well, but she knew false bravado when she saw it.

"You wouldn't," she said. "He would," she added, jerking her head at Liam's Sneasel. "But you… you're not like that."

"Wanna try me?"

Claire sighed. She didn't like to admit it, even to herself, but Liam's cold reception was getting to her.

"I came to say I was sorry, okay? I—."

Claire paused. Liam had thrown up his hands and rolled his eyes.

"I mean it," she insisted.

"No you don't," said Liam. "You're playing some kind of game. I don't believe you're capable of making an apology without some kind of stupid excuses pinned on."

Claire tried not to show him how much his words hurt.

"No excuses," she said. "No… nothing. I was just wrong, okay? Isn't that enough?"

"No," said Liam. "Because I know you'll go right back to lying and making threats as soon as telling the truth and being a friend gets hard. That's how you work. That's who you are. I'm not falling for this again"

"N-no!" said Claire. "I.. I'm not…"

She was losing control. She dug her fingernails into her palms, trying desperately to hold back the tears. She wasn't weak. She wasn't going to cry. He would laugh at her. She… was crying. She was sobbing like a pathetic little girl. She returned away from him and tried to wipe away the tears on her sleeve, but it was no use. He hated her. Everyone hated her. And she probably deserved it.

Liam could almost hear Mori and Chelsea, like rival councillors on either shoulder, each pleading their case.

"She's a lying bitch," said his imaginary Mori. "She doesn't deserve sympathy. Feel sorry for her, and she'll hurt you. She'll hurt me, and it'll be your fault."

"She's afraid, bro," countered Chelsea. "She's confused and she doesn't know what to do. She just wants a friend. It's not wrong to be a friend."

Liam sighed. Mori's advice felt right. Claire wasn't some innocent victim—she was someone who hurt other people to make herself feel better. If she was crying, it was only because she felt sorry for herself. He remembered how guilty he had felt explaining his last meeting with Claire to his classmates. He didn't want to go through that again.

"This is her only chance," pleaded the Chelsea in his head. "You're the only one who can—."

Liam shook himself. Claire was still sobbing, covering her face and looking away from him. Standing by herself in the poorly-lit park, she looked very, very alone. He noticed how beautiful her blonde curls looked in the moonlight.

"Just leave," said Mori's voice. "Don't even think about—."

But Liam had taken a step towards her. He felt a twinge of guilt as he touched her lightly on the shoulder. She jumped a little, and whirled around to face him.

"This isn't for you," said Liam. "But Chez believes in you for some reason. And… I believe in her."

"Stop crying," Claire told herself. "You're so pathetic. He thinks you're pathetic. You're accepting sympathy from some kind of… freak."

But she couldn't stop. And she didn't want to let go of her only friend. She pressed her face against his collared shirt and sobbed, and savored the feeling of his arms around her. It was an awkward hug, but it was the first one she had had in months. Maybe even years.

"I'm… sorry," she said as he finally let go. "I… I don't know why I—."

"I was mean," said Liam. "Not that you didn't deserve it, but… still."

Claire wiped her eyes on her sleeve. Touching her lightly by the elbow, Liam guided Claire to a nearby park bench, and they sat down together.

"Can you explain something to me?" said Liam.

"Maybe," said Claire. "You usually don't like my explanations."

Their eyes met, and they both smiled before quickly glancing away.

"Why did you throw your Bisharp away?" said Liam seriously. "And why did you change your mind after—?"

"I didn't," Claire interjected. "I didn't throw him away. I left him behind by accident. Rasmus teleported us away before… what makes you think I would have left him before?"

Liam raised his eyebrows, as if to say the answer was obvious.

"Is it Anastasia?" asked Claire. "Look, that was… different. She was… I needed to grow up, and…"

She realized she didn't really believe what she was saying. A swarm of Zubat flittered overhead, making Claire jump.

"I guess I just can't imagine doing that," said Liam.

"I'm not some kind of monster," Claire insisted. "And anyways, why didn't you give Bisharp back right away? How can you judge me when you were the one with a stolen Poke—?"

"Abandoned is not the same as stolen!"

"I don't just abandon Pokemon left and right! And if that's what you think of me, maybe I should…"

"What?"

Claire shook her head.

"Nothing," she said. "I'm being a good friend now."

Liam flicked her on the shoulder.

"What was that?" said Claire, rubbing her shoulder.

"Just something I do to my friends," said Liam with a grin.

Claire wanted to be annoyed with him, but she couldn't.

"Hey, so, I need to get home," said Liam, getting to his feet and lifting his Sneasel back onto his shoulder.

He was surprised to see the disappointment on Claire's face.

"Can we… Not that I care, but—?"

"Don't you?" said Liam with a wink.

"Shut up," said Claire. "I just want to have someone to talk to every now and then. And don't get all smug about this. I don't have a lot of choices."

Liam thought about it for a moment.

"There's one condition," said Liam. "If you hurt any of my friends—my other friends—this is over. I forgive you for hurting Chez, but that's only because I know she does too. But if you ever do anything like that again, this is over. For good."

Claire let out an exasperated sigh.

"Fine," she said. "There are certain things I have to do, though. For Team Power. I'll do my best not to—."

"This isn't negotiable," said Liam, trying to sound stern.

"I can't make any promises," Claire retorted, her voice becoming shrill. "So if that's the only way that we can be friends, I…"

She looked away from him.

"Claire, I'm just spelling out what being a friend normally means," said Liam. "This isn't some special test I made up just so you can fail it."

Claire blinked furiously. Liam wondered if she was about to cry again.

"Okay," she said at last. "I'll do my best. That usually isn't good enough for anyone, but I'll try."

"Another thing," said Liam. "You can come and talk to me, any time for any reason. But we both have to be completely honest. No lies. No threats. Just friends."

Claire squirmed a little.

"Does 'I can't tell you that' count as being honest? Because Rasmus will know everything I tell you."

"Does he know you're here now?" asked Liam.

He felt suddenly afraid, and it must have shown on his face.

"He will," said Claire. "He… ugh, the way he crawls around in your head is just…"

She shuddered. Liam wondered whether it was a ploy for sympathy, then scolded himself for not thinking like a friend.

"I'm just saying that there are things I can't say," said Claire seriously. "Because he'll know. And also…"

"Also?"

Claire met Liam's eyes.

"I'm not going to betray Team Power. I can't tell you anything about our plans. Okay?"

Liam gave a very reluctant nod. He felt Sneasel shift on his shoulder, as if to silently express his disapproval, but he ignored him.

"Good," said Claire with evident relief. "I… need this. And I'm sorry I came so close to ruining it."

They were both silent for a moment.

"I really need to get home," said Liam. "My parents will think I'm making out with Orchid or something."

Claire snickered.

"Okay," said Liam. "Goodnight."

He turned to leave, but Claire caught him by the sleeve again.

"Uh… can I…"

Liam was looking at her curiously.

"One more hug," said Claire, blurting out the request in the way that made it sound like an order. "Please?" she added quickly.

"Any time," said Liam.