"Cass!" squealed Chelsea, almost tackling Cass as she threw her arms around her. "Bro, why didn't you tell me she was coming?"

"He didn't know," said Cass. "I wanted to surprise him."

The two girls embraced for a long time before Chelsea finally let go and squeezed her way onto the ledge between Liam and Cass.

"Are you back for good?" asked Chelsea.

Cass shook her head.

"Just for two weeks."

She held up two skinny fingers. Chelsea looked disappointed.

"Aw. I was hoping… But you're back now. That's what counts."

Chelsea glanced meaningfully at Liam.

"I have a lot I need to tell you," said Chelsea, lowering her voice. "I don't know if you… well, anyways, I've been trying as hard as I can to be strong like you, all semester, and—."

"Strong like me?" laughed Cass.

"Yes!" Chelsea insisted. "If I had been strong like you, I wouldn't have let my…"

She took a deep breath.

"No," said Chelsea, as if talking to herself. "It wasn't my fault. But I couldn't let it happen to anyone else."

Cass took Chelsea's freckled hands in hers.

"I'm strong now," said Chelsea confidently. "Can I… can I show you?"

Cass glanced at Liam, as if to silently ask for advice.

"Don't go easy on her," said Liam.

The battle was held in a partially enclosed patio that linked two adjacent apartment buildings. The tiled floor provided an even surface, and the concrete walls created an echo almost like that of an underground garage. Cass still seemed a little uncertain, but Chelsea's face was set.

"This is a Pokemon League unofficial battle," said Liam, who had been roped into playing referee. "One Pokemon each, no cheating, whining, or hair-pulling."

"Hah hah," said Cass, rolling her eyes. "You ready, Chelsea?"

Chelsea nodded. She took out her chosen Pokeball, closed her eyes, and Liam watched in amazement as the Pokeball floated a few inches above her fingers.

"Espeon," she said. "Go."

Liam's Espeon sprang from the Pokeball with a growl. Liam noticed that his Pokemon, usually irresponsible and aloof, looked tense and focused.

"Oohkay," said Cass. "Were you planning on, like, telling me she was psychic, Liam?"

Liam shrugged apologetically. Cass stretched her neck, then slunk into the low, almost feral posture she always adopted in battle.

"Go, Donphan!"

The elephantine Pokemon stamped and trumpeted as Cass released it from its Pokeball. Chelsea's eyes were still closed. Her left hand was extended—almost as if she was feeling the battle instead of seeing it.

"Espie," said Chelsea. "Use Reflect."

A shimmering, semi-transparent shield surrounded Espeon.

"Donphan, Knock Off!"

Donphan rolled forward and slammed into Espeon. With a choking sound, Espeon spat out its Leftovers, which made Chelsea gag as well. Liam noticed for the first time that Espeon and Chelsea were moving and acting in perfect synchronization—down to the slightest movements. As Chelsea swallowed, Espeon swallowed. When Espeon titled its head to one side, Chelsea did the same.

"Espie, use Calm Mind."

Espeon's eyes glowed. Chelsea's eyes were still closed, but Liam could see the same serenity passing over her face. He remembered the experience of his mind and hers being strangely blurred in Professor Werner's old classroom. Perhaps Espeon was experiencing the same thing.

"Donphan, Earthquake," shouted Cass. "But don't go overboard. No broken windows of anything."

Donphan pounded its thick, short legs into the ground, causing a tremor that nearly knocked Liam off his feet. A few local children had gathered to watch the battle at the safe distance, and the rumbling seemed to be just the kind of excitement they were looking for,

"You've got fans again, Cass," said Liam, jerking his head towards the children, who ducked behind a nearby planter.

"Hopefully I don't let them down," she said with the grin.

Chelsea was reaching out with her left hand, as if trying to feel out her next move. Espeon's tail twitched in rhythm with its trainer's fingers.

"Psychic," said Chelsea.

Donphan was lifted off the ground, provoking a cry of awe from the children. Liam wondered if they were about to switch sides. Just as Donphan's leathery trunk was about to scrape the ceiling of the patio, the Pokemon was jerked downward and slammed into the tile floor. For a moment, Liam wondered if Chelsea had won the battle then and there. Then, he remembered who Chez was battling.

Cass's Donphan climbed back to its feet.

"We still got this, Donphy," said Cass. "Now let's finish it. Use Return!"

With extraordinary nimbleness for a Pokemon of its size and bulk, Donphan bounded forward and threw its entire weight against Espeon. There was a resounding smack that echoed off the concrete walls. Espeon slid across the floor and—after giving a pitiable mew—lay motionless.

Chelsea's eyes shot open. For a moment, she seemed disoriented, like someone abruptly awakened from a dream. Then, her eyes fell on Espeon, laying crumbled on the tile floor.

"Oh," she said.

She seemed to come back to herself. With the listlessness of someone whose best plans had been ruined, Chelsea recalled Espeon to its Pokeball and sat down cross-legged on the cold floor. Cass was already beside her.

"Chelsea, that was incredible," said Cass. "I can't believe—I didn't know you were psychic. How did you—was that Liam's Espeon? You used it so well. I'm, like, really impressed."

"Yeah, but I lost," said Chelsea. "I'm still not—."

"You are a strong trainer," said Cass firmly. "You don't have anything to prove to me or anyone else. I look up to you. Okay?"

Chelsea met Cass's eyes.

"Really?"

"Well, you'd, like, know if I was lying, wouldn't you?" said Cass with a goofy grin.

"Thanks for telling me Cass was here, bro," said Chelsea. "I'm glad I got to battle her."

"I'm glad I got to watch," said Liam. "You're doing so well with Espie. Keep training him, okay? He needs to learn from someone he respects, and he respects you."

Chelsea's face turned red.

"Hey, so… I've been practicing a lot by myself, but… would you be okay if..?"

"You wanna try reading my mind again?"

"Yeah," said Chelsea. "Sorry, it's… just kinda hard to find willing subjects."

She rubbed her hands together nefariously.

"Well, just let me know," said Liam. "I'll be hanging out with Cass a lot, but if I'm not out with her, I'm all yours."

Chelsea's expression faltered a little at the mention of Cass.

"Are you gonna, like, get back together with her?" asked Chelsea, lowering her voice to a husky whisper.

Liam shook his head.

"We still live in two different regions," said Liam. "Her coming to visit doesn't change that."

Chelsea nodded.

"Okay, well, I'll tell you about the.. You know what."

"Okay," said Liam. "See ya."

It was a painfully awkward parting. Cass was just out of earshot, entertaining her young fans with her Raichu. There were things Liam wanted to say—things Chelsea needed to know—that he couldn't say with Cass around. Something about his expression must have given him away, because Cass, after sending the children away with Unovan candy in hand, nudged him in the ribs with her sharp, bony elbow.

"Something's still bugging you."

"Yeah," said Liam, resigning himself to the very difficult conversation he was about to have. "Cass, I—."

"You like her, don't you?" said Cass in a low voice. "Is that what was—?"

Liam jumped a little. He hadn't expected Cass to reach the heart of the matter so quickly. He tried not to blush, but he felt his face growing hot. Cass laughed at his obvious consternation.

"Sorry!" she said. "I really wasn't trying to—I mean, I actually like… I'm okay with it. As much fun as it was to have you to myself, I… well..."

Suddenly, Cass pulled Liam into a deep, long kiss. One that reminded him of the one she had given him at the airport all those months ago. It was a good kiss—the kind only shared by two people that cared deeply about each other. At least, Liam thought so. He didn't have that many others to compare it to.

"That's the last one," said Cass, pulling away with an embarrassed grin. "Ever. And don't think for a second it doesn't hurt for me to let you go, especially after I already—but, look, you two are super cute, and I wouldn't want… yeah."

"Wait," said Liam. "Are you being serious? You're not trying to trick me into…"

"No!" said Cass. "I promise I'm not trying to trick you. I'm really, really, really okay with it. I mean, of course I'm jealous—but just a little. I want you to ask her out and be a good boyfriend for her, okay? Don't dawdle around like you did with me."

"I don't know," said Liam. "I think there's… another guy that she likes."

"Yeah? Well, I could tell you also liked Mori when I started falling for you, but I also knew that I was a better fit. Who's the guy Chelsea likes?"

"John Kim," said Liam. "You know him, right? He's in 9th grade. Plays soccer. Dancer."

"Oh, okay," said Cass. "I think I…. yeah. His brother was in my class. I don't know. I'm a little biased, but… You do like her a lot, right? Like a whole lot?"

Liam nodded.

"Prove it to me," said Cass playfully. "Tell me why you like her."

Liam blushed again.

"I mean… she's funny, and sweet, but strong. Really strong. That's how I know she's not just nice. She's patient even with people that don't deserve it. Even with Claire."

"Do you think she's pretty?"

"Of course," said Liam. "I just… didn't want to bring that up because… Okay, if you want this to be awkward, I'll make it awkward. Her hair is gorgeous, but that's… I don't know, obvious. I also love her eyes, and her freckles, and her goofy smile, and… other things."

Liam carefully avoided Cass's eyes.

"She's hot, okay?"

Cass laughed.

"You're allowed to think that," she said. "Even if you never told me that I was—."

"Cass, I—."

"I'm kidding," said Cass again. "Gosh, I've missed seeing you squirm."

They were both quiet for a while. Afternoon was turning into night, and they both felt that it was time to part ways.

"You have to promise," said Cass abruptly. "Promise me you'll tell her how you feel, okay?"

"What if—?"

"What does Christine say about questions that begin that way?" teased Cass. "Come on. I want a promise."

"She already knows," said Liam. "She has to. I don't see why—."

"Liam," said Cass sternly. "Promise."

Liam sighed.

"Okay. I promise I'll tell Chelsea how I feel."

"And do it soon," Cass insisted.

Liam chuckled.

"I never thought I'd have my ex-girlfriend playing matchmaker for me."

"Yeah, well, to be honest, I never thought I would be anybody's ex-girlfriend," said Cass, almost wistfully. "But here we are. Thanks, by the way. I think we both brought out the best in each other."

Cass squeezed Liam's hand.

"Walk me home?"

"Sure," said Liam. "Any time."