An Urgent Phone Call

The sunrise shone through the window, falling on Chris and I. I had spent the night in his arms, snuggled up close. We hadn't done anything, of course, except kiss. (We may be old to do that, but not old enough for much more.) But the feelings we shared last night meant more to me than anything in the world.

"Mmm…" I held him tighter and kissed his cheek.

"Wha? What time is it?" he moaned, opening his eyes.

"Go back to sleep, silly." I said. "It's only 5:00. We still have time together."

"Hee hee…" he kissed me, and then we both fell back asleep until 9:00.

"Good morning!" he said, sitting up and nudging me. "How'd you sleep?"

"Did we even sleep?" I asked with a grin.

"Heh heh…"

I sat up. "I love you." I said impulsively.

"Likewise." he said, kissing me again. "I've never felt this way for anybody before."

"I know," I said, "It's so weird!"

"Well, come on. We should rent that video today."

After a great breakfast, we went to the video store and took out "Rules of the Indigo League." We sat down in the recreation area to watch it.

"This should tell us everything we need." Chris said, putting his arm around me.

Professor Oak appeared on the screen to narrate the video.

"The Indigo Tournaments are the ultimate goal of every aspiring trainer. Every December, the tournaments are held to decide who is the best of the best of the best. New entries begin by facing others of the same rank, and then the winners move continuously up."

Chris moved closer to me as we watched.

"After a trainer succeeds in 7 matches, they are eligible to fight the other winners from the other three cups. The losers are eliminated until only two remain. The winner of that match is declared the Indigo Champion."

"That'll be you." I said to Chris, smiling.

"Not if you beat me to it." he said.

I laughed. "What are you talking about?"

"The way you're going, you might make it to the top before me."

"No way. I wouldn't cause you to lose. I love you."

He kissed me. "I know. But still, I wouldn't have a choice if you did more winning than I did."

"I still have to get all my badges." I reminded him.

"I know. What say we go back to Goldenrod to get your third one today?"

"Sounds good to me."

After we cuddled a bit more and then had lunch, we flew back to Goldenrod City to challenge Whitney. As we walked towards the Gym, Chris's cell phone began ringing.

"It's my mom." he said, looking at the Caller ID. "Hello? Hi. Is everything okay?" His face paled as he listened. "Oh… oh shit. Well, I'm kind of… I know. Okay. Yeah, I'll come. Just give me an hour or two. Okay, bye."

I looked at him with a concerned look. "What's wrong?"

He sighed and turned to me. "It's my dad."

"What about him?"

"He's really sick. He was in a cave, and he fell down an abyss, then a bunch of Poison Pokemon found him. Luckily his partner brought him home, but…"

"What are you saying?" I asked.

His eyes began tearing. "I have to go to him."

My heart burst. "What? You mean… you're leaving me?"

"Not forever, Kris." he said, his voice weakening. "But for a while."

"Oh!" I hugged him, crying. "Don't! Don't leave me! Not now!"

"I have to." He whispered, kissing my cheek. "I'm so sorry…"

I cried openly now. "I love you."

"I love you too. But I don't have a choice."

"Yes you do!" I squeezed him tighter. "I don't want you to leave!"

"I'm sorry, Kris." He let go of me and kissed me softly. "I'll find you again. But for now… goodbye, Kris, my love."

Without another word, he turned and released his Fearow, got on and flew off.

"Goodbye, Chris." I whispered, tears flowing down my face.