Gahhh I'm so sorry for how overdue this update is. I've had so much stuff go on this year that I can't even!

I'm sorry, but here's an update :)

Chapter 25

Waking to the sound of Wingull outside and a remix of an old song that Ash had been obsessed with through Kalos cutting through the air, May groaned as she forced her head under her pillows. Realising that the sound she heard was her Xtransceiver ringing, she sluggishly pushed the pillow off of her head. Her infuriating childhood friend must have changed it when she hadn't been looking.

With a soft grunt, she grabbed the device from her bedside table. Haphazerdously answering it, she put the device to her ear, muttering a surly greeting.

'May from Olivine City where in Groudon's name do you think you are?' Brendan's voice hollered in her ear, raw with anxiety and fear for her safety.

Shaking her head slightly, May clambered into a seated position on the bed before glancing at her surroundings, her eyes barely taking in the bed on the far side of the room. In her sleepy voice, she muttered, 'I don't know, I think I'm in a Pokémon Centre?'

'What do you mean you think?' The man snarled as his steps echoed into the device—he was stomping in anger.

'I'm sorry, I just woke up,' May mumbled as she tried, and failed, to suppress a yawn.

'Oh, you just woke up, did you, princess? I've been running all over Petalburg trying to fund your skimpy little booty!' The man scoffed into the device as another voice groaned in the bed nearby, causing May to take in a sharp, surprised breath.

'What was that, May? Who was that?' Brendan seethed as the sound of his feet became louder.

Feeling horrified, May rushed to the bathroom, hissing, 'Brendan, it's just Brawly!'

As soon as she uttered those words, she knew she'd regret it. The man wasn't known for liking the idea of her being alone with men, especially at night.

'BRAWLY? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! The man's a lecher!' Brendan roared, causing her to pull the device an arm's length from her ear.

Once she was certain he had calmed down somewhat, she hissed, 'get your mind out of the gutter! It was cheaper to hire a room for two separate beds than to go solo! You know I can't afford to hire a room for myself alone with the hospital bills piling up!'

'Oh, I'm sure!' The man scoffed with clear vexation.

'Brendan!' May retorted in a threatening tone.

Recognising the warning signs, the man chuckled, 'all right, that was the sole reason. So the news of you and Brawly on my BuzzNav is a lie, then?'

'Wait, what?' May hissed before turning to her device and entering the application.

'Oh Lugia, Ho-Oh, Kyogre and Rayquaza!' May hissed as she saw a picture of Brawly clearly admiring her physique as she had Shroomish utilise an attack.

'Yeah, so are you sure you two are friends?' Brendan scowled once he was certain May could hear him.

'Yes, absolutely nothing is going on between us. If anything, he's been helping me with Drew, and I'm just keeping him company in Shauna's absence,' May grimaced as she pinched the bridge of her nose. She could already imagine the giant scene this would cause in her family, not to mention her circle of friends. This was exactly what she wanted right now!

'Does Steven know of this?' Brendan smirked into her ear, causing her to blanche slightly.

'Ummm, no. I don't even know if he wants me in Slateport today. I should check, and contact my family and the girls while I can. Talk soon, Brendan,' May grimaced into the device. She'd be lucky to escape those conversations unscathed.

'Love you long time, diaper buddy,' Brendan chuckled, apparently reading her mind and knowing just how dead she was.

Grimacing as she hung up, May decided to undertake her morning routine before contacting her mother or brother.

When she felt refreshed, she climbed out of the bathroom to see Brawly snoozing away on his bed. Scribbling him a hurried note, she left to not only find breakfast, but also the confidence to contact her family.

Seeing Steven, Wallace and Lisia eating at a nearby café, she was about to walk away when she heard the young woman call out, 'May! Join us!'

Feeling her face flush, May shuffled towards the trio, taking a seat in the vacant chair beside Steven, who smiled politely at her.

'Soooo, you had an eventful afternoon, didn't you?' Lisia winked slightly as she leaned forward, her turquoise eyes lingering on May, pulling her attention away from Wallace's unimpressed glance.

'What? No, I didn't, I just trained with Brawly,' May grimaced as she saw a waitress come to the table, handing them coffees.

If anything, Lisia's face brightened at this news. In an excited voice, she gushed, 'are you serious? So you're single?'

'Err, I suppose so,' May grimaced slightly as she stared at her hands in disbelief.

'Lisia, it's rude to pry,' Wallace chastised lightly, though May noticed that he wasn't as tough as he could have been.

'What? But uncle!' Lisia pouted adorably as Steven let out a slight chuckle.

'Brawly is known to enjoy the company of women,' the man smiled as he took a sip of his steaming brew.

'Would you like a drink?' The woman smiled at May, who blanched. Under normal circumstances, she'd have gone for a milk hot chocolate. However, with Steven and Wallace there, she didn't want to be taken for a child.

'Ummm a skinny mocha, please,' the older woman said, hoping her uncertainty didn't show.

'So what did you and Brawly get up to last night?' Wallace questioned, his tone civil, though his eyes showed some animosity, not that May knew why.

Blinking at the question, May said, 'we were training, and then he was talking about Steven and the adventures they went on together.'

'Ooh! What did he tell you? I'd love to find out more about when uncle Steven was younger!' Lisia beamed, sending the duo a mischievous grin.

Noticing the apprehension in the eyes of both the men, May grinned, 'that's for me to know and you to find out on your own, Lisia.'

'Awwww! That's no fair! Uncle, now that you're here will that mean uncle Steven now has to go?' The Hoenn woman pouted, causing May to blink.

'Yes, and I'll be taking May back to Petalburg, if she no longer has business here. The Gym will probably need her attention,' Steven said, his steel blue eyes glancing from May to Lisia.

'But I want to get to know her!' Lisia frowned, even her expression adorable.

'Don't worry, there's plenty more time for that,' May responded with false cheer. She didn't want to cause a scene, especially with how much attention they were getting. Her companions were infamous throughout Hoenn, if not outside of it as well.

'Really?!' The woman gasped, jumping out of her seat in clear surprise.

'Ummm yeah?' May shrugged uncertainly, not too sure what she may have started.

'Yay! My first friend, I'll call it "Friendship: starting off!" Oh I'm so happy you're sharing this with me, May!' Lisia squealed as Wallace chuckled.

'Err I'm happy too?' May responded anxiously, glancing at Steven's bemused smile before wondering what she had gotten herself into now.