This chapter was tricky to write to say the least. I had to scrap several ideas as I didn't feel comfortable enough writing them. Also, this one marks my first female POV, as I said it was tricky to develop lines and dialogues, as I was already used to write in Peter's POV, hopefully I haven't totally botched it. A thing the most attentive readers will notice is that this chapter employs American English rather than British English, as it is told from a Unovan perspective.

As I warned in the previous chapter, this update is a tad shorter 6.5K words, which actually was higher than my expectations.

Last chapter received a small number of views, reviews and follows, which surprised me considering how well Chapter 04 turned out to be. It is to be expected I guess, you can't win everytime.

Love is like electricity sometimes; it may shock you anytime, yet you cannot live without it. – Munia Khan

Chapter Six: Unlikely Pair

The first time I heard about Peter Thornham was from Skyla's mouth. She told me how the cool trainer with Galarian accent came into her city and defeated her rival whilst dealing with his own unruly pokémon in the process; as she went into the details the infatuation was clear on her voice. But I paid it little to no mind to it, I've known Skyla for a long time, ten years as classmates to be exact, and ever since she started to be interested on boys, she would occasionally have those short-term crushes. As far as I was concerned, he wasn't the first, nor would be the last. But then I walked into class and Peter itself was there, being squeezed out of air by a euphoric Skyla, and from that moment onward I hated him.

Ever since I was young, I had an easy time playing roles. I could perfectly shift from a damsel to huntress in the blink of an eye. As I grew up, I decided that I'd rather focus on being a model, the perfect version of myself, rather than playing roles that were given to me by others. But the ability to maintain different façades was something I carried with me even now; and alongside that came the ability to read others.

His appearance was different from what I've thought. He was rather handsome, with a lean but muscular build. His facial features didn't jump out, they were masculine, but not overly so. Glancing at Peter the most striking feature would be his green eyes, which would sometimes change to a grey tone should the with the right light. But his face unsettled me.

I could see honesty, lust, lies and more in the others. But that man was different. I could see nothing at first, always stuck at the almost permanent frown he had, as if starring at a black screen. Then I could see it falter just a bit as he glanced at me. What surprised me was that instead of the lustful looks I usually received; I saw anger. It lasted only for a few seconds, but was definitively there; it then was gone when he glanced back at Skyla with a blank expression. As a successful teenager model, I am used to dealing with perverts, but to see one target my friend like that…it was unacceptable.

From that point I swore to unmask him, and mostly important protect Skyla.

It didn't take long for the truth to came out.

In less than a week it became a well-known fact that Peter Thornham was expelled from his school back in Galar because of usage of doping into his pokémon. Then, due to the school's rumor mill, several absurd theories were created. These were fanciful tales to say the least; from Peter being a drug user who accidentally injected his pokémon with heroin to him coming here because he was fleeing from the Galarian Mafia. The most amusing in my opinion was the one in which he was actually an undercover agent from the International Police sent here with a false backstory in order to investigate drug dealers in the school.

As amusing as those rumors were, I did feel a bit of sympathy for him. As a model I was used to these tales, more than often used to defame someone; in my circle gossiping was common and even I was subject to it sometimes. Despite that I still wanted for his mask to be taken, to show Skyla who he really was.

But he surprised me once again when his façade was stronger than ever. He even seemed to enjoy being hated.

When I went to talk with him alongside Skyla and Marlon, he was somewhat different. Instead of attempting to manipulate us in taking his side, he kept talking in riddles, almost unconcerned about what we would think of him. At that moment, as much as it pained me to admit, he convinced me that he didn't drugged his pokémon. His behavior and actions were too erratic for that to be the case. However, I still wasn't able to really read him, or his motivations.

I learned more about him when we were partnered for the Double Battle project for the Battle Strategies class. By taking time to speak with him, without the meddling of Marlon and Skyla, I could see that he was indeed a great strategist, although his unwillingness to work together or combine attacks showed that he was also extremely selfish.

It was during that time that I saw him getting beat up by some bullies.

"Your opinion doesn't matter. My opinion doesn't matter. They have the public opinion besides them, the only thing I'd be doing is painting an even bigger target on my back." It was what Peter told me that day and I did feel even more sympathy towards him. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't that bad of person, and his whole façade was just a way he had of protecting himself.

Peter Thornham is the single most annoying person I've ever met. A man with no compassion and who wanted to win at all costs, with no regards to who he affected in the process. To top it off, he even partly blamed me for having him hurt the rental pokémon. But I think I finally understand now. Peter is not a pervert. Peter is not a liar. Peter is simply the most selfish person of the world.

"Hey, Elesa." As I turned to see the owner of the damned voice, I frowned at him.

It had been a month since Peter and I had the big fight after the battle, and during that time the man disappeared from public view at school, becoming even more recluse than ever, only being spotted in classes and at the soccer games.

"What?" I demanded angrily.

"I came to apologize, some of the words I said to you were harsher than what was acceptable." He said blankly in his posh Galarian accent.

I raised my eyebrow, attempting to read the boy once again. "And why you just approached me now?"

"I didn't want to look like a stalker, nor do so in public." He explained, still unemotive as ever.

"Too afraid of admitting your errors to the public?" I mocked with a smirk, causing his frown to become more distinguishable.

"No…I simply don't want to put you on the spot in the public." He glared at the ground for a second before turning to me, with the same impassive frown he always had. "I apologize for taking more of your time." Peter said turning to leave.

"Wait!" I called out, causing him to halt his steps. "Do you mean what you said?"

The slight upturn of his lips was the closest I saw of a smile from him. "I do." He raised his right hand, offering me a goodbye gesture. "Later, Elesa."

I frowned as I waited for Skyla at the Mistralton entrance of the Chargestone Cave. Earlier in the week we made plans to explore the cave together during the three-day weekend; I wanted to catch a new pokémon for my team, and Skyla… well she just wanted to go along for the ride.

I prepared accordingly, wearing leather boots, pants and a jacket, as I heard that sometimes temperatures in caves can drop down significantly.

Still, it was unlike her to be late for any kind of appointment. Her justification came a few minutes later, via text message.

"Hey Els, father came back home today. I'll have to cancel our plans. Sorry :("

It was hard to believe that Skyla is the daughter of a colonel of the Air Forces, her bubbly and playful personality is the total opposite of what you would expect from someone raised by a military officer.

Anyways, it couldn't be helped, I truly wanted her to come along, but I could venture through the cave alone, it wasn't like I was unprotected.

If I had to describe the cave's insides, I'd sum it up to one word: mesmerizing. Pictures did little justice to the place, with cobalt blue walls and electrocharged stones making a maze of magnetism and electrons. Maybe the whole electric composition of the place, with charged rocks, magnetic fields and electrical currents is what makes the place so appealing to me.

I always loved electric types, even before grandma gave me Blitzle as a birthday present eight years ago. It makes sense though, my entire family used electric types. My family holidays were mostly spent watching uncle Surge and cousin Flash battle in the backyard, so I had been learning since I was young. Still, unlike them, who focused on brute force, I always focused more on speed. Seeing the legendary pokémon Thundurus when I was younger only strengthened my resolve to do so.

But the pokémon I was looking for was anything but speedy. Tynamo, the EleFish pokémon is one of the slowest known electric type pokémon, and has an extremely limited moveset. This alone made raising one an extremely hard task, to make things even more complicated, it would take extremely long to evolve. In compensation, its Levitate ability would make his evolutionary line the only known one to display no type weakness.

After a few hours of wandering I started to get frustrated, I had a few run ins with a few Joltik, but, so far, no clue of Tynamo. I've prepared beforehand, researched the cave and where Tynamo was likely to appear, went to the lowest floors, but with little success so far.

It happened extremely quickly, with the low buzzing sound being the only thing warning me that something was amiss. I turned around to see one of the electrocharged boulders flying straight at my direction, most probably triggered by the movement of some errant pokémon. I managed to take a step aside, escaping from the cobalt boulder's route of collision, but as I did it, I felt huge pain in my right ankle, and the next thing I knew I was on the ground, my right leg giving in and the left one unable to support the weight of my entire body.

"My ankle." I moaned in pain, my hands going directly to the injured articulation, before promptly retreating, as I felt even more pain on touch.

"It is probably a sprain." I though as I attempted to get up. Key word being attempting as my left leg couldn't hold the weight alone.

After a few minutes attempting to fight the pain that started to course through my body, causing a headache to form, I attempted to get up, managing two steps before falling again.

"It's no good." I cursed inwardly. Looking around for any sort of tool that could help me as a crutch but to no avail, I still found myself actionless.

The next thing I did was consulting my cellphone, but the lack of coverage inside the cave made impossible to text or call someone to help. I knew I was at a though situation, right now I'm helpless, with only my pokémon being able to fend off potential attackers, may they be pokémon or human. Still, the longer I stayed here the more risks I'll be taking.

I made my decision, calling my Emolga, the Sky Squirrel pokémon.

Emolga, is a dual flying/electric type pokémon, which strongly ressembled a gliding flying squirrel. Most of her body is white, with its 'cape' or 'glide' being black on the outside and yellow on the inside. It also has a small lightning bolt shaped black tail, black markings in her head and ears. She also has yellow electricity pouches in her cheeks and some marking in her inner ears.

"Emolga," I called, my voice raspy due to the pain. "go look for help, in Mistralton. Search for Skyla if necessary."

Emolga looked at me in extreme concern, but I put a tough girl mask in an attempt to reassure her. "Don't worry about me; Blitzle has my back. Go girl."

With a last concerned glance, Emolga made her way outside.

It had been a bit more than an hour when I heard footsteps once again. My hand instinctively went to the pokéball I had clipped into my belt, before easing as I saw Emolga coming back, glancing at me in concern.

I frowned. "You came back so soon? Weren't you supposed to bring help from Mistralton?"

The footsteps stopped as the figure appeared besides my pokémon. I narrowed my eyes, seeing Peter Thornham appear, wearing some makeshift hiking gear, his frown only deepening as he glanced at me.

Before I could say anything, he was kneeling by me, his green eyes staring at mine. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I lied through my teeth. Hell would freeze over before I asked for his help.

His response was simply a raised eyebrow as if saying 'Really?'

"Take off your boots." He commanded.

I glared at him. "What the hell?"

Rather than retorting me, he immediately forced the boot out of my feet, his frown only deepening as he saw my ankle. His eyes stared straight at mine. "In a scale from one to ten, how much are you in pain?"

"I'm fine."

"Really?" he asked, before pointing at my Emolga "So why you pokémon asked for my help then?"

I did a quick glare towards my pokémon, who had the decency to look down ashamed.

Taking my lack of response as answer, he once again asked. "How much it hurts?"

"S-Seven, maybe eight."

He nodded. "Can I touch your ankle?"

I nodded, allowing him to do so. He touched my bare ankle, making a hiss of pain escape through my lips. "Try to draw some numbers with it."

Despite his bluntness, the boy seemed to know what he was doing, so I followed his commands. After a few tests, it seemed like he had his diagnosis.

"It looks like a mild sprain of the lateral ligament." He concluded, glancing at me in an almost caring manner. "It swelled up a bit, but I don't think it was torn or ruptured. You don't happen to have a pokémon capable of using Ice type attacks, do you?"

I shook my head negatively. Still without his characteristic frown, Peter elaborated further. "Then let's get you out of here." He said, crouching with his backs turned to me.

Surprised that he offered me a piggyback ride, I quickly dismissed it. "I'm fine. I can walk on my own."

Peter shook his head. "If you could why you were lying on the ground all this time then?"

Busted.

"Maybe if you let me wrap my arms around your shoulder." Is suggested meekly.

Peter once again dismissed my idea. "It will slow us down; besides it can hurt your groin due to the weight distribution."

"I didn't know you wanted to be a doctor." Although he could easily give the back-alley doctor vibe with his roguish looks.

"I don't. I simply saw some of those injuries playing football before." He explained, gesturing at his back. "Now hop in."

Before I did, I glared at him. "If you say any word of this to anyone…I won't be the one needing a doctor."

He had the gall to laugh. "Yes ma'am."

I hopped into his back, before clumsily wrapping my arms around his neck.

A thing I never noticed before was how well built he truly was. He wasn't overly muscular as some of the jocks, but his muscles were rock hard, and judging by his lack of noise he wasn't bothered at all by carrying my weight. Another thing was that he actually smelled good…some of the athletes back in the Institute could definitively learn from him.

"We can both go to Driftveil City or Mistralton City, which one do you prefer?" he inquired.

"Mistralton City. I can go to Skyla's house, or to my grandma's house in Route 7."

I could see hear his hum. "Let's go to Mistralton then. If your ankle is still hurting, we can get some bandages and ice there too."

His footsteps were the only sound I heard for some minutes before I broke silence. "Hey, why are you doing this for me?"

"I'm repaying a favor."

I remembered helping him during his brawl with the bullies. "They aren't bothering you anymore?"

Peter shook his head. "All taken care off."

I waited for a few seconds to see if he would elaborate further, but he didn't. Instead my mind wandered a bit more, the awkward feeling permeating the air.

"Peter." I called out. "Can I ask you a question."

He shrugged "Shoot."

"Why do you hate me?"

He stopped us dead on our tracks. "Excuse me?"

"Why do you hate me?"

He turned around; his face close to mine, back into a frown. "I don't hate you. Why do you even think I hate you?"

"You would always glare at me, even more than the usual you do other people." I justified.

Peter sighed. "Look, Elesa. I swear it's nothing personal. If I knew I was giving that impression I'd have changed. It's just that you remind me of a…acquaintance."

Instead of respecting his privacy I decided to press further, this was the definite chance to unravel the enigma that was Peter Thornham, and maybe realize he's a good person. "And you hate that acquaintance." I stated.

He paused, his expression showing that he was truly taking his time to decide. "I do sometimes. Other times I don't." he paused for some time, his frown deepening. "But I'm sure she hates me, though."

So, his acquaintance is a girl. Before I could even think of something to ask, Peter cut me.

"Now let me ask you a question. Why do you hate me?"

I paused for a second, trying to form my words. "I couldn't read you. It scared me. From that point onward I kept making assumptions, that now seem to be wrong. I thought you to be a pervert at first." I said causing him to glance back at me with an incredulous expression.

"Why would you think that!?"

"As I said I couldn't read you. In my field of work more often than not we see guys who appear to be unaffected by our appearance, but then turn out to be creeps." My eyes widened a bit at how my admission sounded. "But once again, I admit I was wrong."

Peter nodded. "I swear I am not a pervert; I'm just a jerk." He proclaimed, causing me to chuckle.

"You're not always a jerk. Sometimes you act nicely; like now."

I could see his frown deepening. Then it came to me. "You want people to dislike you." I concluded.

"We may be more alike than different, Elesa." He stated, as his eyes locked into mine. "We both mask who we really are." The Galarian said, causing my eyes to widen. "I won't ask what led you to the same path as me, nor I will detail what led me to go down this path myself. But what you need to know is that I have a dream. No, not a dream, a goal or ambition if you will."

The lit stones into the cave reflected into his eyes making them shine even brighter. "It's something I'll achieve, no matter the costs." He paused for a second, recomposing himself. "Answering your question; having people hate me means I'll be mostly left on my own devices; and will have to do everything alone."

I frowned a bit at his line of thought. "I have no idea about what your goal is; but don't you think getting close to the others may help you?"

The boy shook his head negatively. "No, having people with me, only will make me content. Besides, the only true strength comes from oneself; counting on others is just an illusion of force."

I paused to consider his words "I don't agree with that; but I respect your opinion."

Peter hummed in approval. "We should be reaching the entrance anytime now."

I decided to talk with the boy a bit more, if anything Skyla would probably appreciate the intel on her crush.

"Not that I don't appreciate you helping me, but why you are here on the first place?"

"I was looking for gems."

"Gems? As in the damage boosting held item?"

Peter then took a pouch out of his jeans' pockets and handled it to me. I opened up and saw a small collection of glowing stones. "They're nice aren't them?" he asked causing me to nod.

"An attack boosted by a gem of the same type increases its power by a big amount, but the gem is consumed after that." The teenager explained. "Besides battles they can also be used to make jewelry, so I can sell some of the ones I don't have use to."

"Really?" my ears perked up at the mention of jewelry, as a model I had keen interest in different types of clothes but never saw anyone making jewelries out of gems.

"From what I heard you must first make a special treatment in order to prevent the gem from unleashing its energy; I think they coat it in a special type of resin. It's a bit amateurish though."

"I'd love to model in one." I stated.

"Excuse me?" Peter asked, a bit startled.

"I'm a model."

His frown deepened, and I heard him mutter something on the lines of "Of course she is also a model."

I raised my eyebrow at the strange display. "Your acquaintance?"

The boy nodded. "She also is a model; you truly are alike."

"How so?" I inquired "We look alike?"

"No, not physically at least. It's more about mannerism and behavior." He said, the frown still featured in his face.

"What kind of mannerisms?"

His frown became ugly. "Sorry, I don't feel comfortable talking about that with you."

I nodded, although a tad disappointed.

As we crossed the entrance, the entire atmosphere of the place seemed to shift, as did the scenario. Gone was the magnetic cave, being changed to a rainy forest path that lead to the city entrance.

Peter frowned.

"I take you didn't bring an umbrella."

"Can you stand on your own for a second?"

I did as the boy asked, the ankle still hurting but a bit less than before. To my surprise I felt the warm clothing covering my back as Peter handed me his black hoodie. "You're covering most of my back anyway." He reasoned.

Knowing that arguing with him was useless I nodded and hopped into his back once again.

"No signal yet?" Peter asked as he left the drugstore with a small plastic bag in his hands.

I shook my head. "No."

"The downpour probably affected the signal towers." He reasoned. "Let me see your ankle."

I complied, taking off my boot and Peter wrapped the bandage around my ankle. "It'll probably do until you get home; what's next?"

"You have my thanks, Peter." I said with a smile, the boy's action really helped me today. "You can probably go home now, if the signal doesn't return, I can always go to grandma's house."

The boy frowned. "The one in Route 7? Then let me take you there."

"I appreciate your offer, but I can go alone."

"How long is the walk there?"

"It's a short one."

"Then I have no problem taking you there." He knelt beside me. "Hop in."

He can be a bit bossy, and even overbearing but I couldn't deny my heart fluttered at his attitude, just a little bit though.

"It feels like I'm back in Galar." Peter stated as he glanced at the rain that kept on falling.

I chuckled. "Is it true? That it always rains in Galar?"

"It is rainy but people overexaggerate things. I was making a joke." It was hard to tell, as he almost always said those kinds of things in a deadpan.

"Do you miss Galar?"

"A bit." He admitted. "I lived my whole life there, so it takes a bit of time to get used to my new reality."

"Hey." I called out, causing his eyes to lock into mine. Why his eyes had to be so cool? "If you feel lonely you can always call me, to talk or hangout."

Peter just nodded. "I appreciate the offer. Thanks, Elesa."

"I love this place." I stated, glancing at the dirt path, tall grass and raised walkways which filled the Route 7.

"Why so?"

"When I was younger, I'd ride on Blitzle's back here, then go back to grandma's house where she would prepare sweets for me." I smiled at my memories. "Do you have a place like this?"

"When I was living in Galar I'd sometimes visit the Wyndon Eye, a big Ferris Wheel. It always cleared my head, and I'd have a view of the entire city. It is beautiful." The boy declared; his face different than what I've ever seen.

It was that moment that I realized that the world would be a better place with more people like Peter Thornham. He may be angry, hard to read, and even a jerk most of the times; but his smile, his real smile, rare as it was, is the most honest and truthful thing I've ever saw in my entire life.

"Peter…"

Before I could conclude my phrase, we were surprised by a loud, thunderous crash. The downpour became torrential and soon I couldn't even hear my own voice due to the thunderstorm that started.

"Let's go!" I head Peter yell amidst all the noise that surrounded us, but before he could take off in a spring a loud boom was heard, halting Peter in his steps. Despite the drizzle which surrounded us, I could see the Galarian native narrowing his eyes at a spot, a few yards away from us where thunder stuck.

I instinctively strengthened my hold onto his neck and chest, and I am pretty sure I felt his hold into my legs tighten. Peter looked above, narrowing his eyes and I lost my breath.

Towering above us was the same pokémon that inspired me to train electric type pokémon: Thundurus.

Thundurus has a muscular-human like upper body riding a white cloud. Most of his body is of sky-blue color, with purple irregular shaped marks. He has yellow eyes, a purple horn and black spiked tail. Its head has white hair and moustache, making his appearance intimidating.

He glared at us and whipped its tail, shooting a lightning bolt that landed right in front of us, causing me to bury my head deeper into Peter's back.

When I looked back up, the rain has stopped falling and my companion made his thoughts known. "Lovely weather."

"That was Thundurus." I stated

"I'm sorry, this name doesn't ring any bells."

"It's a legendary pokémon here in Unova, as you can see it can create thunderstorms at will."

Peter nodded. "You like mythology?"

"I like it a little bit. But that pokémon; I saw it once before."

"Really?" the teenager looked really intrigued.

"Yes, it was one of the reasons I've decided to specialize in electric types. My dram is to catch him one day."

Peter nodded.

"Have you seemed a legendary pokémon before?"

He nodded. "At least I think I did. Moltres, it was despairing." His tone gave no further space for any conversation

"Is he gone already?" I asked as I entered grandma's living room.

Yesterday, as soon as we got into grandma's house, we were ushered inside by her. She took a look at my ankle, and reapplied the bandages, also putting some ice into it. The ankle still hurt a little, but I could walk now, even though with a bit of limp. When Peter attempted to excuse himself, grandma was not having any of it, and in the most intense glare battle I've ever seen, she pretty much forced Peter to spend the night here as it was too late for him to go back to Castelia. He attempted to argue, but experience got the best of his stubbornness and he ended up taking the couch.

"Yes." My grandmother replied. "The kid is a real piece of work." Despite that I could see a smile forming into her face.

"He is, isn't he?"

"Still, he has his heart in the right place. He even cut the lumber for us." She said gesturing to the chopped logs at the front yard of the wooden cabin.

I nodded, before I was called once again.

"Hey, child." I turned to see the smirking elder. "Boys like him are a rare commodity nowadays; don't let him go, okay?"

I felt my cheeks heat almost instantly. "Grandma!"

It took almost an entire week for me to meet Peter once again. Despite properly burying the hatchet with me, the boy made no move to get closer to me; or Skyla and Marlon; for that matter.

To each to their own. I attempted to reason, but to no avail. Being distant from Peter after how caring he seemed to be from me was just not right. Then, quietly of course, I started a manhunt for him. It is almost frightening how easily he disappears after the class is over.

Still, I found him, in the most unlikely of places: the school's library. It seems that Peter can be both smart and athletic at the same time, a thing that could not be said about many of the boys, or girls, of the school. A rare commodity indeed.

I sat in front of him, effectively attracting his attention.

"Elesa?" he asked, clearly surprised.

"Missed me?" I asked.

"What you're doing here?" the boy inquired, confusion still marred into his features.

"Can't I see a friend?"

"We're friends?" he was really surprised by my statement.

"Of course." I replied, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why you're calling me friend?" although his question sounded harsh, his tone was one of true cluelessness.

"You rescued me at the cave; bandaged my ankle; and protected me at the thunderstorm." I said counting on my fingers. "Those three actions are good reasons enough?"

"Err…."

I knew that what I was about to do was a dirty trick but it was the only way to bring his walls down. Putting my acting skills to use, I made a hurt face. "Maybe you don't want to be my friend?"

He looked flabbergasted. "Elesa, it's not that."

"Then we're friends." I said in chirpier tone, causing his face to adopt a tone of indignation.

"You tricked me." The teenager called out

"I did." I admitted with a grin "Meet me at the Nimbasa Subway Station next Sunday; 2pm. Don't be late."

I turned away and left before he could even object.

"You're ten minutes late." I noted out as Peter emerged appeared in front of the station.

"Sorry." He said, without really meaning it.

I kept quiet for a few seconds, usually guys would always compliment my appearance. Even if I did go for a casual look, I was expecting some kind of response. Although at this point, I knew the Galar native was unlike most of the men I knew.

"I like your look." I stated. This wasn't a lie. He wore casual clothes, but did so in a manner that actually worked, rather than coming out as sloppy. He wore red Converse sneakers, navy blue denim pants and a plain white shirt long-sleeved shirt.

"Thanks." For a few seconds I thought that he would keep quiet, but I was wrong. "You look great."

Without trying to sound arrogant, I always did; but it was great to hear that from him. I opted for a semi casual look, with an aquamarine logo tee; jeans jacket; a black leggings and skirt combo and brown boots.

"Let's go them." I called enthusiastically, grabbing his hand and making our way towards the busy streets of Nimbasa City.

Despite enjoying occasional visits to the quietness of grandmother's cabin in Route 7 I was always a big city girl. The feeling of being at the center of everything, of being looked up, was amazing, and thus living into the entertainment capital of the country was the best thing that could ever happen to me.

Unlike the bigger Castelia, Nimbasa is a well-planned city, with properly organized residential, sports and entertainment districts alike. I knew the city's geography, and culture extremely well, as almost my entire family lives in here. Today, I made my personal mission to show how great Unova, and Nimbasa, can be to Peter.

We walked into leisurely speed, as I decided to slow down so my guest can see the main landmarks of the town. After paying the entrance fee, we received some tickets and finally were admitted at the big amusement park. The place is filled with different attractions: roller-coaster, bumper cars, carousels, pendulum rides and pokémon statues.

I gave the Galarian a few seconds of silence so he could properly look around, the place could be a bit overwhelming with huge crowds and incessant neon lights. Seeing the small hint of smile at Peter's face made all the trouble I had worth it in my opinion.

"I like here." The boy said with a smile, which caused me to beam at him.

"The let me show you around." I said, taking hold of his hands once again.

For the next few hours, it was just about us. We visited the main attractions, and I had lots of fun. The boy beside me was great company and we soon found ourselves discussing school, our lives and plans for the future.

I learned a lot about him. I learned he decided to play football (after a long discussion he managed to convince me that it was called football not soccer) at the age of five after he saw his hometown team lose in an important match. He told me of his family, not going into deep details, but discussing enough to make it clear that his relationship with his parents was rocky. He did not tell me the truth of his final days in Galar and about what led him to be convicted for use of drugs on pokémon; carefully dodging my questions each and every time I pressed on.

I don't want a boyfriend, or a girlfriend for that matter. But if I had to chose someone to date, I'm not ashamed to say that Peter Thornham would be my number one choice. He, unlike most of the boys I met before, was polite, funny in his own sarcastic way and balanced. He would care enough for people close to him so they wouldn't feel neglected, but also would let them be on their own at times, respecting their privacy. The fact that he's hot also would sweeten the deal even more.

But I was not looking for a date, but for someone I could trust utterly, a confidant. And as complex and early as our relationship was, I'm assured Peter is that someone.

"I'm back." Peter announced as I sat down in a bench waiting for him. A few minutes ago, he said that he had to call his father, and quickly excused himself. Now he was back, and holding something behind his back.

I raised my eyebrow at this. "I take that you didn't really called your father."

He smirked. "Guilty. Now close your eyes."

I resisted. "I like they better open."

"And I'd like to be the Crown Prince of Galar, but we don't always have things to go on our way." He retorted drily.

"If you prank me." I warned, leaving the threat hanging in the air.

"Aye." He said with his Galarian accent "I'll be the one needing a doctor, I know."

I closed my eyes expectantly.

I waited.

And waited.

And waited a bit more.

"You're doing this only to irritate me, right?" I asked, causing him to chuckle.

"You may open your eyes, Elesa."

I opened them only to see Peter in front of me, holding a Emolga plushie in his hands.

"It's so cute." I squealed, hugging the plushie for my dear life.

Said action caused the boy in front of me to snort.

"Anything funny?" I asked with narrowed eyes

He gulped. "No ma'am."

"How did you know?" I asked

"You kept glancing at it, you did something nice for me today, I wanted to repay the favor." He explained

"How did you get it?"

"In the same way the average Unovan gets his things: guns." He joked, causing me to chuckle. "It's not an entire lie though, I won it at the shooting targets minigame."

I glanced at the plushie and smiled. "Thanks Peter."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you." Peter said seriously. "Ever since I came to Unova I only pushed my limits. Whether in work, study or battles I couldn't bring myself to rest. I risk saying that if left unchecked, this habit of mine could become extremely dangerous. Thanks; for showing me it is okay to have fun and rest once in a while."

I felt speechless, and as I opened my mouth to say something, I saw he shook his head. "It's okay." The man said reassuringly. "I know." He said with a smile.

And I did not say anything until we've reached our final destination.

"Is that?" Peter asked, surprise clear in his tone

"Yes." I reassured him with a smile. "It is smaller than the one in Wyndon, but the view is great here too; maybe you can make this your home far away from home?" I suggested

I really wished I could frame his smile at that moment. "Elesa, you're the best."

I felt my cheeks redden. "It is nothing." I said in a whisper, before recovering myself. "Now let's ride.

As we silently rode the wheel, I glanced at the plushie I carried and at the boy beside me and smiled too. Maybe, just maybe, we could be more.

Before I finish this chapter, I'd like to once again ask for your thoughts on the story so far. At this point I'm pretty much shooting at the dark here, if I were to judge by the numbers alone, I'd say that I'm doing okay, but I'd like to know what makes the story interesting for you and what needs to be improved for this to meet your expectations. So, if you can, make your thoughts about this story known via a review, it will mean a lot to me and will provide me the means to improve the quality of this work.

Next chapter is probably a big one and is back into Peter's POV.