"It's a brand new day, and we've got... something to say? Time for a parade? Some spicy Marmalade?"
I hear Kai's voice in his room, as he fiddles with his song.
Chuckling, I sit up, out of bed, and check my phone.
7:30am.
"Shit!" I hiss as I rip out of my room, towel in hand, and burst into the shower.
I shower quickly, but I can hear my phone going off on the sink, texts from my friends wondering where the hell I am.
I hop out, drying quickly, and book it to my room to get dressed.
Kai gives me a pained look as I pass, and it shatters my heart, but I don't have time to stop and chat.
I give mom a quick kiss as I grab an apple and bolt out the front door.
"Where the hell have you been? You almost missed it!" Rayna laughs as I run up to her front door, red-faced and trying to catch my breath.
She is wearing leather pants, which are a little to tight, and a beautiful cropped blouse, that reminds me of the pink morning sky. Her long red hair is tied into a tight ponytail behind her, and she is wearing pink high heeled boots, that stop just below her knee.
"You... Look... Amazing..." I gasp as she ushers me in, to where Matthew and Nareen are sitting in her living room.
Nareen is wearing a beautiful sun dress, that matches her caramel skin and dark brown hair perfectly, and Mtthew is wearing running shorts and a tank top, like me.
"So?! Whos excited!" Nareen claps and asks, bouncing excitedly.
"This is the first year we WONT be at the ceremony!" Matthew puts in, and we all nod.
The acceptance ceremony works in a weird way.
First of all, everyone who applied for an internship is forbidden from actually attending it, which is weird in its own right.
Second, it gets broadcast-ed locally, so that the applicants can still follow along as it goes.
And Third, if you get accepted into an internship, you get a call immediately, telling you where to go and when to go there.
Rayna flips the T.V on, and on the screen is a live broadcast from inside our school's gymnasium. There is a platform set up, with the principal standing in the middle.
"-to this years Acceptance Ceremony!" There is a loud clapping, as all of the younger classes are sat behind the camera.
"Well, without further ado, let us begin! Starting off with Alana Belogna..." She takes an envelope from a man who runs up on stage, and reads the results.
"Alana applied for the coveted TeamWork position! And...-" She slips the letter out of the envelope, but her face drops, "-She unfortunately did not get the position. Maybe next year, sweetheart!" Her smile is back, but I can't imagine what kind of emotional pain Alana is going through. There is never a 'next year.' If you dont get it, you dont get it.
"Next one is... Rayna Yerling!" I feel Ray tense up beside me, as her application is explained.
"Rayna here applied for Teams Rocket, Flare, and Skull! And..."
I throw my arm around her, and she leans into me.
"... Congratulations! Rayna is the newest member of Team Skull!" Rayna jumps up, crying happily.
"I did it! You guys!" We all go silent as her phone rings.
"Hello?" She answers, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Yes... okay... of course... I will... okay, see you soon!" She hangs up, and we go nuts.
Nareen finally calms us down, as the next person is announced.
"Mathew Obernman. This young man applied for Teams Skull, Galactic, and Magma. And..."
His back tenses, and Rayna kisses his cheek quickly, causing him to blush.
"...Congratulations! Matthew is the newest member of Team Magma!" Matthew starts crying, and we all hug him.
"Congrats, Matty!" Nareen kisses his cheek, and I rub his back, as his phone rings.
He takes it to the corner, as they announce the next person, Nareen.
"Nareen Bawbwe. I personally love this young woman, she is an inspiration to us all. It looks like she applied for Teams Skull and Rocket! And..."
Rayna grabs her in a tight hug, and they both squeeze their eyes shut.
"...Congratulations! Nareen is the newest member of Team Rocket!" Nareen squeals with happiness as Matthew enters again.
"I got Rocket!" She flies into his arms, and he kisses her hair and laughs.
"... and the last applicant for the TeamWork positions, is-" Nareen's phone rings.
"He has applied for... every team! Go you! And..."
I tense, and the others gather around me, except for Nareen, as she announces the results.
"...Congratulations! He is the newest member for Team Plasma!" MY heart jumps.
"Yay!" Rayna jumps into my arms, and we all laugh and cry happily.
"We did it!" Nareen turns the T.V off, and my phone rings.
I disengage myself from the others, who watch as I walk off to the corner.
"Hello?" I answer.
"Hey sweet cheeks. How's it going?" I hear the green haired kid... N... on the other side of the phone.
I blush instantly.
"Um... good! Whats up?" I ask stupidly, and he chuckles.
"Well, looks like you got in. I told you you would." The tone in his voice is excited.
"Yes! Thank you!"
"Of course. Now, you will be meeting me tomorrow, at-"
"Tomorrow?" I interrupt him, eyes wide.
"Yes, tomorrow. Now, if i could continue? Tomorrow, in the schools parking lot, and we fly out at noon. Meet me there around say... 10am? And bring your passport. Oh! And an appetite, i'll buy lunch." I can almost HEAR the wink.
"Um... O-okay. See you tomorrow, N."
"See you soon, sweet cheeks!" He hangs up, and my face goes red.
"Tomorrow?" Rayna asks, and everyone nods.
"I dont leave for a few more weeks!" Nareen points out, and Matthew nods.
"Me either." Rayna says.
"Guys... I'm going to Unova... tomorrow?" I'm still processing as they mob me.
"IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!" Nareen cries.
"This is the best, man!" Matthew laughs, wiping tears out of his eyes.
We sit and cry for a bit, when I remember something.
"Wait! Turn the T.V on! Kai's performing!" I scramble for the remote, but Rayna already has it and turns the ceremony back on.
"-performance! Here he is, Kai!" Principal Rose walks off stage, as a group of kids set up a keyboard, and Kai wheels himself up the ramp.
"Hi. My name is Kai, and I wrote a song for today. I hope you enjoy."
He rolls up to the keyboard, and slowly lifts his hands.
As soon as he strikes the first chord, my heart lurches. I can tell just from the melody of the song already that he put his entire heart into this song.
It starts off chipper and lively, an upbeat tune that his lyrics bounce along to.
"Today's just a day.
Tomorrow's far away.
So lets not delay,
as we celebrate today.
News can be exciting,
But sometimes it's not.
Dont get your spirits get you down,
as you gave it all you got.
Sailing off to new horizons,
like a group of sailing ships.
If you keep looking out the window,
you'll only ever catch a glimpse!
So broaden your point of view,
and see what this whole world has to give!
And you might just miss a few,
those few things you see will help you live!"
Then, as if someone had switched the song completely, he drops into a slower, more melodic chorus, and I can hear the pain in his voice.
I dont pick up the lyrics, as all I can focus on is the pain hes projecting.
Rayna takes my side, and hugs me close.
"Is he okay?" She whispers, and I shake my head.
"I don't know."
There is a knock at the front door, and Rayna gets up to answer it.
"Hello? Oh, Hey! How's it going?" She walks back in, and a girl walks in behind her.
Shelly?
"Hey there sweet hearts! How's it going?" She flashes a smile, and Matthew's face goes beet-red.
We all tell her we are doing good, and she points to me.
"You! I need a quick word, handsome!" She grabs my arm and walks me outside.
"So! I heard you got into Plasma, congratulations." She starts, hugging me tight.
"Oh, um... thank you...?" She laughs at my answer.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to poach you onto Aqua." She laughs at my sigh of relief.
"Then why did you need to talk to me?" I ask, and she smiles.
"Cause I hoped that you wouldn't mind having a Team Aqua starter with you." She holds up a pokeball from her pocket, and i recoil.
"What? Is that allowed?" I ask, and she nods, smiling.
"I've already talked it over with N, and he does not have a problem with it. What do you say?" She asks, putting her hands together.
"I mean... okay..." She laughs and hugs me, handing me the pokeball.
"She's just a baby, newly hatched from my own Pokemon!" Shelly steps back, signalling for me to release the pokemon.
I tap the button, and point in front of me, and a burst of red light comes out, forming a small pokemon in front of me.
The light dissipates, and in front of me is a small fish pokemon, floating in the air.
It's body is ball shaped, and is red on the bottom and navy blue on top. It has huge yellow fins, two on top and one on bottom, and a large tail fin that is yellow and rimmed with red in the back. It's eye's look dangerous, and it has two huge fangs sticking out of its bottom lip. There is a large yellow star shaped pattern on its chest/belly.
"Meet Carvanha!" Shelly jumps in excitement.
"Hey there..." I put my hand out, and Carvanha floats through the air slowly, sniffing my hand. She looks up at me, and her eyes soften. Then she bites my hand.
"Ouch!" I recoil, and Shelley busts a gut laughing so hard.
"Rule number one to raising a Carvanha; They like to bite!" She holds her hands up, and I see the numerous scars along her forearms.
"It means she likes you." She says softer, hugging the fish pokemon.
"She... she's beautiful." I gasp, as she does a graceful flip in the air.
"I'm glad you like her! Now, she needs a name!" Shelley and Carvanha both turn to look at me.
"Um... um... Oh! I got one! How about Chompers?" Carvanha quickly swims over and bites my hand, growling.
"Okay, maybe not... what about... Oh! Persephone?" Carvanha's eyes widen exponentially as she nods, and even Shelley nods.
"Gorgeous name from a gorgeous trainer to a gorgeous pokemon. Perfect." She smiles, hugging Persephone once more, then me.
"I have to go, but PLEASE let me know how she's doing every once in a while, or if you need any pointers on water type pokemon in general." She hands me a card, that has her name and number on it, with a bunch of hearts.
"I will. Thank you so much, Shelley." I hug her again, and she waves as she leaves.
"Well then, Persephone! Lets go introduce you to my friends!" I bend as she leaps into my arms. Her fins cut into my clothing, but I wave it off.
We walk in, and everyone's eyes go wide.
"Who is this sweetheart?" Nareen asks, walking up and putting her hand out for Persephone so sniff. Persephone nuzzles her hand, and kisses her fingers.
"Everyone, this is Persephone. Persephone, this is everyone." I set her down, and she floats around, greeting everyone.
"Have you though of a nick name for her?" Rayna asks, and I tilt my head in confusion.
"That IS her nickname." I point out, and Rayna laughs.
"No, like... Percy, or Effie? That way you won't have to say her full name all the time." She laughs, and I nod.
"Car!" Persephone perks up when Rayna mentions the nick name Effie.
"Is Effie okay?" I ask her, and she nods, purring.
"Van! Ha!" She laughs, floating in circles.
"Alrighty then, Effie!" I laugh as she leaps into my arms.
"Shes a cutie!" Rayna laughs as Effie nibbles her fingers.
"Sorry! She tends to bite when shes happy!" Rayna waves it off, playing with the baby piranha pokemon.
"So, any plans for tonight?" Matthew asks, and I nod.
"Parents are taking us out for dinner at that new oriental place, downtown." They all nod.
"Well, speaking of food! It's almost noon!" Rayna grabs her coat, and we all laugh.
We lock the door behind us, and head to the cafe.
After we get comfortable, and order, we talk about our assignments.
"So! Nareen, Team Rocket! That's exciting!" I say between sips of my coffee, and her face beams.
"Yeah! I start in a few weeks, over in Viridian City! They said I'll get to pick between Rattata, Pidgey, or Geodude as my starter!" Matthew claps her gently on the back.
"That is so exciting, Nar! We are so happy for you!" He says, and she turns to him.
"But you got Team Magma! Hoenn!" She laughs as his face goes red.
"Yeah, its pretty exciting! I get a Numel as my starter, which is a fire type. And I leave two weeks from today." He smiles, relaxing a bit.
"Ray?" I ask, and her face lights up.
"Team Skull! I get to choose between three Alolan Form Kantonian Pokemon, Rattata, Grimer, or Meowth, and I am stationed on Akala island." She explains, and I hug her.
"And you?" Matthew turns to me, sipping his drink.
"I'm not sure. N called me and just said to meet him at the school tomorrow at 10am, and that hes buying me lunch before we go." I shrug, but Ray elbows me.
"N is super cute." She giggles, and Nareen covers her mouth with her hand.
My face goes hot.
"Shut up!" She laughs as I playfully push her.
Our food arrives, and Effie sticks her head out from under the table, where she had been dozing.
"Car?" She asks, eyeing my plate.
Laughing, I tear a piece of burger off for her, tossing it down. She artfully flips, catching it in her mouth, and floating back under, nestling between my feet again.
"She's a total sweet heart." Rayna says, eyes soft.
"I know. I think me and her are going to get along perfect." I smile down at her, and she snores gently in response.
"So, what kind of starters do they offer in Team Plasma?" Nareen asks between bites.
"Lillipup, Purrloin, and Patrat." I say, and they all nod.
"Well, you need to get packing! We will text everyone tomorrow morning before you have to meet up with N and go for one last coffee!" Rayna kises my cheek, letting me slide out. I grab a to-go box, and pack my food home, Effie on my tail.
I burst through the front door, and get instantly mobbed by my parents.
"We are SO proud of you!" My mom cries.
Behind me, I hear a light growling.
"Oh! Mom!" I pull away and turn around, picking Effie up.
"Oh! And who is this little sweetie?" Mom lets Effie sniff her, and Effie gleefully crunches her fingers.
"This is Persephone, or Effie for short. Shelley from Team Aqua gave her to me, as a gift." I explain, and Mom takes the energetic baby piranha.
"Ha! Ha!" She giggles as Mom tickles her belly.
"So, exciting news! I leave tomorrow!" Mom almost drops Effie, and I hear Dad choke on something in the kitchen.
"Tomorrow? Why so soon?" Mom asks, hugging me tightly.
"N told me that we were leaving at noon, I have to pack still!" I kiss her cheek, and wiggle around her.
"Baby..." I turn back, and she has tears in her eyes.
"Oh, mom..." I throw her into a hug, and she cries into my shoulder.
"I knew this day was coming..." She sobs, and I laugh through my own tears.
"Could you be any cheesier, mom?" We both laugh as Dad comes out of the kitchen, and joins the hug.
"Where is Kai?" I ask.
"Upstairs." She points, wiping her eyes.
"Mom... could you help me pack?" Her eyes go wide as she nods vigorously.
She heads up to my room as I find Kai.
His door is open, and he is sitting at his keyboard, but he's just staring at it.
"Plasma, huh?" He says dejectedly.
"Kai..."
"When do you leave?" He asks quietly.
"...tomorrow, at noon." His eyes go wide.
"But, you can't-" He cuts off as he bursts into tears.
"Hey! Hey." I go sit beside him, holding him as he sobs.
"I cant... lose you... I cant..." He sobs, and I hear Effie come in behind us.
"Car?" She asks quietly, and Kai, wipes his eyes and looks around for the source of the new sound.
"Huh? Who's this?" He asks as Effie leaps into his lap, nuzzling his chest.
"Oh, Kai! Meet Persephone, but you can call her Effie." I laugh as she nibbles his nose when he kisses her forehead.
"Aren't you just the cutest?" Kai says, and there's a huff from the door.
We turn, and Missy stalks down the hall.
We both laugh, and Kai sets Effie down.
"You'd better go do some damage control, bro." He nods, laughing through his tears, and takes off after the offended Purugly.
I scoop Effie up, and head into my room, where Mom is sitting on the bed, m,y bags packed beside her.
"Unova gets cold, so i packed lots of pants, but please call us if you need anything else, we can send it-"
"Mom. It's perfect, thank you." She smiles, hugging me, and she points to a small backpack beside my bed.
"Carry-on. Phone chargers, some cash, and your passport. We will pick up snack and drinks tonight." I nod, and she holds me back at arms length.
"Please call us, and don't be a stranger! Come visit whenever you get the chance!" She smiles.
"Look at you, about to move out on your own. Make sure to let Grandma and Poppa know that your going to Unova, they owuld love to come visit you from Kalos!" I nod again, hugging her again.
"We are so proud of you, honey. SO proud." She whispers into my ear.
"Now, get changed, we are going for dinner remember!" She laughs, wiping her tears, and pretending to vomit at the smell of me.
She heads out, and I lay on my bed, Effie jumping up and curling on my chest.
This could not have turned out any better.
I get changed.