CHAPTER 17: Bill!

"Brock!" A young man, not much older looking than me, struts up, hugging Brock tightly.

"Hey, Bill! How's it going?" Brock laughs, hugging him back.

"Good, good! Long time no see man!" Bill steps back, then notices the rest of us.

"Oh! Hey y'all! You must be friends of Brocks! Welcome!" He walks over, and i get a proper look at his face.

Beautiful, round black eyes, with a tousle of brown hair over his face, covering his glasses. Scruffy facial hair, that sits nice and clean to his cheek-bones.

"Hey, the names Bill!" He smiles as he sticks his hand out to me, revealing perfect teeth.

Oh gosh.

"H-hi! S-Serena!" I stick my hand out, and he stares awkwardly at me while he shakes it.

"It's big, you know." He says out of nowhere.

My face goes Cheri Berry red.

"W-w-what?" I stutter, looking at my feet.

"Your Chatot. It's big. Bigger than normal." He points to Alto, who is sitting on my shoulder, and he purrs at the attention.

With a quiet sigh of relief, he walks over to the rest of the group.

I catch Hilary's amused look, and i glare at her silently.

She laughs quietly, and turns back to the handsome boy.

"Hilary, nice to meet you!" She smiles widely while shaking his hand.

"Is she yours?" He points behind her, laughing.

She turns around, and sees Jojo spinning wildly around behind them, giggling.

"How did you..." She stalks over to grab her while Bill continues down the line.

"My names Ash! It's such an honor, Mr. Bill!" He shakes his hand vigorously, Bill laughing the whole time.

I look at Brock, who explains.

"Bill here invented the first PC system, for storing Pokemon."

"Oh wow! How old are you?" I ask without thinking.

"Nineteen. And thank you, Ash. It's an honor meeting someone who uses my system." Flashing an award winning grin, he finally moves to Misty.

"And i already know who you are, Misty. It's been a while." He hugs her, and i can't help but feel a little jealous.

"Bill! How good to see you!" She laughs as he pins her around.

"So, this may sound weird, but could i meet all of your pokemon?" He turns to us, almost pleadingly.

We lead him outside, and introduce him to all of our pokemon individually.

I go first.

"This is Ace, my Pidgeotto. I caught him on Route 1. And these are Bane and Belle, my Noctowl twins." I release them next, and Bill's eyes go wide.

"Holy wow! Look at how big they are! They're wingspan MUST be at least nine feet!" He walks around the owls, who are hooting in pleasure at the sudden attention.

"They just evolved, not even an hour ago." I point out, and he looks at me quickly.

"You must be a skilled trainer, then. These guys aren't even close to evolution age yet." He points out, and my face goes red again.

I return them all, and It's Hilary's turn.

"You've already met Jojo, and this is Sunshine, K.O, and Spritzer."

We go through the rest of everyone's pokemon, and head back inside.

"So! What brings you guys to the area?" He asks, throwing an arm around my shoulder as we walk in.

My heart skips a beat, or, like, a hundred.

"Was going through the Gym circuit with these guys, thought i would use Route 24 & 25 as a training location, then i thought i'd come visit." Brock laughs.

"Well i'm glad you did! Dinner's almost ready, and i cooked for Misty's sisters and I, but they cancelled last minute." He laughs, taking his arm off my shoulders and strutting into a dining room.

"Oh, Bill!" Hilary starts, but he cuts her off.

"No! I wont take no for an answer! Please, be my guests for tonight!" He smiles, winking towards me and Misty, and my heart melts.

We all take seats around the small dinner table, and Bill brings out a feast fit for kings.

Fish, Chicken, Beef, you name it, and it was on the table! The table was full in no time, and as soon as a dish was finished, another one was brought out.

"So, what brings you two to Kanto?" Bill asks me and Hilary.

"Work, mostly. Our dad got a job as the Safari Zone Warden in Johto, but we couldn't find housing there." Hilary explains, and Bill's eyes light up.

"Wait! Gerald is your dad?" He laughs as we nod in confusion.

"He was just here yesterday, actually. He had some inquiries about a Safari based PC extension, and i was helping him figure it all out. He's in Cerulean till tomorrow, I believe." Me and Hilary are already standing.

"Where's he staying, Bill?" I ask.

"The Center, why?" But me and Hilary are already out the door.

"Meet you back in Cerulean! It was nice meeting you, Bill!" I release Bane and Belle, and we both hop on, on our way to Cerulean.

We practically run to the reception, once we get back to the Center.

"What room in Gerald Flora in? He's our dad." Hilary asks.

"Oh! Room 212!"

After thanking her, we book it down the hallway, and stop in front of his door.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Coming! Who is i-" Hes cut off as we tackle him onto the floor.

"Girls!" He kisses our foreheads, then stands back up.

"Hows it going?" He asks, gesturing us to the couch and chair area.

"Good! We were just visiting Bill, and he mentioned that you would be in town." Hilary starts.

"And we thought we would come visit!" I finish.

"I'm glad you did, i actually have a question for you guys." His face drops.

"Oh?"

"I wanted to ask you both if... if you would use your mothers pokemon." He asks.

My mind goes blank.

"I was going to grab Mizara to show to Ash. He just caught his first pokemon, an Abra named Arnarra." I say, and he nods.

"Good. She needs to stretch her legs."

"Are you sure?" Hilary asks, referring to the question before.

"Yes, i am. They need to be out of the PC. They need to stretch their legs and wings. It would have meant the world to your mother if you would take them. Not as part of your battle team, but just your travelling one." He explains, and we both nod.

Without saying a word, Hilary leads us to the reception, and to the PC.

"I'll grab Kalmiya, Shadow, and the rock twins." Hilary says, typing into the PC.

Kalmiya was Mom's Blissey, Shadow was her Poochyena, and Luna and Sola were her Lunatone and Solrock, respectively.

"Then i'll grab Mizara, Spexure, Star, and Daphne." After Hilary takes the pokeballs from the dispenser, i walk up and grab mine.

Mizara is Moms Gardevoir and starter, Spexure is her Houndoom, Star is her Staravia, and Daphne is her Breloom.

"This means a lot to me, and her pokemon, you guys." He starts to tear up, but we drag him out to the nearest open space, which happens to be Route 24.

We cross the bridge, and release all of mom's pokemon.

"Hey guys!" We get tackled by all of them.

"How's it going?" Shadow jumps into my arms, growling happily.

"So, heres the deal guys." Hilary starts, "I'm assuming that you are all getting pretty bored in the PC, correct?"

Nods all around.

"I'm also assuming you guys want to stretch your legs, and wings in Star's case, right?"

Nods again.

"So me and Ser have a deal for you. We would like for you all to join us, but not as battle partners. You would be free to roam, following us."

Everyone nods vigorously.

"So, we'll take that as a yes? Anyone who doesn't want to follow us, will be left back at our new house. You will be able to roam around Pallet town, and join us at any time."

After everything was explained, we ended up with three travelers, and the rest staying at the house, keeping it clean and whatnot.

Coming with us are; Mizara, Spexure, and Daphne, the rest to go back.

We return all of the ones heading back, and hand the pokeballs to Dad.

"There we go. I'm sorry i didnt ask about the house, but-"

"No, don't apologize. I would love the company, honestly. Theres enough to keep them satisfied, and they are going to love the area." He smiles, hugging us.

"Oh, and theres your friends!" He waves behind us, and i turn around to see Ash, Misty, Brock, and Bill walking up behind us.

"Gerald!" Bill walks up, shaking his hand.

"Bill, buddy! How's it goin?"

Brock shakes his hand next.

"Brock! Thank you for keeping my girls safe through Mt. Moon! You too, Ash." He ruffles Ash's hair, and Ash's eyes are wide in happiness.

"O-of course, sir!" He bows quickly, grabbing Pikachu and darting to the bridge back to Cerulean.

We all laugh, and Bill catches my eye.

He waves me over.

"I have to ask Serena a question, guys! We wont go far!" He throws an arm around my shoulder, and takes me a bit farther down the route.

We finally stop, and i can feel my heart beating out of my chest as he smiles at me.

"I wanted to ask you something."

My heart flutters in excitement.

"I need your help with something, more rather. I have a baby pokemon, a flying type, an-"

"Where is it? Can i meet it?" My interest quickly peaks.

"Hold on, hun. Shes a little Combee named Beatrice. She is from Sinnoh, and she needs a trainer that can take proper care of her. I thought, that maybe bec-"

"I'll do it."

"-ause she was- wait. You'll take her?" He looks confused.

"I'm not one to ever turn down the chance to raise a flying type." I smile at him, and his grin warms my heart.

"Thank you, Serena. You don't know how much this means to me."

He hands me an ultraball, smiling.

I smile back, and go to turn away, but he gently grabs my arm.

"Hm? Whats up?" I turn to ask, but his lips cancel my response.

I realize whats happening, and kiss him back.

A couple of seconds later, he pulls away, and stares at me with a look of playfulness.

"Wow." Is all i can say.

"I'm so sorry, Serena. I've been wanting to do that since i met you. That sounded a bit creepy." He laughs awkwardly.

"Not a problem. I mean, i liked it. Well, not LIKED liked it, but you know, li-" He kisses me again.

When we finally pull away again, i smile.

"Well, thats a polite way of telling me to shut up."

Instead of answering, he kisses me quickly, then grabs my hand and leads me back to the group.

"Well, that was quick!" Hilary laughs, but she catches my expression of delight, and stifles more laughter behind her hand.

"Well, i have to get back to bed! I am flying back home tomorrow, then back to work." Dad laughs, and pats Bill's back as we all make our way to the bridge.

Bill stops, looking me in the eye, and gives me a sad look, as we walk away.

He waves till we get to the bridge, then turns around and makes his way back to his house.

Hilary pokes me when i stare in his direction for to long.

We all get back to the Center, say our goodbyes to dad, then head to our rooms.

As soon as we get in, Hilary slams the door and pins me to the bed.

"Did he kiss you!?"

"WHAT? Ew no." I try to scowl, but i cant hide my laughter.

"OH MY GOD! IM TELLING DAD!" She gets up, but i tackle her top the ground.

"HILARY NO!"

"LET ME GO!"

It turns into a wrestling match on the floor, with her ending up on top.

"I'm 17, Hilary! I can kiss boys!"

"Ohohoho no you cant! Wait till dad finds out!"

"DAD ISNT GOING TO FIND OUT!"

"Fine! On one condition!" She finally lets me up.

"What?" I say gruffly, dusting myself off.

"You have to invite Bill to come with us."

"Fine."

"Wait, what?" She looks at me with a super confused look on her face.

"I'll ask him tomorrow, or next time we see him."

"O...kay. Well, anyways! I'm going to have a bath, then bed. Night!" She struts off, leaving me to wonder.

What would it be like with Bill with us?

I mean, he's such a nice guy. But.

Is he prepared to go on a journey?

Does he have any pokemon?

These questions and more float across his face in my head as i fall asleep.