Chapter 4
After she had her won her first battle against Hala with her newly evolved Torracat, Freya arrived in Akala island with Lillie and Hau. She even managed to find a Rockruff before she boarded the ferry. The puppy Pokémon looked at her happily and wagged its tail. Freya giggled at the sight. It was good to let her team out of their poke balls for a while. She felt terrible keeping them confined for a day or two.
"Land ahoy!!", Hau shouted when he jumped from the boat. People gave him strange looks but he didn't seem to mind. It was just his nature to be happy and carefree. Not to mention that he filled his bag with masaladas.
"Hau, that's not even funny...", Lillie said, unamused while shaking her head.
"Wha? I thought it was. Right, Freya?", Hau frowned and looked at Freya for help.
"Was it supposed to be funny?", Freya asked
"You two are no fun. I mean this is Akala island", Hau frowned even more.
He was right. Which means there has to be trial captains and a kahuna. Freya thought while she looked around the city. She was used to this. Being born in the city taught her a lot but she was new to this place so it didn't help much. The city looked like a resort getaway kind of place.
"I might as well look at the ruins here on this island and the boutique as well", Lillie stated and started walking to the clothing store.
"I'm going to find a masalada shop. I'm still doing the challenge but I really want to visit every masalada shop on every island", Hau took off before Freya could say a word.
Freya sighed at the retreating figure of Hau and went to the clothing store. Maybe buying a new outfit would ease her mind. All the clothes in the glass cases looked elegant and vibrant. Some had different colored tank tops and skirts. She spotted Lillie looking unsure what to do.
"Oh. Hey, Freya. I got distracted by the clothes that I remembered I had to meet someone important at the hotel ahead. I'll meet you when you're ready.", Lillie took one more glance at the clothes and walked to the hotel.
~~~Gladion's Pov~~~
Gladion looked at his phone impatiently. She was late. He tsked and put his hand on his eye as a sign saying that he waited long enough. Sighing, he left and spotted the same girl he saw with Lillie. What should he do? She was walking this way to the hotel. Would she tell Lillie that she saw him? Then Lillie would feel guilty of keeping him waiting. He didn't want that. Being the enforcer of Team Skull was tough as it is. He had to tread carefully.
~~~Freya's Pov~~~
After battling with a few trainers, she finally made it to the fountain in front of the hotel. There, she saw a boy dressed in dark clothing with blonde hair and bangs covering one of his eyes. Wasn't she supposed to find Lillie? Maybe he knew where she was.
"Hello. Have you seen a girl with long blonde hair? She should be at this hotel by now", Freya looked at the boy who frowned a bit.
"I'm kinda busy so why don't you ask the hotel clerk instead?", the boy brushed her off with a shrug.
Ok. That was just plain rude. Freya thought she was getting nowhere with him. Was this some kinda loner boy phase she heard about? Or was it an edgy phase? Whatever it was seemed to make her snap a little.
"I'm asking you. I'm new here and I doubt I would get anywhere with the hotel staff. I think you're just hiding something.", Freya placed her hands on her hips and got inches close to his face. This is what she learned living in the city. She always had to look out for herself. She could tell she struck a nerve and see the blush on his face.
"Tsk. I don't have time for this. I have somewhere to be.", the boy said looking away while he blushed.
"Ok then, edgy", Freya shrugged
"That's not my name and I don't consider myself edgy . It's Gladion by the way", the boy didn't even offer his hand to shake. He seemed to find it unnecessary for formal introductions.
"I'm Freya. And you are edgy by the way. I guess you can't help it since you're good at it", Freya giggled as Gladion made that glaring look.
As soon as he heard her giggling, his face grew deep red like a Tamato Berry. She saw him turn around and walk off to the path leading away from the hotel. She knew she would see Gladion again. It was adorable to see his reaction. Freya also knew he wasn't like Gold or Green. He tended to act somewhat like Silver.
~~~that night~~~
After her encounter with Gladion, Freya and her two friends decided it would be best to stay the night at the Pokémon center. She and Lillie laughed when Hau tried to see how many masaladas he could fit in his mouth. This was refreshing for her since she never laughed that much before. She could hardly forget the edgy boy she met this morning. He seemed to have a rough past just like her. Tomorrow will be her next trial challenge and she had to get up early for that. In her room, her Torracat and Rockruff snoozed right by her feet on the bed. Their presence eased her into a reassuring sleep.