Natalie's Decision
Amy and Natalie had come from the stands to congratulate Jet on his win. "Great job, Jet!" Amy smiled at him as he said, "Thank you, but it was all these guys," he pointed at his belt, "I just kind of, cheered them on."
"Stop acting modest," said Natalie, "It doesn't suit you."
Amy giggled and said, "So, why don't we go celebrate?"
Jet smiled and said, "Yeah, sounds fun."
"Natalie," Brock interrupted, "Can I talk to you? Alone?"
Natalie looked at Brock and told Jet and Amy, "You guys go ahead, I'll catch up."
"Are you sure?" asked Amy, "We can wait for you."
Natalie smiled and said, "Thanks, but no need."
Amy and Jet left Natalie behind and got on a bus to go back to the Center. While they were on the bus, Jet fiddled around with his new boulder badge. Part of him was still caught up in the euphoria of his victory, and the spoils thereof. The other part was worrying about Natalie. Jet didn't like the idea of her being alone with Brock, and couldn't enjoy himself fully while she was away.
Amy looked down at Jet's badge and said, "You should put that somewhere you won't lose it."
Jet smiled and said, "Yeah, I'd be pissed if that happened. So, where do you want to go?"
Amy shrugged and said, "It's your choice, you won the badge today."
Jet leaned back and said, "Umm, how about we get some food? We'll just walk around until we find a good restaurant and just pig out."
Amy smiled, "That sounds good."
XXX
Back at the Gym, Brock had showed Natalie his new apartment. It was above the actual Gym and had all new furniture. "This is really nice, Brock. You're doing well for yourself."
Brock said, "Yeah, owning the Gym does have its perks. So, why haven't you called me?"
Natalie sighed and said, "We've been through this, Brock! We're no longer together; I don't have to call you!"
Brock frowned, "Do you know I've been thinking about you every day since you left me?"
"Brock, don't!"
Brock put his hand on her cheek and said, "I miss you, Nat. Look at me," he gently faced her head so her eyes looked into hers, "I miss us."
Brock went in for a kiss and Natalie turned away, "Stop it. There is no more us. I'm traveling now, doing things I've always wanted to do. There's no place for you in my world now."
A flash of irritation appeared in Brock's eyes, "What, with that Jethro guy? He's not your type, Nat."
Natalie spat, "First of all, it's none of your business who I'm with! Second of all, how the fuck would you know what my type is?"
"Because I know you better than anyone, Nat. You're never going to be satisfied with him! You think he's cute and everything now, but at the end of the day he's just a boy. You need a man."
Brock went in for the kiss yet again. Natalie said, "Stop." But he persisted, and she gave in. They kissed passionately and moved onto the couch, where Brock put his hand between Natalie's legs.
Natalie's phone started to ring, but they ignored it until it stopped. When it rang the second time, Brock grabbed it and answered it, "She's busy!" Click.
Natalie snatched her phone and said, "You don't answer my phone, Brock! Oh no," she said pushing Brock off her, "That was-"
XXX
Back at the Pokémon Center Jet locked the screen on his phone. Brock had just answered Natalie's phone and hung up on him. He may have imagined it, but it sounded as if Brock was breathing heavily. Jet had never had his heart broken before, but he was pretty sure it must feel something close to how his heart felt now.
There was a physical pain in his chest. It was like a pulling, wrenching, burning sensation all in a measure. Was he actually falling in love with her? Was what he's feeling something beyond jealousy? It certainly felt like it.
Amy walked into the room and said, "Did you call Nat?" Jet nodded and said, "Yeah, she-umm… I don't think she'll be able to make it."
Amy said, "Oh… well, we could wait for her."
Jet shook his head, "Nah, let's go get some food."
In truth, Jet needed a distraction. He needed Amy to distract him, because he was feeling pretty numb right about then. He put on a fake smile as they left the center to find a restaurant. The place they did find was a sushi bar. Jet didn't like sushi, but it made Amy happy so he went without complaint.
He smiled when Amy told a joke. He cheered with the others as the chefs diced their food right before their eyes. He put on a mask as the teriyaki chicken was tossed up in the air. But over and over again, he saw the image of Natalie biting her lip as Brock fucked her, and it pissed him the fuck off.
By the time he and Amy returned to the room his primary emotion was only anger. That anger was intensified when they opened the door to find the place deserted. Amy asked, "Did she call you back or text you?"
Jet shook his head, "Nah, but I got to pick my Pokémon up from the infirmary and hit the mart up before it closes. I'll be right back."
"Ok," Amy said. As soon as the door closed Amy called Natalie. When it went to voicemail Amy said, "Where the hell are you? Why haven't you called? I don't know what you said to Jet but he's been upset all day! He pretends he's not but that's my best friend and I know when something's bothering him. If you're leaving him for Brock then be up front! I don't want him getting hurt! Call me back when you get this!"
XXX
At Brock's apartment, Natalie was laying naked under the sheets of his bed. Brock was currently in the shower singing some song by Miguel. Natalie heard a ding on her phone that signaled a voicemail. She listened to the message and put her hand over her mouth. She had never meant to hurt Jet. She didn't even mean to end up in bed with Brock. Yet she had done both and felt like shit because of it. There was no point on going back to the Center now, the damage has been done. Perhaps it would be best if she waited until morning.
XXX
Down at the storage PC in the Pokémon Center, Jet had just got finished telling everyone about his victory. He called his parents, Professor Oak, and his best friend Brian. After hearing their reactions he was feeling a lot better about the Natalie situation.
He had done some thinking, and decided it best if he made some room in his party for new talent. So, deciding he could always get them back whenever he wanted, Jet deposited his Beedrill, Butterfree, and his Mankey.
After depositing his Pokémon he went back upstairs to go to bed. When he woke up in the morning, Natalie still wasn't there. He groggily got up, washed up, and got dressed. Amy woke up and said, "You're up early."
Jet smiled and said, "It's eleven, Amy. This is sleeping in for me."
Amy sat up and yawned, ruffling her fingers through her pillow hair as she did so. "You could have slept up here if you wanted to."
Jet laughed and said, "Now you tell me."
Amy smiled and got up to get ready. Jet laid down on the bed while she got in the shower, and decided that he really regretted not sleeping in the bed. His back was aching.
The door knob suddenly clicked as Natalie unlocked it and opened it. Jet sat up from the bed and said, "Hi."
Natalie closed the door, "Hi."
There was a silence, and Jet realized Natalie didn't want to be the first one to speak. "Late night?"
"What did you think was going to happen, Jethro?" Natalie asked, almost pleadingly, "Did you think you and me would travel around the world together and fall in love? That'd I'd follow you to the ends of the earth and be your personal cheering section?"
There was a hint of desperation in her voice. Jet stood up and asked, "Are you leaving then?"
Natalie hesitated, and then asked, "Do you want me to leave?"
Part of Jet did; the part that was angry at her. He felt cheated on, and he didn't even want to look at her. The other part of him, the one that had a small ray of hope for the two of them, wanted her to stay.
"I'll leave that decision up to you." Jet went to the door and opened it, "I have to get some supplies. If you're not here when I get back, then I'll understand."
Jet went down the elevator with a burning question in his mind; would he really be ok with it if she stayed? Would he and her ever have anything to offer each other?
He cashed the check he got from the Pewter City Gym. With the winnings, Jet was able to afford higher quality medicines and vitamins. He was also able to get some custom pokeballs for his trip. After purchasing supplies, Jet made his way back to the room.
When he walked in, Amy said, "Hey- umm… Natalie left. She said she wanted me to give you these." Amy handed Jet five empty Pokeballs, and his insides went numb.
Author's Notes:
Writing this chapter was extremely annoying. Natalie isn't completely written out of the story, she'll be back. I just won't say when.
So next chapter will see Jet and Amy heading to Mt. Moon. What kind of Pokémon will they see? What kind of dangers will they face? Stay tuned!
And as always, please review!
