Apparently, spell checking my story once for mistakes is not enough. There were still quite a few mistakes in chapter 1, which should now be corrected. I'm quite surprised my story was viewed at all, yet I'm happy it was. I'll try to get out at least one chapter every other week, but I might not be able to sometimes. Either way, I hope you'll enjoy.

''hello'' = Spoken text

''hello'' = Thought text (always by the focus of that certain chapter)

(Name)= Change of perspective

(Juli)

''Wake up dear, it's morning.''

I looked up and saw my mother opening the curtains, letting the sunlight in. Why is the sunlight so damn bright here in Lavaridge, I don't feel like getting up yet

''Okay, I'm coming.'' I answered

''No you're not'' Damn, she's figured it out. After a few seconds of silence, my mother said:

''I'm not leaving until you get up.''

''Fine.'' I said, sighing slightly. I reluctantly got out of my bed and stretched a bit. My mother threw me some clothes.

''Here, put that on.'' I looked at the clothes. There was not a single plication in it, making me believe they had been ironed.

''Are we having visitors over?''

''Yeah, so go shower and come downstairs.''

''Yeah, yeah.'' My mom continued to stand there though. I sighed a bit and started walking to the shower, making my mom nod in approval.

''Good girl.'' She said, making both of us laugh a bit. Half an hour later, I arrived downstairs.

''I'm happy you're finally here, Juli.'' I heard my father say. ''Now you can help with the preparations.''

''Is that all you need me to do?'' My father stared at me for a bit.

''I can dream, can't I?'' I said. I helped my parents prepare the food and helped them set the table.

''And, DONE.'' I said, jumping onto the couch, since I was finally done setting the table. My parents looked at the table, then at each other, then back at the table.

''Could you redo it?'' My father said eventually.

''Why? This is good, isn't it?''

''It's good, but it doesn't quite give that 'feeling'.'' What feeling? I started picking up the stuff from the table and putting it down somewhere else, until the table was empty once more. I redid it a few times, but I couldn't quite get my parents' approval. It took a while, but I got it eventually. I took a picture with my poketch, as it could save me a lot of time the next time I have to set the table.

''Good job, Juli.'' My mother said. ''It's perfect'' FUCK YES. I did a little victory dance, after my parents left to attend to other preparations. My parents were scurrying around trying to get the last bit of food prepared. They started hurrying even more when the doorbell started ringing.

''I'll get it!'' I heard a loud thump and then my father said

''Are you alright dear?''

''I'm fine, so ignore me and keep the food from burning!'' She yelled at him. I ignored them and opened the door, but was surprised by the person standing there.

''Hi Juli, long time no see.''

''Hi Norman. How have you been?''

''I've been doing quite well. I decided to come ...'' He was interrupted by more screaming coming from the kitchen

''WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT!'' My mom yelled. ''THAT'S NOT SALT, THAT'S SUGAR''

''WELL IF YOU PUT THEM IN SUCH SIMILAR PACKINGS, HOW SHOULD I KNOW!?''

''BY KNOWING!'' I sighed at my parents being stupid again and so did Norman.

''MOM, DAD. NORMAN IS ALREADY HERE!'' I screamed into the house. They stopped yelling at one another and I heard sounds of them scuttling towards the door.

''Norman, we're glad you made it!''

''Why do you two always make such a big deal out of visits?''

''Tell me about it. I spent 20 minutes setting the table, as they thought it didn't feel right'' Norman sighed once more, with me following in on it as well.

''Anyway.'' My father raised his voice, trying to get us to stop making fun of them ''Come right in.''

And so, Norman walked in and went to the living room, with us following him there as well.

''I have got to say, the table is actually set spectacularly.'' I cheered a bit inside my head.

''Thanks Norman.''

''You're welcome.'' He said, while taking a seat.

''One question though, where is the food?''

My parents then realized they still had to actually serve the food and hurried to the kitchen.

I took a seat next to Norman, who was patiently waiting for the food to be served.

''Shouldn't you be helping them with serving the food?'' Norman asked me.

''Yeah.''

Norman and I laughed a bit, but were silenced by my mother who was walking in with her hands filled with plates and bowls filled to the brim with food. My father was following close behind her, also carrying a lot of plates and bowls

''Thanks for waiting. And Juli, thanks for helping us.'' She said the second part with a hint of sarcasm.

At least I did my job right.

My parents took a seat on the other side of the table.

''So, Norman, why did you want to come over and visit all of a sudden?''

''Actually, I wanted to talk about one of my sons. The youngest, to be exact.''

''You mean Jack?'' My father asked

''Yes, him.''

''What's with him?''

''He has recently moved to Hoenn with his mother. And while it makes me happy to finally be able to meet my son again, I'm also a bit concerned. He's already 14 yet he hasn't gone out to adventure. His mother has kept me updated on his activities, but all he's been doing is just reading and studying. He doesn't leave the house very often, let alone leave town. I want him to explore Hoenn, but I don't know how to get him to explore it. I thought about it for a while and I came to the conclusion I should ask you guys for help. Even though you two usually aren't very reliable, you're still my closest friends. So I want to ask you for advice in this matter.''

''I see.'' My father said.

''We'll help.'' My mother continued

''You will!?'' Norman said, surprised.

''And we know just how to accomplish it.''

''You do!?'' Norman said, even more surprised

''How?'' I asked.

''Well, we know someone who should go out and explore as well, who just might be able to get him to come with her.''

Hold on.

''She also stays at home needs some more real life experience. She's around his age as well.''

They couldn't possibly.

''I think you know just who we're talking about.''

They're actually serious.

''Are you talking about...''

''I REFUSE!'' I yelled, knowing for sure they were talking about me

''Why not? It's a great chance for you to go out into the world. I'm sure you'll have a great time, especially if you have some company.'' My mother said.

''SO!? HE COULD BE A TOTAL ASSHOLE! I'M NOT GOING TO EXPLORE THE ENTIRE REGION WITH AN ABSOLUTE STRANGER!''

''Come on Juli. At least consider it. It's what you're parents want and I think it's a pretty good idea.'' Norman said

''I'm not going.''

''Don't be this way Juli.''

''Nothing you say will change my mind.''

''You don't have a choice in the matter.'' My father said. ''You're going, whether you like it or not.''

''YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!'' I yelled, storming out of the house.

I ran through town full speed, earning some questioning looks from the denizens, who knew I generally don't run. At all.

I arrived at the hot springs a few minutes later, having decided this was the best place to calm down and collect my thoughts.

I payed the admission fee and plunged into the hot spring. There were very few other people here, as it was still early.

At least it isn't completely packed here.

Lavaridge is a really popular town to visit, because of the hot springs. There aren't very many people living here, yet it can be quite packed because of the many people who come over to Lavaridge in their holidays. I'm glad it isn't, as I'll finally have some time and space to think things through. I messaged my best friend Sarah to come over to the hot spring quickly. Knowing her, she'll be here any moment. She lives quite close to the hot springs, maybe half a minute when walking. She arrived ten seconds or so later.

''What's up, Juli?''

''My parents want me to go on some crazy adventure through Hoenn with a complete stranger.''

''Can't you just refuse?''

''I don't have a choice in the matter, apparently.''

''I agree it's not very kind of them, but if you have to, you should embrace the opportunity. It's better than traveling alone, isn't it?''

''Not you too...''

''When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.''

''But life didn't give me lemonade. It gave me pears and I hate pears.''

''Make pear juice, you'll never know how it'll taste.''

''I still don't want to.''

''Not wanting to is not an excuse. You have to make your homework too, even if you don't want to.''

''But my parents aren't teachers.''

''They're teachers in the school of life and this is your final exam.''

''Well they suck a teaching.''

''That's too bad then, you'll still have to abide by their rules. They taught you life lessons which you will live by, whether you like it or not.''

I sighed, knowing she's right. I just didn't want to accept it. And I still don't, but now I know that I have to.

''Thanks for your advice Sarah. I have to go apologize to my parents for storming out of the house.

''You did? You've never been the type to throw a fit.''

''Well, I just hated the idea. I've come to accept it a bit more thanks to you.''

''You're welcome.'' She said, smiling.

''What are you smiling about?''

''I've finally solved a problem that you couldn't solve. After so many years of having you help out with my homework and explaining every single damn problem to me, I've finally found the subject I'm better at.''

''You just have better teachers.''

''Bullshit.''

We both laughed a bit, until I said bye and left the hot spring. I went back home slowly, as I still feared my homecoming a bit. Maybe my parents are still mad at me. Who wouldn't? I mean, I just stormed in the middle of an important conversation concerning my future. Such thoughts haunted me, but I dismissed them. I can't stop now, this is a moment for me to face my fears. And chop them to little bit. And burn them until nothing but ashes remain. And then throw the ashes into a pond riddled with crocodiles. And poison the pond. And then freeze the pond. And then take the ice and put it in a rocket. And send that rocket to the moon, so the ashes shall be disintegrated. Before I knew it, I was in front of my house. I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. I heard footsteps and braced myself for the encounter with my parents. When the door opened, my mother sprung out of the house and 'hugged' me, but I think 'tackling' would be a more accurate description.

''We're so glad you're home!'' She said.

''I'm glad as well.'' I said. Though it might be for a different reason. The complete destruction of my fears can wait. For now, I have to focus on my parents.

''Don't just stand around, come in.'' My father said. I smiled at them. Why did I think they, of all people, would be mad at me?

''I was so worried!'' My mother said, ignoring what my father had said about coming inside, as she was still clinging onto me.

''I understand you were worried mom, but you should probably let go. It's starting to hurt.''

My mother quickly let go and led me inside, while my father closed the door behind me. Once we were inside the living room she signaled me to sit down, while she and my father took a seat across from me.

''Let's get down to business. About you leaving town...''

''I'll go.'' I said, interrupting my father.

''You will?''

''Yeah. I thought a bit about what you had said and decided I was wrong to take such a recalcitrant position. The reasons in favor of going seemed more logical the more I thought about it and the reasons in favor of not going seemed less and less logical.''

''You've always been a smart girl, but I thought you had lost your logical thinking when you ran out like that.''

''I blame my teachers for that.'' I giggled at this, while my parents looked at me with questioning faces. They decided to ignore it and continue the conversation.

''When will you be leaving?''

''Speaking of leaving, has Norman left already?''

''Don't change the subject.'' I waited for a few seconds. ''Yes he has.''

''I think I'll take my time. This is an important occurrence, I shouldn't be rushing it.'' I said after thinking for a bit.

''Actually, you should leave soon. The longer you wait, the more you'll start reconsidering. Jack, Norman's son, also lives all the way in Littleroot, so it might take some time to get there.'' I think you're the ones making me want to reconsider.

''Littleroot. Really?''

''It's a bit far away,'' A bit? ''But Norman pointed out some shortcuts to get to Littleroot with minimal traveling.''

''Can't one of you just fly me there?''

''That takes away all the adventuring, doesn't it dear?'' My father nodded in approval.

''So you two don't have a pokemon with fly.''

''We do.'' I started staring at them.

''We totally do.'' I kept staring at them.

''There's no way we don't.'' I continued staring at them.

''We don't.'' They dropped their heads and looked at the ground. I sighed and said:

''Well, it's fine. I'll get there eventually.''

They looked relieved, yet still disappointed they couldn't be of much help.

''So back to the earlier question,'' My father continued after having recovered from his earlier disappointment. ''When are you leaving.''

''In two days?''

''Well, I guess that's okay.'' That was a pretty reasonable suggestion, wasn't it?

''Tomorrow?''

''Hmmmm.'' Still not good enough?

''Tonight?''

''Uhhhh.'' Really?

I sighed, saying:

''Fine, I'll leave as soon as possible.''

''That's great!'' They said.

I saw them reaching behind their chairs, but didn't grab a hold of anything. They stood up and grabbed some things that they most likely had prepared. They then pretty much showered me with parting gifts and other stuff.

''Here's some potions! And a few weeks worth of food! And an advance on your allowance!''

The list of things they had prepared went on and on and on, so I just stopped listening and tuned out for a moment. So I'm already leaving town. I never expected so much to happen in one day. Who just lies down in bed and thinks: ''I wonder what will happen tomorrow. Maybe a gym leader will come to visit, tell my parents he needs help, get ME to help and send me halfway across the region. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense!'' I smiled a bit at the thought and decided to start listening to my parents again. Once my parents were done, I started putting all the stuff in my bag, until it was almost full.

''So you're already leaving, eh?'' My mom said. ''It all went so quickly.''

''Indeed it did. Don't go regretting it now.'' I answered

''It's for the best.''

''I guess.''

We walked down to the edge of town silently. It seemed like everything and everyone had decided to stop making any noise, as if everyone and everything was mourning. But this adventure won't be to get me killed, but for me to be reborn. Once we arrive at the edge of town, we stayed silent for a bit longer. Although all of us agreed I should go out into the world, it's like none of us want me to.

''Well... goodbye then, Juli.'' My mom finally spoke up.

''Yeah.'' I've never seen such a crummy goodbye before.

I started walking away from town. I took one final look back and was surprised to see Sarah running over.

''Wait *pant* up *pant* Juli *pant*.''

''Sarah?''

''Hold on. Let me catch my *pant* breath for a moment.''

I took a look at my parents, who had decided not to interrupt us. When Sarah had finally caught her breath, she ran up and hugged me.

''You should have told me you were leaving so soon! I could've gotten you a proper goodbye, with more than just 3 people.

''Leaving so soon wasn't my original plan though.''

''At least message me then!''

''Sorry, sorry. Next time I go on an adventure through Hoenn to help the son from a close friend of my parents, who I know nothing about, on going on his adventure even though I've never been on one myself, I'll message you.''

''Anyway, it's been good having you here in town. Although it sucks that my best friend is already leaving town, it's your and your parents' choice. And I can't tell you what to do now.''

''Even though you know it all so much better.''

We bothed laughed a bit, then Sarah said:

''Goodbye Juli. I expect to see you back here for a visit before you go and challenge the League.''

''You think I'm going to take the league challenge?''

''Who doesn't?''

''We kind of thought you were going to too.'' My parents said.

''Well I'm not.''

''Anyway,'' Sarah continued. ''Good luck on your adventure. And goodbye!'' Now that's a proper goodbye

''Goodbye, Sarah. Goodbye mom, dad!'' I said, as I started to walk away from Lavaridge. It feels like this is the first time I've ever left Lavaridge in my life, but I obviously have.

''Goodbye Juli!'' Sarah and my parents shouted in harmony.

Thinking back on this all, I have only one thing to say about all this:

''This could be the best decision of my life, it could be the worst decision of my life. But I know one thing for sure:

It's a decision I can't, and won't, be taking back.

Well, there you go. Both our main characters have been revealed and I hope you like how they came out.

Once again, please review and tell me how to improve on my writing. I'll try to get some more chapters out this week to get the story running, and as always, thanks for reading.