2. Beginning

For the first time in my life, I wake up before my alarm clock sounded. Moreover, I wake up fresh and full of energy, completely unlike my usual crankiness that had me questioning my beliefs and motivations at six in the morning.

I just sit there on my bed for a long moment in disbelief—disbelief that this day is finally here—the day that I get to leave this place behind and start anew.

Slowly, I could feel a grin pulling back my lips, and then, I couldn't contain my excitement anymore. Adrenaline courses through my body as I jump out of bed, flinging the covers back. For giggles, I twirl, my white nightgown fanning out airily, as I skipped over to my closet and yanked out the outfit I had especially prepared for today. I had been planning this moment for years, and it's finally here.

I quickly pull on the simple lavender dress and safety shorts (of course) underneath, and then stumble around while trying to get my sneakers on while remaining upright. I head over to my vanity and study my complexion in the mirror. Maybe it's the anticipation, or maybe it's just my vainness, but I look prettier than usual—I could see Grey's eyes, with longer and darker lashes, staring back at me, and a hint of his playful and warm grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. I inherited my mother's dark auburn hair, but none of her stern, arched eyebrows, or thin face. My features are all dad. I used to feel cheated out of his raven black hair, but decided that red suited me more.

Enough self-admiration, Lillian, I chastise while humming softly and running a comb quickly through my long locks. Obviously, I am proud of my looks, but more so because I loved hearing people say that I look just like my father, with my mother's hair, than for being conventionally pretty.

I pin half of my hair back with a slightly frayed teal bow and give myself one last once-over. All set.

I toss essentials into my messenger bag and fasten my watch to my wrist. Just as I am about to reach towards my desk, my aunt's voice floated from outside my door.

"Lillian? Lillian, do you want me to make you breakfast?"

I bite my lip, trying to focus on her words, when really all of my attention is on the single Pokéball resting on a pink handkerchief.

"Um, actually…no thanks, Aunt Mara. I…I think I'll just grab something on the way!" I call behind my shoulder.

I lift up the Pokéball to my lips.

"Ready?"

The Pokéball seems to warm in my hand in response.

Yes.

"Let's go!"

I practically sprint down the stairs, and I can see the door, literally shining as the rising sun beamed through the stained glass. But first, tearful goodbyes to my loving aunt and uncle who are both waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

Except…well, not exactly.

It's just my aunt there, as I had foreseen, looking a bit unsure and twisting her ring as she so often does when something's going through her head.

"Good morning, Aunt Mara!" I exclaim, jumping the last few steps.

"Oh, goodness—don't hurt yourself. Good morning, Lillian." She smiles, and I can see how she's related to my mom. She has a darker version of Mom's auburn hair, but it now has streaks of gray that stands out against the black of her low bun. Her face is a bit more lined than Mom's in my last memory of her, though the Rosewater family's chin and sharp cheekbones are definitely there.

"Er…I'm sorry your uncle couldn't be here, but he had an important business meeting today…" she trails off, face apologetic.

I smile. "I know that, don't worry about it."

There's a momentary awkward silence where we both didn't quite know where to look.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye."

I nod. "Thanks for—" I almost say everything, but knew that wasn't true. "For these past couple of years."

"It was our pleasure to take care of you. I know that's what Augusta would've wanted."

Although my aunt is hardly the touchy-feely type, I decide that I wanted to show my gratitude for taking me in when Mom passed away.

I dive in for an unexpected hug, and Aunt Mara gasps in surprise.

"Truly—thank you," I whisper, giving her a light squeeze. She still looks taken aback when I pulled away, but didn't look bothered by the embrace. Then her face lights up as if remembering something.

"Oh, before I forget." She holds out a narrow ring in her palm, and I took it quizzically.

"It was your mother's."

I held my breath as I study the simple silver band. It's delicate, but it firmly holds a strangely beautiful green stone in its curling hands.

"…Was this my mother's w-wedding ring?" I say as I blink back tears.

Aunt Mara hesitates, her eyes flickering to the wall behind me.

"To be honest, I'm not sure. In her will, she only said that this was very important, and that it was to be given to you on the day 'you chased after your father's footsteps.'"

Suddenly, I laugh, tears still streaming down my cheeks.

She'd always known.

Somehow, she'd always known that in spite of her efforts to lead me down a path of methodical science and innovation, I was my father's daughter through and through. That I could never truly let go of the wild and the secrets that Nature contained no matter how many books I poured through. The call was just too strong, like Grey's had been.

"Lillian? Are you alright?" came Aunt Mara's worried voice, breaking me from my reverie.

I sniff once and wipe away the tears with the back of my hand, then nodded.

"I'm fine. Thanks, Aunt Mara."

"You're very welcome. You'd best get along then, if you want to make it to the next town before sun down."

"Oh, right," I laugh, "I almost forgot!"

Not likely, I think in my head, but the ring had certainly been a great distraction.

I slip it on my right middle finger before I headed out the door, waving at Aunt Mara one last time over my shoulder as I followed the dirt path that led to the edge of Eterna forest.

Once the house that I had stayed in for the past five years faded from sight, abruptly, there's a sense of relief that sweeps over me.

"Come on out, Kirlia!"

I toss the Pokéball into the air where a flash of light reveals the elegant silhouette of the psychic Pokémon. My best friend pirouettes in midair and gracefully lands in front of me. Her large eyes say it all: this is it.

I start running, Kirlia following behind me with silent speed, my bag bouncing a bit painfully against my thigh. But I don't care; with a few journals that he had left, they only remind me of what I am about to set out to do, that I'm one step closer to him.

I'm coming, Grey. Wherever you are, I'll find you.

A/N: So...hi! I go by Ri, since my username doesn't say it, but for any of you who like musicals know that it refers to The Phantom of the Opera. Which happens to be my favorite broadway show ever. But enough about me, you probably want to know more about this story.

I was a little inspired by another fan fiction I came across, and then this idea about a girl who still manages to smile and be herself despite all the adversities she faced hit me. None of the characters in here (so far) include any original characters from the franchise. I might, eventually, reference or maybe throw in a few notorious characters, who knows?

This is my first fanfic on this site (lord only knows how many stories I've actually written ;p), and another thing you should know about me before we continue: I suck at finishing projects, especially writing ones. Sorry. But I get writer's block or I don't have any plot made besides scenes in my head or...life happens. I'm a busy college student who signed herself into a death contract with the biology gods, so any updates, if any, won't happen consistently.

On the bright side, hey...if I get positive reviews and comments from readers (WHICH I LOVE, SO PLEASE DO), then I might feel more motivated and inspired : )

I hope you've enjoyed Lillian's story so far and will continue to support her on her adventures. Thank you so, so much for reading.