Hi, everyone. It's me again. So, I'm thinking I should change the update period to once monthly, or every three weeks, because I'm also managing another account and working on a story there (not telling.) Maybe I will. Here's the next chapter.
Oh, and it seems like people are confused as to why Leaf could beat someone with years of formal training (Raina). Like I explained in Leaf's background in the first chapter, she moved to Nimbasa and started going to a night club where she learned how to dance, and she'd been there for about two years, so it's natural that she's amazing at dancing.
About the underage issue. Yes, Leaf is pretty young to be a stripper (I mean, she's 16) but I got the idea of making her underage from different celebrities in the world today like Jacob Sartorius, Danielle Bregoli( Bhad Barbie), Noah Cyrus and so on. Not that they're underage, but I thought it would be cool if Leaf could do all that at a young age. I'm sorry if anyone finds this inappropriate, so you are free to stop reading this story if you want.
Sorry for the long A/N… read on, if you are going to.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
-Listening With Your Feet-
Dawn
Class was interesting today, and I could say I was in a good mood. Well, it would be certain if I didn't have Paul in my next class.
"Hey." A soft kiss was planted on my cheek, and I immediately knew who it was. A shy smile inched its way across my face.
"Hi, Lucas. Hey, have you met Leaf?"
"Like, Emerald? Emerald Ocean?"
"Yeah."
"Hm." He paused, releasing his hold on my waist. "Um, no, sorry."
"No, that's okay!"
"Say, call me crazy, but I saw a girl that looks a lot like May. But then I saw May earlier and she didn't have blonde highlights in her hair."
I snapped my fingers, giggling. "THAT was Leaf! You've seen her!"
"Oh, well. Gee, Dawn, you really bring out the best in me."
I batted my eyelashes, silently pleading. "Really? I do?"
"Of course."
I paused before saying my next words. "Even in the kissing department?"
Lucas blinked, then smiled. Gosh, he shouldn't do that! I pretty much turn to jelly.
Before I knew it, he was kissing me, his big hands moving from my face to my waist. And it wasn't just lustful kissing, or hormonal. I could feel the love he had for me through the kiss; he managed to make the kiss soft, rough, tender and loving at the same time.
How was that even possible?
His hands went to my knees, and he lifted me up against a locker. I was sure people were staring, but I didn't care. My hormones were on fire.
"Hn. Why don't you use your empty brains and get a room?"
I detached my lips from Lucas's and turned toward the voice of the intruder. Of course.
Paul.
"What do you want, Paul?!"
The bastard said nothing, simply shoved his way in between Lucas and I and then rudely walked away.
That wasn't even supposed to frustrate me, but it did. It took all I had to restrain myself from strangling him.
Lucas took my hand. "Don't worry about that freak, Dawn. Besides," he whispered in my ear. "We've got time after school, don't we?"
I giggled.
"I have to get to class, baby." He pecked my lips and left.
Sighing, I grinned stupidly. I liked Lucas so much. Screw that, I loved him and he knew it. And it didn't hurt that he was captain of the football Team and golden boy of our year.
I saw Leaf and Ash walking out of their class, both looking very flustered, and with rumpled clothes. I wonder…
"Leaf!" I called, and said girl came toward me, though I didn't miss the way Ash looked at her somehow longingly before walking away. Hmm… I think it's time for matchmaker Dawn to get to work…
"Hi, Dawn."
"Hi." I gave her a once-over. "So, what's happening between you and…?" I pointed in the direction Ash just departed in, wiggling my eyebrows.
Leaf blushed. "Dawn, I don't really know… is there really anything there?"
"You'd be crazy not to see it. Everyone can." I gestured to her clothes. "And what happened here, may I ask?"
"May dared me to kiss Ash…" she paused. "…but it turned into a make-out session."
"AAAHH!"
"We didn't even notice when the bell rang…"
I smirked as Leaf looked at me weirdly, rubbing my hands. Time to concoct a love potion…
Leaf
What was up with Dawn?
"I'm sorry Leaf, I have to go somewhere!" she yelled, running off. "I'm fine! No need to worry!"
I'm sure that was when people worried the most.
About this whole Ash thing… this was going very quickly. I mean VERY. I'd just gotten here yesterday, but he'd told me that he apparently used to have a huge crush on me, from when he'd watch me dancing on the internet. Of course videoed by those pedophiles back at the Scarlet.
I wonder… is it still there? And was I falling for him? I don't know, but when I thought about him, I know that I get that weird feeling, and the last time I got it was when I was with that guy that raped me. My hormones can run very wild at times, and if I don't satisfy them, they could get out of hand. Like, REALLY out of hand… déjà vu…Sometimes I'm thankful for that miscarriage, I couldn't stand being with a child.
Okay, fine, I kind of liked Ash, but what if he didn't like me? I had no idea what I'd do. Nothing, perhaps. I'd only known him for a day. But he definitely didn't treat me as a friend.
So what would I do? I was up for a friends-with-benefits relationship, but that would probably involve sex. I didn't have a problem with that, just that I hadn't had it for a long time now.
And with Ash? Someone I just met? It would be similar to just screwing a random stranger.
Not that he's a stranger… and there is a first time for everything…
Aagh! I can't make heads or tails of this!
"Watch it, hoe." I looked up, somehow expecting Paul, but coming face to face with a certain hedgehog.
"Why? And where's your slut for the week?"
He looked stung. "I know you think I'm nothing but an egoistic player, but I'm not. That hurt, you!"
"That's because you are, and I couldn't care less."
"You look so much worse with this hair, slut."
"And I don't give two shits about your opinion." Shoving him away, I went through the entrance to my contemporary dance class.
"Oh gosh. Why the hell are you in my class?"
"What?" I looked at the list of names, only to discover that his name was there… ugh.
"Settle down, students." A woman… a young woman walked in, with long flowing hair. "My name is Caitlyn, and I am your teacher this session. Today, we will just be training one by one, so everyone please go to the baseline."
Everyone moved to the side of the class, leaving the huge center open for everyone to see, and I caught sight of Gary flirting with an uninterested brunette. Ew. Yes, he was hot, but he didn't have to abuse it.
Not that I was one to talk.
"So first up, we have Thylane Regatta freestyling for us." Everyone clapped politely, and I glanced up to see that it was the girl Gary had just been flirting with. For some reason, the surname Regatta rang a bell in my head… and even her face reminded me a LOT of someone…
I liked her, simply for rejecting Gary, and I wanted to be friends with her. So, while she was walking out, I nabbed her cute keychain.
She was pretty good too, and she received a round of applause when she was done.
"Very good, Thylane. Next up we have…"
As the next person danced, I waved the chain around. "Who owns this—?"
"I do," Gary said, snatching it out of my hands.
"What the hell? That doesn't belong to you."
"Yes," he whispered furiously, "but maybe if I return it to Thylane, bitch, she'll thank me and hook up with me. Nice thief moves, though."
"You're crazy," I spat, snatching the chain from him and marching over to Thylane, who looked frantic. When she saw me, she rushed over.
"Hey, you! Have you seen any chain with… hey! That's it!" She pointed to the chain in my hand.
I lifted it, raising my eyebrows. "Oh, this? I saw it on the floor."
Her attractive features scrunched up in suspicion. "So why didn't you try to find the owner an—"
"I did," I cut her off. I wanted to be on her good side here. "But that Gary dude tried to lie that it was his. I'd seen it with you before, so I came up to you, and here we are now."
"Hold up. You rejected Gary?"
"Um… yeah. On my first day here he was with this trashy blonde, and of course I thought he was hot. But he started being a prick and I decided that I hated him."
"You're awesome!" She grinned, high-fiving me. Stroking her chin. "You said on your first day… are you new? I really haven't seen you around before…"
I smiled, lowering my head. "I'm pretty sure you have."
"Wait. I heard that a very famous dancer just joined our school. Could you be…?"
I outstretched my hand, taking in her shocked expression. "The name's Leaf Green. Stage name, Emerald Ocean."
She bounced up and down, her long brunette hair flying around her. "OMG! I knew I recognized you from somewhere. You're one of the rich and famous that attend this school. You looked so different, but I'm loving the fashion upgrade!"
"Thanks, Thylane."
"But your hair! It was so looooooooooong!" she whined, fingering my chopped hair.
"I think you and Dawn would make really good friends. And you were pretty good out there."
"Oh? Thanks, it means a lot coming from you."
"Listen, Thy."
"Thy?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah… anyway, I don't want you to treat me like a goddess or anything different, just because I'm famous… no bragging intended. And please call me Leaf."
"Alright then." She smiled contentedly. "Leaf."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Did you know I have a twin?"
"Really?" I asked in surprise. Thylane and I had had a free period after our class, and next was lunch, where we were going now.
I couldn't imagine anyone looking exactly like Thylane, though. Her features were unique, though she still gave off the vibe that I knew her from somewhere. She had long dark brown hair, like I used to have, and a nicely proportioned figure. Her cheekbones were high, her smile was soft, and her eyes were the most beautiful shade of brown I'd ever seen.
"Yeah. She's a singer, but dances sometimes. She's coming for a visit tomorrow."
"How does she look?"
"Well, exactly like me, but she's shorter by about… half cm," she said, laughing. "She cut her hair, so it's not as long as mine, but the ponytails point upwards."
That was strange, I thought as I raised my eyebrows. "Really?"
"Really. She's got this poofy white hat that she always wears except in her videos and performances, and her voice is really nice. She was supposed to come here, but her manager said it would disrupt her career. I think you know her. Lyra Regatta?"
I mentally slapped myself. No wonder! That was exactly who I'd been thinking of; I loved her music with all my heart and often danced to it. I'm surprised I didn't remember her straight away.
"No way!" I exclaimed, my jaw scraping the floor. "Seriously?! I love her music. And yes, I can see the resemblance. If your hair was the same, I wouldn't be able to tell you guys apart."
"Thanks."
"So she's the singer, and you're the dancer."
"Yes, Leaf."
"So if she's an amazing singer, you must be an amazing dancer."
Thylane looked at me. "You really think so?"
"Of course!"
"Against you? And Veronica? And Raina? And my friends."
"What do you mean?"
She sighed. "I want to be in the Rhodium Troupe."
I raised my eyebrows. "Really? That's amazing!"
"Yes. The fact that you can completely whip my ass," she commented sourly.
"Listen, Thy. I can tutor you."
She looked at me hopefully. "Really?"
"Really. And I'm going to ensure that Veronica does NOT get in there."
"How?"
Giggling nervously, I patted her head. "You just leave that to me, dearie. It's really simple."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
After we entered the cafeteria, Thylane led me to her table. "Leaf, these are my friends."
I looked up with a confident smile, only to be met with…
"May? Misty?"
"Hey," Misty said. "I see you've met Thylane. Well, she can be a bit hot headed at times, like May…"
"Hey!"
"…but we manage to keep her under control," Misty finished. "Dawn will be here soon. I'm sure she's making out with Lucas somewhere."
"Unsurprising." We all laughed.
Misty
After Dawn arrived, we started to discuss serious business.
"So, auditions for the Rhodium Troupe are coming up this Friday and ending in two weeks time," I started. "Anyone up for it?"
"I'm in," Everyone replied at once.
"Great."
"Um, Leaf?" Leaf glanced up at May. "Just to let you know, we have a fifteen percent chance of getting into the group, together, but alone we have about a fifty percent chance."
Leaf, who seemed to be confused, questioned her. "What do you mean?"
"Well, each participant has the option of auditioning in a group, or dancing on their own. However, if you're on your own, you have to follow a routine dance, or dance freestyle. You can't choreograph your own dance," I informed her.
"But if you're in a group, you can choreograph your own dance?" Leaf asked.
"Um, yeah. It's mandatory, if you're in a group. And every year the competition gets tougher."
Leaf blew out a breath, rubbing her forehead. "Well, as much as I'd like to be in a group, I like learning at my own pace, and that tends to make me clash foreheads with other people." She got up. "So, yeah, I guess I'll go on my own."
"Aw, we could've really used someone like you on our team," I sighed.
Leaf shrugged. "I see no reason why you guys can't do it on your own. I mean, you must all be amazing dancers to get into this school, right?"
"Yeah." I frowned. "But so is everyone else. That's where the competition comes in."
"Well," Leaf said, getting up, "Let's start training. I know that if I should eat this, I will lose all this motivation." She giggled. "Anyone with me?"
"I'm in," May said.
"Cool. Um, is there any place we can practice around here?"
"There's the studio," I offered helpfully. "Most people go there regularly to practice."
"Okay. Bye guys!" May said.
"See you later," Leaf added.
Left with Dawn and Thylane, I was not going to stay here and listen to shopping talk.
I brought out my phone and dialed Rudy's number. Maybe we could grab a milkshake or something.
The phone beeped a few times before picking up.
"Hey, Ginger!" I smiled happily as he called me by my nickname.
"Hi, Rudy. Um, I was wondering, would you like to hang out at the student lounge? I have a free period next. Do you?"
"Actually, I have Dance History, but I would ditch that boring class for you any day."
I blushed shyly, although he couldn't see me from where he was. "Great. See you in a few?"
"Of course, baby. See you in a few." I could pretty much sense the dirty thoughts going on in his head, and I rolled my eyes as I cut the phone.
I looked up to find Dawn and Thy staring at me, and shrugged indifferently.
"What?"
May
I couldn't contain the thumping in my chest. I was training with a celebrity!
Not that I hadn't ever met one, but the Emerald Ocean? I had admired her for years.
"Okay, May." Leaf came up to me. "What do you say we warm up, and then see what we can do?"
I shrugged happily. "Sure!"
After a series of Chinese bends, splits and somersaults, we were ready to go.
Leaf, from her bag, pulled out an iPod and Beat speakers. "What song do you want?"
"Can I do 'It Ain't Me?'"
She put in the song, and it began to play. Why was I this nervous? I was never this nervous. Leaf gestured for me to start freestyling.
I did. I twisted and contorted and bopped and turned, but I fell down a few times. Leaf watched me with a critical eye, analyzing every movement. Needless to say, I was desperate to impress her.
By the time I was done giving it my all, I stood in a finishing position, panting heavily.
I raised an eyebrow at Leaf.
"You need to calm down," was the first thing she said. "It was a good routine, and I can tell that you can dance, but it was rushed, blurry, and clumsy. Do you normally dance like this?"
"Um, no."
"Right. May, I'm insecure as well, okay? I want you to watch me and tell me what you think."
Then, Leaf played 'Last Dance', Thylane's sister's song, and I was the one to watch this time.
Wow. She was amazing. Every move was executed with precise accuracy, emotion, and elegance. Watching her move was like watching water flowing smoothly, and I realized that I was watching an Emerald Ocean performance live.
By the time she was finished, I could do nothing but clap in absolute awe. Leaf blushed slightly, and curtsied.
"That… that was… Wow! What? I can't even…"
She giggled. "Thank you."
"My thoughts exactly." A foreign voice spoke up, and we turned to see Veronica and her followers. "Like our friend May here said, what?! I can't even…!"
I rolled my eyes. I was not in the mood for this nonsense. "Clear out, Veronica."
"But why? We simply want to train. Right, girls?" Cara and Laurel giggled at that.
Leaf spoke up. "We were here first."
"But whose mother owns it, now?"
Leaf narrowed her eyes, advancing towards Veronica. "Now, listen, you—"
"What's going on here?" A male voice interrupted.
"Brendan!" I exclaimed, a smile lighting up my face… I was happy to see him.
"Hey, May." He moved for me but was attacked by Laurel and her plastic boobs.
"Hiiiiiiii, Brenny!" She said, bringing his head down to her cleavage.
"Mmph!" I watched Brendan suffer while biting back a laugh. This was rich.
"Laurel!" Veronica screeched, and Laurel scuttled back while sending a flirty wink at Brendan, who shuddered in disgust. "We're outta here." They left.
Leaf looked between Brendan and I, and I think she thought we needed some privacy. "Um, I'll just give you guys some privacy…"
"What? Wait, Leaf!"
She'd left already.
I glanced up at a smirking Brendan, and felt my own smile creep onto my face. "What is it, you freak?"
"That's Leaf? She is hotter than I expected. That ass, though…"
I slapped his arm good-naturedly, but found myself rubbing his biceps. Why did I get a pang in my chest when he said that?
"Um, May?" Brendan waved at me. "First, your hand…" I removed it as if burned. "Second, I have some devastating news."
I could tell it was very bad news, judging from the look on his face. "Out with it, Brendan," I said impatiently.
Brendan sighed.
"I just saw Drew making out with Janine."
There's your fifth chapter. Officially off hiatus. Late updates mean that I'm just being lazy.