Adventures in Hoenn

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Sister Alex Never Had!

*Alice's p.o.v*

I was fast asleep in a hotel room with Alex and May. Alex's father and Brendan were asleep in the room next door. Today, we were going to the Mossdeep Gym. I wanted to tag along with Alex and her group on their quest to the Pokémon League. I didn't want to slow Alex down by having her find a family for me. I wonder who I'll get. I hope I don't have to live in an orphanage (at the very least for too long). Alex was the first to wake up and she headed right for the shower. May and I woke up to the noise she made in the shower.

''Alex, could you keep it down, please?'' May asked. ''I'm trying to sleep!''

''Sorry May!'' Alex called out. ''But, don't sleep for too long. We need to get going soon because we need to run some errands for Alice.''

''Sheesh, you sound like my mother,'' May muttered as she yawned and went back to sleep.

''Errands? For me?'' I asked. ''Aw, you don't need to do that for me, Alex.''

''Don't sweat it, Alice!'' Alex said. ''I want to help you get some more clothes and other supplies. We're pals now, y'know?'' Wow. I've very fortunate to have made friends with Alex and her group. She's too good to me! I thought. Alex got out of the shower and sighed in relief. ''Man that feels good!'' Alex said contentedly. ''Up and at 'em, May! We need to get ready!'' Alex said to May while shaking her.

''Go away,'' May said quietly turning away from Alex.

''Oh, you're gonna be like that, eh?'' Alex said smiling mischievously. Alex picked up a pillow and swatted May with it.

''What the heck is wrong with you?!'' May yelled angrily. Alex smacked May with the pillow once more. ''That's it!'' May said before bonking Alex with her pillow. Soon, an all-out pillow war broke out between the two girls. Alex then whacked me with her pillow.

''C'mon Alice, join the fight!'' Alex said happily.

''Okay,'' I said smiling playfully while picking up my pillow. Afterwards, the air was filled with the sounds of pillows hitting us, laughter, and playful screaming. After several minutes, we collapsed on the beds breathing heavily and giggling. My heart was racing inside me. ''I've never had this much fun in a long time!'' I said between breaths.

''Oh no! Look at the time! Brendan and my dad are waiting for us at the breakfast hall!'' Alex yelled shocked. ''We gotta hurry! And my hair is all messed up!''

''Well, you started it,'' May said sticking out her tongue. Alex slapped May with her pillow once more. Alex and I hurried into the bathroom. I leaped into the shower and Alex fixed her hair. I got out and threw on my clothes as May flew into the shower. We all ran downstairs and met Brendan and Alex's father at their table.

''You're late,'' Alex's father said tapping his foot impatiently.

''Sorry. Thing's got a little crazy upstairs,'' Alex said smiling nervously.

''You mean your pillow fight?'' Brendan said smirking playfully. Alex glared at Brendan angrily while Brendan laughed heartily.

''It's fine, girls,'' Alex's father sighed while smiling. ''Let's just eat breakfast and talk.'' We then placed our orders.

''I'm getting some pancakes,'' Alex said.

''It's French toast for me,'' Brendan added.

''I'm going for some cereal!'' May chimed in.

''I picked the omelette,'' Alex's father said. ''What did you get Alice?''

''Oh, uh, just some fruit salad,'' I said nervously. ''I don't want to be a burden.''

''Alice, don't worry. It's my treat!'' Alex's father said comfortingly. ''We're happy to have you with us.''

''Thank you,'' I said timidly. Alex nudged my shoulder playfully and smiled forcing me to smile back. Our food came soon after and we began our meal.

''Say dad,'' Alex began. Alex's father looked up from his food. ''I was wondering. Can Alice stay at our house?'' My heart skipped a beat as my eyes widened in surprise.

''Well, I'm not against it, but we'll have to talk with your mother about it first,'' Alex's father responded.

''Wouldn't it be great if you could live with us, Alice?'' Alex asked me smiling widely.

''Uh…sure. It would be,'' I said sheepishly.

''We'll be like sisters! It would be so cool!'' Alex said wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

''Thank you, Alex. Thanks to all of you! I've never felt this loved before in my life,'' I said as my eyes watered joyfully. We finished breakfast and went outside.

''Alright, Alice,'' Alex said to me. ''We need to get you some nice summer clothes!'' We went to the local mall and Alex picked out some t-shirts, shorts, socks, among other things. Wow. Alex and I are already bonded like sisters! It hasn't even been a whole day! I thought as I tried on another pair of shorts and a t-shirt. We spent hours there at the mall and my new backpack was practically overflowing with clothes.

''Uh, Alex? Don't you think this is a bit much?'' I asked struggling to lift the heavy backpack.

''Since when is 98 shirts, 50 pairs of shorts, 30 pairs of socks, and plus the unmentionables (winks to audience) too much?'' Alex asked. I then collapsed beneath the backpack's weight. ''Okay, maybe you have a point.'' Thankfully, we returned a majority of the clothes and the backpack was much lighter.

''I can't thank you enough, Alex. You helped me out so much today and yesterday,'' I said as we walked over to the Gym to meet up with the others.

''Have fun shopping?'' Alex's father asked.

''You bet! Alice and I found some great stuff at the mall!'' Alex said smiling triumphantly.

''Good, because now the Gym is closed!'' Alex said as a vein on his forehead bulged.

''Oops,'' Alex said laughing nervously and as we dropped sweat. ''Well, you know what they say: 'Fish gotta swim, girls gotta shop!''' Brendan sighed in response.

''I'm so sorry everyone. It's all my fault,'' I said looking down at the ground in shame.

''Alice! Stop beating yourself up!'' Alice said sternly catching me off guard. ''It's not a big deal! Really! This ship runs on smiles missy! So start smiling!'' I laughed at Alex's seriousness.

''Thank you, Alex. I feel much better now! You're the best friend I've ever had!'' I said hugging her.

''I sure hope you'll come stay with me, Alice,'' Alex said hopefully.

''I hope so, too,'' I said just as hopefully.