After exiting the courtyard of the school, Silver began to lose himself in his infatuation with Kotone once more.
He would do this whenever possible, and, (with someone whom he secretly adored so much), he found it simple to disregard all other priorities for more intimate pursuits. The boy would never admit it to anyone, but he would ponder and stress over his next meeting with Kotone constantly.
He conjured up scenarios and outcomes to all of their future conversations, sometimes positive, and those left him in high spirits.
Occasionally, he would even act out dialogue that he planned to use on Kotone, but these attempts usually failed, and Silver would scold himself for, "Allowing a woman to poison his mind", and dismissed himself as moronic.
Before he even knew it, however, Silver would slip right back into his newfound guilty pleasure and pastime.
Silver had engulfed himself into this divine state of mind once again as he practically floated down the sidewalk, going over his 'lines' in his mind that he would never get around to using.
The anticipation was eating away at him, and he felt like he wanted to see her face right away. Without haste, he reached into his back pants pocket for his PokéGear. . .
Silver stalked closer towards the trio of hooligans, as they attempted to discover an excuse that might appease the red-haired, scared menace.
Crystal and Gold were in a panic as Silver narrowed in on his prey, his eyes burning with anger. Green was concerned, but collected as the displeased owner of the pokegear closed the gap between them.
Gold spastically tossed the gear at Green and scurried behind him. Crystal followed suit with expedited will.
They cringed as Silver stared into them, growling lowly. To their surprise and relief, he did not attack, but rather violently, he snatched the gear from Green's outstretched palm and stormed out of the hall.
A few seconds passed before Gold spoke once more. "Well, that was anti-climactic."
Silver stomped down the street testily. Had he not promised Kotone that he would meet her at her home again today, he would have rung the necks of those three miscreants. What right do they have to be going through someone else's PokéGear?
To make matters worse, they had seen Kotone's picture. Visions of the hooligans prancing and gossiping clouded Silver's mind as he hurried to his destination. What was he to do if people at school begin to question his personal relationships?
He had convinced himself long ago that he was content with being lonesome. After all, it was safer that way.
He brought his hand inside his jacket and pulled out a small, golden locket that was tied around his neck. It was scratched and scared, beyond repair. The outer surface was faded and slightly grimy from constantly being handled. It wasn't much to look at, but it was his.
Silver turned the tiny latch with his index finger, opening the locket. It revealed a perfectly preserved photograph of a woman carrying a swaddled baby.
Silver examined the photo carefully as he had done countless times before, as though he were afraid that it would change the next time he gazed upon it.
Nope, it was the same. The same bright, cheerful woman, the same serene, peaceful eyes and glossy ebony hair… yes, it was very much the same.
He closed the locket and observed the outside casing. The once uplifting, intricate designs have long since lost their luster. Silver smiled, but it was a defeated smile. "We're birds of a feather, you and I." He mumbled. Truly, like the locket it was best for him to keep to himself, and away from father damage.
No one bothered him, for he was feared, ruthless. He could see the terror in the eyes of those who dared to make him cross.
What would be made of him now that his secret was out? A laughing stock? Silver continued down the street, without much interest in how he got to Kotone, only that he should soon reach her.
Silver passed the Goldenrod Magnet train station and quickened his pace under the railway. It was late evening and the station would have less people around, (not that many would have spent much time under the actual rails). They towered over him like great concrete monuments, blocking out the sun with their girth.
He thought that he was alone until he heard the rustling of clutter from his right side. Shifting his eyes, he noticed a figure approaching him from the shadows.
He recognized it as that of a man, one that he knew, in fact. Silver met a pair of green eyes and snarled. It was the blonde assailant that Silver pounded into dust.
"You..." growled the scared thug in a vengeful tone, "you'll pay for what you did you little shit."
Silver made no attempt to even show that he was intimidated. He only bothered to lift an eyebrow and shift his weight on his feet.
After a time he smirked. "What, are you back for more?" Silver suddenly frowned. "Do you want your guts torn out?"
"Oh no," Said the man, "I'm just here to return a favor". His tone of voice sounded somewhat hysterical, as though he was eagerly anticipating something.
Despite this man obviously having a trick up his sleeve, Silver continued to raise himself above the troublesome foe. In a tone of false glee, Silver exclaimed, "Oh good! So you've come here to apologize for your actions?" Silver grinned. "I'll tell you what. Admit how much of a weakling you are for picking on a helpless girl, and I'll forgive you. I'll even let you live!"
The gangster was steaming, but he made no attempt to move from the shadows. As though by design, the lighting helped to hide the still apparent injuries from his encounter with Silver.
The man lifted his right hand and snapped his fingers once. Silver soon heard noise on all sides of him now, as the signal gave rise to an entire ensemble of foul-intentioned, malicious hoodlums. They surrounded Silver, fondling their weapons that threatened to tear the boy open.
The green-eyed leader smiled dangerously, and with another snap of his fingers, the gang charged forward and closed in on the startled teen.
There was an eerie silence on Kotone's street. Afternoon had given way to twilight as she peered out of her front window, searching for any sign of Silver's arrival. But despite her watchful eyes, no movement could be detected anywhere.
"He said he would be here by now…" Kotone spoke aimlessly.
Silver had always been quite punctual for all of their meetings. He got there on time; mere moments after her mother had departed, chatted the hours away, and left before her mother returned. This was his craft.
It wasn't like him to be on hour late, however. This made Kotone curious. Curiosity lead to worry, worry slipped into paranoia, and now, (with no messages from him), paranoia gave way to panic.
Kotone paced in her living room, trying to calm her nerves. What could have happened to him? She questioned. Maybe he couldn't come, or… Kotone froze. Maybe he didn't want to come…
As quick as a wink, she banished these thoughts to the back of her mind. Surely, Silver would NEVER do something like that! Kotone had faith in her friend, and that he would always keep his promises.
Right?
Kotone peered outside her window once again, but was startled when she heard the door click open. She was elated. "Silv-"
But it was not Silver. Instead, her greeting was met by her mother, who had just returned from her evening run. She frowned. "Is something the matter? You look pale Kotone."
"Oh… no, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Her mother reached out and felt her forehead.
Kotone swiftly wiggled out of her mother's grasp. She disliked it when her mother touched her, seeing as how she was always babied.
Ignoring her mother's displeasure, Kotone went to her room in silence. After closing her door, she made her way to her bedroom window and signed. Leaning on the still, she exhaled once more.
Without a trace of Silver all day, Kotone's spirit crashed. She craved his company, his voice, his gentle touch… Before she had even realized what she had with him, he had become her only companion.
She closed her eyes tightly as negative thoughts clouded her mind.
Silver, where are you?