A/N: Okay, just so you don't find this confusing, italics are Aimee's thoughts, and italics with hyphens are other thoughts (so it'd look like this -italics-). I don't want to give anything away, so I guess you'll just have to read to find out. ;)

Chapter Three

I wake up the next morning and leave a note for Cheren, who had fallen asleep in the chair. For some reason I feel unusually happy. Anyways, I decide to go to the market to buy a couple things. I run through the list in my head: scissors, flat iron, hair dye, and lemon juice. Once all the items are purchased, I head over to the bathrooms at the Center.

I look at myself in the mirror, scissors in hand. I had already straightened my hair so I could get a good look on where to cut and how much.

In the end, I cut my hair three inches shorter, gave myself some side bangs, and put in some pink highlights and red lowlights. Somewhat satisfied with my look, I pack everything up and go back to my room. When I open the door, I know something's up.

"Um… guys?"

The three turn, looking straight at me. They immediately get defensive, and for a second I wonder why.

"Where's Aimee?" White asks, pulling out her pokéball.

Cheren and Bianca follow suit.

"Ah! Chill! It's me. I'm Aimee."

"Prove it."

I glare at Cheren. "Fine." I grab Victini's pokéball and bring it out. "That enough proof?"

Bianca puts her pokéball away and tackles me in a hug. "You look so different!"

White walks up to me. "I could get used to this. Plus, I think you totally rock this look," she smiles with a wink.

"Wait. How do we know Victini wasn't stolen?"

I gasp. "Like I'd ever let Victini be stolen!" I tell the unconvinced teenager. All of a sudden, my other Pokémon come out.

"Osha. Oshawott!"

"Or you, Osha. I wouldn't let anything happen to either of you," I say as I kneel and pat Osha's head.

He crosses his arms and says, "Osha," with a smile on his face.

I laugh. "Alright. Both of you return."

Cheren lowers the pokéball to his side. "I'm still not convinced."

That just ticked me off. "Ugh! You are so stubborn!"

"Aimee—"

I cut White off. "No, he needs to hear this. You," I say, pointing at Cheren, "practically ignored me the entire way here. Do you know how that feels? It made me feel like I did something wrong. Hell, you wouldn't even look at me! The only time you did talk to me was when I was close to having a panic attack."

His eyes soften a bit, realizing what he had done. "Aimee, I—"

"No. I don't want to hear it." I take a deep breath. "Not now at least. Just let me cool down." I walk away after I say that. I stop and sit on the steps that lead to the Pokémon Center. In my peripheral vision, I see two feet next to me.

"Dear Cheren."

I sigh when I hear White reading the letter.

"I just wanted to let you know that I have a couple errands I need to do. I'll be back in an hour or two. P.S."

P.S.? What?

"Don't worry. I wasn't kidnapped. Wink, wink."

"What the…"

"See why he freaked out?"

"Yeah, but here's the thing…" I look in her eyes so she knows I'm telling the truth. "I didn't write a P.S."

White's eyes widen. "Really?"

I nod.

"I have to tell the others."

As she starts running away, I stand up and call out, "White, wai—"

My words are cut off by a person putting their hand against my mouth and an arm around my midsection, pinning my arms to the side. A voice whispers in my ear, "Come with me." The person leads me to the next route before whoever it is releases me. "I don't believe your name is Aiko."

I turn around rapidly. "W-w-what do y-you want?" When he raises his hand, I flinch.

"Who hurt you this badly?" he whispers. His voice is so low that I barely catch it.

I feel a hand resting on my cheek. My first instinct is to back away. "Don't touch me." My voice is shaky, but I somehow manage to get the words out.

The guy just nods.

I swallow and ask for his name.

"N."

N starts advancing towards me. Naturally I back up, that is, until my back hits a boulder.

"I'd like you to travel with me," he says.

I'm about to reject his offer when I hear my name being called.

"Think about it. I'll meet you in Striaton City."

Just as N disappears from sight, I see White running in my direction, Cheren right behind her. By the time I see Bianca, I'm already sitting on the ground.

Bianca complains to her two friends. "You guys run too fast. Couldn't you just slow down a little?"

"Where—"

Before White continues, I say, "Before you yell at me, let me explain."

She nods.

"When I went outside the Pokémon Center, I felt like I wasn't getting enough fresh air. I decided to come on this route so I could smell the trees and the grass. I find it relaxing." Okay, so that was total BS, but I couldn't tell them that some guy dragged me here and asked if I would travel with him.

"It's okay. After that note, though, we were a little worried. That's all."

I stand up and tell the three, "Well I'm going to Striaton City. I hear that's where the first gym is. I'll see you guys later, okay?" I close my eyes and walk off. I hear someone call my name, but I don't stop or turn around. I just keep walking.

I walk into the Pokémon Center in Striaton City just as night falls. I stop at the counter.

"Hello!"

"Hi, Nurse Joy."

"Do your Pokémon need a rest?"

"Yes, they do," I say as I pass her two pokéballs.

"Alright. You can take a seat if you like."

"Thank you."

I sit down in one of the comfy looking chairs and bury my face in my hands. Why me?

-Because, my dear child, you are intriguing.-

Ugh. Go away. I don't want to talk to you right now.

She just ignores me and keeps talking. -You keep to yourself. You don't share much information to other people.-

That's because I have to. If I go around telling everybody everything about me, I wouldn't be safe.

-As long as you have me you'll be safe.-

Tck. When was the last time you helped me?

-That's not important.-

Yes, it is! How can I trust you if you don't protect me?

-Honey, I can't help you all the time.-

I sigh. I know that's true, but I wish it wasn't. I have scars to prove it. Mentally and physically.

"Your Pokémon are all rested."

I take my Pokémon from Nurse Joy. "Thank you."

"No problem! Do you need to stay here for the night?"

"Yes, please. That would be great."

She leads me to a door. "Here's your room. Have a nice night!"

"Thanks," I say as I open the door. When I walk in, however, I realize that I'm not alone.