...
Two weeks had passed since Stella's first day of school. It was still difficult for her to get used to the city. Back on Mossdeep, everything was so relaxed and easygoing. In Rustboro, Stella felt a sense of urgency on everything she did and a great restrictions of her freedoms. Just a week ago, Mari had kept her promise of signing Stella up for a girls' education class. It was a terrible class. Stella couldn't have her pokemon with her, and she had to wear uncomfortable debutante dresses. Mari, however, was thrilled.
"Stella dear, it's Monday. Get in your uniform and get ready for school." Mari sat on Stella's bedside. Her white bun was glistening in the light of the morning emanating from Stella's window.
Stella got ready in five minutes. Sandshrew had decided to come along with Stella at school today. It felt good for Stella to spend time with her pokemon.
Right before Stella left the building, she shouted in the empty hallways: "Grandmother! I don't have any special class or anything after school today right?"
"No dearest." Mari came down the red carpeted stairs to see Stella off.
Stella had decided to go over to the flower shop today to buy flowers and see what kind of life Gardenia lived.
…
Stella was waiting for the first period bell to ring, and was standing next to Roxanne.
"That's funny. I haven't seen Brawley all half of last week." Stella said suddenly.
"Yeah…he's got a gym leader's role in Dewford now. I don't know how much school he can go to" Roxanne said in a weak voice. It was clear she and Brawley were together. Roxanne would get so emotional every time someone brought up his name.
"But…Dewford is a ten minute boat ride from here. Surely he could keep it up like you do?" Stella asked.
"That's impossible." Roxanne snapped at Stella. And just as she was about to add something else, the bell rang and saved Stella from a tongue lashing.
…
During lunch Stella met up with Gardenia, as usual.
"Roxy snapped at me today. She got really defensive when I asked about Brawley" Stella recounted the story to her friend.
"Hm…well everyone around here's got some skeletons in their closet" Gardenia said it with a look that told Stella she knew a lot more than she was letting on.
"Can I reveal mine to you?" Stella didn't know what came over her, but she felt like spilling her secrets and starting fresh. Something she should have done two weeks ago.
"Um, well…if you're willing to. Of course. My lips are sealed." Gardenia looked up at Stella.
"Here goes" Stella took a huge breath "I used to have a thing for Brawley. It was mutual actually. But then I fell in love with Tate, you know the gym leader at Mossdeep. I promised I'd never forget him. But why do I feel myself drifting over to Brawley? Even though I know he and Roxanne are together?" Stella revealed only a small fraction of her life. But she felt a mass of weights just come right off her chest.
"But Chris and Steven don't like each other. I read it in your dad's book" Gardenia stared wide-eyed at her friend.
"This was before Chris and Steven. When my dad took me to Dewford island, and he was allowed to. They used to be on good terms, Chris and Dad. I don't know…Chris just suddenly snapped." Stella reminisced her time on the small Dewford island, only good for sand and evolutionary stones.
"Wait. When you said everyone here's got skeletons in their closet…Do you know them all?" Stella turned Gardenia.
"I don't know any of their secrets. But you know, being around these celebrities I realize just how much stuff they have that the media is not and cannot cover. I feel like this whole school is holding its breath" Gardenia turned her grass green eyes to Stella.
…
It was three hours after school got out, and Stella was at the Devon Corp having a snack with some scientists. She planned to go to Gardenia's soon.
"Sandshrew, you guys, stay good okay. I'll be back so we can train more this afternoon"
Stella ran out the door onto the cobblestone streets of Rustboro.
"Brawley!" Stella gasped as she ran right into him "what are you doing here?"
"I came here to see you" Brawley smiled "I missed you…"
Stella stood there shocked. Had she just heard him correctly?
"Let me rephrase that: I missed your grandfather's meeting on his newest technology" Brawley laughed.
"You're such a troll! I hate you!" Stella lashed out at him. She kept punching him in the chest, but that boy was made of concrete. All her efforts to harm him were in vain.
"Oh no you don't. I know you love me." Brawley smirked.
"Shut up." Stella crossed her arms and feigned being angry but she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"Make me." Brawley's playful expression turned into a gaze full of lust.
Stella fumbled around for her words. She closed her eyes for a split second and saw Tate and Roxanne frowning, she saw her father shaking his head, and she saw Gardenia waiting forever for her to stop by the shop. When she opened her eyes she wasn't smiling anymore.
"Maybe next time, Brawley. I've got somewhere to be" Stella turned swiftly and made her way towards the bridge.
"Aw c'mon girl! I was just messing with you. What did I even say?" Brawley made attempts to stop her from running, but in the end he just let it go.
…