One month later…
N's POV
"Happy Birthday!" I shouted to Touko as she entered my house.
"Thanks N. You're the second person that has told me that" Touko said.
"It's not like I can just forget. It's your thirteenth birthday. You're finally a teenager" I said.
"You're right!" Touko squealed in realization.
"I got you a present" I said.
"Really? You didn't have to get me anything" Touko said.
"I know. I just couldn't resist. Here" I said. I handed Touko the package and sat down on the couch. Touko sat down beside me and tore the paper open. She took all the stuff out of the box. She held up a white tank top, ripped denim jean shorts, black and pink boots, a black vest, pink shoulder bag, black and pink wrist bands, and a white and pink hat.
"I-I don't know what to say" Touko stuttered. My heart sunk. Didn't she like the stuff?
"Just say if you like it or not" I suggested softly.
"I-I love it!" she yelled, hugging me. "I'm going to go try it on." Touko ran to the bathroom as fast as possible. I sat there speechless. What just happened? A few minutes later, Touko came out dressed in everything I got her. She also had her hair up in a fluffy ponytail like when she was younger. Touko looked stunning.
"How do I look?" Touko asked while twirling around.
"Gorgeous" I breathed out without thinking. Touko stopped spinning and stared at me.
"You think so" she said blushing. I could have melted right then and there under her intense gaze.
"Yeah" I said.
"N, thank you for the present. You just know me so well. You got me this stuff because you remembered that I didn't like girly stuff except for a little splash of pink" Touko stated. "I couldn't have a better friend." I was having hard time controlling myself. I just wanted to stand up and kiss her on the spot. One kiss would satisfy my needs. I gripped the side of the couch to hold myself down. "Thanks again for the present. I have to go. Bianca wanted me to meet her for lunch, her treat" Touko said before waving goodbye and leaving. I sighed once she left. I held my head in my hands. As I sat there, I heard the doorknob click. I looked up to see Cheren.
"Hello" I said.
"Hey" Cheren said. He walked up to an empty chair and sat down.
"What do you need?" I asked.
"I want to thank you for keeping your feelings to yourself. Touko is really happy right now. If you ever told her that you loved her, then she would probably get really confused. However, I wouldn't worry about her so much. Even if I don't like you that much, I still consider you my friend so I came here to tell you that I think Touko is starting to really like you. She may not know it yet, but I can tell" Cheren said calmly.
"So? It's not like it will ever work. We have too big of an age difference" I stated.
"N, haven't you ever heard of the saying: age doesn't matter" Cheren said.
"Yeah, but it matters to some people."
"Are you one of those people?"
"No. I mean, I used to be until I met Touko and actually feel in love with her. Then my thoughts changed. I really never expected me to be one of those people that fell in love with someone a lot younger."
"I see. Do you think Touko is one of those people?"
"I don't know."
"Ask her but wait a few years. Hopefully, she doesn't have a boyfriend by then. I doubt she will though. I think she's waiting for that special someone." Cheren winked at me.
"I don't think she feels that way" I said dejectedly.
"Think what you want" Cheren sighed before walking out the door. I sighed too. Maybe I should get someone else's opinion. I got up and walked out the door. I walked to Touko's house and raised my hand to knock on the door. I held my fist a few centimeters away from the wood. I'm starting to rethink this. I should just go home. I nodded and spun around. I heard the door behind me open.
"Natural?" Mrs. White said. I turned back around to face her.
"Uh, hi" I said nervously.
"What is it dear?" the older woman asked.
"Ummm, can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure. Come in. Come in" Mrs. White said, ushering me in the door. We both sat down at the table. We were seated directly across from one another. "Now, what is it that you wanted to talk about?"
"It's kind of uncomfortable and embarrassing" I said sheepishly. I started to rub the back of my neck out of habit.
"It can't be that bad" Mrs. White said, trying to lighten the mood. I could feel a dark atmosphere forming around me.
"Please don't be mad at me" I whispered quietly.
"Mad at you? Why would I be mad at you?" Mrs. White questioned.
"I may have fallen in love with someone" I said, not daring to look Mrs. White in the eye.
"Why would that make me mad? Isn't falling in love with someone a good thing?"
"I guess."
"Then what's so bad about you having these feelings?"
"I guess the bad thing about it is who I fell in love with" I declared.
"Who is it? I bet it's a nice girl" Mrs. White said.
"Yeah, real nice" I agreed.
"Is it someone I know?" Mrs. White asked.
"Yeah, you know her pretty well."
"Well, are you gonna tell me who it is?" Mrs. White said. She sounded like she was getting excited.
"It's…Touko" I squeaked out. Out of all the times my voice could have gotten high, why did it pick to get high now? I risked a glance at Mrs. White. She had a blank expression on her face.
"Touko?" Mrs. White said indifferently. "My Touko?"
"Touko" I repeated.
"You love Touko, my daughter the thirteen year old?"
"Yes" my voice squeaked again.
"That's so sweet!" Mrs. White squealed.
"Wait, what?"
"I think that is so cute."
"You're not mad at me?"
"Darling, why would I be mad? Nobody can control who they fall in love with. Besides, even though Touko is still pretty young, she is the only girl that you spend your time with besides Bianca. Developing feelings for her was bound to happen."
"You're okay with me feeling this way? I mean, you approve of the age difference?"
"Of course." I let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you didn't approve."
"You would have probably followed your heart whether I approved or not. I don't know if my daughter feels the same way or not, but I can't stop her from what doing what she wants either. She is too independent. If I told her to stay away from you, she would probably stick by your side even more than usual" Mrs. White explained. "Please, take care of Touko."
"I will. Whether she loves me or not, I will protect her and make her happy. I don't think I'll love anybody else" I promised.
"I know you will" Mrs. White said softly. "Oh and remember that now you can't stay in the same bed at sleepovers. Especially now that I know you love my daughter. I don't care how nice and trusting you are. You are still a grown man with needs." I blushed at the comment.
"I figured. I gotta go. See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Natural." I walked out the door with a huge grin on my face. At least if Touko and I did get into a relationship, her mom approves. I marched back to my house and went inside. I glanced at a clock. It's been two and a half hours since Touko left. Is that how long it took me and Cheren plus Mrs. White to talk? It didn't seem that long. Touko should be back soon. Maybe, I can question Touko inconspicuously about her feelings.
One hour later...
"N? I'm back" Touko's voice called. I looked up from my medical book and glanced at Touko.
"Touko! I'm glad you're here. I wanted to play a game with you" I said while slamming my textbook closed. Touko jumped at the sudden noise. "Sorry. I want to play the question game. You wanna play?"
"Uh, sure" Touko responded. "How do you play?"
"Well, I ask you any question I want and you have to answer truthfully. Then you ask me any question you want and I answer back truthfully too. The process repeats until we want to stop."
"Sounds fun."
"I'll go first. Do you like my hair?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"Nope. I ask the question first and you answer. You can't ask another question" I said while wagging my finger at her. She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I like it. It's soft and goes really good with your outfit and personality. Now, my turn. Is that your natural hair color?" she asked while eyeing my hair suspiciously. I grabbed my hair in offense.
"Of course it is" I said in mock offense. "Have you ever been kissed before?" Touko opened her mouth to answer then closed it again. She started to tap a finger on her chin in thought.
"No. Not on the lips. How about you?"
"Yeah. When I was a teenager, about fifteen, I was mobbed by fan girls all the time. I think that they liked how I was a king. One actually caught me and kissed me. I sent her to the dungeon." Touko's mouth hung open.
"Are you serious?"
"No. I was just kidding."
"Okay, ummmm. Do—" Touko started.
"No, it's my turn. You already asked your question" I said with a smirk on my face.
"That didn't count!"
"Yes it did. Anyway, do you like Cheren?"
"Yeah, he's like my brother" Touko confessed. I stopped myself from grinning uncontrollably. I kept a calm and collective face on.
"Are you okay with me wanting to become Champion?" Touko asked me with a frown.
"Yes. I really don't mind Pokémon battles that much. I want you to follow your dream and be happy. I love your determination" I answered truthfully. "Do you like older guys?"
"Huh? I don't know. I guess I like them a little." I did a happy dance in my mind. "Do you like older girls?"
"Nah, I prefer younger ones" I said shyly. "Why? Do you like me?"
"How can I not? There are so many likable things about you. I like how sweet and innocent you are. You always know what to say to make people feel better. You're so kind to Pokémon. You can put a smile on my face, and you're pretty handsome if I do say so myself." Touko's face turned a bright red as she shyly looked at the ground. "Do I look pretty?"
"You look beautiful, not pretty. Everyday" I muttered. I started to twiddle my thumbs. There was an uncomfortable silence after that. Ten minutes probably passed by the time I cracked. "Want to stop playing the game?"
"Yeah. How about we watch TV?" Touko suggested.
"Okay." We both sat down on the cushions. I awkwardly kept shifting around. I just couldn't find a comfortable position. I think it was because Touko was so close. I scooted to the side and away from Touko. I never felt this uncomfortable with her before. Did I ruin my friendship with her? How can I continue being friends with her if I can't even sit near her? I am such and idiot. Touko glimpsed at me from the corner of her eye. I panicked.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I just can't find a comfortable position" I said truthfully. I promised I would always tell the truth, so I did.
"Why are you sitting so far away? I don't have cooties" Touko joked. I didn't move. Touko giggled and moved closer to me. Our arms brushed against each other, a tingling feeling numbed the area. Touko gave me a suspicious look. She reached for my hand. Her fingers touched the back of my hand. Jolts of electricity burned the area. I pulled my hand away from her and yelped in shock. "What?"
"You-You s-shocked me" I accused.
"I didn't feel anything."
"Well, I did."
"Whatever. Stop being such a baby" Touko grumbled. She leaned her head on my arm. This would be a long day.
A/N: N just made things uncomfortable for himself. *sigh* Review, please.