Hello readers!I hope all of you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. For those of you outside of the United States, I still hope you had a great weekend, even without the holiday. :)
I can't believe I got this written in less than two weeks. I was just on a roll and couldn't stop! It'd be great if I could always write at this pace, but to do that I'd need to disregard some fairly important things in my life. I'd rather not get poor Grades in my classes if I could avoid it; I'm sure you all understand. ;)
Anyways, without further ado, please enjoy! :)
-=Amazing Grace=-
It didn't take long for Jeremy and Grace to receive their food; like Ashley had told them, it wasn't very busy in the diner. The two had arrived just as the breakfast crowd was leaving and well before the lunch crowd would arrive. Grace's eye had lit up upon viewing her meal, complete with Jeremy's strawberries and whipped cream; she didn't waste any time digging into her delicious, if not overly sweet, breakfast. Jeremy did the same, and together the two ate in a comfortable silence, only occasionally stopping to ask a brief question or make a small comment.
"Wow, check out you two go," Ashley let out a short laugh as she approached her neighbors' booth. To Jeremy's surprise, the girl grabbed a chair from the table across from their stall and sat down at the edge of their own table. "It's slow right now, and Courtney is covering for me. So, come on, spill the beans and tell me more about this job. I've been dying to hear more about it all morning." Jeremy was a bit surprised by his neighbor's straightforward disregard for her job; then again, business was slow and she was in good standing with her coworkers and management. It wasn't farfetched that she could get away with the occasional on-the-clock break.
"Are you sure this is okay? I wouldn't want to get you in trouble," Jeremy said with a hint of worry while looking around the diner in an effort to spot any of her coworkers or customers. The brief glance only helped to confirm the girl's statement that it was indeed slow and her little 'break' seemed to be okay; none of her coworkers seemed to mind her absence. Ashley nodded her head in response to Jeremy's worried question, a carefree smile on her face.
"Yeah, it's fine! Don't worry, we cover for each other all the time. Now stop dodging the question, spill the beans." The demand was spoken with a tone in sync with her smile. Jeremy could only roll his eyes in a playful manner; Ashley would get all the details she wanted, of that he was certain.
"Fine, fine, you win. Okay, so what do you want to know?" Jeremy asked lightheartedly. Ashley shrugged her shoulders in response, not having any specific questions in mind. Seeing this, the boy suggested, "I guess I'll just start from the top, yeah?" Liking the idea, Ashley nodded her head in agreement.
"That sounds like a plan," the waitress commented. Grace absentmindedly listened to the conversation unfold as she continued to eat her fruit covered pancakes; it wasn't like she would hear anything she hadn't known before.
"Okay," Jeremy stated, laying his knife and fork atop his half eaten waffle. "Well, do you remember earlier this year when I had to take Grace to the Pokécenter?" the boy asked. Ashley nodded, her face grimacing slightly at the memory.
"I do, Grace was really sick, wasn't she? I still remember you asking me to drive you guys up there," Ashley answered; this mention of her name caused Grace to glance up briefly before returning to her stack of pancakes. Jeremy acknowledged Ashley's answer and continued.
"Yeah, she really was sick. Well, when I was waiting in the lobby, an old man approached me and asked why I looked so worry. I told him about Grace, and we started talking about Pokémon. It turns out that that old man was Professor Oak. You know who he is," Jeremy laughed. "Anyways, we exchanged numbers and he told me he'd be in contact."
"I know all of that already, so what about the job?" Ashley asked, impatient. Jeremy recoiled defensively at Ashley's demanding voice, although he did this partially for the sake of humor.
"Hey, it's all important to the story! Anyways, we did stay in contact and he told me about a Pokémon sanctuary up in Goldenrod that he runs, albeit indirectly. Professor Oak thought I'd be right at home in such an environment and he really wanted me to go there. This morning, I got a call from him telling me he had pulled some strings," Jeremy told Ashley, pausing to take a drink of water. Wetting his throat and taking a breath, the boy continued. "An opening for an intern appeared, and he forwarded my name to the administrator. Nothing is guaranteed, but the Professor suggest I started packing." Jeremy couldn't suppress a grin that formed on his lips as he finished the last sentence.
Ashley leaned back in her chair and let out a low whistle. "Wow, things really fell in place for you, didn't they? You should thank Grace, if she didn't get sick you'd have never met Professor Oak." The joke was said in good spirit, causing Jeremy to let out a short laugh as he nodded his head lightly.
"Hah, yeah. Thanks for almost dying Grace; you've really improved my future because of it," Jeremy said dryly at the Gardevoir seated across from him. Grace looked up and gave Jeremy an equally dry look, unimpressed by the joke; she didn't have to say a word to convey what she thought of the statement. Shaking his head in amusement, the teen turned his attention back towards his neighbor and said, "Anyways, things really have fallen in place. Not only that, it's all happened so fast. It's kind of like I'm on a ride and just watching as everything goes by."
Ashley let out a small chuckle and nodded in understanding. "Hey buddy, that's just life. Sometimes it happens faster than we expect or want, but in the end we can't really control it. The only thing we can do is buckle up and make the most of what we have." Jeremy seemed to soak in her words and sighed, knowing how true they were. He wished that wasn't the case, that he had a little bit more control of the circumstances surrounding his future and, in turn, a certain member of his family.
"I know that, but it's still a bit jarring to have everything happen so quickly. I mean, I'll be leaving behind friends and family, my parents and siblings, Grace, and-" The boy was cut short by the waitress as he mentioned his friend's name.
"Whoa, whoa, hold up. You mean Grace isn't going with you? I thought that's why both of you came down in the first place, to celebrate your leaving?" Ashley stopped Jeremy mid-sentence, shock evident in her voice. Jeremy furrowed his eyebrows, confused by the assumption. The assumption also caught Grace's attention, causing her to lower her fork and knife and look at their neighbor with a curious gaze.
"What? No- What made you think that?" Jeremy asked. Not once did he imply that his friend was accompanying him. Where was Ashley getting that idea from?
"Hah, are you serious?" Ashley laughed. Several moments passed, but the look on Jeremy's face remained. Realization hit the girl, prompting a gasp of surprise. "Wait, you really are serious." Jeremy nodded his head, confusion still painted across his face. "So... you're going to Goldenrod to work at a Pokémon sanctuary..." Ashley began.
"Yes..." Jeremy trailed off.
"And you aren't taking your best friend... who is a Pokémon... who is the person responsible for all of this in the first place?" The words hit Jeremy like a ton of bricks. All morning, he'd been so caught up in the moment, such a simple thought flew right over his head. What Ashley said was true; if it weren't for Grace, he'd have never met Professor Oak to begin with. His love of Pokémon was rooted in the Ralts he had saved all those years ago; it was because of Grace that he was so close to Pokémon at all. If there was one thing that Professor Oak had stressed in his conversation with Jeremy, it was that he respected how much the boy cared for Pokémon, so why hadn't he considered the possibility of having one accompany him?
Of course, Grace's emotional outcry had only helped to further distract his mind from such a possibility. When she learned that Jeremy would be leaving, the first thing that came to Grace's mind was that she was losing her best friend. It's hard to think of anything else when a Gardevoir is unleashing a storm of emotions upon you, Jeremy could vouch for that.
"Ah, well, hmm..." Grace hummed lightly, mulling over the revelation. It was quiet at the table, Ashley looking between her two neighbors with disbelief evident on her face.
"I- um, didn't even think of that," Jeremy admitted, his voice weak and quiet. His gaze drifted from Ashley to Grace. The Gardevoir seemed to be deep in thought, completely isolated from the outside world.
"What do you mean you didn't think about it? Are you dense?" Ashley exclaimed as she leaned forward, closing the distance between her and the teen. "You two do everything together and you didn't think about something like that?" Jeremy recoiled at the sudden proximity and defended himself.
"No! I did think of leaving, both of us did! I just- I didn't think of bringing her along; everything has been moving so fast this morning, it didn't occur to me, or Grace for that matter!" Jeremy explained. His voice seemed frantic, as if trying to think of an excuse for not making such a simple correlation.
"I can't believe you're serious," Ashley said with wide eyes. Turning her attention towards Grace, the girl frowned and said, "Oh goodness... I can only imagine how both of your mornings went. I think I know why you're really down here now." Grace's face gained a bit of color, embarrassment washing over it as she turned her gaze downwards. It was no secret that she was emotional; Ashley was a smart girl, she was bound to figure out what happened over the previous hour given the evidence.
"I didn't even think about that... I was just so focused on Jeremy leaving, I wasn't thinking straight," Grace admitted, her voice little more than a whisper. It was clear she was embarrassed with herself, both for not making such a simple connection and for her behavior earlier that morning. Slowly looking upward, the Gardevoir's large, crimson eyes locked with her friend's. Jeremy could see something in them that wasn't there moments ago; he saw a spark of hope. "Do you... Do you think I'd be allowed to come?"Jeremy's heart skipped a beat as the words entered his mind. Grace's voice was so innocent, so serene. Her childlike nature only amplified these qualities, making for one of the most soul crushing sights one could imagine. He couldn't give her a negative answer, even if he wanted to.
"I- I think so," Jeremy weakly smiled. "I mean, after all, Ashley is right. It is a Pokémon sanctuary, and you are a Pokémon. I bet you could even help out if you wanted...!" The hopefulness in the boy's voice was hard to conceal, not that he wanted to do so. "Without you, I'd never even have this opportunity. I'm sure Professor Oak will understand!"
A large smile formed on Grace's lips as the words left Jeremy's mouth. Her eyes lit up in unrestrained joy. "You really think so?" The question elicited a brief laugh from Ashley. She was enjoying her front row seat to Jeremy and Grace's revelation.
"Hah! Oh my, you two still act like kids sometimes; are you sure you're ready to move out?" The tease caused Jeremy to roll his eyes and let out a huff. Turning to Grace, Ashley reached out and placed a hand on the Pokémon's shoulder, quickly gaining the Gardevoir's attention. "Listen, Grace, if what Jeremy has told me about Professor Oak is true, then I have no doubt that you'll be able to join him when he leaves. Hehe, without you I don't think he could make it. He's too much of a kid." This comment caught the boy's attention, causing him to cross his arms and tilt his head to the side in confusion.
"I thought you said we both acted like kids?" Jeremy raised an eyebrow in annoyance. Ashley, in turn, only laughed and nodded her head.
"Yep, you guys sure do. But when both of you work together, it's kind of like one adult... but only kind of. Maybe that's why you two are always together, otherwise you'd be no better off than your younger siblings." The comment got a good laugh out of everybody at the table, even Jeremy. After several moments, the teen shook his head, a grin on his face.
"Ignoring that little comment," the boy once again focused on the Gardevoir in front of him. Smiling, he said, "Ashley's right. I'm sure Professor Oak would let me bring along a friend, so long as she is a Pokémon."
Grace returned the smile, beaming. Joy and happiness radiated from her core, alerting the very atmosphere of the area. Several patrons looked over at the trio, noting the occurrence. A select few had smiles on their face, knowing full well what the sensation meant given Grace's presence. "I... I hope so!"
Ashley let out a happy sigh as she leaned back in her chair. "Really, I just can't picture you two apart. I remember when Jeremy first brought you home, Grace. Ever since that day, you two have been partners in crime, yeah? I swear, Jeremy was a bad influence on you with all of the mischief he caused growing up."
Grace giggled and shook her head defensively. "We didn't get into that much mischief growing up... only a little bit." Looking over at Jeremy, a soft smile overcame her features. "I don't think he was a bad influence at all." Ashley looked Grace over, observing her mannerisms and the softness of her voice. She was such an eloquent, beautiful person; in truth, it had been Jeremy's and his family's influence that had sculpted Grace into the woman she was today. Some might argue that calling a Pokémon a 'woman' was wrong, even bordering Poképhilia, but as far as Grace's friends were concerned, she was just that. Calling her a simple Pokémon would be insulting.
"Well, maybe I'm being too harsh," the waitress suggested wryly. "So, now that you've seemed to clear that little mishap up, what else can you tell me about this job, or even the Pokémon sanctuary in general? Don't tell me that went over your head too."
Jeremy cleared his throat and took a sip of water, ignoring Ashley's playful jab, before speaking. "Well, I can't tell you too much about the job. Professor Oak told me I'd be a general intern, but that I could specialize in what I want later on. I don't suspect I'll be making coffee runs or anything like that though," the teen laughed. "As for the sanctuary itself, I can tell you a lot. Professor Oak set it up to help Pokémon from all walks of life. A lot of the time, they're abandoned and can't make it in the wild. Sometimes, Pokémon abused by their trainers are rescued and brought there as well." Both Ashley and Grace grimaced as Jeremy finished his last sentence.
"That's awful that people would abuse their Pokémon!" Ashley cried out. The concept wasn't new to her -or the rest of the world for that matter-, but the sheer brutality one could display towards their Pokémon never ceased to astound her.
Of course, the term 'abuse' wasn't what everyone perceived it to be; a lot of the time, people thought of abuse as trainers physically beating their Pokémon or depriving them of essential care. This was, for the most part, not usually the case. After all, most Pokémon weren't stupid and would defend themselves against such actions; they certainly had the means to do so. The term 'abuse' was largely determined by the Pokémon League Association; they were the ones who took center stage in regards to all things Pokémon. According to them, abuse was defined as the intentional mistreatment and misuse of Pokémon. There was, of course, a broad set of rules created by The League that determined what was and what wasn't intentional mistreatment and misuse, but common sense played a large role in determining whether or not a trainer should be stripped of their Pokémon.
"I just don't see how somebody could do such a thing. It's so... evil," Grace quietly voiced her thoughts. Jeremy nodded his head in agreement to both Ashley and Grace's comments, knowing full well how evil some people could be. In truth, it saddened him and made him sick to his stomach. Every time a news report of an abusive trainer would air, Jeremy could feel anger and disgust building in him. It was a dangerous feeling, and one he wished to avoid if possible. In a sense, it may have been stupid to look for a career in such a field given his reaction to the behavior, but it was one of the best ways he could help the Pokémon involved. For their sake, Jeremy would endure and not let his emotions get the better of him.
"It really is, but like I said, that's not where the majority of their Pokémon come from, only a small percentage," the teen clarified. "Anyways, the overall goal of the sanctuary is to rehabilitate those Pokémon so they can either be released into the wild, adopted by a family, or used as a trainer's starter. All of this is dependent on the Pokémon in question, from my understanding."
Ashley smiled upon hearing the paraphrased mission statement of the sanctuary. "Well then, it seems like a great place to be," she noted.
"It really is," Jeremy agreed. "I really want to work in this field, and I can't help but feel like I've been given the chance of a lifetime." The boy's neighbor nodded in agreement. The ringing of a door chime caught the waitresses attention, causing her to look over at the entrance of the building. Several people entered the restaurant, all of whom looked hungry. Her fellow waitress, Courtney, was busy taking the order of another patron; the girl sighed, knowing her 'break' was over.
"Well, that really is great to hear. I'm just a few doors down, so feel from to come over and give me an update once you get one," Ashley said while rising from her seat. Grabbing the chair, the girl turned and placed it back at the table where it belonged. "I'm going to get back to work now; I'm glad we got to talk. I'll be back after you guys are done eating."
"Okay, we'll see you around," Grace smiled and waved goodbye. Ashley did the same, turned around, and went to greet the patrons who had just walked in. Turning to face her friend, Grace let out a content sigh, saying, "I'm so glad we talked to Ashley. I guess I was just being too... emotional this morning to think straight." The words were spoken with a hint of shame as her head bowed to hide her face, something that displeased Jeremy greatly. Reaching out, the boy placed a gentle hand on the Gardevoir's large, green forearm. Surprised by this, Grace snapped her head upward to look at her friend.
Jeremy was smiling and shaking his head. "Jeez Grace, why do you say things like that? It's not your fault; heck, it's not even an issue. Neither of us were thinking straight. That's how people act when big stuff happens; it just isn't you and me." Grace had a wide range of emotions displayed by her features, but the most prevalent ones were relief and joy. A small smile formed on her lips, the Gardevoir nodded and trained her eyes on Jeremy's hand which still gently rested atop her forearm. It was comforting, a sensation that Grace knew all too well and loved so much.
"Heh... I'm sorry, you're right," Grace admitted with delight, despite the fact that she was apologizing. Several silent moments passed, neither Jeremy or Grace moving from their current position. It was a comfortable silence, only broken by the clattering of plates and silverware coming from the kitchen. After several seconds, Jeremy moved his hand from Grace's forearm and returned it in front of him.
"Well, I guess we should finish our celebratory meal, huh? After all, we're both going to Goldenrod this fall." Jeremy couldn't hide a grin that came over his face as the words left his mouth. Granted, he wasn't one hundred percent certain that Grace would be allowed to accompany him, but it only made sense. He would definitely call Professor Oak when he got home to confirm the idea.
"Yeah, we are!" Grace giggled in response. Jeremy raised his glass of orange juice in a celebratory fashion and held it out towards his friend.
"Cheers!" Grace did the same and lightly clanged their glasses together.
"Cheers."
Both couldn't help but feel relieved as they took a drink of their orange juice and placed the glasses on the table. Picking up their silverware, Jeremy and Grace resumed eating their meals. It was certainly a different atmosphere than before.
Jeremy swallowed hard as he consumed a large bite of his waffle. Taking a drink to wash down the food, the boy opened his mouth and asked, "You know Grace, will you be okay coming with me? I know everybody else would miss you, especially Claire. She looks up to you, you know."
Grace looked contemplatively at Jeremy, considering his words. "I would miss everybody a lot, but... I don't know... I just feel like I should go. It's strange, like a little voice in my head," the Gardevoir explained. "I love everybody here... but, I can't even explain it." A frustrated sigh escaped her lips as she struggled to answer her friend's question.
"Hey, it's okay. I wasn't expecting a solid answer or anything," Jeremy told her. "I was just curious is all." Grace nodded her head, understanding, and continued speaking.
"I want to go with you; I feel like it's the right thing to do," Grace explained in a calm tone of voice. "I just... maybe we should talk to Mom and Dad about it?" Now that was a level headed idea. Jeremy agreed whole heartedly with the notion. Both Jeremy and Grace looked up to their parents with the utmost respect; whenever life seemed to throw them a curveball or things didn't go as planned, John and Rosa were always there to help make things better. Sometimes, they'd help their children sort out a bad situation, other times, they'd simply comfort them as they weathered the storm of life.
"That sounds like a great idea. We can talk with them once we get home," Jeremy agreed with a smile.
After that moment, Grace and Jeremy remained in relative silence. No word were exchanged between them, only emotions. It was a wonderful sensation for both Grace and Jeremy, but particularly Grace. Being so sensitive to emotions was both a blessing and a curse. When things upset her, like the news of Jeremy's leaving just this morning, the negative emotions associated with the news -that is to say grief, sadness, and a sense of loss- were multiplied exponentially. It was fully possible for the negative, and at times painful, sensation to consume her body, leaving her nothing more than a temporary empty shell of herself. Such a thing was rare though, for the environment Grace grew up in often provoked emotions on the opposite end of the spectrum.
The positive feeling she felt right now could be vaguely described as being in an incredibly good mood, although saying it like so was demeaning to the sensation. In truth, it was difficult if not impossible to explain to somebody who had not experienced it. It wasn't as simple as feeling good or happy, it went deeper than that.
In the end, though, none of these thoughts occurred to Jeremy as he ate breakfast with his friend. The only thoughts that went through his mind were those of his future, almost all of which involved the Gardevoir in front of him.
-=Amazing Grace=-
"That was really good!" Grace sighed loudly as they exited the front door of Franklin's. Jeremy stood in front of her, holding the door open for the Gardevoir. If there was one thing the boy's father had instilled in him, it was that you treat a lady with respect; this included holding the door open for them, amongst other courteous acts. It all boiled down to be respectful of those around you.
"I'll say; I haven't been there in a while. Breakfast always taste better when somebody else makes it for you," Jeremy agreed, releasing the door and stepping towards Grace. "I can't even think of the last time I got a Belgian waffle." Grace giggled and twirled in delight, her gown flaring out as she spun around.
"I'm glad you let me have your toppings," Grace smiled broadly as she stopped her spin, facing him. "The strawberries were really sweet!" Jeremy playfully rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Well, I suppose that's good to know. Are you sure it wasn't the whipped cream you were tasting?" Jeremy asked with a grin. "I mean, I wouldn't know since I didn't get to taste any of them." Grace giggled again, pulling both of her hands up to her mouth to conceal her still growing smile. The Gardevoir's eyes closed in delight as she listened to Jeremy's humorous complaining.
"Maybe, I don't really know," Grace admitted happily. The joy radiating from the Gardevoir was contagious; Jeremy couldn't be angry even if he wanted, the influence was so strong; of course, he wasn't at all mad with Grace to begin with. Letting out a few short laughs, Jeremy could only shake his head in amusement.
"Well, that doesn't matter now. I'm glad you're happy," Jeremy said with a soft smile. Lowering her arms, Grace opened her eyes to look at her friend. The Gardevoir's crimson eyes locked with his as she nodded her head enthusiastically.
"I am happy, so very happy! Hehe," Grace beamed as she took a single step towards Jeremy. The teen only watched as Grace continued to showcase her pure, unadulterated happiness.
"Well then, since it's such a nice day, how about we do something? We've got food in our stomachs, what do you want to do now?" Jeremy asked. Grace raised a hand to her chin, contemplating the question, if only briefly.
"Let's go to the beach!" she suggested enthusiastically. Her answer was, admittedly, not far from what Jeremy imagined she'd say; it was a lovely, late August day. The sun was high in the sky, and the air warm. The soft sand of the beach and the cool water of the ocean sounded like a good suggestion.
"The beach, huh? I'm down for that. We'd have to go home first so we could change," Jeremy mentioned. "We could even take our bikes if you'd like."
Grace eagerly nodded in agreement, liking the idea very much. "That'd be great; we haven't been to the beach much this year." The Gardevoir's statement was all too true; this summer had been so busy for Jeremy, he rarely had time for a day down at the beach. This, in turn, meant that Grace didn't go often either. There were times when she went with Claire or David instead, but it wasn't the same as going with Jeremy. When she went with her other siblings, Grace was viewed as more of a responsible older sister, which was ironic given her nature. When she went with Jeremy, she felt more like an equal and not so much like the adult of the group. It was easier for her to act herself around the boy.
"Okay then, let's head home so we can get ready," Jeremy suggested, turning to face the direction of their said location. Grace did the same, and just like that the two Benpers began the short trek from Franklin's to their house. Looking around, Jeremy couldn't help but notice that the streets were much more lively then they were a mere hour ago. Crops from the farmlands several miles inland were ripe for the harvest; it was likely that farmers were selling their goods down at the harbor for ships to carry to different regions.
"Hey Grace, would you mind if I gave Professor Oak a call when we get home? I'd like to talk to him about, well... you," Jeremy asked as they walked down the sidewalk. Grace, who was walking alongside the teen with a light spring in her step, only shook her head in response.
"No, I would mind at all," Grace said, not at all phased by the question. In the Gardevoir's mind, her going with Jeremy was no longer up for debate. It made too much sense for her not to go; asking the Professor was only a formality as far as Grace was concerned. Even with these thoughts, the Gardevoir couldn't help but feel a sensation similar to the one she felt just hours ago begin to build in her. It was fear and apprehension, and Grace knew exactly where the feelings were rooted.
"I also want to talk with mom and dad before we go... about leaving." Grace's voice dropped slightly in pitch upon voicing her own plans on what she intended to do when they got home. While Grace was indeed overjoyed that she'd be accompanying Jeremy to Goldenrod, the thought of leaving the rest of her family behind still pulled on her heart strings. She loved them all dearly, and the thought of being without any of them was unfathomable.
Jeremy sighed, knowing Grace was truly torn on what to do. Perhaps that wasn't entirely correct; she knew what she wanted, that is to say travel to Goldenrod with him. In truth, he wanted the same. However, it wouldn't be fair of him to demand such a thing. In the end, the decision would have to be made by Grace herself.
"I'm sure Mom and Dad will understand; they might even encourage it. Heh, I think Mom would be scared senseless if I went out on my own," Jeremy joked. Grace audibly laughed at the comment and smiled. Rosa was by no means a worrywart, but she did at times express concern, albeit humorously, for Jeremy in regards to growing up.
"I think you might be right," Grace agreed, smiling as she did so.
The rest of the walk home was uneventful, but full of cheerful chatter. The majority of it came from Grace; over the years that Jeremy had known the Gardevoir, he had become a very good listener. It wasn't like he disliked hearing his friend talk; quite the contrary, he enjoyed it. The Gardevoir was so carefree and a sort of elixir to reality at times. Whenever he had been down, Grace was there to cheer him up. Jeremy lost count of the number of times he'd come home from a bad day at school, only to have Grace joyfully greet him as he walked into their yard. It was the small, simple things like that that made Jeremy happy, not material possessions.
When Jeremy and Grace arrived home, they were greeted by Rosa as she tended to the garden she maintained on the side of their house. "Hey you two, have a good breakfast?" Rosa asked, a bowl filled with freshly picked tomatoes in her hand's grip. The woman wore a bright yellow blouse with a pair of faded, denim jeans and smiled as she approached her two children.
Jeremy was the first to answer, saying, "Yeah, it was really good. Ashley was working today, so we got to talk with her as well." He and Grace came to a stop as their mother drew near.
"Well, that's certainly nice. I'm sure she enjoyed seeing you two at work," Rosa commented as she came to a halt in front of her children. "I'm a bit surprised to see you two back home, though. I thought you'd have spent the entire day out doing stuff. It's certainly a nice enough day to be outside."
"Oh, we're going down to the beach; Jeremy and I decided to come home and grab our bikes firsts," Grace explained while reaching out towards the bowl of vegetables in Rosa's arm. Using her delicate fingers, the Gardevoir plucked a single cherry tomato from the bowl and popped it in her mouth. A look of delight came over Grace's face as she bit down on the acidic vegetable. "Mhm! Those are really good!"
Rosa laughed as she withdrew the bowl and humorously shielded it from the Gardevoir prying hands. "Hey, aren't you full already? If you eat these now we can't put them on our salads tonight." Grace gave her mother an amused, if not apologetic look and smiled in response. Rosa could only shake her head and try to suppress her ever growing grin. "Ugh, I swear... Anyways, so you two are heading down to the beach? That sounds like a good idea."
"Yeah, we thought so too. Both of us just have to do a few things before we leave," Jeremy told his mother as he stepped towards the house. Turning towards Grace, the teen smiled as he said, "I don't think it should take long. If you want to get the bikes out of the shed, then we should be good to go in no time." Grace nodded in response and began walking towards their back yard. Rosa accompanied her, the two engaging in conversation. The sight made Jeremy happy; Rosa and Grace shared a deep bond, maybe even on par with the one he shared with the Gardevoir.
Pushing these thoughts to the back of his head, Jeremy began to make his way towards the front door of his home; he had a phone call to make. The house was quiet as Jeremy entered; there was no sign of his father or siblings. Perhaps they were in the back yard or had left to do something? It wasn't farfetched idea.
Walking into the living room, Jeremy picked up the phone and took a deep breath. He was not nearly as nervous as when he had called about the job in the first place. That wasn't to say he wasn't nervous at all; the occasional negative thought produced just enough nervousness that he felt his stomach churn slightly. Reaching down, Jeremy dialed Professor Oak's number and let out a deep breath as the phone began to ring.
It only took two rings before the elderly voice of the Professor came over the earpiece. "This is Professor Oak, may I ask who's calling?"
Jeremy swallowed lightly and spoke into the phone. "Hello Professor Oak; this is Jeremy Benper. I wanted to talk to you about something in regards to the Pokémon sanctuary in Goldenrod, if you have the time."
"Oh, hello Jeremy! I didn't expect to hear back from you so soon. It's only been a couple of hours, I can't give you any updates just yet," the Professor chuckled. "Or, is this about something else? I can't picture you being the impatient one."
Jeremy felt relieved upon hearing the Professor's cheery voice. Many people told him that Professor Oak was a mean, old man, but reality couldn't be farther from the truth. He was kind, patient, and understanding. It was these qualities that made him such a great Pokémon researcher.
"Haha, no, that's not why I'm calling," Jeremy let out a laugh of his own. Clearing his voice, the boy continued, "I actually wanted to talk about Grace."
"Ah, the Gardevoir that lives with you. How has she been?" Oak asked, genuinely curious.
"Grace has been great, but... she had a bit of a moment this morning; that's kind of why I'm calling," Jeremy explained. "You see, when I told her the news, she became sad... really sad that I might be leaving. I can't even recall the last time she appeared so deep in grief and depression."
"Oh... I see. Gardevoir are very emotional in nature, especially towards those they share a bond with," Oak noted, understanding.
"Yeah, they really are. Well, the reason why I'm calling is I have a question. I uh, don't know how to ask this without it sounding strange, but would it be possible for Grace to come with me to the sanctuary, assuming I get the position?" Jeremy finally asked the question that'd been on his mind since Ashley brought up the idea inside of Franklin's. "Seeing her like that was just awful; I don't... I just don't want to see her hurt like she was this morning. I figured... since it's a Pokémon sanctuary, bringing her along wouldn't be too big of a deal?" The boy's voice grew weaker with every word he spoke, his nervousness beginning to show.
A silence filled the line, causing Jeremy's heart to pick up its pace. Had he over extended his bounds? Was such a request deemed ridiculous? These questions and many more began to flood the teen's head. For a brief moment, he was filled with horror; what if everything he'd talked about with Grace was for naught, that he'd falsely gotten her hopes up? That alone would cause her to slip into severe emotional turmoil.
"Jeremy," Professor Oak broke the silence. "I don't know why you think I'd forbid you from taking your Gardevoir. It's clear that she has formed quite a strong bond with you."Jeremy would be bothered about Professor Oak calling Grace 'his Gardevoir' if he wasn't so excited about the rest of what the Professor had just told him. "And, like you said, it is a Pokémon sanctuary. She'd fit right in, no doubt."
"R-really? You mean that?" Jeremy asked, finding it impossible to conceal his excitement.
"Why of course! What would that say of me if I forced you to be away from your Pokémon!" Professor Oak laughed. "I know how attached people can grow to their Pokémon;it only makes sense given their nature." Perfect, just perfect! Grace would be overjoyed to hear the news!
"Thank you, sir! You have no idea how much this means to Grace, or to me." Professor Oak could be heard merrily laughing on the other end of the phone. He seemed quite amused by the entire situation.
"Oh, it's my pleasure! I'm glad you called, lest you two be worried about such a thing." A brief pause in the conversation let the elderly man catch his breath. "So, with that being said, is there anything else you'd like to ask? I'm free for the moment, just waiting for some lab results."
Jeremy gave a brief shake of his head despite the Professor not being able to see the gesture. "No, nothing at all. That was just really weighing on Grace; I wanted to clear up the situation so she'd be okay." All tension in Jeremy's voice had dissipated. As far as the boy was concerned, everything was right in his world.
"Well, that's good to hear. My door is always open, in a manner of speaking. Just give me a call if you need anything else; I'll be happy to help."
"I will; thank you again, Professor Oak." The two people bid farewell to one another before hanging up their phones. Jeremy placed the device in its cradle before turning to walk towards the back yard. It didn't take long for him to navigate through the house and to a door facing the rear of the home. Opening it, Jeremy walked out into the warm, August air.
Grace was standing in front of the white and red wooden doors of their storage shed with two bikes leaning next to her on their kickstands. John and Rosa stood near the Gardevoir, talking with her as they went about some yard work. John had a set of trimmers in his hand, while Rosa tended to a bed of flowers that was pressed against the wall of the shed. Grace seemed to be enjoying their conversation, smiling often and making enthusiastic motions with her arms. Reaching down, the Gardevoir gently plucked a vibrant, red flower from the flowerbed and held it up to her nose, taking in the scent. Rosa said something that was indiscernible from a distance, but it caused Grace to laugh and bring the flower up to her hair. Using her delicate fingers, the Gardevoir carefully placed the flower in her hair, its bright red color standing in sharp contrast to that of her mint green bangs.
Grace twirled in delight as she adorned herself with the flower, but stopped when she noticed Jeremy approaching. Grace quickly turned her attention towards the boy. It was clear she seemed eager to hear the results of his conversation with the Professor."Well, how'd it go?" Grace asked. She didn't appear distraught or nervous, given the situation; strangely enough, she seemed happy, confident even.
"It went well; I talked with Professor Oak and he said it'd be okay," Jeremy announced, looking between Grace and his parents. Both Rosa and John seemed to take notice of their son's comment. Jeremy had to wonder if Grace had talked to them about the possibility of her accompanying him during his internship at Goldenrod.
"You talked with Professor Oak again?" Rosa asked. Well, that answered Jeremy's question; Grace must not have told their parents about the situation.
Jeremy nodded, confirming his mother's inquiry. "Yeah... Grace hasn't talked to you guys about anything yet?" Rosa and John looked at one another before turning their attention to Grace. The Gardevoir's happy expression shifted slightly; she still smiled, but the gesture was done out of nervousness , not joy. Grace was anxious about telling Rosa and John about the situation; it wasn't because she was looking for their approval -which she would undoubtedly receive-, but because she anticipated sadness, and much of it.
"No, she hasn't," John stated, curiosity evident in his voice. "Is there something you two wanted to talk about?" The tone in the man's word were firm, but not harsh; he knew something significant was going on -Jeremy and Grace's comments all but confirmed that-, he just didn't know what.
Grace brought her hands together in front of her and began playing with her fingers. "Um... yes, there is," she squeaked. "Maybe we could all go inside and sit down?"Rosa and John glanced between their children before nodding in agreement. No words were exchanged as the four moved from their place in the backyard towards the door on the back of their home, only inquisitive looks from the two adults. Before Jeremy knew it, the four were seated in the very room he'd called Professor Oak from just moments ago. He and Grace shared the couch while Rosa and John sat opposite them on a pair of chairs.
Clearing his throat, John spoke up and asked, "Okay, so what's the big news?"
"Well... um," Jeremy sighed while trying to think of a way to break the news to his parents. It wasn't bad news by any means, but Rosa and John viewed Grace as their daughter. To see her go away with him would undoubtedly elicit at least a small amount of sadness, or so he thought. Maybe they were perceiving the entire situation differently than him and Grace? Maybe they'd be happy? Turning to his friend, Jeremy saw the Gardevoir giving him an uncertain look; she too was confused on how to proceed.
"Well, you both know how Jeremy is probably going to Goldenrod this fall?" Grace asked; the question was obviously rhetorical. John and Rosa nodded their heads and motioned for her to continue. "I... well, Professor Oak said it'd be okay if I... went as well."There was no build up or sugarcoating, just the truth.
Silence filled the air. A tension that had not existed moments before could be felt by the room's inhabitant. John's face remained unchanged, while Rosa seemed to be trying to find the right words to say. Apprehension overcame Grace; she could feel her chest tighten and shard pulse with an aching pain as emotions began to overtake her. It was like her morning all over again.
"Leave, with Jeremy...? Is that what you want?" Rosa finally asked. Her voice was calm and collective, showing neither approval or condemnation. The woman's eyes peered deep into Grace's own, but their pry wasn't intrusive. Rosa only wanted one thing, and that was for Grace's honest answer.
Closing her eyes and breaking her mother's gaze, Grace lowered her head and remained silent as a shiver ran down her spine. "I... don't know." Those words caught Jeremy's attention, causing him to glance over at his friend with a look of confusion. Grace sensed this and turned to meet his gaze. "No, I do know...! I want to go with Jeremy, so badly, but I don't know how I can be apart from everybody else!"Emotions began to swirl around the room in an unseen vortex as Grace began to ramble on. "I love everybody here so much, and I can't imagine being without them, being without you guys!"
Grace looked up, her eyes full of fright as they darted between her parents. "But I can't imagine being away from Jeremy either...I don't- I don't know what to do...!" Rosa and John watched as their daughter shared her anxiety, both parents feeling their stomachs tighten at the display. It was never easy for any of Grace's kin to see the emotional Gardevoir in such a state of distress. They only got a small taste of what she was truly feeling through her shared emotions; nobody wanted to imagine just how horrible Grace truly felt.
Jeremy felt the same sensation as his parents as Grace's emotions began to play with his perception. He felt awful. Just this morning, Grace had an emotional meltdown -a crude word for such a significant moment- at the prospect of Jeremy leaving; now, given the chance to go with him, she was on the verge of breaking down again at the notion of leaving everybody else behind. For Grace, the situation was lose-lose, and she didn't know how to deal with it. Never before had she been faced with such a significant decision.
"I see..." John trailed off, staring deep into the Gardevoir's eyes. "You're at a crossroads, and don't know what path to take. It's a place all of us have been at one point or another." The words came across as understanding and -to a certain extent- comforting. "I know how difficult that kind of decision can be; you're always running 'what if' questions through your head, trying to figure it out. None of that works; the only advice I can give you is to, well... follow your heart."
Rosa nodded her head in agreement and leaned forward in her chair. "Your dad is right. We can't give you the answer you're looking for; only you can." Taking a breath, she continued, "If you leave with Jeremy, you'll say some goodbyes to those you love, but they won't be gone forever!" Smiling, Rosa let out a quiet sigh before giving her daughter a small bit of advice. "So, for every 'goodbye' you give, say 'hello' to somebody else! Do that, and you'll always have loved ones around you." Grace remained silent and in awe of her parent's calmness in the face of such a significant situation; it shouldn't have surprised her. Whenever Grace had a problem, she knew that Rosa and John would be there for her as a pillar of encouragement and support; why had she doubted this to begin with?
"I... follow, my heart...?" Grace asked. The phrase seemed corny, cliché even, but in reality that was exactly what she needed to do.
"That's the only thing you can do. Trying to think it out just leads to too many headaches." John said with a gentle smile and small laugh. "With that being said though, take all the time you need to decide. Whatever you choose to do, Rosa and I will stand in agreement." Nobody said a word as all eyes were directed towards the Gardevoir. Grace seemed to be thinking over what her mother and father had just said.
"My heart... I feel like I should go with Jeremy; I want to go with Jeremy," Grace clarified as her voice became steadily more firm. Turning her attention to the boy seated next to her, Grace leaned forward and lowered her head to stare at the ground, her resoluteness quickly fading away. "But I..." To her surprise, Grace felt a hand gently place itself upon her back. Looking up, she saw Jeremy's face, a look of understanding overcoming his features.
"Hey, how about we forget about this for a little bit and go down to the beach, like we planned? Like dad said, we don't need an answer right now," Jeremy assured her. Grace's gaze remained fixed with Jeremy's as she slowly nodded her head.
"That sounds like a good idea," Rosa commented while standing from her seat. "Just go out and have a fun time; I'm sure you'll make a good decision when you feel it's right."
"O-okay... thanks," Grace replied quietly. Looking at her friend, the Gardevoir said, "I'm going to go grab my things... for the beach. How about you do the same, and we meet outside?" Jeremy nodded his head and removed his hand from her back.
"Sounds good," the teen said as he stood.; Grace followed in suit, her elegant form lifting off the couch in one fluid movement. Turning to his parents, Jeremy let out a soft sigh and said the only thing he could think of. "Thank you... For everything." Rosa and John only smiled in response, knowing full well how thankful he was. All their lives, Rosa and John worked hard to ensure that their children would have a chance to be successful; all that they wanted in return was to see the fruits of their labor. Of course, a 'thank you' every now and then was greatly appreciated.
Grace and Jeremy moved through the house and up into their respective rooms. Jeremy grabbed his plain, green backpack and threw a pair of swimming trunks and other beachwear into it. Preparing for a day at the beach was something he'd done countless times before; getting ready didn't take long at all. Lifting the pack and putting it on, Jeremy departed his room to find Grace's door open. She must have finished her packing sooner than him; that only made sense considering how little she needed to take.
Walking down the hall, the teen arrived at the staircase and descended to the home's first floor. Making his way to the back door, Jeremy saw Grace standing outside with Rosa; she was apparently waiting for him, for she seemed ready to go. Exiting the house, Jeremy approached his friend and called out, "Hey Grace, ready to go?"
Hearing her name, the Gardevoir turned to look at Jeremy. "Yeah, I'm ready when you are," she said with a smile. The Gardevoir seemed much happier than just a few moments ago; Jeremy could only assume she had taken his father's advice to heart and chose not to dwell on the decision that awaited her.
"I am. Well, it's already almost eleven thirty; let's get down there before it gets too busy, yeah?" Jeremy asked, returning Grace's smile. The Gardevoir nodded in response and let out a high pitch 'mhm'. Turning to face his mother, the boy said, "Well, I guess we're off; I don't know how late we'll be out. I imagine we should be home before sunset."
Rosa acknowledged this and shifted her gaze between her two children. "Okay, just be careful," she said cheerfully.
Grace giggled and nodded her head again, stating, "We're always careful!" Rosa rolled her eyes and gave them both a look that could only be described as humorous disbelief. After several seconds, Grace conceded to the stare and corrected herself. "Fine... we're almost always careful."
"I know, I know... Still, it doesn't hurt to remind you two," Rosa smirked. "Just have fun."
Grace and Jeremy definitely planned to do just that. Walking towards the shed where their bikes stood, the two readied themselves for the ride to the beach. Jeremy's bike was a blue and silver mountain bike made by the Viridian City Bike Company. The bike itself, while not being a particularly expensive model, was well made and reliable; it had helped him greatly over the years he had it. Without a bike, the teen was more or less confined to walking everywhere.
It was this confinement that prompted Grace to learn how to ride; unlike Jeremy -who had been riding since he was five-, Grace only recently learned how to ride a bike. As a Ralts and Kirlia, she lacked the physical stature to operate the two-wheeled device. As a Gardevoir, her human like anatomy allowed for her to balance and pedal in a manner nearly identical to that of a human. Of course, her psychic powers had helped greatly when learning how to ride; levitation had proven to be a much better aid than training wheels. Still, it had been a long while since Grace relied on levitation to stop her from tipping over; now, she was able to ride just like anybody else.
Grace's bike bore a stark contrast to Jeremy's masculine mountain bike. Her bike was cherry red in color and was distinctly feminine. A small basket hung from the front of her bike, and a shiny bell was positioned on her left handlebars. A two-toned white and red seat and large, pinstriped fenders only added to the style of the bike. The fenders served another purpose besides looking nice; they helped ensure that Grace's long, flowing gown wouldn't get trapped in the wheels. Similarly, the metal chain and gears that drove the bike were encased in brightly colored tin and also ensured that no part of the Gardevoir would get snared in the mechanical workings. It made maintenance more difficult, but that was a price well worth paying in Grace's opinion.
Without hesitation, both Jeremy and Grace mounted their bikes and stood up, kicking in their kickstands while doing so. Looking over at his mother, Jeremy gave a wave and shouted, "We'll be back; see you around!" Rosa waved back and watched as the two pushed forward and began pedaling. It didn't take long before they disappeared behind the side of the house.
Rosa could only smile sadly as the two vanished from sight. She loved them both dearly, and she knew what decision Grace would make. It was funny, in her heart she always knew when her son left, her eldest daughter would follow in suit. Still, being sad over such a thing was silly. This was what John and herself had been preparing their children for since they were born. It would be stupid to try to hold them in their nest.
They needed to spread their wings and take flight, and she and her husband would support them every step of the way.
-=Amazing Grace=-
The ride down to the beach was great. Living at a higher elevation meant that all Jeremy and Grace had to do was maintain balance as gravity did all of the work; of course, that also meant getting home was more of a chore, but neither of the two thought about that as they enjoyed the easy ride to their destination. As they neared the beach, the distinct, salty scent of the ocean became stronger. For Jeremy and Grace, the aroma was nostalgic in every sense of the word; they had more or less lived at the beach during their childhoods. Riding side by side and at a leisurely pace, the two engaged in a lively conversation.
"I'm tell you, you're wrong!" Grace exclaimed as she looked over at Jeremy, a frown upon her face. This only elicited a sharp laugh from her friend. Jeremy looked at Grace and shook his head in amusement.
"Listen, Grace, there's no way you'll ever get me to read that book. Guys don't read books like that!" Jeremy smirked as the Gardevoir next to him shot him a scowl. "If you want to read about some woman's wild fantasy though, that's fine; just don't expect me to."
"But it's such a good series! And it's not 'romantic garbage' as you so rudely put it; that's only a small part of the book! There's lots of action too, and it's a good story!"Grace defended herself. Jeremy wasn't buying his friend's defense, prompting her to let out a small huff. The Gardevoir was not amused by the boy's antics; who was he to judge her taste in literature, especially considering the boring books he read?
The teen began to laugh until his bike was picked up off the ground by several inches before being dropped to the pavement. His bike's shocks absorbed most of the impact, but the unprepared rider still let out a yelp of surprise. Turning to look at Grace, Jeremy could see a small smirk on her lips. "Hey, that's not fair! No psychic powers allowed!"
Grace audibly laughed as she turned her attention to the road in front of her; she seemed utterly satisfied. "You deserved it." Well, Jeremy couldn't deny that. He hadantagonized her to begin with; granted, everything he said was in jest. Jeremy stared at Grace for several moments before sighing in defeat.
"Okay, fine, maybe I did," the boy -finally- admitted sheepishly. Grace looked over at him yet again, prompting the boy to flash a toothy smile. "Truce?"
The Gardevoir sighed as she nodded her head. "Truce." The two turned their attention towards the road and realized they had all but arrived at their destination.
Twinsport's beaches were a major tourist attraction during the summer months. Many people flocked to the city because of its small-town nature which made for a great escape in comparison to the giant mega-cities such as Goldenrod in Johto or Caledon in Kanto. The beaches of Twinsport were very clean in nature and quite nice; some even compared them to the beaches of Slateport. Regardless, Jeremy was grateful they lived so close to such a wonderful place.
Grace and Jeremy came to a halt under a large shade tree that grew in a small patch of grass on the edge of the sand. Next to the tree was a small beach house where people could park their bikes, get changed, and buy refreshments. Normally, there would be lines surrounding the building, but the fact that school had just resumed for the majority of kids meant that such lines were nonexistent. Some kids, such as Claire and David, had yet to resume school, but any free time they had left was probably being used in preparation for their first day back.
"I never thought I would say this, but I'm glad school is back in session," Jeremy laughed as he dismounted his bike. Grace followed in suit and listened as her friend as he continued to speak. "As a kid, I'd always look out the windows at school and wish I were at the beach or something. I bet there's some kid just like me doing the same right now."
"More than likely! The weather is lovely, and the ocean is nice and calm," Grace noted as she peered out at the sea. "Let's park our bikes and get changed; we've waited long enough already!" The Gardevoir giggled as she skipped ahead, her bike rolling alongside her as if being held up and moved by invisible hands. Jeremy could only sigh as he watched the display, a bit envious.
"I wish I could do that..." Going with a more conventional method, Jeremy grabbed his bike's handlebars and wheeled it alongside him, jogging slightly to catch up to his friend. It didn't take long for the two to park and lock their bikes on one of the many bike racks that lined the worn, brick wall of the beach house. They separated and went into the male and female changing rooms, respectively. It took all but a minute for Jeremy to strip out of his clothing and to put on his pair of navy blue swim trunks. His sandals remained on, Jeremy not wanting to step on the changing room floors in his bare feet. He was sure that they were clean, but he couldn't help but feel gross at the thought of being barefoot in the room.
Removing the towel he'd packed from his backpack, Jeremy placed his clothes and belongings into the void left by its removal. Zipping it up, the boy exited the changing room to find he'd beaten Grace. All he had to do was wait for her to come out, and they could get going.
"Hey Jeremy, what's up?" A male voice called out his name, causing Jeremy to turn to face its source. His face brightened as he saw who had called.
"Oh, hey Blake!" Jeremy exclaimed; the person was the brown haired man who stood behind the refreshment counter. Blake was several years older than Jeremy and ran the beach house during the summer months. It was owned by his father, and he was bound to inherit it, so Blake made sure to work hard in order for it to be successful. Approaching the counter, Jeremy asked, "You're still open even though the season is over? Why's that?"
Blake laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, the season is over but I still have a bit of perishable goods I have to sell before closing down. Say, you want to buy ten gallons of black cherry ice cream or forty bags of chips?"
Jeremy let out a laugh of his own and shook his head. "Yeah, I think I'll pass; I don't even know where I'd keep ten gallons of ice cream."
"You generally keep ice cream in the freezer, but that's just my suggestion. I've found it doesn't fare well in other places; you know, on the job experience and all." Jeremy playfully rolled his eyes at the jest.
"Hey, you know what I mean!" Jeremy exclaimed as Blake continued to laugh. After a short while, the man calmed down a bit and nodded his head in understanding.
"I know, I know, just messing with you." Blake looked around for a moment before returning his gaze to Jeremy. "So, is it just you today or did you bring some of the family?" Jeremy nodded his head and pointed to the female changing room.
"No, it's just not me. Grace is here as well," the teen stated.
"Ah, the little lady," Blake noted with a grin. "I haven't seen her in a while; actually, I didn't see her much at all this summer." Jeremy knew why this was the case and sighed lightly.
"Yeah, I know. This summer was really busy for everybody; I don't think any of us got down here as much as we'd have liked to," the boy frowned before shrugging his shoulders and smiling. "But you know, we're here now and that's what counts." Blake seemed to agree and nodded his head.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right. Still, I blame you for all of my food surplus; why else would I have ordered so much black cherry ice cream!" Blake asked jokingly. "You and Grace always down it by the tub; without you two here, I couldn't sell a scoop. Seriously, who doesn't like black cherry?"
Jeremy laughed and let out a small huff. "Hey! We don't eat that much!"
"Eat much what?"
Jeremy turned around to see Grace standing before him. She wore a bright blue bikini-style swimsuit over her natural clothing, and a bright red towel was draped over her shoulder. The swimwear was worn not out of modesty or necessity, but desire. Growing up, all Grace wanted was to fit in with her family and those around her. When they'd go down to the beach, she couldn't help but feel naked when she saw everybody else wearing brightly colored swim trunks and swimsuits with fun, vivid patterns printed on them. While John and Rosa had assured her that she was not naked, Grace insisted on wearing swimwear like the rest of them. It wasn't until she evolved into a Kirlia that her parents caved in and bought Grace a swimsuit. Ever since that day, Grace always wore a swimsuit when going to the beach or pool.
The concept of Pokémon wearing clothes wasn't as foreign as one might assume. Families who had Pokémon as pets -and even some professional trainers- sometimes dressed up their Pokémon and entered them into what could be described best as beauty pageants. Because of this -admittedly- niche group of Pokémon owners, finding a swimsuit for Grace when she was a Kirlia wasn't all that difficult. It also helped to ensure that nobody gave Grace weird looks for wearing such clothing out in public.
As a Gardevoir, shopping became much easier. Despite the shard protruding from her chest and back, finding a top that fit wasn't too difficult. The bottom piece of the swimsuit was a non-issue for Grace; her anatomy was so similar to humans, she didn't even need to find a special cut or style. Even then, most of her waist was hidden by the elegant, flowing gown that she wore; the only place where one could even see the bottom piece was in her immediate front or back where the gown parted and showed her thin legs and waist.
"Ah, there she is! Hey Grace, want to buy ten gallons of black cherry ice cream? I tried selling it to this guy, but he wouldn't bite. I figured I'd have better luck with you," Blake let out a sharp laugh as the Gardevoir came to a halt next to her friend. She gave Blake a confused look before sighing and trying to speak.
"No t-thank y-ou," she struggled to formed the words on her lips, causing Jeremy to frown. He could feel frustration flow from Grace, and he couldn't blame her. While she had accepted the speech barrier that nature produced, it didn't mean she had to be happy about it.
Blake only smiled and shrugged his shoulders, completely ignoring the negative emotions that Grace emitted. "Ah, still can't do that whole telepathy thing with me; that's cool. I bet you'll be able to one day, but you have to come down to the beach a bit more!" His upbeat mannerism made it difficult for Grace to continue feeling upset. Jeremy had a feeling that if Grace had spent more time down at the beach, she very well could have formed a strong enough bond with the man to allow for telepathy. He certainly seemed like the type of person Grace could bond with.
"Well, I think Grace and I are going to head out now. You should still be here when we get back, right?" Jeremy asked, prompting Blake to nod his head.
"I've got nothing else to do right now. As long as you're back before I hit the sack, I'm sure I'll see you again," the man told them. Flashing a smile, Blake bid them farewell, saying, "You two have fun; the surf is calm today, perfect for swimming."
"We will; I'll see you around, Blake," Jeremy gave a brief wave before turning towards the ocean. Grace did the same, and together they walked towards the water's edge. Grace sighed as she stepped off the sidewalk and onto the dry sand of the beach.
"Ah, that's a great feeling!" the Gardevoir exclaimed as she felt her petite feet sink into the soft surface. The small grains of sand tickled her feet as she walked, making her smile in delight.
"Yeah, let me take these stupid things off... walking in sandals on the beach is more annoying than anything," Jeremy said as he leaned over to undo his sandal's straps. With the straps undone, the teen kicked his feet and removed the footwear, causing his own feet to sink into the soft sand. The teen let out an expression similar to Grace's as the sensation of the beach overcame his foot. "Haven't felt that in a while!"
Grace laughed and nodded her head. The two continued to walk until they were close to the high-tide marker. "This seems like a good spot to put our stuff," Grace noted as she came to a halt. Looking around, the area was clear of any garbage and above the high tide point.
Removing his backpack, Jeremy placed it on the ground while saying, "I agree." The teen placed his white beach towel atop his backpack in an effort to avoid getting sand in the material. Grace did the same and removed her own backpack, placing it next to Jeremy's. Removing the towel from her should, Grace placed it atop the backpacks. With all of their stuff laid out, the Gardevoir turned to look at her friend, a broad smile forming as she did so.
"Well, ready to go swimming?" Grace asked excitedly. Jeremy laughed at her eagerness and nodded his head. "I'll race you to the water!" Jeremy watched as his friend took off running towards the sea, not even waiting for his response. The Gardevoir was laughing merrily as she ran, overcome with joy.
"Hey! Wait up!" Jeremy cried out as he himself began moving. Grace was faster than Jeremy on the ever shifting surface; she used her psychic powers to all but glide towards the water. Even if he would have gotten a head start, Grace would have beaten him.
Grace laughed as a wave of cool seawater rolled into the shore, splashing her legs as it did so. "I win!" Jeremy arrived all but two seconds later, slightly winded by the unexpected jog.
"You cheated," Jeremy panted lightly. Grace giggled and shook her head.
"No I didn't; don't be a poor sport," Grace said as she stuck out her tongue like a child. Jeremy couldn't be angry at Grace, not when she was acting like this. Smiling, the boy raised a hand to his temple in faux frustration.
"I swear... one of these days."
The next several hours went by quickly for the two Benpers as they enjoyed their time together. Grace frolicked in the ocean like a child, not a care in the world. She wasn't thinking about the decision she had to make or the losses she'd endure depending on her choice; Grace was only concentrating on the moment.
Eventually, the two made their way from the ocean to a small tide pool; the pool was a good distance away from Twinsport and towards the far edge of the beach. It would probably take the two close to a half hour to get back to the beach house where their bikes were parked. Nautical creatures such as starfish and hermit crabs that were trapped by the low tide clung to the rocks and hid under the soft sand of the tide pool. Grace and Jeremy found a large, smooth rock that sat above the rest, giving them a clear view of the surrounding area; the two made the short climb and decided to take a rest there. Grace let out a content sigh as she sat down, her feet dangling over the edge.
"This is a nice spot," the Gardevoir smiled as she looked around. The roar of ocean waves crashing against the walls of steep cliffs a little further down the beach reverberated through the air; that, and the screeching of seagulls were the only things Jeremy and Grace could hear. To be in such an environment made Grace feel happy. Turning to face the boy standing next to her, Grace titled her head slightly, asking, "Don't you agree?"
"It is," Jeremy said with a nod of his head, sitting down next to his friend. Grace grabbed the long, wet edges of her gown and fanned them out slightly as if to allow for the sun to dry them off. The material her gown was composed of out was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. It was softer than silk and more comforting than velvet; the material was also tough and water resistant, but Grace's recent swim had all but drenched it. Tilting his head to the side, Jeremy asked, "Why do you wear that when you go swimming? You have a swimsuit, so you could always go without it."
Grace raised one of her hands to her chin as though she were pondering the boy's questions. After a little while, she finally answered, "I don't really know... I guess, no matter what I do, I'll always be a Gardevoir. When people think of Gardevoir, they think of our dresses; if I took it off, then people would stare strangely at me. I... it'd just feel weird if I took it off in public is all."
Jeremy laughed lightly and shook his head in amusement. "Says the Gardevoir who is wearing a swimsuit over her clothes."
Jeremy had to admit, he was a bit fascinated with Gardevoir and their natural clothing. They baffled him to say the least. Upon doing some research on the topic, he learned that Gardevoir -and the entire Ralts line for the matter- took an incredibly unique evolutionary path compared to other Pokémon. While not physically powerful or too intimidating, member of the Ralts line bore many similarities to humanity compared to most other species of Pokémon; this wasn't to say they were the same, only that the Ralts line and the human race were similar in many regards. Those who believed in the idea that every living creature -be it human or Pokémon- evolved from one original ancestor even believed that Gardevoir were a living missing link, if such a thing was possible, between Pokémon and humanity. For the single ancestor theorist, there were many hints and clues that suggested the possibility be true. Of course, what they lacked was solid proof, and without that, their ideas remained theory.
Gardevoir culture certainly was similar to some human cultures. In the wild, they lived in closely knit family groups and cared deeply for one another; some groups even had artificial housing and made crude use of natural resources. As far as intelligence went, members of the Ralts line consistently proved to be one of the most sentient species of Pokémon alive, if not the most. They exhibited many similarities in behavior, such as a sense of right and wrong, cognitive thinking, and even a sense of shame. It was this sense of shame, some believe, that lead to the development of the garments that Ralts, Kirlias, Gardevoirs, and Gallades wore.
"That's no way to speak to a lady," Grace huffed and crossed her arms. Jeremy looked over and laughed.
"Well, I'm sorry for my behavior, Miss Benper. I'll refrain from such comments in the future," Jeremy said playfully. Grace couldn't hold in her laughter at Jeremy's antics; it wasn't like she was even upset with him to begin with.
"Oh stop it, you know what I meant," Grace giggled while holding her hands up to her mouth. Her eyes were closed in delight as she laid backwards, letting the warm sun bathe her in its rays. "You know, this feels really nice!"
Seeing how relaxed his friend was, Jeremy decided to do the same and let himself fall back onto the cool, smooth rock. He felt the sun wash over his body and engulf it in its warmth. Sighing contently, Jeremy closed his eyes and smiled at the pleasant sensation. "Yeah, I could do this every day." Silence washed over the two as they lay on the rocks and absorbed the sun's rays. Each one was content to simply enjoy each other's presence. After several minutes, Grace finally broke the silence.
"I'm going with you. To Goldrenrod that is," Grace said matter-of-factly. Upon hearing the words, Jeremy sat up -surprised- and looked down at his friend. Grace remained still as she lay on the rock, her eyes closed in satisfaction and a smile upon her lips.
"Grace...?" Jeremy questioned, unsure if Grace had truly spoken what he just heard.
Sensing his surprise, Grace's smile widened but her eyes remained closed as she repeated what she said just moments before. "I'm going with you to Goldenrod," Grace clarified. Jeremy was shocked beyond words at her sudden decision. There was no hint of uncertainty in Grace's voice, only a confidence he'd never heard before.
"You've decided...?" Jeremy asked, again unsure if he was hearing things.
Opening her eyes, Jeremy saw they had a sense of peace to them. Grace sat up and turned her gentle gaze towards the boy. "All my life, you've been by my side. You're my best friend. I love everybody -Mom, Dad, Claire, David- and will miss them all a lot, but my heart is telling me to go with you." Reaching up, Grace gently clutched the shard that protruded from her chest. The Gardevoir turned her gaze away from Jeremy and down at her crimson feature. "So, I'm listening to Mom and Dad; I'm going to follow my heart, and it says to go with you."
Jeremy didn't know what to say. What could he say? He was ecstatic and overjoyed, if not a bit surprised. His best friend, the girl who he'd saved over a decade ago, had made one of the most difficult decisions in her life: to stay with what she knew, or to venture into the unknown by his side, leaving loved ones behind. Despite all that she had going for her in the small town of Twinsport, Grace still chose to be by his side.
She was, without a doubt in Jeremy's mind, his best friend.
Jeremy could only think of one thing to say. It was short and simple, but expressed how he truly felt.
"I- ... Thank you... Grace."
No further words were need. Jeremy was surprised when he felt a damp hand place itself on his shoulder. Jeremy saw Grace gazing softly at him with a smile he'd learned to love. Shaking her head, the Gardevoir lowered her eyes while letting out a satisfied sigh.
"No, thank you... for everything."
And that's a wrap!
I would like to thank you all again for reading the most recent chapter of "Amazing Grace"! As always, I appreciate any feedback and would love to hear from you, the reader, whenever possible. I kindly request that you leave some feedback either through a review or a PM if you feel compelled to do so.
Have a great day! :)
-Write by Faith-