"Kam, come down for breakfast!" My mother's voice woke me up and to not risk getting chewed out by her from not listening, I obeyed, grabbing a sleeping Skittles.
"What's up, ma?" I yawned, rubbing my eye with my hand while clutching Skittles in my other arm. She looked kind of sad, forgotten maybe. Then it hit me: she said to be home by dinner and I wasn't. I sat at the table next to her. "Mom, I'm sorry. We were having so much fun that we forgot to check the time. Truly, I'm sorry." Letting Skittles go, I leaned over to give her a hug. I had never blown her off before, and seeing her so dejected made me feel like a dick.
"I understand, sweetie, don't worry," she hugged me back, smiling at me as she broke the hug. I could tell it was forced. I grimaced.
"Let me make you breakfast, okay?" I offered hesitantly. I had no idea what to make; I always had canned food on the road. I got in the fridge and pulled out eggs and bacon. That would have to do. Skittles decided to join me by jumping on the counter and trying to steal the bacon.
"Skittles seems more eager to eat than myself," Mom chuckled softly, putting the pink kitten down on the floor. "Don't burn the bacon, honey." She scooted me out of the way and took over preparing the food. She always did that, but I had learned a lot of what I knew by watching her do things. I was terribly observant. She flipped the food with ease. She used to tell stories of her being a chef on the S.S Anne before I was born. It's how she met my dad. But Dad had died only a couple days before I was born…
"Thanks, mom," I said with a mouthful, sliding a bit of my food to Skittles. She was a spoiled little shit. And she stayed out of her pokéball more often than not.
"Anytime, baby. I've missed making you food. It's been so long since you left for your journey…" I saw the slight hint of tears swell up in her eyes, but she blinked them away. "Anyways, finish up. Ash's mom called earlier saying he was waiting for you." I frowned at her, wondering why he would be waiting for ME, instead of vice versa, then I remembered: the Celadon City Hotel Pass!
"I totally forgot!" I shoved the breakfast into my mouth and tossed the dishes in the sink. "Thanks mom!" I ran upstairs and after a quick shower, threw on my signature outfit: a short red parka with a green undershirt, damaged short shorts, red knee high socks and black high tops. I snatched my string backpack with my pokéballs and other things and flew down the stairs.
"Call me when you get to Celadon, Kam!" Mom yelled after me as Skittles and I waved goodbye and sprinted out the door. Ash's house was about a quarter of a mile from mine and it didn't take me long to get there. I knocked politely but charged in soon after. Ash and his mom sat on the sofa in their living room, watching TV with Pikachu.
"Oh, good morning, Kamryn. You got here pretty early," Ash's mom said, looking at the clock above the TV. 9:38am. Damn, it WAS early.
"As soon as Gary gets here, we'll leave, okay?" Ash spoke, not able to contain the excitement. He had to have been excited for the same reason as me: the Game Corner. Of course, now it wasn't being run by Team Rocket like it had been all those years ago, and it was actually enjoyable to go to. I scooped up Skittles and sat down on the floor by their sofa, waiting on Gary. He wasn't ever one to be late, considering he had gotten to the party first, and he and Ash were the first ones to my house, rather than it being me. It started to worry me.
"Myrah," Skittles sensed my worry and licked my cheek. I couldn't help but squeal.
"Skittles, you are just sooooooooo adorable!" I squeezed her affectionately, listening to her purr.
"That's a funny way to say, "Gary", Kam," I turned my head to the familiar voice and there stood Gary Oak in the Ketchum doorway. Ash's mom giggled at the Oak boy's comment and began to push Ash and me towards the door to Gary before anyone could even say hi.
"Take care, you kids! Have fun! And don't forget to change your underwear, Ash!" She gave her a tight motherly hug at the sight of his dark tomato-colored face.
"Moooooooooom!" he whined, hugging her back, then pulling away after hearing the snickers of Gary and me. "Let's go guys," he grumbled, snuggling his Pikachu close to him. He was the only one not laughing. We walked out and back again to Route 1. Celadon City was too far away for a day's walk, so one of us had to call upon a flying type Pokémon. But neither one of the boys had one. I did.
"Kronos, come help!" I tossed out a pokéball, and from it emerged my Charizard. I had picked Charmander from the Kanto region as my starter, and I had trained him all the way up to a Charizard. He was quite the sight. The boys hadn't seen him since he was a baby Charmander. "We need to get to Celadon City. Wanna do that for me?" I petted his neck lightly. I tried not to ask much flying of him, as he hated having to carry people, but he didn't seem to mind.
"Damn, Kami, you raised a beast!" Gary bellowed and I flushed slightly from the compliment. Ash didn't seem impressed, per se, but he was sure excited.
"Let's go guys!" He exclaimed, jumping up on Kronos' back. The large Pokémon growled in irritation but the raven-haired boy didn't seem to mind, and as Ash and Pikachu got comfortable, Kronos settled down.
"Here Skittles, I know you don't like heights," I returned her to her pokéball and shot Gary a glance. He was staring at my Charizard, almost dumbfounded. "Does my Kronos scare you, Oak?" I teased, climbing up on my Pokémon's back. He snapped out of his trance and followed me.
"No, I'm not. I'm just surprised this creature was trained by you, of all people." But before I could rebuttal, Ash shouted a command to Kronos: "Take off, Kronos!" and to my surprise, my Pokémon obeyed. I let out a startled squeak as I wrapped my arms around Ash's waist to keep from falling off and Gary followed suite with my waist. His arms seemed to fit there, I thought. The motherfucker needs to hug me more, damnit. That's what friends are for!
"Wahhhhoooooo!" Ash bellowed, for what seemed like the entire ride there. He was such a cutie. He always enjoyed doing anything that involved Pokémon. I heard Gary chuckle behind me.
"You'd think he'd never ridden a Pokémon before with that obnoxious yelling."
"And you'd think you'd never ridden a Pokémon by the way you're shaking!" I hissed jokingly. He wasn't really, but I always loved to annoy him; I knew he'd never do anything to hurt me, only rebuttal with verbal violence or pervertedness. But to my surprise, instead of replying, he pulled me closer to him, to where I felt his front side on my back. It made me blush, big time. Other than hugs, I hadn't ever gotten that close to him. I felt his warm breath on my ear as he spoke into it.
"Watch your back, sweetheart. You know how I feel about feisty girls. Don't make me regret my actions," He uttered so darkly, as if his words were supposed to be taken seriously. I knew he was joking, especially if he was talking like that; he had to have been. I turned my head around to face him and grinned.
"I'd like to see you try something, Oak," I sneered, nodding triumphantly as I turned back around. He was silent the rest of the way, no response to my statement, barely any movement. All that could be heard was Ash's screams of delight and Kronos' breathing. And like that it continued until Kronos stopped in front of the Celadon City Pokémon Center.
As we jumped down, I stroked Kronos' wing. He was so tired from having to carry three people. He deserved a rest.
"Return, baby, you did such a good job." I gave him a kiss on the nose and returned him to his pokéball.
"Where's my kiss, Kam?" Gary whispered to me, "I mean, I did keep you from falling off your own Charizard." Um, what? I gawked at Gary Oak, astonished and trying to process what he said. We were never in any threat of falling off… As I realized, I smiled evilly and grabbed Ash quickly, throwing him into Gary.
"Here's your kiss, Gary!" I hollered, not being able to contain my laughter. I'd thrown Ash well enough that they had touched noses! It may not have been a kiss, but it could have been mistaken for one and THAT was pretty damn funny! But instead of them getting all embarrassed, they embraced each other lovingly and smiled.
"Gary, Gary, I love you!" Ash joked, pretending to cry.
"Ash, I've always loved you!" Gary played along, winking at me when I glared at them for not doing what I expected them to. They were just too good of friends. Nothing I could do would faze them.
"Okay, okay lovebirds, let's get to the hotel to check out our room."
So, the hotel was a bit of a rip-off… we were only allowed one room! Which meant, we all had to share a room! Ash and me had to share a room, with a girl. I mean, don't get me wrong, Kamryn was our best friend, so nothing would happen, but that didn't mean it wouldn't be awkward!
"I call the bed!" Kam sang, flopping down on it before either of us could. I rolled my eyes. There was no sense in arguing. She would just pull her pouty face and the rest would be history. She looked too damn cute when she did it, though I'd never admit to it to her face; that's not really my style.
"I want this sofa then!" Ash followed after, crowding the couch as if some kind of furniture predators were going to take it. And because there was no other thing to sleep on, that meant I had the floor. Not something I looked forward to.
It had taken nearly all day to get here, and the whole ride over was just amazing. I couldn't speak. Kami had flirted with me, knowing it or not, and for some reason, it just paralyzed me. I knew she couldn't see but I had been smiling like a mad fool for the entire trip. She'd done it before, jokingly, in the past, but this time felt different. She felt more mature. And her body that close to mine… just thinking of it made me blush, and I tried to think of something different to avoid being questioned about my red face. It was just strange; Kamryn didn't feel like my best friend anymore. I couldn't explain it; my feelings were playing tricks on me. And I didn't like it. I just couldn't think of us being any more than friends. That's how I both wanted it to stay.
When we settled down in the room, Kam got on her phone and called her mom. Most likely because she told her to. Her mom was always really protective of her daughter. Must have been nice… Ash and me sat in front of the lone TV, being indecisive on what channel we wanted to watch.
"Just no soap operas, okay? I hate that stupid shit." I grumbled. My sister Daisy always watched that bullshit. I saw no reason for it, and couldn't believe some went on for years. They were all the same: something to do with doctors and lovers then babies, drama and death. And she'd get so upset over it; over a TV show! Like, she'd cry and shout things at the TV like the characters would listen! Ugh, it was nauseating.
"Jeez, Gary, why are you so grumpy?" Ash replied, turning the channel to a cartoon. I shook my head. I couldn't explain it to him; I couldn't even explain it to myself! I guess I was just getting irritated about what happened earlier, but I couldn't tell Ash that. Luckily, he didn't pry, only shrugged and contently watched the cartoon with Pikachu. Seeing Ash all snuggly with his Pokémon made me want to cuddle with my own so I took out Umbreon's pokéball and released him.
"C'mere boy," I held my arms out and he jumped in them. I may have been a hardass, but my Pokémon would always have a spot in my heart. They were my Pokémon equivalent to Ash and Kam, and speaking of her… She had gotten off the phone with her mom and was staring out the window at the city, which was lit up with the city lights. It looked like millions of stars so close, sparkling bright. But Kam, she seemed distracted, distant. I decided to see if something was wrong. I motioned for Umbreon to follow.
"Hey Kam, you alright?" I asked warmly, sitting down next to her. She didn't move. Maybe she didn't hear me. I reached a hand out and put it on her shoulder, and she snapped out of her trance, with a frightened gasp. She swung around and grasped my arm in defense, but let go once she noticed it was me. Something was wrong.
"O-oh, hi Gary," she exhaled, flashing a faint smile for me. But I knew that it was put-on. And she knew I wasn't that stupid.
"What's wrong, Kami?" I heard my voice oozed concern and it sickened me. I wouldn't have been so worried if it were anyone else. It was just because she was my best friend. I hated seeing her upset. She never needed to be upset, so me and Ash would usually cheer her up before she could feel worse. In this case, I was glad it was me, though I couldn't explain why.
"Oh, it's just… Mom's all lonely and was saying she wishes I was back home again… she's so clingy with me. I'm not used to it." She sighed when she finished talking, but waved a hand in the air. "But it's alright. I'll see her again after a couple days." Oh, yeah, that's right. The pass offered a two-night, three-day stay at the hotel. And because Celadon City was such a big and lively city, we figured we could find something to do for the next two days.
"Okay, if you say so," I shrugged and began to get up, but she grabbed my arm and stopped me.
"Why did you do what you did on Kronos today? Why did you grab me and say that?" she asked quietly and I felt my face get hot and my body got chills. I hoped she wouldn't bring it up, but of course I have the worst luck with that. I didn't know how to reply; and luckily, I didn't have to.
"Do you guys know if they have room service?" Ash inquired, jumping between the two of us, fortunately for me. Kam's eyes lit up at the thought of food. I swear she was a bottomless pit.
"Yes, yes they do! Call down, Ash! I want some pizza!" Ash nodded to her and grabbed the phone, typing in random numbers until he finally found the room service number. They were hopeless. I took that opportunity to slide away from Kam with Umbreon and back to the sofa. The cartoon Ash was watching earlier still played. It was a Pokémon cartoon, but I didn't know the name. I never watched cartoons at my age. Those were for little kids, or Ash and Kam.
"What kinda pizza do you want, Gar?" Ash asked, turning my focus from the TV to him.
"Pepperoni," My favorite. Ash nodded and proceeded to tell the person on the other line what other ones we wanted. He wanted straight cheese and Kam wanted all meat and… mushrooms. Yuck.
"But mushrooms are soooooo good, Ash!" She whined when Ash made a face. I was on Ash's side for this. I stroked Umbreon's head affectionately, and he smiled up at me. He totally agreed; mushrooms suck. That's why we were best friends.
"Oh hey, Gary, look at this!" Kam jumped off the bed and pulled out two pokéballs, releasing the Pokémon inside. Out popped an Espeon and Sylveon. "This is Solara and Zephora!" she said proudly, pointing to the Pokémon respectively. She must have stayed a while in Kalos to get a Sylveon.
"Woah! They're awesome!" Ash exclaimed. Knowing him, he probably hadn't even gone to Kalos yet on his journey. He was so slow. I looked at his partner; Pikachu was completely infatuated with Zephora.
"Pika, pikachuuuuuu," the Pokémon smiled at the pink Eeveelution and Zephora seemed to laugh, along with Kamryn.
"You silly Pikachu," she tutted and gave her Pokémon a kiss on the head before returning them to their pokéballs. She always had such girly Pokémon, aside from Kronos, of course. And she always seemed to think they could beat me or Ash easily. The thought of it made me smirk and I decided I would challenge her sometime in the future to see if they could.
There was a knock on the door only seconds after Kam returned her Pokémon and Ash answered it, taking the pizzas and paying the deliverer. That pizza smelled fucking good!
"Gimme gimme gimme!" Kamryn squealed, taking a box with half cheese and half meat and mushrooms. She took two pieces and handed the box back to Ash, who in return gave me my box. Hell yes, a whole box to myself! "You'd better be thinking of sharing some of that pepperoni pizza, Gar-Bear!" Before I could protest, the girl snatched a piece for herself and one for Ash, who had gotten a piece of his pizza jacked from Pikachu. I growled through a mouthful of pizza.
"Thiff iff mai flooood!" I forced out, pulling my box away so she couldn't take anymore and she laughed. She just couldn't keep her hands off any food; if she was around food, she was stuffing her face.
There was much silence as we scarfed down the food, and the only sound to break the silence was various belches from the three of us. And since it was so late, after midnight to be exact, we headed off to bed.