Changed the summary some time back. I love it! :'D What do you think?
I'm going to rewrite the first few chapters whenever I have the time. Also, part of this chapter was written months ago. Just some unimportant fact I wanted to share. :P
Thanks to PorcelainDollxx, Ju5t An0th3r H3d63h06, Rainbowcastle, ChildOfYue and Dani4Short for reviewing~! *dumps cookie crumbs on them* XD And a biiig hug to all those who alerted and faved too. You guys brighten up my day. :D
Disclaimer: I'm feeling cold and sleepy *flips through various geometry construction notes* Nah, I don't own this thing called Pokémon. Nope, not at all.
Previously…
"Yeah, no need to worry, I guess." She grinned and I smiled slightly at the look on her face as she started ranting randomly about how her mother would always worry the most when she said that and how everyone started saying that after that.
What can I say? I like it when my plans work out well.
Okay, whatever. Coincidence and luck. Big deal.
~oOo~
~The Dawn in My Life~
~oOo~
Chapter 7: Rays and Glimmers
~oOo~
It's been a while and yeah, I'm still with her.
"Bet you were enjoying it, little bro," Reggie gushed.
The Grand Festival starts in two days and I'm already going mental here. Her and her panicky attitude. Sheesh.
We made it here to Vermillion City a day back and I insisted that we fly over, since we would never make it on time on foot, and besides, how in the world would that girl be able to walk that distance in crutches?
…Not that I stated that aloud. Don't need her to go all moldy now, do I?
It seems like we're getting along just fine, something I would never ever admit, but yeah, there have been considerably less of her mood swings and she appears much happier. That's a relief.
A few days back she was examined by the doctors. Thankfully they didn't depress her again. It really is a painful job to manage her when she's like that.
She was finally rid of that wheelchair that day. Her legs had been healing well, Nurse Joy told me, but she still needed crutches.
"Argh, no! Come on, one more time!"
There she goes again, being a worrywart. If she keeps this up she's going to make those Pokémon of hers start panicking too. Not even her Ambipom returning to her seems to make her quit worrying.
..She really is something, letting her Pokémon choose what it wanted to do. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be like that if I was her.
Hearing a loud groan, I turned around to see her flop down on the grass. Out of dejection or pain, well I need to find that out. My life is awesome. Not.
"Oh really, huh?" Reggie smirked, knowingly.
I sat down next to her, taking in the sight. Her shoulders were shaking as she took in staggering breaths of air.
She is so troublesome…
"Come on, enough practicing. You'll kill yourself with all your tension otherwise," I drawled but then stopped abruptly. I hope she doesn't take that statement for some weird "AAAH, I NEED TO DIE 'CAUSE I'M WORTHLESS" type of thing. I seriously don't need that.
Reggie chuckled.
Still, she has improved now. Apart from being livelier and more cheerful, she's now got that fire in her eyes, a burning passion to win. Something I always associate with—
Never mind that now.
This reminded me of what had happened the last time. Probably that's why her desire to win has increased tenfold...
…
'"It's just so nice and calm outside, isn't it? You know, even I feel really cooped up and stuff here," she said, looking out into the distance, as the breeze made her hair fly around gently.
"Well, you could practice and stuff now. I could help if yo-" I got cut off by her. Arceus, I'd like to know where she gets the energy for those hugs. She literally is attacking me with them. No matter where she is.
"Thank you Paul! Man, am I pumped now!" She punched her fist into the air, a look of determination on her face.'
…
Anyway, that means I got roped into Festival Training (I refuse to utter the insanely long and ridiculous name she gave to the training sessions) and now I've learned not to underestimate this blue-eyed woman. Saying she's good is an understatement, or maybe it's just that I'm not used to these Contest tactics in battles?
Yes, that's it.
"Aaaahh, doesn't it feel nice to relax after such good training?"
Once again, we were lying on the grass surrounding the training grounds, a cool breeze blowing past. The stars in the night sky glinted liked tiny diamonds on a dark fabric.
…Well, that's what she said.
Anyway, after all our training, we chose to just hang around since the weather was nice and cool. And though I don't know how we ended up like this, it's not something I'm complaining about.
I had actually been resting against a tree, one leg pressed against my chest and the other stretched out in front on the grass, but then again she just had to pull me onto the grass, saying that it was much more fun that way. I rolled my eyes as she stuck out her tongue at me.
We lay there, almost side by side, our hair all over the place, our heads slightly touching each other. She had her arm outstretched, as she enthusiastically 'drew' in the air. But what intrigued me was the expression on her face. It looked like-
"Hey Paul," she said slowly, as if in deep thought. I turned my head towards her to get a better look. She was still staring deep into the sky, that thoughtful expression still etched onto that face.
"Yeah?" I said, realizing that she was waiting for a response from me before continuing.
"What are you planning after the Grand Festival?"
My heart stopped at that innocent question as she now looked directly at me, those blue eyes staring back into my own.
Now, why is that question making me so… so uncomfortable? Uncertain? Uneasy? I don't know.
"I-I don't really know." She directed her attention back towards the dark sky as she hummed in response. Once again she stretched her arm towards the sky and began drawing. I could feel a strange happiness radiate from her, so innocent, so carefree; she truly was in her own world at that moment. I put an arm under my head, one knee bent, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
Back to the question: why? Why is it like this now? I've always been prepared, have always had plans. What is this now? The fingers of my free hand closed around a bunch of grass, turning my knuckles white.
"You don't really need to get worked up you know." She startled me out of my thoughts as her soft hand enveloped mine. Don't tell me I had been speaking aloud again. I relaxed my hold.
"It's okay to be confused some times. It's okay to not really be clear. Even I used to have problems making such decisions; heck, I still do." She grimaced slightly before beaming at me.
Isn't this conversation supposed to be going the other way around, with me being the one consoling her? Or am I being-?
She giggled softly as she resumed her 'drawing'.
I grunted, feeling slightly annoyed by the whole thing. True, I really don't believe in planning out my entire life and strictly following routine and all that gibberish, no matter what people say. The element of surprise is something invaluable, exciting even, for any traveler. But then again, it's not like everything needs to be done on impulse.
I sat up; my weight on my arms now, stretched backwards and closed my eyes as the breeze blew through my hair. I smiled slightly at the serenity of it all. Maybe I was just worrying too much.
I sat back against the tree once again, now looking down at the beautiful face just in front of me. She had fallen asleep.
What a troublesome woman.
Still, I smiled at the sight. Her hair was spread out in a circle on the grass, her fringe askew. She was probably going to yell about her hair later, but I really didn't care. I looked at her with my chin on my knee, my hand gently caressing her forehead as I watched her smile in her sleep. Watching her smile made me want to smile, so much so that I just couldn't help my lips curling upwards into a tiny yet genuine smile.
I looked up at the sky, my dark eyes with their piercing stare boring into its darkness. I felt a ray of hope, a glimmer of happiness, though I'm not entirely sure as to how. Or why.
Maybe I'll know what to do when I have to.
Beta-ed chapter. Thank you Mari-chan~! I know I troubled you a lot.
Exam month *is actually in the midst of them*, so I'll be (read: should be) updating after August. (Though I tend to get distracted anyway)
I've got a poem done... do you think I should publish? *bricked* XP
Reviews would be nice. Thank you. Brrrr, I better go study before I fall asleep. Don't want to fail now, do I?- *snores*