[Don't you miss her?]
Chapter three - Yes
Time runs away extremely fast when you're swimming in your thoughts. Damned thing waits for no one when you get lost and try going back to the right track...
It is hard to find someone when your pride prohibits you from telling the others what you're trying to do. My search for now is as slow as a fat sleepy Slacking.
It's... Weird. So weird. I can't believe I've just lost two days thinking about May and searching for any hints about her current status. While everybody is working on their Appeal tests, I'm here hiding inside my room staring at my "where's May" notebook with several inconclusive notes.
That's depressing.
After hours trying to fetch more information from my traveling partners (without raising any suspicious about my interests), all I could find out was that everybody actually had May's PokeNav number and how they really tried calling her in the past months... Yet she didn't answer any of them.
Oh, and the most recent thing about May? She was last seen together with her mother eating in a lamen noodle house in Petalburg, according to Brianna's friends from "Master Drew Fanclub" (don't ask, I didn't name it) - May's extraordinary hunger caught their attention by emptying bowls in the speed of light. Brianna didn't remember when exactly that happened.
So stupidly stalkerish - I know it, right? I could easily have asked May herself for her ID years ago instead of acting like a creeper now. But hey, I'm still the mysterious and cool coordinator in a friendly rivalry with the Princess of Hoenn... My fans don't know this stalker who is avoiding his friends in order to find out if May is okay or not.
That's perfect boy Drew for you... Charming prince on stage, pathetic loser in his mind. Heh.
Thank Arceus that people cannot read each other's thoughts. My career would be so doomed.
Focus. Focus, grasshead.
Anyway, I tried calling her number for the first time - and alas, as expected, no answer from her side. I'm stuck again in step number one.
Should I ask... Ash Ketchum? Brock? Max?
Uhhh, Team Rocket?
I think that's a dead end? I never saw any of them again and I'm pretty sure the first two don't remember me anymore; May's brother should - but I have no idea how to find him. He's probably back to his house in Hoenn... Which doesn't help me at all. I mean, where in Hoenn do May and her brother live?
What were their names... Dawn? Zoey?... N-Nando, I think? Geez, I have no idea who are her coordinator friends from Sinnoh.
Writing down several names on my notebook, I noticed that I actually knew her close friends and family better than expected. Yet, at the same time, I felt a bittersweet feeling in my tongue - as if I didn't know enough any of them. Familiar names and faces who were vaguely thrown in a corner of my memory boxes.
I can see inside my thoughts that many files are lost in the wrong place. It is quite weird, since most archives are systematically organized by categories, importance, date... But there are some random memories scattered around on the floor.
May?
Beautifly and frisbees. Her first Contest and her first defeat. Contagious laughter, funny and expressive faces, clumsy Appeals. Sour Miracle Berries in Mirage Island. Our promise. "See you in Sinnoh, Drew."
Suddenly, I felt inside my chest a warm thug in my heart. Was that another warning?
"Time waits for no one, Drew... But that doesn't mean you can't change stuff at the last moment, right?"
Sometimes May can be stubborn and spoiled like a brat but I know she's a very special girl. Her niceness and natural cuteness overshadow her lack of patience and other major weakness.
Heh, those ocean eyes... Those damned ocean eyes that charms my sight, waves that keep taunting my feet. Do you want to take something away from me, May? Why?
Why now, why do these memories and images about her don't leave me alone?
I woke up again under a pink heavy blanket and an angry face staring at me.
"Mr Drew, this is the last time I am covering you. Next time I catch you sleeping in the main hall, I won't give you a blanket neither I will bother to wake you up before people leave their rooms."
Nurse Joy sighed, taking away the thick guest book from my hands.
Chansey showed me a pocket watch: 4:15 am.
Damn, I felt asleep again flipping pages during late hours.
"Could you please act like a normal person and do your personal research in a regular time? What you're doing is definitely not healthy for your body."
"I'm sorry, that won't happen again..." I could only look away and bite my tongue in embarrassment. "I..."
She's right. Trying to hide my stupid mania is only making me look even more stupid.
Do I miss her?
"...Uh, thank you for everything and I'm sorry about all this trouble."
"You must really like that person," she stopped furrowing her eyebrows in reprehension and gave me a soft smile. "I understand the one you're looking is important but you need to rest. That person would agree with me too, right?"
I tried to smile and look like a charming boy but all I managed to express was a yawning frown.
Well, I was very tired.
Worried that she could get angry with such stupid answer, I did my best to complement my stupid face with a witty answer.
"Yes, she's important."
A really awkward reply that doesn't answer the original question.
But that's all I could think and say. 'She's important' - I was so exhausted I'm even not sure if I actually said these exact words.
Surprisingly, Nurse Joy somehow understood what I meant. She just giggled quietly and dismissed me with a hand wave.
I woke up in my room with Brianna's typical friendly (and insecure) SMS beeping on my PokeNav.
[Good morning, Mr Drew!
I hope I didn't interrupt your sleep, I'm very sorry if I did wake you up. Please forgive me!
Ms Solidad asked me to message you, I'm sorry if I'm bothering you!...
Ms Erika will host today a workshop about "Class, Beauty and Plant Pokemon" at her Gym and we thought that might interest you.
I know you are an expert at grass pokemon but Erika's pokemon are very pretty, they are fantastic! We can all have some ice cream after the masterclass, how about it?
Please come with us if you're free today, it will be fun! If you still training for tomorrow's Contest, I wish you good luck and I hope we meet soon!
See you! :) ]
Cute.
Undeniably cute... But no, I'm not feeling exactly excited for doing anything until I solve my mystery.
Going out with friends, social events, all of this... These are supposed to be nice and pleasurable but... Ugh, no.
Skipping that lovely invitation wouldn't hurt anyone, right? Dropping it in ten, nine, eight, seven...
I was about to delete the private message when I suddenly lost my mind and kept staring at the red button I was about to press.
(...)
"Hey, Drew! Are you free tonight?"
"Not really. What's wrong?"
"Wrong? Oh, nothing is wrong! Would you like to watch the fireworks on the beach with me?"
"Uh.. Why? I mean, now?"
"Yeah, I know you can see them from the hotel's garden but I found a great place to watch the show, it's near the rocks and the sea.
It's a beautiful place, this is going to be a special moment for sure!"
"Sounds good. It will be nice to stay away from all those people."
"Yay, alright! Let's go, Solidad and Harley are already there on the beach waiting for us!"
"Ah. Hm... Never mind, then. I'm going back to the hotel."
"Uh-Wait, what? Drew!"
"I'm sorry, May. I guess I'll rest in my room instead, today was a very long day..."
"Drew..."
"You're not alone, don't worry about me. See you guys tomorrow, enjoy the fireworks for me."
(...)
No, no, no...
No.
No!
No, I must stop doing that! It's because of this stupid avoiding behavior that I'm here today without a single clue about what the heck happened to May!
[Hey, Brianna. Good morning, thanks for the message. I'm sorry, I guess I'll have to skip it again. I have to (...)
Can we have some ice cream after tomorrow's Contest? I'll be back later.
See you, cheers.]
It made me feel a little better typing that short message, yet I forced myself to only send it until I found a proper excuse to fill the blank space after "I have to".
I mean, I can't just say "Hey, I'm looking for May" - that would sound incredibly weird...
Turning the TV on, I flicked through the channels looking for ideas.
"Oak's Lecture Time!"
...As if losing my time watching TV would help me solving any of my problems. Geez, maybe I should give up on trying playing the detective.
"We're here today in front of Celadon's Hotel to interview one of the most important pokemon researcher in the last decades, Professor Samuel Oak!"
"Hello, Johto Channel! It's a pleasure to be here today with you."
"So, what do you have for us today?"
For Arceus, this is stupid! I have no clues and no ideas of where should I start looking for―
"I'm going to talk about the Eevee line, a rare and fascinating pokemon commonly bred in Celadon City. In the next hour we will discuss about its evolutions and unique features!"
―Wait.
This... Is exactly what I need.
[(...) I have to talk to Professor Samuel Oak, he might have the answer for something I've been looking for a while. Call me if any of you need anything.]
"Tomorrow's going to be an easy Contest. Tomorrow's going to be an easy Contest..."
Those were the words I kept enchanting to myself while I rented a bike to chase Professor Oak instead of training Absol's Appeal for Celadon City's Contest.
Today I learned that I should try cycling more often or else it will ruin my reputation - I don't think a sweating and panting Drew is considered the "Prince of Roses" neither the "Elegant Coordinator from LaRousse". Almost surrendering before the 20-minute mark, I kept riding and singing the mantra to avoid collapsing on the floor in exhaustion.
While I was crossing the avenue to the Game Center Corner I saw a van from the crew of Johto Channel on the other side of the city.
"Hey!"
Parking my bicycle and running with the most casual expression I could put on my face, I waved to the cameraman and the journalist resting inside the van. "Is Professor Oak still around?"
"He went to Celadon PokeUniversity after we finished the clip then went back to Celadon Hotel, over there." The young woman answered, pointing at the building near the Gym. "I'm not sure if he's still there, though. Profesor said something about an appointment and a helicopter, he's probably returning to Pallet soon."
"Damn..." I bit my lower lip in distress. "Thank you very much, I gotta go."
I entered the building and discreetly entered the elevator, heading straight to the heliport area.
Tapping my fingers on the mirrored wall, I wondered for the first time that, perhaps, this crazy searching actually had a purpose.
It's something about May... And maybe more about myself than I would like to admit.
My world is just fine the way it is now. I'm fine with my life, I can say I'm a "happy" person.
To show your feelings, to let yourself open your inner Pandora's Box... Reality is harsh and I know that opening a small entrance to the outer world means I can get hurt. It is comfortable to stay in my safe zone - however, I can't stop thinking about all the things I'm missing from blocking every single connection attempt. So far my emotional slips only brought me embarrassment and annoyance, but... Honestly? I think I want to keep trying, I don't know exactly why but I just feel it.
I don't know if I should call it a temptation... Or a subtle awakening.
The elevator reached the last floor. Crossing a long corridor, I saw a tall hotel staff man in front of the door to the heliport area.
"Excuse me, sir... May I see your pass or your room card?"
"Is Professor Oak there?"
"Yes, he has just entered the heliport area." The lanky man answered courteously but refused to leave his place. "May I see your pass or your room card, please?"
"Let me see him, please." I frowned in impatience. I admire and respect efficient people - but definitely not when I need to act out the rules. "It's something urgent, I'll leave as soon as we are done."
"I'm sorry, sir... You need a check-in before I let you enter a private area."
"Well, then this should be enough for my check-in. "Opening my wallet, I took a large sum of money and placed it on his hand. "...Please?"
The man stared at me with puzzled looks for a moment - then opened the door to the entrance.
(Don't judge me, money isn't everything in life but it does help solving many problems.)
I was right on time: Professor Oak was chatting in a garden area with an assistant while finishing having some coffee. A couple of bags and packages on the table - they were fully set to leave Celadon City and head back to Pallet Town.
Trying to sound as casual as possible, I joined the circle with a short and polite greeting.
"Hello, may I interrupt you for a moment?" Grinning in style, I smiled to the two men in the table. "Excuse me, my name is Drew and I'd like to talk with you for a minute, if that's not a problem."
"Oh, sure! I'm very sorry but we are in a hurry today," Professor said with a condescending voice, waving his hand as if he was trying to apologize himself. "Our helicopter is coming in a minute but I'll do what I can. Is it something I can answer really quickly?"
"Oh." My smile froze down into a blank stare. "Yes, I think so..."
Professor Oak and his assistant looked at me, waiting for an answer.
I opened my mouth to ask my embarrassing question, ready to be everybody's mocking target. "Professor, I..."
Break out the safety zone.
"Well, how can I say..."
C'mon, break out the safety zone.
Ask him―
But I couldn't say it.
"―Can I... Go with you?"
What the heck I was thinking?!
That worked perfectly.
Yet it was a stupid idea.
"Wow! This Roserade is in a perfect shape, do you think it is ranked in a top score according to the effort values system?"
"Most likely, Tracey. Drew, your team looks so healthy and lively! You should be proud of your pokemon... By the way, did you and Eevee decided what evolution you're going for?"
No, it is not nice that I'm listening to Professor and this Tracey guy talk about my pokemon inside a helicopter heading to Pallet Town.
"I'm not sure yet..."
I sunk my face into my hands - it looked like an indecision sign about my pokemon's choices, but seriously? That was a pure display of mourning and denial about my stupid idea.
"I'm so confused, I need a sec to think about it more carefully."
"Making choices is hard, especially when you have no second chances. Take it easy." The assistant shook his head in a friendly nod. "But I am pretty sure you and your pokemon will find the ideal answer. Judging by your team, you are pretty analytical and wise!"
"He's right, young man. It reminds me of that old saying about how excellence is never an accident."
"Hm?" Tracey grabbed a notebook and a pen. "Never an accident?"
"It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny." Professor declared the quote with a poetic voice, handling me few colorful folders from his bag. "Well, either way... Here, these might help you. This is Bill's latest material about Eeveelutions, can you believe we've just found a new form living in a far away continent?"
"I can already see the lab and the hills," the piloted called from the cockpit. "We're probably landing in five minutes."
"I think that's all I can offer you for now..." Professor Oak smiled. "Is that all you want to know?"
I don't know what does decide my destiny―
"Professor... How can I contact May?"
―But yes, I miss her.
Professor Oak frowned his eyebrows in puzzlement, obviously intrigued by such weird and unexpected question.
"Pardon me?"
"Huh, the coordinator from Hoenn..." I felt my cheeks getting redder and warmer, as if my question was something truly awkward. "Ash Ketchum's friend, little Max's older sister."
"Oh, Norman's daughter!" He clapped his hands once. "That one, right?"
Norman? The Normal Gym Leader of Petalburg City?
"Eh?"
"May is Caroline and Norman's daughter! I'm sure you can find her calling the gym." Professor Oak laughed. "I don't have their number but it's very easy to find it, just ask any gym leader and you should be fine."
"Brock got it, doesnt he?" Tracey raised his index finger in the air. "He's the gym leader from Pewter."
I felt the world melting below my feet and a big sign saying "you should be fine, idiot" being place over my head.
May's family is famous. How did I never know that?!
"Wait," Professor Oak stopped me before I ended up renting another bike and riding away to Pewter City. "I know someone who probably has the telephone number of their house in Petalburg."
Pallet Town is a very simple but pretty place. Green hills and flowers peacefully blend in the country life scenario, small groups of houses appear once in a while on the horizon and very few wild pokemon can be seen around the road. It is quite isolated from the center of Kanto but I can understand why May used to say how it was "charming" town.
"A Pure White Beginning" - I wonder if Pallet's motto is a reference to the other color-named cities. I mean, it would be funny to imagine any other meaning to this line...
[Beep beep]
Solidad messaged me.
["Are you alright?"]
Great, I guess she noticed I was being more avoidant than usual.
Taking a long and meaningful breath, I typed her back the blandest (and real) truth.
["I'm in Pallet Town, brb"]
Nope, I didn't bother inserting any details about that answer.
Walking down a ground road, I spotted a light blue house with a very colorful garden. A woman wearing a summer hat and her Mr Mime had just arrived there - I tried to call her but my voice could only emit a weak whisper that remotely sounded like a "o?".
"...Hello?"
"Yes?" She smiled gently, resting a basket of pink roses in her arms - which were, by the way, very healthy and well-groomed flowers. "May I help you?"
I know what are good roses so I can assure you something: that woman knew how to take care of them; she definitely had good hands and something about her gave good vibes to the environment.
It's hard to explain, but Mrs Ketchum emanates a warm but mysterious aura around herself. It's like an ordinary-looking person hiding extraordinary powers - and not in an intimidating way.
"Well..."
I felt my cheeks getting warmer and my voice shaking a bit - this was going to be very embarrassing...
I mean, Ash was May and Max's friend. I had never talked to him before, we only exchanged few words a couple of times and we battled against each other... Once?
"My name is Drew, I think Ash has never told you about me but―"
"Oh! Nice to meet you, Drew... You're the coordinator from Hoenn, right? Please, come in!"
"―Huh?..."
A/N: I'm falling asleep on the keybord right now so this chapter might have some (huuuuge?) slips, I will check it again later to pick up some mistakes that might have escaped from this morning's editing. Oh, Oak's comment about a new Eeveelution was a coincidence once I've written most of this chapter few months ago, way before Slypheon/Ninfia's announcement lol.