Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon

Sorry it's been so long since my last update! Hope this chapter makes up for it, things are finally heating up at last!

Enjoy.

Chapter Seven

~ Playing With Fire ~

"As the challenger, you may have the honour of going first," Viola said graciously, holding her camera at the ready in anticipation for Riolu's first move.

"Okay… here goes nothing," I muttered under my breath. With pokémon like mine it wouldn't matter if I moved first or last, I was going to lose either way. Pushing those thoughts aside I tried to concentrate on Riolu, who was standing a couple of metres in front of me, his paws hanging low by his side but curled into fists to show he was geared for battle. "Riolu, use Force Palm," I ordered, trying to sound confident but miserably failing.

Riolu barely waited for me to finish speaking before he was moving forwards. For a moment my breathing quickened as I began to wonder if he was actually going to obey me for once, but then instead of raising his paw and forcing it down onto the surskit he feinted to the side and threw his whole body at the tiny blue spider as if crashing through an imaginary barrier and my heart dropped back down to my feet. Of course he wasn't going to start listening to me now. "Rio!" he cried as he toppled on top of Surskit – but instead of landing on the blue bug he landed where Surskit had been half a second ago. Not having prepared for the awkward landing Riolu struggled to get back on his paws, and I almost predicted Viola being quick to take advantage of the situation and order her pokémon to hit mine while he was weak.

"Quick Attack," she called calmly, all of her earlier enthusiasm replaced with a calm sense of focus.

Moving with lightning speed the surskit slammed into Riolu, sending the much bigger pokémon sprawling back to the ground. "Rio," Riolu grunted, rolling over onto his back.

"Wow. That's some speed," I whistled. However strong Riolu was, he was no match for Surskit's speed.

A jeering voice from the spectator stands drew my attention away from the battle briefly. "Didn't you know? Surskits are famous for their speed." James was standing at the railing, a smug look on his face. Ignoring him I turned back to the battle only to find Surskit had jumped onto Riolu's paw to keep him pinned down. Riolu was trying to swat the tiny pokémon away but the little bug was too fast for him, dodging each of Riolu's swipes.

"Riolu, use Counter," I called out to him. If he could deal twice the damage to Surskit as his opponent managed to deal him then we might be in with a chance – however slim it might be.

But Riolu, determined as ever to ignore me, struck Surskit with a forceful paw. To my surprise the attack actually hit and sent the blue pokémon flying across the battlefield. "Riolu!" Riolu growled proudly.

"A good idea to use Force Palm like that," Viola commented thoughtfully, her camera sweeping the battlefield. "But it won't do my Surskit much damage!" I frowned, wondering what she meant. It had looked like Riolu's Force Palm had done plenty of damage to me. No way would Surskit be able to get up after that.

"Fighting type moves are weak against Bug type pokémon," James filled me in. His voice was so arrogant; he was so full of himself that I wanted to knock him over the head with a frying pan. But unfortunately I didn't have said kitchen implement, and besides I needed to keep focused on the battle.

"Use Quick Attack once more," Viola ordered her surskit. To my surprise the tiny pokémon leaped back on its feet, and I closed my eyes not daring to look as it collided with Riolu.

The collision never came. Opening my eyes a crack I noticed Surskit had fallen back down and was twitching on the ground. What the-?

"Force Palm must have paralysed Surskit," Viola voiced her thoughts, curing my confusion.

Riolu wasted no more time in dashing speedily towards Surskit. Realising what he was about to do I hastily called out, "Quick Attack!" so it looked like I had planned it all along. It was too late for Riolu to change moves just to spite me, so he swiped a paw at the tiny bug pokémon and sent it flying into the gym wall.

"Surs…kit," Surskit managed, climbing shakily back onto its feet. How could it still be standing after that?

"Quick Riolu – finish it off," I ordered, not quite daring to issue an attack because I knew I would only be ignored. The only way we could win this was if I let Riolu decide his own moves. Riolu didn't pay any attention to me, and simply raised his paw to bring it down on Surskit in a Force Palm, finally rendering the gym leader's pokémon unconscious. "Phew," I murmured. "One down, one to go."

Riolu looked pleased with himself as Viola reluctantly returned her fainted pokémon. "You did good Surskit," she thanked her pokémon before clipping the pokéball back onto her belt. Remembering that my own belt had been a gift from Calem I brushed it gently with my fingertips. Maybe that was why I'd actually managed to beat Viola's first pokémon. The belt was like a good luck charm! "Come on out Vivillion – show this newbie what you can do!"

A pokémon with dazzling pink wings burst forth from the pokéball. Its body was fairly small compared to its wings, which were the length of Riolu's body, but despite looking a lot more like a show pokémon than a battler it somehow managed to seem intimidating.

Riolu didn't seem to think it posed much threat however, and so when Viola gave the order for her pokémon to deliver a Tackle, Riolu didn't even bother to brace himself for the impact. I tried telling him to dodge but that seemed to make him even more determined to face the move head on. Vivillion zoomed towards Riolu faster than I would have thought possible, and the collision kicked up dust as Riolu was sent flying backwards. When the dust cleared I could see Riolu was out like a light, and I groaned. Stubborn thing. If he'd just listened to me he wouldn't be unconscious. "Return," I sighed, holding up his pokéball. I only had one other pokémon, and I knew I'd have to use her now however much I didn't want to. Glancing down at her, I saw a keen look sharpen in her eyes. Was she actually excited for this battle? "Go on Fennekin, I guess you're up," I said at last, unable to delay any longer.

"Fenne, Fennekin!" The small fox pokémon jumped in front of me, legs spread out evenly under her in a battle stance.

"Use Ember," I tried. Viola's pokémon was a bug type which was weak to fire, so if Fennekin would only listen to me then we could finish this battle quickly. But no, Fennekin had to be difficult and wag her tail at the vivillion instead.

"Tail Whip, hm? Vivillion, counter with Harden!"

I braced myself for some harsh move which could wipe Fennekin out in one go, but all that happened was the opposing pokémon shining a steel-grey colour for a few seconds before it faded away. "Well, that could have gone a lot worse," I commented. "Come on Fennekin, you have to listen to me. If you just use Ember we can end this thing and get out of here," I tried to persuade the fire pokémon, but she acted like I didn't even exist.

Sounding her battle cry, she lunged towards Vivillion and jumped to scratch the butterfly's body. "Fennekin!"

"Viv," the other pokémon hissed, flapping its wings and moving away from Fennekin. Viola called out for it to repeat its last move, and I sighed. Even though Vivillion wasn't doing much to damage Fennekin this battle was still a lost cause. I may as well just give up now.

"Fine. Do whatever you want Fennekin. Just don't come crying to me when Vivillion knocks you out."

Fennekin glanced back at me this time, a determined glint entering her expression. "Fenne." Turning back towards Vivillion she opened her mouth, flames shooting out in bullet form. Oh, so now you use Ember.

"Viv!" Vivillion shrieked, thrown back by the force of the flames. The attack had badly singed the pokémon, and it was a miracle it was still standing.

"Nice try, but with Vivillion's defence having been raised by Harden you're going to have to do better than that," Viola told me. So that's what Harden does. "Hang in there Vivillion, and use Infestation," she commanded. I had no idea what move Infestation was, but something about the glint in the pokémon's eye told me I didn't want to find out. Looking over at Fennekin I knew I couldn't just do nothing, but I couldn't try and order her around either or she'd ignore me. I bit my lip, thinking. That's when an idea came to me.

"Fennekin, use Tail Whip," I said commandingly. Fennekin glanced around at me, looking confused, so I added, "If we can lower Vivillion's defence then your attacks will have more power." My reasoning seemed to be believable for Fennekin, who promptly ignored me and issued another Ember – exactly what I had wanted to happen. The attack met Vivillion's Infestation head on, and because it was a fire move verses a bug move Ember won out, bursting through it to hit Vivillion hard.

Vivillion cried out in defeat as the attack hit, and it gracefully fainted and fell to the ground.

Viola stared at her fainted pokémon mournfully before returning it, murmuring her thanks into the pokéball before storing it away. "Young trainer, you… No, it wasn't you alone," she began, walking towards me. "You and your Riolu have shown me a whole new depth of field! Fantastic! Just Fantastic!" The light was back in her eyes as she cradled her camera as if it were a precious gem. The gym leader held up a bronze coloured badge with two green spheres to liken the badge to a bug, and offered it to me on an outstretched palm. I stared at it, unable to believe what had just happened. "You deserve this," Viola told me. "It's the Bug Badge. I have to admit, I thought you wouldn't manage to pull off a win for a moment back there – your pokémon don't seem to have quite warmed up to you yet. I suggest more training is what you need, but your pokémon are certainly strong." Her praise filled me with a strange feeling of pride. I actually managed to win a gym battle! "Now then, can you zoom in a bit and check out that tent behind me?" she asked, grounding me again. I nodded. "Take the stairs that you find beyond it, and you'll be back up to the entrance faster than a flash!"

"Thanks," I said, and walked past her with Fennekin trotting at my heels.

As soon as I emerged back into the entrance room from behind the painting of a purple bodied pokémon with translucent white wings the man who had welcomed me to the gym, spotted me and waved me over, his gave lighting on the badge in my hands. "Whoa-ho-ho! Wouldja look at that Bug Badge! Nice! Very nice, future Champ!" His enthusiasm seemed to be catching, for I couldn't hold back a small smile of pride. "I bet that schmancy-pants professor who gave you your first pokémon'd be amazed to see it! After you heal up your pokémon in the Pokémon Centre, why don'tcha head on up to the Pokémon Lab in Lumiose City and show it to him, huh?" Yeah, I bet Professor Sycamore will love that I won this stupid badge, I thought sourly, my bad mood worsening when I saw James return from the spectator's exit. I didn't hesitate to wonder what had taken him so long – instead I just headed straight out of the gym, heading first to the pokémon centre and then setting off on the road out of Santalune.

As I approached the gate I saw that the woman from before was still standing there, and she hailed me when I got a bit closer. "Oh, you… you are, aren't you? You're one of the kids who got a pokémon from Augustine Sycamore, right?" Didn't we already have this conversation? I wondered silently, but gave a confirmation nod anyway. "Would you look at that! You got a Bug Badge! Looks like I might have a new scoop. To beat Viola at your young age… You really are something, aren't you? Oh! Sorry, I never did introduce myself, did I? I'm Alexa. The Gym Leader you just faced, Viola, is my younger sister. I work as a journalist myself," she explained. "I work at the big publishing house up in Lumiose City. Feel free to stop by anytime if you have the next big scoop to share with me!" And with that, she turned and walked away, in the direction of Lumiose City.

"Well," I began dryly, "That was weird."

"Are you planning on standing there all day or are you actually going to move anytime soon?" James' voice came out of no-where, and I'm ashamed to admit that I jumped.

"I thought I lost you," I scowled, and turned to see him standing about a metre behind me with a smirk on his face and a light breeze ruffling his hair. I'd not seen him since leaving the Gym, and for a moment I'd dared to hope I wouldn't have to see him again.

Beside me, Fennekin snorted. I irritably nudged her with my foot, inducing her to glare at me.

"Nope," he replied, casually popping the 'p'. "I just had some business to attend to. Now are we going or what?" He strode forwards, passing me and confidently starting down Parterre Way. He didn't look back to see if I was following. He didn't have to. I was too curious to let him just carry on like that, so I caved and hurried after him.

"What 'business'?" I asked. The gravel of the path crunched loudly underfoot as I had to trot to keep pace with him; his long legs certainly gave him the advantage when it came to speed.

James glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "Ah, wouldn't you like to know?" His reply was almost as annoying as his expression. He knew exactly how infuriating he was, and he delighted in it.

"Since we're travelling partners now," I took a moment to grimace before continuing, "I have a right to know what you were doing. Because if you were off stealing something then I absolutely refuse to have anything to do with it."

James shook his head. "You have so much faith in me," he drawled. "But I'm on the run remember? Keeping my head down is my main priority right now." He didn't say anything more, and although I considered continuing to pester him I decided against it. I highly doubted he would relent and tell me anything, and in my opinion the less time we spent talking the better.

As we walked, my eyes drifted around to take in our surroundings. The path we were on was wide, and both sides were bursting with colourful flowerbeds oozing with sweet scents and disarming aromas. Interspersed between the flowerbeds, which as far as I could tell had been planted haphazardly and in no particular pattern, were patches of rich green grass and low, neatly cut hedges. It was clear they were regularly maintained, and I wondered why. Sure, they were easy on the eye of passers-by, but didn't it cost a lot to employ a gardener to keep the flowers and hedges by the side of a path which was state property and not belonging to any town or city? Momentarily forgetting who my present company was I almost voiced these thoughts, but I stopped myself just in time. Frowning, I glanced over at James. He was walking on the opposite side of the path to me, although I was sure when we set out we'd been walking closer together. It took me a moment to realise that I was the one who had drifted away from him as we walked.

"Fennekin!" the little fire-rat suddenly veered off the path, bounding into the flowers – which, I noted absentmindedly, were tall enough to completely conceal her.

I groaned. "What now?" I wondered out loud.

"Aren't you going to call her back?" James asked, stopping to observe us in amusement.

"Nope," I said, mimicking how he'd popped the 'p' earlier. "It's not like she'll listen to me anyway."

"So what, we're just going to wait until she gets back?" James sounded incredulous.

"Nah, if she wants to get lost then that's fine by me. But knowing her, she'll probably turn up later just when I've gotten up my hopes that she's gone for good." I paused a moment longer, watching the flowers rustle in a snaking pattern as Fennekin wove her way between them, before turning away and beginning to walk again.

It was a nice day and I tilted my head back, revelling in the warmth and serenity. Until James caught up to me, that is.

"You're not worried about her at all?" He sounded like he couldn't believe my behaviour.

I raised an eyebrow. "And you are? That's rich, coming from a thief."

"Enough of the 'thief'," James muttered. We had reached the top of a few steps that led down to a large fountain now, and I skipped down them lightly, abruptly overcome by a slightly dangerous feeling.

"Oh, okay, shall I call you 'blackmailer' instead? Oooh, or maybe I'll just call you BM – it's sort of like a codename for blackmailer, since you're so fond of names that aren't your own," I shot back, not caring for the consequences of my taunting. Maybe I was being a bit harsh, and maybe I shouldn't have snapped like that. But after everything he had done, I just couldn't feel guilty about the expression on his face. He looked thoroughly scolded, and for a moment he seemed so vulnerable that I almost uttered an apology.

But then his eyes darkened and his hand shot out to grab my arm. He jerked me towards him, and unprepared for the strength of his pull I collided with his hard chest.

"What are you doing?" I gasped, trying to push away from him. "Let me go!"

His grip was like iron, and he hooked his other arm behind my waist so I couldn't escape. I hated to admit it but he was stronger than me, having the advantage of nature on his side. Nonetheless I tried to struggle away from him, but to no avail.

"You know nothing about me," he hissed, bending his neck so he could look me in the eye. I became suddenly aware of just how much taller than me he was – even when I was pressed up against him he still towered over me.

"Okay," I muttered, feeling extremely uncomfortable with our current position. It occurred to me that to any onlookers – of which there were plenty with such a pleasant day as this and on such a main path – we would look like two lovers sharing an intimate moment. The thought made me want to gag. "I know nothing about you. Now will you let me go?"

James' eyes searched mine as if looking for something specific, but I had no clue what it was. I was tempted to bring my right knee up hard in between his legs, but however much I hated him at that moment he did still know my secret and if I didn't play nice he might tell Calem and the others. Even so, if he didn't let me go soon then I would risk it. Being so close to him made me feel like an itchy rash was developing on my skin.

"Never assume something about somebody unless you know the full story. And never, ever test my patience again. Understand?" His voice was so low it was almost a growl, and I turned my head away as his warm breath hit my neck.

"Okay," I insisted, "I get the message. Just-"

"Serena?" Calem's voice sliced through James and I as if it was a cheese knife and we were the cheese. James recoiled his arms and I peeled away from him in one smooth motion that somehow managed to conceal the storm of turmoil raging inside my chest.

Calem was standing at the top of the stairs that I had jumped down what felt like an age ago, but actually mere minutes had probably passed. His eyes were wide and darting between James and I like a bunnelby dashing from tunnel entrance to tunnel entrance, unsure of which one to enter first. "What… What are you doing?" He sounded wary, as if he didn't want to jump to conclusions, and a deep blush rose up from my neck to envelope my face as I realised what Calem probably thought we had just been doing.

Speechless with horror at being caught in such a compromising situation by the boy who may or may not have stolen my heart when I first set eyes on him, I darted a quick, pleading look at James, begging him silently to help me. But all he did was smirk, apparently back to his usual carefree self. I didn't know what just now had been about, but now wasn't the time to ask.

"Oh, Serena and I were just-"James began, his tone playful.

"Fennekin!" I burst out, turning precipitately back to Calem. My voice came out at lot louder than I had meant it to in my desperation to cut James off before he said something I would have to make him regret, and I winced as it seemed to echo in the air.

Calem frowned, confused by my exclamation. "What about Fennekin?"

"Uh, she ran off, and we were looking for her, and I thought I, er, I thought that I heard her behind the fountain, and I was running over here but James was there and I hadn't seen him and we sort of crashed and he was just steadying me and then you come along and surprised me again and I'm so worried about Fennekin I just can't think straight at the moment!" Finishing my higgledy-piggledy explanation during which I hadn't taken a single breath, I finally stopped to draw in a big gulp of air.

I didn't dare to look at Calem, afraid that he would call me out for lying. Out of the corner of my eye I could see James visibly trying not to laugh at my mumbled excuse, and I made a mental note to punch him later. If it wasn't for his stupid mood swing we wouldn't be in this situation at all. My words had all been falling over themselves and I was surprised Calem had been able to actually understand what I'd been saying. But he didn't question it as he stepped towards me and, to my utter (but not unwelcome) disbelief, pulled me into a hug.

"Hey, it's okay, you don't have to explain. I get it," he soothed, gently rubbing my back.

I was so startled that I was completely frozen, not knowing what was going on. All I knew was that, for some reason, Calem was hugging me, and rubbing my back, and his arms felt strong and safe, and his embrace was so warm and comforting that I didn't ever want it to end. Then I remembered what he had just said, and tried to formulate a coherent reply. "You get it?" I questioned, trying not to sound too confused.

"Yeah," he murmured. "You're upset because you lost Fennekin. If I lost Froakie I would be a mess as well."

Oh, of course! He thought I was worried about Fennekin! For once, the little fire-rat actually did me a favour. I'd have to thank her later, if she ever showed up again. For now, I was content to just enjoy the hug.

As Calem drew back slightly so he could see my face, but keeping his arms around my back, I caught a glimpse of James. I'd forgotten he was there, and I shot him a swift glare to remind him that I was still mad at him. He was watching us with his hand over his mouth, shaking slightly with silent laughter. I decided to ignore him, and focused back on Calem.

"Don't cry," Calem whispered, reaching a hand up to cup my face and wipe away a tear that had formed in the corner of my eye. "I'll help you." I hadn't even been aware of my eyes watering until he mentioned it. Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I supposed that I had gotten so caught up with trying to explain myself to Calem and desperately hoping he didn't misinterpret what he had seen that my emotions were all over the place and tears were welling in my eyes because of the emotional rollercoaster I had just experienced. Plus, the fact that Calem was actually cupping my face in his hands was making my heart beat like crazy and my knees almost melt. I still wasn't sure how or why this was happening, but I was determined to make the most of it.

"Thank you," I told him earnestly. "It means a lot to me that you-"

A disgusted sound from James interrupted us, and we both glared at him. "Yuck. You two do realise that there are other people here, and no-one wants to see you being all lovey-dovey in a public place. PDA much?"

Calem turned red in embarrassment; I turned (even more than I was already) red in anger. How dare he ruin this moment with Calem? But Calem had already let go of me and was walking towards James before I could do anything. I sighed. At least it had been magical while it lasted.

"What are you even doing here anyway?" Calem asked, narrowing his eyes and crossing his arms.

James also folded his arms across his chest, mocking Calem by mimicking his stance. "None of your business. Now move along kiddo, I don't have time to waste bickering with you."

Calem's jaw tightened at being called 'kiddo'. "Oh I'd love to stay here and argue with you all day, but Seri and I have a pokémon to find, so if you don't mind we'll be going now." He turned back to me just as James began childishly mocking him.

"Aww, 'Seri and I', how adorably disgusting."

Calem whipped around. "Leave it," I hissed at him, but frustratingly he ignored me.

"I don't like you," he stated plainly, causing James to laugh. "I don't know why you're here, but I'm warning you – if you mess with Seri again, or if you even try to talk to Seri again, I'll…" It was really sweet of Calem to try and defend me like that, and the romantic inside of me was squealing at his protectiveness, but the more practical side of me was shaking my head fondly because his threat fell flat there, as he had nothing to back it up with. As much as I liked him, I had to admit that Calem was absolutely rubbish when it came to the whole threat-and-or-blackmail thing.

James snorted, his eyes sparking with amusement. "You'll what? Talk me to death?" he mocked.

Calem gritted his teeth and curled his hands into fists.

"Oh, and by the way, didn't you know? Seri and I…" he began, only for me to push in front of Calem to send him a death-glare.

"Seri and you…?" Calem prompted darkly.

"We're mortal enemies," I cut in quickly, before James could tell him we were traveling together. Calem didn't need to know about our arrangement. I stifled the tiny voice in the back of my head that was squeaking that the amount of lies I was telling him were mounting up. What Calem doesn't know won't hurt him.

"Right," James drawled, shooting me a teasing look that Calem couldn't fail to miss. "We're mortal enemies."

Calem took a step forward, squaring his shoulders. He wasn't quite as tall as James, but he didn't let the height of the other boy intimidate him. "Just leave her alone in future," he growled.

"Yessir." James mock-saluted, and Calem turned away angrily.

"Come on Seri, let's go and find Fennekin," Calem murmured, taking my hand. I blinked, staring down at my hand in his.

"Right… let's find Fennekin," I agreed faintly, unable to believe that we were actually holding hands. All of this seemed kind of dream-like, and I was sorely tempted to pinch myself just to check that it was real.

Before we could go far however, James called to us. "By the way you two…"

"What?" I snapped, turning back ready to march over to him and slap him only to stop in shock. In his arms perched a very smug looking Fennekin. I cursed under my breath.

Calem dragged me over to James. "But… How did she get there? Did you take her?" he accused James, getting angry again.

I don't think I'd ever seen Calem so worked up before – he was always so calm and collected – and it made me feel happy inside that he cared enough about me that he would get angry on my behalf. Not that I needed him to fight my battles for me though.

"Yeah, James, how did she get into your arms?" I narrowed my eyes. But my glare was directed more at Fennekin than James – just trust her to show up right now and in James' arms of all places.

James winked. "Guess she just likes me so much that she couldn't resist gravitating towards me."

Calem glanced at me, looking like he could hardly believe his eyes. "Well, at least you know she's not lost anymore."

"Hm?" For a moment I was confused, but then I remembered that earlier I had been really 'upset' because I hadn't been able to 'find' Fennekin. "Oh! Oh, yes!" I rushed over to Fennekin reaching out to her in what I hoped was a convincingly relieved manner. "Fennekin, I'm so glad you're safe! I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you for good!"

Fennekin snorted, partially disbelieving and partially amused at the display I was putting on for Calem.

"You are so two-faced," James muttered in a voice low enough that Calem couldn't hear him from where he was standing at the top of the steps. I ignored him.

"Can I have my Fennekin back now?" I asked him pointedly.

James shook his head. "As hilarious as it is watching you trying to live two lives, you need to get rid of that idiot. You're traveling with me, remember? And I'm not having him tagging along."

"What do you mean I'm 'trying to live two lives?'" I protested quietly.

"If you don't give Seri back her pokémon then I will make you," Calem warned from behind us, presumably thinking James was purposefully being difficult.

I realised that I needed to avoid this confrontation blowing up in front of me if I was to keep my cover. James was playing nice right now, but if Calem went too far then he might reveal my secret – and that was something I couldn't risk. Knowing Calem would never leave me alone with James, I quickly whispered, "Look, I'll meet you at the gates to Lumiose City after I've talked to Calem. Okay?"

James hesitated. But then he nodded, and handed Fennekin back to me. "Don't be late," he warned before sauntering away. Calem walked forwards to join me.

"Good riddance," he muttered.

But before he had gone too far he called back over his shoulder, "Be careful Serena – you're playing with fire, and girls who play with fire get burned."

His comment left me seething, but there wasn't much I could do about it right at that moment in time. So I stayed where I was, standing next to Calem, watching him disappear down the path.

Author's Note: I hope the battle at the beginning wasn't too boring, I tried to make it as interesting as possible. And things seem to be getting tense between Serena, Calem, and James! I just wonder how much longer Serena will be able to keep up this little act of hers...

Please review, and thanks for reading!

~ Jay