Bi-weekly update, my ass. It has been ten months hasn't it. *becomes bullseye for sharp objects*
FORGIVE ME. As if the long hiatus wasn't bad enough, I lied about updating bi-weekly. I lost my muse for something else and my brain ran off to do random things but continuing my story. Truth to be told, I was so stuck in this part of the story and I just want to quit. But my mail keeps getting review notices, and I feel like crap for leaving this story behind.
If you want to know the reason why it took me so long to write out this part (other than my writer's block and the upcoming final exam), blame the fire scene. The explosion scene. YES. Here's how the cycle works : Maybe I was high when I designed the plot, and I keep thinking how stupid and unrealistic the scene could get. I keep rewriting it over and over and eventually I gave up. Then I received a new review and decided to try again, and I gave up again. Repeat ad infinitum.
And of course I also re-read my previous chapter and realize how awful the grammar is. I wish I have the willpower to re-write them, but noo...
Just saying, this chapter... isn't really worth the ten months of waiting. Like I said before, I'm having real trouble writing it out and I feel like banging my head to the wall. I finished it so I can finally wrap out the events in previous chapter and move on. I'll make it up in the next chapter (hopefully, soon enough).
The reason I had the nerve to post this excuse of a chapter is because I don't want to keep what's left of you guys waiting. I'm sure many of you had given up on this story. It's my fault anyway. *headdesk*
Disclaimer : NO I DONT POKEMON 'K?
~ Subway Trouble ~
Chapter 9 : Moving On
Two pairs of eyes – one light blue, another dark blue – widened, it's surface reflecting either surprise, horror, fear, confusion, or a good mix of all. Those negative emotions are all justified, but that's not the only thing those orbs reflected. There was another.
It was fire. As in, fire.
They've never really seen a real fire like this. Sure, they've seen fire-type Pokémon that could spit out flames. But that was an entirely different matter. It's those sort of fires they would see in an action movie, dangerously dancing around to burn everything that was too close. But that was in the movie. This is the real thing.
"Wh-what happened?" was all Hilda could muster in her state of shock.
"…Fire? But how?" Cheren murmured more to himself, attempting to compose himself.
The two Nuvema trainers did not make any movement, as their surrounding started to panic. Other subway participants started to run to the other cab, trying to warn the other trainers and to inform the officials. Eventually, Cheren took a deep breath, and turned to his childhood friend. "It's fire… And that room! Look, you know what that room is, right?" he tried to sound even, but it came out slightly cowered.
Hilda nodded slowly, heart beating as fast as a Rapidash. "Yeah… Water's out of the option. She didn't know why, but this kind of fire is much, much different than the fires Pokémon could produce. It's… more dangerous? It's hard to explain, but the fire unnerved far more than she liked, and she's pretty sure Cheren felt the same way.
Cheren re-adjusted his glasses. "I hate to say this, but we shouldn't act stupid and play hero. Let's back off and ask one of the attendants." As if it's on cue, a brunette attendant came running to their way. Her face paled when she saw the crackling fire on her view, but quickly regained her vigor and ran to both Hilda and Cheren. "You kids! Quickly, move to the other cab!"
Cheren was about to nod, but Hilda interrupted him, her blue eyes widened in realization. "Wait, Cheren! Isn't that… a Pokeball?" she motioned to the floor between the fires. True to her words, it was the red and white ball they all knew. "Whose could it be?"
They've been childhood friends since they could remember – and Cheren knew Hilda a bit too well, and her stupid tendency not to think straight if it comes to Pokémon. "Hilda, you're not – "
"I know what you're saying, Cheren. It's dangerous…" Hilda smiled a reassuring smile, with Cheren eventually sighed in relief, but his eyes twitched the next words that came out. "It's not too deep in the fire, so even though I don't have my water Pokémon, I'm confident I'll still make it."
Cheren groaned.
The explosion caused a massive, short-lasting tremor. Hilbert almost losing his footing (Bianca just fell straight to the floor). And the next moment, trainers in their cab started to panic, not expecting a loud explosion to join their challenge. Wait, is it part of the – naah, no way. Luckily the subway's attendant was quick to order the trainers to move to the back cab, some entering the door that leads to the 'exploded cab'. Well, 'exploded' might be an exaggeration… But hey, was that fire?
Bianca stood up, dusting her white skirt, before she yelled. "Waah!" Bianca cried as she spun her head left, right, down, up, and behind so fast it's almost a blur while covering her ears. "What was that? Explosion? Is it a bomb? Is it the PokeTerrorist? Oh no, is our cab going to explode too? Where's the bomb disposal team – "
"Bianca, calm down." Hilbert himself had covered one of his ears with a finger, but mostly it was because of the klutzy blonde's long panicking. He is pretty curious of what happened (and considering the loud explosion seemed to come from where Cheren and Hilda were), but first thing first. "Well, let's back off a few cab just in case this cab might get caught in another explosion – "
"Waah! So this cab is bombed too?"
"No, I mean – "
"Oooh, maybe I should've followed Dad… but no way! I have to keep – "
"Bianca, please – "
" – but I don't wanna explode! Moreover – "
"Bianca!" Hilbert can't stop himself from shouting, but eventually notices his mistake when the girl jumped at his loud voice. He rubbed his neck and softened his gaze. "Yeah, sorry. Well, let us just move somewhere safer, okay?"
Bianca looked at Hilbert weird.
"You're not going to check what's up?"
"Huh?" the brunet was silent for a split second, before his brown eyes narrowed. "What, you want to check out what's wrong?"
"Well! We have to!"
"But – "
"Why not? You're not afraid, are you?" There wasn't any venom or mockery behind those words, but it does stab a bit of the brunet's pride.
"No, of course not." He retorted back a bit too fast.
"Then what are we waiting for!" Bianca gushed, the danger doesn't seem to surface in her mind despite her endless panicking just a minute (or half) before.
"Are you kidding me? If something happens to you, I'm sure Cheren and Hilda will throttle me!"
Both Hilbert and Bianca were so busy debating with each other, Hilbert trying to tell her that it might be a bit dangerous for the klutz, and Bianca's subtle jab for being racist ("Just because I'm girl I'm not allowed to join in the fun?" "No, that's not what I mean, and this is not fun…") before changing her mind and mentioning what would he do if Hilda were in her position and – okay, enough of this. Well, the debate went a bit louder, and they didn't notice a pair of trainers get past them, one of them a bit panicky.
"Ooh, maaan, I thought I put out the candle! I don't know!" one of them tried to reason, but his partner cut him off.
"What are you thinking, litting up a candle on a generator room? You do know there's a gas tank somewhere inside, right?"
"No… But! Its not supposed to roll over to that gas tank thing, right?"
"And now look what you've done." He deadpanned. "Say, what are you going to do now?"
"Uh…" He realized that he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if this fire is really his fault… well, maybe he could try to make it up? "Uuuh, I'll put the fire out? I got a water type…"
The 'idiot' one was just waiting for the snide remark from his partner, but instead of sarcastic applause he expected, he received a strong pat on the back. "Look at that! You're going to man up and clean your mistakes!"
Well, actually, they didn't know what's going to happen from that very act.
"Just a tiny bit more…" Hilda was very careful, pale arms started to redden due to the fire. But what if something happened to the Pokemon inside? Cheren was against this, obviously, but she had a bit of Hero Complex in her blood. She felt like that trainer from a popular anime that helped almost everyone on his journey for no reason at all. Well, whatever.
"Hilda… the fire's getting intense." Cheren started to speak. "Get back here or you'll burn your sorry hands, and I won't be mourning for you." He lied, of course.
"Shut your trap." Hilda replied, squinting her eyes, fingers spread out in an attempt to pull the capsule to her direction.
"You know..." the boy started again. "I'm sure a Pokeball is designed with a protection measure, as not to harm its occupant.
"You have a point, but still..." Hilda gritted her teeth. "Imagine yourself stuck in a capsule with your surrounding on fire. Even though someone assured you that nothing will happen... would you stay calm? Think how the Pokemon would feel."
"It might be a fire type inside."
"And it might be a grass or bug type, too."
Cheren rolled his eyes. "I give up. Do whatever you want. I shouldn't even bother trying to convince you."
"Duuh." Hilda was about to make another remark when she heard someone shout :
"Palpitoad! Water Gun!"
It was another quick blur, with Cheren's face turning pale, Hilda's oblivious moment as her finger reaches the ball, and some other ruckus. It ended up with yet another explosion.
"Are you an IDIOT!?"
Who? I'm not an idiot.
"There's just some stuff you can't just spray water into!"
"Sorry... sorry..."
What?
"Here, I have a Tympole! We can extinguish the fire a little bit, just to save them first."
Who turned off the air conditioner? It feels like I'm in an oven or something.
"Hilda! Cheren! You there?"
I'm here, I guess... Why is my head feels pretty darn heavy anyway?
When Hilda came to, she found herself staring at the ceiling, her vision still blurry. It took her awhile to notice that she was lying on her back. Her mind seemed to refuse to stay awake though. She weakly tilted her head to find her friends sleeping nearby.
Bianca's head was on the bed, next to her knee, her feet sprawled on the floor and her green blanket covered only half of her body. Cheren was fast asleep on a sleeping bag just nearby. Meanwhile, Hilbert slept in a sitting position, leaning against the bed with a blanket over him.
She had no idea what happened, but she wasn't in a hurry to know. Her head still feels heavy anyway. Time to go to sleep again...
The next morning, she felt something blowing against her face. Whatever it is, its leaning against her face rather close. She too could faintly hear people's voice, occasionally calling out her name. Bianca's, Cheren's, and Hilbert's. And she also felt something heavy in front of her... Wait...
She snapped and opened her eyes, only to find a pair of big green eyes staring at her. The owner of said eyes quickly perked. "Hilda! Thank Arceus, you woke up!" In excitement, the blonde started to shake the brunette's shoulder rapidly. "You're awake! Guys! Hilda is awake now!"
"Woah - Bianca - stop!" she coughed out.
"Yes, we can see that, but she won't be awake for long if you keep doing that." Cheren coughed repeatedly while Hilbert gently pulled her away from the brunette.
Hilda took a while to unwind herself from the ride, before she looked towards her friends. "Uh, morning guys... what happened?" She held a hand to rub her temples. "I thought we're still on the battle subway?"
"We were on the battle subway yesterday," Cheren replied, ignoring Bianca's annoyed look shot at him. "Remember what happened? The fire?"
"Uh, fire?" Hilda tilted her head slightly. "Well..."
"You don't remember?" Hilbert finally spoke out, approaching the brunette. "There was an explosion nearby your cab when Bianca dragged me."
Hilda tapped her forehead several times, attempting to recollect her memories. "Oh! That, I remember a bit." She clapped her hands before deflating for a bit. "Can't say I remember the next, though... Sorry."
Hilbert shrugged. "Don't be."
Cheren readjusted his glasses. "Well, carbon monoxide exposure might result in a memory loss, but I don't think the toxic gas' concentration is that high..."
"Stop the nerd talk, Cheren." "Uh, talk in normal English, please?" Came two complaints from his two childhood friends.
"Memory loss from CO poisoning usually comes from chronic exposure. It's probably just the headache that confuses her thought."
Hilda looked at her brunet friend weird. "No, please, don't tempt him to start his nerd rant."
Came her friend's explanation about the earlier incident. Apparently, someone was idiot enough to lit a candle inside a generator room. Scratch that - apparently they had the bright idea to make the generator room available to public. The bumpy ride made the candle roll over to the worst place, and causing an explosion. Then some guy decided to shoot water directly onto the room with lots of electrical current, causing even more big boom. That knocked her and Cheren out, though the latter wasn't nearby the fire so he's pretty much safe from harm. Can't say the same for the former, though. Fantastic.
After the doctors deemed Hilda healthy enough to go, she wasn't hesitant to leave the place as soon as possible. She never liked hospitals that much. She hoped that she'll never ever get hospitalized. (A/N : *snickers*)
And the evening Hilda was released from the infirmary, the four friends decides to visit a sandwich joint (the one Hilda and Hilbert decided to have an eating contest before - the owner was positively rigid when he saw them enter his joint) to celebrate it.
"So how's the new subway?" Hilda asked out of curiosity as she sipped her MooMoo milk.
"Who knows, they'll probably shut it down though. Considering how inefficient things are, and that incident..." Cheren commented as he wiped his glasses with a napkin.
"Inefficient? Well, the whole thing was fun!" Bianca chirped.
"You think that was fun? Reciting that scene from Poke-Titanic movie was fun?" Cheren retorted, scowl slipping into his tone.
Hilda almost choked on her milk. "They made you do that scene? The one at the stern?"
"Yeah!" Bianca nodded as if oblivious to the withering glare that the black haired boy sent her. "I had to play as the male one, though."
The image of Cheren, spreading his arms and spouting some romantic lines with Bianca strikes Hilda's funny bone. She erupted in a mad laugther, followed by a light snicker that is from Hilbert (though it was evident that he did his best holding in). Bianca blinked in confusion when she notices their amusement while Cheren slammed his head to the table.
"Pfft, ahaha! I wish I could've seen that!" Hilda managed to tone down her laughter if only because the sandwiches has arrived. "It would be soo funny!"
"More like hilarious," the brunet boy added as he unwrapped the sandwich's cover, devouring the food in a matter of seconds before taking another one.
Cheren bit back a growl, glaring at the oblivious Bianca. "I thought I told you to be quiet about that."
The conversation continues after Cheren successfully changed the topic into something less embarrassing. They started to share their personal stories during the journey, though occasionally Hilda found herself pestered by weird questions by Bianca, who's gotten interested about her relationship with Hilbert all of the sudden while the boys talk about something else. Sometimes one would catch Hilda opening her mouth, but she paused and decided to keep it shut and fidgets with the rim of her cap instead, looking uncertain. Other than that, this dinner also includes a deja vu inducing occurrence where Hilda and Hilbert decided to order another stack of sandwich, complete with the looks of surprise and/or horror from Bianca, Cheren, and the onlookers.
Cheren decided to leave the joint first, claiming that he feel sick from witnessing Hilda's and Hilbert's so-called 'dinner' (more like a feast). Bianca stayed with the two glutton until they were satisfied and decide to call it a day.
"Woah, it's already eleven? Look how fast the time fly." Hilda tapped her Xtransceiver, noticing a new mail from her mother. She decided not to read it now.
"Really?" Bianca started to fiddle with her own Xtransceiver. "Oh, it's true!"
"Then should we go back to the Pokemon Center?" the only male in the group suggested.
Hilda mumbled something beneath her breath before she shook her head. "Eh, I think I'll walk around a little bit. Need to get those foods down to my stomach."
"Copy that, I think I'll need a walk too." Hilbert shrugged, stretching his arms. "You, Bianca?"
"Then I'll go with you - no, wait a minute..."
Bianca looked serious in her thoughts, causing both Hilda and Hilbert to look at each other weird. It's rare to see Bianca actually think seriously - the last time it happened, it only lasted for mere five seconds. Now it's a minute and counting up.
The blonde eventually shook her head, grinning with an almost mischievous glint in her eyes. "Tell you what! I'm kind of tired, so I think I'll hit the hay first." She skipped away from her friends as they reached a crossroad.
Hilda raised her eyebrows. "Uh, okay. We'll walk you to the Center then," she suggested, and the brunet boy nodded his approval.
"Oh, no need!" Bianca giggled a bit too loudly. "The Center's just past this street! I'll be fine!"
Hilda wasn't convinced. "You sure?"
"I'm not a little girl anymore, Hilda!" Bianca complained, putting her hands on her hips and glared at her menacingly (or at least what the blonde thought was menacing since her companions barely flinched - Hilda rolled her eyes in response while Hilbert shared her a sympathetic glance).
"Well," Hilbert interrupted. "It's just past this street, I'm sure she'll be fine. Doesn't mean that we should continue our stroll to the other way."
"No, and no! I don't want to a little nuisance between the two of you." Bianca suddenly exclaimed, but she managed to continue before the two of them could question her weird statement. What nuisance? "Well, good night, Hilda, Hilbert!" Just like that, the blonde sprinted past the bridge to the Pokemon Center, almost tripping at the stairs.
Hilda blinked several times as she raised her hand to wave, fully knowing that Bianca couldn't see her. "Uuh. Good night?"
Her companion crossed his arms with a puzzled expression. "What was that all about?"
"No idea..." Hilda muttered. And for some reason, I think I don't want to know, she thought to herself.
"Well, I guess that's that. You have somewhere you want to go?" Hilbert turned to face her. She only shrugged in response.
"Actually, no idea. I don't feel like going to sleep now, though." She spun her head to many direction, scouting for a place to visit. Her eyes caught the bright neon lights from the Ferris Wheel, and she pinched her nose.
"Eh, no thanks." Hilbert scowled, also noticing the bright amusement park and her reaction. "I really don't feel like going to that place for now."
"Me too. I'd like to wash my head off Team Plasma or N or anything similar for now."
Both shared a knowing glance as they started to trot around to find a place to relax. In the end, they decided on a bench next to the Pokemon Center with the view of the water way and a fountain just nearby. Despite being in the late night, Nimbasa has more than enough amount of street lamp and neon signs to compensate the darkness. Hilda settled her bag beside the bench, and after a yawn, she threw herself to the seat.
"You sleepy already?" Hilbert sat down beside her, taking off his jacket and placed it respectfully next to his bag. Hilda blinked for a swift moment. I guess I really am used seeing him with the jacket, now I feel weird - ARCEUS-DAMNIT! Hilda swore to herself internally.
"Uh, no." She eventually answered before he assumed her dozing off again. "Well, not too sleepy. I'd like to stay out a little longer."
"And you'll wake up late again next morning," he pointed out with a snicker.
"Shut it." Hilda retorted, though the amused smile betrayed her bitter tone. "Say, let's play another game to pass the time."
"What game?"
"You know, the one we played back at the subway to Anville! I'll start : Minccino!"
Hilbert groaned.
"Emboar!" Hilda said just as soon as Hilbert finished his turn.
"Darn it, stop giving me hard letters!" He bit his lips in thought. "R... r... hmm..."
"Ten seconds!" The girl warned, holding her sides in laughter.
"Shut. Up." He glared at her before going back to his thought. "Hmm, what Unova Pokemon started with R anyway?"
Hilda's snickering went a level higher. "Pfft! You have a Pokemon whose name started with R, you know..."
"Really?" Hilbert fingered the Poke Ball in his belt as Hilda covered her mouth and cursed herself for her big mouth.
"Ah, I got it! Reuniclus!"
"Servine!" She countered, not missing a beat.
Hilbert looked at her incredulously. "Come on! I can barely take a breath!" She stuck out her tongue in response, clearly enjoying their game. "Hmm, E... e..." His brown eyes started to canvass the surrounding. His gaze settled on the amusement park when something clicked in his mind.
"Amusement park, the gym, Elesa... Ah! Emolga!" He snapped his fingers.
Hilda grinned. "Nice one. Audino!"
The brunet's eyes twitched and he took a sharp breath. "Good grief. What starts with O..."
For some reason, seeing the boy's antics really made her day and she could barely hold her laughter when he clicked his tongue. He looks almost childish, it's rather cute - wait a minute, did I just thought him cute?
She slapped her cheek and started the count. "Five, four, three, two, one! That's it!"
He slammed his fist onto the bench. "Come now! Is there even Unova Pokemon that starts with letter O?"
Hilda snickered again. "Actually, there is."
"Which is?" He asked skeptically.
"Oshawott."
"..."
"Pfft! That's your fourth loss in a row! You suck at this, Hilbert." She rubbed her aching stomach from all that laughter.
"Well, thank you. I don't find reciting a Pokemon's name an enjoyable pastime." He retorted back with a bitter tone.
Normally, she would take note of the tone, but she was too amused to notice. "Kinda funny. I swear you could name and describe almost all of Pokemon's move and abilities." One of the quiz from the subway challenge before was a quiz about Pokemon names, habits, characteristic, attacks, etc. The attacks and abilities part are the only thing he excels at. "I wonder how could you suck so much in this."
Hilbert glared at her in response, causing her to twitch. Though to her surprise, his lips started to smirk and he spoke before she could : "Well, I'm rather good in this."
He captured her head in a headlock, and she yelped out. "Hey! Leggo!"
She attempted to squirm away from the noogie and started laughing again. The boy's grip was rather relentless, but he also joins the laughter this time. Both of them started to jab friendly insults at each other and pretty much making a lot of noise for two people.
"Okay, okay, you win, Mr. Nasty Glare! Now let go!" She was rather out of breath and stamina though she still wore a lopsided grin on her face.
"Maybe if you stop calling me that, Mrs. Eats-a-Lot." He countered as he loosened his grip.
The brunette rolled her eyes playfully. "You know, you shouldn't be hypocritical when you're giving me names, Sir Eats-More-Than-Me." She took a deep breath and wiped her forehead. "Darn, that was tiring."
"I think... I'm continuing my journey tomorrow."
Silence.
Hilda internally cursed herself again, but she had no idea when she should break the news. Well, better say it before she forgot. She had been thinking about it for awhile. During their dinner at the sandwich joint, Cheren declared that he'll be leaving for Driftveil tomorrow morning. Bianca still wishes to hang around and shop but had also decided to leave as soon as her business is done. As for herself, she had already visited all of Nimbasa's main attraction - even though she did not thoroughly enjoy them all. She wanted to tell the others back then at dinner, but couldn't find herself to say it.
Now that she thought about it : Why is it so hard to tell that in his face?
He nodded. "You know what, I'm thinking to do the same." Hilda's uneasy look was replaced to that of a dumbfounded one, though her companion seemed to ignore it. "Is that why you're acting awkward back then?"
"Huh?"
"I caught you sometimes gaping your mouth as if you want to talk about something."
Hilda felt herself jump in embarrassment and her lips twitched an awkward smile. "Uh. Maybe. I guess. I don't remember doing that." She chuckled although there was little humor in it. "But that's it? You're going to continue your journey too, just like that?" She questioned the brunet boy.
"Whoa. I've finished my business around here for a week now. Just..." He paused, looking slightly uncertain for a split second as he struggled for a word. "This and that. The subway challenge, and all that jazz," he finished with a shrug. "And since you're leaving anyway." He added with a smaller voice.
Fortunately for him, Hilda's ears aren't too perceptive today. "Huh, what?"
"Eh, nothing." He waved it off a beat too quickly. "I've been itching to get some Casteliacones. Last time I attempted to get one, they were all sold out."
"Oh, those! I managed to get the last one back then. I heard the line aren't as long in Tuesday." She tapped her forehead in an attempt to recall her memory. "Incidentally, that's when I bought mine."
"Well, perfect then. Since tomorrow is Tuesday..."
"...I guess it's goodbye for now?" said Hilda with her awkward smile back again. Hilbert looked at her weird and he crossed his arms.
"No? Well, if you want to say cheesy goodbyes, we can wait tomorrow morning." He paused and did a double take at the brunette trainer and he started to snicker. "Or at least what you thought as morning."
"Just as a hint : I'm not an early bird." She retorted with a deadpan tone. "I plan to sleep the whole morning anyway. And I really don't need anyone interrupting my beauty slumber again, okay?"
"Fine, fine. I won't disturb you... for now, I guess."
"What was that supposed to mean?" She asked warily.
"Why, that reminds me!" He started to fiddle with his blue Xtransceiver. "I can't believe we haven't traded our numbers yet."
Hilda started to blink again, absently looking at her own device. "Right. I totally forgot about this thing. Okay, here's my number..."
After they finished adding each other to the contact both decided to go back to the Pokemon Center to really call it a day. Hilda let out a huge yawn as they entered the deserted lobby. Most of the shops are already closed, save for the convenience store.
"Mmm, okay. See you later, then?" Hilda reached for her bag and pulled out her room's key. "And in case you woke up first - and you probably do - don't bother waiting for me."
"Right. You don't want me to see you sleepwalking in Munnaland." He replied with a smirk, and she returned the favor with a glare.
"Something like that. OK then." She was about to say more before she bit her tongue, unsure what to say in this situation.
Well, it's not even a week - okay, almost a week. But her days in Nimbasa are much, much exciting than before. Not to say that her journey hasn't been exciting, but her mind are often plagued with other things (such as Team Plasma). At least she managed to keep those out of her thoughts for a few days. If it weren't for the accident back at the subway challenge, it'll be perfect.
Well, nothing's really perfect, but it's pretty darn close to be one.
"Okay! I'll see you later, then!" She perked up with a bright smile that almost caught the brunet off guard.
"Woah. You surprised me. I thought you were going to say some cheesy speech for a moment there." He replied with a cough.
"Pfft. What's the point of doing that if the next day you're going to spam my mail with random junks?" She accused playfully.
"Spam junks are not my style. Maybe calling you repeatedly in the morning would help..." He ignored the withering glance she gave him. Of course she can put her Xtransceiver in silent mode. But that would require changing the mode constantly. One time she decided to do that she forgot to change it for days and several messages and calls went unnoticed.
Both wordlessly walked through the hall connecting the lobby to the accommodation area. Okay, what to say to him? 'Bye' seemed to plain, but I don't want to say any cheesy stuff either...
"Hey. I know you're sleepy, but don't blank out on me. Sheesh." He called out. She quickly notices that she's several feet behind.
She fastened her trot to catch up with him. "I am not blanking out." She shot back, though her tone lacked the bitterness.
"Right. I'll believe you for this once. I'm off then." He stopped when they reached the stairs. His room is somewhere on the first floor, meanwhile Hilda's at the second floor. "You sure you don't want me to wait tomorrow?"
"If you want to wait for me until 12 PM, sure, I don't mind. But really, don't." She replied with a blank stare. He responded with a laugh.
"Right. Good night then."
"Yeah, good night to you too." She contemplated slightly, considering to say something else she had in mind. "Hey?" She spoke out when he started to zoom out of her view. Her voice was so small that she thought he wouldn't hear her.
Well, wrong. "What is it?" He asked as he glanced back.
"Uhh, hmm. Don't be strangers, okay? Let's chat once in a while." She can't believe that actually left her mouth, but she was happy nonetheless. She don't want their friendship to just blur out after this. Sure, they've traded numbers, but she can count how many times she actually chatted with Cheren with one hand's fingers. I think it was... two? three? Not counting the one with Professor Juniper...
If one were to look closely, one can see that Hilbert is mildly surprised. But Hilda isn't exactly a good observer, so that one went unnoticed to her.
He offered her a small smile. "Back at you. Bye for now."
SO MANY REVIEWS! It's you guys that made me want to beat myself and continue the story, so... I have you guys to thank. *throws confetti and cookies* I'm sorry I can't reply to you guys personally.
Thank you AllieMonster123, alees-sa, SweetCakes000, PrincessOfDestiny14, gonelikeme, Black Ninja Cat, Shoir, Silver46, Random Guy, J4643, RoboMonkey2012, OldRivalShipper, Amy47101, Touya B, Babydracolich, ilovemusic10811, DaughteroftheRedKing, another-little-girl, Techessagency, Awesometastic, ShinyDragonite, phoenixdaughterAM, Ren, xXKengoLoveXx, Capopo468, Pokemon Trainer White, ILikeWaffles9634, and 5 anonymous reviewers. Reading your reviews made all the writing worthwhile. I hope you find this whole story worth your time, too. And sorry for the grammar mistakes. *bows in shame*
Oh yeah, in case you guys didn't know, I wrote a separate two-shot set in this story's universe. It's called Visit. You guys might want to read it if you haven't. Time-wise, it takes places about a few months after this chapter.
Okay, thanks for reading! The next update... I swear it won't took ten months. Review, please?