Well, it looks like we're here now.

Ashley: Finally. I mean, this took twenty fucking days!

Link: Oh, get the hell over it. I was busy.

Ashley: Barely.

L: Hey. Fuck you. You don't get to judge what busy is. You still think that busy is sleeping all day.

Ashley: Well, that would be because it is.

L: *Sigh* Whatever, kid. Just get going.

*Ashley leaves the room, before preparing for the party*

Anyway, guys. I hate to say it, but I've brought you a short chapter. Yeah, I know, no one likes short chapters, but, well, it's length does not represent it's importance. Anyway, leggo!

You Look Like You're About to Die

I sat in the backyard, by the covered pool, watching the happy partygoers wander around, talking to each other. My vision blurred slightly, as I felt that same feeling of intense sickening sorrow, the same one that I had been feeling all night. Who here is so sad that it's actually effecting me? That rarely happens. And, for fuck's sake, this is a party. I thought that I was the only one that hated the concept of us throwing one? As another bolt of pain shot through me, I made my decision. I started for the door, weaving in between groups of people. I stepped inside, being greeted by some laser show, as well as a fogged up floor. As my ears began being assaulted by music, some remix that Adam was currently creating on the fly, but still having the core elements of Internet Friends by Knife Party, I started for his makeshift stage made of two tables, on the other side of the room.

As I started over there, a random Eevee stopped me, saying, "Hey. Riku, right?" I nodded, and he continued, "Shit, man. This is a nice fucking party you've got here."

"Thanks." I replied, trying not to be rude.

As I pushed past the annoying guest, he called after me, "Hey, happy birthday, man!"

I just rolled my eyes, scoffing, as I neared Adam's stage. Just as I reached it, I felt another sickening bolt shoot through me. The pain caused me to be light-headed, causing me to almost collapse. I caught myself on Adam's stage, but just barely. Ridding my head of the clouds, I tugged on the Absol's pant leg lightly. He looked down at me from his deck, sliding off his headphones.

He bent down, and said, "Hey, man." He seemed to notice my illness, as he asked, "Holy shit, what's up with you? You look like you're about to die."

"Yeah, I feel like it, as well." I told him. "Listen, I'm going to turn in early, alright?"

"Yeah, you do that." He replied, nodding. "Just text me if you need anything. I'm sure that Ashley knows where all of the meds are, just in case."

"Thanks, but I think that for now I'll just rest." I reassured him. "G'night."

"Yeah, night." He replied, as I started for the doorway.

I managed to make it to the stairs without collapsing, so I started up to the second floor, using the railing to keep myself up. What is with this? Who the hell is this sad tonight? Upon reaching the top of the stairs, I started for my room. A little down the hall, I felt the strongest burst of sadness yet shoot through me, causing me to collapse against the wall. It took me a few seconds, but I managed to confirm to myself that I would stay conscious, so I started to get up. Just as I was rising, I heard a sound that caused me to stop short. Sobbing. Not like any small crying sound, but a truly emotionally hurt sobbing. I pressed my ear to the wall, and I heard it even louder over the music. I looked up at where I was, feeling slightly horrified upon the discovery. Jessica's room. I swallowed deeply, already running through what most likely happened in my head. I've got to help. I owe it to her. After all, I kept the truth from her for so long. I reached up, before knocking on the door.

"Go away!" Was the response. I knocked again, receiving a, "Fuck off! I'm not in the mood!"

With me being the kind of person that I am, I ignored her, slowly opening the door. As soon as I began entering, my vision was filled by high speed pillow.

"I said go away!" Jessica yelled at me.

As the pillow hit the floor, I looked and saw that she had her face to her bed, and I could hear her sobs.

"Are you sure that that's what you want me to do?" I asked her. "Because right now you really look like you need a friend."

She turned over, looking at me. Her fur had tear streaks running through it, trailing down her cheeks from her damp eyes.

"R-Riku?" She asked. "What are you doing in here?"

"I'm a Lucario, Jess." I told her. "I can sense emotions. And you're currently a ball of them. So, may I come in?"

She seemed to ponder my question for a second, before nodding, replying, "Sure."

I closed the door behind me, cutting off the sound of the party downstairs. As I started for Jessica's bed, she began wiping her eyes, trying to clear away her tears. I sat down on her bed, and she immediately dropped her head onto my shoulder.

"So," I began, hugging the saddened Flareon lightly, "what's up?"

"It's Levi." She replied, sighing deeply.

"What about him?" I asked her, beginning to run my hand through the fur on her head, stroking up each of her ears as I reached them.

"Just- Riku, will you answer a question?" She inquired. "Truthfully?"

"Of course." I replied, nodding.

"Riku, do you think that I'm ugly?" She asked me, surprising me.

"What?" I replied, shocked. "What would make you think that?"

She burst into tears again, and cried out, "I knew it. I do suck."

"Jessica, calm down." I told her. "I didn't say that. Now, what's wrong? Why would you think that there's anything wrong with you?"

"Because," She replied, "there must be something wrong with me, with how all of my past relationships ended."

"What do you mean?" I asked her, hugging her tighter.

"I mean that all of the guys became absolute assholes." She replied. "My first boyfriend was stealing from me the whole time, just using me as his own bank. The second one was doing it on a dare to impress his friends. The third was just using me to get closer to the one he really wanted, Kyle. And then Levi-"

She cut off at this, and I just realized that my anger had been rising as she spoke.

"Levi what?" I asked her, already knowing the answer.

"Levi was cheating on me the whole time." She replied, burying her head in my shoulder as she continued crying. "He has, like, three other girls on the side."

"What?" I asked, faking shock. "He told you all of this?"

"No." She answered, her voice slightly muffled by my shirt. "He didn't tell me anything when he broke up with me after the duel. I found out about the reason afterwards from other people."

As Jessica kept her head buried in my shirt, I fought to control my anger. Calm down, Riku. You'll get back at him later. Right now, you need to comfort Jessica.

"Jessica, look at me." I implored the Flareon. She didn't move, so I repeated, "Jessica, I want you to look at me."

She raised her head slightly this time, looking up at me. I moved my free hand, the one that wasn't hugging her, under her chin, moving her head up to look me in the eye.

"I want you to listen to me, Jessica." I told her. "You are amazing. You have the beauty of a goddess, you've got an amazing personality, and you're the most kind and caring person that I've ever met. Anyone in the world would be lucky to have you. Guys wish that you were theirs, and girls wish that they were you. Okay? You are amazing, and nothing will ever change that."

She smiled at me slightly, before replying, "I want to believe those amazingly kind words, Riku. I really do. But how can I, when my past blatantly proves otherwise? I mean, all of the guys that I've ever dated have fucked me over."

"Well, maybe you aren't dating the right guys." I told her.

"Well, what would you consider the right guy?" She asked me.

I thought for a second, before replying, "Well, it's sort of simple, really. The right guy would be someone that treats you right. Someone that is always chivalrous to you. A guy that can make you happy whenever you're sad, and someone that would sacrifice their well being for you, and someone that you would do the same for. Can you think of anyone like that?"

After a few seconds, a wide smile spread across her face, and she said, "Yeah, I think so. But, he doesn't seem to want to initiate a relationship. So, how would I go about doing that?"

I once again thought for a second, before telling her, "Well, I don't really have any experience in the matter, but I guess that I could be of some help. Do something that will leave no doubt in his mind that you want to be together. Something so stupid, yet so romantic, that he'll immediately wonder where you've been all of his life, and he won't be able to resist dating you. Got it?"

She nodded, before saying, "So, something like this?"

With that, she leaned into me, pushing me down onto her bed. She landed on me, before pressing her lips to mine. She began kissing me deeply, leaning into it. After recovering from my shock, I instinctively returned the kiss, pulling her body even closer to mine. We stayed like this for a minute or so, before breaking apart, panting.

"So," She asked me, between pants, "would that work?"

"Y-Yeah." I replied. "That would more than work."

"So, is that a yes?" She asked.

"What?" I replied, surprised. "Me?"

She giggled, before saying, "Of course you, silly. I mean, you fit all of the criteria that you said. I mean, you've always treated me kindly. Hell, you could have died while you kept me alive. And, y'know, you aren't exactly that rough on the eyes. So?"

After recovering from my shock, I ran through the situation in my head. What do I say? I mean, I'd love to date her, she's fucking amazing. But, well, is it right? But, we both want each other.

Making my mind up, I replied, "Yes. I would love to date you, Jessica."

"Yay!" The Flareon cheered, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. She leaned to my ear, whispering, "And, y'know, you're also the best kisser that I've come across."

I chuckled, and replied, "Well, if it means anything, you're the best I've ever had, as well."

She chuckled back, before being cut off by a yawn.

I chuckled again, and suggested, "How about we go to sleep?"

"Sure." She replied, giggling. "Wanna stay in here tonight?"

I wrapped my arms around my new girlfriend's waist, and answered, "Sure."

With that, we moved to where our heads were on the pillows, and Jessica threw the blanket over us.

I wrapped my arm around her, as she said, "Good night, Riku."

"Good night, Jessica." I replied, hugging her tightly.

P.O.V Change: Ashley

I smiled widely as I pulled Jessica's door closed. So, they finally worked everything out. I can't wait to see how they progress. I chuckled lightly. I also can't wait for Kyle's reaction. He honestly may flip shit.

So, worth the wait?

Ashley: *Wipes eyes* Alright. You live.

L: Ash, were you crying?

Ashley: What? No, I just, um, something was in my eye.

L: Heh, sure. That's what it was.

Ashley: Oh, shut up, you. I'm going to sleep.

*Ashley leaps onto Link's shoulders, before curling around his neck and going to sleep*

L: *Sigh* I'm really glad that I don't have weak shoulders.

Ashley: As am I.