Shauna was the first to approach me after being the first one to notice me walking into the headmaster's office "Calem!" She jumped to hug me and quickly let go to look at my face "Would you look at that! The color in your face almost returned!" She gasped.
"Look at you!" Trevor came over "You still look a bit dead, but it's good to see you looking a bit more woke" I chuckled nervously and looked at Tierno looking at me from close to the headmasters desk. Tierno smiled at me with a nod of approval and faced the headmaster with us. The headmaster stood up from his chair to stand.
"Calem!" He widened his arms before patting my shoulders unexpectedly. I jumped, a bit frightened. I hate this jumpiness so much... but I can't show too much symptoms. I don't want anyone to keep worrying about me, or else I'll never get the chance to leave that house "It's good to see you again after our last interaction in the hospital! How's it been since then? It's been two weeks already. You look great!" I rubbed the back of my head. Do I?
"T-Thanks, Professor Sycamore..." even if this man was the headmaster of the school, he also teaches in the academy and is one of my professors "I've been getting a lot of sleep lately thanks to my prescriptions. I'm eating better as well" I said truthfully. Even if all that was true, many of my other symptoms remain "I've been on my feet without fainting and feel more energy than usual" The Professor nodded, pleased to hear it.
"That's great to hear!" He looked at me and my friends "It's been so long since you all gone on a journey together. It makes me happy to see everyone again like this" he paused before a moment. My friends and I looked at each other, knowing why "Well... Not everyone" he sighed, quickly trying to lighten the mood again "It makes me very happy that you decided to come together again after all these years. Just like every summer, I give many of my students options to choose to stay active during the break. Depending on their grades on various types of subjects that gets you ready for the real world, you all always get to explore a wider verity than most of the students. Because you're the only students who score high enough to go farther, it's time for you to spread your wings and explore more of what Kalos has to offer" Shauna cheered.
"I can't wait!" She jumped up and down excitedly.
"Does that mean we get our Pokédex now?" Trevor asked. Everytime it's time to head to our journey for our summer break, we are given our Pokédex to use to collect data of Pokémon to bring back to the Professor. We are the only students who received the Pokédex and are tasked to do much more work than the other students. I honestly can't wait to head out. I'll have to take my time, but seeing more of Kalos will be good for me
"Yes, Young Trevor" the Professor handed us back our old Pokédexs we had since we were 10 years old when we started traveling. They were always upgraded to the latest software, but just seeing the old model was giving me nostalgia "How's it feel to have your Pokédex back after so long?" He asked me as I played with my old device.
"It feels strange... It's like the memories are coming back" I smiled, looking at the little girly sticker on the corner "I forgot what it was like holding onto this... It's good to feel it" I squeezed it in my hand, still looking at the sticker.
I haven't held this device in so long... and it was before the one that gave me this sticker went missing. Seeing it brought back memories of a time that wasn't so great... I lost my way at 15 when my parents divorced, and a year later, she was gone... making things worse.
"Calem?" I snapped out of it when Trevor called me. I flinched and noticed my vision was blurry "You alright?" I wiped my tears away with my arm and looked back at the Professor gently smiling at me, most likely knowing what I was thinking about.
"Yeah" I said "I'm good" I smiled at everyone, pushing away the bad memories I've held in my heart "I'm excited to start this journey already that it kinda hurts" I held my heart, feeling a bit of pain. Everyone looked worried, but I continued smiling "I'll take my time and won't rush things. You guys may go ahead of me, but I need to keep myself from getting sick again. I'll go in my own pace"
"Make sure you contact us often then" Shauna said.
"We'll locate you through your location" He showed his Pokédex "The Professor added a location device for emergencies" I looked at the Pokédex surprised "You can always turn it on or off, but for your sake, keep it on so we can sleep well at night" I nodded, grateful to have such good friends...
"Thank you..." I looked down "I'm sorry for how I treated you. Forgive me for making scene" I frowned "I appreciate you all with everything I got. I won't make you worried" I hated how I couldn't keep that promise. Even if I may look better, I was still on edge and wanted to scream.
I looked back at everyone and showed them my fist. They joined their fist so that they all were touching, connecting "Let's have a great summer together and catch some Pokémon we might see in these new areas! I look forward to it" everyone nodded and turned back to the Professor smiling wide.
"Since you'll be spreading your horizons and have a massive amount of Pokémon data already, I think it's time for me to tell you about my research on mega evolution" mega evolution was a long research priority for the Professor and has been needed to be looked into for knowing how the connection between Pokémon and trainer is involved. He stated that he needed help and thought what better time than his top honor students to go out and make more discoveries. We took the challenge and was well on our way to a new journey ahead to a wider spread through Kalos.
"This feels so good!" Shauna stretched her arms as we got out the elevators "Just having the four of us together again makes me so happy" there was a small moment of silence at the thought that only 4 of us are going on this journey "We'll get to see so much more! Being a college student is awesome!" She cheered. I chuckled, knowing her and Trevor were only first year college students while Tierno and I were third years, going up a grade in the fall.
"This will be the first time either of us will be going out farther than what we're use to" Tierno said "I always go to find ways to improve my dancing skills, so I don't really bother going far even if I'm able to as the oldest student. Since everyone is finally able to join along on the privileges of a college level student, I'll be join along!" Shauna cheered even harder.
"Yes! Nothing can make this moment better!" I sighed and leaned on my knees, feeling a bit tired "Calem?"
"Sorry. All this excitement got my heart racing" I nervously laughed "Don't worry about it. You guys go on ahead"
"You sure?" Trevor asked. I nodded, confident "Let's always keep our locations on, everyone. It's better safe than sorry. If you need help, let us know" he told me. I nodded and watched everyone leaving up ahead. I sighed and looked down, trying to catch my breath.
I'm excited for this adventure, but I'll be quite honest here... I don't often walk this much as someone who's always in his room or in the library studying. Exercise is a good form of distressing the body, so it's gonna get some getting use to. I look forward to the day when I get to be myself again.
I reached the lobby and looked over at Sina talking to a tall man with bright red hair and a beard "Yes sir! Unfortunately the Professor's honor students had left on their journey" she looked over at me close by "but there is one right now!" I walked over to see what was going on "Calem! Come here!" I faced the tall man gazing down on me and offered his hand for me to shake.
"It's an honor to meet one of the Professor's honor students! You were one of the children that were given the Pokédex at a young age! Such potential you must have! Glad to hear it! That is a wonderful thing, indeed. You are one of the lucky ones to receive a Pokédex" he looked at the device on my belt "You are one of the chosen ones" I shook his hand back "I am Lysandre"
"And I am Calem" what's with this guy's thick accent?
"Calem. I've tried to learn as much about Pokémon as I can to help build a brighter future. Professor Sycamore has taught me so much" after a short meeting, he was on his way.
"I wonder what kind of beautiful world Lysandre desires" Sina smiled before turning to me with a smile "in this great big Kalos region, there are many different Pokémon. It's exciting to see that you're finally able to explore farther than the places you've reached before. Unlike your other friends, you'll be going straight to new places instead of spending your high school years in a slightly farther route than your friends. You'll get to see much more all at once! I'm very excited for you and wish for your safety" I nodded.
"Thank you for looking after me, Sina. I'm sure that moment you found me in the classroom after getting called was scary. I'll get better. I promise" she blushed and nodded.
"I look forward to hearing from you! Since you'll be exploring all of Kalos, I want to let you know some obvious things, especially for a man such as yourself" she blushed a bit more "the world isn't a very good place to trust. There are many people out there who may scam you and try to take advantage of you. You may need to gather more Pokémon to become strong so those sort of people won't hurt you" I sighed, knowing that. If I never stopped going on a journey that first summer I stopped going with my friends, she may still be around...
"Got it" I bit my nails, or what's left of them "Thanks for looking after me. I have to take my time during the journey" I looked at the Pokéballs Tierno gave back to me, on my belt next to my Pokédex "I won't push myself. Don't worry about me" Sina nodded.
"Be careful out there. I look forward to running into you" I waved and was on my way out the school gates and into the large city of Lumiose.
Lumiose City is currently the largest city in all of Kalos. It's easy to get lost around here, but it holds so many kinds of shops that anything you might be looking for is available somewhere.
A lot of crimes are located here as well, and if someone wants to be safe around here without possibly getting kidnapped or robbed, they shouldn't go out at night, stay in the main streets, keep an eye out on the alleys, even in the day time, and don't trust anyone trying to talk to you unless you've known them your whole life. It's not too hard trying to stay safe, but I'm unable to outrun anyone from my lack of exercise and strength, so I should be careful.
I walked the main streets to look for a good café to pick up some lunch to go and start heading to the closest route to explore while I talk to my doctor about my plans to decrease my stress levels and how I'm going to handle doing it while on the road. I already made a plan, so I shouldn't worry about bumps on the road or anything.
I grabbed my food and ate while talking on the phone and walking the streets to my next destination "Yes sir. I'm sure I'll be fine. I won't overwork myself" I told my doctor "I didn't blindly leave my house. I wrote down my plan and am planning on taking my time. My mom is supporting me and my friends will be around and even have my location" I nodded at his response, even if he can't see "I'm planning on it. I need to train my Pokémon so they can continue supporting me, but I won't go crazy. I already have the Santalune City badge, so send the refills to my prescription in..." I held my chin to think "I guess the closest Pokémon center will be Camphrier City. I should get there in a few days or so" I chuckled at his joke "Have a good day. Thank you for supporting my decision. I won't work myself too har- hey!" Someone ran into me. The girl in the blue hat and short blonde hair who ran into me didn't turn and kept walking "watch where you're going-" I froze when she slightly turned to look at my direction for a slight second, wearing a familiar set of blue eyes that caught my breath.
I hung up my phone and watched the girl not even notice me. Those eyes brought back memories I didn't want to remember. It would only make me feel sad, but seeing them walk pass me made me walk after her through the crowd and try to follow her to at least see what she looked like up close.
She didn't know I was following her. Even I didn't truly know why I was doing it. Something in my head just needed to know... My heart was racing in excitement and in fear. It was painful, but I didn't stop moving.
She just went straight towards an alley, an area where no sane person should enter, even in the daytime. Without thinking, I went after her and lost her when she entered a corner and disappeared. I didn't know where else to turn.
"Why did I do that..?" I leaned on my knees, breathing heavily from my pacing, feeling my sweat dripping from my face "I... can't... breath..." I collapsed to the floor, holding myself by my hands and knees and sat back on the brick wall to take out my Pokédex and press the emergency button. I hate to do this as soon as I left the lab, but... if I can't even go in a hurried pace without getting tired like this, how am I going to explore Kalos by myself? I need someone...
I lowered my Pokédex and dropped my heavy arm on my lap, looking at the blue sky in this dark alley "I need someone to stay on my side and not see me as a burden" I wiped the sweat off my face and struggled to take a deep breath, but managed to get some into my lungs, though it didn't really help. "Dammit... I shouldn't had left home, now look at me. I should had gave myself more time" My eyes went heavy the longer I sat here in this dangerous alley. As my eyes slowly kept dropping, I heard someone walking towards me and picked up my body right at the moment where I passed out and barely noticed I was grabbed and carried away.