*Gavin

~ June 9th 2575

I woke up with a sore back after sleeping in a old jalopy last night. It annoyed me to shit but at least I smelled good enough to look for an apartment. Unfortunately my luck wasn't very good and I got turned down everywhere I went.

At this point a motel might be generous enough to go to sleep. There was no way I was going to school today so I decided to do my Friday therapy.

*knock knock

"Come in."

I opened the door and Lady Eve greeted me with a warm smile.

"Welcome back Gavin. Please have a seat."

I sat down with a sigh and set my backpack down at my feet.

"How have you been lately? You look like you cleaned up pretty well."

"Just took a shower. It's no big deal."

"Alright. So any progress with school, home life, family and things like that?"

"I'm supposed to be at school today but I don't want to go because I need to find a apartment first."

"Are you homeless right now?"

"Have been for about a week. I couldn't pay the rent in time."

"I-I see."

"Yeah."

"And no family you can stay with?"

"My biological father is a pimp and literally wanted nothing to do with me since I was an egg. My mother was one of the 'girls' he had a baby with, and she lost her rights as a mother because of her spending habits and being an abusive alcoholic. I've been in foster care as long as I could remember and none of them gave a rat's ass about where I ended up. Been on my own since I turned 18."

I looked at Mrs Eve to see her response and she looked like she was about to cry but was holding it back. Her reaction left me stunned, because most of the Pokémon I told this story too always said I deserved what I had now. Nobody has ever shown any sign to want to cry. Was I really that pathetic?

"Gavin. If you really have nowhere to go, would you like to stay with me and my family until you can get back on your feet?"

What? Where was all this generosity coming from?

"That's- What- I'm leaving."

"No wait! Gavin I'm not pitying you in anyway. I'm a godmother of kid who has a story similar to yours in fact. I understand why this is hard for you to believe but I do want to help you. Because from where I'm sitting it looks like you need it."

I paused at the door and looked at her as she was practically begging me to stay. I looked at any signs of her bullshitting me but she was being 100% serious.

"Please."

"Fine. Only because you're offering."

And just like that I was staying with Lady Eve's family. It was incredibly awkward because I didn't know any of them. They were staying at her husband's mothers house because their apartment went up in smoke and they needed to find a new home. Her kids Yuna and Yin looked at me in both confusion and suspicion and made little movements to want to talk with me. I didn't really care because I didn't even know them. Their little sister Vivienne though approached me almost immediately when Lady Eve brought me to their home.

"Vivi. This is Gavin. Gavin this is my daughter Vivienne. Gavin's going to be staying with us for a while. Remember to be nice to him Vivi."

"Hi Gavin!"

"Uh...hey...little...squirt?"

She giggled before giving me a hug and I fought the urge to growl at her.

"I like you. You're funny. Want to play toy cars with me?"

"I need to get Gavin sorted with his room first baby. He can play with you after."

"Okay. It was nice to meet you Gavin."

"Uh same..."

Vivi said before running away in a fit of giggles and her mom chuckled as she ran off.

"Hehe, a little angel she is that one. Come on Gavin I'll show you to your bedroom."

"Alright."

I followed her up the stairs, seeing her kids give me a look from the kitchen as I headed up after Lady Eve. She brought me to a room on the second floor that looked like it was used frequently a long time ago.

"This used to be my husband's old bedroom in high school. You don't have to worry about moving things around. He already let me know you can make this room yours."

"Thank you Lady Eve."

"I told you before no need to be so formal. Just call me Eve. Dinner will be ready in about 20 minutes. You can get your stuff sorted out in here and I'll call you to let you know when the food is ready."

"Alright thank you ma'am."

Lady Eve giggled before excusing herself out and closing the door behind her. I looked around the room and couldn't believe I was even standing here. What's going to happen next, the squirrel is going to tutor me today too?

I took a power nap in bed until I heard Lady Eve calling out that dinner was ready. I headed downstairs into the kitchen and I pointed out in surprise to see squirrel sitting at the table. She did the exact same thing and we said the same thing at the same time.

"YOU?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

"Wait you two know each other?"

"Sort of. I tutor him and his friends after school."

"I didn't think you two would be friends."

"What is that supposed to mean?!"

"Hehe nothing."

"Why you-"

"Bon appetit!"

Lady Eve said as she brought out three pizzas and set them down on the table. Ending the tense awkwardness as we all sat down and ate at the table and I got to know the squirrel and her friends.