Chapter 2 – Will
I woke up groggy, like someone had brained me with a two-by-four and I wasn't sure what had happened to me yet. My eyes ached slightly, like I had stayed up much later than I should have.
I rolled over.
…I got up 15 minutes later, unable to achieve sleep. I went to the bathroom, took some aspirin with some water, and went back to bed in a foul mood.
I woke up again, the sun on my face. Squinting, I turned my head to escape the light, and tried to figure out what time it was. The sun had risen to an angle where the closed blinds had let it shine directly on my closed eyes. It was close to noon, then. I got up, stiff, but feeling better, and after relieving myself, went downstairs to eat some breakfast.
A bowl of cereal richer, I went out on the back deck where I could see my mom working on some flower bed. "Good morning, sleepyhead!" she called out while working on planting some type of flower. I grunted at her - the universal male syllable for 'I can't be bothered to speak right now, so don't ask me any questions.' There were more behind her, waiting to be planted. What did she need with several dozen of the things?
She answered my unspoken question. "I'm planting these to keep out those pesky Rattata from the yard. They keep stealing Oran berries from our tree, and I don't want to plant anything else until I get this problem fixed." Mom has been waging a war with a, or the (we weren't really sure) Rattata over this berry tree for the better part of a year.
"I could really use a hand when you're done eating," she plowed on, ignoring my universal male signal of non-interest by employing the esoteric female art of the guilt trip. Now how could I – "Your father said he would take time off today to see if there was any way to get you into one of the scholarships you applied for."
Damn. I wasn't awake enough to avoid the coup de grace of the unspoken threat. Now I would have to help.
"Ok, mom, let me finish my breakfast and I'll be right out." I turned and went back into the house to put up my bowl. Oh well, I definitely appreciated the help in trying to fix this screw-up life had thrown my way. Man, why did my stomach just growl? It's not like I skipped dinner or anything. I went back to the pantry, getting myself seconds.
Later*
Ugh, why can't this go any faster.
Dirt is currently covering my arms up to my elbows as I kneel in the flower bed. I'm digging holes and planting some aromatic flowers that are supposed to keep Rattata away. Unfortunately, they also make me sneeze when I get a whiff of them. The light gurgling of the pond and noises from nearby Pokémon made it peaceful, if still hot. A light breeze picks up, causing a bead of sweat to ever so slowly drip down my face and into my eye in the afternoon heat. I paused, rubbing my face. Bad move. The gloves had been all over those flowers.
"Achoo!"
Blowing a strand of hair out of my eyes, I continue the process. Why Erika recommends a flower to keep these things out rather than a good mouse trap, I'll never know.
Three. Hours. Later.*
"Ok, Mom, that's the last one," I say, slowly rising.
"Oh, that looks so much better! And it should keep those Rattata away from my berries too," she said, turning. I receive a hug, getting her dress dirty, but she doesn't seem to mind. "I've got a bit more to go over here. Why don't you clean up and then you can head out. I know you probably want to meet with Will and play games or something."
"Yesssss!!! Free at last!"
I got a look.
"I mean. Ahem. I'm glad I could help!"
I valiantly ran off to get changed.
"Hey!"
"Yo!"
"You get your letter, too?" Will asked, waving an envelope at me as he ran up. His dirty blonde hair stood out over a red and blue shirt. Khaki shorts and sneakers completed the ensemble.
"What let-" My eyes locked in on the logo on the letter. The one that had a Pokéball with a Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur in an equidistant triangle around it. The sound of my sandals ceased. "You got accepted? Already?" I stared at the letter, in a mild state of shock.
"Yeah, man! I was super excited when I opened it! This is so wicked! There are only around 30 spots a year, and I got one!" His excitement seemed to lower a notch when I didn't meet his high five. "What's wrong? You look like someone just shot your Houndoom."
"…I didn't make it." I muttered, looking away.
He looked dumbfounded. "What?!"
"I said I didn't make it, okay! The stupid make-up test was 10 days past the application deadline for most of the scholarships, including the Oak scholarship. I can't get one."
"But, that's stupid! You're the smartest kid our grade in the whole city!"
"Second smartest, apparently. One person scored higher."
"But that's my point! Its stupid that they won't make an exception for you! Did you talk to the school? Can they do anything?"
"Nope. I all but begged them to help me before I got angry with them, and the counsellor just kept saying there was nothing he could do."
Will just stood there, looking flabbergasted. "What the heck, man!" He made a sound of frustration through gritted teeth. "You worked so hard for that, too!" I kicked a rock. It hit a parked car with a clatter. I flinched, moving away. "Yeah." I nodded morosely. I kicked another rock, more gently this time. "Hey, listen. Let's just, y'know, play some Smash or something. I don't really want to think about it right now." "Sure, Jun." A moment passed, as we turned to head back to his place. "Come on, first one there gets first character pick," Will said, lengthening his strides. I picked up my pace as we raced to see who would get there first.
Later on, after Will had beaten me 2 games in row (note that I had won the previous 2), I tossed down the controller and sighed. "So when do you go to Pallet?" I asked. Will understood the underlying question. "I'm supposed to go this Friday." He fidgeted. "I'll be getting things ready the next couple of days, and then I'm planning to get started on the circuit afterwards," he added. I sucked in a breath. "Well, this is where I quit moping and be a good friend." I looked him in the eye, saying "Congrats on being selected. I'm sure you'll do well this season." I stuck out my hand, tightening my fingers. He eyed me for a moment, then grinned, reciprocating the gesture as we fist bumped. "Thanks, Jun. That means a lot. And hey – I'll still expect to see you in the conference this year, you hear me? I know something like this won't stop you."
"Thanks."
We were quiet for a bit after that, and then I got up, stretching. "Well, I should probably go home for dinner. If a good outcome happens, I may end up on the road sooner than I expect. My dad is looking into things for me, but I have to see if any options are available to get a better starter with the savings I have - and make plans in case there is nothing that can be done. Even if I have to wait a couple months to work for a discount, that's probably better than getting a random Pokémon on the cheap." The League may be starting in less than a month, but I would have until mid-August to register.
"Ok, Jun. I'll see you in Indigo, if not before."
"I'll see you in Indigo," I echoed, stepping away towards the door leading outside, and home. Something else occurred to me, as I walked away. I needed to see this through. I needed to contact Professor Oak's lab directly, and see if I could explain the situation. Dad was working on it, but maybe a personal appeal would help the situation.
AN: Unfortunately, when I wrote these first few chapters originally, they were all about this word count. The first chapter gradually got a bit of a glow up as I tinkered from time to time, but fundamentally this chapter (maybe later ones as well, I will see on editing) was structured a certain way and I just don't see the point in joining it with another, or sprucing up the word count by adding things that don't fit the flow. So I plan to just let these breathe more or less as-is, structurally speaking, and deliver larger chapters once I break new ground.
