Journeying Through Johto

Chapter 8: Luck and Loss

Hey everyone! Here's another chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

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Of all people it had to be him. Drew grit his teeth and looked the older coordinator in the eye.

"Harley," he stated dryly.

"That's right hun!" Harley exclaimed, bouncing forward and grabbing Drew's hand to shake it. "It's been awhile, huh? How've you been?"

"Fine," Drew replied, irritated as he snatched his hand out of Harley's grasp.

"So where's my favourite sugar cookie?" Harley asked, looking behind Drew as though he might be hiding her.

"She's not here," Drew said plainly and he was glad she wasn't, glad she was saved from this. Harley pouted.

"Aw I thought for sure she'd be with you!" After a moment, he grinned. "So you haven't told her yet?"

"Told her what?" Drew asked with rising annoyance.

"That you love her! What else?" Harley asked incredulously. Drew noticed some people turn their heads to look at him and Harley, then whisper to each other behind their hands.

"We're just friends," Drew said with a tight jaw.

"Still too shy to tell her how you feel, huh?" Harley was clearly enjoying this. "I can tell her if you want!" Drew was tempted to threaten him about even saying a word about it to May but then stopped himself. No. He wouldn't even confirm to Harley that he had any feelings for May.

"Tell her what you want. It doesn't make a difference to me," he said in the same dry tone before turning his back on Harley. He picked his pass from the counter, gave a small nod to the receptionist, then moved past Harley to the doors and as he opened the door to leave, Harley called out behind him.

"See you on the stage hun!" Drew didn't turn to look back, instead exiting the hall before letting out a long and exasperated sigh. Of course Harley would be in the contest. And Drew would likely have to face him.

As he walked to the Pokemon Centre, he thought about what would happen if Harley did tell May about his feelings. What would she think of that? He cringed at the thought. Of course, he would pass it off as one of Harley's pranks or jokes but what if he didn't? What if he confirmed it instead? No. Nothing would ever get him to admit that to her. Especially not anytime in the near future. They were still too young. As much as he liked acting mature, he knew he was still just a teen. What did he know about love? And besides, they were rivals. And friends. Telling her would just complicate what they already had. Especially since she definitely didn't feel the same way. No. That would never be an option. He supposed he was okay with that. He would have to be.

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"Ivysaur, come on out!" May tossed her pokeball in the air, heart pounding with excitement to reunite with her Bulbasaur that had recently evolved. She was standing just outside the contest hall with Luna, Cora, and Kace who were waiting to see it as well since she had transferred it over and sent Beautifly home. Ivysaur emerged and upon seeing May, bounded to her. May happily bent down to greet it.

"Look at you Ivysaur, you're so big now!" May beamed. "I'm so proud of you for evolving all on your own!"

"Ivysaur!" it said in response, happily placing one of its vines in the palm of her hand to shake it. She gladly took it.