The Starr Trainer - A Poke-Fan Fiction

The Journey Back to Lumiose City

Belle and Grant left the following morning, their bags on their backs and their pokemon walking ahead, running and training through the forest's terrain as they made their way back towards Lumiose City. Grant continued to steal glances at Belle, and she pretended not to notice. She wasn't blind to his affection, and part of her wanted to embrace it. However, the rest of her still mourned a love too strong to get over that quickly. James was always on her mind, and the constant throbbing in her heart reminded her why he shouldn't be. Grant talked about the ball, the outfits, the pokemon, the food, and everything else that would make the event magical. Though she struggled to picture her dancing with anyone else, perhaps this push was what she needed to get over James. 

They stopped at a watering hole to let the pokemon relax and play. The two of them sat atop a hill peering down over them. Grant's hand moved on top of hers. She glanced at their hands and up at him. They exchanged smiles before Grant turned embarrassed. Belle took a deep breath. She wanted to feel what Grant did for her. She wanted to be over James and move forward, but the more she was with Grant, the more she realized the spark and excitement between her and James wasn't there. However, that wouldn't stop her from trying. James was clear that they couldn't be together, and after the pain Team Rocket put her through, she knew that was for the best. 

Belle lay on the ground. Grant mimicked her.  "The sky is beautiful today," she stated. "I love days like this where the pokemon get to absorb their surroundings and remember there is so much more than just battling." 

Grant turned on his side to look at her. "You are truly remarkable. You know that?" Belle smiled. Her heart ached, recalling the way James left, and he continued to bring her back towards him, only to push her away again. Now here was Grant. All he wanted was for her to try. Shouldn't she? "Should we camp out here? The sky is getting dark, and Lumiose is just another day's journey away."

"Yeah, this looks as good a place as any," Belle smiled. They set up their tents and fed their pokemon before sitting beside each other eating. "Do you like being a gym leader? Do you miss the journey?"

"It's nice to have somewhere to call home, but I get opportunities to travel. Just like this, especially during the league. It's nice to see all sorts of trainers come to Cyllage City to battle against me. You know you'd be one incredible gym leader."

"I don't know if that's really for me. I mean, I journeyed my first year and took three years off. Now being back, I realize just how much I miss the journey."

"With two Pokemon, you came fourth in your first league battle. Why did you think you need so long to train?"

"I wanted to be the best, and I wasn't ready for that, but now. Now I do not doubt that I will be." 

"I don't doubt it either." Grant looked at her, and she knew he wanted her to initiate it, but she couldn't. She smiled and thanked him, ending the moment. "I guess we should get some sleep?" Belle nodded. "Good night, Belle."

"Good night, Grant."