Close The Door

Chapter 25- The Shifting

A week had passed since that night. After Hop confessed that he didn't have the strength to call his brother, I stopped pushing for it to happen. It seems that he's accepted he no longer wants a brother, even though its just a misunderstanding on both sides, but it's not my place. Sometime in the near future, he would gain the courage needed to go through with it. Not this month it seems like.

The rest of the week was mediocre, classes keeping me busy for the most part. I honestly wasn't looking forward to the weekend because that means that classes will resume within the next couple of days, which at this point I want to be on break. The constant workload has caused both stress and boredom, and I couldn't wait until I got away from it, at least for the while. Even though I was typically fond of academics, it started feeling more like a chore than something I could distract myself with. It was obviously required to secure my future career, but I often times debated with myself whether or not all of this unnecessary stress was worth the struggle.

Ash had kept himself busy with Koko, mostly staying in his room to keep them company. It wasn't ideal, but if it meant them being comfortable, it was perfectly fine. He would still invite me over, but most of the time it had to be cut short because of classes. Today, he had invited me to his room to meet another one of his friends from Alola.

I asked myself if I was in the right headspace for socializing, but I forced myself to go anyway, otherwise the loneliness would drive me crazy. James had not come to the room for weeks, mainly spending his time with Jessie. Sometimes I wish I could have another place to escape to. Only then would I not have to force myself to do the things I wouldn't dare do when I was younger.

'Enough with the worries. I have to do this.'

I walked over to my dresser, grabbing a sweater but balling it up and stuffing it in my bag. I start putting on my shoes, anxiety brewing from the mixture of nerves and joy. From what he's told me about her, I have nothing to worry about. So why is it bothering me so much?

Shaking the thoughts, I grabbed whatever I would need, which to be honest I didn't even know if anything was truly needed, and locked the door behind me. I pulled out my phone and opened the music app, pressing shuffle on a random playlist. Walking to the elevator was the beginning of the overflowing of emotions. For one, I don't know if she knows about Mallow's passing, nor did I have the motivation to relive the memory. Ash knows it was scarring for me, so hopefully he doesn't mention anything about it. At the same time, it wouldn't be fair to her to go months without knowing about it. As far as I am aware, her other friends could've told her as well, and my name just happened to be an important one with that storyline.

The elevator's smooth descent contradicted my shaky nerves. Deep down, I hoped the elevator would stop midway through, even if I would be stranded alone, just to avoid this encounter. 'Why is it getting to me?'

I step out of the fully functional elevator, hesitating to step outside. I constantly had to remind myself that Ash would be there for me in the roughest of times. With that in mind, I take a deep breath and swallow any sort of negativity and follow through with my nonexistent promise to him.

The wind was nonexistent, being replaced with warming rays of sunshine, a peculiar pattern of temperatures, even for Galar. Presumably, global warming taking place. I am glad that I didn't put my sweater on, otherwise I would be physically suffering as well. The music I had put on earlier was the only thing keeping my feelings together, even if my song wasn't playing. As long as I had something to concentrate on, the distraction would work.

Or so I told myself...

Upon arriving at Ash's dorm building, I spot him and his friend, who was wearing a white sundress and white thigh high socks, complete with a pair of white Mary Jane heels, waiting for my arrival in the main lobby. She had long, platinum blonde hair that was tied up with yellow scrunchies, complimenting her apparent personality, resembling a flower. She waved over at me as I'm approaching, and the sinking feeling in my stomach intensifies.