Wait for Me

Chloe -- Truth

"Hurry up, we're going to be late!" Ash yanked the blanket off of Goh. Chloe stood there waiting. "We overslept! We have to go now!" Goh sat up with a start.

"Oh no! Quick, give me my bag."

They zoomed out the door as quickly as they could, sending a breeze Chloe's way. "Leaving so soon?" she asked. Ash turned and waved back. "Sorry, we can't stay for breakfast. The train leaves early."

"Your fault for choosing such an early time," she muttered. I want to tell Goh...but he's already leaving. Just then the door slammed. That settles that. He's not coming back, is he? He didn't even say goodbye. And he'd never find out how she truly felt....

Heaving a sigh, Chloe headed back to her room. Something shiny caught her eye by the stars. A pokeball. But not just any pokeball, one that held a Pokémon in it. The maroon-haired girl leaned down and tapped it. She jumped back, nearly tumbling down the stairs when the Pokémon revealed itself. It was Grookey. Goh's Grookey!

Chloe tried not to smile. That means Goh and Ash will have to come back! But it would also mean they would miss the train. Goh would for his Grookey. An idea came to her. Hey, maybe I can help! And this way she could tell Goh the truth.

Scooping up her yellow-brown bag she recalled the green monkey and placed his pokeball in her bag. Tossing the sack over her shoulder, she hesitated. I won't be able to tell him everything. He won't listen, he's in a hurry. She swallowed back the rising sorrow in her throat. Don't worry, she told herself, he will be back in a few...months.

But...still. Maybe that plan Chloe came up with the day before would work if she wrote it down instead. Scribbling words on a pink sheet, she felt her heart flutter. This might just work. Thank goodness she already cut it into the shape of a heart yesterday, not yet knowing it would be useful but rather doing it for fun. She slipped the paper into a small box. She did not want to give her secret away so easily.

Now all she had to do was reach the train in time. Her legs pounded the sidewalk painfully. But she had to hurry. "Goh, wait!" she called out before he could walk onto the train. Chloe's face flushed pink when their eyes locked.

"Chloe? Didn't we tell you we're in a rush?"

"I know, I know," she panted, approaching him and Ash. "But you forget Grookey." She took off the bag and showed the red and white ball.

"Grookey?!" Goh exclaimed. "I almost left him! Oh my gosh, thank you so much Chloe!" Their hands touched when he reached for the pokeball, causing Chloe to blush further.

"And...I have something for you." She hid her face as she handed him the seemingly insignificant box.

"What is it?"

"Just...uh...your train is leaving." She pointed at the moving vehicle and the two boys gasped in shock. Goh and Ash jumped up quickly and managed to make it right before the doors closed. Chloe knew Goh wouldn't read it in front of her, but it still hurt inside. And now she would never know his reaction.