Pokemon: Next Generation

Chapter 30: Mustache

Chapter 31: Mustache

            Violet City feels more faded and ancient in the past, I thought to myself as we pass a lot of older buildings and shrines. It felt more traditional, which is one reason I always loved Johto. I didn't know it had been even more stunning.

            Our Pokemon landed right outside the Pokemon Center, exhausted. We usually didn't have them fly for such long periods of time, especially while carrying two people.

            My body was cramped for sitting so long in the same position, but I surprisingly stayed put when Sadie landed.

            "Are you going to let go, Em?" Daniel glanced back at me, his eyebrow raised.

            I peeled my arms away, wincing from the soreness as I slid off. If I felt like this, I didn't know what Sadie's wings must feel like right now.

            Daniel dismounted, stretching slightly, his eyes continually landing on me until Anthony came over, crossing his arms. "I think they're too tired to fly tomorrow. It's not worth getting there faster if they're going to get hurt. I don't want something happening like it did with Cloud, even if his injuries were caused in a different situation."

            I knew how much that must have killed him to admit. He really didn't want to mess up the time stream, but I really appreciated his thoughtfulness. "I agree."

            "We'll take tomorrow off then." Daniel gripped Anthony's shoulder and they went through the Pokemon Center doors together, leaving me staring at their backs.

            "You ok?" Amanda asked.

I jumped. I hadn't known she was right behind me. "Yep. Just tired."

"It seems like your eyes are still glued on Daniel's back." Amanda smiled.

"Stiff neck," I said, returning Sadie without a word, but patting her Poke Ball soothingly as I walked through the Pokemon Center doors myself, just in time to see Brock down on one knee in front of Nurse Joy and Misty smacking him. Her hand sure made a nice loud noise.

Daniel and Anthony were busy staring at Brock, who was lying on the floor, being dragged away by Misty. In all the distraction, I gave Sadie's Poke Ball to Nurse Joy, asked for a key to a room, which she retrieved swiftly, and headed down the hall. None of us had had dinner, but I was pretty done with today. It had been awkward. And had made me sore. And repetitive. So repetitive. I didn't want to have to stare at Daniel's back ever again.

I collapsed onto the bed, banishing those thoughts from my mind, gripping the sheets from the effort before rolling onto my side facing the wall, hoping to fall asleep.

No one woke me up the next morning and I guessed it had been announced that today was a free day. It was really nice to wake up with the sun already up and the room empty besides me. As much as I loved my friends, being around people all the time could be draining. Especially considering we were all tense from being in the past and with my parents.

After a few minutes of lying in bed, I decided to get up and start the day. Better late than never. Once I was all cleaned up, I decided to make my way to the cafeteria, figuring at least that my dad and Daniel would be there. I was about to round the corner to the room of food when I heard voices.

I heard Amanda first, "Truthfully, it's overwhelming... traveling with her and Daniel."

"Why do you say that?" Anthony asked.

"I love them both. I really do. It's just that I feel like such a third wheel."

A third wheel? I repeated in my head. Why would she feel like that? We talk all the time, play games together, train together, eat together. All three of us. I frowned and concentrated harder.