Mega Love

Chapter Eleven

    The next morning, Trevor, Tierno, and I are waiting for Serena and Shauna to finish getting ready in the lobby. I tried to get ready as quickly as possible so I didn't get in their way, but they are still taking forever. After our pillow fight last night, we were all pretty exhausted and basically talked until we fell asleep. Eventually, Serena and Shauna walk out of the hallway, both looking very pretty and ready to go.
    "Sorry to keep you guys waiting!" says Serena.
    "It's no problem, especially since we're going our separate ways after we check out," says Tierno.
    "Except for Serena and C-Meister hehe," says Shauna with a sneer.
    Trevor walks up to Serena and says, "Here's our keycard." He hands her the keycard.
    "Thanks," replies Serena.
    "And with that, I will be taking my leave. I want to be able to find as many Pokémon in this area today as I can," says Trevor.
    "Me too! I might find a good Pokémon for my dance crew!" adds Tierno.
    "I'm sure we'll meet again real soon," I say.
    "Especially if we stay at the same town's Pokémon Center," adds Serena.
    With a wave, Tierno and Trevor exit the Center and set out on their own ways.
    "I guess it's time for me to go too then..." says Shauna.
    "You going to be okay?" I ask.
    "Yeah! I'll be okay. I have Chester and Pikachu to keep me company! I'm going to go spend some quality time with them and explore the city! Plus, I need to give the lovebirds their space," says Shauna with a wink.
    "We're not lovebirds!" says Serena. I just laugh. "Please be careful. We'll meet up real soon okay."
    "Kay!" says Shauna as she waves and exits the Pokémon Center.
    "Shall we?" I ask Serena.
    "Let's," she replies.
    We walk out of the Pokémon Center together. It's a bright and beautiful morning, and the city is full of buzz.
    Suddenly, I hear someone call out, "Coming through!" I notice that the voice is coming from someone skating down the center of the street really fast and pull Serena out of the way. The skater passes us and heads deeper into town.
    "Thanks..." says Serena in a really low tone.
    I look at Serena to see if something is wrong, only to realize that I'm still holding her really close to me.
    "Sorry!" I say as I let go.
    "Don't apologize! I was the one not paying attention!" says Serena, a little red. "Anyways, why don't we head to Route 22 to train?"  We begin our walk through the city.
    "Route 22? Weren't we just on Route 3 yesterday?"
    "Well you see, Santalune City not only continues the chain of routes with Route 4, but also marks the end of the chain. Route 22 is the last Route, thus creating a sort of figure eight looking loop."
    "I see. So theoretically we will end up back here once we finish our journey?"
    "Right," Serena replies.
    We approach the entrance to Route 22 but can't help notice the building next to it. It's a fancy building with pillars lining the front. Atop one of these pillars stands a Pokéball like emblem.
    "This must be the gym," says Serena.
    "Indeed it is," says an unknown voice. We look to see a woman with roller skates, pads, and a helmet on coming from the gym. "Hey, strangers!"
    "Hi! Aren't you the one that was speeding through the city just a bit ago?" I ask.
    "Yeah... I was running a bit late, but isn't cruising around town on your roller skates the best thing ever?" the woman replies.
    "It sure is! I had a pair of skates when I was younger, and it was always so much fun! But you should be more careful when there are lots of people around," I say.
    "... Wait. Do you mean to tell me that you don't own a pair of roller skates?" asks the skater.
    "Not anymore sadly," I say.
    "I've never even roller skated before," says Serena.
    "WHAT??!!" yells the skater. "You've got to skate right now!" says the skater.
    "But we were about to go train..." says Serena, looking at me.
    "Then how about this: if you beat me in a Pokémon battle, I'll give you both a pair of skates," says the skater.
    "Woah! Really?" I ask.
    "Yup! I can't refuse a challenge!" says the skater. Why does she have so many pairs of skates though?
    Serena seems to be contemplating on whether or not to accept the challenge. She turns to me and asks, "Calem?"
    "I think you should do it! It will be good training and be lots of fun, but most importantly we could get free roller skates. I'll even teach you how to ride them if you win," I reply.
    "Okay!" says Serena.
    "Looks like we have a battle then!" says the skater.
    The battle doesn't take long. Serena uses her Froakie and the skater uses a Zigzagoon. Serena uses a barrage of attacks to overwhelm her opponent quickly. The battle ends with Serena as the victor.
    "Nice job!" I say as I give Serena a high hive.
    "Thanks! Froakie did all the work though," Serena says with a laugh. She's being humble, how cute!
    Despite the battle being small, a few people had stopped to watch.
    "I guess a deal's a deal. I'll be right back!" says the skater before racing off.
    She soon returns and gives us each a brand new pair of skates. We give our thanks, and then I start the search for a nice secluded area for me to teach Serena in.
    "Are you sure you want to teach me? We could still just go train. It's not like we have to do this," says Serena all of a sudden.
    "I mean, we don't have to, but I want to. I like skating, and I think you will too! Do you not want to learn how to skate Serena?" I ask.
    "No no, I appreciate that you're willing to teach me! ... I guess... I guess I'm just a little nervous."
    She's usually so confident and cool when it comes to things like Pokémon battling, but now she is super nervous over something way simpler! She's a little cute though when she's scared.
    "Well don't be," I reply." I know that kind of sounds dumb, but you do things that are way harder than riding skates all the time. The way you battled earlier and how you showed us how to catch a Pokémon are proof of that!"
    "But that's just because my parents taught me so much," says Serena.
    "They may have taught you a lot, but really it all comes back to you and your determination. So if you're willing to try, I would love to teach you how to roller skate," I say.
    Serena smiles. "Okay!"
    We strap the skates onto the bottom of our shoes. I get up first and position myself right next to Serena.
    "Alright! I'm not going to let you fall, so try to get up. Grab ahold of me if you need to," I say.
    "Okay!" says Serena.
    Serena stands up on her own, but grabs onto my shoulder to help her keep her balance. I explain that roller skating is all about balance, and I instruct her on how to squat to help keep her balance. I then have her try walking like a Delibird, with her heels together and toes spread apart. She moves slowly but manages to keep herself up.
    "Hey! I think I'm getting the hang of thi-" Serena says as her left leg slips from under her. I was expecting this and catch her before she falls.
    "Woah there! Let's not get too confident now," I say with a laugh.
    "Thanks," replies Serena extremely embarrassed.
    It doesn't take long for Serena to pick up the pace. I show her some more things and teach her how to stop herself. I'm really enjoying just hanging out with Serena, and she seems to be enjoying it too! It's cute to see her struggling, and she became so determined so fast! Most of the time I'm just laughing at her, and she is getting mad at me. She can't yell at me for too long though because she starts to lose her balance, and that just makes me laugh even harder. Multiple times Serena falls over, and I catch her each time. It honestly feels like we're out on a date even though we're not.
    I roll up to Serena. "Here, link arms with me," I say.
    "Are you making fun of me again?" she asks.
    "No," I say with a laugh. "You're doing great! Now come on!"
    She links her arm with mine and I start to skate us around. Serena tries to focus on keeping her balance and screams every few seconds when she feels like she is going to fall over. I just watch her make funny faces and smile to myself.
    After a couple hours, Serena and I are skating side by side at the same pace without linking arms.
    "You're doing it!" I yell.
    "I'm doing it!" Serena yells back. Her excitement radiates off her as she rolls around.
    "Man, I'm pretty tired!" I say.
    "For sure! Let's go get something to eat," says Serena.
    "Race ya!" I say before speeding off towards a cafe.
    "That's not fair!" Serena yells as she chases after me.
    At first I go pretty fast, probably faster than Serena can go at this point, but as we draw nearer I slow way down to let her pass me. She sweeps past me and reaches the cafe first, but when I arrive she doesn't seem satisfied.
    "You let me win!" yells Serena.
    "I don't know what you're talking about," I say with a shrug.
    Serena gives me a playful punch to the shoulder and says, "You brat! Now I'm even more tired than I was before!"
    "Good thing we're here to relax then!" I reply.
    Serena and I eat and relax for a bit. We talk about things like roller skating around the region and our upcoming battles with the gym leader. We're both a little nervous, but in my opinion, Serena's got it in the bag. I really need to step it up or she is going to leave me behind, and I can't let that happen.