Joyful - A Pokemon Fan Fiction

Chapter 4 (Angel locks herself in her room to stop from becoming a nurse)

Most children felt happy when they woke up on their tenth birthday. No matter what the weather would be like, no matter how many unwanted relatives or 'friends' came over to their party, almost nothing could get rid of the happy feeling of being able to go out into the world at that great age. Angel is one of the few people who woke up on their tenth birthday and felt completely miserable.

Emma had left the room to brush her teeth and get an early breakfast, she always did that and today was no exception. Angel looked over at the trundle bed, saw that it was empty, then her attention turned to the door which was left ajar. Angel got out of bed and closed it then locked it. She didn't want to see anyone today. Not today or any day after.

Ten was the age she was meant to be happy because she was going to become a Pokemon trainer and go on a Pokemon journey. Now she was cursed to never leave Vaniville Town. So, if that were to be the case, she didn't want to leave her room. If she couldn't become a trainer then she wouldn't be a nurse.

The sound of footsteps came from the other side of the door. Someone knocked then tried to get in to no avail. "Angel?" said Mr. Joy's voice. "Angel ... wake up - Happy Birthday."

"Happiness bah!" Angel exclaimed, grabbing Emma's pillow (for it was the closest) and tossing it at the locked door. There was nothing to be happy about, she had been ripped of her free will before she was even born.

"Angel," Mr. Joy said with a sigh. "I know you're upset about not being able to go on a journey, but being a nurse is going to be a great thing!" He wasn't even going to dance around the subject until later. Her father was just going to talk about it so early, and on her birthday no less. "You'll help lots of Pokemon -"

"I don't care! I'm never being a Nurse Joy! NEVER!" Angel screamed.

Murmuring could be heard from outside. Angel could only put together a few bits of the conversation.

"What's going on?" that was Cavis.

"... won't come out ..." Mr. Joy.

"... happening?" Nurse Joy.

"Angel ... room ..." Mr. Joy again. Then the door shook, as if someone was trying to open it. "... locked it."

"Hey, Ange!" Cavis called from the other side of the door. "Angel, come on, it's your birthday!"

"I don't care!" Angel screamed.

"We have toast," Cavis added. "Please come out."

"NO!"

"Angel, open the door," Nurse Joy said in her demanding motherly tone.

"I'm not! I won't cause as soon as I open the door I'll be Nurse Joy!" Angel said.

"That's not true, sweetie," said Emma's voice.

"Yes it is! You're all liars!" Angel felt the tears pour from her eyes, the salty liquid entering her mouth. She really could do this forever.

"Angel, I know you're upset, but you don't have to be!" said Nurse Joy's voice. "We are Joys -"

"We're CLONES!" Angel yelled.

"We are Joys!" Nurse Joy repeat. "We take up our duty with a smiling face and bring smiles to others. Don't you want to do that? Don't you think it's better than being selfish?"

Selfish? Selfish!? How dare Angel's mother talk about selfish when that's all she has been for her entire life. "You're selfish!" Angel yelled. "You want me to be like everyone else in our family and you don't care what I think or what I want! You want me to be like everyone else and don't care about my dreams! All you want is your way! Your way! Everything has been about you! You! You! You! But it's my birthday! My choice! My life!"