Pokemon Heart and Mind: The Persici Prequel

Chapter Sixteen: Take Courage

Chapter Sixteen

Songs:

Don't Blame Me, Taylor Swift

Just Like Fire, Pink

Courage, Orianthi

(1 PM, Richland City Pokemon Center dormitory)

Lennon zipped up his vest, glancing over at the girl picking up her bag off the bed with tangled covers. Slinging it over her shoulder, she sighed, and gave him a small smile. Walking over to him, she placed a hand on his arm. His face was expressionless as she caressed him gently.

"You know, the second time we've done this, I have to ask you something."

His brow furrowed curiously, as he studied her thoughtful face. "What is it?"

She lowered her hand, studying his face before she spoke. "When we first met at the contest in Azalea City, I thought you were really hot and charming. And, you are." She clasped her hands in front of her.

"Oh no." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "You don't have feelings for me, do you? 'Cause that wasn't what this arrangement was about."

The girl then laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, damn! Of course not. Hahaha." She crossed her arms, tilting her head to the side. Her face getting a little more serious. "You're definitely different than any guys I've had similar engagements with. This second time, I question something. You're kind of selfish in bed, aren't you?"

Lennon rolled his eyes, turning away from her. He began to tidy the dresser where his stuff was. "Where are you going with this, Richelle?"

The girl sighed, beginning to feel a little exasperated. "Lennon, do you even understand the meaning of 'give and take'? I get that this isn't a relationship or anything. I quite frankly don't want that with you, because you're honestly kind of an ass."

"Duly noted." Lennon continued with his back to her, the side of his mouth turned up in a slight smirk, though she couldn't see.

Richelle raised up one hand to the side, and another on her hip. "All the other guys that I've had situations like this before were completely fine with reciprocity. I'm not really getting anything out of this, and I'm not sure you really understand how an agreement like this works. I thought the first time you might just be nervous or something, but this second time, you shouldn't be."

Lennon sighed, and turned to her, studying her. Her face had become slightly irritated, her lip stuck out slightly. He crossed his arms as well, leaning up against the dresser. "So, you're saying that I should care a little more about your needs in this situation?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, I am caring about yours." She looked at him incredulously, as if that should be obvious.

He jammed his hands in his pockets, giving her a small smirk. His eyes boring through her. "Let me make something clear. I don't worry about anyone's needs but mine. If I'm not enough for you as is, well, sweetheart, there's nothing I can do about that. If you want someone who will cater to your every fantasy, maybe you should go back to one of those low-lifes."

Richelle stepped back nervously, and swallowed hard. She had not yet seen that look on his face, and something about it was incredibly unnerving. She saw no compassion, no sympathy behind those forest-green eyes. Yet, she had to wonder, what in the world made him so closed off like this? It was a little frightening, and in that moment, for the first time, she felt very uncomfortable with him. "Why are you like this?"