Connecting Heartstrings | Gladion

>>Chapter 10<<

As (Y/N) got ready to leave, she grew anxious. She didn't want to be stuck with Gladion on a school trip for 3 whole days. (Y/N) was drowning in guilt. Maybe it was in fact her fault for leaving Lillie with someone as distracted as Hau. Maybe she could have done more to help Lillie. Maybe Gladion was right...

Lillie and Hau had been texting her nonstop but (Y/N) refused to reply. She felt relieved when she received the first message because it meant Lillie was okay, but she felt too bad to do anything about it.

With a heavy heart, (Y/N) took her bag and left home. Umbreon followed her, still concerned, and crying every once in a while, to get her attention. Umbreon had refused to go back to its pokéball ever since it heard (Y/N) crying at night. (Y/N) appreciated her Pokémon's concern for her wellbeing but still wanted to be left alone. Not like Umbreon cared, he was not going back in that pokéball without a fight. (Y/N) simply gave up after an hour chasing of chasing Umbreon around the house and breaking stuff by throwing the pokéball around. Umbreon walked next to (Y/N), who seemed to be deep in thought once again.

When she finally arrived to school, (Y/N) sat on the ground, waiting for the bus to arrive and take them to the docks, where they would then take a boat to Akala island. Umbreon decided to sit in (Y/N)'s lap while she waited and (Y/N) started to pet him while still thinking about what happened a couple days ago.

(Y/N) was too busy to notice, but Umbreon started wagging his tail, excited. Why? Gladion was real close to where (Y/N) was sitting, not daring to take a single step towards her, but watching nonetheless.

Time passed and finally professor Kukui arrived with the school bus. (Y/N) got up, pushing Umbreon away from her lap and got on the bus ignoring absolutely everyone in her way, including Ilima. He was a bit confused at her behaviour but followed her anyway. Ilima sat next to (Y/N) on the bus but she still paid no attention to him. (Y/N) was too focused on past events to even care about the present. These past days, (Y/N) had grown to resent Gladion. At first, she was curious about his introverted nature, one could even say she liked him, but right now she felt betrayed. She gave the best of herself to try and get Gladion to open up to her, and all she got was screaming. Not even the benefit of the doubt. Only plain screaming. Hurtful screaming.

— "...Hello? Ground control to (Y/N)." — (Y/N) snapped out of her thoughts and noticed Ilima waving his hand in front of her, trying to get a reaction. She turned to look at him.

— "What?" — She said while petting Umbreon who was once again on her lap.

— "We arrived like 5 minutes ago, care to get off the bus?" — Ilima said while patiently waiting for his friend to move her ass. (Y/N) looked around and realised the bus was completely empty and professor Kukui was at the door waiting for her and Ilima so they could set sail to Akala.

(Y/N) got up, and once again, left without saying a word. Umbreon was right behind her and Ilima followed them outside, a bit frustrated at (Y/N) selective mutism.

...

(Y/N) grabbed the rail and looked at the ocean in awe. Maybe going outside was exactly what she needed. She started slowly talking to Ilima, who seemed happy about (Y/N)'s sudden change in attitude but said nothing in fear she might feel low again. The boat ride to Akala was calm, and up to an extent, fun for (Y/N). She felt a bit better thanks to Umbreon, Ilima and the ocean. After a while, Umbreon agreed to go into his pokéball to rest. (Y/N) spent her time talking to Ilima and staring at the ocean.

Once they arrived at the island, (Y/N) spotted Gladion. They made eye contact and it seemed like Gladion wanted to talk to her, but (Y/N) turned around and left him there, all his words left unsaid.