Beyond Pokemon

Chapter 21. Calm Before the Storm

As they follow Blare to the healing room, Joy stands behind the desk, healing Blare's Pokemon.

"When did you get a job here?" Kyla asks. 

"Charles offered me the position, in the Arena, because I was unable to participate in the tournament." Joy smiles. "Plus, they kinda owed me for the Tsunami ordeal."

"Does it pay well?" David asks.

"Oh hell yeah!" Joy grins. "But don't worry, not as much as you make, I am sure."

Joy finishes with Blare's Pokemon and hands them back. Blare puts them away and then looks up at the board, her eyes go wide as she reads. 

Blare turns quickly. "David! Your match is tomorrow?!"

Everyone else looks at David as he puts on his glasses and looks at the board. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot. Who is my opponent?" David takes a moment to find his name and read. "Hermit.... great..." David exclaims, sarcastically.

"He is kind of a threat, isn't he?" Grace asks.

"You have to be kidding!!! David could probably beat anyone with ease." Kyla exclaims.

David shakes his head. "No, Grace is right. Hermit might be the single most threating trainer in this tournament." David sighs.

Kyla crosses her arms and glares at David. 

David glances at her. "What, did you want me to say you were equally as threating?"

"No! I do not believe that you could be so easily beaten before our match!" Kyla pokes his chest with her figure, aggressively. "Now you listen to me, mister, you will win this match and join me at the finals!"

Grace clears her throat. "You have to beat me to..."

"Not the point!" Kyla interrupts. "David.. will.. win." Kyla leans into David and whispers to him.

Everyone looks questioningly at each other, as Grace crosses her arms in a huff.

David perks up quickly, his face turning bright red. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

"Yes." Kyla smiles, sweetly as she looks him in the eyes. "So... you better win." Kyla turns and walks away.

David watches as she leaves the Arena, for the day.

"Um... what just happened?" Blare asks.

Joy giggles. "She put the pressure on him."

Grace follows Kyla. "Later, bro. You coming, Blare?"

"Yeah!" Blare follows, slowly brushing past a stunned David.

Chad clears his throat. "So... Guy time?"

David shakes his head quickly. "Sure, sounds like a great idea!"

Chad and David head for the door.

"Oh hello, Joy, are you having a nice day? Sure, I am bored out of my mind, maybe we should hang out when I get off? Sure, see you later, Joy." Joy says mockingly to herself.

"Bye, Joy!" David shouts back as they leave.

"Bye, assholes!!" Joy responds quickly. Joy sighs and sits down, behind the counter, her face in her hands. Joy's phone dings and she pulls it out to read it. 

The text reads. "Don't think I forgot about my partner in justice. Come on by my house, when you get off. -Kyla"

Joy smiles at the text. "Well, I'll be damned."

Out on the street, there is a modest parade passing through town. Countless trainers and their Pokemon march down the street holding flags and sparklers. The girls stop for a moment to enjoy the parade. Kyla points out a few Pokemon that she has not seen before.