Chapter Text
She checked herself in the mirror again one more time. Leather jacket was staying, but instead of her normal peach dress under it, she decided to wear a regular tee-shirt and some leggings. It was a bit cold. Honestly, she was surprised he had texted her. It’d been a week since they met, and they texted a bit on and off, but she didn’t actually expect him to take her up on the offer of dinner.
There was something about the whole affair that was even exciting, but it wasn’t a date. She hadn’t agreed to a date, and he hadn’t asked for one. They were just going to dinner as normal adults that do things together.
So why was she nervous?
Sure, Hop was cute, friendly, and even respectful. She liked him well enough, but it was a bit early to even consider that they might feel like dating. Besides, he was in Motostoke for one night. He was gonna drop in, do the opening ceremony the next day, then bounce on to Turrfield. He’d be on his journey.
“And I’ll still be here. Counting pokemon,” she said, slowly getting sadder. “Drinking and smoking my life away, while Hop goes and fulfills his dreams.”
She frowned and sat on the bed. She hadn’t really thought about it before. Sure, she had some nasty habits, but she tried to be responsible and not affect others with them. Still, life wasn’t easy, and it’d been even harder without Piers around. She hadn’t exactly left on good terms with him. She wanted to go live somewhere that wasn’t slowly dying, and he wanted her to stay and help revitalize Spikemuth. There was an argument, he stormed out, and she packed her bags and was gone before he even got back. He’d tried to message her, sure, but some part of her was still mad. She didn’t really know why either. It was a stupid argument, and he was her brother. From the womb to the tomb. That was the agreement.
She growled to herself then picked up her phone, scrolling down through Hop and work and a few friends til she found the one from Piers.
ThrashMetalKing: “Hey. I hope you’re okay. I’m sorry I blew up and am here when you’re ready to talk.”
She frowned. That was typical too. He was the kind to blow up and feel bad later. Honestly, she shouldn’t have stormed off like she did, but there was only one person that could get her so mad she couldn’t see straight and that was Piers. She wouldn’t get so mad if she didn’t care about him and his feelings so damn much. She should at least tell him she was okay, right? That was the right thing to do. That was the responsible thing to do. Unfortunately, it was also the hard thing to do. She stared at the text, and her phone buzzed and another one popped up.
GrandTheftWooloo: “Hey, train’s pulling into the station. Want me to meet you at the stadium?”
She looked at it, then typed back a quick reply.
CrustPunkBaby: “ye. Be there soon.”
She then went back to her brother’s and decided she should reply. She didn’t want to talk to him tonight, but he at least needed to know where to find the body if Hop turned out to be a serial killer.
CrustPunkBaby: “Still mad and not ready to talk, but I’m okay. I have a date tonight, so if I get murdered, His name is Hop.”
She was surprised when he started typing back almost immediately.
ThrashMetalKing: “Wait, Hop as in Leon’s brother, Hop?”
Oh god. Oh no. How did he know?
CrustPunkBaby: “Shut up, Piers.”
She knew he was rolling right now, but he’d at least leave her alone about it. Either way, she didn’t have time to worry about that and grabbed her bag and her jacket, then headed out the door. It was a short walk to the train station, and she should have just told him she’d meet him there, but honestly, she was nervous and wanted a minute for the cold to help her focus.
She tucked her hands in her pockets and headed around the bend towards the station, then turned again and headed towards the giant gear that served as a lift. It was a brisk night, and she was glad for the leggings and jacket. She got on the lift and went up it, and there was Hop. He was in his denim jacket and was sitting next to a fountain, not facing her. She watched him for a few seconds. He seemed to be talking to himself, then flicked a coin into the fountain. She smiled and walked up to him.
“There’s one on the other side. You gonna hit them both or just be lopsided?” she asked.
He turned to her and smiled. “Maybe I can make a second wish and double my chances?”
“What’d you wish for?”
He shook his head. “I was mostly just being silly. I’m not really all that superstitious.”
“I still want to know.”
He rubbed at his neck and stood. “It’s dumb. Don’t worry about it.”
“Let me guess. To be the best trainer in Galar and be able to defeat your brother.”
“I guess I gotta hit the other fountain now. That was way better than mine,” He said and headed over to the other fountain, muttered a thing, then tossed another coin in. She giggled, watching him.
“Now you gotta tell me your first one.”
“Maybe later. I’m hungry,” he said, deflecting again.
“Fine, have it your way. Cafe?”
He shrugged. “We had a few in Wedgehurst, but I didn’t visit much. I’m from Postwick.”
She nodded. “There’s a good cafe in town that serves really good steaks. How does that sound? It’s that or Kabu’s hotpot place.”
He walked back up to her. “Wherever you want to go. I’m not picky.”
She nodded and started walking. He seemed to be on edge, not that she was paying too much attention. It was probably weird to be in a big city after living in Postwick his entire life. She could relate in a way. Spikemuth may have been the site of a gym, but it didn’t have a power spot. It was run down too. No one really lived there but the gym trainers.
“So, do you have a boyfriend?” he asked, and it caught Marnie so off-guard that instead of making a quip she just automatically replied.
“Nope.”
He glanced at her and she tried to keep the color from her face. Thank Arceus it was dark.
“I mean, I haven’t really tried, anyway. I’ve been too busy with my schoolin’, and then there was getting a job. I guess I figured I’d meet someone on the job one day or when I went to Uni.” Yeah, great cover Marn. That totally didn’t sound desperate at all. “What about you?”
“Nah. The only boy I really know is Victor, and he’s not my type.”
“Wait, so you’re gay?”
He blinked. “Oh! No. Well, yes. Bi. I’m bi. But no, I never cared enough. Too much going on and now I have the championship to worry about, so I probably won’t still. Maybe after I hit Champion.”
He had… kind of a one track mind, it seemed. Either that or this was that important to him. They got to the cafe and went inside. Hop stopped at the door, but Marnie just walked past him and went over to a corner booth.
“Wait,” he said, trailing after her after a second. “Don’t we need to be seated?”
She glanced around. “Right, cause this place is soooo packed.”
“I mean, the rules though.”
“It’s self-seating, Hop. I’m not that rude,” She said with a grin, and he relaxed a little. The waitress came by and took their order. She got a steakburger, but Hop actually got the salad. She was a little surprised, actually. What boy these days ordered salad? The waitress walked away and Marnie arched an eyebrow.
“What? I have to keep my energy up.”
“You don’t know about diet do you?”
“I’m not on one.”
She laughed. “That’s not what I meant, Hop. You’re out running around everyday mostly walking. You need protein and complex carbs, not vitamins. At least get some meat in the salad. Sure, greens and berries are good for you, but if you want to stay fit, you need to replace what you’re losing.”
He frowned. “I guess I never really thought about it. How do you know all that?”
“Because my brother did his journey, because I cook food, and because I also do a lot of walking. I decided to do the research. Speaking of which, what do you drink when you’re out and about?”
“Uh… I usually hit a vending machine when I’m thirsty. I like soda.”
She rolled her eyes. “With the way you move around, you need to be drinking something to replace your electrolytes. I like soda as much as the next punk-trash goth girl, but you don’t want to get dehydrated. Did your brother not tell you any of this?”
“Look, I don’t know if you noticed, but the men in my family are pretty, not smart. Sonia did all the cooking for him on their journey.” he said, neglecting to mention that she also broke up with him over it.
“Okay, why not be cute and smart? You got cute down. Don’t change anything there, but with a bit of education, I think you could surprise yourself.”
He was turning red, but didn’t look angry. She frowned. “You okay?”
“You uh… Yeah, I’m fine,” he said, clearing his throat. “I think I just need to use the restroom. Excuse me.” He scooted out of the booth and she crossed her arms, wondering what could have caused that reaction, then realized and thumped her head on the table. Way to go, Marn. You’re on fire tonight. Well, he knows you think he’s cute now.
She scoffed at herself and got into her bag, pulling out a silicone straw and chewing on it. Some places nowadays weren’t doing straws to be “eco-friendly” which was a load of crap and rude as fuck to disabled people that needed a straw to drink, so she carried a straw wherever she went. Hers was more of a stimming thing. It was something to chew on.
Hop came back a few minutes later looking completely and totally fine and not like he had to excuse himself because he was embarrassed. She was leaning on her palm, elbow on the table, chewing on her straw. He sat back at the booth and almost immediately the food arrived.
“So are you ready for the gym challenge?” Marnie asked, putting her straw into her cup then taking a bite of her burger.
“As ready as I can be. I had to register online, but unfortunately, Gloria and Victor picked my number.”
“You mentioned Victor. Who is he?”
“Right. Vic and Glo are my neighbors and they’re twins. They both wanted to enter the gym challenge as my rivals. They’re probably the best friends I have, but they cause a lot of trouble.”
“How so?”
He looked down at his plate, took a bite, then looked back at her. “They picked my registration number for me. I wasn’t able to change it.”
“Okay?”
“It’s 420. I’m number 420.”
Marnie snorted, and Hop just turned red and took another bite of his salad. She also knew about the gym challenge group chat. All of the gym leaders and other important people were on it, and she was too. The Gym leaders paid attention to the exploits of 420 and 69, mostly for the laughs. She couldn’t tell him. He’d die. “And they won’t let you change it?”
“No! And apparently people are wanting the number, not getting rid of it.”
She just nodded. “It could have been 69.”
He frowned. “What’s 69?”
“Nevermind,” Marnie said and took another bite of her burger. She was definitely gonna follow along this year. Especially if Hop was gonna be a part. He was clueless, sure, but he was sweet, and she was really starting to like him. Maybe she was being dumb. Maybe she should ask him if he wanted to date. Who knows? He might actually say yes.