Chapter Text
Kieran watches from the table while Juliana was chatting with a few other members of the League Club. Since she became Champion and President, well, CO -President as Lacey once said. The other ‘Co-President’ was busy eating snacks right beside him and talking to his sister. When the program is over, the title of Champion and the full role of Club President defaults back to Drayton as he is still ranked #2 on the club’s leaderboard.
He lets out a sigh upon realizing there’s only two weeks left until Juliana has to leave and go back to Paldea. He still didn’t get his own phone yet, meaning it’ll be Arceus knows when he’ll be able to talk to her again without his sister having to butt in. And just when they were getting to be really close friends…
Why is his heart hurting all of a sudden?
“Why the depressed sigh, ex-Champ?” Kieran immediately tenses up upon hearing Drayton’s voice right beside him. It’s been two months! And when he asked Drayton as to why he still calls him that. His answer was that because back when he was a mega jerk to everyone, he would do that all the time to him instead for the past two months of being Champion. Luckily, Drayton was going to stop calling him that very soon and they would be considered ‘even’.
“It’s nothin’.” He simply replied, hoping that’ll be enough to keep Drayton off his back.
“Please, whenever you sigh like that. It’s something.” Carmine remarks, ignoring the ‘I was eating those.’ from Drayton after yoinking the last unopened moon pie from one of the boxes on Drayton’s side of the table.
From across the table, Lacey, another member of the club, places her teacup down and looks at Kieran. “You can tell us if you like, I’m sure we’ll help you out.” She smiles politely at him.
“I concur.” Amarys added, not looking up while she was busy with doing her homework across from him.
I guess it wouldn’t hurt to say it.
“It’s just that… in only two more weeks, the exchange program is over and when that happens Juliana has to go back to Paldea.” Kieran tells the group around him, shuffling in his seat nervously. “It’s been… bugging me a lot. Makin’ me feel sad and stuff.”
It was almost like the snap of his fingers that the casual atmosphere at their table turned a little moody as Kieran watched everyone else’s expression change to a more somber tone.
“Oh…”
“I see.”
“Time flew by that quick, huh?”
Suddenly Drayton’s eyes lit up, a cunning smile reappeared on his face. “Then, why don’t we throw a party? You know, one last hurrah to send her off on a much happier note.”
“A party?” Kieran tilts his head, slightly confused.
“Oh! That’s actually a great suggestion, I’m shocked.” Lacey starts to brighten up, her eyes shining at the idea. “A party does sound wonderful though!”
“Come to think of it, we didn't get to do a celebration for Juliana becoming the new Champion, since she, Kiki, and I got dragged to go on that expedition right after the title match.” Carmine points out, finishing the chocolatey treat in her hand. Kieran recalls that they did try to throw a party for him, but he rudely told them no and went back to obsessing on getting stronger.
“It appears a party is very much overdue then.” Amarys said while adjusting her glasses. “If we get Crispin involved to help with the catering, then it is a fair estimate we can hold it at the end of the week.”
“But wait, shouldn’t we tell Juliana about this too? I mean it is a party for her.” Kieran asks, turning his head to see she was still busy answering questions. “And it’s not like we’ll be able to keep it a surprise for that long.”
“That is true, plus it’ll be more fun to have her involved too.” Lacey starts pouring a little more tea into her cup.
“But she’s the type to say ‘Oh no, thank you. There’s no need to do all of this for wittle ol’ me.’” Drayton changed the pitch in his voice to imitate Juliana’s voice. Kieran absolutely hated to admit it, but he was right. Juliana is so modest and humble when it comes to trying to appreciate everything she’s ever done. Not that it was a bad thing! It was admirable!
“How about we do this instead then? We just tell one little white lie about the party?” His sister speaks up, crossing her arms with a confident grin on her face. “We just don’t say it’s for her and right as the party begins, we surprise her!”
Drayton’s smile continues to have a scheming vibe to it, and Kieran didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. “I like that idea. Surprise parties are a lot more fun to begin with anyways.”
Lacey on the other hand, frowns a bit and makes her signature ‘x’ pose. “Lying about something is just not right.” She sighs after looking down at her tea. “But, if it’s for the party. I guess this one gets a pass…”
“Then we are in agreement?” Amarys closes her textbook, raising her head to look at all of them.
“Yep.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Yeah.”
“Sounds like we are!” Carmine exclaimed, sounding really excited for the party.
Kieran takes one last look at Juliana; she was now walking towards them, and he couldn’t help but smile fondly at her. Bitterness of reality was slowly creeping its way into his heart that’s been tenderly beating whenever they make eye contact now. He didn’t know what to call this feeling but there’s one thing for certain…
I… I wanna make an everlasting memory with her. Something we both can’t ever forget no matter how hard we try.