Chapter Two: Off To University
There I sat, too stunned for words, as the world seemed to spin around me. The wind rushed in my ears, and I swayed a bit from dizziness. Had I, a human girl, used a Pokemon move???
Rhyhorn nudged me, concerned. I looked into its big brown eyes, which were filled with worry. “Did you see what I think I saw?” I rasped, still trying to catch my breath. Rhyhorn nodded. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it, and it threatened to jump out of my throat. I inhaled deeply, slowly, in an effort to return my breathing and pulse to normal. Once the sensation of being upside down and spun around subsided, I dared to stand, steadying myself against Rhyhorn.
“Let’s try it again,” I murmured. As an aspiring scientist, I had to confirm my theory, and the confirmation of theories requires experimentation. I drew in a breath. What would be a good move to try? Rock Blast was the only logical option. A proper experiment required a control group. I cleared my throat. “Rock Blast!”
Just as before, boulders shot from my hands and shattered against the cliffside beyond me. I couldn’t believe my eyes. “This is impossible!” I cried. Then I was curious. What else could I do? Then I was afraid. What had I become? Some freak? “Normal people don’t do this kind of stuff!”
Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Papa. I drew in a breath to attempt to sound semi-normal over the phone, then answered. “Hello?”
“Annie, will you be home soon?” Papa asked. “A letter for you just came in the mail, a letter I think you’ll be very interested in…”
“Of course, Papa,” I answered quickly. “I’m on my way home how. I’m just now coming back from the Harrisons.”
“You and that Dr. Harrison do make such a fine couple. It’s a shame you two haven’t gone out on a date yet. What are you waiting for, anyway? Hasn’t he asked you? Or haven’t you said yes?”
“Papa!” I squeaked, my already-flushed face reddening even deeper. “It’s not like that at all! He’s just a friend!”
“If you say so,” Papa chuckled. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Then he hung up.
In the silence that followed, I stood still, my mind blank and empty as I tried to process what had just happened over the past five minutes. So, I can use Rock Blast, just as well as Rhyhorn, I thought. And there’s an important letter waiting for me at home. Why are all my adventures accompanied by letters, it seems? I decided I had better get home first, and sort out all the questions swirling about in my mind later.
“What came for me in the mail?” I asked Papa as I entered the research facility. I had taken a little longer than usual coming home, as I was taking my time to compose myself and collect my thoughts after my strange experience.
Papa smiled as he swiveled around in his desk chair and handed me an envelope. I turned it over and examined it. On the front were my name and address and a logo that read as follows:
My hands trembled with anticipation as I slowly opened the envelope and pulled out the page inside:
Dear Miss Roberts,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted
There was more, of course, but I knew I didn’t have to read further to know it was terrific news. I was accepted! I was going to college! “Papa! I’ve been accepted!” I cried gleefully, flinging myself into his arms.
Papa gave me a big bear hug. “That’s my girl!” he grinned. “I knew you could do it. You’ll do great, just like your mother.” His eyes shone with tears I knew he’d never let fall.
“Like my mother,” I murmured, wishing Papa would tell me more about her. “Will I really be just like her?” I dared to ask.
“Not just like her, I hope…” Papa muttered. “I would hate to lose you, too.”
I said nothing more, knowing Papa likely wouldn’t elaborate.
The next week and a half was a flurry of planning and preparations for me to leave for the university. The Harrison kids were distraught at the thought of my upcoming departure, and Brock seemed to be in the most despair of all, although he tried not to show it. I know him too well to believe he wasn’t upset.
Each day until I was to leave, I secretly experimented with my new powers in Diamond Caverns. I found out that I could use several Pokemon moves, such as Rock Blast, Rock Tomb, Vine Whip, and Leech Seed, and to summon them, I had to call out the move I wanted to use. With each practice, I felt myself growing stronger, but as my powers grew stronger, the less in control I felt over them. I began to fear, a bit. What if my powers grew to the point where I couldn’t control them at all? What if they became dangerous? What if?? I didn’t want to think about what ifs. I wanted to think about college.
The day before I was to leave, the Harrisons had a going-away party for me. Lola had the house all decked with banners that said, “GOOD LUCK, ANNIE!” in big pink letters. Brock made a feast for dinner, and all the little Harrisons met me at the door with balloons.
“Annie!” they cheered. “You’re here!” “We heard you’re going to college!” “Do you have enough crayons to do your homework with?” “What about a Pikachu backpack? Got one of those?” “We’ll miss you!” “Has Brock asked you yet?”
I shook my head, laughing. We had a great time, but all the while I couldn’t help but feel a heart twinge at the thought of being away from them all for weeks on end. My eyes misted as I thought of how much I would miss them.
At the end of the night, after I had said my goodbyes to all the little Harrisons, who had to go to bed, Brock and I sat outside, on the back porch as we watched the stars twinkle above us and could feel a warm late-summer breeze whisk past. “I’m sure going to miss you, Annie,” Brock sighed after a few minutes of silence. “We all will. I know you’ve only lived here for three months, but I can’t imagine life with you away.”
I forced a smile. “I’m not going away, away. It’s only for college. I’ll be back on holidays, and in the summers, and after I finish, I’ll be back home to stay. That is, unless my research takes me elsewhere. But I think there’s more than enough to explore and discover here at home!”
“You already think of Pewter City as home?”
“Of course I do! Because you--well, all my friends are here. I really don’t want to spend my life anywhere else. I finally have friends here. Here I’m never lonely, and I was terribly lonely before. I don’t want to leave you...all, exactly, but I also have my own dreams of being a researcher, and how else will I live my dream if I don’t get my degree? It’s a tough balance, I feel.”
“You should be able to go live your dream,” Brock smiled. “I remember once, I felt tied down to home. It was the time my parents were both away for so long. I felt obligated to take care fo the kids, and run the gym. And as much as I loved my family, and I liked being a gym leader okay, I had own goals I wanted to fulfill. So I know how you feel. We’ll all miss you, but don’t feel like you can’t go do what you want to do.”
At last the anticipated day arrived. I couldn’t wait to get to the university and start my studies! I was already thinking ahead to getting my doctorate as well. Maybe I plan too far ahead? Anyway, all Move-in Day I barely had time to think. I just did. My dorm room was of a decent size, and I was sure I wouldn’t have to worry about fitting all my things into my area of the room. I had two roommates, but I didn’t get much of a chance to speak to them while we were getting everything put together.
I stood on the sidewalk outside my dormitory and said goodbye to Papa. My eyes filled as I thought of being away from him for so long. I mean, it feels like we hadn’t been back together very long since the whole incident with him being held hostage by Team Rocket at the beginning of the summer. I hugged Papa tight, dreading when I would inevitably have to let go. “I’ll miss you, Papa,” I whispered as a hot bead of tears escaped from the corner of my right eye.
“You’ll do just fine here at university,” Papa assured me. “I just know it.”
“I’ll make you proud!”
Papa pulled away and looked me in the eye, his hands on my shoulders. “You already have,” he smiled. After another big old Ursaring hug, Papa got in his jeep and left.
Feeling a mix of both eager anticipation to start my new college life and sad to be away from my friends and family, I retreated to my room to meet my roommates. When I entered my room, the whole place was all decked out like a mini apartment. The other two girls had blankets hanging over their bunks to make sort-of tents. On the dressers there were various knicknacks, and on the desks there were matching coffee makers. The short girl with ankle-length, jet-black hair had a Teddiursa plushie that was a big as she was on her bunk, and the tall girl with the short, curly, blonde hair had all her decorations in coordinating shades of Jigglypuff pink. Overall, both girls’ spaces looked loads more put-together than mine did. I didn’t even have anything of mine unpacked yet. I sighed. I had a long way to go to make my room look or feel anything like home.
I decided to introduce myself to my new room mates. “Uh, hey,” I waved shyly. “I’m Annie. I’m a freshman here.”
The other girls turned to greet me, cheerful smiles on their faces. “I’m Rupa,” said the dark-haired girl.
“And I’m Sam,” grinned the blonde-haired one, dressed in a pink, vintage-style dress. “What’s your major?”
“Pokemon Studies,” I answered with a smile. “I’m going to be a researcher.”
“Cool, we’re both in Pokemon Education,” said Rupa, the short one with the dark hair. Her outfit consisted of a purple collared shirt and a denim skirt. “Hey, you should unpack!”
I glanced back at my suitcase and few boxes. I hadn’t brought a ton. I didn’t even have a ton. “I know,” I shrugged. “It shouldn’t take long though.”
“We’ll help!” said Sam. Before I could protest, she and Rupa began opening up my suitcase and boxes and began organizing everything onto the shelves, into the dresser, and into the closet. “Is this all you have?” she frowned at my simple and minimalist wardrobe. “No offense, but everything here is so… plain. And you sure don’t have too many outfits, either.”
“Everyone here will be wearing this uniform, or something similar, to classes,” added Rupa, pulling a white top with a sailor collar and tie and a black, pleated skirt from her closet. “Your orange dress and leggings will stick out.”
“You’ll need some smart shoes, too,” Sam added helpfully, clicking the heels of her white pumps together. “I have shoes to match every outfit!”
“You don’t need that many shoes,” Rupa rolled her eyes. “But you definitely need some things you can wear to classes. It’s important to look professional in the class setting.”
“Oh,” I said. I hadn’t even put much thought into whether I needed to buy extra clothes for school. I’d never given clothes too much thought, and neither had Papa. My plain dresses were fine with him, so they were fine with me. I was also homeschooled, so I’d never needed to wear a uniform or follow any sort of dress code. And to wear shoes with heels like Sam did? Could I even walk in those? I was clumsy enough, even in my flat boots.
“I mean, clothes aren’t the biggest deal to me,” Rupa continued, “but my mom insisted on taking me shopping before I came here.”
“I don’t have a mom,” I said quietly, “so I never did anything like that.”
Silence followed for a moment, then Sam murmured, “I’m so sorry.” Rupa nodded. Then Sam brightened. “Then, in that case, I shall be the one to take you shopping!”she proclaimed dramatically. You will be the fairest of them all!”
There I sat, too stunned for words, as the world seemed to spin around me. The wind rushed in my ears, and I swayed a bit from dizziness. Had I, a human girl, used a Pokemon move???
Rhyhorn nudged me, concerned. I looked into its big brown eyes, which were filled with worry. “Did you see what I think I saw?” I rasped, still trying to catch my breath. Rhyhorn nodded. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it, and it threatened to jump out of my throat. I inhaled deeply, slowly, in an effort to return my breathing and pulse to normal. Once the sensation of being upside down and spun around subsided, I dared to stand, steadying myself against Rhyhorn.
“Let’s try it again,” I murmured. As an aspiring scientist, I had to confirm my theory, and the confirmation of theories requires experimentation. I drew in a breath. What would be a good move to try? Rock Blast was the only logical option. A proper experiment required a control group. I cleared my throat. “Rock Blast!”
Just as before, boulders shot from my hands and shattered against the cliffside beyond me. I couldn’t believe my eyes. “This is impossible!” I cried. Then I was curious. What else could I do? Then I was afraid. What had I become? Some freak? “Normal people don’t do this kind of stuff!”
Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Papa. I drew in a breath to attempt to sound semi-normal over the phone, then answered. “Hello?”
“Annie, will you be home soon?” Papa asked. “A letter for you just came in the mail, a letter I think you’ll be very interested in…”
“Of course, Papa,” I answered quickly. “I’m on my way home how. I’m just now coming back from the Harrisons.”
“You and that Dr. Harrison do make such a fine couple. It’s a shame you two haven’t gone out on a date yet. What are you waiting for, anyway? Hasn’t he asked you? Or haven’t you said yes?”
“Papa!” I squeaked, my already-flushed face reddening even deeper. “It’s not like that at all! He’s just a friend!”
“If you say so,” Papa chuckled. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Then he hung up.
In the silence that followed, I stood still, my mind blank and empty as I tried to process what had just happened over the past five minutes. So, I can use Rock Blast, just as well as Rhyhorn, I thought. And there’s an important letter waiting for me at home. Why are all my adventures accompanied by letters, it seems? I decided I had better get home first, and sort out all the questions swirling about in my mind later.
“What came for me in the mail?” I asked Papa as I entered the research facility. I had taken a little longer than usual coming home, as I was taking my time to compose myself and collect my thoughts after my strange experience.
Papa smiled as he swiveled around in his desk chair and handed me an envelope. I turned it over and examined it. On the front were my name and address and a logo that read as follows:
Celadon University
My hands trembled with anticipation as I slowly opened the envelope and pulled out the page inside:
Dear Miss Roberts,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted
There was more, of course, but I knew I didn’t have to read further to know it was terrific news. I was accepted! I was going to college! “Papa! I’ve been accepted!” I cried gleefully, flinging myself into his arms.
Papa gave me a big bear hug. “That’s my girl!” he grinned. “I knew you could do it. You’ll do great, just like your mother.” His eyes shone with tears I knew he’d never let fall.
“Like my mother,” I murmured, wishing Papa would tell me more about her. “Will I really be just like her?” I dared to ask.
“Not just like her, I hope…” Papa muttered. “I would hate to lose you, too.”
I said nothing more, knowing Papa likely wouldn’t elaborate.
The next week and a half was a flurry of planning and preparations for me to leave for the university. The Harrison kids were distraught at the thought of my upcoming departure, and Brock seemed to be in the most despair of all, although he tried not to show it. I know him too well to believe he wasn’t upset.
Each day until I was to leave, I secretly experimented with my new powers in Diamond Caverns. I found out that I could use several Pokemon moves, such as Rock Blast, Rock Tomb, Vine Whip, and Leech Seed, and to summon them, I had to call out the move I wanted to use. With each practice, I felt myself growing stronger, but as my powers grew stronger, the less in control I felt over them. I began to fear, a bit. What if my powers grew to the point where I couldn’t control them at all? What if they became dangerous? What if?? I didn’t want to think about what ifs. I wanted to think about college.
The day before I was to leave, the Harrisons had a going-away party for me. Lola had the house all decked with banners that said, “GOOD LUCK, ANNIE!” in big pink letters. Brock made a feast for dinner, and all the little Harrisons met me at the door with balloons.
“Annie!” they cheered. “You’re here!” “We heard you’re going to college!” “Do you have enough crayons to do your homework with?” “What about a Pikachu backpack? Got one of those?” “We’ll miss you!” “Has Brock asked you yet?”
I shook my head, laughing. We had a great time, but all the while I couldn’t help but feel a heart twinge at the thought of being away from them all for weeks on end. My eyes misted as I thought of how much I would miss them.
At the end of the night, after I had said my goodbyes to all the little Harrisons, who had to go to bed, Brock and I sat outside, on the back porch as we watched the stars twinkle above us and could feel a warm late-summer breeze whisk past. “I’m sure going to miss you, Annie,” Brock sighed after a few minutes of silence. “We all will. I know you’ve only lived here for three months, but I can’t imagine life with you away.”
I forced a smile. “I’m not going away, away. It’s only for college. I’ll be back on holidays, and in the summers, and after I finish, I’ll be back home to stay. That is, unless my research takes me elsewhere. But I think there’s more than enough to explore and discover here at home!”
“You already think of Pewter City as home?”
“Of course I do! Because you--well, all my friends are here. I really don’t want to spend my life anywhere else. I finally have friends here. Here I’m never lonely, and I was terribly lonely before. I don’t want to leave you...all, exactly, but I also have my own dreams of being a researcher, and how else will I live my dream if I don’t get my degree? It’s a tough balance, I feel.”
“You should be able to go live your dream,” Brock smiled. “I remember once, I felt tied down to home. It was the time my parents were both away for so long. I felt obligated to take care fo the kids, and run the gym. And as much as I loved my family, and I liked being a gym leader okay, I had own goals I wanted to fulfill. So I know how you feel. We’ll all miss you, but don’t feel like you can’t go do what you want to do.”
At last the anticipated day arrived. I couldn’t wait to get to the university and start my studies! I was already thinking ahead to getting my doctorate as well. Maybe I plan too far ahead? Anyway, all Move-in Day I barely had time to think. I just did. My dorm room was of a decent size, and I was sure I wouldn’t have to worry about fitting all my things into my area of the room. I had two roommates, but I didn’t get much of a chance to speak to them while we were getting everything put together.
I stood on the sidewalk outside my dormitory and said goodbye to Papa. My eyes filled as I thought of being away from him for so long. I mean, it feels like we hadn’t been back together very long since the whole incident with him being held hostage by Team Rocket at the beginning of the summer. I hugged Papa tight, dreading when I would inevitably have to let go. “I’ll miss you, Papa,” I whispered as a hot bead of tears escaped from the corner of my right eye.
“You’ll do just fine here at university,” Papa assured me. “I just know it.”
“I’ll make you proud!”
Papa pulled away and looked me in the eye, his hands on my shoulders. “You already have,” he smiled. After another big old Ursaring hug, Papa got in his jeep and left.
Feeling a mix of both eager anticipation to start my new college life and sad to be away from my friends and family, I retreated to my room to meet my roommates. When I entered my room, the whole place was all decked out like a mini apartment. The other two girls had blankets hanging over their bunks to make sort-of tents. On the dressers there were various knicknacks, and on the desks there were matching coffee makers. The short girl with ankle-length, jet-black hair had a Teddiursa plushie that was a big as she was on her bunk, and the tall girl with the short, curly, blonde hair had all her decorations in coordinating shades of Jigglypuff pink. Overall, both girls’ spaces looked loads more put-together than mine did. I didn’t even have anything of mine unpacked yet. I sighed. I had a long way to go to make my room look or feel anything like home.
I decided to introduce myself to my new room mates. “Uh, hey,” I waved shyly. “I’m Annie. I’m a freshman here.”
The other girls turned to greet me, cheerful smiles on their faces. “I’m Rupa,” said the dark-haired girl.
“And I’m Sam,” grinned the blonde-haired one, dressed in a pink, vintage-style dress. “What’s your major?”
“Pokemon Studies,” I answered with a smile. “I’m going to be a researcher.”
“Cool, we’re both in Pokemon Education,” said Rupa, the short one with the dark hair. Her outfit consisted of a purple collared shirt and a denim skirt. “Hey, you should unpack!”
I glanced back at my suitcase and few boxes. I hadn’t brought a ton. I didn’t even have a ton. “I know,” I shrugged. “It shouldn’t take long though.”
“We’ll help!” said Sam. Before I could protest, she and Rupa began opening up my suitcase and boxes and began organizing everything onto the shelves, into the dresser, and into the closet. “Is this all you have?” she frowned at my simple and minimalist wardrobe. “No offense, but everything here is so… plain. And you sure don’t have too many outfits, either.”
“Everyone here will be wearing this uniform, or something similar, to classes,” added Rupa, pulling a white top with a sailor collar and tie and a black, pleated skirt from her closet. “Your orange dress and leggings will stick out.”
“You’ll need some smart shoes, too,” Sam added helpfully, clicking the heels of her white pumps together. “I have shoes to match every outfit!”
“You don’t need that many shoes,” Rupa rolled her eyes. “But you definitely need some things you can wear to classes. It’s important to look professional in the class setting.”
“Oh,” I said. I hadn’t even put much thought into whether I needed to buy extra clothes for school. I’d never given clothes too much thought, and neither had Papa. My plain dresses were fine with him, so they were fine with me. I was also homeschooled, so I’d never needed to wear a uniform or follow any sort of dress code. And to wear shoes with heels like Sam did? Could I even walk in those? I was clumsy enough, even in my flat boots.
“I mean, clothes aren’t the biggest deal to me,” Rupa continued, “but my mom insisted on taking me shopping before I came here.”
“I don’t have a mom,” I said quietly, “so I never did anything like that.”
Silence followed for a moment, then Sam murmured, “I’m so sorry.” Rupa nodded. Then Sam brightened. “Then, in that case, I shall be the one to take you shopping!”she proclaimed dramatically. You will be the fairest of them all!”
Here it is if you're interested. Thanks again for reading!