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Brooke was in her bed the following evening in a wrinkled tee instead of working, and it was no one's fault but her own. She'd called in sick hours before and had to get her shift covered, so she was sitting around doing nothing for the stupidest reason. Even her parents thought she wasn't feeling well and had given her medicine earlier since she had to tell them why she was staying home.

Parker had watched over her all day and night yesterday, then made her promise not to work tonight and take it easy. "I'm such a dumbass..." Brooke couldn't believe she let Vix alter her life so heavily. She was livid. It was obvious their relationship had gone too far, and it meant nothing to her in reality at that. It wasn't worth holding onto, and she wouldn't let it end her and Parker's relationship, even though that may result from something else entirely.

Brooke looked beside her at Luma asleep, curled up by her chest. She didn't know what to do about what he had told her, and it kept coming to mind. He was content staying in Malie for the rest of his life? Brooke should have brought the subject up a long time ago, as she'd never planned on spending hers here. She needed something bigger than Malie, and it was really starting to hit her.

However, she loved Parker a lot, and it was her first relationship, so she couldn't drop it without heartbreak weighing her down for ages. It stressed her to think about it.

Maybe Brooke could drop the idea of moving and settle here. She wouldn't be her happiest, but she'd still be with Parker. She'd have to mull over such a major decision.

What had to be resolved now, though, was the thing between her and Vix. It had to stop. If Brooke and Parker did end it, she'd want them to be on good terms and not have him hate her guts because of a meaningless toxic relationship with a pokémon.

---

Later that night, Brooke was sitting on her bed rubbing ointment on the light gashes Vix left on her waist while Luma sat by and watched.

Brooke couldn't let him have her again, and she had to be serious about it. If not, his behavior would only worsen, and so would these injuries. "So, how was your night with Pyro?" She glanced at Luma. They've been around each other long enough for Brooke to trust leaving them out together, but she still worried Vix would get ahold of her sometimes.

"Vulpi." Great, other than a few awkward silences. They were still getting accustomed, and Pyro always had nervous energy around her. They slept on the same couch last night, though distanced, but it was progress.

Luma was used to seeing and being around tougher males in the wild since they had to deter other males and attract females, but she may prefer softer ones like Pyro, as long as he'd protect her from pokémon like Vix.

Speaking of Vix, the scratches Brooke was tending to resembled that of a lycanroc, and she'd know. Her father was brutally attacked by one before, but why would he harm Brooke? He couldn't be that vicious.

"I'll talk with Parker about letting you two meet more often. I don't want to shelter you." Brooke couldn't have Luma getting lonely and depressed. She was too cute and sweet for it. Besides, Brooke knew they liked each other a lot, and young love was something she wouldn't get in the way of, especially when Luma was ripped from her natural habitat.

Her phone rang, and when she grabbed it and checked the screen, she saw that it was Parker. "Probably calling to check on me..." Brooke answered and held it to her ear.

"Hey, you feeling any better?" He didn't want to pester. It was likely a mild cold, but Parker wanted occasional updates on her condition.

"Yeah... I'm in bed." Brooke almost wanted to tell him the truth. It hurt the longer she kept up with this lie, but it'd hurt more if he knew what she'd been doing behind his back-- that she let Vix take her in his bed yesterday while he made her breakfast. That'd kill her.

"Just stay hydrated, please. You should be ready to go back to work again Monday, but don't force it."

Brooke held her temple. She felt fine as is and didn't want to stay on this subject. She found it difficult just listening to him care and hearing his voice. "I will be. Thanks for checking on me."

"Always. Get some sleep if you haven't, and call me when you wake up. Love you."

"I will. Love you too..." Brooke ended the call and set her phone down. She didn't deserve Parker. Perhaps it would be best to end them, but it pained her to think of it, and in reality, Brooke wouldn't be able to so much as bring it up.

But he could do better, couldn't he? He was a nice guy that wanted a lax life in a small city, and Brooke felt she complicated that.

She looked at Luma. "You hungry?"

"Vp." She could eat but wasn't craving anything since she had berries earlier. That question usually led to a good meal, though, so she'd go with it.

"Wanna get a malasada or something, maybe take it to the garden?" Brooke wanted to take her mind off of this mess. She'd drive herself to drink if she stayed in bed and beat herself up.

Luma grinned and nodded. That'd be nice. She loved evening walks, mainly because most of her nights were spent in a den once upon a time.

"I'll put on a coat." Brooke got up and went to the closet, grabbing her black one and putting it on.

Maybe she was overreacting. If she stopped screwing Vix, that would be the end of it, but it would still guilt her forever, and she'd hate the very sight of him.

At least the main problem would be out of the way.

Brooke turned around and went to pick up Luma, who was sitting at the edge of the bed. "Ready?"