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Julie walked across campus the following afternoon with a bottle of water while on the phone with her mother. She had on a slim light blue tee, shorts, and running shoes. She felt exposed but couldn't wear a jacket to the gym unless she wanted to end up itchy and drenched in sweat.

She was initially going to go back to how she was before that party, but it wasn't ideal, and doing so too often was making her neglect herself. Besides, getting sun always made her feel better.

"How've you been, sweetie, and how is the semester going? It's been a few days." She often missed her daughter being at home. It felt lonely and empty, especially with Lilly barely being present. Julie was all that she had left, so she had fears when she took off to college, but she had to let her go make something out of herself and be happy.

"Oh, just fine." Well, a couple of things happened since then-- things that'd revolt her mother if she knew. "My classes are going great too. I'm positive I'll get A's and B's until I eventually have to take math. How about you? What've you been up to?"

She chuckled. "If not work then reading or watching TV like usual. I'm about over the hill, but I enjoy my time."

"I'm glad to hear it, mom. I hope work hasn't been too stressful." Julie wished she could hug her. Aging was scary, especially when it was her parent.

"It hasn't been, no. Perhaps because I've been managing for most of my life... What made you call, sweetie?"

Julie stopped before the gym doors and stood aside, looking in at people resting on benches or working out. "Oh, I wanted to catch up before I went to the gym, and... I also had a huge favor to ask."

"What is it?"

"Um, so long story short, Alyssa called me last night and told me her parents are kicking her out next week. She doesn't have anywhere to stay as of now, so I was hoping she could stay with you for a while and sleep in my room... if that's okay with you."

"Oh, that's awful. What's the issue?"

"She wants to be a pokémon trainer, but her parents aren't permitting it and want her to go straight to college to the point where they don't care if she's possibly living outside, apparently," Julie sighed. She wanted to cry again just thinking about it. She wished she could be there for Alyssa.

"Ah, that's a tough situation. I know how that feels. My parents did something similar to me as well. I wanted to study to be a pokémon ranger, but they pushed me to study for a medical degree instead, and here I am."

"Really? You never told me that, mom." Julie couldn't even picture her mother being a ranger.

"That's right, and if I could go back and choose again, I'd be a ranger at the expense of disappointed parents, so I can understand why Alyssa is standing her ground... She is welcome to stay as long as she'd like. I know she's as respectful as you."

Julie was smiling behind the phone. "Thank you so much, mom. I was so worried about her. I'll tell her... or should you? She was hesitant to stay because she didn't want to be a bother."

"I'll break the news so she's comfortable. Just text me her number. I don't want to keep you from your exercise. Are you okay on money, by the way?"

"I am. I'm getting the hang of it. I'll call you if I'm ever in trouble. Don't worry."

"Good. I'm very proud of you, Julie. You've grown to be smart and independent, just as I expected. Have you found a boy you liked yet?"

She swallowed. She knew the pressure was going to start coming eventually. "Ehm, no... Not yet."

"There's no rush, but I cannot wait until you fall in love for the first time. It's a wonderful thing. Now, let me hang up before I keep you all night. Have fun at the gym. I love you."

"...I love you too." Julie hung up and sent her mom Alyssa's number before putting her phone back. That last question killed her. Julie would be single in her mother's eyes forever, and she would bear no children. She just hoped that wouldn't disappoint her too much.

Julie entered the gym and passed people lifting weights and using various machines, which she was going to try at first but was no longer in the mood. She'd just do something light and go back home. Ahead were rows of treadmills that Julie made a beeline toward. Many were occupied, but only two people were using the first row up by the window.

She went to the last treadmill where she'd be alone and got on it, standing on the edges. She turned it on and looked at the blue screen, toggling the speed to two and hearing it start up. Julie then put her water and phone into the holders and stepped onto the tarp, starting her walk and staring out the window at students going to and from classes.

She watched them enter and exit buildings in groups, chatting, laughing, which was rarely her, but she'd already made up her mind. Julie felt no envy.

She turned the speed up to four and upped her pace to a power walk.

She had a quiz on Lentil tomorrow to focus on that Angie texted her about early last night, so she'd spent an hour reading and writing down notes and passages this morning to guarantee a good grade.

"Julie, what's up?"

Julie looked beside her and saw Anna set her backpack down and mount the treadmill in a similar outfit, although her tee was tighter and showed her stomach. "Oh, Anna."

"I was across the way and never see you in here. Good to catch you," she grinned. "What speed are you on?"

"Uh." Julie changed it to five, close to a jog. "Five."

Anna matched it and found the rhythm quickly.

"I figured I'd start getting back into shape, so I'm going to try coming more often. I've been lazier nowadays."

She nodded. "I getcha... and I'm not bugging you, right? I saw you walking alone."

Julie preferred being alone, but she also liked Anna, so no. "You're fine."

They jogged together for the next thirty minutes and now sat at a bench together on campus outside of the gym to pass time by. Anna had a class she was waiting for, and Julie didn't want to ditch her.

"So, I got a question," Anna said. "But it might be kind of personal. Let me know."

Julie drank some water and wiped her mouth. "Hm?"

"Would you say you're... happy?"

She had to think about that one. Julie was at her dream university with her dream pokémon, majoring in her dream profession. "I'd say I am, yes. Why?"

Anna leaned back. "Because I could be wrong, but I feel like something's missing in you."

Julie looked at her. "Missing?... I mean, I think I'll feel my best when I finally have the career that I want, but I have everything I could ask for right now."

Anna eyed her and held her hands in her lap. "Well, for instance, what made you go to the party?"

"I don't know what you're looking for..."

"It's fine. I was just curious." Anna wasn't trying to interrogate her and would cut it short before she ended up causing discomfort.

"...I wanted to go to see how it'd feel to socialize with people more, but it's not really my thing."

"And you're happy with that, right?"

Julie could see where she's going now, and she felt she could confide in Anna. "Basically, I think I've always been kind of a loner. I... I even got bullied for it back in high school. It never helped my self-esteem, and I think that'll stick with me."

Anna crossed her arms. She figured something was off. "So, what do you want, Julie? Do you know?"

Julie shrugged. "A couple of good friends, I guess. Ones that I can trust and won't judge me. I don't think I want much more than that."

"And what about a relationship later on? I think that kind of support can be very important too."

Julie was so sick of this fucking question and still didn't know how to reply to it. She has a boyfriend. She has one, but what was she supposed to say? "I guess... Maybe later down the line, but I want to focus on my classes for now." She had that support, and it's probably why she was still sane to this day. Julie felt like Alyssa would be the only person to ever know her biggest secret.

Sure, she may have some underlying issue when she took massive risks to have sex in public or maybe even being in a committed relationship with a pokémon in the first place, but Julie was happy more often than not. That's what mattered.

"Of course," Anna grinned and briefly placed a hand on her shoulder. "And sorry for all the questions. I wanted to know some more about you. You seem like an interesting person."

Julie giggled a little. "Am I? I know you're way more interesting."

Anna bit her lip. "Pft. I don't even know how I made it this far. My mom was a useless alcoholic, so my dad took the wheel most of the time and made sure I was always on my feet. The only reason I don't have daddy issues," she chuckled. "But a troubled household makes a troubled person. Now I'm just trying to have as much fun as I can before I hit thirty while balancing school. I try not to smoke or drink a lot, though. I want to be a psychologist. It's been my major since I got here. You?"

"Oh, we're the opposite. I was raised by mom only. She's an amazing one." Julie didn't have those issues, right? She had no father in her life and always avoided relationships with guys entirely at the same time. Maybe that was for the best.

"Ah..." Anna looked down for a second. "Now I feel bad for that comment. Has it affected you at all?"

Julie shrugged. "I don't think so, maybe abandonment issues, but..." That could be partly responsible for her shunning relationships.

"I'm sorry. Have you thought about getting help with it?"

"I don't think I need it... Also, I want to be a researcher or historian. My favorite subject has always been regional history, so it's a passion."

"That seems like it'd fair well for you. You'll mostly be working behind the scenes." Anna could tell Julie wanted to leave the subject behind, and she had to go anyway. She pulled out her phone and checked the time, grabbing her bag and standing. "English is in twenty. Last time I sign up for a class with an hour-long gap. Oh, and... when I brought up relationships, I don't mean rush into one. I didn't attempt dating until I somewhat fixed myself. I think it's important to feel confident in your image and love yourself before giving yourself to someone else. Only you can help you, and they can't love you if you don't, you know?"

Julie never thought of it that way, but she had never by an means been in a rush. "You're right. I think I'd be one of the last people in a relationship anyway. I'm too focused on school right now... but don't be late to class. We can talk more another time. I enjoyed it."

"I did too, and thanks for the company. Hope we can hang out again soon," she said before walking off.

Well, that was all Julie had in her for the day. She stood and started walking back to the dorms. She wasn't sure how to feel about she and Anna's conversation. Julie didn't usually open up to people like that, but it felt relieving, almost. It also gave Julie some insight and made her look deeper into herself. She felt she never really received proper guidance and advice from her mother. She was at work all day, Julie was at school all day, and they usually went their separate ways at night. Her mother was reasonably tired, and Julie had homework. On weekends, Julie mainly stayed in her room or was out with Alyssa. Her mother still raised her well, and Julie was doing good for herself so far, but she felt like she was still going through and learning many things on her own.

She wondered how deeply her parents' separation had affected her-- the lost trust and abandonment. Not to the point where she'd attached herself and settled for a pokémon, right? No, Julie was in love with Midnight and could see it no other way. It's why she went through all that she had for him, and she'd do it all over again.

She also felt that she did need more in her life and may find a hobby besides collecting to keep herself busy. She should sign up for an instrument or art class next semester and see how that goes. Julie wouldn't relive her straightforward high school experience completely if she could help it and kind of wanted to try enjoying herself in a safer setting. She needed to put herself out there in a more positve manner and seek a few fun classes on the side. It was a better approach that wouldn't turn her off to the idea of ever leaving her room.