FSE

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The cruise dragged when it did and didn't when it didn't, from good meals and sunlight to boredom and water-watching. Julie and Midnight felt better when they left the room at least once every two days. They'd run into Jamie and Aria individually twice on two occasions, with Jamie being more talkative, of course; however, Julie and Aria had discussed different activities they'd done around Goldenrod and Violet.

Today was the day they deboarded at Olivine. Julie stood on the front deck wearing a jacket, jeans, and her bag near the back among noisy crowds while Midnight stayed close to her legs. At least they didn't have to stand under the sun. A thin overcast blocked its rays, and the afternoon coastal air was chilly anyway.

The ship was anchored; the port was full of countless families in more crowds pushed back by employees to make room for the deboarding process.

Julie had no one waiting for her. She only had to get past what commotion would ensue. She'd already called and let her mom know they arrived safely at Olivine, and she couldn't wait to see Goldenrod again, be on her block, and in her house. It made her all giddy inside again.

Midnight was sitting while looking around at lively kids being held onto by parents and pokémon being held in their owners' arms if they were small enough.

After roughly ten minutes, the crew let down a wide ramp and controlled the number of people walking down to avoid injuries. The crowds thinned out over time, as did those on the port. Julie and Midnight were soon on pavement again.

After a week-long cruise, it felt weird to walk on the ground again. It was a numb sensation; they felt as if they were subtly rocking and swaying on their steps.

Midnight stretched his hind legs while following Julie through the busy welcome center full of passengers with baggage waiting for trips or speaking to the receptionist at the front desk.

After they were out on an extensive patch of pavement with railings on both sides to show off the sea, he gazed at everything surrounding the docks.

Seafood restaurants lining the sidewalk were full of tourists and locals alike, markets and more restaurants with outdoor seating across the traffic-filled street were as consistently busy, and skyscrapers towered in the distance.

Julie took out her cell and phoned her mother, giving a few seconds before she picked up. "Mom?"

"Julie! Are you off yet?"

"We just left. We're in the city now. I wanted to let you know." Julie took slow strides.

"Good, sweetie. Stay safe on the way as well. Waiting for you two."

"We will. We'll be there soon." Julie hung up and put her phone back, walking across the sidewalk and stepping off the curb between parked cars. "We'll try to jaywalk first. The crosswalk is pretty far down," she said while watching vehicles pass. Finding a decent opening on a four-lane road would be difficult.

Midnight looked from left to right and saw no gaps in traffic stretching down the block for almost a minute straight until the light turned red at the crosswalk.

The line began to slow until stopping and forming two rows of vehicles. There were also none present in the next two lanes.

"Found it. Come on." Julie walked between cars with Midnight but had to stop before the next two lanes since a sedan had turned the corner onto the road and drove toward them.

However, it slowed to a stop before them; Julie saw the person inside wave them across. "They're letting us go." She raised her hand to thank the driver while pacing the rest of the way.

Midnight trotted beside her among other people until they reached the other side, where they resumed strolling, but he stopped after Julie did a moment later.

"I'm not up to walk all day..." She looked down the pavement at a bus stop where a small crowd waited at.

---

Multiple bus rides had cut the time considerably, and they had all gone smoothly. Julie and Midnight arrived at the plaza five minutes from her residence at 3 p.m.

It made her grin to see what she knew, from the two-story Wikiblux to common marts and generic apartment buildings around her. The climate, she didn't miss as much. "Almost home, Midnight."

"Umbre."

They strolled through the city and entered her quiet neighborhood. Julie found herself walking faster, especially after entering her block and seeing her house in the distance, leaving Midnight trotting after her again to keep up.

She stopped only when she stood before it, eyeing the porch and two bikes locked over to the side, one being Alyssa's. Julie approached with Midnight behind her and raised her fist to the door, knocking several times with a huge grin.

Her mother opened it in seconds, wearing a long-sleeved ivory tee and pants, and Julie about threw herself at her before she could get a word out, pressing her cheek to her chest. "Mom..." she nearly whimpered.

She chuckled while Julie squeezed her. "Awe, sweetie." She embraced Julie just as tightly, rocking with her and kissing her head. "I'm too glad you two are back. You've got to tell me all about the university and what it was like."

She pulled back a little, seeing the gloss in Julie's eye and quiver in her lips. "Julie, is something the matter?"

Julie stood, breaking the hug and wiping her eyes. "I'm just happy to be back too." She leaned in to hug her mom again. "I'd love to tell you everything now, but I-"

"Alyssa?" She nodded and stepped aside as Julie pulled away. "Go ahead. She's in your room with Lilly."

"I'll be back." Julie set her bag down, took off her shoes, then looked back at Midnight.

He sat and gave her a nod, watching her turn and head upstairs.

Julie's mom leaned to pick him up, slightly straining her breath while standing with him. "I'm also glad you were there with her... I never expected her to end up having an umbreon."

Midnight rested against her chest with her arm around his waist and the other cradling his bottom. He looked up at her grin.

"I see a fair share of umbreon at my Center. You guys are among the most popular, and now we have one living with us." She planted a kiss on Midnight's head ring.

Julie slowly pushed open her cracked bedroom door and looked ahead at Alyssa, who was asleep in her bed with Lilly lying by her feet while grooming her paw. It appeared Lilly must have grown to the point of toleration.

Alyssa was on her stomach in a sweater and pajama pants, likely to keep warm. The light was on; a face-down open book was by the pillow. Alyssa must have fallen asleep reading it.

Julie walked to the bed while looking around her room. It still felt like her cozy safe space, but after having been away and living elsewhere, it felt also like a memory put behind her.

It looked exactly as Julie had left it other than Alyssa's suitcase sitting by the nightstand.

Julie sat on the edge of the mattress and happened to trade places with Lilly, who got down and left the room the moment Julie had sat.

The movement and presence woke Alyssa. She stirred for a moment before opening her eyes and looking at Julie, holding a tired stare.

Alyssa pushed herself off her stomach and sat up, keeping the stare.

"Hi." The biggest smile spread across Julie's face; she leaned in to wrap her arms around Alyssa, which she reciprocated.

Alyssa took a breath and buried her face in Julie's neck, holding her firmly. "What the fuck, Julie..." she mumbled into her neck.

"What?" Julie rubbed her back and pulled her closer.

Alyssa raised her head and eyed her. "Wh-" she choked, her eyes beginning to water. "Where were you?"

Julie's did as well; the tears came fast since she'd cried minutes ago. "Coming back." She sniffled.

Alyssa giggled, letting tears run with Julie's, and Julie giggled with her, a fit of laughter, tears, and hugs that lasted close to a minute.

Julie pulled her in again and shut her eyes, resting her chin atop Alyssa's head. "I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner, Ali."

"It's-s okay. I'd rather you focus on school."

"I'd rather be here for my best friend." Julie brought her hand to wipe her pink nose, letting her arms fall. "How've you been?"

Alyssa sat back and rubbed her eyes. "I showered yesterday for the first time in almost a week, I haven't been eating unless your mom calls me down or brings something up... I haven't gone outside..."

Julie took her hand in both of hers, more tears filling her puffy eyes. "I can't believe they did that to you."

"It's wh-whatever." She started crying again, letting the tears run. "If you didn't make me come here, I don't know..."

Julie squeezed her hand. "We're going to get you back on track, Ali. I frikn' promise."

Alyssa stared at her, taking a deliberate deep breath.

After a few knocks, they both looked at the door and saw Julie's mother open it halfway to peek in.

"Oh..." She shot her eyes between their tear-stricken faces. "I'm sorry for interrupting, girls. I wanted to ask if you two would like to order pizza. You both have to be starving."

"It's okay, Mom, and pizza sounds nice," Julie said.

"Can we get breadsticks?" Alyssa quietly asked Julie.

Julie turned to acknowledge before looking back at her mom. "She wants breadsticks."

"Of course. I'll call you two down when it's here. Guess it'll just be me and the pokémon until then."

"Thank you!" Julie said as she left and shut the door behind her.

"Really?" Alyssa peered.

Julie shifted back to her with a grin. "Loosen up."

"...Uh-huh."

"And you've been reading?" Julie leaned over and looked at the cover, which displayed Solgaleo and Lunala of Alola over a spacey, starry background. The two legendaries were the sun and moon's emissaries. Under them were bold white words that read 'The Light of Alola.'

Julie continued, "I love that book. I ordered that copy from Malie years ago. Did you already get to Ultra Space? It's probably my favorite chapter." That was Julie's third favorite owned non-fiction title after 'Revered Wings,' which explored the origins of Kanto's Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.

"I think, but..." Alyssa shook her head. "I can't talk about it right now. Why don't you tell me how overseas school went?"

"Mom also wanted to hear about that." Julie glanced back at the door. "Why don't we go downstairs then? Midnight's waiting too."

"Sure."

---

The rest of the night was one of the best Julie had ever had. Between her mother, Alyssa, Midnight's presence, and a hint of Lilly's, it felt like genuine family.

Julie lay awake in bed at 9 a.m. the following morning while stroking an asleep Midnight's back, who was curled up beside her at the bed's edge.

Alyssa was against the wall with her head at the bottom of the bed by Julie's feet, though she also had a pillow.

Alyssa had insisted last night to sleep on the floor since she'd already taken Julie's room. Of course, Julie didn't allow that and arranged this. She had no issue sleeping beside Alyssa.

"Want to take Ali out today..." Julie muttered.

Alyssa slept in, though, so around fifteen minutes later, Midnight woke before her.

He outstretched his paws and rolled onto his back, turning to his other side to face Julie, which made her giggle.

"Morning," Julie whispered. "Alyssa's still sleeping."

"Definitely not."

"Huh?" Julie sat up a little and looked down at her. "For how long? You didn't even move..."

"Long enough." Alyssa sat up and brushed her out of her face. She reached back and squeezed an area on her neck.

They both had on pajamas.

"Well... get dressed." Julie pushed off the blanket and slipped out of bed.

"What for?"

"Cause we're going to... um..." Julie looked down momentarily. "Blux, on me. I'll be ready in like five." She shot her a minute smile.

Alyssa watched her leave the room and looked at Midnight, who currently sat up while yawning. "How'd sleep go last night?"

"Umb," he answered, blinking slowly.

"Yeah, you look like you're running on two hours and a kiss from Julie. I recommend sleeping at night."

He gave a quizzical stare. "Umbre?..."

"Not with that attitude."

Julie entered the room with damp hair and went to her closet, opening it and scanning clothes. She'd unpacked everything at the end of last night.

"I thought you said five minutes?" Alyssa asked while getting out of bed.

"I know, but I want to go."

"Alright. I'll be like thirty seconds."

Julie glanced over as she left next, then went over to Midnight and kneeled before him. "Love, do you mind staying? I'll be back in a couple of hours."

"Brem." He nodded and leaned in.

"Thank you." She did as well and kissed his cheek. "Get some more sleep."

Within ten more minutes, Julie and Alyssa were out walking to the plaza, halfway there under cool sunlight among traffic and the population, though a lesser amount than usual since many were at school or work. Julie wore leggings, a jacket, and her gloves, while Alyssa wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.

"You said Wikiblux?" Alyssa asked. "Usually Rubi's with you."

"But I know you love Wikiblux too, and I haven't been in a while." Julie looked aside at passing cars and teens she spotted occasionally. It still felt weird that she wasn't in grade school anymore. Usually, she'd be in math class right now.

"Haven't had it in some weeks."

They arrived shortly, entering the plaza and passing the Doption Center.

Julie looked inside as they did. She recalled scanning the various species held in stacked transparent cases when she was younger; the pokémon there were often troubled and had suffered neglect, so it was a gamble on what one would get at times. Her parents never bought her one, and she'd once seen a timid young jolteon in a blue bell collar there who she fell in love with. He seemed sweet and loveable, giving her those full purple eyes without looking away. Hopefully, he had a good home now.

Wikiblux was a couple of stores down; Julie pushed it open for Alyssa after they arrived at its double glass doors.

There were quite a few people inside and probably more upstairs because of the chain's popularity, creating a calm buzz accentuated with quiet chuckles here and there, but it wasn't as packed as it would be hours later.

"Also missed the scent of roasting coffee," Alyssa said while looking around.

Julie led to the front counter. "It mellows you out, right?" The environment was warm too.

Coffee in colored, designed bags, a selection of instant and grounded mixes, lined the polished wooden walls in racks, and disabled lights hung from the ceiling over every table.

People, mainly young and old adults, occupied a few of them. A couple of them had pokémon, including a slowpoke and totodile, who ate out of Pokécups. They were small paper cups filled with sweet bluk berries and topped with sweeter purple whip.

Behind the front counter were various syrups in glass bottles on shelves below a large menu listing drink options.

A female barista in a light purple cap and aproned shirt approached Julie and Alyssa after she finished making a drink and passed it to another employee to serve. "Welcome. Are you two ready?" She grinned.

Julie was still looking over the menu, so she looked at Alyssa. "What do you want, Ali?"

"Can I get... a large wikibluk frappuccino?" Alyssa told the worker.

The drink in question was centered on the menu, plastered on a big poster before a dark purple background with its name beside it in cursive and additional text written at the cup's base: 'Our sweetest option~'

It was also the corporation's most popular choice: a deep purple, fused, smooth, sweet wiki and bluk berry frappuccino with light purple whipped cream topping it off. It was what had skyrocketed the business decades ago.

The woman entered it on the screen on her end. "Got it." She looked at Julie.

"Mh... I'll have the pamtre tea, please," Julie told her.

"Julie, no way you're getting tea," Alyssa said.

The woman paused and looked up at them.

"She'll get a wikibluk too," Alyssa continued.

The woman shot her eyes to Julie.

Julie sighed. "Sure, yeah. A medium, please, and two nanab nut breads."

After ordering and giving the employee their names, they sat at a table by the window across from each other.

"I'm glad home is like twenty minutes down. I'm going to have to walk off the frap," Julie said.

"You'll be fine. It's been like a millennium since you've had one," Alyssa replied and glanced over after a crash behind the counter echoed, where a barista was leaning to pick up an item.

Julie grinned briefly. "Hey, Ali..."

"Hm?"

"How've you been holding up... like really?"

Alyssa shrugged. "It's not easy to process. I also had to release my pokémon after leaving, so everything I want is on hold for... I don't know how long."

"Oh..." Julie eyed her with sorrow. "Well, didn't my mom offer you a spot at her Center? That could be a great place to start; it's a guaranteed position."

"She did. I wanted to go for it but could barely leave bed."

"When you're up for it, though, you should ask her. I think it'll make you feel a lot better."

Alyssa nodded. "Right, I will, and you told us a lot last night, but how are you holding up? I know college wasn't all sunshine."

"Mh... yeah. I'm okay, though." Julie swallowed.

"You sure? You know you can tell me anything." Alyssa glossed over her face.

"Positive."

Just afterward, one of the baristas called their names.