Chapter 11: Snaps for Jenn


     We high-tailed it out of Slateport that morning. We automatically
woke up, got dressed, got our Pokemon and left. The city of Slateport
held too many bizarre memories and I for one wanted to leave for
somewhere new.

     Route 110 was fairly uneventful, peaceful and quiet. Some of the
trainers we met were really kind of funny and we laughed.

     At the end of the route, there was a guy named Edwin that I beat
pretty quickly. "How did you meet?" he asked. He was another person who
had assumed we were a couple and that we hadn't cared to correct.

     "Well," I started, trying to think of something funny. "I was at an
Alcoholic Clown support group in Littleroot, you know, supporting my
brother, and I met some clown named Honky. It turned out to be this guy
here, and he gave up the alcohol and his profession for me. We fell in
love, and now we have one on the way." I know it took Nathan more
dignity than he had to not laugh, so I was proud of him.

     "Congratulations," Edwin said with a weird look on his face, and
when we had walked far enough away, Nathan burst out laughing.

     "That's one to tell the parentals!" he hooted and after about
minute, I joined him.

     "To think that I'm travelling with an ex-alcoholic clown!" I
laughed. "I'm so honored!"

     "Don't forget that you're having my baby!" and that sent us to more
hysterics, and by the time we calmed down, we were in tears from
laughing so hard.

     That totally unprepared me for what was coming next. By the time we
neared Mauville, we heard someone yelling down the road. 

     Naturally, Taylor was involved and he was trying to mug some blonde
guy.

     "Jenny," he cooed. "How nice to see you." Even though he was  still
holding the boy against a tree, he seemed much more interested in me.

     I knew Nathan had my back, if I needed help, but this time, I was
going to fight my own battle. I owed it to myself. And to Nathan. 

     "Yeah," I said with the most confident smile I could have at the
moment. "But it's not so nice to see you. Doesn't it get old, being such
an asshole?" Taylor had no answer for me, he was too shocked to say a
word, as was Nathan. 

     "You know, you are the most heartless person I've EVER met. You put
people like Giovanni and Hitler to shame. I'm sick of being afraid of
you, and it's not going to happen anymore. I am never going to break
down and cry after an encounter with you anymore. You don't scare me and
you're done with ruining my life! Have you had enough, Taylor? Have you
finally had enough?" 

     Taylor cast a glare at the boy, at Nathan and finally, at me. "This
kid isn't even rich. It isn't worth it. I'm out of here." And so he ran.
I had never felt so free in my life, and even though he didn't say it, I
knew that by the way he hugged me and the way he looked, that Nathan was
proud of me. And that made telling Taylor off more worthwhile than it
would've otherwise.

     "Thanks," said the boy. "I really appreciate you helping me."

     "No problem!" I said happily. I was all smiles. 
      "The name is Josh," he said extending a hand. "It's great to meet
you." 

     "I'm Jenn, and this is Nathan. Could you hold on a minute?"

     I pulled Nathan aside. "Should we ask him to travel with us? Taylor
might try to get him again."

     Nathan sighed. "I know how set you are on saving the world from
Team Magma and Taylor, so sure, why not? INNW?"

     "Now, you're saying it? Jeez, we need to do other things than
listen to Doritos commercials."

     We turned our attention back to Josh. "Hey, listen, if you're not
travelling with anybody, you're welcome to travel with us."

     "That'd be great!" Josh exclaimed. And with our new travelling
buddy, we started to walk to Mauville.

     "So how did you guys meet?" Josh asked us and Nathan and I grinned
at each other.

      "Well, it all started when I went to an Alcoholic Clown support
group to support my brother..."

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