Chapter 8: Unexpected Trouble

     That day, we went back through Petalburg Forest. I wasn't too fond
of that, seeing as what happened on our last experience there, but there
was no way to get to the other side of route 104.

      Nathan figured that we could spend the day looking for someone
with a boat and if that didn't work, we would stay at the Pokemon Center
in Petalburg and try again tomorrow.

     "Jenn?" he asked, nudging me. "Are you okay? You're really quiet."
Normally, I would've joked around and pretended to take offense to his
comment. But I was in no mood now.

     "Yeah, I'm fine," I lied. But I knew it was no use so I dropped the
smile. "Okay, no I'm not. I feel really guilty."

     "It had nothing to do with you!" Nathan argued.

     "Yes, it did and you know it did! It was Taylor and because I was
there, Rustboro no longer has a Pokemon Center."

     "Well, I have no arguement, but look! It's a boat!" he yelled and I
looked where he was pointing. There indeed was a boat, and it looked
like a teenage boy was standing next to it.

     "Need a ride?" he called out to us. We ran towards him. It was like
he knew exactly our needs.

      "Yeah, we do, actually. To Dewford. Do you mind?" I asked, out of
breath. 

     "No, I don't. Hop in." Nathan and I stepped in and as the boy
stepped in, he smiled at me.

     "You... You're Jenn Frost!" he yelled and I blushed. I loved being
noticed and admired. 

     "Yeah, that would be me," I smiled. "And who are you?"

     "Oh, right. The name is Adam. It's a real pleasure to meet you,
Miss Frost!" He extended a hand to me, and I took it. Once again, I
loved being admired.

     We sailed along until we got to a small island. It wasn't Dewford.
I had been to Dewford before with my father. Suddenly, Adam's voice
changed. "Get out!" he barked and kind of freaked out, Nathan and I
obeyed the command.

     To my absolute surprise and misfortune, Taylor came out of the cave
on the island, surrounded by cronies. "Nice work," he commented. "I
didn't think Miss Frost would be so trusting."

     "Well, she was," Adam bragged. "I can't believe you went out with
her, she's hot!" I rolled my eyes. Was there anyone that didn't know I
had gone out with Taylor?

     "Shut up," snapped Taylor, angered at his interest in me. "Come on
and tie them up."

     "I don't think so!" some guy called. Another boat pulled up onto
the shore and a bunch of guys in blue jumped out. "Leave the kids
alone!" he commanded. I was guessing he was the leader.

     "Why do you guys have to ruin this for me?" whined Taylor, but by
then, the people in blue were helping Nathan and I in a boat.

     As we sailed away, I turned to the guy who had yelled. "Thank you
so much. I don't know what we would've done without you and your..." I
paused, looking for the right word. "Crew."

     "It was my pleasure," he said. "The name is Archie and my 'crew' is
Team Aqua!" he said proudly. So this was the other team!

     "Well, thank you so much," I said gratefully and after that, Nathan
began talking to the group and I was quiet the rest of the way.

     When we got into our rooms at the Pokemon Center, Nathan asked me
when we were going to challenge Brawly, but I had made my decision by
then. I was quickly falling for this guy, and I would not let Taylor
hurt him. It was going to break me to let him go, I thought we could've
really had something, but it would be worth it if it kept him alive.

    "Nathan, we aren't battling Brawly. Not together, anyways."

     There was confusion in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

     "I mean..." This was slowly killing me. "We can't travel together
anymore."

     "Of course we can. That's nonsense, Jenn," he said matter of
factly.

     "Nathan, you need to listen to me! Taylor set that place on fire,
and we both could've died! And then he sent someone to try to kidnap us?
I can't keep putting you in that kind of danger! What if Team Aqua
hadn't shown up? We could've been injured, tortured or even worse! Team
Magma has very little mercy, and Taylor has even less than that! They're
all heartless, especially Taylor, and he stops at nothing to get what he
wants, and what he wants is to get even with me for moving! I couldn't
live with knowing I put you in danger. We need to split up!" 

     Nathan grabbed both of my hands then and he looked into my eyes. I
had a feeling that he saw a lot of pain and suffering, and I knew he
wanted it to go away. "Jenn, he could damage you a lot more if you were
alone. You're hurt, scared and pretty defenseless at the moment. You've
endured a lot of wounds that haven't managed to heal. You can see it in
your eyes. Yes, I know that it may be dangerous to stay together, but
I'm willing to put that aside. It's worth it and," he paused then.
"You're worth it."

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Sorry that was so short!!!

<>Torchick<>