Bruno dropped me on the ground of the gym, and the rest of the adults pooled in.

" Blue, we need you to explain to her why it's bad to consume pills randomly." Lorelei said flately.

I glared at her. " I'm not a toddler! I can-"

Oak glared at me. " Mia, be quiet."

Blue, who was sitting on the chair, looked up. " What's wrong now?"

Bruno crossed his arms, shaking his head. "She's been eating pills like they’re snacks. And not just any pills—Modafinil, joint medication, focus enhancers. You name it, she’s probably taken it."

Blue blinked at me, looking half-exasperated and half-amused. "Mia, what in the world were you thinking?"

I crossed my arms, glaring back. "I was thinking I needed to stay awake and focused! Is that such a crime?"

Lorelei pinched the bridge of her nose. "Mia, it’s not about whether it’s a crime. It’s about your health. These medications have serious side effects, especially when taken improperly."

Blue sighed, standing up from his chair and walking over to me. "Okay, kiddo, let’s break this down in a way you’ll understand. You know how a Pokémon needs specific training to use moves effectively? If you just randomly teach them TMs without considering their type or stats, you’re gonna mess them up, right?"

I frowned. "Uh... yeah, obviously."

"Well, your body is the same way," Blue explained, his tone more serious than usual. "Taking random pills without knowing how they’ll affect you is like giving a Fire-type Pokémon Water-type moves. It doesn’t work, and it can cause more harm than good."

Oak nodded in agreement. "Mia, medication is not something to play around with. Your body isn’t a test subject, and you can’t just experiment with it because you’re feeling stressed or tired."

Bruno added, "And if you’re feeling that way, you need to tell someone. We’re here to help you, not to judge you."

I sighed, feeling cornered. "Okay, fine, I get it. No more pills. Happy now?"

Blue raised an eyebrow. "You get it, huh? Then why do you still have that look on your face like you’re planning something?"

"I’m not!" I protested, though my tone wasn’t exactly convincing.

Blue sighed. " Uh huh. Sure. Okay, look, kid, how about I put it this way. If Pikachu couldn't sleep and started taking medicine, what would y-"

" She can't." I cut in, looking cross. " She's not allowed to take my money. And besides, she likes to sleep."

I opened my bag and took a pill bottle out. " Relax." I said without looking up. " My mom gave me these. They're for my allergies."

Gary blinked. " There's musk in here?"

I glared at him. " We have a teenage boy in charge of a gym. What did you think?"

Blue gave me a look. " Excuse me, but I do not wear that stuff."

I rolled my eyes. " Sure."

Then I stood up. " Okay see y'all later."

I started to walk out, but Blue reached out and grabbed the back of my collar.

I stopped in my tracks, feeling Blue’s hand grip my collar tightly. "Oh no you don’t," he said firmly, pulling me back into the room.

I groaned and tried to wriggle free. "Come on, Blue, I said I’m fine!"

Just as I was about to give up and sit back down, Red walked into the room, his expression going from casual to wide-eyed as he took in the scene.

"What’s all the comm—" Red started, but his voice trailed off as his eyes landed on me. "What. Did. You. Do. To. Yourself?"

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Relax, Red. It’s not as bad as it looks."

Red didn’t seem convinced. He stepped closer, crossing his arms with that serious expression I always hated. "What am I supposed to tell Mom?! Have you even called her?!"

I froze at the mention of Mom’s name, my heart skipping a beat. "Red, don’t call Mom. Or Ash. At all."

Red blinked, clearly taken aback. "Wait, what? Why not?"

I lowered my head, trying to think of something that would convince him. "I—I don’t want them to worry, okay? They don’t need to know about this."

Blue shook his head, his expression unreadable. "Mia, we’re not here to hide this. You need help, and you need to talk to someone who’s going to help you, not just try to hide it."

"But I’m fine!" I protested, the words coming out a little more desperate than I intended. "I just—I just messed up, okay?"

Gary, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold, finally spoke up. "She’s right about one thing. Hiding it won’t help. But, Mia, you’ve got to stop being so stubborn about it."

Red glared at me, his voice rising. "Yeah! You’ve been keeping stuff from everyone for too long!"

I looked up at him, feeling a bit cornered. "You wouldn’t understand, Red. You and Ash, you’re always so calm and everything’s just—" I trailed off, shaking my head. "It’s not like that for me."

" Then make me understand!" Red exclaimed. " I'm the oldest one, remember?!"

" You and Ash might me older than me but when it comes to risking my life for a REPUTATION so everyone will stop bugging me, I come at the top!" I snapped. " Why else do you think I'd challenge them like this, huh? For fun? I think not."

I turned at my heel and marched out the door, slamming the door behind me.

Red and Blue exchanged a look. " We need Ash." They both said.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I stormed out, the echo of the door slamming behind me ringing in my ears. I didn’t care. I couldn’t stand the way they were looking at me, the way they were talking like I didn’t know what I was doing.

I didn’t want their pity. I didn’t want them to think I was weak or needed help. I was just trying to figure things out on my own, but it always felt like everyone was trying to take control.

I made my way down the hallway, not paying attention to where I was going, until I found myself outside. The cold air hit me like a slap, and for a moment, I just stood there, breathing heavily, trying to calm myself down.

Then I heard footsteps behind me.

"Hey, Mia." It was Ash's voice, soft but persistent. "Can we talk?"

I turned. " Ash?!" I whispered. " What are you doing here?"

" Red called me, and I flew on Charizard."

He sat next to me, and I leaned on him.

" We need to talk."

I sighed. " Not now, Ash."

" Nono, about what you said. Being bullied."

I turned to him. " What do you want to know?"

"Did he return?"

I sighed. " Unfortunately."

Ash muttered something under his breath.

I glanced at my twin. " Ash, it's fine. Really. I mean, last I saw him I just yeeted him to who knows where."

Ash looked at me, his expression softening. "You know, Mom’s worried about you," he said quietly. "But you know what? You look... okay. Ish. I mean, you looked more stressed than usual. Have you been climbing mountains again?"

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah... I guess I have." I hadn’t really realized how much I had been pushing myself until now. It wasn’t just the mountain climbs; it was everything. The constant need to be tough, to do everything on my own, to prove something.

Ash didn’t say anything right away. Instead, he pulled me into a tight hug. At first, I froze, not expecting it, but then I relaxed into the embrace, returning the hug as tightly as I could.

For a moment, everything felt like it might be okay. Just for a second.

"You don’t have to carry everything by yourself, you know," Ash whispered, his voice steady and calm. "You’ve got a whole family here that’s got your back."

I closed my eyes, letting his words sink in. "I know," I mumbled, my voice cracking slightly. "I just... I just don’t want to be a burden."

"You’re never a burden," Ash said, pulling back just enough to look at me. His eyes were filled with understanding, like he could see through all the walls I’d put up. "But you have to let us in, Mia. You can’t keep doing everything alone."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight in my chest loosen just a little. "I know," I repeated. "I’m just... still trying to figure things out."

Ash nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, you’ve got time. You don’t have to have everything figured out right now."

I managed a weak smile back, wiping away the tear that had started to form at the corner of my eye. "Thanks, Ash."

"Anytime, kiddo," he said, ruffling my hair in that annoying yet comforting way only he could manage. "Now, how about we head back? I think Red and Blue are waiting for you, and... well, Charizard’s hungry."

I chuckled, feeling the tension ease a little more. "Alright, alright. Let’s go."