I stayed in my apartment longer than I expected myself to. A normal day for me is going out to the grocery store to buy my medicine and then head to the hospital to see my little one, but the job I had last night and what happened this morning left me exhausted to the point where I could hardly keep my eyes open.

Someone was knocking on my door, and hearing how loud it was, I knew it wasn't Lilly this time.

"Valerie! Open up!" I ignored the familiar male voice and remained there like I was dead "I'm going to count to three, and you better open the door or else I'm going to barge in!" I wouldn't want that, since it took my boss weeks for him to replace the last door.

"1..." he started the count down. I groaned to myself and pushed myself to get back on my legs "2..." I yawned and rubbed my eyes, too tired to get up. Before I got the chance to prepare myself, the door was removed from its henges. A Fearow had broken into my apartment with the bouncer that stands outside the club I work at. I remained on the floor when he walked in and looked at me.

"What's wrong with you?" He asked, walking towards me to kneel down and hold my forehead "You don't feel warm" I slapped his hand away.

"Mind your business. It's still daylight. What do you want?"

"Lilly came to get you, but we were told you were sick" he observed me staring at the floor "Your eyes are all puffy" I looked away so he wouldn't see "Boss man wants you in" I rubbed my face.

"Does it look like I'm in any condition to go to work? I'll go when it's time for work" he grabbed my arm and pulled up my body to lift onto his shoulder.

"Sorry little girl. Boss man's orders" I groaned and remained laying there with the little freedom I have left. I shut my eyes and rubbed them, trying to get rid of the soreness.

After walking down the stairs of the complex, he set me down on the staircase and kneeled down with his back towards me. I sighed, feeling annoyed how work up he gets when protecting me and the other girls I work with. I'm pretty sure the only reason why he broke my door was because he was worried.

Every bouncer does his job as our protector. Whether it's at the club or outside, they're on our ass 24/7 and it's frustrating. This guy with the long hair that covers half his face is rarely the one to show up though...

"Why can't I just stay home?" I asked, slapping the concrete under me.

"Want me to repeat myself?" He warned. I pushed myself up and got on top of Fearow, like I'm sure he expected me to do "Well then" he chuckled a little and got on after me "Let's go, Charlie!" I snorted at his nickname for his Pokémon and held on tightly as we rode on towards the big city I hated being a part of; Saffron City.

I jumped off a few feet from the air that was safe enough to where I won't hurt myself. I heard the bouncer, who I don't even bother remembering the name of, even after 5 years of knowing him, yelled down at me that I was crazy. Yeh, I heard it all before. 

"Stop doing that every time we go for a ride!" He glared once reaching the ground.

"Yeah, I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you?" I glanced at him briefly, seeing him blush a little "I'm not stupid. It wasn't that far down"

"It was still too far for a jump like that! Aren't you sick?" I stared deep into his eyes, making him take a good look at the bags under my eyes.

"I don't know, apparently that doesn't matter since you took me out of my home out of my will when I wanted to get some rest" I huffed "It doesn't even matter if I'm sick or not. I'm sick of this bullshit. That's what I'm sick of, but of course" I shrugged my hands "Who gives a damn about me?" He didn't say anything after that "Let's just get this over with" something made me aware that someone was about to reach to grab me. I stopped and looked back at the bouncer reaching to take my shoulder with a concerned look on his face. I scoffed and picked up my pace.

"Quit making that face" I hate when people look at me like that "You look at me like I need pity. I don't want your pity. I don't need your help, nor Lilly's" I glared at myself that I said that out loud and at what happened earlier, and decided to ditch the bouncer to get to the club myself.

Before turning the corner to get there, my eye caught a glimpse at the train station near by that takes trips from the Kanto region region to another region beside Kanto. It would be nice to start fresh in a new region... I can leave this crappy place behind once my little one is okay... but that's only a dream I can only wish for upon a star.

I sighed to myself and finally made it to my worksite. The reason why the bouncer didn't drop us off right up front was because the area where the club was, was closed off from entering through the sky.

The surrounding areas contained a sort of dark market where bad people lure into, so it was obvious that it was the perfect spot for such activities. The club was right in front of a secret tunnel to keep everything hidden. If anyone wanted to enter the dark market, which is like a flea market unlike the black market, they'll have to enter through the club.

I entered through the side door where employees have to enter and slammed the door shut behind me, seeing my coworkers jump at the sound as they were getting ready. A few of them messed up their makeup when I slammed in.

"Kitty! What the hell!?" One of the dancers glared at me. I rolled my eyes and made my way to the boss's office. I spotted him talking to someone through the small glass on his door. It was a man in all black with a hat speaking to the boss about something I could hardly hear.

"Our plan to contact the boss through the radio tower won't be in plan for another few months. Will we count on you for support?" I didn't know what they talking about, but I didn't care at the slightest and slammed the door open, making the guest jump in fright and froze in terror when seeing the pissed off look on my face.

"Kitty!" My boss smiled big at me through his thick accent, welcoming me with open arms "glad you can make it early today" I walked up to his desk, sat down on top of it with my leg crossed over the other, and glanced at the guest standing there all blue face, still looking at my cold dead eyes.

"Sorry, your conversation is done here. Go away" I spoke boldly. He shook his head shocked and looked at the boss like he expected him to do something about me. Like that'll ever happen.

"Forgive me, we'll talk another time. As for why you came here. I will gladly support anything you throw at me for the boss!" Boss exclaimed cheerfully. I darted my eyes at the guest, making him look more uncomfortable as I stood up to tower him.

"What? Is this the reason why you got me to come in so early when I'm not scheduled?" I glared down at the guy holding up his arms "I swear, if this is your doing, I'll make you regret you were ever here" he gulped and slowly walked out the office, walking backwards. I snapped my head back at my boss still smiling like an idiot, and punched his desk.

"What do you want from me at this time of the day?! It's still 2 in the afternoon! I had a long night and you had Lilly and the bouncer come into my home when I was trying to relax?" I punched the desk again when he gave no reaction "That stupid bouncer destroyed my front door! Are you going to do something about it?!"

"I'll get it replaced, don't worry. I told him to do so if you weren't responsive, so someone is already fixing you door" I shook my head, unsatisfied "Lilly told me you were ill, so I had to get Fal to check on you"

"BULLSHIT! Tell me why you really want me here!" He leaned on the back of his chair.

"I mean what I said. I wanted him to check if you were okay. Seeing you here and yelling at me, I see that you're fine" I groaned and turned away "although, you seem to be in a worse mood than usual. Would you like to talk about it?"

"To hell with it!" He nodded, chuckling.

"Well, as for your question. I wanted you here today because there's a special event going on tonight and we are all setting up"

"Why are the girls getting dressed now?"

"They're not. I boost up the budget to provide them more makeup and prettier clothes. Girls will be girls and start playing dress up. They're having tons of fun" from the moment I stepped into the dressing room, I did notice some changes in the girls clothing and colors of their makeup, but I was too distracted at the moment "I wanted everything to be perfect. They're being paid double tonight, so coming in early is a privilege" my eye twitched at the last word "As for you, I'm sure you want to stay home after a good night working with the groom from the Bachelor party last night" I snorted when remembering the girl who entered his apartment was probably his fiancée, his bride to be. What a shameful way to break the ice.

"But I need you to collect the new liquor bottles we got delivered this morning. Tonight will be a private party for some important people" I sighed, holding my head.

"You brought me in today... Forced me out my home, to store away liquor bottles..?" I was an inch away from freaking out at him. He simply nodded with that stupid smile that made me snap and pushed me to swipe all his papers off his desk "Screw you, you stupid foreigner!" I flipped his desk before walking out his office as he waved me out, telling me to be careful with the glass.

I walked pass the dancers dressing into new clothing I didn't see them in earlier and looking excited to try new things on. Looks like the boss was honest about before, but I still don't understand why I had to come in so early... How important is this private party anyway?

The lockers were located right beside the dressing room of mirrors, so I still had the view of girls giggling at their new clothes while I took out my uniform that was a bit too small for me, but was perfect in every else's eyes.

The uniform was placed on like it was suppose to, which was simply a sleeveless white collar button down shirt with only three buttons on it that can only hide my stomach, exposing the lines of my breast between the shirt, a short black skirt that almost pass my thighs, fishnet stockings, and high heel boots... I hate it all.

Once everything was on, I looked back at my locker to see my cellphone resting on my hair accessories "Oh" I picked it up "I must've forgot it here before leaving the place with that guy" I turned it on to see if I got some missed calls, and I certainly did. That one number on my screen was enough to make me gulp in fear of what they might say when I call them back.

My finger shakily clicked the number to call them back. I placed the phone on my ear at the same time Lilly was looking at me while putting some makeup in a small bag and was about to come over before seeing me about to speak on the phone.

"H-Hello?" I responded to the miss caller.

"Good afternoon, Miss Valerie!" I gulped, not knowing how to respond to a cheerful voice "Your monthly payment is due today. I tried calling yesterday and the day before but no one picked up. It seemed your phone was off" my phone bill wasn't connected, so I had to remind the boss to pay for it after helping out the other night with the dancers, like I often do "anyways, your total bill right now is 800,000 Pokédollars ($7,527.72). How much will you pay this month?" I took out my wallet from my pocket and looked inside nervously.

"5,000 ($470.51), ma'am..."

"Oh" I could hear the disappointment in her voice "Sweetheart, I know you're trying your best to pay off your Pokémon's medical bill, but these small payments won't due you any good. If this keeps up, we'll have no choice but to take it away" I bit my lip, hating to hear the same thing all the time "This is much more than you normal pay, but it's still not enough. The hospital won't accept the hold any longer until your balance is about half of the amount paid" my jaw dropped in horror.

"T-That's too much!" I squeezed my phone, no longer hearing the girls giggling to themselves "Ma'am, please... Just give me time. I don't have that kind of money. Don't take her away from me..." the phone and everything was silent.

"It's out of my hands, Miss Valerie" I sobbed deeply and cupped my mouth "They're offering to give you 3 more months. Please pay as soon as you can, but we will give you a call when the next payment is due" I collected myself before responding again "miss?"

"I'll be able to deliver the money tomorrow" I manage to say in a hush tone.

"Too... marrow" she responded more disappointed and even a bit suspiciously "The payment is due today" I felt my knees shaking "I'll accept what you have now, but I need it today. Can you do it over the phone?"

"I only have cash..." all of a sudden, Lilly snatched the phone from me and pressed it on her ear.

"I'll be there in a bit!" She said in her best impression of my voice. She later nodded and hung up, later giving me the phone. She smiled happily like she accomplished something, while I looked at her like she was mad.

"What are you doing..?" I tried not growling at her, since the sound would end up sounding like a sob more than an angry gesture.

"We'll cover for you" she pumped her fist confidently "Do what you have to do!" I looked at the girls softly smiling at me "Let me help you, Kitty! You look worse than you did this morning" I threw my phone in my locker and slammed it close, looking down.

"I said I don't need your help. I appreciate you offering to cover for me, but don't you dare offer to give me your money. I don't want your pity" I glared at her "You have children to feed! Stop offering your help! Got it?!" Lily lowered the makeup bag in her hands, disappointed.

"There's nothing wrong with others trying to offer their help. I'm not offering because I have to, I want to" I shook my head and walked pass her and the girls watching me.

"Keep it to yourself. I will never accept anyone's help. Got it?" I placed my hand on the exit door "I'll make it up to you girls for covering for me. Stop looking at me like that, will you?" One of them in a big tutu offered me a tissue.

"If you don't want us to stare, keep your chin up and wipe away those tears" I gently took the tissue and looked at the women around me giving me their warm sympathy and compassion. I simply nodded, looked back at Lilly squeezing her makeup bag with a saddened look on her face, and walked out into the streets of Saffron to head to the hospital a few blocks away.

I've been working with those women back there are since I started working there for 7 years. Most of them are a few years older than me, if not, half older. They are compassionate, but are really too much for me to handle. I appreciate every one of my coworkers who wants to be there for me, but it's not the attention I want.

My life is miserable, and as much as I want to leave that place, I really don't want to look back at it and remember all those girls and others who offered me their smiles even if I'm a real pain in the ass, but everything is just a pain in the ass to me that I can't even handle it after so long.