When I got back to the Pokémon Center, I refused to be at the counter up front. Audino took over in the back, healing the Pokémon if she could, otherwise, she helped guide me through the procedures. When I wasn't doing that, I sat in the room, watching Ducklett.

Days passed, and not once did I think about my parents. I didn't want to. Something about it just felt wrong. All I wanted to do was to move on in life. Yet, a couple days ago, I was forced to learn about my parents' past: one that I didn't expect.

Blocking the new information, I rushed over to take care of Ducklett. She needed me right now, unlike...I shook my head at the thought. At least here at the Pokémon Center, no one would question me about it. When I came back to from my trip, I told Nurse Joy I just wanted to take care of Ducklett, and not talk about anything else that had happened. Nurse Joy didn't say anything about that, and let me be. I was relieved. 

Today, I grabbed a few apples from the cafeteria and left to the back, ignoring all the Trainers who were patiently waiting for their Pokémon. Ducklett was improving, so much that she no longer had that broken leg. Her health improved so quickly, but only by so much.

I handed her a few apples for her to be distracted as I took a look at the brace we put around her leg. She could walk around in a boot, but that wouldn't be good for her when she returns to the wild. I waited until Ducklett took a bite out of her apple to touch her leg to feel how her leg. When I did this, I must've touched it too hard because Ducklett spit her apple on my head and used a water gun attack.

Immediately, I let go of her leg and shielded my face with my arms. This wasn't the first time this happened, but it was still surprising. Ducklett wouldn't always use the move, but when she did, it was when I wasn't being gentle enough.

That was why I tried giving her some apples as a distraction. Apparently food wasn't a good enough distraction.

"I'm just trying to help you," I claimed as I lowered my arms in defense. "Come on, don't you want to get better? Then you can be with your friends."

After hearing my words, Ducklett looked away.

"Don't you want to be with your friends?" I asked.

The Ducklett didn't answer. Normally, when I would ask her questions, she would, but now, she was quiet.

"Do you have a family you want to reunite with?" I carefully asked.

Once again, the Pokémon didn't look at me, but I noticed her head shaking from left to right.

My heart sank. Ducklett didn't have anyone to go back to. She was probably happy here, getting attention, not fending for herself. Before, she was all alone. Now, she had someone.

I understood exactly how it felt to be alone. No one ever wanted to be my friend growing up, so I kept to myself. It was best that way. I could shove myself in my studies, finding new ways to heal Pokémon. I had an escape.

This Ducklett didn't.

"Do you?" I cleared my throat, realizing what I was going to ask. "Do you want to stay here?"

Ducklett turned to look at me. Her sparkling and hopeful eyes gave me my answer. I smiled.

"Okay, you can stay, but I need to get your leg better first. Understand?" I asked.

She didn't answer, but I didn't wait for one. I pressed my hands on her leg, and once again, the Pokémon threw another water gun attack on me. Only this time, it was more powerful than usual, throwing me to the windowed walls that anyone in the back—which was usually just Audino and Nurse Joy, if they needed it—could see inside.

I landed on the ground. My glasses fell from my face, yet, I still looked up to see the little Ducklett laughing. After all I've done, she thought that was funny. I couldn't believe her!

The door opened, and I glanced over, thinking Nurse Joy might have heard the commotion and came running to see what was going on. Instead, a boy with messy blond hair tucked under a cap ran inside, kneeling next to me. He bent down, so I could see his navy blue eyes clearly.

"Are you alright?" Rudi asked, handing me my glasses.

Not answering him, I snatched the glasses from him and plopped them on my face. Once I could see, I stood up. It has been days since I've seen him or his family, but I was avoiding everyone for a reason. Ignoring his presence, I walked behind the table Ducklett was sitting on, grabbing some gauze to wrap around Ducklett's leg.

My hands started unwrapping it from the spindle that hung from the wall as I mentally thought of the exact measurement Ducklett would need. Maybe by ignoring him, the boy would realize I wasn't in the mood to talk and leave.

Unfortunately, the boy didn't get the hint. He walked up beside me, leaning on the wall.

"So, how are you doing?" he asked.

I took a pair of scissors from the pocket of my apron to cut the gauze from the spindle. "Patients aren't allowed back here, unless it's their Pokémon. Ducklett doesn't belong to you; therefore, you are breaking the rules here. Leave."

My scissors snapped off the last bit of the gauze, which I swung over my shoulder. Despite that I couldn't get a full feel of the leg, from what I could feel, Ducklett's leg was finally improving. It was time she moved on to a less supporting wrapping and have it heal on its own now.

"Sorry, I just wanted to see if you're doing alright," Rudi apologized.

I turned towards him, pointing my scissors toward him. His eyes widened, seeing as the sharp end was pointing towards him. "No, you don't get it. I am busy with a patient. Leave."

Rudi didn't say a word as I turned around and walked over to Ducklett. She was too busy eating the apples on the table that I gave her earlier, so she didn't even notice the fighting, which was good. Pokémon could sense tension and other emotions. Seeing that Rudi and I were fighting could be bad as it could make her tense in return.

Tension in a hospital setting was never a good thing.

My hands grabbed the gauze as I carefully wrapped it around her leg. This time, she didn't flinch or use an attack on me. I sighed in relief. She had all right to attack as it was painful. While I haven't broken anything myself, anything that is broken is painful enough. Broken things was a concept I was familiar with, almost too familiar with.

And Rudi just had to remind me.

"Done," I told Ducklett. "Now, try standing up."

The Ducklett looked up at me before flapping her wings to stand up. When she did, Ducklett wore the brightest smile. She flew towards my chest. I wrapped my arms around her as she nuzzled her head in my shoulder.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're getting better," I told her.

"Is that the same Ducklett from the day we met?"

I turned around, holding Ducklett in my arms. Rudi stood there, hands shoved in his pockets. I rolled my eyes. What part of leave didn't this guy understand? Just because he was a superhero in disguise doesn't give him any kind of excuse to disobey the rules.

"Yes," I said, "and I shouldn't have to tell you three times to leave."

Rudi's right hand reached from his pocket to scratch the back of his ear. "Yah, about that, Nurse Joy let me back here. I asked if I could take you out to lunch, so we could catch up. That is, only if you want to. I understand if you don't. It wasn't right for my parents and sister to—"

"Don't talk about it," I hissed, before taking a deep breath.

The boy nodded his head. "Okay, well, I'll see you later then."

His face looked like a lost Lilipup, but for the first time, he turned around and listened to me. He wasn't snooty about it. Everything seemed so genuine. In return, I felt like I was doing something wrong. I looked down at Ducklett, who gave me a look of confusion. She didn't understand what was going on because I didn't tell her.

I've been so busy caring for others, I felt a bit selfish for what words came out of my mouth.

"Patrat's Pizza," I said, not looking up from Ducklett.

"What?"

I looked up to see Rudi standing in the door way genuinely confused. Taking a deep breath, I continued my thought.

"Give me ten minutes to get ready," I told him. "Patrat's Pizza is just down the road. I'll meet you there."

The grin on his face was priceless. It was like I just told him he won the Pokémon League or something because his smile was grinning ear to ear. He nodded his head and sprinted out the door.

Oh Deerling, what was I getting myself into?

(-o-)

We sat down at a table, and I found myself tugging at the black ribbon that tied around my blue romper. It was the same outfit I always wear whenever I'm off of work, but something about being in it now made me nervous. I guess it was because I never had lunch with another person besides Nurse Joy before.

I was too introverted to think about eating lunch with another person. That was why I offered to go to Patrat's Pizza. It wasn't the most well-known place here in Nacrene City, but the few people that did come here kept to themselves. Along with that, the waiters never dwelled much about your life, only asking what you wanted food-wise, came back with that. If your drink needed a refill, they'd be back in seconds.

Other than that, the place was quiet, letting everyone have the perfect opportunity to read, rest, or in my case, research nursing techniques.

Yet, bringing someone here felt wrong.

"So I got one everything pizza for the gentleman and a vegetable pizza with Gogoat cheese, and a bowl of soft-water Pokémon food for the Ducklett," our waiter asked.

We all nodded our head before the waiter left. I had given Ducklett some fruit, but she needed more than just that. She sat on a raised stool, drinking the water that she was given earlier. I smiled, noticing how happy she was to be out and about right now.

"So, Gogoat cheese," Rudi mused. "Are you vegan or something?"

I snapped my head towards him, shaking my head. "Lactose intolerant."

"Wait, so what about Castelia Cones?" Rudi asked in complete horror.

I shrugged. "Never had one."

Rudi's eyes widened in complete horror. "No way! How have you depressed yourself from them? They're the best treat in all of Unova! Anyone who says otherwise is lying, or selling something."

"What about Lava Cookies?" I countered.

The blond shook his head. "They don't compare to the sweetness of Castelia Cones. Wait, is dairy from Miltanks deadly or does it—"

"Deadly," I told him, "found out when I was three drinking a glass of Moomoo Milk. Nurse Joy had to rush me to the hospital. It was a close one."

His eyes softened, as he propped his head on his hand. "You and Nurse Joy seem close."

"Yah, she's raised me since, you know," I told him, looking at another waiter bringing a tray of food to another table. My stomach growled in protest.

There were times like this I wanted to just wanted to take a piece of pizza off the plate, despite knowing that it could be my last. It didn't matter though. I knew our food would be coming out soon.

"Is that why you don't want to know about your—"Rudi asked.

"Yes and no," I answered, looking down at my fingers intertwining the ribbon between them. "I guess if I didn't accept the fact and ignored it, things would be easier. It's hard. Sometimes, no, everyday I just push the thoughts out and don't want to accept it. I just don't want people seeing me differently."

"I understand," Rudi whispered. My fingers froze. I looked up at him, seeing the boy staring past me, as if thinking of a distant memory. As soon as I saw the look, he shook his head, and gave me his signature grin. "That's why I take initiative and save the day."

Rudi was hiding something. Something was bothering him. I might not know him well, but seeing this change of demeanor was all I needed to know.

"Here's your vegetable pizza with Gogoat cheese, and here's an everything pizza for you, and finally, a nicely prepared soft-water Pokémon food for the Ducklett," the waiter said, handing each of us our food.

He didn't asked if it was right. Instead, the man left the table, leaving us alone to our food. I watched as Rudi dug into his pizza, eating it as fast as he could. It was as if the soft spot in him disappeared as soon as he started to open up.

It was as if he didn't want anyone to know he had a soft spot in him. Maybe Rudi was more complex than I though him to be.