You woke up to an indistinct mélange of voices reaching your ears. As the moments passed, it slowly became clearer. Your eyes opened and you blinked a few times, your vision falling into place and the realization that you were back in the Ranger Station in Camp Shiver dawning on you.
Through the open door of the small room you had been staying in for the past weeks you could hear people talking. You recognized that of Pamur. Pamur – he was the one coefficient about this whole situation that had been keeping you sane so far. If it weren’t for him, you might have long since committed suicide by drowning yourself in the Ice Lake.
And unless you were mistaken, there was only one other person he was talking to. No sooner had you finished that thought, said other person entered your chamber.
Once you saw the copper-haired adolescent, memories flooded your brain. You remembered the events that had occurred in the Hia Valley and also, more importantly, you realized something you hadn’t that night. Your senses hadn’t been fooling you; you did know the guy. The both of you had been classmates back at the Ranger School.
“Hey, Keith.” Your voice sounded hoarse and you felt just how dry your throat was.
He threw you a surprised look, stepping next to your bed.
“How come you know my name?” Surprise still evident in his tone, he leaned down towards you a little and you noticed the cup he was holding, his pose indicating that you were to take it. You sat up, stuffing your pillow behind your back to make yourself more comfortable, and did so.
Keith sat down on the edge of your bed and turned a little to be able to look at you. Taking a small sip of the hot chocolate he had offered you, you relished the taste for a moment before finally answering.
“Don’t you recall? We went to school together.” Judging from the look on his face, no, he didn’t recall.
“Really..?” He seemed to think for a few moments. “I don’t remember you though. Sorry, [Name].” You concluded that Pamur had given him your name.
“That’s ‘cause you never pay attention to anything.” He was going to object, but you didn’t let him. “Either way, we never talked to each other anyways.”
A short silence arose. A minute or two later, he continued without changing the topic.
“But if you and I were in the same class, how come Pamur said you only just became a ranger?”
Although you didn’t feel comfortable answering his question, you eventually did.
“They didn’t let me graduate the first time ‘round.”
All of a sudden, the atmosphere of the conversation had changed from comfortable to awkward. He didn’t say anything for a while and you were surprised he didn’t ask about the reasons for your failure. Back in the school days, you had always perceived him as somebody loud and somewhat obnoxious. Nonetheless, he had always been someone you envied for his success.
Even aafter he had graduated, you hadn't had much of a choice but to follow his rise to glory; he had been dominating the headlines of every newspaper recently.
“So…” He paused. “You don’t need to worry about that Glaceon any longer. I found it and the lady’s happy again.” His attempt at changing the subject failed horribly. Instead of distracting you from your negative thoughts, he only encouraged them.
Not only had you failed your mission, but he had once again proven to you just how much better of a ranger he was than you would ever be. You struggled so hard and still failed while he didn’t even have to really try in order to reach his goals.
“How do you do it?” you asked.
“Do what?”
You hesitated before answering.
“How are you so good at everything? You’ve barely been a pokémon ranger for a year, and you’re already a top ranger. But not just that. You come ‘round here by coincidence and not only do you complete the mission I wasn’t able to finish with ease, but you also rescue me at the same time, like it’s not a big deal. None at all.”
A shiver ran down your spine when you realized that what you had just said was actually true. For a reason you weren’t able to define, it had always been like that, your whole life. No matter how hard you tried, you lagged behind.
When he tried to look into your eyes, you averted your gaze. You were feeling incredibly self-conscious all of a sudden.
“Hey,” he said softly. When you still didn’t show any reaction, his hand found the side of your face, his bare fingertips warm against your cold skin. He leaned towards you slightly, breathing in the scent of cocoa coming from the cup you were still holding. Your eyes finally met his.
“Don’t put yourself down so much.”
And his lips met yours.
You’re always ahead of the rest
When I’m always on time.
You got A’s on your algebra tests.
I failed and they kept me behind.
I just gotta get off my chest
That I think you’re divine.
You’re always ahead of the rest
While I drag behind.
