"He's been pretty good. Tiger let him stay in Hoenn for a bit so
he can challenge the gyms since Kalos' gym challenge went
badly." Suko said kindly.
Max looked thoughtful. "Well I am staying in Fortree for a few
months while I challenge the gyms. M-maybe I can be your rival. Err
that is if you want I mean." He said nervously and sighed.
Max sighed and looked at the ground. "Because I like you, alright?
Im nervous around you because for the longest time I've had a crush
on you, and I always never seemed to know how to tell you. The day
with that bully? I was going to tell you, but my foolish sarcasm
made you hate me for years, and on top of that I got into a fist
fight with that guy and lost..I lost what feels like everything
that day." He grumbled and rubbed his nose which was slightly
crooked from the bully breaking it in that fight all those years
ago.
"Same here!" Suko said excitedly and smiled at Isa.
Max sighed and looked away. "I like you." He said quietly and in a
somewhat defeated tone. "Listen it's getting late. I'm heading home
okay?" He said quietly and called to Suko who waved a goodbye and
ran back over to Max.
Max walked back to Fortree quietly. Suko jumped onto his shoulder.
"Wimped out again eh, Wimpod?" He said slyly.
"Suko shut it." Max growled lowly. "I don't even know why I told
her. I mean, she must still hate me." He said quietly and tucked
his hands into his pockets.
"I'm so confused." Deirdre said with a sigh. Both her parents were
away on some business trip, so she walked into the house and sighed
as she sat down at the table.
"Of course not. I mean, Max has been your rival and your friend
since we were born." Scar said with a shake of her head. "He's most
likely had a crush on you for a while."