Unity

Chapter 2

Gloria was walking home with joy in her steps. She just finished her last training session before her break together with her good friend Marnie. Marnie and Gloria were rivals when they started their gymchallenge but grew closer over time. Marnie was the new gymleader of Spikemuth, but she still saw Gloria as her rival. When they finished their training they went for a nice cup of tea together in Hammerlocke afterwards before saying their goodbyes at the station. Gloria was a bit excited for her break, she had been training and battling non stop since she became champion. She loved being the strongest trainer of the Galar region, but it was very tiring. The young girl stretched out her arms high up in the sky and gazed at the setting sun. She let out a deep sigh and gazed around. She was walking down route 1 with Hop's house in the distance. But she suddenly started to feel uneasy, as if there were two eyes watching her. Gloria turned around and looked around the area, but she saw no one. As she walked further down the path she noticed his mother cleaning up the barbecue. Gloria felt a sting of jealousy and hunger, it's been a long time since she ate at his house. Gloria stopped walking at the gate and was greeted by the purple haired lady with a affectionate gaze.

"Gloria, love! How have you been? It's so good to see you again!" She kindly said as she dropped the sauces on the table.

The woman hurried over to the gate and wrapped her arms around Gloria to pull her in for a warm hug. The brunette girl let out a soft giggle and hugged her back. Hop's mum felt like an aunt to her. Their mums were best friends after all, and Gloria used to come over so often that she was practically adopted into their family.

"I've been doing great! I see you've been barbecuing again, next time I'll join in too! It's been way too long, I miss your cooking skills." Gloria said honesty. The two broke out of the hug and stood across of each other.

"Hop told me you'll be on a small break, so we can have one soon love. He talks non stop about you!" Hop's mum giggled as she held her hand in front of her mouth.

Gloria started to blush and stiffen up. He talked about her nonstop? She started to tremble a little bit and looked away awkwardly.

"I, eh, Yep! I'm on a break starting today!" Her voice was a bit shakey due to awkwardness.

The curtains in Hop's bedroom suddenly opened up. He opened up his window and looked outside the window to see whom his mother was talking too. He locked eyes with Gloria for a second and immediately closed the window again. The lights of his bedroom turned off and in just a matter of seconds the frontdoor opened up with a slam.

"You know, love, he actually said that he'd -"

"Mum!" Hop cut off his mother and stood behind her with his hand resting on her shoulder.

He took back his hand and took a few deep breaths. He walked over to Gloria and put both of his hands on her shoulders firmly. The purple haired boy gave his mum a quick glance and turned around.

"Come on mate, I'll walk you home!" He loudly said as he pulled the brunette girl with him.

"Oh," Gloria quickly put her hand in the air and turned her head around for a second, ", see you later auntie!" She sweetly waved Hop's mum goodbye.

Hop let go of Gloria's shoulders and started to walk beside her instead of behind her. He eyed her a few times before grabbing her hand tightly.

"Did... Eh... She say anything weird to you?" Hop awkwardly asked her as he faced away.

Gloria grinned and stopped walking. She grabbed her chin with the hand that was free and glanced at him.

"Well, she did say that one thing..." Gloria teasingly said.