Mary chuckled as she set down two steaming mugs of tea on the small wooden table. “An introvert,” she repeated, settling into the creaky chair across from me, “is someone who doesn’t like too much social interaction. Big crowds, loud noises, lots of attention… it’s exhausting for us.”
I blinked. “So… like me?”
She smiled. “Exactly like you.”
Pikachu, curled up in my lap, let out a content “Pikaaa~” as I absentmindedly scratched behind her ears.
I frowned. “But… people always say I should ‘just enjoy the party’ or ‘talk more’ or ‘stop being so quiet.’” I huffed. “Like, why is it so hard for them to understand I just don’t want to?”
Mary sipped her tea, nodding knowingly. “That’s because most people aren’t like us. They don’t get how draining it can be. They think because they enjoy those things, everyone should.”
I slumped back. “That’s so dumb.”
She laughed. “It is. But it’s also how people are.”
I mulled that over, staring at the steam rising from my tea. “So… what do you do?”
Mary tilted her head.
I sighed. “Like, when people won’t listen. When they keep trying to push you into stuff.”
Mary leaned forward, a twinkle in her eye. “You learn how to say no.”
I winced. “Yeah… not my specialty.”
“I can tell.”
I scowled. “Hey.”
She chuckled. “It’s true, though. But it’s something you can learn.”
I took a deep breath. “Okay… how?”
Mary leaned back with a small smirk. “First step? Stop running halfway across the region every time you get overwhelmed.”
I groaned. “Ugh, I knew you were gonna say that.”
Pikachu snickered. Yes, snickered.
Mary grinned. “Don’t worry, kid. You’ll get there.”
I sighed, glancing out the window. The sun was starting to set, and a familiar ache settled in my chest.
“…They’re gonna be mad, huh?”
Mary’s smile softened. “Probably worried more than mad.”
I poked at my tea. “I should go back, shouldn’t I?”
She nodded.
I sighed dramatically, flopping onto the table. “Fiiiiine.”
Mary laughed. “Come on. I’ll take you to the Pokémon Center in Fuchsia. Your family’s probably already looking for you.”
I groaned, but deep down… I knew she was right.
At least I learned something today.
And maybe—maybe—next time… I’d try saying no.
(Probably not. But it was a nice thought.)
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