Jirachi's Twin

Memory Three: In Loving Memory of Two Years Ago

"I'm glad I came," Gloria spoke suddenly, "If I hadn't, you two would've destroyed each other."

Hop didn't respond.

"Why did this happen?" she asked pleadingly.

Hop winced, "It was my fault... he was just trying to be nice, but I didn't have a very good day, and just seeing him after so long made me lose my cool. I can't stand that guy..."

"He's not as mean as he used to be," Gloria snapped, "You're stuck in the past Hop. Bede and I are better friends than you are with me right now. I'm on his side."

Hop looked away from her, "I figured as much."

They didn't speak again for a minute or two. Hop's train pulled up.

"You know..." he stopped for a moment, carefully thinking about his words, "I came down here with Sonia to see your match. I sort of was hoping that maybe I'd get to see you—since you're always so busy these days. But when I saw you with Bede, I wasn't really sure what to feel. You might be friends with him, but the only memories I have with him are bad. I honestly didn't think he was trying to be nice... I figured he was just taunting me..."

Gloria shook her head violently, sending a few of her tears off to the sides, "You're making excuses..."

"I know..." he sighed.

They paused again.

"But I'm glad I got to see you. Even if it was like this..."

He looked up, and saw there was a faint smile on her face. Hop sighed quietly, both relieved and guilty that she had so quickly forgiven him.

"Right..." was all he thought to say.

Gloria's fingers trembled on a notebook she was holding, "Oh—I almost forgot..." she handed the notebook to Hop, "This is why I came here. Sonia asked if I could get this to you. She didn't have time to go and find you because she needed to book a hotel here in Wyndon. I figured you'd be here, since this is the last train for Wedgehurst today."

Surprised, he responded, "Oh—that's right. I never told her where I went did I? Shoot... she's probably worried sick..."

"I'll let her know you're alright..." she stopped, "mostly..."

"Oh..." Hop wiped his hand across his face, discovering that there was blood on it still from getting punched by Bede.

The intercom system suddenly blared, "THE LAST TRAIN FOR WEDGEHURST IS LEAVING IN FIVE MINUTES, I REPEAT, THE LAST TRAIN FOR WEDGEHURST IS LEAVING IN FIVE MINUTES. THANK YOU, AND HAVE A WONDERFUL REST OF YOUR NIGHT."

"Well... sorry our reunion wasn't really ideal, but... I've got to go back home. I don't want to stay here."

Gloria nodded, but didn't say a word.

The train doors were open wide for Hop to cross through. He took a few steps towards them and looked back at Gloria for a brief moment. Their reunion really was horrible. Just by looking at her tear-smeared face, he knew his actions had scarred her.

"I hope next time goes better," Hop sighed, smiling sadly at Gloria.

She looked up for a moment. Her face was red with anxiety, and there was suddenly a confused look in her eyes.

"I..." she uttered, looking left and right quickly—realizing quickly that her best friend was leaving once again, for what could be another two years if she did nothing about it.

"Hop—"

He turned towards her, "What is it Gloria—?"

The train whistle blew. There were only a matter of seconds until departure. Gloria had so many things running through her head that she didn't know what to say or what order to say them. All she could think about was the idea of not seeing Hop again, and how sad she would be, and she didn't want that. She didn't want to leave him behind again.