Molly Johnson wasn’t sure what to make of Valentine’s Day anymore given that she didn’t want to be bitter about the day but did find herself single. She’d been in a fairly long term relationship, her first, and had found herself in a situation where she needed to end it. It wasn’t that her former beau had been bad to her or had done anything against her; it was just that things had gotten to a point in his life where she wasn’t sure she could deal with things anymore. She’d felt bad for doing so, especially given that she knew he could use the support and because it meant he left the team to avoid awkwardness, but she had enough on her plate when it came to taking care of others that she didn’t feel she could handle any more. Given she was only a fifteen year old girl she really did have too much on her plate as was.

It didn’t help that as she walked through the school grounds she saw signs of the coming day everywhere. Some decorations had been put up by the student council to help get people in the mood, though she wasn’t sure if the mood many students would be in was the one they hoped to encourage. Still, she couldn’t help but appreciate the fact that at least they weren’t as juvenile and over the top pink as they were back in grade school or even middle school. She looked at the advertisement for the next dance as well and wondered if there was something wrong with her since she was single.

“Hey Molly!” the Combusken looked up and blinked a few times as her name was called and smiled when she saw who it was.

“Hello, Molly,” she said to the Swampert that approached her. Molly had met Molly Aeleen by accident and the joke had started between them about their similar first names. The two had become friends after that, with the Swampert version had tried to get the Combusken Molly to loosen up some.

“What’s shaking, girl?” The Swampert asked as she pressed Molly into her bosom for a hug. The Combusken hadn’t gotten used to the forward and friendly nature of the taller Molly yet but didn’t mind either as she returned the hug.

“Oh not much,” she admitted as she was released from the embrace, “Just kind of…thinking,” she tried to push it off, but the other Molly picked up on it right away.

“Thinking about your ex aren’tcha,” the Swampert mentioned. The Combusken shrugged her shoulders and looked towards the decorations again.

“Well…yes,” she didn’t try to hide it, “We broke up so close to Valentine’s Day and it just seems that, well, I should…you know, have someone to celebrate it with,” the other Molly reached out sympathetically and gave her friend another hug.

“Awww, you shouldn’t worry yourself about it, babe,” Molly told Molly, “It happens. I didn’t spend all my V-Days with someone you know? No one does,”

“I suppose you are right,” the Combusken responded, “Just being a silly girl I suppose,”

“There’s nothing silly about you, Molly. Believe me, I’ve tried to get you to be more silly,” the Swampert teased the other. Molly gave a small smile in return.

“Still working on that, I promise,” the Combusken answered. The Swampert gave a giggle.

“You’d better,” She glanced up suddenly, “Oh! There’s Eric, I’ve got to go catch up with him, but hang in there, okay?” Molly nodded her head in assurance as she watched the Swampert dash off, though her expression fell when she noticed Eric was a Lucario. Molly gave a little sigh and turned to head in the other direction as she tried to keep her own spirits up. She hated that she was having this reaction that she was letting herself get all weak over a silly holiday, but she couldn’t help it. Sometimes being fifteen and in high school could suck.

Molly made her way out of the school building and headed towards the parking lot where she was going to meet her father for a ride home. She didn’t make it very far before she heard an argument off to the side. She tried not to pay it any heed but with how loud it was getting she couldn’t help but glance over as an Azelf and a Darkrai were in disagreement over…something, she wasn’t even entirely sure. The two were upper classmen from the looks of it and she wasn’t sure who either of them was given how large the school was.

“You’re crazy!” the Azelf Alexia said to the other. The expressions on their faces showed nothing but hostility as they came face to face with one another.

“Do not point your finger in my face!” Leone, the Darkrai in question, warned the other. Alexia brought her finger up again and pointed it at him.

“Or what?” she challenged him. Leone reached out and grabbed her wrist.

“I warned you,” He said in a low voice to her.

“Get your hand off me or I’ll…!” Her statement was cut short when he suddenly yanked her in close and laid a deep kiss on her. To say the Azelf looked stunned would’ve been an understatement; but she didn’t exactly pull back either. Once she’d gotten over her shock the girl wrapped her arms around the Darkrai and closed her eyes as she returned the kiss just as passionately. Several catcalls and a few cries of, ‘awww,’ echoed through the crowd which the two soundly ignored.

“I suppose that’s one way of getting a date,” Molly said to herself with a small sigh before she turned and continued on her way through the quad area of the school. She couldn’t help but glance around now as activity seemed to have picked up ahead of the upcoming holiday. Several couples seemed to be canoodling with one another and held each other close as they used the various planters and benches to their advantage. She pondered for a moment if it really was more activity or if the timing of it just made her feel more sensitive to it. With a shake of her head she looked forward to try and push it out of her mind but her movements made her miss a rather large ‘mon who attempted to do the same.

“Oof!” the Combusken exclaimed as she fell to the ground and her bag went flying.

“Son of a crap! Oh sorry about that…Molly? How’d you get down there?” Her friend Mac Masterson reached down and hefted her up with little trouble to settle her back on her feet. Molly blinked and let him do so before she reached down to grab her bag.

“I...slipped,” she answered as she dusted her self off. Mac rested a hand behind his head and blushed in embarrassment he’d knocked someone over.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” He apologized again, “Was trying to keep from looking around and sorta stopped looking forward,” Molly smiled up towards the giant Snowmon and reached out to give him a light hug. The Snover returned it after a moment.

“It’s quite all right, Mac,” she assured him as she let go, “Trying not to look at all the happy couples right now?” Mac shrugged his shoulders as he continued to rub the back of his head instinctively.

“Well, no, I mean, yeah I don’t want to be rude towards them, but also, you know…oh Son of a crap…you know what I’m trying to say!”

“My cousin on your mind, eh?” Molly asked to make sure.

“Yes!” Was all Mac could say as he fell to his knees and covered his face, “And all the girls around here aren’t helping me with thinking! I want to do something special for her! But, I mean, I seriously thinkin’ all I’m gonna get for her are flowers and candy!”

“What’s wrong with flowers and candy?” Molly had to ask as she tilted her head up at him.

“Huh?” He looked towards her, now at eye level because he was on his knees, and seemed a bit confused at the question.

“Is there anything wrong with just giving her flowers and candy?” She asked again. Mac sat there and blinked as he thought about the question. Flowers and candy were the traditional thing after all, and if they were traditional they had to be a good gift for someone.

“Suppose not,” he finally replied as he looked to her, “Just seem like they’re, you know, impersonal,”

“Well let’s think,” Molly said as she helped him to his feet, “You are an artist, right?”

“Yeah?” He said, not sure with where she was going with this. An encouraging look from Molly got him to thinking before it dawned on him, “I could do something artistic for her!”

“I am sure she’d love anything you drew for her, Mac. You should look into doing that,” Molly answered. Mac got a huge smile on his face as the possibilities started to run through his mind. He reached out to give Molly a huge friendly hug in thanks.

“Thanks a ton, Molly!” He said as he pulled her in not quite realizing his own strength as he almost smothered her. She did her best to hide it once he finally let go and smiled up at him.

“I’m glad I could help, Mac,” she answered and readjusted her clothing a bit.

“I’m so glad I have a friend like you to talk to about this sort of thing,” He said before he turned to walk towards his dorm so he could get home and get started on an idea, “I have so much trouble talking to girls and wouldn’t have even gotten this far if you weren’t ‘round!” Mac set off at as quick a pace as he could muster and left the Combusken there with a small smile. That was until she realized that he said he had trouble talking to girls; which made her wonder just what she qualified as considering last she checked she was still female. Her protests to the statement were quickly interrupted as a hand reached out to catch her shoulder.

“Oh Molly! Was that Mac you were talking to?” the Combusken was quickly spun around by her cousin, Casaphia “Casi” Johnson. Still recovering from the sudden crushing hug from the giant Snowmon it took Molly a moment to catch up.

“Huh?” Not her best moment. Casi frowned and shook her to try to get Molly back to her senses.

“Was. That. Mac?” She asked slowly. Molly frowned and pushed Casi off of herself before she adjusted her clothing once more.

“Yes, yes it was,” she answered, “There a reason you are asking?”

“Well, I mean…did he say anything about me?” Casi asked almost desperately. Molly couldn’t help but find herself amused at the whole situation; that the two ‘mon seemed to really like each other but were terrified to just talk about it.

“Perhaps,” Molly acted almost coyly about it, “Is there anything in particular you are looking for?” Casi frowned as she wasn’t used to her cousin being less than forth coming, but she figured the Combusken had a reason. With a sigh she finally decided to let the other girl know and turned away from Molly a bit.

“I just want to get him something special, ya know?” the Arceus admitted, “And I was hoping you might be able to give me some kinda idea or other,” Molly heaved a small sigh and nodded, it was about what she had expected. The Combusken patted her cousin on the shoulder and smiled to her.

“Well, did you have any ideas about something personal you could get for him?” Molly put forth, “Something that says you?” Casi stood there and thought about it for a moment; she had already knitted him a “wonderful” scarf that he seemed to really enjoy.

“Maybe I could knit him some gloves to go along with his scarf!” Casi suddenly exclaimed. Molly did her best to hide her dubious look, unsure of just how much she should encourage another set of ugly knit work being made, but she also didn’t want to rain down on the Arceus’ parade.

“That would indeed be an option,” the Combusken admitted, “I’m sure since Mac is an artist he would be happy…” she didn’t finish the statement before Casi’s eyes lit up as an idea hit her.

“I could pose for him for a picture!” was the answer that came to the girl. Molly stopped and looked at her, not entirely sure if it was a gift for Mac or not but Casi seemed so proud of thinking it up and likede the idea so much that she didn’t want to speak against it.

“That…I think he would like that, yes,” The more Molly thought about it the more that actually did seem like a good idea. Casi gave a small sigh as she looked past her cousin towards someone.

“I just wish I was more confident about this sort of thing, you know?” the Arceus asked, “Like that guy over there!” Molly turned around to see what was being talked about. It didn’t take her long to notice a tall and rather suave looking Breloom chatting up two ladies: a strong looking Quilava as well as a short and curvy Plusle. The three seemed to be enjoying themselves as he flirted them up and the response seemed to be reciprocated. That was until a tall, busty Bayleef entered the picture and hailed the Breloom. The Breloom looked over his shoulder and almost seemed disappointed for a moment, but then turned towards the two girls he chatted with and said something to them before he walked over towards the Bayleef. The two other girls seemed disappointed for a moment, but then watched and awed as the two grass types embraced and hugged tightly. It was obvious that the Bayleef had great affection for the Breloom, and it seemed that the feelings were returned.

“I mean, dude’s obviously got a girlfriend and he was flirting with two other girls,” Casi pointed out, “Why can’t I have confidence to talk to Mac like that?” Molly asked herself the same question for a moment but quickly banished it from her thoughts. She looked over towards the Arceus and smiled.

“It seems you have a couple of ideas that could work for Valentine’s Day if you want to give him something special,” she told her cousin, “You should do both and see what he says,” Casi brightened at the thought and hugged the Combusken suddenly.

“Thanks, Molly! You’re a doll!” the Arceus said before she skipped off to go and plot out her plans for the very pink holiday. Molly returned the hug and watched as her cousin left; a little envious that she at least had someone to plot for. With a sigh she continued on towards the parking lot where she wasn’t sure if her dad had arrived yet or not. She’d just reached the edge of the busy mass of cars when she heard a familiar voice speaking off to the side. Molly glanced over and noticed her best friend and team leader, Tamara Tellamapolou, looked rather distressed as she talked to someone else. Molly turned to walk closer towards the Poli and noticed the one she was talking to was a friend of hers, Don Nochtvalm.

“Tamara?” Molly asked as she approached her friend. The Poli looked up towards the Combusken with a less than happy look.

“Oh, hey Mol,” Tam said back as she hung her head, “Sorry…just kinda being dumb here right now,”

“No you’re not,” Don assured the girl in his smooth, British accent, “You’ve got a reason to be upset,”

“What is it that has you so upset?” Molly asked as she sat on the other side of Tam and wrapped an arm around her friend.

“It’s nothing, really,” Tam tried to brush it off. Don gave her a stern look to keep her from hiding it.

“Tamara, Molly’s your friend and wants to help is all,” the Houndour pressed the Poli gently. With a sigh Tam turned to look at the Combusken.

“Well, it’s just that Art and I are kinda fighting over something,” she finally admitted.

“Fighting over what?” Molly was surprised to hear it given how happy the two seemed to be.

“Well I want to go out for Valentine’s Day but he has to hang around and help with the shoppe and doesn’t really want to ask for the time off because he says his parents need his help and he’s right, I know they need his help but I was kinda hoping just this once that maybe he would be able to get it off and we could do something like tradition has and stuff…ya know?” Molly blinked at the rambling from her friend; it never ceased to amaze her whenever she saw her battle loving best friend prattle on like a girl out of a teen romance movie.

“That is…something all right,” the Combusken wasn’t really sure what to say in response. Tam frowned and hung her head.

“Toldja it was silly. Kinda sad that all my relationship advice comes from Tabi and all those Donna Nightflame movies I’ve watched,” Tam said as she gave a sad smile.

“I told you those were not the best of places to get advice on relationships,” Molly reminded her. Don gave a half hearted almost nervous chuckle for a moment as the two girls looked towards him oddly.

“Yes, very silly to get directions from those movies,” He added before he cleared his throat, “But have you considered that maybe you shouldn’t push for it to be on Valentine’s Day? A special date that is?”

“Isn’t it, like, traditional to do it then?” Tam asked Don with a small frown.

“Some do it on other days,” Molly brought up, “I have seen several people celebrate it a few days before or after in order to avoid the rushes,”

“Besides, it doesn’t mean you two care about each other any less if you do celebrate it on other days,” Don added, “And you two could spend time together at the candy shoppe to make up for it,”

“Well…it’s usually pretty fun helping him clean up afterwards,” Tam admitted, “Just the two of us listening to music and goofing off some,” She smiled a bit, “You two are right, I shouldn’t make such a big deal about it,”

“No you shouldn’t,” Molly agreed as she nodded her head.

“That’s the spirit, Tamara!” Don encouraged her with a smile. Tam reached out to grab each of her friends by their necks with an arm and hugged them tightly.

“Thanks, guys, I really appreciate it,” She let go after a moment as both Don and Molly had to take in a deep breath and rub their necks a bit.

“No problem,” Don answered with a small cough.

“I’ll talk to him when I go to my shift at the store tonight, see if I can’t catch him alone in the kitchen and talk for a bit,” Tam added as she stood up, “I better get going, looks like my ride’s here. Take care you two!” With that the Poli dashed off towards a waiting car. Molly and Don watched her go as each shook their heads.

“Sweet girl,” Don said as he looked towards Molly.

“But she can be very emotional, yes,” Molly agreed.

“What about you?” the Houndour asked.

“What about me?” Molly responded quizzically.

“You have someone special to be with this holiday?” He asked as he stood up and stretched a bit.

“No…no, I broke up with my boyfriend a few weeks ago,” the Combusken admitted. Don gave her a sympathetic look.

“Well, think of it as a day off to do as you please then,” he suggested. Molly shrugged her shoulders and stood up as well.

“I suppose,” the Combusken didn’t seem convinced. Don offered her a smile and a gentle pat on the shoulder.

“Sometimes the best way to spend Valentine’s Day is with the ones you love, and not just a significant other. That real love comes out on the day past all the candies and cards and fake sentiment, and that’s what it really means,” Don said before he turned to head towards his dorm, “Take care, Molly!” the Combusken waved farewell to the other as she started to head for the parking lot herself. Molly drug her feet a bit as she thought about what Don had said, and how it was still hard to do. The only one she’d have to spend Valentine’s Day with if she followed the advice was her father.

Then a large smile crossed her beak as she realized something; she did love her father and he needed the love. Much as he was still a well known ex battler, her father tended to need looking after and there were only so many more years she had to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid and to let him know that she did love him. Perhaps it would be best to take advantage of the fact that neither of them had dates this year and they could just do some father-daughter things like they used to. The idea continued to grow on the Combusken when something finally dawned on her.

“Wait a moment…that was a line from one of those Donna movies Tamara likes!” She paused, “Guess even boys can be fans of those movies,” She shrugged and waited quietly for her father to tell him the idea she had for the weekend.

Each of your stories are made of awesome, good sir, and this one is no exception. Thanks for including my characters in it! :D

Was more than happy too! Glad you liked their appearances!

Beautiful work as always! ^w^ It was an awesome read!

Glad you enjoyed it, good sir!

Very nice piece of writing. Again... great Julio/Tijana cameo :)

Julio's growing up before our eyes. <sniffle> Glad you enjoyed it!

Molly confussion was funny |D Those two make a cool duo :3 I enjoyed this so much man, and thanks again for use Molly, and hope to see more of Molly combusken, hope to see more of her in the future C:

Glad you liked it, and yeah the Molly and Molly stuff was a lot of fun to write!