Though Mars's words were comforting, Summer still couldn't help but be a little bit embarrassed about her gushing. It was so unlike her to be smitten with someone. In fact, it was unlike her to fall for anyone at all. So to convey these feelings to her friend...

Well, she wasn't even good with having friends, either.

"I appreciate your patience with me," she said gently, raising her glass to take a sip from it. Maybe that would cool off her beet-red face. Or not.

However, she perked up when he mentioned boyfriend. Now, she wanted all of the juicy details.

"So you do have a special someone? I wish I had run into you. I would have loved to meet him," Summer said with a smile. "How long have you two been together, if I might ask?"

Oh, she hoped that Mars didn't think she had been flirting with him before, in the sauna. That would be very awkward now.

Summer noticed the bookbag he held over his shoulder, wondering if his arm hurt from holding whatever was in there. She closed the door behind them to keep the cold air out, leading him toward the living room where the fire waited for them.

She sat down, patting the seat beside her for him to join her.

"How was work, then? Not too busy, I hope." If she could, Summer would just spoil him and make sure he never had to lift a finger ever again.

But if it was something he loved, she wouldn't interfere.

"Wow. Is it going to be a big deal?" Summer asked. She knew little about the entertainment part of business. He'd have to forgive her if she sounded daft. "Gifts? Why'd you do that?"

Though she tried to scold him, she wasn't able to hide back the excited look on her face. She reached up to peck his cheek, still cool from the cold outside. "Do you need something warm to drink?"

While she was working at home, Summer was not expecting a visitor to come and see her. At first, when she had been notified that someone was coming down the winding driveway to the Prescott home, she was expecting it to be her father to discuss a few things with her.

However, when she came to realize that it was Casey Fincher and not her father, she couldn't help the elated feeling in her chest as she pushed herself away from the desk to greet him at the door herself.

She had given him the information regarding her home, stating if he ever needed her, there would be a place he could at least come to find her. It wasn't the ideal place for him to come, but she knew that her father and his goons were gone for a business trip for a while.

She made a mental note to tip the staff a bit extra to keep this on the downlow for Casey's safety.

Opening the door, Summer smiled widely as Casey came into view. "I didn't know I was expecting company today. Come inside, it's chilly out there."

A fire was already burning in the fireplace, ready for the two to enjoy.

"What are you doing out in Mauville Hills?"

Summer couldn't deny herself the bliss and pleasure that Casey provided her. For once, she would allow herself to lay back and relax back and let him take control over her.

When she came down from her high, she reached up to pull him back into her arms. To hold him close and enjoy the morning until they had to get up.

"Thank you. For everything," Summer managed to whisper against his skin before she climbed out of bed, getting ready for the day.

Summer listened to him speak about his Pokemon, ever interested in his naming method.

But, boy, she was getting really hot. And sweaty, to the point it was beginning to make her uncomfortable. She lifted her hand to her forehead to wipe away some sweat, sighing.

"Well, Mr. Del Mar, I think it's safe to call it an evening here. I'm quite drained from the sauna. We've been in here for a while now..." she said simply.

Standing up, Summer held onto her towel with one hand, extending her other to Mars. "I look forward to getting in contact with you in the future."

Summer wins!

So Mars had met Casey before? He knew he was a dreamboat. Summer's face turned almost as red as her eyes, but she nodded anyway.

So much for her composure.

"I was hesitant to admit my feelings for him before. For many different reasons," she said, pausing only to take a sip of her drink. A bit of liquid courage to continue.

"But the way he makes me feel is something I've never felt for anyone before. He's so willing to be with me, to make me happy... no one has wanted me except for my money or title." Summer felt her lips turn up in a smile.

Could one experience nostalgia about an evening that happened not long ago?

"We did dance together." Summer left out the other things the two did as well. It's not like Mars needed to know every juicy detail. "I saw his desires that night. They were of me..." She sighed.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to continue harping on myself. Did you attend with someone on your arm? You didn't seem sure when we discussed it last."

Summer nodded.

"I know people love to put the stereotype 'bringer of doom' on poor Absols. But my Freyja is anything but. I think she is like my good luck charm. And she's like a mother to my little Loki."

She couldn't help the grin on her face as she thought of her Nickit.

"Greco-Roman? Interesting. What sort of names?" she questioned.

106 heat points left!

Summer felt guilty for a moment for turning the attention to herself. But, honestly, since she hadn't really had time to gossip about her new found relationship with anyone, the opportunity to talk about it was so enticing.

Almost as enticing as the feast displayed in front of them.

"I'm not sure if you've met him or not. Casey Maverick?" She allowed herself to drop his name only because of what they had discussed the night on their first date.

About how Casey wanted to join her in team Rocket, to be with her.

"He's taller than I am, perhaps around your height if not a little bit shorter. Purple hair, kind of long." Summer sighed wistfully. "He's a dreamboat, in my eyes. The way he snatched me up at the soiree..."

She could have married that man right then and there, especially after shoving a fist in the face of andres buenaventura when he commented about her chest.

"Don't tell me I'm being a sucker?" She pouted.

Mars mentioned liking the name Freyja. That definitely peaked Summer's interest.

Was he also a man of good naming taste, then?

"I've named my most used Pokemon after Norse mythological gods, goddesses, and creatures. I find the lore fascinating." She smiled at the thought. "Freyja is my Absol. I love her dearly. She fits the title perfectly, in my opinion."

She could go all day talking about it.

164 heat points left!

Summer couldn't help the snicker that escaped her lips. "Me? Why would I tease you, Mr. Del Mar?" she said innocently behind the steam.

But he seemed to take the jest in stride, joining her in laughter.

"That's my hesitation with a date. I'd rather just have one of my Pokemon escort me instead of make meaningless small talk for the night," she said with a sigh, resting her chin on her hand.

"Maybe my precious Freya..."

172 heat points left!

Summer doesn't understand why he laughing. Why he thinks that this is all a joke when she's just poured her heart out to him, admitted that she cared and loved him, and is still pushing her to get it over with.

"How much have you had tonight?" she said out loud. It just slipped from her lips. She didn't realize that she said it until the words came out.

Why was she ruining his life more?

Suddenly, Knox has her hand to his neck and is holding her shoulder back. Unable to hold her balance, she staggered into the back of the wall. Any blunt force could cause a fatal injury.

"What are you doing? Let me go, Knox!" she begged, trying to drag the shard away from him.

Now they're both either in tears or near tears. Summer's sobbing, opening her hand and letting the glass fall on the ground. "I'm not doing it. Knox, what are you doing?" she pleaded. "You're my little brother. I love you. Stop."

Her hand stung from holding the shard tightly. She opened her eyes to look at him. "What are we doing?"

Summer had no idea how she managed to get up the fire escape without falling. There were a few times she was just hanging onto it like a baby koala, almost falling asleep until she was prodded to keep going.

When they were finally on the roof, however, she kicked off her shoes, sighing as the flat surface made her aching feet stop screaming for a moment.

"Why are you being such an asshole right now?" she whined at him, poking her tongue against her cheek. She could have looked like a chipmunk with a full cheek pouch.

When did he get glass?

Summer took a small step back from him, scared at that shard that was being waved in front of her face so dangerously. Without caution. Threatening.

Would Knox kill her instead?

She wondered. He had his life together now. Didn't he? He had samuel carter. He ran away from their father. He could get rid of her and be happy without dealing with her ever again.

His words bit at her chest as he began to curse and become even more agitated. How much had Knox ingested while she wasn't looking? "What do you mean? I didn't want-"

But he was back and spitting fire again. Even though he held that shard of glass, it felt like it was being plunged deeply into her chest.

Tears welled in her red eyes as she grabbed his arms and shook him frantically.

"I didn't want you fucking dead, you idiot!" she practically screamed, her voice almost breaking from the sheer volume she shouted at him. At this point, she was crying again, her makeup all over her face again. A sniffling mess.

"I never wanted you to die, Knox. Don't you fucking get that!" She tried to grab the shard from him, wincing as it cut her hand. "I know I'm your good for nothing older sister, but I care about you and I love you! Fuck off being so selfish! Stop putting fucking words in my mouth!"

Summer sighed, shrugging. "Hopefully so. We'll see how things go."

Of course, everything would work out in her favor in the end. Aside from the incidents that would occur, like some kind of strange multiverse that wasn't even real.

Thank the higher powers that would give her Casey.

"Then I anticipate trying to run into you and saying hello. That is unless you're busy. I'm assuming someone of your stature must have a plus one?" She couldn't help but try to tease him.

Whereas herself, though Summer was high in the social rankings, she didn't desire bringing random strangers she hardly knew to events for appearances sake.

256 heat points left!