Going to get your first Pokémon

After you collect yourself, you grab your glasses, carefully wipe the fog off of them, and put them back on your face where they belong. You use your towel to make sure you’re fully dried off before you make your way back across the hall, your footsteps echoing on the wooden floor as you sprint back to your room.

Once inside, you pick out your clothes, a simple, slightly baggy red t-shirt over a small white bra, and loose shorts over matching white panties. Simple, just as you like it. You readjust your glasses on your face, tuck your hair back behind your ears, and step out.

“I thought I heard the shower running.” Your mom says as you waltz into the living room, where she’s sitting and watching TV. “Ah, today’s the day, isn’t it? You’re going to Professor Oak’s lab, right? To get your first Pokémon?” She asks, and you nod, a smile on your face. Sure, you’d heard some bad things about being a female Pokémon trainer in this region, but despite that, you still wanted to become one, and beat the odds!

“Well then,” you mom says as she stands and walks over to you, reaching into her pocket, “take this before you go.” She hands you some money, and you give her a hug as thanks, which she happily returns.

“You’ve got your phone?” She asks, and you nod. “Alright, be sure to call me from time to time okay? And do visit!” She says.

“I promise I will.” You say. She bites her lips, hesitating.

“Are you...absolutely sure about this?” She asks. “You know female Pokémon trainers here-“

“I’ll be fine, mom, I promise.” You say, and head towards the door. “I’m going now, love you!” You say.

“Love you too, sweetie. Be safe!” She says, and you finally open the door and exit.

The first thing you notice is the beautiful warm rays of the sun strike your skin, making you breathe in deeply and then exhale the clean air around you. The next thing you notice is kids running around playing, some of them stopping to give you a wave before continuing. You smile at them, then turn to the lab you see in the distance.

You make your way there and step inside, the cool interior of the building juxtaposed against the warm exterior. You see a couple scientists around some tables as you walk to the back, where two people stand talking.

“Why don’t I get to pick first?” A kid with spiked orange hair asks. He’s talking to Professor Oak, who turns away from him as you approach shyly and awkwardly.

“Hello, there! You must be the new trainer!” He says as he walks over. His smile thins for only a second. “I’m surprised that despite what may be heard around here, a female wants to become a trainer, but oh well! Who am I to stop people from achieving their dreams?” The boy behind him scoffs and walks up to you, eyeing you up and down, which makes your skin tingle in a bad way.

“You don’t seem like much.” He says with a sneer. He turns to Oak. “Why does she get to pick first?”

“She sighed up before you, Gary.” He says. “Apologies, this is my grandson, Gary. He’s a little...impatient. He signed up after you, so you get to pick your starting Pokémon before him.”

“So hurry up already! I’ve been standing here waiting for ten minutes already!” He says, sounding like a whiny kid. You nod, still not having said a word, and approach the table where three pokeballs sit peacefully.

“The three you get to choose from are a Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, a grass type, fire type, and water type respectfully,” Oak explains. “They are all three fairly powerful, especially once evolved, and also fairly rare, so choose wisely.”

“And choose fast!” Gary says. You nod and look down at the three pokeballs.

Which one do you choose?