Chapter 1: "To All of My Friends Who Say That I've Gone Mad"
WARNING! Strong language!
"Metang, use Zen Headbutt!"
It was the third time this week. Class interrupted due to some suspicious team. Steven was starting to get a bit pissed off. Not that he enjoyed class, it's just more enjoyable than battling grunts.
"Finish them with Bullet Punch!"
There were only two students battling. Steven and his friend May. They were the two most skilled trainers at the Trainers School. The others were just as good, just scared to take part in battle.
"Huh. I hate how skilled you are, Stone" The male grunt growled. "Come on, B. We're leaving."
You retrieve your Poochyena and disappear in the distance with your superior. When you're out of sight, you take off your mask and sigh.
"Is my presence really necessary? I could use some class time" You complain.
"It's not. You see, the boss doesn't really care about you at the moment, but you still need experience. And it is really fun watching you hesitate when battling Steven."
You growl in anger, shoving 'your' Poké Ball on your superior's chest.
"I have to go."
"Have a good day at school!" He mocks before walking away.
•••
May looks at Steven. He's sighing, slightly annoyed,
"Steven, what is going on?" She asks.
"Nothing... Focus on your paper and leave me alone, please."
She closes her crystalline eyes. Steven has been acting like this for a few months, and she's always caught off guard. He can be really mean when he's annoyed.
"Just talk to me, Stevo. Wallace and I are really worried about you."
She places her hand on top of his.
"Don't call me like that" He answers coldly, pulling his hand away from hers.
May sighs again.
Well, I tried.
•••
You're relieved to find empty hallways. Not even the principal is around. You sneak your outfit on your locker and run to class.
"Miss (L/N), you're late again."
The whole class turns their heads around to look at you.
"I'm... sorry. I-I just got a bit distracted during the attacks." You lie, hiding behind the door.
"It's fine, (Y/N). But next time, don't even bother to come in."
"I-I understand, teacher. Thank you."
You quietly go to your seat. The whole room had eyes on you, and yet a certain pair stood out. May and Wallace trade looks.
Class goes by smoothly. For you, Spanish was fun and easy. For Steven, not so much. He always struggled to get some words right, but you used to help him. You loved to spend time with him.
You take a look at Steven. He's focused on his paper, taking notes here and there. Occasionally, his eyes shift from his desk to the board.
You can't help but wonder if you're making the right decision.
Why Hoenn? Why me?
It's not like you were given a choice.
When the bell rings, you're the first one to get the hell out of the classroom. The air feels thick and it's hard to breathe.
Steven gathers his stuff and leaves. May and Wallace follow, with stupidly gigantic grins.
"What do you want?" Steven asks, already annoyed.
"Care to explain why you were staring at (Y/N) earlier?" Wallace goes straight to the point. May slaps his chest. "What?"
"I do, actually. It's none of your business" Steven growls and walks away.
May sighs, watching Steven walk down the hallway. She turns around to look at Wallace, her hands on her waist.
"Happy?!"
"Steven will open up eventually" Wallace shrugs.
"Not if we keep approaching him like this."
"I had to try something more aggressive. Your sweetness isn't getting us closer to the answer."
Wallace grabs May's hand before she can slap him again.
"Hit me all you want, it won't change the fact that we need to be more aggressive. You know we do."
"I just don't want to..." May mutters.
She knows what goes on Steven's life. His mother's death, his terrifying father, what happened with his friendship with (Y/N)... She didn't want to pressure him and end up pulling him away, but she knew Wallace was right.
May sighs and walks away, realizing there was no way to chance Wallace's mind. He knew Steven for longer, so she should trust him to resolve the situation. And yet, she doesn't.
(Time Skip)
"I'll see ya!" Your best friend tells you before walking to her mom's car.
"Yeah, bet you will..." You mumble to yourself.
You put on your headphones and start listening to music. You never liked walking in silence, so you always put on headphones before getting out of school.
"Grovyle, come out" You say, as you release your Grass type partner. "Want to get some Poké Beans before going home?"
•••
"I understand..."
May stops. Steven is talking on the phone, and judging by his expression it doesn't seem to be a pleasant call.
"Fine. I'll be there in thirty minutes."
The blue haired boy puts his phone on his pocket and closes his locker, sighing. May decides to step in, carefully.
"Steven..."
He looks at her. Dead expression on his eyes.
"Are you okay? Do you need to talk?" She asks.
"Not to you."
May sighs again. It was the last straw.
"What is wrong with you?" She snaps. "I've been trying to help you since we came back from summer break, and all you give me is shit."
"I didn't ask for help."
"You don't have to ask! I want to help you anyways. I'm your friend, Steven. Talk to me... What is bothering you?"
"It's none of your business."
May places her hand on her forehead, asking for patience.
"I'm done taking your shit. Either you let me help you, or don't ever talk to me again."
"I didn't ask you to put up with me. You did because you wanted to!"
At that point, the whole school had eyes on them. May hated that kind of attention, but at the moment she didn't care. All she wanted was to Steven talk to her.
"I did because I'm your friend and I'm worried about you! And I don't even know why I still insist. You've been acting like an asshole for months, and all I did was understand and not invade your space. Maybe I should've."
Steven stares at her coldly. May felt her soul freeze, but she didn't budge.
"Fine" It's all he says before walking away.
"Steven!" May stomps the floor, acting like a little child. "Come back!"
He stops walking and turns around to look at her. His eyes are still cold as ice.
"I'm not opening up, so I'll just leave you alone just like you asked."
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