It was another morning at Coocon Academy, the finest school in all of Coocon. The pristine courtyard was filled with laughter, friendship, and romance. Except for one student we know as Hope Estheim.

He was wearing the typical navy blue uniform that designated one as a first year, first years being the only ones to wear the uniform except on inspection days. A sharp top with one buttoned breast pocket and short collar. He preferred his top tucked into his pants as the dress code recommended. His favorite color? Silver. His favorite food? Sirloin steak, medium rare, topped with mushrooms. Favorite Pokémon? Jolteon.

He sat on one of the many stone benches and saw her. Her being none other than Lightning Farron, third-year, second highest in her class, and, to him, the most beautiful girl in the world. She wore the red blazer that marked her as a member of the Student Council, a white low cut top with a black miniskirt, her trademark black knee-high boots, and her strawberry blonde hair tied into its usual side ponytail. Favorite color? Rose blush pink. Favorite food? An Eclair with coffee filling. Favorite Pokémon? Zebstrika.

"Today's the day," he said to himself, "I'm going to tell her that I-"

Hope was grabbed violently from behind, knocking the wind from him. As the pair of hands gripped him to the point of gasping for air, he heard his assailant's voice, "hiya there Hope!"

His body felt like it was being crushed like a tin can in a trash compactor. "Van...ille...you're.. gahhh!"

"Oops. Sorry, Hope," Vanille apologized, "I'm stronger than you thought, huh?"

"Yeah," he replied, rubbing his midsection, "you should lay off on the death hugs, you're gonna kill someone one of these days."

She smiled, "its my specialty, you know."

Vanille dia Oerba, a first year dressed in the same top as he was, a pleated navy blue skirt, and a fur pelt around her waist made of what she called a "Bear" that she was known for killing in a hugging match, but Hope had never heard of nor seen such a beast before he met her. Her favorite color was the same as her hair, orange and pigtailed. Her favorite food? Chocolate ice cream with peanut butter cups inside. Her favorite Pokémon? Vanillish. Her least favorite is Ursaring.

Vanille sat down next to him and crossed her legs. "So what's so interesting?"

Hope flinched, but settled down quickly. This was Vanille he was talking to, she knew everything about him, being friends and neighbors since she moved to Cocoon eight years ago. "Well you know how I like Lightning, right?" He whispered into her ear.

Vanille knew all about his crush on Lightning, he would keep her up late into the night texting her about it. "Of course, Hope," she whispered back "did you-"

"No," He said flatly, "But I'm going to today."

"Oh," she was a bit disappointed, but at the same time, happy. "Well you know, she's a bit of a dom, dontcha think?"

His face lit up. "Yeah, its one of the things that makes her so great. She's so smart and confident"

Vanille bit her lip. "Well then, why not tell her now?" She stood up, grabbed Hope by the hand, and pulled him up. "Come on now, don't be shy! Just tell her, if she likes you, great! If not, then I'm sure you'll find someone else!"

"But Vanille..."

"No butts about it! Now get going, mister!"

Hope gave one more look of pure hopelessness at Vanille, who raised him a look of odious contempt. Knowing when to fold them, he set off across the courtyard.

Vanille sat back down and watched him, all the while wondering what he saw in her.

Lightning was sitting with her group of friends, enjoying her morning coffee, two sugar, one cream, and talking about how her sister was disappearing and showing up several hours later. Afterward she would talk of things like "Paradoxes" and her imaginary friend "Noel" that only her boyfriend would believe.

Hope approached her much like a kitten would an unfamillar object, shaking and inching a little bit at a time.

Lighting's group stopped talking. "May I help you?" She asked.

Hope flinched, and tried to regain his composure. He stood up straight and said "I-"

A few moments later...

Vanille sprang up as Hope returned. "So how'd it go?" She asked with her usual chipperness.

Hope once again stood straight up, and with a proud look declared, "I'm now part of the student council."

Vanille facepalmed.

A/N:

Hello everyone and welcome to "Of Love and Pudding"!

I'm sorry, there won't be any pokemon battles, this isn't a crossover. That is a good idea though. Maybe later on...

I list their favorite pokemon as sneaky puns. Why is Hope's favorite the "Lightning" pokemon? Lightning's got a electric zebra, doesn't that remind you of something? I think Vanille and Vanillish (or Vanille-ish) would make an awesome team!

There's some in their favorite foods and colors too, but I don't expect anyone to figure it out instantly.

Also, comments for praise are welcome.

Thank you.