This is simply a favor for a good friend.
Understand that all characters in this story are anthro, and that there are no human characters in this particular story.
I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1: Nervous?
There's nothing quite like the lurking nervousness that accompanies the first day of High School.
The floaties are gone, and you either flail your arms around like a maniac until you learn how to swim, or you sink.
The first year is difficult for most, they don't realize that they are waltzing into a metaphorical battleground of drama, betrayal, and horrendous gossip.
The cozy glove of middle school is torn from your hand when one realizes that Mrs. Teacher doesn't care about your day at the park, but more about the homework that you forgot to do.
On top of the shock inducing reality of what your life is now like, there is the weight of your ever changing reputation, the stress of having a relationship, dealing with others that may despise you for reasons unknown, passing your classes, and fighting the rumors that you would jump so and so's bones like your life depended on it.
Of course, some good does come from the torturous environment of High School.
Ones first Prom, the ecstasy that comes from attaining a license, making your way into the working world with your application to the burger joint down the street, a first kiss and...other things.
With all the pros and cons that come with starting High School, it was okay to be nervous...right?
Ash let out a unhappy groan as his alarm clock rang mercilessly.
After turning the dreadful thing off, he stared at the ceiling of his suddenly comfortable room, the red ceiling fan slowly putting him to sleep with each rotation.
It was much easier to escape into his dreams then to spare thought on upcoming horror fest...High School.
He hadn't slept all night, his nerves had burned hotter then the fire in his stomach...
What if he was the only Houndoom... What if no one liked him...
Maybe if he could just close his eyes for a moment...
"AAASSHHH! Time for your first day of High School honey!"
Ash groaned loudly and stared evilly at his closed door.
"I know mom! You don't have to be so loud!"
Ash's mother giggled happily before replying in a song like tone, " Sorry sweetie! I'm just so excited! My little boy is growing up!"
"I'm not a little boy anymore!" Ash protested in an embarrassed voice.
He hated feeling like a child... A sixteen year old shouldn't be considered a "little boy."
Ash had been home schooled his entire life, from when he was little, through Freshman year.
His mom would have been content with homeschooling him until he was ready for College, but he had begged her to let him attend public High School for his final three years.
She had agreed, but only after Ash had promised to stay away from drugs, keep his grades up, and not become a teen dad.
Sophomore year was most people's second year, for Ash, it would be his first.
"Oh I know you aren't sweetie, but I still remember you as a baby, wearing your little goldeen booties and..."
"Mom!"
"Oh alright I'll go make you breakfast, get dressed. Do eggs and toast sound good?"
"That sounds great mom," Ash replied, slowly creeping out of his warm bed.
There was a short silence from behind the door before his mother spoke in a small voice.
"...Do you want me to remove the crust?..."
Ash frowned. He hated the crust, but he had to deal with it, he couldn't be the little boy his mother wanted him to be anymore, he would not give in and...
"Yes please..." he responded quietly, mentally kicking himself for his lack of willpower.
His mother squealed before running downstairs to begin his breakfast, any chance to treat him like a child was much appreciated in her eyes.
Ash stood up slowly and walked over to the mirror that hung on the back of his door.
He stood at 5,9. His curved horns giving him an extra four inches.
He scanned over his slim figure, his stomach was slightly toned and his arms had some muscle to them, but he was no jock.
He stretched and yawned as he turned to look at his extremely messy room, clothes littered the floor along with cups and plates from previous nights dinner.
His room was quite plain really. Other then his queen sized bed, drawers, T.V, computer and desk, it was close to empty.
On his walls hung three posters, one of a beautiful, half naked Gardevoir, the other a meowth, that hung desperately to the brach of a tree, underneath the words "Hang in there kid," were stamped in white bubble letters.
His last poster was more of a picture. It was of his father, who had passed away when Ash was little.
Ash stared at it for a moment, before finishing his satisfying stretch with a grunt.
He contemplated taking a shower, but it would do no good. One of Ash's insecurities came from the confidence shattering fact that his fur, no matter how much shampoo he used, held the consistent smell of burning wood.
He sighed unhappily, the longer fur on the top of his head (what most would consider his hair) stuck out awkwardly at odd angles. It was getting long, and if he let it grow out much more, his bangs would get in front of his eyes.
Realizing he was running short on time, he walked over to his drawers, and threw on a pair of black jeans, and a long sleeved white shirt.
After brushing his teeth and fixing his hair to an acceptable mess, Ash grabbed his cell phone and started downstairs.
The small hallway that led to the staircase was populated with pictures, mostly of himself.
The two story house was nice by most standards, his mother did well at her stay at home job, and was able to make the payments, and afford luxuries when the time was right.
The two story, three bedroomed home was enough for Ash, as long as his mother didn't invite his grandfather over for the weekend. His snores put a munchlax's to shame.
Ash entered the medium sized kitchen and sat at the table, where his breakfast waited for him.
The crusts were gone.
Ash ate quickly, ignoring his mothers loud gasps from the next room as she watched her favorite program, "Jhoto shore."
A stupid show really, where the cheesy actors act like dirtbags, drink, have sex, get into fights, and get kicked out of clubs.
Ash finished his breakfast and placed the dishes in the sink.
The clock above the stove read 6:32.
Ash put on his bag and sat back down.
It was time to walk down to the bus stop, and the nerves were beginning to burn again.
"Mom, it's time for me to go, I don't want to miss the bus," he said quietly as he played with his tail, something he did when he was nervous.
His mother squealed in excitement as she ran from the living room into the kitchen, grasping her son in a fierce hug.
Ash hugged her back... Her fur didn't smell like burning wood...
"You have a great day, alright?" She spoke with a smile.
Ash faked a smile back " Ok mom, I will."
His mother smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and walked back into the living room.
Ash swallowed hard, slowly walked to the front door, and stepped outside.
The air was cold, of course, being a fire Pokemon, anything cooler then he was felt cold.
He turned left and began walking down the walk way, the group of kids waiting at the bus stop in the distance were clearly noticeable and only worsened his nervousness.
He hoped Sam would be there...
Ash turned his attention away from the group of kids the second they realized someone else was walking to the bus stop.
The sky was a chilling grey, and the clouds above moved slowly.
Ash came to a stop, put on a unstable smile, and looked up to greet the five others that stared at him curiously.
A male lucario stepped up to Ash, and gripped him in a fierce bear hug, lifting him a few feet off the ground.
"You finally made it out of that house! I'm so proud of you!" The lucario
exclaimed with sarcasm.
Ash laughed "Hey Sam."
Sam put his friend down and smiled, "Good to see you man."
An attractive looking Lopunny dressed in a very short skirt cleared her throat and stepped forward.
"My name is Barbra hun, but my friends just call me baby. It's VERY nice to meet you," she said loudly, her eyes scanning up and down Ash's body with a wicked smile.
Ash blushed slightly and smiled, it's nice to meet you Bar... I mean Baby."
She gave him a curt nod before turning her attention to her ringing cell phone.
A male minun and female plusle stepped up together, their similar features making it obvious that they were twins.
"My names Blake, and this is Volt," the male minun spoke, first pointing at himself, and then to his sister.
"It's nice to meet you two," Ash replied with a shy smile.
The last Pokemon stepped forward with a frown on his face.
The absol in front of Ash looked extremely hostile.
"My name's Zane, I don't want friends, cross me and I'll beat you so badly you will wish I had killed you." He said rather quickly, before putting his headphones back in his ears and turning around.
Sam rolled his eyes and chuckled at the horrified expression on his friends face.
"He's harmless Ash."
Ash nodded, unconvinced, the bus approaching in the distance taking his mind off the extremely "dark" Zane.
Baby smiled at the frightened expression on Ash's face and stepped close to him.
"What's the matter cutie? You nervous?"