"Summer.. Summer wake up. Breakfast is going to start soon." I groaned loudly. It's my day off.. why am I being woken up so damn early. Kate roughly shook my shoulder. "You are the heaviest sleeper I've ever met." She yanked the covers off me, exposing my body to the freezing air. The room felt damp. My eyes cracked open, observing the window next to my bed. It was wide open, letting the downpour of rain soak the floor and the foot of my bed. Who is the asshole who left the window open? Snickering could be heard behind me. I turned to see a group of girls pointing and giggling at me. Then I remembered the bandages still plastered to my face. Growling slightly, I ripped them from my skin, not caring about the little sting after each rip. Kate sighed, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Don't let them bother you. They are just jealous their boyfriends have been hitting on you."

I crossed my legs, leaning against the bedpost. Everyone was already dressed, heading to the cafeteria. Kate closed the window, cursing as she got some rain water on her clothes. At least we don't have to wear our uniforms today. Although, I'm not very much in the mood to listen to Kate and Keith argue. Nor do I want to listen to Ben or anything he has to say. "Kate, head on down. I'll meet up with you sometime today. Just don't wait up." I yawned, still feeling the effects of no sleep. Kate sighed but nodded, leaving the now empty room.

As I got dressed, my mind wondered back to the events that took place last night. All of that could have been avoided if I had a school styler. Like Ben or Kate's. I wonder why I wasn't given one when I first got here. Idiots. And these stupid thunder storms, freaking the Pokémon out. I wonder why the Pokémon are scared of them, it isn't like it can hurt them. It is just rain and thunder. I was never scared of them when I was younger. I wasn't really scared of anything.. until they came..

A clap of thunder brought me back. I sighed, as I walked out of the girls dormitory. The lobby was bare. Jeez, everyone at this school has a huge appetite. My main focus right now is getting a styler, not stuffing my face. I am not about to have an incident like the one from last night.

Finding my way to the main office was actually more difficult than I had planned. I still am quite unaware of where everything in this damn school is. It probably would have been in my best interest to accept the tour that was offered but I couldn't be near Ben any longer. It is bad enough I have to sit next to him. Bad enough that the only friend I have here is best friends with him. I can't let myself be happy around him. If I do, he could get close. And that is the last thing I want.

Finally, I arrived to the main office. Time to get my first styler.

Ben's P.O.V.

"Do you think Kate likes me?" Keith asked, looking across the room at nothing particular, resting his chin on his palm. Is he finally realizing how much of an idiot he is being? Maybe he is planning on asking her out. It is flat out obvious she likes him. I don't know why he doesn't see it.

"I don't know, why don't you ask her. Oh hi, Kate, how are you? Keith wanted to ask you something." I smirked as Kate sat down at our table. She stared at Keith with an eyebrow cocked, waiting for him to say something. He just sat there, stuttering out random words. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I burst into laughter. Kate was obviously annoyed at Keith.

Keith growled at me. "What about you, Ben? Why don't you explain to Kate how you have a major thing for Summer?" WHAT! I don't have a thing for her! I mean sure she is cute but I don't even know her. Let's not forget how rude she can be. There is no way I would like her. "Look he is blushing! It is official." I whacked Keith upside the head. Idiot. "Ouch! Speaking of Summer, where is she?"

Kate held the bridge of her nose. She usually does that when something is troubling her. "Well Mary and her little followers decided it would be funny to let the rain in. They left the window open by her bed and it soaked practically the entire bottom half of her bed. Plus, for some reason she had a shit load of bandages plastered to her body. I don't think she was in the mood for breakfast. But who would want to deal with you two in the morning?" She groaned.

"You have a point." Keith said. "Damn, that must suck. It is only her second day and she already has people out to get her. But who can blame them. Did you all see how rude she was to our teacher? I mean don't get me wrong, I like the girl and I'm pretty sure she means well. Maybe if she wasn't such an ass, there would be-" I smashed my hand on the table, thuroughly annoyed. "What the hell is wrong with you, Ben?" Keith questioned.

I glared at him. "Don't talk about her like that. You don't know her back story. You have no idea what could have happened in her life to make her come off as violent. Get to know her before you start judging her." I spat, standing up from my spot and walking towards the exit. Just as I was about to exit, the most annoying girl in school blocked my path. She had jet black hair and a pale complection. If you look past her annoying outbursts and her rude personality; she is actually quite pretty. She is possibly the best liar I know. She could have been an actress because she is just that good at coverig up. Instead of trying to make something of her life, she is going to ranger school just so she can meet guys. She has made this quite clear. Even the teachers know she doesn't want to be a ranger at heart. But regardless, it is better to tell her I'm busy, and just walk away. "What do you want Veronica?" I asked in an annoyed tone.

She seemed to take no notice to my tone. Instead, she twirled a piece of hair on her finger. Her hair fell in curly tendrels, framing her face. If there wasn't three inches of make up, she might actually look better. "So Ben," She said in a charming tone, "I've been thinking. You and I have been getting along well lately." This is the second time she has talked to me. "And I was thinking that you should ask me out."

If I had self control, I probably wouldn't have laughed. But I don't have self control. "You're out of your mind! Ha!" I said, holding my stomach from laughing so hard. "Go bother someone else." I said in a more serious tone. Veronica growled slightly, before smacking her hand on my cheek. For someone as frail as her, it wasn't that bad of a shot. Props for her. She turned on her heel and stalked over to a table full of blabbering girls. My hand went to my cheek, feeling the warmth to it. There is no doubt I'll get a hand print on there. Hopefully it isn't too noticeable.

Rain poured down fron the sky, soaking my clothes instantly. As I walked out of the cafeteria, I heard a faint scream from the woods that surrounded the campus. After listening for another moment, I noticed it was a girl's scream. And it isn't far away.

Summer's P.O.V.

I walked out of the office after thanking the school secretary for giving me my first styler. It was one of the newer editions. Seeing as there had been a shortage of the ones most of the students here had. But hey, I'm not complaining. Wanting to try it out, I walked into the woods, despite the constant flow of heavy rain. I searched around the woods, not even noticing that I might not remember the way back, but I'm having so much fun using my styler, it doesn't even matter. Then I heard a piercing scream. It made me jump slighty, making me break the loop that surrounded the Starly I was capturing. Then another scream. It wasn't far off so I ran in its direction, urgently trying to find the source. I came to a slight cleaeing in the trees. A young wild Tauros smashed his head into a pile of logs on the ground. I looked closer. There was a little girl behind the logs, screaming for help.

My instincs kicked in. I threw a small stick at the Tauros, adverting it's attention to me. The Tauros turned, angrier than before. He dug his front hoof in the ground, kicking up dirt behind him. Yet I held my ground, determined to save the little girl. I whipped out my styler, pointing it at the Tauros. "Capture, on!" I spun three loops around the wild Pokémon. Three loops and it charged. I had no time to react. I clunged to the Tauros' head as it connected with my chest, knocking the wind out of me. The Tauros didn't stop. He ran straight into a tree, lodging his two horns deep in the wood. I cringed at the pain coursing through my aching body, only letting it affect me for a few moments. I wiggled out of the tight space between the Tauros' head and the tree. Finally, I was free.

The little girl cried loudly as the Tauros tried freeing itself. The tree won't hold him long. I ran to the girl, tearing down the little barrier of logs that had just barely kept her safe from the rage of the Tauros. As I pulled away the last log, the girl clung to my waist. Light blonde hair was in knots, framing her small, dirt stained face. Her puffy eyes, burned red from crying. Her clothes, slightly tattered and covered in mud and rain. I softly ran my fingers through her wet hair, straighting out the knots , trying to sooth her. "Don't worry. You're going to be just fine." The Tauros roared loudly as thunder clapped in the sky. "But we should get out of here."

Her hand hooked to mine and I began running towards denser trees, anywhere is better than here. The little girl slipped on mud and fell, just as the Tauros freed himself. He began charging us. This time, I'm going to capture him. I pulled the girl from the ground, just as the Tauros ran by. It would have trampled her. "Go hide behind that tree. Whatever happens, don't come out until I say." She nodded her head. I turned to the Tauros. "Capture, on!" I began my capture, dodging every attack the Tauros had. Only a few more loops and the Tauros would have been caught. Until someone startled me.

"Summer!" I jumped slightly at the sound, accidentaly breaking the last loop. Before I could try and restart the loop, the wild Tauros ran off. Outraged, I turned to Ben. "Are you alright? You're bleeding."

Disregarding his comment, I stomped over to him. "What is wrong with you! I was mid-capture! You couldn't hold your tongue for five more seconds!? Now the angry Tauros is getting away! Now I'm going to have to try for a third time to catch it!"

Ben let out an angry sigh. "Well maybe you should have caught it the first time!" He yelled. He is right. Damnit. Why is he always right?! "Look, I heard a scream and I came running. I had no idea it was you." Scream! I ran over to the litte girl. She cowered in fear. I knelt down next to her, soothingly rubbing her back.

"It's alright now. The Tauros is gone." No response. l frowned slightly. "Come one, hon. You're safe now. I'm not going to let anything hurt you. Now, what's your name?" She looked up at me with tear soaked cheeks, tinted red from crying.

"Annabelle." She whispered. My smile widened. What a pretty name. I helped her to her feet, making sure she was stable enough to walk.

I began walking towards Ben when she latched onto my hand. My cheeks reddened up at Ben's smile. "Well Annabelle, let's go get you checked up, and I'll take you home. Ohh, and Annabelle, this is Ben." Ben smiled and waved, kneeling down to her height.

He tossled her hair slightly, earning a small giggle. "Don't worry Annabelle, you're in good hands." He glanced up at me quickly, blushing slightly. I brushed off his compliment and the three of us began walking towards the school. Annabelle's hand stayed connected to mine the entire way.

As we approached the school, Ben ran off to go inform the principle that the wild Tauros are getting closer to the campus. And that we have a scared little girl. Annabelle and I walked into the nurses office. I explained to the nurse everything that had happened as she checked Annabelle for any wounds. The phone rang and the nurse had a rather long discussion with whoever was on the other line. It turns out, Annabelle's mother called earlier to see if anyone had seen her daughter around.

By the time Ben returned, Annabelle was ready to go home. But I have no idea how to get to the little town where she lives.. "Hey Ben, which way is the town?"

"Do you want me to just come with you?" He asked. I shook my head. There is no way. "Well too bad. You'll never get to there and back by yourself. Plus, I think Annabelle wants to hang out with me" He joked as Annebelle latched onto his hand, as well as mine. I groaned loudly, slumping my head forward. Why does he have to come? I should have just asked someone else directions.

The rain had stopped completely, leaving a mist over the ground. The three of us walked to her house, greeted by her mother. She offered us to stay for lunch but we said we have to go back to school. Annabelle ran to us just as we were about to leave. "You'll both visit again, right?" She asked with puppy eyes. I nodded my head eagerly and she wrapped her arms around my neck. We hugged for a few seconds and Ben recieved a hug.

As we walked back to the campus, an eerie silence loomed over us. But I'm kinda glad the dingus decided to open his mouth. "How is your arm?" He asked, not looking at me. I scanned both my arms, until I spotted a medium sized cut. Blood dribbled down my arm, but nothing major. I shrugged my shoulders. It doesn't hurt. All I need to do is clean it up a bit. "How are you from yesterday? Does anything still hurt?" He asked, looking down at my hands.

I looked at him, a little confused. "Why do you care how I feel, or how I'm doing?" He shrugged his shoulders. We walked in silence a little while longer. But once again, the uncomfortable silence made me uneasy. "You know, it isn't your job to look after me. I am more than capable of being alone." He shrugged his shoulders once again, staring off into the distance. We will be at the school soon. I stopped abruptly. "Hey! Start responding when I talk to you!" I barked. Ben stopped, a small smile envident on his face. He turned to me and shruggred his shoulders. "I swear, shrug your shoulders one more time and I'm fucking punching you, and walking away." I said in a low voice.

Ben laughed casually, pushing me slightly on my shoulder. "Lighten up, sweetheart. So what is your deal?" He asked. I glared at him, begining to walk past him. He jogged to catch up with me. "I'm serious. I want to know why you are so reluctant to be near me. Near anyone for that matter." I continued to walk, keeping my eyes trained infront of me, and my mouth shut. "I'm not shutting up until you talk." He shrugged, slinging his arm over my shoulders

My cheeks reddened up at the gesture. In an attempt to hide it, I pushed his arm off, stopping completely in my tracks."If I tell you, will you lay off with the questions?" I asked, crossing my arms. Ben nodded eagerly. A sigh escaped my lips. "Okay, skipping all the sappy shit, I'm not the best companion, if you haven't already noticed. Back when I was younger, I would get beat up for speaking my mind. And of course, no one wants to be friends with the girl who gets the shit kicked out of her. I learned to distance myself and I'm fine with it. So you can stop pretending to care about how I feel and leave me alone."

"You think it was an act?" He asked, probably offended.

I shook my head. "No, I know it was an act. Why would you care about someone you just met? Someone who was a bitch the first time she talked to you? It doesn't make sense. You're just like all of the other guys at this school. You just are using a different approach. Try to get on my good side, then what? Make me fall for you? Have me feel like I've finally found the perfect one? Or what else? Pretend to be my friend then go behind my back and make fun of me?" He opened his mouth to talk but I quickly interrupted him. "Why? For a good laugh of course. Who is the easiest person to put down? Then one who has nothing. So stop pretending you care. Stop trying to get on my good side. Leave. Me. Alone!"

Ben's eyebrows furrowed. He grit his teeth and balled his fists. "First off, don't fucking flatter yourself. Getting you to fall for me was not my intention. And who the hell says I want you to like me? Second off, don't stand there and pretend like you know me. Because you have no fucking idea what I've been through or who I am. I am definitely not the kind of person who would stoop so low as to judge you before I got to know you. I defended you this morning because someone was doing the exact same thing to you. Think about that one. I am not out to get you. Maybe I do want to be your friend. Maybe so I can show you that people aren't as bad as you think. There are people out there like Kate. People who are genuine and caring. I want you to be able see that." He countered. Maybe Ben has a point..

"So what are you proposing? That you and I become friends?" I asked unenthusiasticlly.

Ben smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "Think of it this way, sweetheart, if you say no, I'll just bug you to no ends and then you'll have to agree. Think of it that way." He grinned.

I groaned from annoyance. I have no choice. "Ugh. Fine. But call me 'Sweetheart' again, and I'm punching you." I growled.

"Nahh, I like it. It definitely fits you. Hope you like your nickname. Oo, and I bet Kate and Keith will be quite fond of it." He laughed, sprinting ahead.

Wait, what? "Hey! Don't you dare, Ben!" What have I gotten myself into?

Alrighty, so hopefully everyone enjoyed. Just so we are clear, this is not the prequel to my other story. This is completely different and isn't related to it whatsoever. I will be making a prequel for 'A Warm Welcome' though. Anyway, till next time! (: