H is for Habit

Augustine had developed a habit of checking the sports section of a newspaper first. It started as soon as he saw his best friend's name in the local paper. He was nineteen, barely passing his college exams, when he overheard a few of his friends saying that someone from his hometown was in the sports section. He looked at the sports section and there, in large bold letters, was the article they were talking about.

'Kalos' Up-and-Coming Rhyhorn Racing Star'

Grace was becoming very popular in other regions. It had been almost half a year, but she had managed to win first place in Almia's Tournament as well as second place in Kanto's Under Twenty Tournament. In between all of that, she had found time to write to him, detailing the many adventures and mishaps along the way.

It had almost been half a year and he was still nowhere close to becoming a full-fledged Pokémon Professor.

With that in mind, Augustine resolved that he would do better. He worked harder to understand the material, learn the inner workings of Pokémon and the theories floating about. He signed up for all sorts of field expeditions, realized it wasn't for him and told himself that he would hire many workers to do that job for him. He even figured out where Grace would be racing next – her parents were very supportive that he stay in contact – and sent letters to her.

His habit became that every Sunday he would find a newspaper, open it to the sports section, and then cut out any mention of his best friend. He swore that one day he would be as famous and as well known.

One Sunday he missed reading the paper because he dropped his best friend at the airport. She had come home for the week and he had only been able to see her the night before. They had an 'I missed you' night, and then she was gone the next day. Later that day, he got a call from Kalos' Pokémon Professor, saying that he wanted Augustine to work with him and then take over when he retired. The week became hectic, and Augustine never did find out what was on the paper.

Fairly soon after that, nothing was said about Grace in the paper. Augustine was too busy to notice that her name wasn't mentioned once until the Sunday after his promotion to head assistant; two months after they had last heard from each other. He did a spit take and had to go buy another paper to be sure.

'Rhyhorn Star Taking a Break for Health Reasons'

Grace explained that she had had a 'surprise' recently and she did not want to risk herself racing. She promised that it 'isn't the last time you'll see me' and wouldn't disclose where she would be staying until her health was fixed. Her parents wouldn't help Augustine find her, saying that she didn't want anyone to know. For every Sunday, Augustine looked at the sports section first to see if his best friend had shown up again.

Over two years later, she did. It was also the last time Augustine ever looked at the sports section first.

'Kalos Rider Sure to Make another Impact on Rhyhorn Racing World, along with her Two Years Old Son'

Old habits die hard.