Welcome to the rewrite of chapter 8!

Chapter 8

.:.

"This is officially the weirdest school ever!" Dawn groaned as she tried to memorize her Friday schedule. "Why can't this school have normal classes every single day?"

"Then it wouldn't be LaRousse High! This school literally breeds the greatest of the greats. There's a reason this school pushes its students so hard but lets us have fun at the same time. They figure that if we have enough fun, we can put a lot of our time into studying and becoming the world's greatest Pokemon related careers," May argued. Dawn sighed and shook her head once more at the absurdity of it all.

"I mean, it's not like I have two other schedules to memorize!" she pouted. Aisha laughed, slinging an arm around the bluenette's shoulder. "You're laughing? Seriously? Come on, take pity on the new kid!"

"Oh don't be such a drama queen Sunshine, you'll eventually get used to it. Trust us, we were just as shocked as you," Blaze grinned nudging the bluenette's shoulder, causing her and Sha to go flying forward. May rolled her eyes at their antics.

"Well, if there's one thing I'm looking forward to today, it's yours and Byron's battle during Mock Battles. Can't say I'm not happy that they decided to switch the traditional Paul and Gary route." The brunette shot them a stunning smile as she adjusted her cross body strap. "I'm just surprised this didn't come any sooner." Blaze shifted nervously.

"Ah...can we switch topics? I don't really want to think about that right now."

"No need to be nervous Blaze, you're definitely going to kick his ass," the brunette flashed a quick smile before spinning around and walking backwards. "So we all agree about our Jynx outing tonight right? I want to give Dawn a taste of La Rousse high life!"

"You just want to dirty dance with Drew like that last time!" Aisha interjected with a coy smile; she got an icy sapphire stare in return. "Don't deny it; you so liked it. And it was pretty obvious that Drew was enjoying himself too."

Blaze smiled wickedly as May flushed scarlet red. "Let's not forget about those sexy moves Rocky was trying to impress you with," The redhead was grinning like a mad woman as she remembered how the young Hispanic boy had tried so hard to impress Aisha only to inadvertently score a dance with a bottle blonde, causing the tanned girl to become furious and ignore him for the rest of the night. Aisha was remembering it as well, for she winced and turned away to talk to Dawn.

"You sure you're cool with coming? We don't want to force you into something that you're not comfortable with."

"Yea, it's cool. I'm actually excited to go. Plus, I'll probably be able to meet a few cute guys!" the bluenette responded with a bright smile. May smirked, glad that the heat was off of her for now.

"Well, you'll get to see Paul. I mean, all of us go and we literally force the statue of a man to go to Jynx. You can put some sexy moves on him," May said with a straight face before bursting out laughing with the rest of the girls, Dawn included.

"Ah, I'd love to see Paul's face if Dawn ever seduced him. That would be priceless!" Blaze snorted. Dawn rolled her eyes, a light blush staining her cheeks. Blaze decided to spare her. "Don't worry Dawn, he usually stays in the corner and babysits his bottle of root beer. You don't even have to be near him if you don't want to...we know how he pisses you off." Dawn smiled softly, thankful for these people who she considered her friends.

"Who knows what will happen?" Dawn asked, emitting a sigh. "No need to worry, I'll be fine!" May sighed, slinging her arm around her friend's shoulder.

"Girl, that's when I worry the most," Glancing at her watch, the brunette's eyes widened. "We may not know what's going down tonight, but I do know what will happen if we're late again!" With that sentiment in mind, the five girls started to run.

oOoOoOo

"Looks like you finally made it," Byron smirked, noticing the out-of-breath Blaze who was heaving like she had just run a marathon. The redhead was so tired she couldn't even come up with a viable retort.

"I...you... ugh!" she panted heavily. The sandy haired boy just continued to cockily smirk.

"Finally made you speechless huh? I knew it would happen someday," he laughed and Blaze tried to lift her head up at him to glare but she ended up feeling like she was about to faint. Byron's laugh and smile faded as he caught hold of the stumbling girl. "Hey, hey, you ok?" he asked, his voice immediately concerned.

"Yea, just a bit dizzy," Blaze smiled lightly, unconsciously leaning on him for support. Byron looked up to see the others chatting with their boy counterparts and he tilted his head down to peer at the girl in his arms.

"B, did you eat anything?" Byron asked, his voice now taking on a chastising tone. Blaze looked up guiltily at him. "When was the last time you ate?" he asked lowly, not wanting to bring attention to them.

"Um...lunch time yesterday?" she meekly replied. Byron sighed, looking at her with that stare. It always unnerved Blaze with the amount of concern it held for her; it made her feel breathless and she knew that it was always reserved for her. "By, my parents were fighting about Grams again. I couldn't just let it go! They want to stop funding for her medication and treatment!"

"Blaze, that's no reason to not eat. You know what your hypoglycemia does to you. If you don't eat even for a meal, you start feeling dizzy, you know that!" he growled, not even mad at her, but mad at himself for not noticing the trouble she was having at home again.

"You know how mad they make me. It's like they don't even take me into consideration when it comes to Grams. She's the only family I really have." Byron sighed, detangling Blaze from him and then wrapping an arm around her waist and supporting her. "By, what are you doing?" Blaze demanded, trying to sound threatening but failing.

"We're ditching class to get you some food. You are not going to class until you make up for two missed meals." he said in a tone that clearly called for no more arguments. Blaze rolled her eyes while secretly smiling at the sweet gesture. Even though they fought a lot, at the end of the day, he was still her confidant and her best guy friend.

It was hard to believe that they had gotten close a year ago. No one really knew about how their relationship had shifted because they still fought so much on a daily basis. The surfer boy may be egotistical and cocky at times, and never cease to annoy her, but knew the other side to him that he never let anyone but her know.

"Hey, you sure you ok? I can take you to Nurse Clara if you want," his voice cut into her thoughts. Blaze furiously shook her head.

"No, then my dad will find out about it and I'll never hear the end of it. Just take me to the canteen and I'll just get something there. Are you trying to get me invalid for our match today?" she smirked weakly and Byron rolled his eyes though they still shone with concern.

"As if; I could totally beat you, even at full strength. No need to get you all weak." Byron shrugged casually, internally sighing with relief when he saw the blaze of fire in Blaze.

"Watch it Carter; I may be weak, but I can still kick your ass all the way to Johto."

oOoOoOo

"...And the best way to dodge an incoming attack is?" the teacher drawled on. May felt her eyes droop close and her head drop down but she immediately woke up as she felt herself falling asleep. "Anyone? Does anyone know?" the teacher dragged on with her monotonous voice. Drew was sitting next to her, snoring slightly. May smiled softly, rolling her eyes. She loved coordinating and it was her dream, but she had no idea how to survive this dreaded class. It was only twenty minutes into the class and they still had forty minutes to go. It seemed that the teacher finally had enough and decided to forgo lecturing. "Alright, who wants to watch a video on battling?" The whole class groaned as she ignored them and dimmed the lights. It was safe to say that the whole class practically fell asleep as she video started with another man monotonously drawling.

It was a blessing when the bell finally rang and May was finally able to exit this god-forsaken place. As May was packing up her books and putting them in her bag, she noticed that some people were hovering near the front door of the classroom; two people to be exact. May bit the inside of her cheek; she had a good feeling of what was about to happen.

"So, Drew, doll, I couldn't help but overhear that your weekly Jynx hangout was happening today...and I was wondering if you had room for one more," the strawberry haired girl literally purred and May resisted the urge to gag. The brunette purposely took her time in gathering her materials for the next class. Oak Battle Arena was not only used for Mock Battling class but also for the Coordination class, and they definitely couldn't start class without her. Drew seemed to scoff.

"Brianna, honestly, if I really wanted you to go, don't you think I would have invited you already? It's been three years since we started going there and god help me if you still think that I'm into you like that. Any good feelings I had about you disappeared in middle school." May could almost imagine Drew's chartreuse eyes rolling and him flicking his matching green hair.

"Doll, that was a long time ago, and I've changed, honest. Can't you give me a chance? I mean, if not with Jynx then with the Halloween party? I heard you were going to that too!" Couldn't blame a girl for trying, even if it was Brianna. May just sighed and saw that she had no choice but to walk out the classroom right into the middle of their conversation. Well, she may as well just walk into the devil's lair.

"Hey guys, fancy seeing you here. Shouldn't you be heading down to Oak Battle Arena by now?" May piped in, her voice full of innocence. She couldn't help the delighted flutter her heart gave when she saw the corners of Drew's lip twitch as he resisted to smile. Brianna seemed to think the opposite and frowned deeply, her eyes turning a steely silver.

"I could say the same to you May," she gritted out, slinging her immaculate strawberry hair to one side. May shrugged and loosely gestured to her books.

"You know how long I take to get ready. But um, I've got to get to class. Should I tell Professor Lily that you guys were making out in the hallway?" a sly smile played on her lips, as Drew's cheeks seemed to turn a light dusty pink and he glared at her.

"Hey, April, Brianna here was just asking about our little Jynx excursion tonight. Think we have room for one more?" he turned to her, his eyes signaling to her what he wanted her to do. With an internal sigh May put on her best puppy pout and whimpered.

"Aw but Drew, you said it would you said it would just be us and the other Eeveeites tonight. Don't tell me you're going back on your promise," May whined as her bottom lip jutted out and her sapphire eyes sparkled oh-so-brightly. Drew sighed quietly in relief and he quickly strutted forward to sling an arm around his childhood best girl friend.

"No need to worry sweetheart, I don't intend to disappoint," he said with a new glint in his eyes that made May just want to shrug him off, though a part of her- a really big part of her- didn't mind his flirtation. She just giggled and grabbed his hand to pull him forward.

"Aw, I knew I could count on you!" she smiled mockingly though she knew Brianna couldn't tell the difference, evident by the other girl glaring at them with hands on hips and a gaping mouth. "Come on, we're going to be late to class. Though they definitely won't start without me," the younger Oak stated confidently.

"Wow Princess, cocky much?" Drew smirked while bumping her shoulder lightly. May just glared at him for the nickname but knew Drew didn't care to acknowledge it. Only a handful of people were allowed to call her Princess and he, having coined the term in the first place, was number one on the list. May gave his bicep a pinch and the grasshead yelped at the sharp pain while Brianna glared at their retreating backs.

oOoOoOo

"Geez Princess, you two are super late...anything going on that we should know about?" a snide voice commented and May could have sworn that she jumped out of her skin.

"Jesus Gary, you scared the crap out of me!" the younger Oak squealed as she unintentionally jumped closer to Drew. Sapphire met coal and the two Oak siblings had a slight stare down before Drew had to break them up.

"Seriously guys, we're doing this again?" Drew rolled his eyes and May pouted, flipping her brunette hair and taking a seat. The grasshead rolled his eyes again before exchanging an amused glance with his best friend. May rested her hand on her cheek and turned to her brother.

"What are you doing here Gary?" she drawled, her eyes still doe-eyed and her cheeks slightly puffed out. Gary smiled at his little sister and ruffled her hair a bit.

"Had a free period and decided to join you guys here. You're probably battling today aren't you sis?" May had the urge to sigh.

"Yea...I mean, it's not like I don't love coordinating...but it's the same routine every year, seriously. I wish they'd change it up, though I doubt Drew and I are going against each other again." Drew slumped into the seat on the right of her and Gary decided to take the seat to her left. Gary turned to his sister.

"So, switching topics, how are classes so far?" he asked, smirking because he knew that May absolutely hated having Brianna in basically every single one of her classes. May groaned, burying her face in her hands. "That bad, kid? I thought you said that your goal was to not get annoyed with her?" he chuckled and May glared at him.

"Yea, well, it's really hard when she's in every single one of your classes..." May scoffed and picked her head up again, relaxing it against the seat. "I really truly and sincerely hope they don't pick Brianna and I to go against each other. I don't think I could stand her prattling and moaning about losing for the next month." Drew smirked at her.

"Now you're really getting high and mighty Princess. Better hope your ego doesn't inflate anymore or it'll be too big to fit anywhere," the grasshead snorted in amusement and May leisurely turned her head towards him.

"There's no ego involved; I've beaten that girl so many times that at this point, it wouldn't surprise me if she lost again. And I seriously doubt that anyone could beat the size of your ego Drew-dear," May drawled and Gary snorted. "Let's not forget about your ego Gare-bear. The two of you could take up the entire Hoenn region with those egos of yours," she giggled as a huge smirk made its way onto her face.

"Class, can I have your attention?" Lily's voice reverberated throughout the entire arena. "I'd like to call to the stand May Maple" 'Psh, figures' May muttered "and a new student, Ms. Naomi Watters," the MC called. May exchanged glances with the boys beside her, none of them recognizing this Naomi person. May felt like a spotlight was glaring down on her because everyone was staring at her, watching as she slowly descended down the stairs and onto the arena floor. The brunette Princess and the brunette MC smiled at each other and May took her place on one end of the stage. A petite girl with auburn colored hair stepped onto the stage as well, everything but her eyes exuding an air of confidence.

"Hey, I'm May," May smiled brightly at the girl, meeting her at the center. Naomi just looked at her and glared at her. The brunette slightly faltered at the amount of malice in her eyes but recovered and coolly looked at the auburn haired girl and muttered a 'good luck' before walking back to her place at the end of the stage.

Drew and Gary watched the whole confrontation, slightly worried about this new girl; no one had ever seen her before so they didn't know who she was or where she had come from. Not surprisingly, both guys were pretty protective of the brunette and didn't like it when they didn't know how to gauge another person.

"Alright ladies, chose your pokemon," Lily called out. May thoughtfully glanced at her wrist and if people didn't know better, they'd think she was crazy. Naomi had this exact look as she picked her pokeball and called out her Drapion. The scorpion pokemon called out its name and looked at May menacingly. The female Oak nodded thoughtfully then picked up a charm on her bracelet. With her signature twirl and cry of 'take the stage' Blastoise came out in all his glory, roaring at the crowd and making them jump. The two boys just smirked at each other and waited for destruction and chaos to ensure. "Oh wow...looks like we're bringing out the big guns," Lily smiled excitedly and raised her arm into the air. "5 minutes on the clock...and begin!"

"You can have the first move Naomi," May smiled sweetly, her fake sugary side coming out and a plastic smile gracing her face. Naomi just sneered.

"Alright. Drapion, use sludge bomb," Naomi commanded and May saw the big ball of poisonous sludge, knowing she had only a few seconds to react.

"Blastoise retreat into your shell!" May shouted, thanking the heavens above that her turtle pokemon had fast reflexes. "Now use surf and propel yourself into the air!" Blastoise quickly spun around as water poured out of his shell and he was propelled into the air just as the sludge bomb hit the floor and quickly dissolved. Naomi's points went down a bit.

"Drapion use venoshock!" Drapion attempted to coat Blastoise in a gooey purple liquid but failed when Blastoise was still spinning in a circle and using the water to create a shield causing Naomi's points to further dwell. May smiled, knowing things were going well according to her plan. After a grueling summer with Drew, Gary, and a couple of their other friends, she was well prepared for situations like these.

"Blastoise rapidly spin pinball style into skull bash!" May cried. The giant blue turtle hurtled himself and began to bounce off the floor and walls just like a pinball. Drapion looked utterly confused as it tried to follow where Blastoise was going but before it knew it, Blastoise was in front of its face and grabbed its head and bashed it with his. With a roar of pain, the huge scorpion pokemon reared back as Blastoise flipped back into a safe enough range.

May smiled as she pulled out the big guns- literally. "Blastoise, use hydro pump!" she cried and everyone knew it was over the moment Blastoise's guns were locked and loaded. Drapion was too disoriented to properly dodge the powerful streams of water that had been shot out of Blastoise's cannons and was pummeled to the ground, eliciting 'oohs' and 'ahs' from all the students. Naomi's points went all the way down to zero and the clock stopped with two minutes and fifty seconds left. The class was left shocked; this was a new record.

"And it looks like May and Blastoise are the winners!" May ran to the center and hugged Blastoise, kissing its head and then returning him to his pokeball. She slightly bowed with a bright smile before returning to her seat, trying to ignore the stares she was getting.

"Well, well Princess. Looks like we actually taught you something this summer," Drew smirked and May was about to hit him until she noticed the proud look in his eyes. Even though he hadn't outwardly admitted that she was strong, it still felt really good knowing that he believed that she was worthy enough in his eyes. A light blush stained her cheeks as she sat down and nudged his shoulder, giving Gary a gorgeous smile.

Her older brother shook his head and glanced at her, letting her know that he, too, was proud. "Well May, I can't help but admit that I'm impressed. You took her down in record time," he grinned at his little sister. May laughed a little.

"All my thanks goes to you guys; if it weren't for you two and your grueling pokemon battles, I wouldn't be half as good as you all think I am."

"May, I don't think you seriously know how strong you are. You did a good job, really." Drew muttered quietly. This time, a full-on blush stained her cheeks and she looked straightforward but let a hundred-megawatt smile show. Gary just managed to swallow in his chuckle causing it to sound like a snort but yelped as May pinched his leg.

oOoOoOo

After class, May took her time to gather her things because she had an hour lunch. Drew and Gary had hung back to walk with her to lunch and she was about to go to them when she noticed a head of hair walking on the strip of the bleachers leading to the door.

"Hey, Naomi, wait up!" May cried as she ran over to the girl. Said girl turned her hand and gave May the haughtiest look she had ever seen, with one hand on her cocked hip. May faltered once more as she saw the unnecessary hate in her eyes. Naomi just scoffed.

"What do you want?" she drawled sarcastically. May suddenly had a flashback to middle school where she was bullied by the same type of people. Her sapphire eyes suddenly turned a crystalline blue and her hands were on her hips.

"I was just going to say good job out there, but on second thought, I don't think you deserve it." May sneered her comment and Naomi cocked an eyebrow, an infuriating amused smile playing on her lips.

"Look, I get that you think that you're all that and that you think you're the princess of this place but you're not- so get over yourself. Stop placing yourself on a high pedestal and just realize that you're not as good as everyone makes you out to be," Naomi spat, making May's eyes widen. Fortunately or unfortunately, May would have to decide later, Gary and Drew heard this comment and came stomping over to the two girls.

"Problem May?" Drew asked, his taller form immediately hovering protectively over her petite form. Naomi seemed to take a half step back at the appearance of both boys. May turned to him with a tight smile on her face.

"Nope, no problem at all," her smile sweet and fake. Gary raised a brow but said nothing, his steely glare saying everything he needed to get the point across. A sudden high-pitched voice had Drew cringing and May and Gary rolling their eyes.

"Mimi what's taking so long?" Brianna's sugary drawl had the three of them on guard and Naomi slightly flinching at the nickname. "Oh...it's you. What are you doing here, trying to corrupt my friend's mind with your money?" she asked and May bristled, only held back by Drew's arm snaking across her shoulder.

"Oh definitely, because that's exactly what I do; I use my power as an Oak and I bribe people to be my friends. Because that's definitely why people want to be my friend," May sneered and Brianna rolled her eyes, looking seemingly bored as she buffed her nails.

"May?" May turned to see Misty at the door of the arena, joined by all of her other friends. "We were looking for you but you never came...guess we found out why," the redhead glared at the unwanted strawberry haired girl.

"You can't even fight your own battles can you, May? Seriously, what a princess," Holly scoffed before she and Naomi sauntered out of the arena. May was left with a weird look on her face; normally, even though she hated the nickname 'princess' she could deal with it because she knew they always said it endearingly. But the way Brianna said it...didn't make her feel any happy thoughts. The girls looked worriedly at their friend.

"May, you ok?" Aisha asked softly. She noticed Drew and Gary exchanging worried glances and Rocky and Byron slowly ushering the guys out, knowing that the girls needed time. May shrugged her shoulders as Dawn came forward.

"Don't even worry about them May. They're not even worth your thoughts- you're ten times better than them." Dawn engulfed May in a huge hug as the other girls nodded in agreement. "Now let's go see Blaze kick Byron's ass!" she exclaimed and the rest of the girls cheered.

tbc