Chapter 1: Knock Knock

knock knock

A familiar knock on my door was enough to wake me out of my sound sleep.

"Miiiiiiiiles!"

I groaned as my best friend called out for me and knocked on my dorm door, just as he'd done weeks before.

I wish he'd forget and end up late at least one week.

I got up, put on my glasses, and yawned, surprised to see my roommate, Mark, still asleep.

It must be nice…

I hurriedly got dressed and met the familiar Zeraora outside my room. I barely had time to adjust to the light of the hallway before I was met with his bright smile and sunny disposition. I nearly squinted at the sight of it.

"Morning Miles!"

I yawned before I could reply.

"I'll never understand how you're always so hyperactive at 6 in the morning."

I stretched my arms as we started to walk downstairs.

"Hell if I know. But do you ever think maybe it's just cause I'm happy to see you?"

I turned away and pretended to laugh.

"Oh ha ha. More like you enjoy seeing me suffer."

He laughed a little too.

"Miles this was your idea. You asked me to make sure I wake you up twice a week, and not to let you talk your way out of it, and if you didn't come out in 10 minutes, I was free to use the key you gave me to drag you out of your room if I had to."

My ears drooped and I slouched over as I walked.

"*sigh* I did say that, didn't I…"

He pat my shoulder.

"Yup! Now let's hurry! The sooner we get our run out of the way, the sooner we can get to Claire's for breakfast."

I brightened up a little as we got outside.

"Alright alright. Just give me a minute to warm up."

I never really introduced myself. My name is Miles. Miles Perin. I'm a Sylveon in my second year of college at Mare University, 22 years old. The Zeraora who I asked to subject me to psychological torture is my best friend, and has been since we were kids.

I may have acted super tired and annoyed having to get up early, but I was actually pretty happy to see him. The only reason I told him to do that, is because I admittedly wanted to be around him more.

The runs were a part of his schedule, as part of his training regimen for the battle team. Of course they didn't require him to do it, he set it up for himself so he could be in top shape for his battles. And when I found out he did so alone…well why wouldn't I offer to run with him? I asked him if I could run with him to keep myself in shape, and he agreed. The only issue was that he got up at 6 am to do so, and I am as far from a morning person as you could get.

That morning we'd agreed to meet up with my other friend Claire. We met in one of freshman classes last year, and with her friend Chelsea, we all formed a new friend group. We occasionally go to her family's diner where she works morning shifts.

We got there at around 8 am, and found our usual table, where Chelsea was already sitting. Funnily enough, she's a Sylveon like me. She always seemed brighter and fuzzier than me, but I didn't mind.

We took our seats across from her, with Calvin and I on the same side. I smiled as I greeted her.

"Morning Chelsea! Is Claire busy?"

She had been texting on her phone, and didn't look up to answer.

"Nah. She's just taking care of something for her mom, then she'll be right over."

Claire worked for her mother at the Holbrooke Diner. Her Mom was the owner obviously, and she worked in the mornings so she could have money while attending our college nearby, which she did in the afternoon. We often came here for study sessions and to hang out during our breaks, and Claire's mom, Nancy, always gave us free food, no matter how often Calvin and I insisted on paying.

Claire walked over in her work uniform, her 9 tails swaying behind her, and smiled as she greeted us.

"Morning guys! How was your run?"

She clearly took notice of Calvin and I in our exercise clothes, and smiled more as she handed us menus. Calvin brightened up at the mention of it.

"It was awesome! Miles still hasn't beaten my lowest time, but he's getting there! In a couple weeks he'll be about half my speed!"

She giggled as she handed us menus, meanwhile I gave Calvin a cold glare as he elbowed my side.

I grabbed my menu, and looked over as Claire went to take care of another table. I failed to notice how Calvin had steadily scooted closer, putting his chin on my shoulder. My face began to flush as he chuckled.

"I don't know what to pick Miles, think you could help me?"

My cheeks turned red, and my heart started racing a bit as I grew flustered.

"U-Uh sure thing!"

Okay I admit it, I have a huge crush on Calvin. I have since we were teenagers. I don't have a shred of hope of him liking me back, but I still like to be close with him, especially when he makes an effort to do so like now.

I pointed out different things that sounded good, and he nodded and agreed or said what he was in the mood for. Meanwhile my face was turning redder, even moreso when I noticed Chelsea glance up from her phone and raise a brow at us. That made my face turn beet red, and Calvin noticed.

"Everything okay Miles?"

I silently nod while trying to decide on what to eat for myself, despite finding it hard to focus for obvious reasons.

Eventually he moved back over, right on time for Claire to come back.

"You guys figure out what you want?"

We nodded and placed our order. Afterwards she stayed, and we talked for a bit while she was on break. We finished eating, and Calvin and I had to go.

The four of us all attended the nearby college, Mare University, a major location in Mare City. I took scattered classes, but I studied Pokeology, a class I took with Claire. My other basic classes like Calculus, PokeScience, and Sinnoh Literature, to name a few, are shared with Calvin, and some others aren't, but I happen to share those with Chelsea and Claire as well.

Despite that, he still finds a way to meet me once my classes are over and walk with me to my next one. I didn't know how he managed it, or why he did it, but I appreciated it nonetheless.

When we arrived on campus, the first thing we saw were the Main Office buildings, where people go to apply, handle expenses, and other things. The route to the left led to the dorm buildings, where Calvin and I stayed. We tried to apply to be roommates, but all the reserved rooms were taken or had someone in them, so we just said screw it and relied on the roommate picking system.

I actually got a good roommate, Mark Whistwolf, a Midnight Lycanroc. He's a nice guy, a bit sarcastic, and definitely took some getting used to. But now he's a good friend of mine. He didn't seem to mind how Calvin bashes on our door twice a week, and actually sleeps through it with no issue…somehow.

The route to the right led to the buildings where classes were held, as well as other activities. The gymnasiums and auditorium were over there, as well as the Science and Computer labs, and it was where most club activities took place.

And finally, directly behind the main office buildings, through a short path in between two of them, were the food courts and stalls, as well as many shops and other places to buy things we might need. Most people just went to the city itself to shop but sometimes it was convenient to have a place close by if you needed something on short notice.

The school itself was filled with Pokemon from all over the world. While we may be in Sinnoh, Chelsea is actually from Kalos, and Claire and her mom are from Unova. Calvin and I are from Celestic Town in Central Sinnoh, whereas Mare City was developed on one of the sub regions in Sinnoh, on an island off the coast of Flower Paradise. Flower Paradise is a resort where the regional championships are held.

I came here to study Pokeology, which is the study of the biology of Pokemon, and why our bodies respond how they do to status ailments and afflictions. Calvin is here with a full scholarship because he's an exceptional battler. He got accepted into the Mare Battle Team in an instant, and he's been their star member since he joined.

I mostly went to study in that field because the experimentation that goes into it intrigues me, but I also wanted to support Calvin how I could. I already made sure he's nice and healed after a battle, but anything can happen out there in this dangerous world we call home. His dream is to become a world renowned battler, and I wanna be with him during his entire journey getting there, if not as his…ahem… I'd happily do so as a supporter.

I wouldn't be able to stand it if his dreams got crushed by some random accident that left him crippled or unable to battle. I would do what I could to make sure he was fighting fit every time. That was my dream.

The day went by pretty quickly, and I already found myself on my way to the gymnasium building to watch Calvin battle. I was a little miffed because I had some extra work to take care of in my last class of the day, which is always my Pokeology class, so I was running late to see the matches.

This was also the only time of day Calvin didn't meet me after class since he had to head to his locker room to be ready beforehand.

The gymnasium buildings weren't too far, so I would've made it if I didn't get held up. It had four different gyms so that the four sports our school offers students to play don't have to worry about scheduling around the others, as well as a track field in the back. Calvin's battles always took place on the first floor, since his sport was the most lively, and needed a sturdy ground to prevent any major accidents.

I barely managed to make it in time to see Calvin finish off his last opponent, a Rapidash. The crowd went wild when he finally fainted, and Calvin cheered alongside them. I stood in the doorway to the stands, and Calvin managed to spot me. I smiled and waved at him, and he gave me a thumbs up. The Rapidash had been taken off the field to get his wounds healed, and Calvin rushed over to me, ignoring the calls of the onsite healing staff as per usual. We made our way to the hallway to the locker room, where I looked at him to see if he's badly hurt, only finding minor scratches and burns.

"I'm glad you finally learned to take it easy. I was getting really worried", I said as I used some Full Restore mix on a large burn on his arm.

He laughed and looked down at it.

"I had to. Coach Allier told me some schools have complained that I was too rough with their students. I never hurt anyone badly but some have had to get extra treatment after a battle, and that doesn't look good on our part."

I raised a brow, and finished applying the mixture, and examined him further to make sure he was completely healed.

"If you say so. But I meant in regards to yourself as well. I know you haven't lost but I don't wanna treat another self-inflicted dislocation in the arm like last time."

I got up and laughed a little, lighting tapping the arm I just bandaged. He looked shocked as he stood as well.

"Ow- Hey, that was an accident! I had poor timing, and hurt my arm trying to fight an Aggron who just happened to use Iron Defense at the time. That's all."

I laughed as he crossed his arms and pouted at me.

"I know, don't worry Cal. I was only-"

I stopped as he hugged me right as he turned to face me. I turned bright red for the second time that day, as he pulled me into the surprise embrace.

"Either way, I appreciate you looking after me Miles. You're the best friend a guy could ask for."

I looked down as he let go.

Right…friend…

He smiled brightly at me as we headed towards the exit.

"Now come on, I'll walk you to your dorm. I know you usually like to get extra study time in."

I nodded and returned his smile, walking up next to him.

We got to my dorm room about 20 minutes later, around 6:20, and Calvin waved as he left.

"I'll be back in around an hour with dinner. Consider it a thanks for today. See ya Miles!"

And with that, he sped off. I chuckled to myself as I unlocked my door, and walked inside. Mark was already in there in his bed reading, which is usually how I found him.

"Oh! Hi Mark, how was your day?"

He didn't even look up from his book, but still replied.

"It was alright. Nothing really happened today, just classes and school work as per usual. What about you?"

I shrugged as I put my bag in my desk chair and took off my jacket.

"Same here. I had some extra work to do in the lab but that's about it."

He finally looked up from his book and gave a sly smile.

"I heard your boy toy saying he was bringing back food. You should tell him to bring me something."

I blushed a little. Mark was the only other person who knew I had a crush on Calvin. He was able to put it together somehow, and often told me I should just "Snag him already"

"U-uh, alright. I don't know what he's getting but I'll text him and ask him to bring you something."

I know that seems a little impolite but Calvin doesn't mind, and Mark always pays Calvin for doing it anyway.

Mark snickered at my clearly being flustered, and fixed his glasses.

"You know, you should really just ask him out already. A nice, strong and popular guy like him is bound to have plenty of people who want a piece."

I blushed harder.

"D-don't remind me! I just… I'm not sure if he sees me as more than a friend. I don't wanna mess up how things are."

Mark sighed and opened his book back up.

"How many guys do you know go out of their way to walk one of their friends to and from every class, and just buys them food just because? I'm telling you, I know when something's there. I'm pretty sure he likes you."

I scoffed as I booted up my laptop to start my schoolwork.

"As if."

I'm fine with how things are… as long as we stay friends, and I can support him, I don't need him to like me back.

LF: I know it's been a while haha. I had this story in the works for a while, and I finally made an outline, then wrote it, then proofread it(more than a few times) then I had to figure out how to upload it on here again lol. But now that I'm done all that, expect me to upload a chapter a week until it's all finished. See you guys next week, and enjoy!