Accustomed to abuse. A title no one should ever have to bear. But one girl did. Just a teenager, barely out of childhood but not close enough to adulthood, Rosana stayed in a state of being too young to be hurt, but too old to escape a cycle she knew since childhood.

All she knew was pure torture from her peers. Ever since her years in elementary school, she went from a girl with a bright smile that could light up a room to a dull candle whose flame is holding on by a thread before completely burning out.

A world forever covered in a grey hue, not one soul could reach through a steel bubble Rosana formed around herself. No amount of kindness could ever break those cold chains.

Although, there was one exception. A little Fuecoco Rosana had since she was ten. He helped her through all her painful days and lonely nights. She named him 'Zana.' It was short for Manzana, she didn't exactly want to name him 'apple', she thought that would be a little too silly.

He really was pure joy in the cruel world. He smiled like she never could.

The day Rosana entered the academy, nobody seemed to notice or acknowledge her existence. She already had a starter, and she wasn't exceptional with Pokémon battles. She did meet the director and she did introduce herself to the class, but that was about it. No "welcome to the academy!" from another student or "how are you"? from a teacher. Radio silence.

Although, one boy did catch her eye. But, of course, she wouldn't say anything. He was pretty hot, but way out of her league. From the looks of it, he was the student council president. Every other girl was probably super into him, too. She felt like a rose destined to never be picked.

Every day is the same. Classes go by, and Rosana stays unnoticed. Forty days, and forty nights, she ghosted along. She was waiting for someone to swoop her up and save her life. In all honesty, she felt like a Mimikyu. All she wanted was to be loved and appreciated but was too scared to reach out. But she was determined to change that someday, she didn't want to waste away. She knew the world had diamonds, they were just hard to find. She would still close herself off, but maybe one day she'd be confident enough to make the effort to break out of her steel cage.

At lunch, she ate alone again, with only Fuecoco by her side. He munched on a burnt apple as she ate her sandwich. It was peaceful, as usual.

"Hey!" Rosana looked up, and a group of three girls waved at her, smiling. "Eating all by yourself?"

Rosana felt a spark of hope. People were talking to her? Could they become friends? She hoped so.

"Yeah, wanna eat with me?" she asked, smiling.

One girl snickered before scoffing, "you really think we'd hang out with a freak like you? As if."

Rosana frowned. "Oh."

They all burst out in laughter as they turned out and walked away. Rosana didn't know why this had to keep happening to her. At least they didn't physically hurt her, unlike some. And why they even came up to her in the first place? To say one thing to her and then laugh? She could never understand.

She also didn't know why she felt like crying, she knew no good would ever come to her. Her hopes got so high she might as well have been a flying type at that moment, but she would continue to be a ghost.

She continued eating her sandwich and fed some to Fuecoco. Admittedly, she lost her appetite. Although she barely had one to begin with.

"Oh my god!"

Rosana looked up, it was the student council president. Shit.

"Is that a Fuecoco?" he yelled and pointed at them, running over. Fuecoco smiled and tilted his head at him as he approached.

"Hi,' he said as he stood in front of them, "can I pet your Fuecoco?"

Rosana couldn't help but blush, "of course."

"Where does he like being pet?"

"His head and back, mostly."

The boy gently pet Fuecoco's head and back, baby-talking him in the process. "Who's a good Fuecoco? You are!"

Rosana giggled, petting Fuecoco, too. As she pet his back, her hand brushed against the boy's. She pulled back, apologizing. "Sorry."

"Huh? What happened?"

"Nothing, it's fine," she said, fake smiling. He looked confused but didn't seem to care.

"Oh right! I almost forgot, what's your name? I'm Giacomo."

Rosana was taken aback but made herself seem ok, "I'm Rosana. Nice to meet you, Giacomo."

"Rosana. That's a pretty name," he smiled.

Rosana blushed again but smiled. "I like your name, too."

"Thanks," he looked away. Rosana could've sworn she saw some blush on his cheeks. "Does Fuecoco have a name?"

"Yeah," Rosana scritched Zana's chin, "it's Zana."

Giacomo looked awestruck, "Awwww! What a cute name! Is it short for Manzana?" he rustled his cheeks.

Rosana was shocked, how'd he guess? No one ever had. "Yeah! How'd you know?"

"Well, he kinda looks like an apple to me. If I had one, I'd name it that probably," he paused, "or Thompson."

Rosana burst out into laughter, and Giacomo followed. They laughed for a solid thirty seconds, before calming down. "That's so funny!?"

"I know, right? I love giving Pokémon human names! I named my Pawniard Aaron!"

Rosana couldn't help but laugh again. "That's so cute!"

Giacomo smiled and booped Zana's nose. "Well, I've gotta go. Thank you for letting me pet Zana. And it was nice to meet you," he gave her a thumbs up, grinning.

"Of course! Nice to meet you too. Talk to you later!"

"Yeah! See you soon!" and he walked off.

Wait, Rosana thought, did I really just say that? To the student council president? And he said it back? No way?

She internally screamed, she made a friend! Or, an acquaintance, at least. But that was good enough for her. She had finally been seen by someone.