Disclaimer: same as on Chapter 2
The Campus Center, one of the busiest buildings on Humilau High's campus, was bustling a little more than usual for the summer. During the school year students would pack into the cafeteria and food court: hosting a variety of different menus. The two computer labs would be filled with students surfing the web, playing games, or social networking. The game room, stocked with pool and ping-pong tables, foosball, air hockey, and multiple TVs and video game systems would be overflowing. The offices would have people trickling in and out during the day. But today, the only people in the building besides a few faculty members in their offices was a large group waiting patiently in the hallway with bulletin boards for extracurricular activities. Every conversation went dead silent as the door leading to the practice fields and arena opened. All eyes turned to the silhouette, paper in hand.
As the door closed, Shane stood there with his usual smile looking at the paper. Upon seeing everyone staring at him, he looked back and forth wondering what was up. "Oh, right. False alarm, sorry guys," he said seeing the newbies' anxious faces. He walked over to the upperclassmen guys, "Look what I got guys."
"What is it Shane?" a lightly tanned 6'1, lanky yet lean sophomore asked. He was donning his usual short spiky steel gray hair to match his gray eyes.
"It's our schedule for the year Remmy!" Shane replied, showcasing the paper to everyone. Tyson, who goes by a nickname of his last name, Remington, was wearing an open, pink Aloha shirt with white tribal flowers, a white tank top underneath, and black cargo shorts that go below his knees, with open-toed black sandals.
"Gimme that," Tyler said swiping the paper from his fellow junior's hand, looking at it, then smirking. "Hah! Our first match is against Aspertia, what a bunch of losers!"
"They blow!" Barry added.
"True, but then our second is against Driftveil," Freddie said, pointing at the date.
"Whaddya mean 'our second is Driftveil'? They suck too Fred," Harper said, leaning against the wall casually.
"So, everyone sucks compared to us?" Tommy asked the bunch.
All eyes turned to the freshman, Tyler being the first to reply, "Yea, tell me something I don't know frosh."
"Aren't they one of our rivals?" Tommy asked.
"We're their main rival, but our main rival is Nimbasa, who we don't play til week five," Freddie said.
"So in other words, they're an easy win?" Tommy said, trying to score points with the upperclassmen.
"There ya go frosh," Shane said, giving Tommy a fist-pound.
"Heya guys, whatcha looking at over here?" Megan said, poking her head into the circle.
"Oh hey Megan, wouldn't you like to know?" Tyler said smugly.
"Well yea, that's why I asked," she replied then laughed.
"It's the sched, another easy one," Harper said as Tyler passed her the paper.
The door opened again, the newbies looking over as Barkley stood in the doorway, taking in the scene. He walked over to the athletics bulletin board, taking the tack off of another post, Barkley commenting, "Fruits," as it fell to the floor. It was information for the Contest team. As quiet as he came in, he walked back out. As the door closed, the ones trying out for the team mobbed around the board, seeing if their name was on the list.
After a few minutes of waiting, "Look at them Barry, they're like pigeons, trying to weasel their snouts to get their prey."
"I'm pretty sure you mean vultures and beaks, Tyler," Barry replied.
"Whatever Barry," he retorted, walking over to the pack, "Alright let's go, the list isn't changing. If your name isn't on it, try out for junior-varsity. Now get outta here!" He said loudly and annoyed. All of them dispersed upon hearing his voice, all with gloomy expressions on their faces. Everyone else approached the board and looked to see what the first day's damages were. All the returners were on the top of the list. And below them were the four freshmen recruits. And below them... was nothing. Tyler burst into a fit of laughter.
Several of the upperclassmen looked at each other with about-to-laugh grins on their faces, and most of the others had looks of surprise on theirs. "Barkley did it again!" Eavan yelled before laughing herself.
"Did what?" Tommy asked to anyone.
"He cut everyone trying out!" Eavan said, still laughing. Tommy's eyes widened before chuckling himself.
"I recall him saying that he'd only keep someone if they really shined. That wasn't the case last year or this year it seems," Nyx stated blankly, as a few of the guys started walking out to go to the dorm.
Colin started walking out next to Freddie, Colin glanced over to see Karim standing off to the side with a scowl on his face. "Why the face Karim?" he asked.
Karim looked at Colin, his expression staying, "It's not funny at all. None of them could see the sadness on those other freshmen's faces. I'm sure all of you were recruited and can't see the gift of it, in spite of your skill..." Then he walked out, heading back to the dorm as well.
Colin and Freddie exchanged glances, "Odd, but I can see where he's coming from," Freddie said.
"Yea I agree, did you see his face? He looked pissed..." Colin added, both of them shrugging. "I wonder if he'd get along well with the Ice Queen." Both of them turned around to look at the sophomore. She was sitting down, talking to her Monferno. She had wavy, light chocolate brown hair reaching her elbows with green highlights in it.
"Ehh, I wouldn't think Charlotte would like him very much," Freddie said, a little too loud. Charlotte turned to look at him, her almond-shaped leaf green eyes staring at him questioningly. "Oh, nothing Char, honest!" Freddie said waving his hands in front of him in an innocent way.
Charlotte stood up, she was a tall 5'7 with mildly sun-bronzed skin, and walked towards the two guys. She had on her usual, a pale peach-colored camisole, with denim shorts that end just above mid-thigh, and black ballet flats. She stared into Freddie's bright blue eyes with a blank stare, making him uncomfortable. "What were you saying? All I heard was my name-"
"Everybody stop!" Tyler yelled loudly, everyone going silent and still, "Where's Laser-puss?"
"You mean Lazarus?" Megan corrected.
"Who cares, who wants to go get something to eat?" Eavan asked, a couple of them agreeing with her as they started to head towards the cafeteria.
"Nobody move!" Tyler yelled again, his voice rising an octave again. "As team captain, I care. He can't just miss team events."
"This isn't a team event, Tyler," Eavan said, "now come on guys."
His voice up an octave again, "It is if I say it is!- Where do you think you're going!?" Tyler yelled, putting his fists on his hips, as everyone started to go do something elsewhere. Only River didn't walk away. Tyler turned to follow Eavan and the others for food but stopped abruptly seeing River. "Oh, you stayed. Good job frosh."
River nodded in reply. "Do you know where Lazarus is?" Tyler asked, she shook her head. "Where are you about to go?" River pointed in the direction of the cafeteria. "Do you... talk?" she shook her head. Tyler looked weirdly at Barry, who shrugged, shaking his head as well, "Not you too!"
"I can talk!" Barry replied quickly.
((4 days later, Friday))
"Great practice you guys. Today ends tryouts, and as you all knew after day one, you're now all on the official roster," Coach Barkley said wrapping up, looking out at his team of fifteen for the year. "Lesley will give you all a schedule for the rest of summer. It includes what time summer workouts are, when official practices start, and our matches schedule, all are mandatory. You have a few days off before the workouts begin so rest up."
The sun setting, the three coaches began walking back to the athletic office in the arena as Tyler did the "Hurricanes" breakdown. Several reporters were waiting near the entrance to the arena for the coaches. Immediately upon seeing the coaches they rushed forward each asking a question. Marshall stopped walking and put his arms up, "One at a time you guys, come on."
"Marshall, some say that your loss in the Multi-Regional semi-finals last year was one of the best teams that you've ever coached. And having lost five seniors, most think that you won't make it very far post-season this year," one of the reporters said.
"That is a load of bullc-" Marshall said angrily, but before he could finish, the other reporters bombarded him.
"Coach Barkley, where do you see your season going this year, being that you are in a rebuilding mode?"
"Coach, how did your recruiting go?" another asked.
"Some say that you might lose the home match winning streak this yea-"
"Guys, guys, guys, enough!" Marshall cut them off, "We have a great looking team this year. That record will go after I go, and trust me, that won't be anytime soon." And with that he pushed himself through them and went into the arena, storming into the men's locker room and into his own office. He pulled the metal cord so that the blinds closed on the glass walls of it and sat in his black leather swivel chair. He took out a bottle of Scotch from his mini fridge, opening it. The door opened and Lesley and Kent walked in.
"Starting your post-game ritual early Marshall?" Lesley joked.
"Those reporters are pathetic. I am not washed up. Not even close," he said pouring himself a small amount into a glass with ice in it, getting out two more glasses.
"No sir. If anything you're still in the prime," Kent said taking a glass from him.
"I think we have great potential for this year. Yes, we're a very young team, only having three seniors. But we've got four new freshmen, all budding to win," Lesley remarked.
"We definitely have several guarantee wins in our line-up," Marshall said, finishing his glass, and pouring another.
"I honestly don't see anyone on the roster losing often, not even the freshmen," Kent said.
"That's what scares me."
"If I may, I'd say... Unova champs, here we come again," Lesley said, raising her glass. Marshall nodded, doing the same along with Kent.
"We should start two-a-days early," Kent said, earning a smirk and nod from Marshall.
AN: And that concludes the tryouts week! Next chapter will be after the summer workouts and such, because that wouldn't be very fun to write or read, unless I made it fun, but I'm sure we all want to get to the matches and see some Pokémon and battles. There will be coming with the next update I can assure. Let me know what you think! I can't stop saying it, I love your reviews :D
OC's: Alrighty! All the main OC's are in and the goods are about to begin! Charlotte "Char" Aniuk is the OC of Storm229, and Tyson "Remmy" Remington is the OC of Barrett M107.
