Pasio University

Chapter 36- An Intersection of Past and Present

"I can't believe this! We really did it!" I exclaimed to my teammates as I held the Kalos Regional High School Championship trophy in my hands. I smiled and looked down at the trophy. What a way to end my Junior year. I'll get to be the team captain next year too! The team met up in the locker room and the celebration began. Even though they haven't been the nicest to me, and I haven't gotten to play much, I still feel a sense of pride being a part of this group. I looked over to Matisse, "This is it for you huh? Going to Mauville for sure?" Matisse looked over, "Yep." I replied, "Heh. Wait for me then. I'll join you there next year after I defend the regional title here." Matisse shook his head, "I doubt that Calem." I sighed, "Why?" Matisse began quickly, "You're really not all that you think you are. With me and the rest of the seniors leaving, I doubt you'll win it, and I further doubt you'd be accepted to Mauville. Everyone there has been a starter on their high school team since they were Freshmen." I growled, "I'll win it without you next year then you'll see." He chuckled, "Whatever you say Calem."

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"Hey, Calem, we made it." I was shook awake by Elio who was standing up to exit the plane. I shook awake. Then stood up and exited the plane with the team. I hate dreaming about the past. Makes me think about how much of a failure I've been my whole life. Got another chance to fail against Goldenrod in 2 days... I was taken out of my thought train when I saw Serena waiting patiently for me to get to her. I smiled widely and walked over to her. We shared a hug, Serena happily said, "Another one! You guys looked so good out there again!" I shook my head, "Yeah the team was great. I wasn't-" Serena grabbed my mouth, "That's enough." She then released it and led me by the hand to the cafeteria, "Here. I'm kinda hungry right now so I'm gonna grab something to eat. You should too." I scratched my head with my free hand, "Oh... Alright."

Brendan POV

It isn't generally like me to worry about other people, but May's overwhelming empathy has started to rub off on me. I'm kinda worried about Calem. I don't know a whole lot about why he's letting stuff get to him. May and I were relaxing at the fountain, she looked over to me, "Hey Brendan, would you care if I went back to Littleroot. Classes and stuff are over, I kinda want to go home..." I put my arm around her, "Well sure. I'll be back there with you eventually if you don't mind waiting." May frowned, "I'll miss you a lot... But you'll be traveling so much I won't get to see you. I get lonely." I thought for a moment, "You don't like talking to Lillie?" May shook her head, "I do, she's a good friend of mine. I just need to see some people from home." I nodded, "Ok. Well keep me posted on your trip back so I don't have to worry." She smiled, "I will." I then paused and remembered I wanted to talk to her about Calem. I started, "Hey May. Calem seems a bit off recently, he's letting his performances get to him a lot more than usual, you know why?" May shook her head, "Can't say I do. I can try to figure it out if you want. Know anyone who has talked to him recently?" I thought back to the Spring Party, "Yeah. I'm guessing Elio has a lot." May yelled over to the other side of the fountain, "Hey! Elio! Lillie! Mind joining us for a second?" I looked over to May, "Wait they're here? How did you know?" She shrugged, "I don't know." I saw Elio round the corner of the fountain leading Lillie by the hand as she giggled happily. He sat down on the bench next to us and Lillie sat next to him. I looked to Elio, "Thanks. You've talked to Calem recently haven't you?" He nodded, "Yeah I've talked to him a lot of times. Why?" I sighed, "He seems off... Is something bothering him in particular?" Elio nodded, "Yeah. Obviously you've heard the interview?" I looked up, "I did hear it yes." Elio explained, "Well he's taking it pretty hard. I've tried to tell him that it's not a good idea to harbor that kind of stuff. But he is. I don't know if there's much I can do about it." I looked questioningly at Elio, "You harbored that stuff pretty hard." He nodded, "I know. That's why I learned it's not good." I responded, "Oh. That makes sense." May looked to Elio, "So... You have experience with this kind of thing like Brendan said... What would've helped you when you were in the thick of it?" Elio pointed to Lillie, "Should've talked to her more. She solves all my problems." Lillie smiled, I then thought, "So he might be similar with Serena?" Elio rubbed his chin, "I hope so, everyone needs someone like that." I stood up, "I'm gonna go check on him." May grabbed my arm, "Wait. I thought I saw him off with Serena a moment ago, wait until later. She might be hashing it out for him." I agreed then sat back down. We sat down then Elio spoke, "Hey this isn't fair, you guys are always fixing Brendan and My problems, you guys got anything you need to talk about?" May looked at him seriously, "Nothing I can say without going to prison." We all laughed, before Elio stopped and then asked, "You're not serious are you?" May stared at him blankly, "No. But I could be if you two keep driving me crazy."

Calem POV

Serena and I were sitting down in the cafeteria with our plates. I wasn't eating anything yet because now I'm worried sick that Serena is mad at me. I poked at the food on my plate and Serena looked up from hers, "Not hungry?" I shook my head, "Nah I'm worried you're mad at me." Serena shook her head, "I'm not, but even if I was that's the least of your problems right now." I breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. That's the one thing I never want to do." Serena shook her head, "Look. You're struggling to deal with your past right now and I get it, but don't struggle alone." I shook my head, "It's my problem, I can handle i-" Serena groaned, "Don't be so headstrong and just listen to me for this once!" I immediately stopped talking. Serena huffed, then began again, "Alright. Like I was saying. Tell me what you're worried about." I titled my head, "Losing to Matisse? Proving everything he's always said about me?" Serena glared at me, "And?" I put my hands up, "And what?" Serena explained, "That's it?" I stopped and looked at her questioningly, "Yes?" She put her hands on the desk, "Alright, list to me the three most important things in your life." I scratched my chin, "You... My friends... And The team I suppose." Serena held a hand out, "So say you make it to the finals and lose to Matisse. Which of those do you lose?" I thought for a moment. None of them... I don't lose anything. I looked at her, "... None..." Serena smiled, "Correct. None of them." I made a 'hmmmm', "So what are you implying by this?" She smiled, "Don't press yourself, what happens happens. You win these next two, give it all you've got, and you can leave satisfied. Worst comes to worst, you don't lose anything." I nodded, "Y-...You're right." Serena looked to me, "Feel better?" I nodded, a new fire under me, an underdog feeling was reignited in me. No one wants us to succeed, we've already done more than anyone could predict. We're here to get as much as we can before we get out. I slammed my fist on the desk, "Yes! I'm ready to go! Thank you so much Serena!!" I kissed her, she reeled a bit in surprise but accepted it. We separated and she giggled, "Forgot it's just us. Everyone else who would usually be here went home." I nodded, "Yeah... Well... I feel good now. Thank you so much Serena."

On my way out I ran in to Brendan, who seemed more concerned than usual. "Hey Brendan." He looked at me, "There you are Calem! I've been looking all over for you." I scratched my head, "Really? Why's that?" Brendan shrugged, "You seemed off. I wanted to make sure you were good." I stopped cold to look at him, "Oh. Uh... Thanks. Did I make it that obvious?" Brendan shrugged, "Not really, I just know you pretty well." I looked around, "Yeah. I wasn't great, but I'm good now. I'm gonna set things on fire against Goldenrod, I guarantee you." Brendan smiled widely, "That's all I needed to hear. Can't wait."