Pasio University: Sophomore and Junior Years

Chapter 5- The Mountain's Top

Elio POV

I shot some caffeine in to my system in this early morning, then got moving to go to the mountain top. I began my ascent up the paved path that was made to the top. It's freezing. And it's about an hour or twos walk to the top of the mountain. But I'll be there. I continued to trudge up the mountain, getting closer and closer to the summit with each determined step I took. An Hour later I made it to the top. I scanned to see if I was the first one or not, and I was. I cleared a place in the snow, and sat down there. Squishing myself to trap the heat in my body. I'll be up here for possibly 2 hours, so I better be patient. Heh. They think I called them here to battle, but I know what I did. I firmly believe that not many of them are even going to will themselves up to the top. I took a breath and felt the chilled air fill my lungs as I surveyed Pasio from the mountain top. I've always wanted to take Lillie on a date up here, but it is miserably cold. It's beautiful though. Maybe I could get her a really puffy winter coat... She always looks cute in those... Anyway. Back to business.

Well, according to my watch, it's about 4:59. Which means that either no one's here, or they will be momentarily. I turned my head up as I heard snow crunching coming from the direction of the path up here. I saw a familiar face ascend to the top and walk over to meet me. I smiled, "May!" May smiled back, "Phew. Good to see you Elio. It's freezing up here..." I mumbled, "Tell me about it..." I handed her a jersey, "This is yours May." She looked at me questioningly, "Huh? No battles? Just... That's it?" I shrugged, "Yeah. You didn't see any of the other people that didn't qualify make it up here did you?" She shook her head, "Suppose not, but what does that prove?" I snapped my fingers, "Dedication. You didnt quit, and you were willing to come here whenever I said. Loyalty, dedication, and toughness. I want those things on my team." I heard a voice from further back, "Phew, just made it." I looked over May's shoulder and saw Nate finishing his ascent to the top. I smiled as he approached me, "Hey man, how much of that did you catch?" He shook his head, "None, why?" I sighed, "Long story short-" I tossed him a jersey which he caught, "-nice catch- anyway you're on the team." He looked excited, "What!?" I crossed my arms, "Long story, I'll explain more on the way down, I'd rather not freeze to death." May looked to me, "Brendan said you train up here all the time, aren't you used to it?" I shivered, "Not after a whole summer in Alola." May laughed, "Alright, I suppose that's valid."

Brendan POV

Guhhhh. Classes. I didn't miss them all that much. Don't get me wrong, I like what I'm studying and all... But it's exhausting. I walked out of the classroom and stretched for a while. I then remembered, May had her second tryout today! I called her phone and waited to see if she'd pick up. She did, and she croaked an answer, "Hello? Brendan?" She doesn't sound thrilled, "May, everything alright? How'd tryouts go?" She sighed, "Oh it went fine. I'm on the team." I cheered, "Great!... You sound distraught though." She agreed, "Yeah. I'm just exhausted out of my mind. And I still have 2 more classes to go to." I shook my head, "Sorry to hear that. Make sure you get some good sleep tonight ok?" She sounded cheery, "I'll try. Gonna be hard with all my new roommates." Oh yeah. We're in quads this year. "oh. Who are you with?" She listed, "Serena, Lillie, and Selene." I thought for a moment, "I think if I remember right I'm with Ethan, Elio, and Lucas." May hummed, "That's a diverse group of personalities there." I chuckled, "makes it all the more fun for me."May giggled, "I don't wanna hear about any fistfighting alright? If I do I'll get over there and beat you myself." I laughed, "Yeah wouldn't want that. Good luck with everything today May." "You too Brendan, love you, bye." She hung up before I could reply.

I sauntered over to the location of my apartment, where Ethan was standing outside, mumbling to himself. I walked up to him, "Hey Ethan. You good?" He shook his head, "I didn't get a key for this place." I tilted my head in confusion, "I didn't either." I heard jingling behind me, then saw Lucas walking towards us with 4 keys on lanyards slung around his neck. He looked at us, "Sorry. Apparently I had to pick these up." I scratched the back of my head, "Yeah. I was half-hoping that the door would just be unlocked initially. This works too though I guess." Lucas shrugged, "Yeah. Anyway here's yours... Here's yours Ethan...where's Elio? I'll have to give him his." I thought for a moment, "Hmmm... Uh... He might be at the mountain again... Nope! He's at Lillie's right now I think. Yeah he mentioned that earlier." Lucas sighed, "Nah that's too far. He can knock." We all laughed then walked inside our new apartment after unlocking the door for the first time.

Wow! This is so much nicer than what we had our first year. There's a staircase right near where we walk in that leads up to two rooms with two beds each, then this 1st floor has a living room, and a whole kitchen and bathroom! "It's beautiful..." Ethan gaped in awe at the sheer comparative size of the apartment. I walked upstairs and immediately claimed a room. Elio and I were sharing one this time, while Lucas and Ethan would be sharing the other. This is pretty cool. I could honestly get used to living here, and well, I suppose I'll have to. Next 3 years of my life will more than likely be here. Crazy though, I know Calem liked to bring it up all the time, but really, it's insane how me and Elio became best friends after our whole falling out. I know friends fight, but that was beyond most. Maybe that's why we grew closer... Eh. I'm not good at thinking of this stuff. Should be a fun year nonetheless.

Elio POV

I knocked on the door to Selene and Lillie's new apartment that she shared with Serena and May. Selene answered looking me over, then slammed the door in my face. She opened it seconds later, laughing at me as I also did. "Alright fine, you look like a lost puppy, come on in." I chuckled, "You're an angel Selene." She shrugged, "I know." I scanned around and Selene sighed, "Never here to visit your sister are you? Always here for your precious little flower." I chuckled, "I'm sorry ok." She chuckled, "I'm just messing with ya, you know I'd totally ignore you for Gladion too." We both laughed, then I sobered up a little, "Oh. Uh, where is Lillie though?" She pointed, "In the living room. You'll uh... You'll probably see why." I walked forward and looked around, I saw a large pile of blankets laid over someone, and Lillie sitting in a chair next to the covered person, looking at her with concern. She turned and saw me and smiled tiredly, "Oh, Elio! Good to see you love." I responded, "Good to see you too, you look lovely as always... What's going on?" Lillie frowned, "It's Serena... She's sick." I tilted my head, then sat down in a chair in the living room across from Lillie. She continued, "Yeah... She got this horrible headache, and now a fever... It's just... We were thinking we might need to take her to the nurse..." I sighed, "Well that's a horrible start to the semester..." Lillie nodded, then applied another towel to Serena's head. I scratched my chin, "Why do you think she got sick?" Lillie shook her head, "No clue. I know she misses Calem a lot, but I don't think that's it. I think it's just something that needs to run its course." I walked over beside the couch Serena was on, "Well, if you want to go out later Lillie, let me know, if you don't and just need to stay with Serena, that's fine, I can help you too if you like." Lillie smiled, "Could you? I could use some help..." I smiled back, "Sure, I'll get some more towels..."