Pasio University: Sophomore and Junior Years

Chapter 48- Trials and Tribulations

Brendan POV

"And Pasio falls 6-5 in a hotly contested conference matchup with Malie City! That one may come back to haunt them come Playoff Time, but what a performance from Malie..." The commentators boomed over the loudspeakers of Malie City Stadium. Our record has fallen now to 5-4. Not bad, but way under what we can do. We're 1-1 in our conference. I was right at the beginning of the season in that we're not all the way in it. Dawn walked up to me, "Sorry Brendan..." I shook my head, "Nothing to be sorry about, we tried." We walked back in the locker room and a few of the team went to get showers before leaving, I didn't. I wasn't very sweaty or anything, somehow I got caught early so I wasn't in for too long. The team has recovered mentally very well. The boat ride today has a lot less anxiety and dread surrounding it than the first few, after what happened, didn't know if we'd ever feel comfortable on a boat again. We do though. Our little support group has been going well too. Team mental health and grades have been much better than anticipated. To me, those are the biggest victories, and lessen the pain of our on-field defeats. May sat down by me and put her arm around me, "You've made such a huge difference in the lives of all these teammates and friends. You've worked so hard and been so committed to helping them. Thanks Brendan. I'm glad I get to be your girlfriend." I smiled and hugged her close, "You best believe I'm grateful for you everyday. I couldn't have made it through my own grief without you. I feel so much better now." May nodded, "Yeah! Even though we lost, I can't help but feel this team has moved forward." I nodded, "Couldn't be prouder of their strength. I needed that." We both stood up and went to the boat.

Midway through the ride I decided to walk around and make sure everyone was feeling ok. The only one I noticed who was particularly off was Rosa. She was staring out into the ocean as the boat continued forward. I walked up next to her, "Hey Rosa. You alright?" She turned to me, then turned back, "Yeah I suppose so. It's been a little rough for me though." I stood by her, "Yeah? Why's that?" She sighed, "Everyone here has their best friend... You've got May, Hilbert and Hilda have each other, Ethan, Lyra, and Kris are all there... My best friend Nate isn't here. I just don't feel like I belong anywhere." I patted her on the back, "I wish I could say I know exactly how you feel. Like you said, I have May. Everyone on the team loves you though! While you may not feel like you fit in, everyone's always happy to see you. If you need anything, May and I are here for you." I turned back and sat by May. She smiled, "Have you heard about what Calem and Serena are getting up to in Mistralton?" I shook my head, "Calem's winning and they're getting married on December 19th. Anything else I didn't know about?" May smiled, "Serena's a musician now! And a good one! We'll have to listen to one of her songs later..." I smiled, "Sounds great... You're not kidding? She never seemed like the type." May put her finger on her chin, "I suppose not, but she's really talented, maybe it's just something she's good at." I shrugged, "Maybe. Speaking of things you're good at, how are your fieldwork classes going?" May giggled, "Oh they're fine. I basically can't fail because I've been doing all this stuff unpaid for my dad for years... But I have the funniest story to tell you about this little Mudkip we found..."

Selene POV

I paced around the house occasionally munching on an apple I had in my hand. I've ended up getting really far ahead on my schoolwork. Mostly because I don't have much else to do. Gladions been super busy recently working at the Aether Foundation. The main thing on my mind though is the debate I had with myself not too long ago. Should I continue in college? Look, my suspension has been up for a little bit now, like, I could go back if I wanted to, but the online option is much easier, and I don't feel like causing more problems for Brendan. He's a nice guy, and just from talking to some of my other friends on the team, he's obviously done a great deal to help team mental health. I wish it were that simple for me. It's hard waking up everyday, feeling like a curse and a burden to those closed to you.

I was knocked out of my train of thought after stubbing my toe on the corner of a table. I groaned in pain and stumbled back to the nearest door, which happened to be the door to Lillie's current room. I nearly fell over but recovered myself, Lillie was dressed in her pajamas and looked up at me, "You ok?" I groaned and then joked, "Shut up.... Hey what are you working on?" She looked up at me, then looked down at the book she was scribbling in. She smiled, "Oh this? It's nothing..." I shook my head, "Nah. No way that'll get you off the hook. What is it?" She sarcastically retorted, "Goodness you're so nosy Selene." I threw my hand up, "...And?" Lillie sighed while laughing, "Oh fine. If you must know, I jotted down some of my favorite memories of Elio and I to read to him in my next few visits. I've been humming the same songs to him for a while, and while I know I must sound like a lunatic for all these things I do for someone who can't even respond-" I smiled, "That's really sweet Lillie. I'm sure if he can hear, he'll really appreciate all that." She looked up at me, "You- You don't think I'm crazy?" I chuckled, "Nah. Not at all. Love and craziness often get intertwined, sometimes they get mistaken for each other, sometimes they're products of each other, but this is genuine love. You just want to stay connected to him in whatever ways you can." Lillie was misty eyed, "Thanks for understanding Selene. Just having hope that maybe one day he'll come back to us is what gets me going throughout the day. Even though it more than likely won't ever happen..."

I leaned up against the wall, "What happens if he does wake up, and then doesn't remember you or any of us at all. Remember, that's the second likeliest option... Though it's still a longshot." Lillie smiled somewhat painfully, "It'll hurt, but I know he'd never want to do that. We talked a lot, and our goals were always the same... Those being to be with each other for as long as we can... If he isn't the same person, I still want to be with him forever. That's what we promised." I chuckled, "If everyone was as loyal as you Lillie, the world would be dang near perfect." Lillie sat on the edge of the bed, "And you Selene? Your suspension is up, what are your plans? Go back? Don't go back? Unrelated- but go to Calem and Serena's wedding in December?" I chuckled, "I dunno. Online classes are easy, I'm good with doing them, and I don't want to cause anymore trouble. The team will do just as well without me. As for the wedding, I'm definitely going. They're great people and I look forward to it... Goodness I hope they have a kid soon, that'd be so cute!" Lillie giggled, "Man, you waste no time do you?" I chuckled, "Nah." Lillie peered at me, "I think the team would be happy to have you back though." I shook my head, "Maybe. I'll think about it." Lillie pointed, "Remember, you're not the first one who's ever been suspended for a fist fight in Pasio history.... Just ask your captain." We both laughed, I do wonder what the future holds...