Temporal Hearts

A New Rivalry

Ivy peeked out from her paws, covering her face as she rested her head on the desk. Still no sign of Aster--or Juniper, either. Ivy lowered her head again, darkness shrouding her vision as she rested in wait for her friend.

What seemed like an hour--but was only a minute--passed, and a familiar voice sounded above Ivy's head, calling for her name.

"Ivy?" The voice said, asking for her attention. Ivy looked up to see the smiling umbreon, Aster, who finally arrived at class. Well, maybe not finally--she was early, after all.

"Hey, Aster!" Ivy exclaimed excitedly, happy to see her friend. She didn't even notice as her tail began to wag back and forth. Aster giggled at the motion, and she swore she could see the tiniest hint of blush dust his cheeks. She looked at him with confusion, and Aster just shook his head.

"You just, uh, well..." Aster tried to explain, failing to find the right words. He cleared his throat as he took a seat, scooting an inch closer to Ivy's chair.

Aster looked around before whispering to her, "You wagged your tail--I just thought it was cu--" He began only to be interrupted by a very flustered Ivy yelping with dismay.

"I WHAT?!!" Ivy yelled, only realizing late that she had spoken far too loudly. Head turned in the room, and it was at that moment she was so glad the teacher hadn't entered the room yet.

Aster looked a little shocked; he wore a sheepish smile as he met the eyes of the students peering back at the two Pokémon. Some looked in confusion, while others glared in annoyance. Either way, most 'mons turned their backs after a few seconds. Ivy let out a quiet sigh of relief, contrary to her previous outburst.

"Sorry about that..." Ivy whispered to Aster, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment. Aster smiled at her with sympathy, crossing his paws as he spoke his next words.

"Hey, don't worry about it. Sorry if I freaked you out, or anything..." Aster stated apologetically, and Ivy just twitched her ears. What's he apologizing for?

"Don't worry about that, you didn't do anything wrong," Ivy told him, turning away to think. At that moment, the professor walked into the room with a smile on their face.

"Hello everyone! Sorry, I'm a bit late..." They began, but Ivy was already distracted again. She looked to Aster again, tilting her head as she tried to think of something to talk with him about. She didn't know what to say, so maybe small talk would suffice.

"How was your morning?" Ivy whispered to Aster with interest. He looked away from the lesson, directing his attention to her. Ivy looked back at the teacher, grateful they seemed distracted with teaching the lesson.

"It's been hectic--I woke up too late," Aster replied with a sheepish grin, "but I'm good otherwise." Aster finished, smiling at her. Ivy blushed, surprised by his friendliness. Perhaps she was so concerned because she was rotting in her head for too long...

"What about you?" Aster asked Ivy curiously, still wearing that sweet expression of his. Ivy took a moment to think to herself, deciding how she would reply. She didn't exactly want to explicitly share the reason why she got up so early.

"I got up fairly early this morning, so I've just been hanging out with Felix for the most part. Until class started, of course." She said, explaining only the extent of what she was willing to share with him. He raised his eyebrow at her, for whatever reason she didn't understand. Maybe she would tell him about Juniper later when they weren't in the classroom. After a moment of silence dedicated to listening to the teacher, he spoke.

"That's cool! I'd enjoy meeting Felix sometime--if that's okay, of course..." Aster exclaimed excitedly, drifting off as he spoke. She noticed his leg begin to bounce under the desk he sat at. Trying to calm him down, she grinned at him--something she rarely found herself doing recently.

"That sounds great! Y'know, me and Felix were planning to hang out tonight." Ivy began, looking at Aster intently, "I can ask him if it's cool for you to join us if you'd like." She offered, looking between the teacher and Aster so as not to draw too much attention. Aster's eyes light up, and a smile formed on his muzzle. Ivy swore she saw his tail wag back and forth.

"That would be awesome!" Aster exclaimed enthusiastically, before pausing to say, "If he says yes, I mean." Ivy felt her ears twitch as a smile gradually grew on her face. She gave Aster a quick nod, which he replied to with a grin, before she silently turned her attention back to the teacher, not wanting to get too far behind in the lesson. Hopefully she didn't miss any important notes...

-

The professor was going through the lecture, talking everyone's ear off. Suddenly, the bell saved Ivy as it rang and spoke the end of class for every 'mon in attendance. The sound of seats squeaking against the floor could be heard as 'mons began to rise, grabbing their bags to leave the class.

"The bell doesn't dismiss you, I--" Their professor tried to speak, but students were already out the door. Ivy shot the professor an awkward look of sympathy as she grabbed her back, shoving the notebook she was just taking notes in back inside. Ivy turned back to glance at Aster, and she saw him doing the same. Soon enough, she had her bookbag on and ready to leave.

Ivy waved a paw in Aster's direction, signaling for him to listen, "I'm gonna head out for my next class. I'll text you--" Ivy began, though she paused at what she said. Did she have Aster's number? "Can I give you my number?" Ivy asked him quietly, and Aster smiled as he nodded.

"Nice catch, there! I almost forgot to um, give you that." Aster explained, grabbing his phone before putting it into the paw that Ivy held out. She grinned.

"Yeah! I would've been scrambling around to find you later if not, so I guess it was a good call." Ivy stated, typing her number into Aster's contacts app. Thankfully she had a good enough memory to recall her phone number, she didn't want to waste any more time and end up late for her next class.

Ivy finished creating her contact and handed the phone back to a grateful Aster. Once again, his tail was wagging back and forth. Had that really made him so happy?

Aster began walking forward, now at Ivy's side as they headed toward the door. Aster paused right at the exit of the classroom, now looking back to Ivy, "I've gotta go the other way for my next class, um... I'll see you later." Aster told Ivy shyly, and she nodded in response.

Paw in the air with a wave, she yelled, "Seeya later, Aster!" He turned back with a sheepish grin before disappearing into the crowd of students that occupied the hall. Ivy sighed sadly, annoyed that she had to traverse the crowded halls. Before she could make it far though, she yelped as someone tapped her shoulder.

"HEY! I've been calling for you for like, a minute or something" The feminine voice behind her exclaimed, a hint of annoyance present in their voice. Ivy slowly turned around, unsure of who she would find behind her. To her surprise, it was Juniper.

"What do you want." Ivy deadpanned, annoyed that they were taking up space in the boisterous hallway, as well as the fact that she might end up late for class. Juniper shrugged, an agitated look in her eyes.

"We need to talk," Juniper yelped, suddenly sounding much angrier than she had a few seconds ago.

What?