The 'Outcast' - First Year

Part 15

Ash turned after hearing the familiar voice call out to him. He saw Calem there standing calmly awaiting his response.

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

"I mean why did you refuse to work with Serena?" Calem folded his arms. "I'm just curious, you know?"

I prefer to work independently," He shrugged. "Besides why work with someone I hardly know anyway?"

"Hmm... I guess. But it wouldn't hurt to open up a bit man. I think you're a really cool dude and I think lots of people would like to be your friend," Calem said.

"Look, thanks for that, Calem, but I don't need praise. I just prefer to be alone and get stuff done on my own. I hate working in groups," He replied.

Just then another familiar voice called out to Ash. 

"Oh hey there cousin ~" Leaf said approaching the two boys.

As Leaf stopped in front of them Ash looked annoyed while Calem stood silent. He looked captivated by her beauty. The only other time Calem noticed her was when the group found out she was Ash's cousin.

"Oh? Is this a friend of yours Cuz?" Leaf wondered.

Calem snapped back into reality when Ash turned to him.

"Friend? Uh, yeah I guess so. Leaf this is Calem, And Calem... this is my cousin Leaf," Ash introduced.

"And here I thought it was impossible for anyone to make friends with you." Leaf giggled. "Anyways nice to meet you Calem." She winked.

Calem found his face slightly heating up at her wink. He found himself attracted to this girl despite hardly knowing her. She was really pretty at least in his eyes. Leaf had noticed his stare and giggled softly again.

"Something wrong Calem?" She asked, a small smirk forming on her lips.

Ash didn't know what was going on but he wanted to leave now.

"I'm gonna head out now Leaf. I'll see you around," Ash dismissed.

"Mhm. If you need anything Ash just let me know," Leaf waved.

Ash left them alone and on his way to his next class he ran into Serena, the girl who he'd just refused to join in the project. She still looked slightly dejected but forced a small smile as he passed by.

"Hi Ash," She called out. 

Ash stopped and decided to talk to her.

"Hey Serena. Listen about earlier... I want you to know that it's not you, but it's me. I prefer to be alone when doing those kinds of things. Sorry if you maybe took it the wrong way," He explained. 

Serena could hardly believe it. He was apologizing to her for the incident earlier in Professor Rowan's class. Despite initially feeling down now all of a sudden she felt much better knowing Ash didn't mean any harm to her. He was simply an independent guy.

"It's okay, Ash. I understand you. You prefer to be more individual, huh?" She said.

"Exactly," he nodded. "I'm glad you understand me. I need to get to my next class now. We can talk later."

"Of course Ash. I'll see you later," She smiled as he walked off.

After Ash disappeared into the distance Dawn approached Serena from behind.

"Well, you two seem to be getting closer by the day," Dawn said teasingly. Serena let out a small shriek at Dawn's remark. Even though it was true she didn't want Ash accidentally overhearing them.

"Dawn! Shush! You're going to ruin the already very low chances I have," Serena scolded her best friend. Dawn was giggling like crazy out of amusement.

"Sorry bestie. Sometimes it's just too funny to see your reaction. You can't even deny it anymore you have some sort of interest in him right?" Dawn asked. She and Serena both knew the answer to that but she needed confirmation.

"Ugh, That isn't funny, Dawn. How would you like it if I did that to you with Kenny," Serena fired back. Dawn immediately stopped laughing and her face turned more serious.

"You wouldn't dare," Dawn glared.

"Don't test me Dawn. I will do it if you don't cut it out," Serena said, now with a challenging smirk on her face.

They were now in the cafeteria with the entire friend group. Barry approaches Ash.

"Yo Ash." He said in a hurry. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure what do you want?" Ash asked.

"Peep this... they just announced the qualifying group matches for that Junior cup Tourney that's coming up. You signed up for it right?" Barry inquired.

"Yeah I think so," Ash nodded.

"Yes he did. I saw his name in one of the groups already," Paul said, approaching the two boys with Trip by his side.

"So... how exactly does this tournament work? How do you win?" Ash asked.

"Well, you're put into a group with three other trainers and your goal is to either top the group or come in second place. After that comes the knockout phase with the sixteen best trainers advancing," Paul explained.

It sounded exactly like a Pokémon League would but Ash didn't care. Another Trophy for Ash to compete for. In his career sop far he held five Pokémon league titles in five different regions, he had 43 gym badges accumulated from several regions including the remaining five from kalos he was yet to earn. He had the Orange league Trophy. What could possibly stop this kid from winning the Junior Cup...

Gary Approaches them

"Ashy-Boy," Gary spoke.

"When will you quit calling me that childish nickname Gary?" Ash groaned in annoyance.

"Listen man, Me and the rest of the boys here are hanging out this weekend. You wanna drop in?" Gary proposed.

"No way," Ash answered. "Last time we hung out nothing happened. We just sat around at your house like a bunch of idiots."

Gary sighed knowing he would probably bring this up. "I thought you'd might say that. I actually have something planned this time dude."

"Hmm... I'm going to have a gym battle this weekend though. And the city isn't very close to Lumiose so it might take a little longer," Ash replied.

"Where's it at?" Paul questioned.

"Coumarine City," He said.

"Oh yeah that is pretty far from here Gary..." Paul told.

"I have an idea... how about we go and watch your gym battle this weekend instead?" Gary said. Paul and Trip looked over at Ash intrigued at this. Being the two world class trainers of the school they certainly wanted to see too.

Ash raised a brow. "Uh, I guess you could. I really don't care. All I care about is my badge."

"Hey, how come you haven't challenged the Lumiose gym yet?" Trip inquired.

"I did... but some idiot robot kicked me out when I tried to request a battle," Ash said, his tone expressing frustration. Clemont overheard him from across the table and sweat dropped nervously. Serena giggled quietly knowing exactly what Clemont had gotten himself into with his own Gym.

Paul and Trip in particular were interested to finally watch an official battle by Ash and see what his battle style really was...