Pokèmon Academy 《Pokèmon Watty Awards 2014 Entry》

Chapter 5: Hoenn

"Today's the day of the party!" May squealed. "I can't wait!" Misty added. "Ugh, girls!" Drew groaned. "Ugh, boys!" May retorted back. "I'm just hoping that this year's party is better than last year's," Gary sighed.

"Why? What happened last year?" Dawn asked. "It was so embarassing," Lyra told her. "The theme was an 80's disco party, so Prof. Birch came wearing shades, an afro wig, and actually started dancing."

"And he was like, the only person on the dance floor," Ash put in. "Well, have no fear! This year will be a normal high school dance," Cilan announced. "And how would you know that?" Trip said grumpily. "Because I checked the newsletter," Cilan explained, whipping out the school's newspaper with a flourish.

Iris made a face at Trip. "Why're you being such a sourpuss, anyways?" she asked. "Ah, it's because he thinks Cilan has your affection," Zoe said mysteriously. "WHAT!?" Trip yelled. "Not true!" "Oh, that's so cute!" Dawn said, clapping her hands. "I didn't know Trip was your boyfriend, Iris!" "He isn't!" Iris huffed. "We hate each other."

"My mom says that when people argue a lot with each other, they secretly like each other," May said in a singsong voice. "Oohh! That's it!" Iris screamed in frustration, throwing up her hands and storming off.

"You've really done it now, May," Trip said. "And if what you say is true, then wouldn't Drew have a crush on you?" "HEY! Don't drag me into this!" Drew protested. "Shouldn't someone go after her?" Misty asked worriedly. "Don't worry, she'll be fine," Trip said. "Just give her some space."

"But I'm worried about her," Misty sighed. "Fine, I'll go talk to her," Trip grumbled. As soon as he was gone, a devilish grin came over Misty's face. "I can't believe he fell for it!" she giggled.

"Wait, don't tell me that was just a trick so they could have some 'alone time' together?" Kenny asked. "You bet it was!" Dawn exclaimed. "But why?" Gary questioned. "Because Iris isn't like the rest of us," May explained. "She's learned to care about her friends and pokèmon, but growing up with no parents, she hasn't learned to love," Lyra added.

"Which is why we're gonna help her, and Trip is going to help us do it," Misty declared smugly. "Does he know what you're planning?" Ash asked. "Nope, not a clue," said Zoe cheerfully. "I don't get it," Barry complained. "Can someone simplify it for me?" "What they're saying is that Iris is playing hard-to-get," Drew clarified. "Ah," Barry considered this, then he shook his head.

"Um, I still don't get it," he said sheepishly. Everybody sweatdropped and sighed. "Well, I suppose we should get ready for the party," May said, and everybody went of to their dorms.

                                                                             ★★★

Trip's POV

I went searching for Iris, muttering under my breath. "Why does it always have to be me?" I grumbled. After covering half of the school, I sat under a large beech tree to think. I had searched the places where Iris would normally be, but she wasn't there.

The other parts of the school, she wouldn't even set foot in. I sighed and leaned against the tree, and decided to do some training before I got back to searching. "Serperior, let's go!" I cried, throwing my Pokèball. Serperior popped out and started hissing like crazy.

Weird. He didn't normally act like that, but whatever. "Use Leaf Blade!" I ordered, pointing at the tree trunk. As his tail hit the tree with a whump, I could hear rustling, the sound of breaking branches, and then... a scream.

Oh, no. A blur fell from the tree, and without thinking, I threw myself under it. "Vine Whip!" I shouted at Serperior, then closed my eyes. I was waiting for some kind of weight to flatten me to the ground, but I felt nothing.