My Second Chance

Two

"Sorry, I remembered I have a big test today. Skipping would be suicide haha"

"No big deal. Catch the interview if you can. It's live @ 11:45, but it'll be up for your viewing enjoyment online after it's done"

"Okay. Thanks for the invite anyway!"

"Np"

With a heavy sigh, Noelle tuned back into Mr. Hartman's lecture, taking notes as he spoke. Usually she found history interesting, but the lecture about the history of Sinnoh's champions really put a damper on things for her.

"...And then that's when Cynthia was finally defeated and had to step down to Twinleaf Town's Dawn Platinum!"

Dawn had been champion when Noelle and Niko had started their journeys, which Noelle distinctly remembered upset Niko greatly. He had been very adamant about defeating her and becoming champion in her place, but beating Dawn seemed to be a fine substitute.

Shaking away the memories of her and Niko's time together, she scribbled down more notes about Dawn. She paid extra attention to the part about Dawn's Rapidash, since Noelle had always wanted to raise one.

"Dawn's reign wasn't short lived," Mr. Hartman continued, "She was champion for about seven years before our current Champion, also from Twinleaf town," he bragged, "Niko Zimmer took the throne!"

Noelle mentally groaned and closed her notebook. She already knew a lot about Niko- personal and professional alike. She despised the fact that she was no doubt going to be tested on her childhood friend's battle habits.

Mr. Hartman quickly checked his watch and the class watched as his face lit up. He scurried to his computer that was connected to the big TV like board in the front of the class. The class watched as he typed in a phrase into a search engine. Noelle groaned. They were going to watch Niko's interview live. The class buzzed with excitement.

Bryce leaned forward, "Oh this'll be cool. I used to go to school with him when we were kids. Wonder if he'll mention me."

Sam rolled her eyes, "Why on Earth would he mention you?"

"I shared my juice with him!"

"That's kinda weird."

"It's not weird!"

"Noelle, please tell Bryce he's being an idiot!" Sam begged, turning to the pink haired teen.

"I'd be surprised if the guy mentions Twinleaf Town at all," Noelle said, ignoring Sam's plea, "Dude hasn't been here in forever."

Bryce leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head, "Such a downer! What do you got against the dude?"

"Nothing."

Except for the fact that he hardly texts or visits even though we're supposed to be friends, Noelle thought.

As scheduled, the interview began playing on the TV like screen. Niko and one of the midday television show hosts for that particular station were sitting in big arm chairs next to each other. Niko never really changed much, except that he seemed to get buffer every time Noelle saw him- TV or otherwise. He still kept his fiery hair in the style that he'd had for years. Niko's Infernape stood close by him.

Noelle's friends and classmates hummed with excitement as the interview began. Various Pokémon related questions were asked, as expected. Intrusive personal questions were asked like: "Do you have a girlfriend?" or "Do you have a boyfriend?" (The media really only seemed care about his romantic life). The only question that really captured Noelle's interest was: "Why do you always wear that scarf?"