Hello everyone! This is FoxFire and Crystal Vaporeon sending the first part of our joint fanfic. We hope you like it. Crystal Vaporeon wrote Matthew's P.O.V. and FoxFire wrote Annie's. THANK YOU!

The Pokemon Academy
Part 1

      
       I took a deep breath, stepping toward the Pokemon Academy. I knew I wasn't going to be exactly "welcomed" due to rumors about my rich parents buying my entry to the school. I guess only I would know the truth about why I was going there. My parents hadn't intended for me to hear, but I guess I eavesdrop pretty well. They sent me to this boarding school in order to get rid of me. I only hoped that sometime during this three-year course I would make a friend or two. My social skills weren't very sharp, and I was incredibly nervous around other kids my age.

       As I approached the school, I began to think about what kind of pokemon I would get. At the academy, you got a new pokemon each year. I hoped I would have good luck.I finally reached the doors and gently pushed one open. I came inside to find myself in a Commons area. It was here that we would eat and do other things. Along the wall, there was a door with a sign the read clearly, "Office and Registration." I walked quietly over to the door, feeling out of place and nervous. I knocked softly on the tan doors and an attractive woman with black hair, brown eyes and a tan complexion opened the door.

       "Why hello there. You must be Matthew Pierce. Come on in and I'll help you get  started." She pointed to a comfy-looking armchair. I sat down, facing her desk and read that her name was Ms. Connie Gonzales. "All right, Matthew. Your parents sent your possessions and clothes here yesterday, so I guess you have all that in order. Here are all the necessary textbooks. And now for the pokemon survey."

       I took the textbooks and put them away in my duffel bag. I looked up and tried to sound casual, "Uh, I guess I'm ready."

       She smiled, "All right. The first question is what characteristics do you most look for in a pokemon?"

       I thought about it, "Well, I guess I want a pokemon that is friendly and intelligent. I don't really want anything fancy."

       She wrote down "friendly, intelligent, not fancy." She looked back at the survey. "Okay tell about what is most important to you about a pokemon. In other words, a pokemon is your. . ."

       "Friend." I cut her off. "I guess a partner that is your equal and not like a slave or anything.'

       She scribbled a little more. "Finally. . .is there any basic appearance you want your pokemon to have? For example, like 'pretty' or 'cute' or 'tough'?"

       I shrugged, "Like I said, nothing too fancy. Just a normal pokemon."

       She grinned, "I think this is enough information to find you a pokemon. You will receive your partner tomorrow. Now follow the signs on the walls. They will lead you to the boys' quarters. There are ten boys and ten girls. You might want to go make a few friends."

       "Oh boy," I said under my breath, "now it's time to meet the guys who hate me."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       I wore a silly grin on my face as I walked towards the Pokemon Academy. Finally, I thought, I can get a pokemon! My mother had been against my decision to go on a journey for as long as it had been made. But my grandmother, Agatha of the Elite Four, stepped in. She supported me in such things and had always let me hang out with her ghost pokemon.

       I took a look at my surroundings as I made my way to the school. There were several different battling areas, a lake, a forest, and the school, which looked nice inside. My grandmother told me that they only let in a certain amount of students every year. I took one last glance at my surroundings before I opened the door and stepped inside. I followed a couple of signs down the hallway before I reached a door that said: "Office and Registration." I turned the knob and let myself inside. The people looked kind of busy so I sat down on a chair in front of someone's desk. On it a name read: Ms. Connie Gonzales. I suppressed an urge to laugh. Jeez that was a funny name!

       The door burst open and a woman with black hair and brown eyes stepped in. She was surprised to see me there but smiled when she looked on the list she had in her hand.

       "You must be Agatha's granddaughter Annie Edwards," she said as she sat down at her desk.

       "Yes, that's right," I told her.

       "Your stuff has already been taken to the girls' quarters. . .and here are your textbooks you'll need this year." She set a pile of books in my lap. I picked them up and dumped them into my backpack. Some had names like "Pokemon Grooming and Breeding" and "Battling with Pokemon."

       "Well, Annie, what characteristics do you look for in a pokemon?" she asked, smiling.

       "Well, I need a pokemon that's determined and can think on its own when I'm not around. It needs to also be willing," I answered. She scribbled something down on a paper.

       "Yes, yes. . .and what is most important to you about a pokemon? In other words, a pokemon would be your. . ." she motioned with her hand for me to finish the sentence. I leaned back in the chair and thought about it. I hadn't really ever thought about it before.

       "Well, my family, on my dad's side anyway, have always had pokemon and I grew up around them until my dad died a couple of years ago. Since then, when I'm with them it's like being with my dad again," I answered truthfully.

       'I see," was all she said back. She kept scribbling on the paper.

       "Can I go now?" I asked impatiently.

       "One last question, Annie. What do you want your pokemon to look like? I mean like 'cute' or 'tough' or something like that," she said.

       "I don't care," I told her almost with an irritated tone of voice.

       "Okay, that's it. You'll get your partner tomorrow. Just follow the signs to the girls' quarters. You'll see them on the wall. There are nine other girls beginning this year like you. There are also ten boys. Just go and make some friends, she grinned at me.

       I couldn't help but smile as I walked toward the girls' quarters.
      

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       Nervously, I began to walk up the stairs that led to the boys' quarters. I guessed I wasn't the first to arrive, seeing a couple of gum wrappers and a soda can on the floor. It was a nice school, but I wasn't sure if I would ever know my way around it. Finally, I came to a door that said: Boys Only. I pushed it open and saw ten beds, each about six feet apart. In between each pair of beds was a nightstand, desk and a dresser, all shiny and well-crafted. On the bottom of each bed frame there was a golden plate with a name carved on it. I walked over to the one that said Matthew and started unpacking my bed sheets and blankets.

       "So you're the rich boy, huh?" a voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw a boy with a baseball cap on backwards. His eyes seemed to penetrate right through me.

       I shrugged, "Well, I guess that would be me."

       "Aren't your mommy and daddy here to buy you all A's?" he asked, saying it in a rude, offensive tone.

       "My mom and dad didn't buy my way in here," I told him. "I made it in."

       He glared at me, 'What kind of pokemon did your mommy buy for you? A Mewtwo?"

       I rolled my eyes and turned around. I guess I had expected this kind of treatment, anyway. The boy walked up beside me, "I'm Ace. Remember that name. It's the name of the boy who's going to stomp all over you for the next three years."

       I looked up at him, "I'm Matthew. I'm the boy who's not going to sink to your level."

       He shook it off and left me alone with the ten beds. I made my bed and set out my textbooks. Already I had made a "friend."

       Soon everyone arrived. I don't think there wasn't one of them that didn't make a nasty comment about my parents, my money, or me. I felt completely alone even amidst all nine of the boys. Ace was the hardest on me, though, and he told everyone that, by the end of the year, I'd wish I wasn't born.

       I gave up all hope on getting a human friend at this school. I guess everyone was too preoccupied with the fact that I was rich to get to know me at all.

       The PA rang and announced that it was time to have lunch in the Commons. The boys all left, but I wasn't hungry. I felt sick at my stomach so I stayed behind and pulled out the journal I had brought. I had planned to keep one so I could remember the experience. I pulled out my Pikachu pencil and started to write in the blue book.

       Today is my first day at the Pokemon Academy. I can't say it's been a blast or even fun at all, because everyone is so angry at me for my parents' wealth. This is one of those times when I envy the average crowd. Their parents care for them and don't try to buy them away. Everyone gets to at least know them before they judge them, unlike me. It's like they think that I never took the test that they took to get in. Do they really think my parents could just buy my way in? Well, I'm not sure, but I think they've got their minds made up. I met a boy named Ace Furlong who is already threatening to make my life at this school miserable and I can't say that he's failing. I feel so alone right now that I miss even my parents. I am the outcast of the school. I very highly doubt any of the girls will like me either. Especially if Ace gets to them. Oh well, I guess I expected this all along.

                                                                                                                                                                               Matthew

       I closed the journal and lay back in my bed, thinking about how long and painful life at this school would be. If my luck so far told anything about the school year, I'd be dead by the end.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       I found my way to the girls' quarters with time to spare. It was quite obvious when the door sign said "Girls Only." I pushed the door in and found my bed in the middle among nine others. It had a gold nameplate at the base that said "Annie Edwards." In between every two beds there was a nightstand, a desk and a dresser, all well polished and fancy. I realized then how hard my grandmother tried to get me tested so I could get into this school.

       I threw my backpack onto the bed and discovered my suitcase right beside me. I began to unpack my things and placed them in my dresser drawers. Then I put my school things on my desk and my alarm clock on my nightstand. Just as I was adjusting my alarm clock, a girl walked in. I looked up at her. She had red hair that bounced when she walked and her smile didn't waver when she saw me.

       "Hi, my name's Annie. What's yours?" I asked without hesitation.

       "Brittany, nice to meet you," she answered, still wearing a huge smile on her face. We continued to talk and she helped me set up a clock and some other things. Eventually, our conversation took a tun to what we said to the secretary, Ms. Gonzales.

       "Well, I told her I wanted an interesting pokemon that provided a challenge to a young pokemon scientist," she told me as she helped me adjust the desk a bit.

       "Is that what you want to be? A scientist?" I asked her as we sat down on my bed. 

       She nodded, then asked: "What do you want to be?"

       "I'm not sure yet actually. . .but I know I'll collect badges. They help a lot when dealing with pokemon." I told her. She nodded again whe the PA rang.

       "Time for lunch," she told me. My stomach growled in agreement and we both laughed as we headed down to lunch in the Commons. When we got there we headed to a small line of kids our age. We got behind a tall boy with a backwards cap on his head. We didn't pay too much attention to him until he turned around and looked down at me.

       "So who are you two?" he asked. I looked up slowly into his eyes. I didn't like them because they were cold and gray. They seemed to pierce right through me. I shook off the feeling and introduced myself and Brittany.

       "So Annie, Brittany, have you heard about the rich boy? He's in our year, but only because his mommy and daddy bought his way in," he said rudely. I tried to stay friendly and pretended that he hadn't said what he just did.

       "Where is he? Point him out," I asked. A glint of triumph in his eyes told me I shouldn't have said that. I felt guilty and decided to be nice to the rich boy anyway.

       "He. . .he isn't here," the boy said with mild surprise. I turned back to Brittany, hoping the boy would take a hint. Instead, he still made fun of the boy and started to make fun of others too. I felt horrible. Brittany insisted that I should eat my lunch anyway. I did but I didn't completely finish it. Only when we started talking about our pokemon that we would meet tomorrow did I lighten up. We were joined by other girls and I soon made lots of friends, and completely forgot about the rich boy.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       I groaned and opened my eyes. I had apparently fallen asleep in my bed while the other guys were at lunch. I looked over at the clock and almost yelled. It was 8:04 AM! I had slept all day yesterday and in exactly twenty-six minutes, everyone else would wake up.

       I decided that I didn't want to face the other guys again and I got dressed early. I put on my red shirt with a flame logo and my blue jeans. After combing my hair and washing my face and hands, I quietly tiptoed out of the boys' quarters. I stepped down the staircase and walked into the Commons. I walked over to the entrance and walked outside of the school. It was nice to feel the comfort of the sun and get a small breath of fresh air. I walked back inside the school and sat down at a table in the Commons.

       The PA rang and announced that it was time to get up. From both wings of the first floor on the school kids gradually began to flock into the commons. A man walked out of the office and walked up to the stage that faced the Commons. I guessed that he was probably the principal or something.

       Finally, all ten girls and the other nine boys came to the Commons. Ace made a point to sit next to me and put an arm around me. It wasn't a nice gesture. It was either for show, or to make fun of me by pretending to be nice.

       The man on stage smiled and spoke into a microphone. "Good morning, students. I'm Principal Woodcox. Welcome to your first official day at the Pokemon Academy. I am proud to have you students here and hope it will be a wonderful year." As is that was a cue, the kids began to cheer.

       "As you know today you will be getting a pokemon. The second-years and third-years will observe as each of you get a pokemon. Unfortunately, before we get to that, there is an issue we must clear up. Last night, I got a call from a concerned student about a boy that was being made fun of for being wealthy. This student told me that the passing rumor was that this boy's parents bought his way in. Someone point him out."

       I slowly sunk down in my chair, hoping to disappear. Maybe, if was lucky, a meteor might hit me. A girl with spunky red hair stood up. "Principal Woodcox, it's the boy over there in the red shirt. A kind of rude guy from lunch told me and a friend about him."

       Principal Woodcox looked at me. "Matthew Pierce, I presume?" he asked.
      
       Not sure what to say, I uttered, "Uh, well, yeah, that's me."

       "Let me check the record book about your test scores." I wasn't sure what he would say, because I, myself, did not know my test results. The principal broke out in laughter. "Of all the students. Boys and girls, Matthew Pierce got a 199 out of 200 questions correct. That is 99.5%. Matthew's test is in the office for anyone who wants to see it. If you hear anyone teasing Matthew, call the office or visit us and we'll come up with a punishment for it, all right?"

       Everyone nodded, but I saw a sneer on the faces of Ace and a few other guys. "Line up in a boys' and a girls' line. It's time to get out pokemon!" the principal ordered us and pointed to where he wanted the lines.

       I stood up and walked up to the line of boys. A boy in front of me turned around. "Um. . .Matthew? I'm really sorry about yesterday. I thought your parents really did buy your way in. I have the bed next to you. My name's Peter Carlton."

       I shook his hand, "It's all right, Peter. I guess Ace sounded pretty convincing."

       "What a jerk," Peter agreed. I shook his hand and felt a new sense of hope at this school. I sincerely wanted to find whoever it was that called the office. I couldn't find words to describe the new sense of hope. But, soon, it was time to head for the battlefields.

       Principal Woodcox gestured to us to follow him and he started walking down a hallway I hadn't been down before. The door we came to read, "Battlefields." He pushed it open and kicked the stand down. We came outside onto Battlefield number one. The bleachers facing the field were filled with girls and boys who were in their second and their third years at the Academy. In the center of the battlefield was a table with two rows of pokeballs. The first row had blue tops. The second row had red tops. One one side of the table were blue chairs, and on the other side were red chairs. The boys seated themselves in the blue and the girls in the red.

       The principal walked up to the bleachers and Ms. Gonzales came down. She stood up in front of the microphone. "Hello everyone. These are the twenty new students of the Academy. As you know, we will be handing out pokemon today. We'll start with the boys from lowest test score to highest."

       I looked nervously over to Peter who was about to jump out of his seat in excitement. "Can you believe it? It's actually happening!" he exclaimed.

       Ms. Gonzales smiled and got out a paper. "Please hold all applause for when everyone has their pokemon. Thank you. First up is Ace Furlong who had a 89.5% on his test. Ace?"

       Ace stood up and walked over to the table. He picked up his pokeball and hurled it at the ground. A Sandshrew hopped out and looked up at Ace, who was disgusted. "This isn't a cool, tough pokemon. It looks wimpy." The Sandshrew looked down at the ground as he followed Ace, who was stomping back to his seat. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the pokemon.

       "Next up is Brock Demont who had a 91% on the test." A tall, kind of hefty boy walked over to the table and picked up his pokeball. He pushed the button and out came a Magnemite. He seemed satisfied and walked back.

       "Following Brock is Jacob Stuart who had a 92.5%."  Jacob was kind of an average-looking guy. He was kind of tall, and kind of built. He walked over to the table and released his Zubat. He shrugged and walked back, not angry or happy.

       " Our next up would be. . .Tanner Rice who had a 93%." Tanner had a small frame and had skinny legs. He jogged up to the table and released his brand new Wooper. The fishy pokemon folowed Tanner as he sat down.

       "David Noble who had a 93.5%." David was very tall and well-built. He walked casually over to the table and released an energetic Sentret. Sentret raced after him as they began to sit down.

       "Caleb Mcmayes with a very impressive 94.5%." Caleb, a kind of pudgy boy, wasn't sure what to say about his Sunkern. The grass pokemon bounced after him as he sat down.

       "Kyle Lancaster had a very nice 95%, missing only 10." Ms. Gonzales announced. Kyle hurried up and released his new Geodude. The rocky pokemon gave Kyle a skeptical look, but nevertheless, Kyle was happy. They sat back down.

       "Next is Peter Carlton, with a not-so-shabby 95.25%. He got 9 and one half incorrect." Peter almost stormed up to the table. He opened his pokeball and released a Spinarak. He beamed and picked up his pokemon. They sat down in a hurry.

       "Next to last is Nathan Hughes, who had an incredible 97%, getting only 6 incorrect." Nathan, a boy who looked like a nerdy genius, walked up. He picked up a pokeball and released a Wobbuffet. "I picked a pokemon that was unique."

       "And last but not least, with a record-breaking 99.5%, here is Matthew Pierce!" she clapped for me as I stood, and so did everyone in the stands. I felt incredibly happy as I walked up to get my pokemon. I pushed the button and a pokemon began to materialize on the stage.

       "Seel!" called the pokemon. It was a male Seel. I smiled at him and gave him a hug. "Come on buddy. Let's go watch the girls." I walked back to my seat and sat down, waiting for Ms. Gonzales to call on the girls.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


       I watched from my seat as Matthew gave his Seel a hug. I felt better now that I had told the Principal about Matthew. It was wrong of Ace to say those things anyway. Brittany was squirming in the seat beside me. "Now onto the girls!" Ms. Gonzales called. Finally, I thought.

       "First off with a respectable 90.5%, is Stephanie Monroe. Come on down!" A tall girl with light brown hair scampered over to the table and pushed the button on her pokeball. A male Caterpie materialized on the table. She picked it up and, immediately, he crawled up under her hair.

       "Next up is Hailey Smith with an excellent 92%!" A short, stalky girl headed to the table nd picked up her pokeball. In a flash of red, a Diglett formed on the ground in front of her. She seemed a little disappointed but gave her Diglett an encouraging look. She hurried back to her seat with her Diglett behind. 

       After Hailey we have Melissa who defiantly earned her next pokemon with 92.5%!" Melissa literally skipped all the way to Ms. Gonzales. She picked up her pokeball and tossed the ball under-hand. Out came a Snubbull. It was one of the strangest pokemon I'd ever seen, but Melissa seemed happy so I forgot about it.

       "Next up is Ashley Churchill with 93%. Congrats!" I watched as Ashley picked up her pokeball and threw it with a shout. "Pokeball, go!" A small pokemon emerged from the pokeball, crying "Phanpy!" Satisfied, Ashley headed back to her seat with Phanpy at her heels.

       "Okay! Now up is Meagen Rheberger with an impressed 94.25%!" I wondered how long Ms. Gonzales could stay enthusiastic. Meagan, a rather frail girl, opened her pokeball. A small bird pokemon, which I identified as Natu, arrived.

       "Great! Now it's Rita Adams with a 95%!" Rita ran to the table excitedly. I couldn't blame her as she tossed open her pokeball. A Totodile, I thought, how cute.

      
"Now we have Annie Edwards with an amazing 96.5%!" I literally leaped out of my chair when my name was called. I held down the urge to run to the table. I picked up the offered pokeball and clutched it in my hand. I pressed the button and a small pokemon materialized before me. A female Vulpix sat down on the table in front of me. She sniffed me delicately, inhaling my scent. Gently, I picked her up and stuffed her empty pokeball in my pocket. It created a huge bulge, but I didn't care. I returned to my seat with her in my arms.

       "Oh she's so cute," Brittany cooed. "Oh, I can't wait to get my pokemon..." Brittany was cut off by Ms. Gonzales.

       "Next, third to last, is Racheal McNeil who got an astound 97%!" Racheal raced up to the table and nearly dropped her pokeball in excitedment. She threw it and a Corsola, a cute coral pokemon, appeared. I scratched my own pokemon's ears as she returned to her seat.

       "Second place goes to Amy Brown with a jaw-dropping mark of 97.25%!" Amy walked confidently over to the table and picked up her pokeball. She tossed it and a Paras appeared. She showed no emotion but just walked back to her seat with Paras trying to keep up from behind.

       "Finally, the last person is Brittany Hart! She had an impressive 98%, also a record-breaker for the girls!" I gave her a reassuring look as she walked over to the table where the last pokeball stood. She picked it up with trembling hands and pressed the tiny button. A huge pokemon appeared, towering over her. A gasp came from the audience. A male Kangaskhan loomed over her. He had no pouch of young because it was a feminine trait.

       Ms. Gonzales bent over and whispered something to Brittany that Vulpix and I couldn't hear. Brittany didn't blink; she just stared into his eyes. He stared back and after a few moments he looked away. I guessed that was a sign of acceptance. She touched his arm and signalled him to follow her. When she reached her seat beside me, she realized her pokemon was in front of everyone. Sadly, she reached for her pokeball and whispered, "Return." Kangaskhan disappeared and Brittany sat down beside me.

       "I asked for a challenge but I'm not so sure about this one, Annie. I don't think I can handle him," she told me as she looked down at her knees. I put a comforting arm around her.

       "I've known you for about a day and I know that you can. You are one of the smartest people I know," I whispered to her. Ms. Gonzales began to speak into the microphone again.

       "We had that Kangaskhan for a while because we had no one who wanted him, but when I interviewed Brittany, I knew she was the one who could accept the challenge and excel." Ms. Gonzales explained proudly. Applause came from the stands again, and Brittany blushed. Ms. Gonzales continued on about rules and how we aren't to catch pokemon and that we'd receive our next one at the beginning of next year. She then dismissed the first-years off to their quarters to get acquainted with our new partners. We hurried back with our new pokemon. I let Vulpix walk up with me. As I jumped on my bed, I turned to Vulpix and asked her if she wanted a nickname. She smiled with her eyes and seemed pleased with the idea.

       "Okay. . .how 'bout FoxFire?" I asked, hoping she would like it. Again she seemed pleased and proudly called her name.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

       I flopped down on my bed and petted Seel lovingly. His deep black eyes glimmered in the light, studying my face. All around me, I heard excited thoughts on nicknames.

       Peter, next to me, was calling his Spinarak "Shadow." The pokemon seemed half-pleased with the name and put one of eight legs on Peter who was struck with awe.

       I turned to Seel who gave me an inquisitive stare. I thought. "What do you think about 'Bubbles?'" I joked. Seel made a sour face. "Just joking," I told him. "How do you like 'Splash?'"

       Seel nodded, "Seel!" He jumped onto my lap and rolled over, wanting his belly scratched. Shrugging, I started to scratch him.

       "You know, Pierce, you better be angry at your parents. You got a wimpy pokemon." Ace remarked.

       I stood up, setting my pokemon on the bed. "Listen, hollow head. My parents did not pay my way in here. When I applied and made it, they said no. But, one night, I heard them talking. They sent me here to. . ." my voice cracked. I took a deep breath, "They sent me here to get me out of the way. Now can you just leave me alone?"

       All eyes were on Ace and me. Ace scratched his head, "Hollow head? What's hollow mean?"

       Nathan Hughes piped up, "Hollow means empty."

       Ace looked like he was configuring all that I said, "Hey! I got a brain! Shut up, rich boy. I'll sic Mole on you." The Sandshrew in the background rolled his eyes and hopped under the bed.

       In the midst of all the attention, I started cracking up. Shaking my head, I walked over to my bed. Peter looked over at me, smiling. It was great to know all nine of them weren't against me. Rather, only one for sure was against me, one was for me, and seven were in the middle. Splash looked hurt by Ace's remark. I bent down by him and petted his head, avoiding the small horn. "Don't worry about Ace," I told Sandshrew. "He's just not the brightest crayon in the box, if you get my drift." Splash nodded halfheartedly. "Someday," I told him, "we'll battle Ace, all right?" He nodded and licked my hand.

       The PA announced it was time for lunch. This time, I would go. Splash hopped up into my arms and we walked downstairs to the Commons. The tables were set up and the line was just starting. I walked up and stood behind a girl, who had a Vulpix beside her. She turned around and looked down at me. "You're Matthew Pierce. I'm Annie Edwards. Glad you could make it to lunch today," she said, I think trying to be polite.

       I tried to distinguish whether or not she was making fun of me for being a no-show at lunch yesterday. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and smiled, "Yeah, I hope the food's good. I'm absolutely starving."

       She nodded and looked down at her Vulpix. "This is FoxFire."

       I greeted her pokemon and showed her Seel. "This funny-looking fellow would be Splash."

       Annie smiled and said hello to Splash. After that, she turned back around and talked to Brittany Hart, the girl who had gotten the Kangaskhan.

       Splash sent a small beam of water to my face and laughed. I smiled at him. Maybe I would like this school after all. When I sat down, Peter followed me. Pretty soon, Nathan Hughes, David Noble, and Tanner Rice all sat down. I grinned and ate, knowing I wasn't the class reject anymore. In fact, I was accepted by four kids already. By this time, maybe it would be eight. I looked over to Ace, who glared hatefully. Peter smiled, "Hollow head doesn't seem to like you, Matt." I laughed and nodded in agreement. This was as good as it could get. Tomorrow, though, classes started, and that's when I'd have to work on school and my friends.