Chapter One Summer Vacation I walked alongside my two best friends on the way to the principal's office. The Pokémon Academy of Johto was a large campus with many students. We were studying here and had just completed our first year. I looked at my friend Ahna. Her skin was as pale as the moon and her golden- blonde hair framed her face beautifully. On my other side was Matthew.He refused to let us call him Matt; it was always just Matthew. He had his hair in a mushroom cut, which greatly reminded me of my six older brothers. I looked at my hands and was shocked to see how my skin had changed. I had grown up on a ship and had a tan for most of my childhood since we were usually out in the sun. Now my skin was pale from living at the Academy. I had never taken much notice to my own features. I was usually busy doing something for another student. My hands were callused and rough from working on the ship from the age of four. Ahna had grown up caring for Mareep, so her hands were smooth. If you compared the two, you could say that hers were like glass, while mine were like sandpaper. I looked up and saw that we had arrived at the principal's office. Matthew had invited Ahna and me to stay with him over the summer. His grandparents encouraged him to bring his friends over for the summer. His other friends Jake, Alexander and Emily already had permission. We stepped inside and sat down. The principal smiled at us as he walked over from the bookcase. “Ah you must be Mr. Rez! You and Miss Windtamer did a fine job of retrieving those pokéballs last week. Now, why is it that you wanted to see me” He asked looking at Matthew. “Well you see sir, my grandparents let me invite a few friends to stay at our house over the summer holidays. My other friends already have permission. But I need a written note of permission from you,” Matthew explained. “Not a problem. Ahna, I’m positive that your parents agree to this, I know them personally. Téa, you are free to go as you wish,” He pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen, “Just give me the names of everyone who will be going with you Mr.Rez. Include yourself as well please, just so I remember as I’m writing.” Matthew started rattling off the names, “Alexander Turner, Emily Sutton, Jake Merclar, Ahna Windtamer, Téa Wavemartan, and Matthew Rez.” The principal handed him the permission slip and smiled, “Have fun! Catch some Pokémon if you can!” Together we all left the room and headed for the girl’s dorm. Since it was the end of the year, there were no restrictions in the dorm areas. This way, friends could help each other pack. We headed for Ahna’s room first. She had many things to pack. She had set up her room just for her Pokémon. There were two dog beds on the floor for her Rattata and her Eevee and a piece of rope was suspended across the room for her Pidgey. After we had stuffed her hope chest to the point that it took all three of us to close it, we went to my room. My room looked like it had come right off of a ship. However, I didn’t have nearly so many things to pack. I had lost most of my possessions years ago. Matthew’s room wasn’t decorated at all. He just had the necessities and that was it. Then again, the only time he was ever in his room was at night. We stood in front of the school, remembering all that we had learned that year. Matthew had gone from being the school bully, to the most kindhearted student of them all. Ahna had learned to speak to people without panicking. I was about to get into the car with the others when I stopped. I ran to the school gardens and grabbed a flower. I stuck it in my hair, and then returned to the others. This was a completely new adventure for me. I hadn’t been outside of school grounds in three years!