Part 25

Monday morning...

Not much else happened during the weekend apart from Ash receiving a very important tool from his old friend Cilan which he wore on his left wrist.

He currently sat on the bus next to his cousin Leaf on the way to school. Leaf mentally sighed wondering why on earth Ash always had to look so serious. "Hey cousin? Can I ask you something without you getting angry with me?" She asked cautiously. He looked  at her slowly and said, "I'm already angry with you."

"I mean, why do you look so angry all the time. Why can't you just smile for once, huh? It would look way better on you if you'd smile you know," She sighed.

"For one thing, there's nothing to smile about because it's freaking Monday," He stated quietly. "Secondly, this bus ride would be so much more peaceful if you could just keep your mouth shut." Leaf nodded and kept quiet for the rest of the ride. She felt bad but still did not understand what Ash's problem really was. She knew deep down it had nothing to do with it being the beginning of the week.

The bus arrived in front of the school in Lumiose as they both got off the bus and began making their way into the building. As they entered Ash spotted Calem nearby with his group of friends chatting amongst themselves. As Calem was talking to Gary he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Calem," Ash Said. Calem turned around and saw none other than Ash, but also his cousin Leaf. As soon as he noticed Leaf he began to feel slightly nervous once again not knowing why. She gave him a friendly smile which only made him even more nervous as his face began heating up slightly.

"Hi Ash uhh... what's up?" Calem Asked.

"Hm? Oh, I just wanted to talk to you about something really fast. But as I see your busy, maybe we can talk later?" Ash suggested.

"Yeah for sure," He nodded. "How about meeting me during lunch at my table? I'm always there. Sound cool?"

"Sure," Ash shrugged as he left. Leaf stared at the direction of where Ash walked off.

"Don't mind him guys. I think he's just having a bad day today. Anyways see you!" Leaf dismissed as she ran off after him. Calem watched as she ran off for a moment...

"Sooo you dig that chick now, huh?" He heard Gary from behind teasing.

"What?! No! Be quiet you idiot," Calem said. Gary laughed knowing it was true.

"Come on don't even try to deny it. I see the way you were looking at her. You're infatuated with the chick aren't you," Gary smirked. Calem kicked Gary in the shins causing him to wince in pain holding his shin painfully.

Later that day during lunch hours...

Ash made his way over to Calem's table so they could talk about something. He spotted Calem sitting next to that green haired coordinator Drew, and Barry. Ash sat down with them.

"Hey guys..." Ash greeted.

"What's up Ash," The three boys replied in unison.

"So Ash you said you wanted to talk about something yeah? What's up dude?" Calem Asked.

"I wanted to ask you if you knew something about the Lumiose city gym. I went to challenge it a while ago but got kicked out. Do you know what's up with it? Or who runs it?" Ash inquired. Just then a group of boys approached Calem and the boys at the table. Ash looked up and immediately recognized one of the boys. He recognized one of the boys to be Jack, a boy with dirty blonde hair he had a dispute with before. Beside Jack stood another boy this one with blue hair. He had a crazed look in his eyes.

"Hey kid, this is our table," Jack said. The boys stopped talking and turned to Jack.

"You said what?" Calem asked.

"I said this is our table boy. This table belongs to us. Now scram," Jack repeated himself.

"Your table? This is our table," Calem stated. Jack began losing his patience with Calem as he gave him a small shove on the shoulder repeating himself.

"I told you this is OUR table!"

"Are you guys really about to start fighting over a table?" Ash Asked. "Calm your ass down, dude." Jack looked over at Ash and let go of Calem. Ash stood from his spot and stood up to Jack. The small height difference did not intimidate Ash in the slightest.

"I remember you... new kid. Still think you're so tough, huh?" Jack muttered.

Ash scoffed. "Whatever you wanna imagine. What are you doing here anyway?"

"I'm here to finish what we started..." Jack rolled up the sleeves of his flannel shirt. The tension here between these two was so palpable everyone was watching. Calem and Drew watched intensely waiting for Ash to make a move.

"I'll take you," Ash mumbled in his face. Jack took the insult to heart as he took Ash down to the floor without any warning. Ash quickly retaliated getting Jack off of him and grabbing him into a tight headlock. Everyone in the cafeteria was watching now making it obvious about what was happening... As Ash was struggling with Jack the blue haired boy, Damian had gotten into it with Drew.

"Come on then, shorty. Hit me," Damian taunted. Drew pushed Damian but did very little. Damian and Drew were grabbing each other trying to fight but neither of them really throwing any punches. Calem decided to go for Jack seeing as he was bigger.

"Hey, get off him you punk!" Calem shouted. As Calem tried to take Jack down he used his Elbow to hit him right in the nose. Calem let out a small cry of pain as he let go and covered his nose. Calem's sunglasses also fell off his hat and broke. Jack them used his elbow once more to whack Calem right in the gut. Calem fell to his knees on the floor holding both his nose and stomach. Ash managed to throw Jack off him once more.

As all of this nonsense continued to unfold even the girls began watching from a distance.

"Oh my lord. Don't tell me it's Jack and Calem again..." Misty said in frustration.

"You know, they're both such little kids," Iris added. "And I'll bet you Jack was the one to start it all again.

As for Serena, she clasped her hands together in distress seeing as Ash was getting involved unnecessarily once again. Sure she still didn't know much about him, but she also didn't want him to get hurt. The honey blonde finally felt relieved however when she saw the assistant principal stepping in as well as security guards.

Somehow Drew had ended up on top of the cafeteria table with a busted lip. Calem was still on the floor clenching his stomach and nose with a bit of blood coming out now. Ash was surprisingly all right. He only sustained a hard blow to the stomach and face...

"Hey! Guys! THAT'S ENOUGH! You five principal's office! Now!" The AP Said. Calem pushed Jack away as he walked alongside Ash and Drew to the office. They walked with a little less tension and more pressure because of the reality of the situation. They were all going to be in huge trouble.

Gary approached the boys in shock. "Good god... what the hell did you guys do?!" Security pulled Gary away quickly. "Hey, you! Go to class!" The other security guard walked the boys to the office making sure they didn't continue fighting on the way. As soon as the five boys entered his office Lysandre did not look pleased to see the same people in his office for the same reason again. Security left leaving Lysandre alone with the five boys. Jack and Damian didn't seem to care much.

"Boys... I'm getting tired of repeating myself over and over again. How much times do I have to tell you, there is ZERO tolerance for fighting in this school. We provide for you students to have the absolute best experience at our prestigious high school. Take advantage of it kids, don't give each other a hard time."

"Yeah? Zero tolerance my ass they started this shit!" Calem retorted.

"Hey, watch your language young man! It doesn't matter who started it if you were a part of it. Now listen to me, the next time I catch ANY of you fighting in my school, you will receive a suspension. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes sir," the boys all replied in unison.

"And you," He pointed at Drew. "Get to the nurse's office before that thing gets infected." Lysandre added.

Though they knew this wasn't over. This was just the peak of what Jack started... the guys exited principal Lysandre's office and went their separate ways. Ash, Calem, And Drew walked away from Jack and Damian.

"Urgh! That punks always gets on my nerves! Every time I see him I just wanna punch his stupid face," Calem said angrily. Ash nodded in agreement then turned to Drew.

"What the heck even happened to you?? How'd that shit happen?" Ash asked.

"Dude, it was when you pushed Jack off of you. They both carried me and hit my face on accident on top of the... top of the table," Drew replied. "Mmm my lip hurts... fuck!"

"Let's take him to the nurse, Ash. That thing could get infected if we don't get it treated quickly." Calem suggested. Ash nodded and went along with them.

It seems as though Ash is finally starting to grow some newfound respect for Calem and Drew. Despite barley knowing them, he did like the fact that they jumped into the fight that broke out between himself and Jack. Maybe these guys weren't so bad after all...