Teo stared at his reflection in the mirror. Not because the gym leader had told him to do it. Well, that's not how it started, at least. As he thightly held on to the razor, hesitant to apply the shaving cream, his appearance simply caught his eye. The first thing he noted were the acne, dark red part of skin that plagued his face for as long as he could remember. They were the reason he freted shaving. Cuts were inevitable, and they stung, and all the Youtube tutorials couldn't save him from all of that. Luckily, shaving wasn't something he had to often yet. This was maybe his 4th time attempting it.

  Crossing his fingers across the patches of red on his skin turned into staring at the rest of his face. His eyes seemed somewhat foreign, sharp and dark object framed by the pale white of the surrounding skin. His eyebrows were thick and messy, he thought. It was the first time he payed attention to his eyebrows. He couldn't conclude if that was weird, that he was noticing it now. Or was it weird that he didn't notice his own eyebrows before? They were pitch black, matching the colour of his hair. One thing he knew for certain he liked about himself. Running his finger through his buzz cut, he concluded he would need to get a haircut soon. Back in Spimuth, he had no money, he blew whatever he had left from selling the TM on a ball toy for Totodile, and a new hoodie for himself. At least, Totodile loved his new toy.

  The boy's eyes skiped over to his upper body. He looked sickly even to himself. Lean and pale, he carefully traced his finger across his shoulder, feeling the little bump where the bone is. It feels uncomfortable. His torso fades beneath his shoulders, and his own chest look as they are sunken in.

  He looks weak, he thinks, Logan's words coming back to him like a whisper. He quickly gets it out of his head. The gym leader didn't get to see his battle today, he encouraged himself. Winning in his first official battle was a big deal. That one with Joe back in Lilicove, he wasn't counting, since he had just caught Totodile then, so obviously Joe had an advantage over him. Besides, it was an unofficial battle. What matters is, he beat that Rodney guy today. He might've lost to Natasha the very next match, but that was fine, that girl was a monster anyways. As far as Teo was concerned, he had an official 50% win rate, which he thought was great for a guy who was ranked as low as him.

  The only thing that killed his vibe was the fact he didn't feel as if he had actually won. The battle was basically Totodile galore, with his croc manically Aqua Jetting at his opponent any chance he had gotten. All Teo did was stand there and yell: "Yeah" and "Go, Tots". Did that make him a trainer? He could only wish that his classmates would see the way he deals with thugs. He does that pretty well. Those battles at least make him feel as if he's a trainer, with his little show of aiming for a good spot to release Totodile in. Those battles are fun. Whatever that battle with Rodney was, it was not fun.

  With a sigh, he lowered the razor. Bleeding and overthinking at the same time was not his style.

  Everyone was training, he knew. And he couldn't even start. What was the point? Neither Absol nor Totodile would listen to him. The only thing he could do is work on Aqua Jet some more, but even that, he had no idea how to do.

  Ves went out to the training center as soon as the clases were over. Apparently, he was trying to teach Houndour how to use Bite. Even Ace and Joe skipped school to go to Lilicove, which, knowing Joe, definitely meant they were out there hunting for something that relates to training. He had no idea what Sam did, but he'd seen him train enough times last week to know even he was trying to get better somehow. Teo was the only one who couldn't move from the spot.

  No use thinking about it, he decides with a sigh. Taking up the razor again, he loses track of his reflection.

  The doors to the bathroom swing open, just as he's about to start the process.

  "Hey, sorry, didn't know you were in there", Ves stands in the doorway uncomfortably shuffling in on spot.

  "Um, occupied?", Teo sighs.

  "Yeah, dude, I can see you're standing there in your underwear", Ves scoffs, "for the record, the room was empty when I came in, so I just assumed the bathroom was as well".

  "You could've knocked", Teo reminds him.

  "Hey, I just really need to take a leak, so don't mind me", the other boy says scurrying over to the toilet. Teo hears him unzipping his pants, and tries to ignore it. It is highly uncomfortable, but he doesn't want to be a bitch about it.

  "Anyways, why are you even shaving?", Ves says, for whatever reason. Teo finds it strange that he's trying to chat while he's taking a piss.

  "I have to remove my beard", Teo informs him.

  "What beard, dude?", Ves laughs.

  "The beard I have", Teo carefully brings the razor to his skin, sliding it slowly. 2 cuts immediately burn themselves into their face.

  "You should probably use a shaving cream for that", Ves notes, flushing the toilet.

  "I can't see my acne if I use it", Teo rolls his eyes.

  "So you raw dog it, huh", Ves laughs.

  "Oh, shut up", Teo says, trying to focus on shaving. His hand bupms, creating one deeper cut. "Dammit, now I cut myself because you can't stop talking", Teo curses out.

  "Dude, don't blame me", Ves says, "why are you even shaving if you don't know how to do it".

  "Stop being an ass, like you know how to shave", Teo scoffs at him.

  "I do, in fact", Ves retorts quickly.

  "Well, good for you", Teo rolls his eyes, "guess you had your daddy to teach you how to do it properly".

  "What do you even know about it?", Ves inches in closer to him, his voice rising up.

  "I know enough", Teo rolls his eyes, "what do you know?".

  "I know how to shave", Ves brings his hands to the side, "and I know you'll bleed yourself to death if you keep trying to do it like that".

  "Fine, no one asked your opinion", Teo sighs, "so please, remove yourself from the bathroom".

  "What if I don't", Ves yells at him.

  "Why are you such a cunt?", Teo retaliates, "really, no one wants to hear from you, why do you keep yelling out your opinions?".

  "Huh, well, obviously no one wants to hear what I have to say", Ves sighs, and Teo can see his face shift, "I don't even know why I'm trying".

  "And what exactly are you trying?", Teo inquiers, "to get on my nerves or?".

  "To give you advice so you don't ruin your fucking face", Ves rolls his eyes, "who even thought you how to shave?".

  "Youtube", Teo slurs.

  "Youtube? Really?", Ves sighs.

  "Right, well, I didn't exactly have a better teacher", Teo says firmly. "Be a darling and call up whoever taught you so they can explain it to me as well", Teo says mockingly.

  "I can't, he's dead", Ves retorts dryly.

  Silence sinks on them. Teo keeps looking at the other boy, seeing his face shift all around the brown eyes that stay determined. Ves had a few soft hairs poking from his chin, Teo noticed, he definitely never brought a razor to his face.

  "Look, all I'm saying is, use the shaving cream", Ves sighs as he turns around to leave, his voice turning distant. "And stretch your skin so you don't cut youself".

  "I've tried that alredy", Teo says.

  "Well, try again", Ves sighs, placing his hand on the doorframe.

  "What even is the deal with you?", Teo says behind him.

  "Nothing, I'll leave you alone", Ves says indifferently, "sorry for interruption, and unsolicited advice".

  "You alway do this", Teo says louder.

  "Do what?", Ves asks.

  "You come in swinging, you start a fight, then you turn around and act all apologetic like this", Teo informs him, "so what the hell is up with that?".

  "Nothing", Ves says, turning around to face him, "not that I know, and even if I did you wouldn't want to hear it, huh?".

  "Is your dad dead?", Teo asks instantly.

  "Not legally", Ves furs his eyebrows. "Why would you ask that?".

  "Well you said you can't call the person who taught you how to shave cause he's dead", Teo challenges him, "I just thought, that might explain some things".

  "My father didn't teach me how to shave, my brother did", Vea informs him coldly.

  "You have a brother?", Teo asks in surprise.

  "I had a brother", Ves corrects him.

  "Right, sorry", Teo says.

  "Whatever", Ves says firmly, "I'll leave you alone now, since that's what you want to be".

  "Wait", Teo says behind him immediately. He's not sure what he wants to say to Ves, maybe because there are too many things burning on the top of his mind. "For the record, my dad is dead, legally", he decides to say, although he' s not sure why. Sprining that on Ves might've been too much, not that they ever talked about things like that. Well, not that they ever talked, period.

  "So", Ves says, visibly confused, but he closes the doors to the bathroom, "what does that have to do with me?".

  "Nothing", Teo says quietly. "I just thought you should know".

  "Why?", Ves walks up to him.

  "I don't know, maybe I just want you to know I didn't exactly have anyone to teach me how to do this before you start pestering me with advice", Teo says, trying to use the razor as some sort of emotional shield, "besides, you told me about your brother, so I thought it would be fair".

  "Right", Ves nods.

  "Right", Teo tries to avoid his eyes.

  "So", Ves shifts uncomfortably, "Youtube, huh?".

  "Yeah", Teo plays around with the razor in his hands.

  "You need help with that?", Ves steps in carefully.

  "Help with shaving?", Teo rasies his eyebrow, "I mean, if you can do it via Bluetooth then sure, that would be great".

  "I can do it via that, if you'll let me", Ves places his hand forward, gesturing for Teo to give him the razor.

  "So, what, you gonna shave me?", Teo laughs.

  "Right, I mean if you need help", Ves says slowly.

  "That sounds kind of gay though", Teo says with a sigh.

  "It's fine as long as Ace doesn't know about it", Ves offers.

  "Somehow, that sounds even gayer", Teo laughs uncomfortably.

  "Well, if you want to hear a bad Brokeback Mountain reference, we can tell him", Ves laughs.

  "I don't know", Teo says slowly, "it's kind of strange".

  "Fine, whatever", Ves scratches his head, "if you don't want help". Lowering his hand, Ves starts turning around.

  "Wait", Teo says instantly. Reluctantly, he extends the razor to him: "here".

  "Changed your mind pretty quickly", Ves raises his eyebrow.

  "Frankly, I'm not even sure why I'm letting you do this", Teo admits, "but I appreaciate the help, I guess".

  "Alright", Ves says accepting the razor. "So, uh", the boy notices Teo's uncomfortable look, "just put on the shaving cream first".

  Teo takes the cream, carefully shaking it, before putting a little bit on his fingers. "I hope you know what you're doing".

  "I do", Ves nods.

  "Really, I mean you don't look like you shave, don't blame me for being hesitant", Teo says.

  "I do not", Ves says, slowly standing closer to him.

  "Great, so I'll bleed to death then", Teo says, carefully rubbing the shaving cream across his face.

  "You won't", Ves rolls his eyes, "I think".

  "How did you even learn to shave if you've never done it?", Teo asks cautiously.

  "I used to bug Vincent about it", Ves admits, "I used to bug him about a lots of things".

  "That doesn't really make me feel more secure", Teo points out.

  "He let me try it on him a few times, just to teach me", Ves shrugs it off.

  "Your brother let you shave him", Teo asks.

  "Well, I've seen him do it, and I guess I really wanted to try it myself, but he wouldn't let me use it on my face since I was like 8 or 9 at the time", Ves admits.

  "Alright, that's enough for me", Teo says, finishing the process of applying the shaving cream.

  "Good, now just stand steady, don't move", Ves steps in right next to him. He carefully places his finger under Teo's neck, picking at the skin and stretching it out.

  "This feels so fucking gay", Teo says.

  "Don't talk, I might cut you on accident if you do", Ves says calmly. Almost with clinical precision, he slides the razor up his skin, surprisingly not making any cuts. He repeats the same feat on the next go.

  "Wow", Teo says, tracing his fingers down the spots Ves had shaven for him to make sure there were no cuts, "it's actually surprising that you know how to do this".

  "Yeah, well, we're all full of surprises I guess", Ves says carefully.

  "What do you mean?", Teo questions.

  "I mean, I can do this, and you can wrap up burns and wounds, what's up with that?", Ves says.

  "I just know how to do it?", Teo chuckles slightly.

  "Really, since when?", Ves inquiers.

  "I mean, I grew up in Spikemuth", Teo admits, "that place really knows how to leave a scar, so wrapping a bandage was a necessary skill to learn".

  "Sounds nasty", Ves raises his eyebrow, but doesn't ask anything else.

  And suddenly, Teo wants to ask more. About Ves's brother, his father, the whole deal with Mikey and Vinnie. He settles for the last one. It feels like the least personal issue, since they all already know that the three of them are related.

  "So um, if you don't mind me asking?", Teo starts.

  "I actually mind you talking at all", Ves says, "I'll cut you".

  "Just let me ask one thing then I'll shut up", Te offers.

  "Fine", Ves says, letting the razor down for a second.

  "Could you tell me what's the matter with you and Vinnie and that Mikey guy?", Teo shoots out, "how come you're all related but you're the same age, and what's the whole deal with half-sister, step-brother, isn't that the same damn thing?".

  "Okay, dude, that's more than just one thing", Ves sighs.

  "Sorry", Teo clears his throat.

  "Well, to answer the last one", Ves says carefully starting the shaving process again, "half-sibling is used for someone you're related to by blood, you share one parent with that person, step-sibling is not your blood relative, but someone you're related to by law only".

  "I did not know that", Teo admits.

  "Please, stay quiet, I don't want your blood on my hands", Ves says and Teo quiets down. "Anyways, yeah, Vinnie is my half-sister, we have the same mother, Mikey is my step-brother, since my mother married his father".

  "So, then Mikey has a different mother", Teo figures out.

  "Clearly", Ves says.

  "So, what happened there?", Teo asks.

  "Well, my father's always been busy with work trips, works in sales department in pokeball company, so he was basically never home", Ves explains, "his wife was bored at home, so she took shopping trips to Castelia to find fun, at first it was sightseeing and shopping, but she probably got bored with it and decided that cheating on her husband was more fun".

  "Oh, that's... well, interesting", Teo says, noticing that Ves has stopped shaving him, and the two of them were now fully commited to the conversation. Not that he's complaining.

  "Yeah", Ves coughes up uncomfortably, "so at one point she stayed pregnant with Vinnie".

  "And she left your father", Teo nods along.

  "Well, she wanted to, but she didn't do it immediately", Ves explains, "at the time her affair buddy, Mikey's father, was married as well, and it happened that his wife was pregnant at the same time as well".

  "Wow, that's... fun", Teo's not sure how to react.

  "Anyways, the two of them had a deal that they'll stay with their partners until the kids were born, then they'll both get a divorce and marry each other", Ves continues, "they didn't want to cause unnecessary stress while the pregnancies were going on, and my father was basically rarely there anyways, so it wasn't an issue for them".

  "Wow", Teo repeats.

  "Vinnie was born in January", Ves says, "and obviously my father came to stay home for a good bit, thinking Vinnie was his child", Ves explains, "then Mikey was born in March".

  "Oh, and then they all got divorced and remarried", Teo ends the story.

  "Well, no, they didn't", Ves says dryly, "actually, after Vinnie was born, and in those two months it took Mikey to be born, my mother managed to get pregnant again, with my father this time".

  "She sounds like a really nice woman", Teo notes.

  "She is not", Ves sighs.

  "What happened then?", Teo asks.

  "Nothing much", Ves shrugs, "they just decided to wait until I was born as well, which was in October of that year, a month later, my mother came out clean about the affair and Vinnie, my prents got a divorce and she left".

  "Oh", Teo scratches his head, "I didn't know you were younger than the two of them".

  "Well, I am", Ves says.

  "Well...", Teo's not sure how to react to all of it. Thankfully or unfortunately for him he doesn't have to, since the bathroom doors swing open after only seconds of uncomfortable silence.

  "I'll deal with you later", Ace is yelling, his voice cracking at the seams as he steps inside. Seeing Teo and Ves the boy comes to a full stop, his face changing multiple colours, and his eyes finding the ceiling after just a few moments. "What the hell is going on here", the boy scoff, "why is Ves holding a razor, and why is Teo almost naked with white cream on his face".

  "I'm just helping him shave, calm down Ace", Ves sighs.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  "God, this reads like a deleted scene from Call Me By Your Name", Ace hisses, his eyes still plastered to the ceiling and his face red.

  "Oh, it wasn't going to be Brokeback Mountain", Ves nods.

  "Why are you bursting in here without knocking", Teo hisses at him, quickly washing off the shaving cream off his face, "and why are you yelling for fuck's sake, you need to be on Xanax".

  "Oh, my God, I can' t deal with you and your diagnosis and your gay shit right now", Ace curses, "we have different problems now, olease, just let me use the bathroom".

  "No one's stopping you", Ves shrugs.

  "Get out", Ace hisses at them.

  Ves goes to say something else to Ace, but Teo can hear yelling in their room. To his surprise, it's Sam who's yelling, so he just grabs Ves, motioning for him to follow him out of the bathroom. The other boy reluctantly complies.

  Ace shuts the doors behind them and they find themselves witnessing the strangest scene ever. Sam, yelling at Joe at the top of his lungs. The sight itself takes Teo out for a few moments, ant he needs a few seconds to start abosrbing the actual words.

  "Why the fuck are the two of you even acting like a fucking campus police, as if you have any right to do that, I wasn't even doing anything against the rules", the brown haired boy is red in his face, manically flapping his hands around, "and may I remind you, the two of you were off in fucking Lilicove, I could've easily ratted you off to Vanessa then and there, but at least I have some decency".

  "Considering your current record, I don't think you have any right to threaten things like that", Joe says calmly, "besides, you were making out with a girl older than you, that's a completely separate problem".

  "Well it's not your problem?", Sam yells back at him.

  "You are 14, a minor, and she's like 19, it's called pedophilia, Sam, and we have a moral obligation...", Joe starts calmly.

  "Moral obligation", Sam laughs almost manically, "you need morals for that buddy, which none of you have".

  "What the hell is going on?", Teo whispers over to Ves, not wanting to get in the middle of it.

  "I have no idea, but apparently Sam got some action", Ves admits.

  "Sam, she's using you", Joe sighs out.

  "No she's not, you just hate to see someone actually likes me, since y'all have decided I'm not good enough", Sam protests.

  "She doesn't like you, how long have you even known her for?", Joe says.

  "Does it matter?", Sam retorts.

  "Yes, yes it does", Joe replies flatly, "we're saying this for your own good, she is using you".

  "Or maybe you're just jealous that I'm getting some action, huh", Sam grins at him dryly, "since you've been chasing after Henry since day one, weren't you".

  "I was never chasing after Henry", Joe says calmly, "what are you talking about?".

  "Oh come on, you've been stickimg with him and Marc since the school started, you obviously like him but won't admit it because you stand no chance", Sam rolls his eyes.

  "I like Henry like a friend", Joe persists, "besides, you don't know me and you're not observant enough to figure those things out".

  "God, it's so obvious, I don't know what you're on about", Sam waves him off.

  "Quit it, Sam", Joe says firmly.

  "Why would I, the two of you just embarrassed me in front of the girl", Sam crosses his hand, "why is it that you all get to do whatever you want, and when I do anything, you make a problem out of it?".

  "Because we actually think things through", Joe says simply, "and we do things for a point you know, we don't just battle someone because they appriached us randomly or kiss some random older girl cause we're hormonal and horny".

  "Oh shut up", Sam cuts him off.

  "I can't believe this doesn't even ring a bell for you", Joe says, "why is she even here? She's clearly not a student".

  "She's a former student", Sam retorts, "and she's Nolan's assistant, she has every right to be here, and I have every right to do what I want".

  "You actually do not", Joe deadpans, "age of consent is 16 and you are 14, her kissing you is literally against the law".

  "As if you care about the law", Sam rolls his eyes.

  "School rules are not the same as the law", Joe retorts.

  "Alright", Ace finally walks out of the bathroom, "so where did we stop".

  His eyes lend on Teo frist. "Get dressed already", the boy says firmly.

  Proceeding to look between Joe and Sam he sticks to the former, asking: "did you get anywhere with him?".

  "No", Joe says, "because he doesn't understand what age of consent is and why it's important".

  "Alright, I'll take over then", Ace says.

  Taking a deep breath, he stares at Sam. "Now listen up you motherfucker", his voice beams, cracking all along, "this is not The Secret Life of the American Teenager, so keep it in your pants buddy, instead of letting a girl lead you on, maybe do some fucking training and get better, since we're already falling behind thanks to your dumbassery".

  "She was helping me train", Sam protests.

  "Yeah, well, that was not the kind of training that will get us through the year", Ace yells.

  "Oh my God, all of you are insanse", Sam grabs his head, "Us? Us? I thought we were all passing on outr own, so what does it matter to you if I train or don't".

  "Well unfortunately, we're stuck with the team tournament, so we need wins to advance through the rounds and get more points", Ace points out, "as soon as that part is over, you're free to do whatever the hell you want".

  "Whatever", Sam scoffs, "you don't get to tell me what to do, we're not even friends".

  "Well, you literally can't date a staff member", Joe points out calmly.

  "She's a staff member?", Ace yells out.

  "She works with Nolan on his field research", Sam rolls his eyes, "she's not on school staff".

  "Oh my God, she has a job", Ace wails, "do you not get how wrong this is?".

  "Why?", Sam crosses his arms.

  "Dude, she has a job, and in research, she's legally an adult and a smart one, meanwhile, you're 14 and certainly some kind of stupid".

  "My God, I made it into this school just like you all did, stop calling me stupid", Sam says firmly, "Teo only has like 20 points more than me, and you never call him stupid".

  "First thing, I have 42 points more than you", Teo points out, "second, don't drag me into this".

  "Teo", Ace turns to give him a dry look, "should put some pants on, I'm literally allergic to all of you walking around in your underwear".

  "I can take it off if that will make you happier", Teo winks at him. Pushing Ace's buttons is just way too entertaining.

  "You two, just go back to the bathroom and be gay", Ace sighs, "I'm dealing with this one now, I can't take you two as well".

  "I'm sure you could take all 3 of us if you tried", Ves smirks, and Teo has ti high five him.

  "Wow", Ace says defeatedly, "are the two of you really teaming up now? Whta the hell happened in that bathroom?".

  "Nothing, it's just fun when you yell at people, we like seeing you mad", Teo shrugs.

  "Right, we didn't mean anything by it, it's just a joke Ace", Ves says, in a surprisingly sincere tone.

  "Right dude, besides, what's the big deal with us being in our underwear sometimes? I mean, we're all guys here", Teo shrugs.

  "It's just about common decency", Ace sighs, "nevermind that, that's not the topic now, Sam's the problem here".

  "Right, I'm the problem", Sam says, "as always".

  "You are the biggest problem at this moment", Ace corrects.

  "God, I have had enough of this", Sam throws his hands up, "it's always me, everyone does what they want, and I'm always the worst somehow, no matter what I do".

  "It's cause you're way too fucking trusting", Ace sighs.

  "Right, a guy comes, chats you up, and you go and battle him on school grounds", Teo points out.

  "A girl kisses you and you don't even question why?", Joe adds.

  "Omay, first, we already fought Lesley and the guys long before I had that battle with Bo, so excuse me for thinking that is what we're doing", Sam hisses.

  "Yeah, dude, notice how we only ever fought them", Ace rolls his eyes, "because we know they won't rat us off, it's not like we go around and battle whoever".

  "Right, well, Vanessa kissed me cause she likes me, what else could there possibly be?", Sam rolls his eyes.

  "Um, grooming?", Ves points out.

  "She wants to use you for your body", Joe adds.

  "She's just leading you on for fun", Teo chimmes in.

  "She wants to get the two of you on tape so Nolan can expell all of us because he hates us", Ace concludes.

  "That's it, you know what?", Sam sighs, "maybe I'm too trusting, but all of you are way too mistrustful".

  "We are absolutely not", Ves crosses his hands.

  "Yes, you are, come on, we've been at this school for 2 weeks, and how many friends do you all have?", Sam says firmly, "other than Joe who goes around with Henry and Marc like they are some kind of a small cult, but that's literally it, none of you have any friends because you're a bunch of mistrustful assholes".

  "Just to point out, I do have friends, and I am very social", Joe says flatly, "I befriended Dominic just yesterday, kind of".

  "Yeah, and I befriended an 8 year old named Nora who really likes Roselia today", Ace says decisevly.

  "I befriended some guys back in Canalave, kind of", Ves scratches his head.

  "I befriended some narc gym trainers when I was back home", Teo points out.

  "Right, we are all social, see, you can't blame us for your own problems", Ace deduces.

  "Dude, the whole class literally hates us", Sam yells desperately, "there's a girl who thinks we are a TV show".

  "Oh, God, are you taking what Rodney had said to heart?", Teo laughs, "Rodney is an asshole".

  "Who the fuck is Rodney?", Ace says.

  "Oh, that guy who sits near the window in the 4th row", Joe points out, "he has a Chewtle, looks kind of weak, no need pay attention to him".

  "Wait, you actually know Rodney?", Teo raises his eyebrow.

  "Of course, I know the whole class", Joe says simply, "most of them are inconsequential though, so I see no reason to pay attention to them".

  "You know, when I hear you talk like that", Ves says, "Sam might have a point? How the fuck are you the only one of us who managed to make friends?".

  "I don't know, I guess I'm just likeable", Joe shrugs.

  "Stop Garry Stue-ing", Ace sighs.

  "I'll tell you how, because both Henry and Marc are the same type of an idiot as he is", Sam wails, "have you ever seen Henry talk to anyone? Like ever? Both of them are like robots with 0 emotions who only think about battling".

  "I beg to differ", Ace says giving Joe a serious look.

  "And Marc is just like Ves 2.0, he's just slightly less insufferable and much more blond".

  "Right", Teo nods, "and doesn't have a nearly good ass".

  "Hey", Ves daggers at him, "I thought you were on my side on this one".

  "Look, no need to attack Henry and Marc", Joe says coldly, "we get along, stop bringing them up".

  "And you wish you were on a team with them instead, right", Sam rolls his eyes.

  "Well I can't say I'd complain if that was the case", Joe admits.

  "Obvioisly", Sam says.

  "Look, we clicked, that's all", Joe says, "it's not like I was looking for friends or trying too hard, it just happened, that's all, it could've happened to any of us".

  "And what if I just click with Vanessa", Sam says in a challenge.

  "That would be illegal, I thought we were over this", Joe points out.

  "Not like that", Sam says, "God, y'all really just enjoy fucking me, huh".

  "Hey, we're not as lucky with chicks aa you are", Teo laughs.

  "You know, it's always like this, and it's not fair at all", Sam says, his voice evening out, but staying sharp.

  "Like what?", Ace wonders.

  "We all fight, but I'm always the only one left on the outside", Sam says, "however many times you go and say we're not talking anymore, the four of you always end up taking each other's side, making some kind of groups or whatever, it's like you're part of your own strange world, and I'm just an annoyance".

  "Wehat kind of groups are you talking about?", Ves says.

  "Oh come on, the two of you were doimg gay shit in the bathroom right now", Sam points out.

  "God, I was shaving, that's all", Teo says.

  "Whatever", Sam waves it off, "you and Ves are a team now, maybe you won't be tomorrow, but you are right now, and these two went on their little fieldtrip so they are tag teaming as well, I'm the only one here who's always excluded".

  "I've tried to include you", Joe says, "what exactly do you want? A babysitter?".

  "Oh, come on, you were just acting nice, and you know it", Sam says dryly.

  "At least I tried, alright", Joe seems to gain some red in his face, "but you know, I left you out of my sight for one day, and you almost got us expelled, I did not come to this school to be anyone's care taker".

  "Right, so I was just a problem to you, that's fine, I never asked you to be my babysitter", Sam says.

  "I didn't say that", Joe says, "I just have my own problems as well, that's all".

  "I believe", Sam rolls his eyes, "and you and Ace are buddies for today, huh, we'll see how long that one will last".

  "We came to a bilateral agreement", Joe says.

  "Right, just don't go signing any papers with this guy", Sam says to Ace.

  "You need to chill out dude", Ace sighs, "all we're saying is you shouldn't go falling for girls older than you, we're just trying to help".

  "I didn't ask for your help", Sam says, "so let me reiterate the deal I thought we had, just leave me the fuck alone".

  "Harsh", Teo says.

  "Fine", Ace rolls his eyes, "don't say we didn't warn you".

  "So", Ves says, after a few moments of silence, "is that all, are we done here".

  "Yes, the show's over, you can go your merry way", Ace waves them of begrudgingly.

  "Right", Sam throws himself onto the bed.

  "Good then", Teo slowly steps back into the bathroom, with Ves close by him.

  "What even was that?", the other boy asks expectantly.

  "I have no clue", Teo admits.

  "Sam's a bit... jumpy", Ves says, "I've never seen him like that".

  "Oh, just leave him be", Teo waves it off, grabbinh the shaving cream again.

  "But, I mean, he is kind of right", Ves scratches his head.

  "About what?", Teo says, rubbing the cream across his face.

  "I mean everything", Ves says, "I would know, you guys didn't exactly give too many chances to me either".

  "We're teammates, it's normal", Teo says carefully, "no one said we have to be best friends, or friends at all, Joe's right, we're not here to be his babysitters".

  "But those two were berating him about being with a girl", Ves takes the razor, "I mean, it's strange that she' s older, but that's his personal business".

  "She's Nolan's assistant", Teo points out, "we could all get in trouble because of it".

  "Why would we all get in trouble?", Ves questions, slowly sliding the razor acorss Teo's skin.

  "Because, apparently, we are supposed to stop each other from doimg stupid shit", Teo says, "according to school board, at least".

  "I have no idea", Ves says, "I just don't know, maybe they went a bit overboard with it, it is a personal matter".

  "You know, what worries me more is that those two seem to be in some sort of a deal", Teo says cautiosly, "I mean, they were off to Lilicove without telling us, now they are tag-teaming Sam, we're gonna have tough time if they keep this up".

  "Yeah, honestly, I'm surprised it took them this long", Ves chuckles, "the two of them look as if they would get along".

  "Oh, don't say it", Teo sighs, "they will be a pain in our asses".

  "Maybe not, who knows", Ves shrugs.

  The bathroom doors slide open once again, causing the two boys to stop talking immediately. Joe carefully walks in, closing the doors behind him.

  "Good God, has anyone in this room heard of knocking", Teo says. Ves keeps carefully sliding the razor across his face, and Teo realises he's almost done.

  "I need to talk to you", Joe looks at Teo, ignoring his previous remark. "Alone", the boy gives an empty glance to Ves.

  "G, what is that about", Ves rasises his eyebrow, getting the final strokes of the razor in.

  "There are a few things I want to say, that's all", Joe says, throwing his stuff onto one of the plastic clothes holders.

  "Alright, I'm done here anyways, so I'll dissapear", Ves rolls his eyes. He steps away, as Teo washes his face. "Just don't murder each other", the boy points out, as he takes a hold of the door handle.

  As soon as he's out of the bathroom, Joe steps in closer. "You taking a shower?", he asks flatly.

  "Yes, I planned on doing that", Teo informs him.

  "Good, let's do it together", Joe says calmly, quickly sliding off his shirt.

  "Dude, what?", Teo says in surprise, "I'm not into shit like that".

  "Drop it, I can't have anyone else listening in, that's all, so I want the water running", Joe shoots him down, "just take those off and get into the shower".

  "Dude, you can't just say that", Teo sighs, "I'm not gay, you know".

  "Neither am I", Joe rolls his eyes, "will you guys ever learn what asexuallity is?".

  "Well, you can't just waltz in here and order me to get into the shower with you", Teo protests.

  "What's the big deal, dodn't you threaten getting naked just a minute ago", Joe says, quickly sliding off the rest of his clothes. Teo's eyes dart away quickly, his face blushing.

  "That's different", Teo scoffs, "get a filter dude".

  "Just take those off and get in here", Joe rolls his eyes, stepping into the shower.

  Teo has no idea what Joe's trying to accomplish here, but it feels all too strange. With a sigh, he decides to play along. Not that Joe would do anything to him right here, he thinks. Sliding his underpants off, he steps after him, and Joe quickly slides the curtain to hide them.

  "You like what you see, you perv?", Teo says sarcastically, but it doesn't take him too long to figure out Joe's not looking at him. As the other boy gets the water running, Teo becomes aware of his own body, as if he can feel just how transluscent his skin is, how uneven and plain every part of him is. Isn't a gay guy supposed to want to look at him? Or asexual, whatever, Joe does like guys, as far as Teo figured out. In a sort of a protest, Teo refuses to look at his teammate. He can't help noticing the difference though, Joe's skin has some colour, and his body is toned, much more developed. There might be something about waking up at 5 AM for a run every day. A stinge of insecurity nests in his chest.

  "So, the Mental Herb, you still have it, right?", Joe says calmly, getting Teo out of his head.

  "I do, why?", Teo says cautiosly, "you gonna berate me into throwing it out or?".

  "No, we'll plant it", Joe says quietly, "just don't tell the others".

  "Oh", Teo says in surprise. So this is what the whole shower thing was about then. "You had a change of heart, huh".

  "Yeah", Joe admits, "don't get me wrong, we're just going to use it out of necessity, that's all, once everything is sorted through, we're getting rid of the plant".

  "We? We are going to use it?", Teo asks curiously.

  "I need it as well", Joe says flatly, "that's all I wanted to tell you, as I said, not a word to anyone else about it, alright?".

  "Alright", Teo decides to take a win.

  The two of them proceed to shower in silence. Teo doesn't like the way they need to stand so close, he does his best not to accidentally touch the other boy. Joe on the other hand, seems careless, as if this is nothing to him. Teo really hates the fact he's not acknowledging how strange this situation is at all.

  They get done with it quickly, and Teo shots out of the shower quickly, drying himslef and getting dressed in an instant. He doesn't look at Joe, but waits until the other boy gets dressed as well so the two of them go back to the room together.

  Of course what awaits them as soon as they step into the room is an array of gay jokes. Teo just stands through them, thinking that at least, Joe's on his side about the Mental Herb. Plus, there's something he's hiding from Ace, so it's not like the two are together on every issue. That's very good for Teo.

  *****

  The classes are as annoying as ever, if not more. After yesterday's tournament, everyone is talking about the results. It seems to be an official opinion now that Henry is the strongest in the class. Especially since the girls found he had beaten Joe as well. It crosses Teo's mind that most people in the classroom hadn't even seen all the battles they had, so they don't know how strong Joe actually is. Teo would assume he didn't just hand the victory over to Henry.

  Nevertheless, Teo finds the effects of that tournament annoying. Rodney's watching him with daggers in his eyes, not that that's the biggest problem. No, the biggest problem is that Natasha and Lesley keep dissapearing to the end of the room, as if the two are conspiring on something. They end up discovering that they did end up going for tea yesterday after classes, and apparently they clicked. Teo finds the idea terrifying. Not that they were dating, at least not openly, but it definitley seemed to him that the two of them have created a small club with just the two of them.

  To make matters worse, Ace couldn't help mentioning that Teo and Joe had ended up in the shower together last night, so everyone's looking at him strangely. Great. If he could, he'd murder Ace on the spot. Joe doesn't seem to mind it, chatting away with Marc and Henry as he always does, with Ace actually joining them thid time around. The blond boy was complaining more than usual. Apparently, he went on to do Joe's morning routine today, and it has brought him to the death's doors.

  Sighing, Teo realised Maria is looking over at him, with a weird grin, sliding her eyes over at Joe every time she realised Teo was looking back at her. She creeped him out, and he hated the fact he wouldn't be beating the gay aegations anytime soon.

  With nothing better to do, and not wanting to talk to anyone else in that classroom, he turned to Ves.

  "Hey", he says quietly.

  "Hey", Ves says in surprise.

  "Uh, what are you doing after classes?", Teo asks carefully. After the whole thing last night, it felt strange talking to Ves. Not that they were friends, but at least Ves ended up being a good teammate.

  "Going off to training center for a few hours", Ves says simply, "why?".

  "Any chance you'd let me join?", Teo asks immediately.

  He really had no idea what he's supposed to do. Ace and Joe had their own thing now, and Sam ignored them all ever since that fight last night, Teo really didn't want to be stuck in a room with the three of them. Besides, he did need to get some training in. Everyone was doing that, everyone had some sort of the schedule set up already, except for him.

  "Sure", Ves says simply, "though I don't know if I'll be able to help you much".

  "Don't need help, just... I don't feel like being in our dorm room", Teo admits.

  "Right I get it", Ves nods, "by the way, did something happen between you and Joe last night? I didn't really want to ask but...".

  "No, nothing", Teo says quickly.

  "Really? He didn't try anything?", Ves raises his eyebrow cautiously.

  "No, no, why would you even ask that?", Teo says, blushing.

  "I mean, I don't really know, that was strange how he just walked in last night, and you know, he likes guys and all, so I thought...", Vea tries.

  "No, we just talked", Teo reassures him quickly. "We had some things to settle back from when we went to Lilicove, and then from Canalave, that's all", Teo thinks lying is the best option here.

  "Alright, dude, just checking", Ves nods along, not looking all too certain.

  "It's alright, I mean, he didn't even look at me, which honestly was kind of offensive", Teo admits.

  "He's one all around confusing dude", Ves sighs.

  "That he is, both him and Ace", Teo sighs, "Sam as well, I don't know what that was last night".

  "And me?", Ves asks expectantly.

  "What about you?", Teo asks.

  "Am I confusing?", he reiterates.

  "Yes, you are", Teo says bluntly.

  "Wow, thanks", Ves says dryly.

  "Now don't get mad, I mean, I just can't figure out what's up with any of you", Teo raises his hands in the air, "I'm just being honest here".

  Truth be told, Teo really can't put his finger on any of his teammates. Not that he had tried too hard.

  "Besides, I have bigger issues on me right now", Teo sighs.

  "Tots, right?", Ves nods, deciding to let go of the team thing.

  "Yeah, both of my pokemon, I have no idea how to train them, and it's really about goddamn time I started", Teo looks over to see Rodney who's almost obsessively petting his Chewtle. Totodile beat them on his own, but there were definitely too many people the small croc couldn't handle like that.

  "I mean, Tots is, like, super young, but he has potential", Ves says simply, "so maybe, just let it do what he wants to do?".

  "I don't think that will win me too many battles", Teo admits.

  "No, no, I actually have a stupid idea here", Ves points out.

  "Sounds promising", Teo nods expectantly.

  "Back in Canalave, the gym leader told me I should let Doom battle how he wants to", Ves says, "so maybe you should let Tots use the moves he wants to use, the moves that feel good to him".

  "He only wants to use one move", Teo points out.

  "Right, he knows one move he wants to use, so just make him forget the rest", Ves says decisively.

  "That really is a stupid idea", Teo sighs.

  "Why not try it? I mean, Tots is already not using them, he's already battling as if he only knows 1 move", Ves shrugs, "if you just delete those other 3, you leave space for Tots to naturally develop new moves, through training and battles, and moves that he will want to use".

  Pokemon can develop new moves naturally, though it's a risky business, since you can never be sure what you'll end up with. The development level was a good indication, however with Totodile who was still young, the moves he could naturally develop weren't the strongest. It was an overall very chaotic method.

  "I don't know", Teo admits, "what if it doesn't work, and I end up with a pokemon who only knows 1 move?".

  "You get Joe to take you to Lilicove again, and you get some TMs", Ves shrugs. Noticing Teo's reluctant face, Ves adds: "I think it's a good bet, having 4 moves doesn't mean much when your pokemon only uses 1, even if Tots can develop just 1 more move that he wants to use, it will be worth it".

  Teo can't really afford to think about it. Doing his best to turn off his mind, he pulls his pokedex out of his pocket, quickly scanning Totodile's pokeball. Before he can overthink it, he selects Water Gun, Scratch and Leer, making his partner forget those moves.

  "I... didn't expect you to jump on the train this fast", Ves admits, sounding only slightly terrified

  "Me neither", Teo says flatly, "but I have to start moving faster, that's all". Now that it's been done, Teo's not sure if it was the best bet. "Thanks for the advice", Teo says to Ves.

  "No problem, hope it pays off", Ves shrugs, still slightly surprised.

  "Hey, what are the two of you conspiring about?", Ace appears above them in an instant.

  "Training", Ves says shortly.

  "Really? The two of you?", Ace tries chuckling, but Teo can see him twitch in pain. Joe's rainimg regimen definitely brought him to the verge of death.

  "Yeah, I made Tots forget all of his moves other than Aqua Jet so he can develop new ones that he wants to use", Teo informs him.

  "God, you are an idiot", Ace tries to chuckle again.

  "Why, you have a better idea?", Ves says in a slightly offended tone.

  "Hey, it's a good idea in theory, a very good idea actually", Ace says, "but why the fuck would you make Tots forget 3 moves? You could've forgotten 1 move, wait until Tots learned a new move, then you can make him forget another move".

  Frankly, Teo didn't think about that. One look at Ves makes him realise the other boy didn't realise that was an option either.

  "Look, I just like to keep things intersting, be a wild card, you know", Teo rasies his hands up, trying to play it off as an intentional risk.

  "Great, that's just great, first Sam made his Bolt forget Nuzzle, now you made Tots forget 3 of his moves", Ace sighs, "you three should consult Joe and I before making decisions like this, you know".

  "Yeah, right, sorry", Teo says dryly, "next time I want to do something, I'll write you a paper request".

  "That would be for the best", Ace nods half-serious.

  "Just go away, Ace, let's not start a fight", Ves rolls his eyes.

  "Whatever", Ace rolls his eyes, turning to leave.

  With the blond boy gone, Ves immediately turns to Teo, stating apologetically: "sorry, I didn't really think the idea through, honestly, it was just on top of my mind".

  "No worries", Teo waves him off, "I could've thought it through as well".

  "So you're not mad?", Ves asks expectantly.

  "No, uh, but I think I'll train on my own today", Teo says. In reassurance, he quickly adds: "it's not about this, I just want to take the training outside so Tots has more space to Aqua Jet and play around you know, I think that gives him better chances of developing a new move".

  "Right, understood", Ves nods.

  *****

  The training session with Totodile quickly deevolves into kicking the ball around.

  For the first half an hours, the small croc energetically Aqua Jets a tree, only to get bored of that little game, and decide to switch onto the next one. Right. It's all just a game to him, Teo realises.

  Picking up the handball Teo had gotten for him, Totodile starts kickimg it into the air, chasing it around as soon as it trajects further away. Little bit later, the croc gets bored of that do and opts to deflect the ball into the tree instead.

  Although he wanted to train today, there were a few things standing in Teo's way. First was the fact he was tired, as he always was on school days. 9 hours of classes drained up his energy pretty quickly. He could only sit himslef under the tree and watch as his partner played around.

  Second thing was, now that he took Ves's advice he had no idea how to proceed. Totodile would have to develop a new move on his own.

  Third thing, he enjoyed just watching Totodile play. It was a bitersweet sight, a small pokemon playing by himslef in sundown. The small croc seemed excited, happy. It reminded Teo of his own childhood, he'd bounce the ball against the wall of his building anytime he had nothing better to do.

  He'd lose himself in his thoughts, but it awlays felt isolating. He wondered what his childhood would've been like if he had Totodile back then. He tried imagining a world where anyone could keep pokemon as pets, but it seemed so far fetched.

  What brought him out of his thoughts was the ball slamming into his head. Rubbing at the spot, he looked at Totodile, who looked at him expectantly, jumping from foot to foot. He's gotten bored of playing with a tree as well, Teo concluded, and was searching for a new buddy.

  "Sorry, buddy", Teo sighs, "can't do, besides, it's late already".

  Tilting his head, Totodile gave him a pleading look.

  "Sorry", Teo says, standing up and takimg Totodile's pokeball, "we should go".