Warning: This chapter contains reference to drug abuse and other illegal actions. I do not condone these actions and they will not be mentioned beyond this chapter.

~Jessica's pov~

I sat on my bed, my arms crossed over my chest in a pout as my sister came back into the room. Somehow, I knew this evening would end in a fight between the two of us, and not just one of our normal sisterly fights either, I was furious with my sister and I needed answers.

"Don't give me that look." She snapped, narrowing her eyes at me as I stuck out my tongue. I was cross with her and I'd make sure she knew it.

"What were you talking to my friends about?" I snapped back, irritated in my older sisters behaviour towards my new friends. I found it hard enough to make friends who'd actually tolerate both me and my big sister without having her scare them off afterwards.

Nicholette turned away from me dismissively. "I don't want you hanging out with those people, they're trouble." She replied, studying the travelling supplies laid out on the small bench of the kitchenette. "I was making sure they knew where I stood on the matter."

"I don't get why you see them as a bad influence. They're perfectly nice people and unlike most tolerate both me and my overly controlling sister." I sighed, looking out the balcony window. "Why can't you just be happy for me like most sisters would!?"

Nicholette remained quiet for several minutes, listing the supplies we needed to buy before leaving town. "I don't care what you think Jessica, I say you can't hang out with them and that's that."

I shook my head firmly. "No! I finally made friends and you just want to ruin it! It's not easy for me Nicholette--" I began, close to tears at how frustrating my sister could be.

"Nichole!" She snapped with a heavy glare. The venom in her eyes was almost enough to make me cringe I was enough used to the look to ignore it.

"Your name is Nicholette, I can use it if I want to! If you don't like my new friends, fine, I'm going to travel on my own then!" The tone of my voice rose with each word and it was clear my sister was getting frustrated with me but kept her cool.

As she began repacking our supplies, she didn't even look at me - was she really that disgusted by me? "Jessica, you have no idea how to travel on your own and your Pokémon are no where near strong enough to defend you if needed. I refuse to let you travel by yourself." Her tone was obviously forced into being calm as frustration showed among her features.

"Then I'll travel with my friends." I responded indignitly.

My sister crossed her arms calmly, looking down at me - her temper as cool as ever as she raised an eyebrow at my temper. "And if they say no?" She replied as if it was certain.

"Then I'll just go home!" I shouted, my hands balling into fists.

"Calm down Jessica, you're not five years old. You will not go home. It's not a safe environment for someone your age, I will not allow mother and father to tempt you with their disgusting habits, that's why I paid for you to go the that fancy boarding school in the first place." She replied assertively, clearly trying to gain control of the situation.

"I hated that place Nicholette! Everyone was a complete snob, I was the only one there who grew up in a caravan in the worst part of their home town." I shouted, furious at my sister for thinking she even knew anything about my life at that accursed school. "I was picked on and teased every day there and I had not a single person to ever talk to about it! No one would be my friend, the teachers thought I was trouble, mother and father obviously wouldn't care and you didn't even bother to call for 6 years! I was ecstatic when you came home and invited me to travel with you because I thought I wouldn't be alone anymore, I thought I'd finally have a chance to make up for some lost time with my sister and make some real friends but if I'd known you would just scare them all off and yell at me for all the things I already know are wrong with me, I'd have never bothered leaving that stupid school! I would have stayed where I already knew I didn't belong instead of traveling with someone who only ever seems to see me as her burden!" Haphazardly, I through my pillow across the room, missing my sister by mere inches. "I know I wasn't supposed to be born okay, I was a mistake because father got overly drunk one night! I know I'm a mistake and I know that everyone hates me for it and I'm so sick of trying to be my best for all the people I know I will never ever be able to please!" After my outburst, I stormed from the room to the balcony, collapsing into one of the old deck chair situated outside in exhaustion.

I rested my face in my hands as I curled up in the balcony chair, my tears falling freely. Despising my life for everything it had put me through and more - it wasn't fair. I never had any choice but to bottle up every emotion I had because I had no one to talk about them with and I hated it! I'd been able to vent out so much this evening in such a calm manner with Jake, Milly and Paige and it had felt genuinely good to have someone to listen and help me with my problems but Nichole seemed to constantly remind me how much more anger there was inside of me.

Reaching for my Pokéball's, I pulled my oldest member from my belt, releasing Megora from within in a bright flash of white energy. My Meganium cheered happily, nudging my stomach in search of treats to nibble on. "Hey Megora." I sighed, patting her head gently. "How you doing girl?"

~Mag!~ She purred, smiling playfully as she wagged her thick green tail.

Sighing softly, I smiled at my Pokémon. She was the offspring of my fathers Meganium and mother's Tropius, he used the different pollens they could produce to make a multitude of different drugs, some legal and most illegal. As a Chikorata, Megora struggled to release her pollen and after father labeled her as defective, he shunned her off to me. I loved her more then anything and the only pair of ears I'd ever had to listen to me.... even if they weren't visible.

The mossy skin of my Meganium nuzzling my cheek. ~Gan-i-um ma?~ She looked concerned as she wiped a tear with her yellow antennae.

Throwing my arms around my grass Pokémon, l sobbed softly into her peach fuzzy skin, feeling the softness of her bright pink petals beneath my fingertips. "I don't know what to do Megora! I want to work with Nicholette but she's against everything I do!"

~Meganium...~ The Flower Pokémon purred, her flowers twitching sadly as I pulled away, stroking her long green neck.

I looked back into the room to see if Nichole was going to follow me out but instead I spotted her sitting on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands. For a moment, I felt guilty knowing that it mustn't be easy for my sister who was only three years older then myself to parent me. She took over the role my mother had neglected and I knew I owed her a lot for it, she just did the make it easy to be thankful. She pushed everyone away, including me.

Living a life where everyone who was supposed to love you instead shunned you wasn't easy. I was the black Mareep of the family. One everyone was too polite to tell me I was useless. Black Mareep were always seen as a bad thing, their wool couldn't be dyed the way regular or shiny Mareep wool could. As horrible as it sounds, they were the ones sold off to meat factories to be eaten by humans or abandoned in the wilds as lambs. My parents made it clear even from a young age that life would never be easy. Nichole despised me when were little because my care was often her responsibility since I was 3 years old which was a lot for someone who was only 6. As we got older, we got closer. My sister taught me how to forage for berries, teaching me which ones I could eat and which ones I could bring to father in order to earn better meals for the two of us as praise. When she left I'd lived close to a year alone at home, most of the time, I went without food. Foraging wasn't as easy without my sister and my parents pretty much gave up on me. Then out of the blue my parents get a note and a check from my sister saying I was to be sent to a fancy school halfway across the region and she would pay all my fees to do so and let my parents keep whatever money was left over and that became the next five years of my life. At a snobby school I couldn't even dream of fitting into.

Standing up suddenly with the need for fresh air, I flinched as Megora pulled back - startled slightly by the actions as I lent over the balcony to breath in the fresh forest air. Shaking the memories of the years of bullying from my mind, I surveyed the ground below. I noted a small group of Pokémon training in the dulled street-light, watching them for a moment before recognising the team. Paige's Pokémon, although their trainer seemed absent. It was obvious that the group were much more family then trainer and Pokémon, a trait I'd admired since meeting Paige in our first contest. If it hadn't been a contest battle, I had no doubt Samurai would have defeated me easily.

With a soft sigh, I turned back to my room, knowing I'd have to face my sister sooner or later. The door creaked loudly as I opened it, Megora at my side. My sister silently watched as I re-entered. She didn't say a word about my recent temper tantrum and instead stood up and went to the bathroom, her pyjamas in hand.

"Great, now even my sister hates me." I sighed, running my fingers through my beetle black hair before pulling my pack from my bed and finding my own pj's and toiletries. For a moment, I pulled out my phone, considering calling my friends but I'd feel bad doing so, I'd already dumped so my of my burdens on them without even meaning too, I couldn't do so even more. It wasn't right.

Putting away my phone, I rested my head in the pillow, curling my knees up to my chest. Megora nuzzled my back, cooing softly in worry but I ignored her. I wanted human friends, even though my Pokémon are great, they can't empathise and help me with my problems. I felt so alone and the feeling wasn't a new one either.

I heard the bathroom door open and close again as Nichole exited. Quickly, I sat up and dashed to the bathroom so I wouldn't have to speak to her before so.

"Jessica--" She started but I simply locked her out. I was tired of trying to get on with her, if she was going to push me out, why couldn't I do the same to her?

~~~🌺~~~

Sweat poured off my body as I kicked the ball between my feet. I had to make this goal or I would never hear the end of it. As I kicked it, I kept it close enough to make for a difficult steal but far enough so as to keep me from tripping on it.

Once clear of my class mates, I swung my foot back and gave it a sharp kick to the left, the Goally was unprepared as I was still a ways off from normal shooting distance. The ball went in cleanly resulting in the buzzer announcing the goal. Instinctively, I leapt into the air with a cheer before remembering where I was. My cheeks burned as the others in my Sports class looked down their noses at me, both against my team and on it.

Hunching my shoulders slightly, I returned to my place. Despite being more then decent at the sport, I was always the last chosen. The last for anything really. I played the rest of the game in defence, not wanting to make a show of myself like that again. I missed defending two goals in the rest of the lesson and despite me not being the goal keeper, I knew it was something my team mates would get me back for later. Even if we won.

The end of the lesson could not come fast enough. I snatched up my sport bag, waiting however for all the other girls to come out before entering the change rooms myself. I had to stay vigilant of anything nasty being thrown over the stalls as I changed and did so as quickly as I could before exiting, only just catching the teacher before he locked me in - no doubt the rest of class had said it was empty inside.

I hurried off to my dorm room, having the last period of the day finished, I was free to retreat to the safety of the room. As I hurried across the courtyard, I let Megora out from her Pokéball - my Bayleaf companion sticking close to my side in order to frighten off any students who may be lurking around the corners.

This was an average day for me, rushing between classes, avoiding other students in order to retain the slightest pieces of my dignity. Names calling was the least of my problems, I've been beat up at times I was ambushed, had my clothes torn practically to shreds and been locked in more lockers, broom closets and bathrooms then I could ever count. Being weaker then most the older students already gave me the disadvantage and Megora couldn't always defend me, as my only Pokémon, she was often outnumbered by those of the rest of the school.

~Bay!~ My Grass-Type starter called out, leaping in front of me - stopping me dead in my tracks as she did.

I could feel myself tearing up already as I shielded involuntarily - trying to find what my Pokémon could sense. Already, I was so close to my dorm building, just a little bit further and I'd be safe.

"Well well well, what do we have today?" Harrison, one of the older boys - a year ahead of me - stepped out from behind a wall. His dark brown hair was spiked slightly with fading jell, his darker brown eyes studied me, seemingly black in the shade of the setting sun.

With a defensive whimper, I stepped backwards, feeling my sneakers scuff on the concrete. "Please not today!" I begged desperately, hugging myself tightly in order to appear smaller.

Several other students, most of which from my Sports class, stepped out to watch the show or participate in it. "Why not today Druggie?" He hisses with laugher at the school given name for me. "Mother and father forget to send you your daily dosage?"

Shaking my head firmly, my cheeks heartened with humiliation. "Because-- because--" I failed to find a valid reason the group would accept. "Because I never did anything you cause me of!" I pleaded. "I gave you lunch again without a fight, I handed out all my answers to the homework to whoever wanted it and I don't want anything to do with this, please just leave me alone..."

Harrison sneered. "You're pathetic, wanting to go hide in your room and take whatever drugs your parents send in for you? You don't belong at this school, you only tarnish its name and the names of those who work hard to attend."

"I-- I only take Zoloft---" I stuttered, my hands shaking in fear as I again attempted to back up. "But--"

"See, she even admits it, Druggie takes all the illegal drugs her parents send her. We should tell the principle." Harrison sneered with disgust as the other students followed.

Again shielding myself, I shook my head softly. "N-no, it's a legal drug, an antidepressant that the school assigned me, I haven't even spoken to my parents in four years." I explained desperately, knowing that they would care little. "I have nothing to do with them, nor do I want anything to do with them."

"Yeah right, your kind doesn't change." One of my classmates, Laura chipped in, flicking her sandy blonde hair over her shoulder. "You're just a show off who thinks she's better then everyone just because she can kick a goal."

"I don't, I swear." I responded tearfully as they closed in, Megora snarled, backing up closer to me as she loosened her vines threateningly. Three boys, heavier built then most the group jumped, grabbing my Bayleaf around her neck.

She snarled, her vines whipping out in defence as the rest closed onto me, grabbing my arms without giving me a chance to run. "Please stop!" I begged. "I didn't do anything wrong."

"Don't do anything right either." Laura smirked, pulling out a permanent marker from her pocket as the group held me fast, not giving me room to even struggle. "Lets see, what will brighten up this ugly face of yours...? Oh I know!" Clicking off the lid, the Sandy haired trainer began scrawling over my face with the rough tip, causing me to cry further in response as my head was held still by at least a dozen hands.

"Voilá! I could be an artist could I not?" Laura's smile sickened as my stomach churned. The other student cheered, my head spun as I sobbed pitifully I wished to disappear.

Pain exploded in my stomach, almost causing me to vomit as Harrison landed the well aimed blow in my gut. I cried out in pain, struggling in the grips of the other students as I wheezed for air, hunching over as I spat out a mouthful of saliva and bile. It only hit the ground which was both good and bad, I would have loved to hit one of these bullies thousand dollar shoes but I knew I'd be lucky to keep all my limbs in tact if I did so.

Again, I was struck fiercely in the stomach, forcing my to hunch over and wheeze for breath - my vision fading in and out from pain. Megora shrieked - a bright glow filling my blurred vision before I was thrown to the ground, the impact to my head almost enough to knock me out cold. I sobbed for breath as a shadow fell over me, growling in fury as it's head whipped side to side. A minute passed, then another for which I was hardly able to move before a light nudge to shoulder helped bring me back to my dizzying senses.

~Mag?~ The taller green Pokémon inquired, again nudging my shoulder softly, golden eyes filled with concern. ~Meganium?~

Using Megora's neck for support I managed to bring myself to my knees, trembling in pain and fear. "You-- you evolved?" I smiled ever so softly as I hugged Megora tightly, tears falling from my eyes as I did. "I'm gonna need your help, okay Meggie?"

My newly evolved Pokémon nodded, bracing herself as I used her for a balancing point. My knees knocked together while my arms trembled from the effort it took to raise to my feet. Crying out in pain several times, I managed to make it up. Megora stuck closely to my side as I limped to my room, my head low if a meagre attempt to hide my face. I didn't even what to know what profanity they'd written this time, not to mention the drawing that wouldn't come off for weeks.

Fumbling pathetically with the key to my room, I pushed my way in, ignoring the snickers from the hall as I did. After the door was safely shut and locked, I collapsed to the ground with my arms still drooped around my Pokémon's neck. My Meganium cooed softly, nuzzling my back reassuringly as I cried deeply into her softly, peach fuzz like fur. It took just a little more stumbling before I managed to curl up beneath the dooms covers - still crying to myself silently as I knew if I made a sound, the other girls in the dorm would only punish me further.

Megora followed me onto the bed, curling up behind me in a defensive manner, resting her head upon my shoulder. I could feel her heavy thump of a heartbeat on my back and her breath tickled my face, smelling heavily of lavender and lemon. Peeking open my eyes, I could see her gaze focused on the drawn curtains above my bed, the tension in her muscles a clear sign she expected an attack. I knew the other student would not be so bold.

For the first time, I got a good look at my newly evolved Pokémon. She was larger then she'd been as Bayleaf - as was standard with most evolutions - and her pelt had returned from being a lemon yellow to the green she'd had as a Chickorita, however much darker in colour. The leaf on her head had been replaced with two pistil* style antennae that sprouted only a little above her nose. The buds around her neck had bloomed into a magnificent mane of pretty pink petals that seemed to have an almost velvet like texture but I wasn't sure there. Her golden eyes drifted from the widow, meeting my gaze with a look of motherly concern.

(* pistil are the centre part of a flower, typically yellow and colour and carry the pollen)

~Meganium?~ She hummed, nudging my cheek.

Rubbing her snout thoughtfully, I gave her a soft smile of appreciation. "I should probably clean my face, shouldn't I?"

My Pokémon nodded her head, keeping in my hand as she did. Megora stood up, the bed creaked under her weight before she stepped down onto the floor. I followed closely, keeping my head down despite no one but Megora being able to see. Over the years, I'd learnt long ago to keep a stock of rubbing alcohol in my room as the students became more and more daring with where they left marks on my skin, first beneath my shirt - on my stomach or back then my arms and legs before moving to my face. Even though I'd learnt how to remove the marker quickly, I knew skipping class tomorrow and possibly the day after would be necessary to hide my shame. Dampening a cloth with some of the rubbing alcohol, I gently swiped it over my face, wincing as it stung the irritated skin.

I was somewhat allergic to one of the chemicals used to make permanent markers permanent but the symptoms were rarely worse then slight rashes where contact happened and slight redness. Thankfully, it was something I'd managed to keep to myself, who knows what would happen should the rest of the school find out such a fact.

Megora took the cloth from my hands with a vine sprouting from beneath her petals - I must have spaced out - and began cleaning my face for me. I rarely looked at what had been graffitied onto my body anymore, it made no difference. I'd heard every name, seen every disgusting or disturbing image at least a dozen times each already - looking at it would only further serve me pain, pain I could rarely handle anymore.

Once satisfied, Megora sat aside the cloth, ever so softly nuzzling my stomach, asking for a peek in order to seem if my injury there needed treatment.

Shaking my head, I wrapped my arms around my Pokémon. "No, right now, I want to go to bed, okay?" I whispered, afraid if I spoke any louder, I'd burst into tears.

Megora nodded and helped me back to bed as I was still finding the pain in my stomach impacted my ability to move about. She watched as I climbed under my covers, resting my head against the pillow before following me up. It was a bit more squishy on the bed with her larger size but I found more comfort in her company then I did the extra room.

"You look beautiful by the way." I murmured softly. "Thank you, for evolving to save me."

After a moment, Megora purred, nuzzling my shoulder affectionately. ~Meganium, meganium ma.~

Hugging her head softly, I planted a kiss on her nose. "Love you."

~Ga ni umm.~ She hummed, licking my cheek.

Giggling softly at the tickle, I snuggled into her warmth, softly stroking her peach fuzz fur. I don't know what kind of mental state I'd be in if I didn't have Megora with me. Without her, I'd be completely alone - not just in school but completely in the world. My sister never even bothered to call, my parents had always neglected me and I haven't had a friend in years. Loneliness seems to simply be an inevitability for me, I'd accepted the fact a long time ago.

~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~
Word count: 4300

I couldn't help myself! I needed to do a chapter on these two! Last chapter a lot of people seemed interested (okay like three of you, but that was enough!) in Jessica when she explained some of her past and I wanted to go more in depth but since she still doesn't really know Paige and co. it seemed weird to just make her spill out everything to them so instead she did it to Nichole and a flashback.

So, what are your thoughts on Nichole now? I actually really want to know if people think more or less of her since she was first introduced back in FMV.
Also, thoughts on Jessica now? I'm not gonna lie, she is easily one of my most complex OC's who isn't a main character yet also one of the easiest to explain as her problems are ones that are easy to read each and find case studies on, which at the same time isn't a good thing. I got a question a while back as to why Jessica always thanks Paige and co. for tolerating her, the simple answer is she's always either felt like she's a burden or not good enough so apologising for simply being around others is just normal for her. I'm still not sure as to weather I'll make her join up with the main group or keep her with her sister. We'll see.

Oh, also, Nichole and Jessica's parents probably won't be in the story and most likely won't be mentioned beyond this chapter as I want this book entered in the Watties and their use of drugs may get the story banned.