Aricole

Aricole is the femslash ship between Ari and Nicole from the Class of '09 fandom.

Canon
Nicole and Ari didn't interact that much in the original game, however in the Re-Up, there are two endings focusing on a relationship between the two. Both routes start off with Ari stressing over an assignment she has yet to complete, while Nicole helps her come up with an excuse. Nicole brings up how she uses depression as an excuse, but tells Ari not to use it since it's the excuse she uses. All attempts are futile, and then Nicole leaves. If Nicole uses depression as an excuse for not doing the assignment that was due in her Civics class, she will be sent to the school counselor, meeting Ari there as well. It is then revealed that Ari used depression as an excuse for her assignment, in which Nicole gets upset by Ari stealing her excuse.

After the meeting with the counselor, Ari meets Nicole outside in the hallway. Ari vents to Nicole about how she feels like she wasn't lying about having depression, and that there might be something with her she wishes she could talk about, but can't as she doesn't want anyone finding out. Nicole assumes and asks Ari if she is gay, in which Ari, surprised, confirms is true. Ari asks if Nicole is okay with her sexuality, and Nicole tells her that nobody around them would care if she was gay or not, being confirmed by Nicole telling Crispin about Ari liking girls. Ari is relieved, and thanks Nicole for what she's done for her, though Nicole is still upset about Ari stealing her excuse.

Fanon
Due to Ari's situation of being in a toxic and abusive relationship, people are against the two being together. This is also sometimes due to fans relating to how Ari felt, being abused by someone; in this situation, Nicole. Another reason for people being against the two being together is in the other ending, where Ari forces Nicole into a relationship. However, other fans relate to Ari's codependency and unhingedness, and end up liking the pairing for its toxic side. As the fandom is currently growing, there aren't that many fanfictions of the pair.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION