A/N: Some things I will inform you of before we begin the story:

1) The plot of this story is fully inspired by the Korean drama 'You're Beautiful.' Credit does obviously not go to me but the lovely Hong Sisters.

2) It isn't going to be exactly the same or totally different. The happenings will be more or less the same, but the way the happen will be different. Basically, you don't have to watch the drama to enjoy this.

3) The song used is 'Boats and Birds' by Gregory and the Hawk, not mine!

4) Gary's personality will be as what is portrayed in the later seasons - much more mature and a little sweet. (We all know he was a lady-charmer since the beginning, anyway... ahemcheerleadersahem.) Similarly, Dawn will be portrayed as innocent (as in, she's easily intimidated and doesn't know about the ahemshady things, but it won't interfere with her other character traits that much.)

5) Hats off to the lovely Kissy Fishy - my beta for this story! She did a fantastic job and I can't thank her enough!

Let's begin, then! I hope you enjoy the first chapter.

Operation Crossdress
.x.
Chapter One: Three Angels

Bzzt-bzzt.

Dawn's eye twitched at the sound, but she remained perfectly still.

Bzzt-bzzt.

Unwillingly, she opened one eye and scanned the room for the annoyance.

Bzzt-bzzt.

Her probing eye finally stopped at the source, which was a small pink cell phone, currently being used by a short brunette girl in the seat across from her.

Dawn opened her other eye and her face turned into a frown. Using a cell phone at church during prayers was blasphemous. She would not let this get by, not on her watch. (This would not get by, not on her watch)

Determinedly, Dawn inched forward carefully and quietly. Once she was close enough, she discreetly tapped the brunette's shoulder.

The girl ignored her.

Bzzt-bzzt.

"Please turn that off," Dawn finally whispered in her ear.

The girl turned around and gave Dawn a look before smirking and returning to her cell phone. "Make me," she said.

Dawn felt her temper flare. "You are being disrespectful," she chastised, trying to keep her voice steady.

Again, the girl ignored her and tapped away at the screen, as if daring her to try something.

"You asked for it," Dawn muttered crossly, a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

Trying to be inconspicuous – Dawn snatched the mobile device from the girl's hands. However, before she could take pride in the fact she did it without attracting attention , it slipped from her hands to the floor, making a loud clattering noise.

And suddenly, all eyes were on her.

"Sorry! Please continue, I just… dropped something…" Dawn managed a sheepish smile before ducking underneath in humiliation to retrieve the phone.

Unfortunately for her, it wouldn't be that easy. Right as her hand reached for it, the older man next to her kicked it further away unknowingly. As if that wasn't bad enough, it begin to ring –

My milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard, damn right, they're better than yours –

Dawn winced and brought a hand to her forehead, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her in. It was all over.

Glancing across, she was met with a stern look from her teacher, and immediately understanding, Dawn clumsily fumbled her way out of the crowd, pretending not to hear all the insults and disapproving glares being thrown at her by the elders.

That's it, I'm becoming Atheist, Dawn fumed as she stalked out of the doors, slamming them shut.

&.

Ash was dead.

This thought repeated itself in the boy's head, each time with more horror.

His phone rang again, and keeping one hand on the steering wheel, he pulled the device out of his pocket only to find that the caller was – predictably, his co-worker, Misty Waterflower. The contact photo of her was nice enough, because she was smiling – but it was all an illusion, Ash knew.

Misty was terrifying when she was mad, and knowing that fact, Ash gulped and stowed the phone away once again. Misty was not happy the first time she called, why would she be the fifteenth time!?

Ash pressed his foot down harder on the gas and sped up, trying to relieve his frustration via the car.

I need to calm down, he thought in exasperation, massaging a temple as he looked out of the window. The view was nice; it was a homely town with small parlors, restaurants, and vendors filling the streets. It reminded him of his own childhood, which was completely different to his life now.

He lived in the bustling city of Eterna, with his exhausting job as manager for the hottest, most famous boy band, Archangels.

This brings us to the reason for his current state of disarray – he had kind of lost one of the band members.

But it wasn't as bad it seemed! …Except, it was. The boy was supposed to be introduced publicly as the new member of Archangels in less than a week, but instead he was currently halfway across the world getting failed plastic surgery fixed.

Man, even the real reason doesn't sound believable…

He sighed and made a sharp turn to avoid an oncoming truck, ignoring the angry complaints of the fellow pedestrians surrounding him.

Screw pedestrians, this is the company car! So much as a scratch – and Misty will kill me before President Hayden does.

He never understood why his redheaded co-worker was always so fussy over him – but now wasn't the time to wonder, he realized. He had to find a solution to this problem, and he had to fast.

Even with the Misty issue aside, the situation was still bad. The Archangels' band leader was rather notorious for being cold, calculated and just plain difficult. It didn't cause the fangirls to love him any less – but Ash sure did find it hard to work with the guy.

If the news that the band member would be arriving a month late ever reached that guy's ears – Ash was sure the new band member's chance would be gone for good.

I hate my life…

He stopped the car when he reached a church in the clearing, hoping for some fresh air and inspiration to strike him to help him out of this crisis. He could almost hear Misty roaring in his head – "Stop wasting time and dosomething, idiot!

Wincing at his own restless imagination, Ash exited the car and went to go sit on the outside bench; looking up to the sky and hoping more than anything just to find some answers.

"I just don't think I'm cut out for this…"

Ash's ears perked up as he caught on to a conversation between a young girl and nun outside of the church.

I shouldn't be eavesdropping but… Ash was desperate enough, wanting to focus on something else to calm himself.

"It is okay, dear." The superior only smiled warmly and patted the girl's shoulders, but it didn't seem to comfort the teen.

"It isn't… Mother… I am not good enough for this, and I just… I don't think I belong here." The other girl burst out, then suddenly retreating with widening eyes as if she couldn't believe she had said it.

"You don't have to call me Mother, Dawn."

"But… you raised me." Dawn glanced up to Mother Superior with now tear-filled eyes.

"You will find what you are looking for, I promise." With a smile that suggested she knew all – what has happened, what was happening, what was going to happen – she walked back inside after a tender squeeze to the other girl's shoulder.

Dawn stomped her foot in frustration. "I don't even deserve her kindness… she's done so much for me and I… I…" she trailed off.

Ash kept a close eye on her as she produced a key from her pocket and unlocked her motorbike seat, opening it up to reveal a compartment. She rummaged through, found a hoodie, threw it on and turned to her bench – only to find some strange raven-haired boy sitting on it.

Oh well… Dawn pulled the hoodie up and sat next to the boy at the edge of the bench, cautiously taking up as little room as possible.

"Bad day, huh?" Ash asked, searching for an icebreaker. He offered her a lighthearted grin, but the other girl didn't look.

"You could say that…" Dawn just ducked her head down, eyes downcast. She was obviously upset, and Ash, being softhearted, wished to cheer up the girl at least a bit.

"It happens to the best of us, Miss…?" Ash paused, searching for a name.

"Berlitz," the girl responded. Then she brought a hand to her mouth in regret. Yeah, go ahead, just blurt out all your personal life details to strangers you just met…!

"Ah, I see." Ash smiled out of politeness, but then something else seemed to hit him as the smile froze in place. Wait… Berlitz? It can't be!

Ash, startled and not thinking of his actions, grabbed the girl's shoulders and whirled them around. Taking her shock as an advantage, he pulled off the hood to reveal her face, and was met with something that stunned him beyond belief.

That's him! That's… they have the same exact face! Are they twins?

Dawn's senses seemed to finally kick in as she threw the other boy's arms off. "Hey! Watch it, mister!" Dawn delivered a kick to his shin and stood up.

"No, wait! I-I'm sorry, it's just that I think I know your twin!" Ash exclaimed, scrambling to stand up and clutch his paining leg simultaneously.

Dawn's furious expression froze into place and slowly dissipated. "You know where Sylvia is?"

Wait… what? Ash, now confused, responded with, "Who is that? I'm talking about Dan!"

Dawn gave him a clueless look, so Ash sighed and rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a photo. "This is Dan Berlitz."

He looks like me… but I don't know him! "I have no idea who that is!" Dawn insisted, voice now panicky.

"But that doesn't make any sense." Ash looked from the photo to her. "You two even have the same last name!"

It took Dawn a couple of moments to process this new information – but it was so unbelievable it only made her angry. "Just leave me alone. Stop – stop confusing me with your lies!"

Dawn begin making her way to her bike, wiping away angry tears. That boy had almost made her think Sylvia was still alive – only to crush that hope within his fingers by showing her some other boy!

Ash ran after her, photograph in hand and anger written across his own face. "Well, running away from this isn't going to make it a lie!"

Dawn winced but ignored him, determinedly swinging a leg over her motorbike and jamming her keys in. She would not listen to this, and she would not –

"He was doing this for his mother!"

Dawn went completely still.

Ash took this time to walk in front of her, blocking her path. "He just wanted to find his mother again! You are his only hope, you can't walk away now!"

The words were painful and a dull ache begin coming from her heart – a pain she thought she had gotten rid of a long time ago. Was it really possible? Were she and Dan searching for the same thing?

Dawn got off the bike and faced him with an emotionless face, then softly asked, "What was her name?"

Ash, surprised, only mumbled, "I'm not sure, but I have it written down somewhere… I'll tell you if you just let me borrow you for the day, alright?"

Dawn sighed, finally admitting defeat. "What exactly do you need me for?"

Ash just grinned.

&.

"Ash, I'm actually kind of impressed."

"Really, Mist!?"

"No, you dunce! This is a girl!"

Misty brought her mallet out and began bashing her co-worker on the head in fury.

Dawn stood meekly by, not sure what to do. "Um, but… I agreed to dress as a boy for today…"

Misty stopped the bashing and looked to her. "But you're so… girly."

Ash pouted, "But, Mist! You're the best stylist ever! I'm sure you could make her look like Dan, their faces are already practically the same!"

"You have a point…" Misty stopped the bashing, mollified by Ash's comment. Pushing the boy aside, she took to surveying Dawn. "You have a slim figure… your legs aren't too girlish…" Misty continued examining her like a model, walking in circles around the girl.

Ash had driven the blue-haired girl to the Pewter Agency Offices and called out to Misty to help prepare for Dawn's final transformation, and Dawn couldn't help but whimper inwardly at what she had gotten herself into.

"I think you're making her a little uncomfortable," Ash snickered as he took notice of Dawn's pink face from being looked at so closely.

"Ash, you existing makes me uncomfortable."

"Well, geez."

Dawn held back a giggle at the duo's married couple-like antics, if only out of fear of what Misty would do. "Do I fit the bill?" she asked jokingly.

In all seriousness, Misty replied, "Yep! You have small boobs too, which seals the deal!"

"Excuse me!?" Dawn shrieked, arms flying up to cover her torso.

Ash sheepishly smirked and pulled Misty aside to shield her from Dawn's oncoming wrath. "Sorry, she's a little blunt, you'll have to excuse her…"

Dawn, still offended, just crossed her arms and gave him a look. "I hope you'll keep your girlfriend under better control in the future."

This comment, as predicted, threw the redheaded fire queen off, as she yelled, "I am not his girlfriend! Heaven knows why everyone keeps assuming that…"

Indeed, as do I, Dawn thought with a small smile.

Misty shrugged it off and grabbed Dawn's arm, walking her away from the car and into a dressing room beside the famous Pewter Agency Offices.

"Put these clothes on, and wipe off any make-up you have," Misty ordered, pushing the blue-haired girl into a stall.

Ash waited from outside, glancing at his watch, slightly nervous. Was it such a good idea to hand off innocent, naïve Dawn to Misty from the get-go? He had hoped their personalities would clash well… two girls fighting was the last thing he needed at this moment.

Back inside, Misty impatiently waited outside of the door for the other girl. "Ready, yet?"

"Yeah, almost… sorry, I'm just so not used to wearing anything Mother hasn't gotten me…"

Misty was about to scoff, but then she remembered what Ash had told her. She grew up without parents at a church… she was practically raised in innocence. Her look softened and she resolved to treat the girl with a little more kindness.

Finally, Dawn walked out, fully decked out in typical boy-band wear. Dark, frayed and faded jeans, a wife beater with a brown leather jacket on top, topped off by the newsboy-esque cap on her head.

"Now for the most important step." Misty led her to the front mirror in the room; in the process tightening her binder to make sure her front looked completely flat.

Dawn's reflection was almost completely foreign to her – she had never worn these types of clothes before, and having them on her now made her look like a completely different person. Her eyes were wide and blue andher skin was soft and pale – two of her most feminine features, something that would be a challenge to hide.

"This will complete the final transformation. Are you ready?" Misty asked, making eye contact with Dawn in the mirror.

Dawn gave her a questioning look. In response, Misty reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of scissors. "The only thing that's standing out his your hair."

"Oh… alright." Dawn shrugged and pulled the cap off, allowing her long, blue locks to fall free to her shoulders.

Misty's eyes widened at the sight. "Your hair is so beautiful, I feel bad cutting it…"

Dawn smiled, although you could see the bit of sorrow hiding behind it. "Hair grows back, Misty."

The redhead chuckled and brought the scissors to her hair, and soon enough, there was a ring circling Dawn's feet of discarded blue locks. It felt a bit sad to look at, but Dawn only shrugged and forced herself to be positive. I've always wanted to see how short hair would look, anyway.

Dawn glanced up, and nearly jumped back at the sight. Oh my god…!

"You look like a boy," Misty said, snickering at Dawn's flabbergasted reaction.

But Dawn had realized Misty, true to her word, had done fantastic with her job. She had somehow made Dawn's girlish eyes and skin mold into her new haircut – making her look more like a charming, cute boy than an awkwardly girlish guy.

"Come on, you guys are taking forever!" Ash called from outside, again glancing at his watch. They had a meeting right now with the president to sign the contract papers, and he didn't want to mess up after he had gotten this far.

The girls both giggled and Misty brought Dawn out of the rooms, presenting her to Ash with a flourish. "Voila! How did I do?"

Ash was nearly speechless. "I knew you were good, Misty… but I didn't know you were damn good!" He laughed and brought the redhead in for a hug and patted her on the back.

Misty flushed at the contact but returned the gesture with a satisfied smirk, ignoring Dawn's not-so-innocent chuckling in the background. I feel like I'm interrupting, Dawn mouthed.

Pushing it, Misty growled back angrily in response.

Dawn just sighed, taking another glance at the huge, several-storey building of the famous Pewter Agency Offices. It was a dream and a nightmare all at once.

Well, here goes everything…

&.

Ash and Dawn stood in front of the president's office, both rather nervous because of the entire situation.

"Just… just say as little as possible, and all will be fine." Ash swallowed, trying to present a calm façade to Dawn, who currently seemed as if she was about to wet herself.

"Thanks for the advice," Dawn said, shakily reaching out to knock the door.

"Ah, yes, we've been waiting for you, Dan Berlitz! Ash, bring him in!"

Ash took a deep breath and pulled the door open, revealing an older man with spiky black hair and a prim and proper suit at the head desk.

Dawn walked in cautiously, taking in the rich, extravagant surroundings. Ash discreetly nudged her, indicating her to direct her focus towards the president. "Go on! Say hi!"

She swallowed and walked forward, stopping in front of the man and respectfully bowing. "Thank you for choosing me, sir, I will be sure to do my best."

The man just smiled and gave a hearty laugh. "No need to be so formal! I am President Pewter, owner of the Pewter Agency – but I guess you knew that – but you can call me Brock."

He held out a hand, and with a little more reassurance, Dawn took it and felt him shake it twice firmly. "Bit of a soft hand you got there, huh?" Brock teased.

Dawn froze in fear out of the implication, but luckily Ash came to her rescue.

"And, Dan! Meet the co-president, Drew Hayden!" Ash gestured to the chartreuse-haired boy beside Brock, who gave her a playful smirk and shook her hand.

"It's a pleasure," he said suavely.

Dawn had to fight off an embarrassed blush – she was a guy, she couldn't have people thinking she was, well, gay – and just smiled politely in return.

"And I'm his assistant!" chimed in another voice. A brunette girl clad in a striking red bandana stepped forward and offered her a friendly grin. "Miss Maple, but please call me May!"

"Nice to meet you, May." Dawn, relieved to be in the presence of a fellow female, took her hand and shook it gladly.

May looked taken aback, but smiled. "Quite charming, aren't you?"

Whoops… I guess I was being too friendly for a guy. Dawn smiled sheepishly and let go, and noticed with curiosity that Drew was discreetly aiming an unfriendly glare her way.

Brock explained some basic rules and regulations and gave an overall summarization of the contract, and then presented it to her with a wide grin on his face. "Well! All you have to do is sign it."

Dawn suddenly became nervous again with all of the eyes on her. What if they found out? Oh god, if they did, she was so dead – who knows how infamous she would become? She could see the headlines – girl poses as rock star and signs contract, life sentence!

She swallowed and willed her hand to stop shaking, and reached for the pen.

To the side, May whispered, "He's pretty hot, isn't he?"

Drew rolled his eyes, trying to hide his annoyance and desperately failing. "If by hot you mean girly, sure."

"You're just jealous." May stuck her tongue out.

Finally, she brought her shaking hand and carefully wrote out the signature, Dan Berlitz.

My first illegal act, she thought with a lump in her throat.

Ash heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, it was all over – but he had thought too soon.

The door the office slammed open, and he walked in.

Dawn, scared out of her wits by the noise, slowly looked up to the figure which was coming closer and closer – and nearly felt herself melt.

There, she saw an angel.

Eyes narrow and black – but deep, with hidden stories, Dawn could tell—skin tanned to a shade of perfect golden, perfectly groomed locks of plum. Everything was perfect, even the sneer etched into his face – because he was absolutely beautiful.

"…do you?"

"Huh?"

Dawn stared at the boy before her with a blank look. Only then had it occurred to her that he must've been talking to her, while she had, er, been a little too immersed in her own fantasy.

"Okay?" she tried, hoping it would satisfy the glare on his face.

He shook his head, glare deepening. "I asked you if you thought you were good enough for our band."

Dawn shook her head a few times and gathered herself. "Um, yes, I… President Pewter chose me based on my audition tape, so I –"

"I don't care about your stupid audition tape," the boy growled, and immediately he took hold of her arm and dragged her off.

"Stupid Paul…" Ash groaned, giving a helpless look to the now utterly terrified Dawn, being whisked away by the ice king known as Paul.

"Go catch them, Manager Ketchum," Drew drawled sarcastically, then laughing at his own pun. May kicked him in the shin.

"Thank you," said Ash as he and Brock stormed after the duo.

Elsewhere, Paul had brought Dawn to the recording room, roughly shoved her inside, where the two other band members resided.

She barely had time to take in the surroundings of the foreign room where there were instruments lining the walls and microphones and buttons and lights and things she couldn't even name. It excited her, but she didn't have time to dwell on that much longer.

"Prove yourself." Paul stood in front of her menacingly, arms crossed with his ever-persistent glare fixed on her.

From outside, Brock called in, "Paul, there's no need for this! I already heard him, he's a good singer! He can hit the higher notes – which is exactly what you need, considering your condition!"

Paul's grimace darkened at that, but he ignored all protests from outside and kept his gaze steady on her. "I don't care how good you are. You better be good enough for me, or you can kiss the contract goodbye."

Dawn simply stood there, frozen with fear. How could this angel be so menacing?

She then felt a hand on her shoulder, and she flinched as she turned to another male, who was smiling endearingly at her. "Don't worry about him. If you're as good as they say, you'll do fine, Dan."

Dawn just kept staring. Another angel… the boy had kind brown eyes, a head full of spiky, messy brown hair and a smile that was positively to die for.

"Come on, Dan!"

Dawn turned to the other boy, melting again at the sight of such an angelic face. Beautiful blonde hair styled into gentle curls, peculiarly bright orange eyes, and the cutest lopsided grin she had ever seen. "I…um…"

The blonde just smiled. "Come on, your old mates are cheering you on here! Okay, Paul's a butt, but there's me and Gary!"

Gary turned to the blonde and just rolled his eyes. "Shut up for a moment and let the guy sing, Barry."

Barry rose up his hands in defense. "Alright, mate."

Finally, they all went silent for the anticipated moment. Paul's hardened, malicious gaze, Gary's soft, kind one, and Barry's lighthearted, friendly one.

She couldn't bring herself to open her mouth.

"I knew it," Paul snapped, eyebrows furrowing together in a frown. "We don't need you." He took the contract out, his fingers poised on destroying it – and suddenly, Sylvia flashed before Dawn's eyes.

Sylvia, her sister. She had never known her – but had heard countless stories, seen several visions. She had left to find Mother – could she really be Dan?

And then, the words flew out of her mouth. "If you be my star, I'll be your sky."

Paul froze in place.

She continued, "You can hide underneath me and come out at night…"

Paul slowly lowered the paper, glare still in place but eyes directed elsewhere as he focused on her voice, which reminded him of brown sugar and honey and happier times.

"When I turn jet black, and you show off your light, I live to let you shine…" Dawn felt herself sinking into the melody, a feeling of pleasure and contentedness flowing over her.

Barry had a completely awestricken look upon his face as he gazed at the girl with wide eyes. Her positively angelic voice was giving him goosebumps. She was the perfect fourth member, she was exactly what they needed, a soft, high undertone to highlight their own deep voices.

Gary simply smiled, staring at her with newfound interest. I have a feeling this guy is going to make things interesting.

She finished the rest of the verse off softly and very slowly, "I live… to let… you shine."

"Cripes, Dan! That was fantastic!" Barry cheered, bounding up to pat the nervous singer on the back. Dawn was shaken from her momentary glory and she reverted back into nervousness because of the proximity to Barry.

"Good job, Dan," Gary added with a trademark smirk that Dawn had to fight a blush over.

These guys are going to be the death of me…

Paul, seemingly speechless, thrust the contract back into her hands and stormed out of the room.

"That's about as close as to an approval as you'll get," Gary laughed at Dawn's intimidated face.

Dawn laughed unsurely, but she couldn't fight off an apprehensive feeling at Paul's retreating figure.

&.

"Okay, I did it, are you happy?" Dawn, relieved that everything was over, had changed back into her old long dress and beanie.

"Wait… you're leaving?" Ash stood there, dumbfounded in front of the agency offices.

"You can't possibly expect me to keep this up," Dawn laughed nervously, a hand tentatively scratching her neck.

Ash gave her a pointed look. "You have to! What will Dan do?"

Dawn felt her anger flare at the name Dan. "I don't know who Dan is, alright!? I don't care. I have more important things to do."

Ash seemed puzzled, but then suddenly understood the reason for Dawn's anger. "Dawn… don't you think that… Sylvia might be Dan?"

Dawn whirled around, face disbelieving. "That's impossible! Sylvia is a girl!"

Ash only shrugged, pointing out the picture again. "This boy looks exactly like you and shares your last name. Sylvia is missing. I think you need to face the facts, Dawn."

Dawn, torn between logic and emotion, let out a cry of frustration. "But… it doesn't make any sense…"

"It will if you stay. We'll find out."

Dawn blinked away her confused tears and met the gaze of a determined Ash.

"I promise you will find out the truth as long as you cooperate for the sake of Dan," Ash said.

Dawn bit her lip, still feeling doubtful. "I… don't know Dan…"

She looked up to see a pleading look on Ash's face, and that's when a memory far, far in the back of her mind triggered and pulled her back into the past - a memory that would ultimately ensure that she accepted Ash's request.

&.

"Welcome to our humble abode!"

Dawn stepped into the Archangel's mansion and immediately tried to repress a surprised squeal of delight. Never had she thought that she could ever get this close to luxury in her entire life. The walls were all different colors and the furniture classy, the variations so numerous that Dawn couldn't find words to describe it besides luxurious.

"You look quite impressed," Barry noted with a chuckle.

"Oh, uh, I'm just not used to this is all," Dawn told him with a sheepish smile.

Barry bought it, nodding understandingly. "Alright, then, I'll leave you to it!"

True to his word, the bright blond bounded off, leaving the blue-haired girl off to explore by herself. With stars in her eyes and a smile on her lips, she tentatively peeked into the several rooms. Kitchens, living rooms, televisions, the countless music rooms… all furnished in different colors and textures and themes.

In the midst of her exploration, she opened the door to a very different looking room. Stepping inside, she noted that the color scheme was black and white, with a hint of blue – a stark contrast to all of the other rooms she had seen this far, which were very colorful. Walking further inside, she found that pictures of Paul adorned all of the walls, and stopped to stare.

He really was amazingly handsome, but Dawn could only shudder now at the face. The memory of his terrifying glare would be burned into her mind forever.

"Hm? What's this…?" Dawn picked up a photo frame on the bedside table, noting that a second picture in the back about to fall out. She went to pull it out, and –

"What the hell are you doing in my room."

Dawn bit her lip to suppress a scream and leaped back from the frame, and in the process allowing it to clatter to the floor. "Oh! I'm sorry, let me just–"

Paul sighed angrily and bent to pick up the frame first. "Look – Dan, or whatever your name is, there are three rules that you absolutely must follow in this house. Got it?"

Dawn nodded meekly.

Paul continued, face stoic and arms crossed, "Do not touch me. Don't touch my things. Don't come in my room."

Dawn hung her head at the sudden display of hostility and murmured, "Sorry…"

The other boy only ignored her, only signaling that it would be best Dawn got out quick before he decided to change his mind and do something worse. Dawn, catching onto the meaning, left quickly before shutting the door behind her.

What a great start we're off to here…

&.

"To Dan Berlitz!"

Glasses filled with several different types of alcohol all came together with a series of clinks, and giggles erupted from the group as they all downed their respective drinks.

The atmosphere was positively cackling with sexual charge – a party complete with lights, dancing, music, drinks, and more famous celebrities than you could possibly name. A party that Brock had decided to throw in honor of Dawn's joining (or a cleverly used excuse) which everyone seemed to be enjoying – except Paul, but he didn't enjoy much.

"Say, what exactly is this?"

Dawn turned to Ash and Misty, who sat on either side of her to protect her just in case anything out of line happened. She held up a glass with amber liquid in their faces, and Misty merely frowned and took it away from her.

"Something strong, and something you should not be drinking." She took a sip of it before shuddering and setting it back down. If I can't handle it, how will she?

Ash pushed the glass back to Dawn. "Oh, relax, Mist! This is her first time doing stuff like this, let her have some fun!"

"Oh, I will," Misty said darkly, watching Dawn sip the concoction curiously, knowing that the other girl would full well come to regret her decision in a matter of minutes. Sure enough, the faux-boy band member downed drink after drink, finally reaching the point where she was completely and utterly wasted.

Paul watched this from across the table, sneering, muttering something that sounded like, "Troublesome."

Ash and Misty at this point were off, engaged in the party themselves, which left Dawn free to do whatever she wanted. She shakily stood up from one of the chairs, only to nearly fall over from the wave of nausea that hit her.

"It's… so… hot…" Dawn slurred, stumbling her way over to the stairs, angering some innocent bystanders as she bumped into them. Eventually, she ran into Gary, who caught her with an amused grin.

"This is your first time drinking, isn't it?"

Dawn tilted her head. But don't you need to drink water to live? "It's so hot…" she found herself saying instead.

Gary nodded, as if agreeing. "Yeah, your forehead is all sweaty. Why don't you unbutton your shirt and take it off?" he suggested. He pulled at the collar of Dawn's shirt, which effectively jolted her out of her drunken state a little bit.

"N-No! I mean, I'm fine… I just need some fresh air!" Dawn swatted his arm away, and then quickly shoved past him, making her way to the stairs and climbing them up one by one with obvious difficulty.

"Weird…" Gary just shrugged and headed back inside.

Up on the roof, Dawn finally managed to reach it and she gladly stumbled to the center, breathing in the fresh air with relief.

"What are you doing here?"

Dawn turned her squinted eyes to what looked like an angry Paul, who crossed his arms and stood defiantly in front of her. Just like that other day…

She felt a lurch in her stomach and realized how nauseous she felt. Immediately, she begin gagging, "I – I'm gonna throw up!"

This jolted Paul out of his glaring contest, and he looked truly off guard as he began to back away from Dawn as if she was toxic. "Um, I – use this?" He held out a plastic cup someone had left behind.

Dawn only shook her head and pushed it away. "It-it's full!"

Paul seemed at a loss for words as slightly panicky; he scanned the area for anything else that could help – eyes finally stopping as he came across an old cardboard pizza box.

This is about to get disgusting… Paul handed it to her, and she gladly obliged, vomiting what seemed like a week's worth of food and drink. Trying to restrain his gag reflex, he carefully set the box down and backed away from it, pitying the poor soul who would stumble upon it in cleaning.

"Ah… much better…" Dawn smiled giddily and stumbled to the edge of the roof, looking down, as if looking for something.

Paul stared at her in disbelief. "What an idiot…"

Not much else could be said before footsteps were heard, and Gary and Barry joined the two on the roof. "There you guys are!"

Paul merely rolled his eyes. "Where else would I be? You know I don't like parties."

"Dan doesn't seem to either," Gary commented, grinning playfully at the oblivious Dawn, who was now balancing herself on the picnic table.

"They have something in common!" Barry cheered and began laughing, which slowly died down as Paul's glare on him intensified.

"Do not associate me with that troublesome idiot."

"Aw, and I thought we could work in some bonding now that we're all up here…" Barry pouted.

Gary rolled his eyes at their banter but froze as something else caught his eye. Dawn's footing begin to slip –

"Dan!" Gary rushed to the spot, and once the other two boys realized, they followed suit.

Dawn felt everything slow down as her body was jolted forward, and could only keep track of the three angelic faces before her.

Narrowed raven eyes, wide sunshine eyes, and sweet, dark chocolate ones were all on her.

Barry, Paul, Gary… I wonder where I will fall?