*So just for clarification, our characters are in their late teens. Maybe even college-age if you like.*

Paul was quickly regretting accepting this challenge.

First of all, Dawn had shown him instant hostility, though she did her best to hide it when Ash introduced Paul as his friend. Paul had just pursed his lips and tried to find something nice to say, but nothing came to mind.

The second reason Paul regretted it was because, well, Dawn was intimidating.

Yes, she was friendly and approachable, he supposed, despite giving him the cold shoulder. But she was very… attractive. Frighteningly attractive. Enough for Paul to feel uncomfortable in his own skin and make his words catch in his throat.

Paul was astounded by Ash. How could he be so easygoing, so nonchalant, in front of such a beautiful girl? He supposed having a girlfriend helped, but dear Arceus, Dawn just wasn't being fair! And he was supposed to win her over? He snorted mentally. There was no way that girl would take him.

"So, Paul, how have you been?"

Paul jumped. Was she… speaking to him? He glanced around, seeing that Ash had left their table in the Veilstone shopping center to go get drinks or fries or something. Paul shifted his gaze to Dawn, and tried very hard to find words. "Well," he said, and his voice sounded strangled. He cleared his throat and attempted to be a bit friendlier. "And you?"

Dawn shrugged. "Oh, you know. Same old, same old. I won the Wallace Cup again and can hardly get away from the reporters alive. Did you know that they can wait around on your front lawn until you step outside, and then hound you for as long as you're not in your house?"

"Yeah, they did that to me when I won the League," Paul said in a low tone.

"Oh that's right!" Dawn exclaimed, and Paul was shocked to see a wide smile on her face. Either she was a brilliant actress, or she was genuinely happy to hear that. "I remember that! I watched you win on TV. You kicked Cynthia's butt."

Paul had never heard it described like that before. "Thanks," he said uncertainly.

Then there was silence.

Finally, Ash returned, and Paul all but stood up and praised Mew. He had a basket of fries and three sodas in his grip. "You two didn't get too cozy while I was gone, did you?" he said teasingly.

Dawn let out a laugh, while Paul turned away. He would not give Ash the satisfaction of seeing him blush. "I think Paul would stay cold no matter how cozy I got," she said jokingly.

Paul whipped his head around to stare at his laughing companions. Was she being serious? Or had it been a joke? He tried to read her body language, but found his efforts unyielding. Mostly because Dawn had very distracting body.

Oh dear Arceus, he was staring at her. Not just "staring at her," but staring at her. Paul blinked and hurriedly looked away, focusing instead on a ketchup stain on the table.

"So how was the Unova League?" Dawn asked Ash conversationally.

Ash shrugged and placed a disgusting amount of greasy fries in his mouth. "Same old, same old. I did really well, and lost to the Champion." He swallowed, and Paul tried not to watch him. It was too gross. "I think there must be this like, higher power or something preventing me from ever winning a League."

"Now why would they do that?" Paul wondered in a tone that said he really didn't care.

"Because then my story would be over," Ash replied. He wiped his fingers on his jeans, a sight that made Paul cringe. "And I think God is entertained with my antics."

"I'm sure he's horrified by your hygiene," Paul countered.

Ash belched quietly, making Paul look away in shame. "I only act like this when I'm on the move," he stated matter-of-factly.

Dawn blinked. "You're leaving?" she asked.

The young Trainer nodded. "Tomorrow, I'm heading home to Kanto." He grinned. "Of course, I couldn't leave without introducing you two again."

Paul was about to retort with something sharp, but Dawn spoke first. "I don't know what you're trying to pull, Ash," she said with narrowed eyes, "but it's not working."

She's not as stupid as I thought, Paul realized with relief.

Ash, however, continued to be as dim as a twenty watt bulb. "Maybe not now," he said playfully, "but it will."

Dawn rolled her eyes and grabbed her purse. "Whatever. I came here to do some shopping. If you want to come, that's fine, but if not, it was nice seeing you." She stood up and started walking away, her shoes clicking on the cheap tiled floor.

Paul was so glad the intimidating Dawn was gone. "Great, let's—," he began to Ash, but the other boy cut him off.

"Hang on, we're coming!" Ash shouted, leaping out of his seat.

Had Paul not been Paul, he would have groaned in misery. But such a sound was very un-Paul-like, so he stood silently and trailed after the two in the mall.

While in the mall, Paul came to realize every bad decision he had ever made in his life. He also realized that they all revolved around that idiot Ketchum.

"Ooh, Ash, what do you think of these shoes?" Dawn was inquiring, pointing delicately at a pair of blue heels on display. "I don't have anything in particular that would match them, but I could make a dress off of them." She picked one up. "I mean, I really like the color, but the print might be hard to match."

"Maybe, but I think they're worth it," Ash replied. "Look at that price. You won't get a bargain like that next time you come here, I guarantee it. Besides, you're a great seamstress. It shouldn't be too hard for you to make a dress to match them."

Paul could not believe what he was hearing. If Ash had ever had a girlier moment, Paul was yet to see it. He could do nothing but stare at the spectacle before him while his eye began to twitch.

Dawn, however, had finished pondering her friend's advice and grabbed the shoes. "You know, you're right. They're cheap, and I like them, so what the heck. Oi, Numel," she called. She gave a whistle and beckoned with one finger.

Paul's resolve crumbled when he realized she was talking to him. Already laden down with shopping bags from the first six stores, he slowly stepped forward. When he was in reach, Dawn placed the shoes atop the box he was carrying and moved on.

"You're doing great," Ash complimented cheerfully. He went to clap Paul on the back, but the stony Trainer's death glare made him reconsider. "Anyways, at this rate, you'll be her boyfriend in no time."

Paul suppressed a groan. He had forgotten he was trying to win this girl. "If I get her," he growled, "I demand some form of prize."

Ash laughed. "The girl is the prize, man!"

"No, I want something else," Paul snapped.

Worried now, Ash paused. "Like what?" he prompted hesitantly.

Paul thought about his request for a moment before deciding. "An Xbox."

"A what?" Ash cried. "That's not fair, Paul! An Xbox is like, four hundred poké!"

"And you have plenty of money from your travels," Paul responded calmly.

Ash made a disgruntled face. "Fine," he complied. "But only if you can get her by… the end of this week." He stopped for a moment, thinking. "And you'd better get started now!"

Paul straightened up and even smirked a little at the prospect of a free Xbox. "Fair enough," he agreed. He adjusted the boxes and bags in his grip and headed over to Dawn, who was paying at the register for the shoes. "Um," he began, and she looked up at him. Her hair swished about her face, and her earrings twinkled in the artificial light. Her eyes glistened with attention.

When Paul failed to speak, Dawn quickly grew irritated. "What?" she demanded.

Aw God, Paul thought inwardly, and he reflexively tried to hide behind the items he carried. I can't do this. "Never mind," he said quickly.

The cashier handed Dawn back her credit card, and as she replaced it in her wallet, she cast Paul a wary glare. Abruptly, she clicked her purse shut. "Let's go," she ordered, already stalking away.

Paul followed her like an obedient Snubbull, cowering behind the purchased items he carried.

Out of nowhere, Ash appeared beside him. "That was a good start!" Ash encouraged. Pikachu waved, grinning, as if to agree with its master.

"Shut up," Paul hissed.

The return home was not glorious for Paul. Ash and Dawn, on the other hand, made plans to meet up tomorrow to say goodbye. They then walked her to her hotel, deposited all her shopping at the feet of a bewildered bellhop, and headed home to Paul's.

Ash, naturally, waltzed right into the house, singing. Reggie was in the kitchen, chopping carrots, when he heard him. "Hi Ash!" he called cheerfully. He turned around to see the teenager standing in the entrance to the kitchen. "Have a good time?" he asked, even though he had no idea where they had gone.

"You bet we did!" Ash replied. He then continued his waltz up the stairs.

Paul slammed the door shut, making Reggie wince. He hated when his brother did that. Reggie turned in time to see his younger brother storming by. "Did you have a good time?" he queried again.

Paul hesitated in front of the kitchen doorway, looking at his brother. For a moment he silently glared at him before continuing his storm up the stairs.

Reggie grinned. "Was it a girl?" he called.

Again, the slamming of a door was heard, but this time Reggie just beamed. "Yup," he said to himself as he continued to cut the carrots. "It was a girl."