A/N: Finally Chapter 2 (...again...) i'm glad that I'm doing this for you guys and I hope you keep reading! :D Fav, Follow, and/or Review; it helps me know if you guys enjoy it or not. I would love to here your opinion guys. Until next time! ^w^
-Chapter 2-
With Candice being the leader of the Snowpoint City gym, she is easily (and I do mean easily) tempered. So, if anyone were to come up with a reason to tick her off, she would need a serious one because she takes crap from no one.
I felt horrible for showing up late with Barry. Since being a gym leader, that would mean holding off on gym battles and it's not fair for her to be put in that situation.
She charged at me and Barry, forgetting that Lucas was next to her and immediately gave us both stern looks.
"Well!"
Both me and Barry could feel her eyes glaring at us, daring us to come up with some story. I was scared of her, but Barry was petrified of her.
"...uhh..Me and Dawn had a race here..."
Candice looked ready to drag Barry to the gates of the Distortion World for just saying those words and he immediately ran towards Lucas and hid behind him. I was scared of Candice, but she tried not to show that side of herself when it came to me. She liked me and enjoyed my company from time to time, so I soaked up as much as I could of 'kind Candice'.
"..um..well, Barry was right about the race."
She turned around towards Barry sending death signals to him, but he just faced the other way whistling, pretending that she didn't even exist.
"BUTITWASMYIDEA!..."
I got her full attention finally and her face started to calm down.
"He didn't think of it, but on our way here Togekiss had gotten hurt, so we went to the Pokemon Center and came late. I'm sorry, it was all my fault!"
"...Oh, why didn't you say so! Is Togekiss okay? The poor thing!"
Candice has what I call the 'three stages of anger'. She starts off with getting over-the-top mad, than goes into her 'I'm-so-nice' personality, and lastly, goes back to her old self.
"Dawn why don't we go see Togekiss since we do have some time left. Maybe the little one might want to have a visit from us, don't you say?"
I hesitated a little. For as long as I knew Candice, the really nice side of her scared me every single time. Seeing her like this regularly is like the chance of seeing a Ho-oh, and that's not common around Sinnoh. Don't get me wrong, Candice is nice regularly, but she's super loud and a little aggressive when she is. Almost like a tomboy.
"..uhh, okay?"
"Great! Lucas come here and say 'Hi' to Dawn. We can all meet at the Pokemon Center. You're with me Barry."
I know that I wasn't hearing things when she said her last sentence with such venom in her voice. She literally stomped toward Barry and Lucas, taking Barry by the back of his collar, and dragging him along the sidewalk.
He held his hand out crying for help, but I just smiled and waved at him. Getting in between Candice is a bad mistake, so I just turned toward Lucas to fade the two out.
"Hey Lucas."
"Oh hey Dawn."
I watched Lucas as he shook his head as the two made there way to the Pokemon Center. Lucas and I decided to stay out to catch up a little.
"Sorry again for coming late. We lost track of time I guess."
"Hey, don't worry about it. Candice feels the same way, but shows it in...ways."
"Thanks. So, I was wondering, what are thinking of getting Barry for his birthday?"
He turned toward me, smirking, as if he knew I was going to ask that question. I love Lucas' smiles because he has adorable dimples that you just have to return with a smile just as welcoming.
"Curious now aren't we?"
"Well..."
"I understand. I got him three boat tickets to Hoenn."
I was surprised, it was so generous. What were they for exactly?
"Why three tickets to Hoenn?"
"You know how Barry would always tell us on our previous journey through Sinnoh how the three of us should go see other regions."
I nodded remembering all the times that he would shout it out at random times.
"Well, I thought he would love to go on another one and through Hoenn this time. What do you say Dawn?"
It was so sudden, but how could I say no. Going to Hoenn would mean leaving home. I did need to explore more, so I couldn't back down. I also won against the Elite 4 and the Champion, but turned down the title because I knew I couldn't except something that required me to stay in one place. It was always one of my dream's to become an awesome Pokemon trainer.
"I'll go."
"Are you sure, I don't want to deprive you from anything."
"Yeah. Getting out there will be great for me. I want to explore the Pokemon in every region and I need to start somewhere. So, why not Hoenn?"
Lucas had a smile of relief on his face. I knew he had the need to travel more than me since he was with Professor Rowan all the time in his lab. This would be a great trip for all of us.
"So, what did you get Barry for his birthday?"
I smirked a little, but also with a little doubt into that smirk. I didn't know if Barry would like the gift, but I just have to hope for the best.
"It's a surprise."
"You sure you don't want to tell me?"
I looked at him and smiled.
"Are YOU sure you won't laugh, if I tell you?"
He nodded and held his hand up with his palm facing me.
"Poke-scouts honor."
I giggled at him; he's so simple sometimes.
"Well ever since Barry and I were little, we would always take pictures of ourselves and where we were. We did some fun stuff and we would go on vacation together sometimes. So, I put together a scrap book. It has loads of pictures of the both of us and I'm just hoping that he'll like it."
"You know what Dawn?"
He looked at me, his eyes now soft.
"He's gonna love it. Especially if it's from you."
"Thank you Lucas for being so honest."
I pulled him in a hug and startled him for a moment, but he still wrapped his arms around me.
"You're welcome Dawn, now let's head to the center before Candice has a second rage fit."
I nodded because...well...yeah, he was right. Candice.. oh yeah! I pulled apart from him.
"Oh wait, before we go in. I just wanted to know if Candice is going to come on the trip to Hoenn with us?"
"No. I asked her and she said that a gym leader has her duties and must stay at the gym at all times."
"Oh, I'll miss her, I know that. Too bad though."
"Yeah, plus we don't need her strangling the birthday boy the whole way through Hoenn now do we."
I didn't know what made her go straight for Barry when it came to her rages. But, deep down through all that anger, I know she cares for him and his speedy ways.
0o0o0o0
It felt good to sit down, but I still have a busy schedule ahead of me and so much to worry about. I was sitting down in the waiting room with Barry waiting for Nurse Joy to tell us about what's going on with Togekiss and if she's alright or not.
"It was sure nice to see Lucas and Candice today, huh?"
Barry turned to me slowly and looked at me as if it obviously wasn't the best day of his life for him.
"Lucas, yeah! Candice, ARCEUS, NO! She's scary and DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE ME ALONE WITH THAT GIRL EVER AGAIN!"
I smiled at Barry trying to contain my laughter. I didn't want to make him feel worse than he already felt.
"Oh hey, what's the deal between you and Candice anyways?"
"..it's a loooong story. I rather not explain."
I stared at Barry for awhile, looking closely at his features. His hair had such a golden glow and it looked so perfect. I desperately wanted to run my fingers through his hair, but he would just think I was weird for suddenly doing that. He turned his head toward me with a questioning look and I blushed a little.
"Dawn are you okay? You've been staring at me for the past couple of minutes."
"I-I-I thought... I thought you had something in your hair."
*Dawn you idiot he's not going to believe that, that's so STUPID what you just told him.*
"...Oh, okay. You ok Dawn are your screws loose or something?"
He reached up, his hand in a fist, and lightly hit the side of my head. Barry and I have a some-what mutual relationship. But, with every touch he gives me, I just can't help myself. I blushed deeply and he ignored it completely.
*Barry, why can't I just tell you I love you? I think we would be perfect for one another. But, there are two sides to every story, so I first need to know how you feel about me.*
"..um, Ms. Dawn?"
That voice tore me out of thought because I knew it wasn't Barry's, but sounded familiar. I turned my eyes to the voice carrier and it was Nurse Joy so, I immediately stood.
"Oh, Nurse Joy! How's Togekiss, is she okay?"
"Don't worry Ms. Dawn she is just fine. She had a cramp on her wing and she must rest for awhile, so no flying."
"Yes ma'am."
"Oh and she does have some minor injuries from falling, so be careful next time."
"Okay, thank you."
She handed me Togekiss' Pokeball and walked away. This is when I love Nurse Joy's because they know how to deal with injuries and all that could happen to a Pokemon.
"Thanks for staying with me Barry."
"No problem. THERE'S NOTHING TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL FOR YOU DAWN, (hehe i realized what that met after i typed it) I CAN HOLD OFF A HERD OF TAUROS!"
"Don't sell yourself too short. Come on, a HERD of TAUROS."
He gave me a serious look, but washed it off knowing he couldn't really do it.
"Yeah, I guess your right. BUT SOMEDAY I WILL BE THE BEST POKEMON TRAINER, AND I WILL BEAT A HERD OF TAUROS!"
He dreamed so much that it actually made me dream. But, for now I have two gym battles I need to get to, so I was going to take him up on his offer.
"Nothing too big or small, huh?"
"Yeah, why?"
I started twiddling my thumbs looking at Barry with Jigglypuff eyes, hoping he'd help me.
"Can you give me a ride to my battle with Volkner, please?"
He stared at me for a while and I needed that ride soooooo badly now that Togekiss was injured! If this wasn't going to work, than I'd have to beg and let me just say it's happened at least twice already.
"...hmmm... Alright, but make it quick!"
Now it was my turn to hug Barry. I was very gracious when he acted nice.
"Thanks! But first I have my battle with Fantina here in Hearthrome, but before that, I have to go to the store."
I didn't give time for Barry to put a word in edge wise and this time, made him rush. We arrived soon after to a Hallmark store. I loved going to this place because it was so clean and tidy and smelled of mixed candle smells that made anyone feel comfortable. Well, except for Barry that is.
"Aww Dawwnn! Why here?! I hate the smell of this place it's so fruity!"
"Susshh. You're being rude. Besides this store is adorable and very homey."
I gave him a bright smile and walked toward the gift wrapping section with him trudging along behind me and his head down. There were so many choices, but I went to the birthday wrapping paper wondering if Barry realized.
I picked up a nice roll of paper with cakes and party hats everywhere with the words 'Happy Birthday' written everywhere. I held it up and tried to make it as obvious as day what I was doing.
"Barry, what do you think of this wrapping paper?"
He turned his head upward to see what I was talking about and I could see his emotion change quickly from one to another. I couldn't help but giggle at his ways because he had a cute way of doing things, but, he didn't seem to notice them when I said it to him.
"Are you trying to be sneaky? Cuz' you know it's not working!"
I gave him a nonchalant look and made my way to the register.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I have a friend who's birthday means dearly to me and I wanted to get him some wrapping paper to wrap his gift is all."
I had tried to say that so casually, but with being so obvious, even Barry couldn't miss it and started to play along.
"So this friend of yours. Is he devilously handsome and the greatest Pokemon trainer ever seen?"
As he had said that, Barry tried to look suave and brushed a hand through his hair. I had to laugh because seeing this was so out of character that it was just down right hilarious.
"Aww Dawwwnnn, why do you have to be so mean to me?!"
"Well you started it. Plus how do you know if it's for you or not."
I payed the cashier and we made our way to the Hearthrome City gym.
"Well it was kind of obvious Dawn. I mean come on. Wrapping paper? Friends birthday coming up? Nothing can get by me!"
I giggled again knowing he finally caught up with the little act and gave him a smile which he gladly returned with one of his goofy looking ones.
0o0o0o0
After walking some, we made it to the gym. I was pumped and I definetly needed this battle because its been a while since I had at least one and today I had two.
"Well Barry, wish me luck."
