It isn't me

7: Dawn, Misty, May

(Kiss me, baby)


It grows, it suspends, he can't control it anymore


Dawn smiles happily when she approaches Oreburgh City. She tilts her head awry when her visage meets the mines, reaching up for the sky. Bits her lips and starts to think about the new plan in her agenda – the agenda that she doesn't own.

She has always focused only on Contests when she traveled with Ash and Brock but now she wants to go for the eight badge run. Wants to test her bond with her Pokémon to the limit – glowing, that kind of bond Ash has with his Pikachu. She isn't a good battler, she knows. But she can always get better. Clings to that conclusion. She must try, or else she throws in the towel for no reason. She can do this. She can defeat the first Gym Leader – no problem. What is his name? She doesn't even remember. Tries to recall her memory, when Ash fought with him. A guy – she knows that much. A guy with glasses, reddish hair and a thing for fossils. He uses Rock-Types. She has her Prinplup. It's perfect. The match should be a piece of cake. Should. She hates that words passionately – the confusion, vagueness it creates. Inhales, waves her arms back and forth and walks into the city – the dusty air from the mines makes her eyes water. She looks at the clock hanging down at her wrist. Quarter past ten. Perfect. Although she has been here before – several times – it still feels like her first visit. She doesn't remember so much – only the mines. But when she sees the houses, the people working near the mine – lifting rocks up and down – she can't help but to smile. Awesome. Dawn likes customs. Likes when things remain as they are. She understands that some things are born to change. That some things can't last forever. Life isn't like that – it changes, changes like the weather – to sunny mornings to stormy evenings.

But before she plans to face the Gym Leader she walks to the Pokémon Center to heal – (or Nurse Joy more specific) – her Pokémon which are tired due to the long road from Jubilife to Oreburgh. She sits down at a chair near the exit, yawning. She isn't used to traveling alone – it's a feeling – hauteur – that travels back and forth in her body – something else. She thinks about if she should call her mom – but nah, that isn't necessary. Not now. She is older – not that scared little teen-year-old with thin legs she was when she started – she is now fifteen and is more than capable of taking care of herself. She knows that. Feels that. And if she gets the change to lie her fingers on a Sinnoh-Badge – that feeling will only suspend. Reaching for the sky.

"Dawn, your Pokémon are ready", Nurse Joy suddenly calls, awaking Dawn from her daydreams that circle around her small head. She smiles back, moving her blue hair backwards with a nonchalant gesture. When she straps the Balls around her belts again she starts – (she doesn't know why) – to think about May. Wonders what have become of her. They have kept a close contact – calling, e-mailing, but she hasn't received something from the brown-haired girl in a while. Dawn isn't worried, more curious. Wonders if May and that green-haired bastard Drew are a couple now. They should be. They're perfect for each other – like a fairytale coming to life – rising from the bottom of the sea over the surface. She has meet Drew several times and despite his big mouth and incapability of taking even the most obvious hint – he is nice. He is good for her. They have that invisible string that's keeping them together, making them united. One. Not two – one. You're stupid if you don't see that.

But look who are talking, she thinks for herself, taking a stroll around the city, looking at those old-fashioned houses with smoke rising up from the chimneys. She wants to live in one of those when she's older. You who haven't got your first kiss.

Yet. She keeps adding the 'yet'. Clings to it. She doesn't have to run for it – it will come. Maybe sooner than she expects. Who knows? Only time will tell.

But May and Drew are something else. She can't describe it in another way. It is just like that.

Sooner than she expects she sees the Gym heaps up in front of her. It's huge. She tries to look inside the glass-doors but only sees a couple of shoes walking forth and back and a desk. Is she ready for this? Probably not but who cares? She has heard that the first Leader isn't really that good. Of course it's like throwing in the towel walking inside the building with a naivety like that but still she clings to it. She has a chance. She can do this. No problem. She reads the sign outside the entrance. "Call me Roark the Rock" she reads. Roark. Right. That is his name. She remembers now. Not that it matters. She walks towards the entrance and walks inside when the door opens by itself. It's a little cold inside and the walls are shaped like a long, narrow tunnel. The ceiling is low – which increases the mine-feeling, which probably is the purpose. There is no light besides small bulbs hanging on the wall which makes it hard to see. But she spots the desk and walks towards it. A man reading a newspaper stands in front of her, not giving her a glance. She clears. No reaction. Turns a page in the newspaper. She folds her arms, glaring. Stamps with her feet. What is this? What kind of rudeness is this? She feels ridiculous, restive.

"Hello?" she says. "I would like to-"

"Who are you?" the man interrupts, nips his lips. "Have you made an appointment here?"

She lays her hands on the desk. "No, but I would like-"

"Would like this, would like that. That's not how the world look, lassie." he explains, patting her head awkwardly, as she is a child of three years. He has a dripping voice, thick as syrup. She hates it. "Besides, the Gym Leader isn't here today. He has a day-off. Too bad."

Day-off? That doesn't exist in her mind. "What? Why?"

"I don't know. The mines I guess. He's often there."

As if she is stupid. "But he's back tomorrow?"

He leans forward and smiles maliciously, with a cigarette swinging up and down when he talks. She wrinkles her nose when the smoke reaches her nose trills. What kind of person is this? His smile reminds her of a Croagunk – no offense to the Poison/Fighting Pokémon.

"He sure is but that doesn't help you. Listen, if you sign yourself here I put you on the waitlist", he continues, pointing at a pile of paper standing in front of him, now covered by the ash of his cigarette. "Come back after a week."

"A week?" she repeats, like a parrot. "Are you crazy? I don't have time for-"

"You aren't the only one in the world. There are plenty. Accept this or leave it. I don't have time for you anymore. Good-bye."

A week? She repeats that over and over again. That isn't even logical. It can't be so many challengers. She swallows the impulse of spitting him in the face – you're a nice girl, Dawn – gives him an angry glance before she leaves. Okay. That went good. Or not. What should she do now? Wait? No. She isn't the girl that waits for the next bus, she runs after the previous one. And she can't do anything while that idiot still remains at the desk, can she? No. So why won't she go to the mines? And train? Nothing bad can come from that. She sweeps of the dust from her skirt before she runs towards the mine. It's big. Much bigger than she remembered it to be. Fellow workers walk past her, so blinded by their work that they don't even spot her. She calls out her Prinplup before she enters the mine, gets consumed by its might and darkness.

It's extremely beautiful. Special when you walk to its interior corners. Diamonds are glowing on the walls, glowing from the small light-gates from the bulbs. The air is dry, the smell of earth present. Her feet sink in the dirt but she doesn't care. Sits down. A couple of Zubats fly past her but they don't mind her. As she doesn't mind them. She puts up a rock and weighs it in her hand. It's small, white and has a smooth touch. She wonders why she didn't like this place before – then it was necessary for training – nothing more – but now? It's wonderful. No wonder why Roark spends so much time here.

She straightens up her body and throws a visage down the corridor, darker than dark. Turns around. Then she hears a voice:

"Hi, Dawn."

And she falls to the ground.


He wants to turn away but he can't. There is no way.


"Ash?" Misty repeats for maybe the fifth time. "Who was it?"

As usual, it's impossible for her to get an answer. Has to drag out the answer. And she is tired of that. But as long as he will remain this fatuous and clueless when it comes to signs – always – she still has to deal with it. Has to struggle to try to understand him. Maybe she never will do that. But it's worth trying. Because it's something with him. She can't hide it anymore. Many probably already know this. And it's okay. As long as they don't talk about it, mention it, in her present. She doesn't want her blood-red cheeks and big mouth to spoil everything. Not now.

"Ash. Please. Stop annoying me", she mutters, sups from her Coca-Cola. The dinner lies in front of her – spaghetti Carbonara, but she is so stressed and nervous for this... date – she hates that word – that she hasn't time to put her fork and knife in it. But he does. Apparently. He eats as much as he usually does, gobbles food like a Snorlax. Or Munchlax.

"Okay, okay", Ash finally says, swallowing. "I swear, you're so curious. It was May."

May. Okay, she thinks, rests her head on her hands. "What did she want?"

He rolls his eyes and twins spaghetti around his fork. He has already managed to spill out his Fanta over the red cloth; the liquid spreads out and has an interesting shape. But that is him – the way she wants him to be. Clumsy – she isn't much better herself. Stupid. But oh so determined when it comes to something he wants.

"I don't know. There is bad reception in this restaurant. But I guess she wanted to tell something. I'm going to call her later when I get this over with."

"What?" she shouts, her reddish ponytail flapping. Is he joking or what? Sometimes it's hard to tell.

He just looks at her with those brown eyes of his. "Why do you look so chocked? Did I say something?"

Apparently you did, she thinks for herself, putting her fork in the food, scraping the teeth against the plate – creating a sound that cuts in the ear.

"Stop doing that", he complains, kicking with his feet on the table-leg.

"Stop complaining", she snaps back. What kind of date is this? It sucks. She inhales – trying to keep her happy – (agoged) – mind on stage. "Anyway, who is this May? Is she your best friend? I've heard that she is pretty cute – do you think that too?" she asks, before she realizes that it's a big nono, talking about other girls on a date – and more importantly – asking about their appearance. Is she stupid? Here she's got the chance – (the chance she has waited for in years – which Ash so bold has ignored) – and now she is ruining it- throwing it in the sea.

His mouth is still full and it takes a while before the conversation continues. Is he here for the food or me? she asks herself but later shakes her head. There is no time for negotiations. She has so play with the pieces she has.

"May? Oh, I don't know. I'm really close to her. But when I moved to Sinnoh, it felt like our friendship toned down a little. We called, e-mailed. You know. And she's cute. Very cute. She's getting real famous now in Hoenn. You can read about her in the newspaper. I have one at home", he babbles, even if she isn't interested.

She can't help but to smile. This is so typically him. There is like venturing on a standstill horse hoping that she will get a compliment for him. And she finds that amusing – now when she has realized that.

"Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. Interested? Ash, quit gobbling food when I'm talking to you. This is a date, not a food-eating contest."

"But the food is awesome here", he moans, pouring salt over the pasta.

"Yeah, yeah. It has a sweet flavor. But listen-"

"You haven't even tasted it", he interrupts, glaring intensely at her.

"I have", she states and puts one piece of spaghetti in her mouth. It's good, it's not that. But she has other things to take care of before feasting this restaurant – with the nice decorations, room shaped like an square, with the fashionable curtains that matches the cloths on the table. "It's good", she said unnecessary, licking away the sauce from her lips. "But I want to talk to you also. That's why I'm here with you and not alone."

"Okay, okay, I get your point", he mutters. He also has problem with this. Keeping it cool. Remaining himself. "So, I'm not eating. Not drinking. What do you want to say?"

She signs. "Don't do that. You know that a conversation doesn't come by ordering."

"Nope, it doesn't. And we have talked before. It's not a date that way."

"Not a… What are you saying?" This is getting worse. Adds to the confusion. Her confusion.

"Well", he starts intelligently. "No. Forget it."

Silence.

"This is a date for me", she says, spinning her fork around the pasta. Smears the plate with the sauce that tickles her nose.

"I'm not say-"

Interruption. They're doing that constantly. They barely care anymore.

"And it's not like we know each other entirely. You've been to two different locations. Meet new friends, you've aged. Sure, some of you are the same as before. You still are a jerk", she smiles, getting him to smile as well. "But you've change too. You've receive many Badges. Coming closer your dream. The dream you've clinging to for so long. It's like getting to know you again. Maybe it's not the same with me. But with you it is. I like you, Ash. You know that. I hate to admit it but I do."

He tilts his head and looks deeply at her. She blushes and turns her head away. Why did she get all emotional like that? It's not like that's the side of her he wants…

Or? No one knows. It's hard to foretell the upcoming when it comes to this.

"Oh", he says densely, totally breaking the moment. "Really?" He really is stupid.

"So, let's continue on this date and see what it leads. It may leads to a wall. It may leads to something neither of us expect. We will see."

"Alright. But you know what, Misty, first dates aren't usually that good."


He leaves it to her. That's the only thing he can do.


So close. Way too close. She can't handle this. Struggles. Off. She must get of him. The water touches her feet. Her cheeks burn. It feels like her whole face is going to melt, like butter in the boiling sun.

"May. May! Stop it!" he exclaimed, holding her arms. "Stop struggle like a fish on the line. There is no need to. Come on, relax." His eyes are zooming in on her.

"Drew, I must get-"

"You must nothing", he interrupts smoothly, laying a finger over her lips. "You're cute May. Especially when you're looking like an overboiled crawfish."

She can't say anything. Can't comment. Can't anything. She feels his smell, feel him. Her heart thumps. Her visage wanders.

But when his lips reach hers she black-outs.

And that's not a bad thing.


The next chapter obviously. As usual I'm sorry for the delay but now I have summer break and maybe my inspiration comes back. And oh, this time It's not so focused on May x Drew but that will come :) I'm happy if you're reading this, I know it isn't very good but I will try to improve. I'm not owning anything besides from the story. And I guess this story will be longer than ten chapters just so you know. I'm not done yet!

N/A: More Drew x May action next chapter! I love those two, it's crazy. And oh, when it comes to Dawn, I've no idea who that guy is. So if you have any ideas, suggestions, whatever, you can drop in that in a review and maybe I put that one in the story. Who knows? :D Thanks for reading this