Quicker update and my longest chapter yet. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon

A few weeks went by with nothing major happening. Dawn and Ash continued to meet up to work on their project. Like the first meeting, Kenny would usually make an appearance either before or after and would act the way Ash instructed him to. This consisted of some variation of a brief, polite greeting to Dawn before either leaving or sitting down and getting to work on Ash's tutor session.

Kenny's actions bewildered Dawn, especially with how different he acted from their first meeting, and she did voice her confusion one time to her partner. However, Ash brushed it off and ignored her. Things were always tensed when the two Chemistry partners met up. This was reflected with, besides their initial greeting, things were strictly business between them, much to Dawn's frustration.

Like their previous meetings, today followed their normal routine that was established. Dawn showed up to the library and was not surprised to find Ash and Kenny together. Kenny and her then did their usual polite interaction followed by him leaving. Finally, a few words would be exchanged between the two partners before Dawn would sit down and get to work. This was so normal by now that all involved felt like they were on auto pilot as it happened. However, today's events would take a drastic turn from the norm.

*ring* *ring*

Ash raised an eyebrow as he calmly reached into his pocket to grab his cellphone. Besides Kenny and his mom, no one else had his number and neither of them had a reason to call him. Kenny was just here and his mom already knows where he's at. So, who was calling him? Maybe it is one of those scam calls?

Meanwhile, Dawn discreetly was paying careful attention to Ash while she pretended to work. Her feelings, like their relationship, have not improved at all these past few weeks and she desperately needed something in order for things to change.

Ash's eyebrow raised even more when he saw that the caller was Kenny before he answered it. What did he want?

"What do you want?"

"Well, if that's the greeting I get, I might us well just hang up," Kenny's voice irritatedly answered. "Never mind that I actually have some useful information that I thought I should share with you."

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry," Ash said, trying to appease the auburn haired teenager. "Could you please just tell me?"

"Now that's better," Kenny said, sounding pleased. He then coughed slightly before seriously saying, "I just wanted to let you know that I saw Serena about to enter the library as I was leaving."

"Serena?" Ash responded, not understanding why it was a big deal. "Why would I care if she came to the library?"

Across from him, Dawn's pencil dropped at her friend's name and she gasped. "Serena's at the library?" Dawn asked looking to confirm her fears.

Ash covered the speaker of his phone with his hand as he irritatedly responded to her. "No, she's in front of the library." He then went back to his conversation with Kenny. "Is that all?"

"This is bad," Dawn said as she swiftly stood up and started to throw her things in her bag. "Serena has been bothering me and trying to find out what I have been doing these past few weeks." Dawn explained as she finished packing her bag. "She must have had enough and decided to follow me. We have to hide!"

"Could you shut up for a second," Ash said back to his partner. "I can't hear Kenny over your panicking voice." He then turned his attention back to the voice on his phone. "Sorry, their was a blue haired devil pestering me, could you repeat that?"

"Disregarding that insult on Dawn, yeah, that's all," Kenny said. "Honestly, I am a little surprise at your lack of concern. I thought you would react differently."

"Well," Ash started as he turned his hard eyes at Dawn. "I could care less about what that heartless person thinks of the situation. It doesn't effect me in the slightest. So, I say let her come." To illustrate his point Ash leaned backed in his chair and put his feet up on the table.

Dawn was on the verge of tears by this point. She just couldn't understand how he could so blatantly disregard her feelings on the matter. Was this how he felt when she had him "confess" to Serena?

"Oh, it also looks like Calem and Gary are heading to the library too," Kenny's voice spoke up again.

"Why didn't you say so in the first place!" Ash said in alarm as he quickly rearranged himself and stood up.

Dawn couldn't hear Kenny. So, she was left in the dark as Ash's attitude did a 180 and he chucked his stuff in his bag. "What's going on?"

Ash ignored her as he walked up to her and grabbed her hand. "Come on," he said as he dragged her towards one of the many aisles to hide.

They soon disappeared right as Serena, Calem, and Gary entered together.

"Come on, Serena," Calem said to the beauty next to him. "Can't you at least tell me why you can't hang out with me?"

Serena's patience was very thin at this point. She just had to deal with a huge crowd of admirers that delayed her admission into the library and ultimately made her lose track of Dawn.

Like Dawn guessed, Serena was in fact following her best friend. After weeks of begging and pleading her blue haired friend to tell her what was going on with no results, she finally decided to use the more direct approach and stalk her.

"Like I said before, Calem," Serena said as she turned towards him with a strained smile. "I am just meeting up with a friend and then going home." Every since Calem spotted her leaving the crowd, he had been adamant about them hanging out and maybe getting something to eat together. Something that Serena really didn't want to do.

"Don't be like that, Serena," Gary said with his charming smile. "You can even bring your friend along with us. The more the merrier is what I always say."

Serena had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. She was not an idiot. She knew that Gary was a play boy and someone she definitely didn't want her friend Dawn associating with and as for the other boy. . .

"See!" Calem said while moving closer and putting an arm around an uncomfortable Serena. "Everything is cool and I'll even pay for everything." He then moved his mouth close to her ear and whispered suggestively, "Afterwards, we can even stop by my place."

"Thanks," Serena said as she not so gently threw him off her. "But I'll pass." She then elegantly bowed and said, "It was nice talking to you fine gentlemen, but I really must be going now."

Calem was too shocked by being roughly thrown off her to respond. A normal person probably would have fallen from that shove, but Calem wasn't a superior athlete for nothing and easily caught himself. Still, he wasn't use to be rejected and that showed by rendering him speechless.

Gary though was an expert at taking things in stride and smoothly said, "Ok, maybe next time." He then flashed his pearly whites. "We can even go on a double date if it would make you feel more comfortable."

"Sure," Serena said as she could no longer resist the urge to roll her eyes. Then, without saying another world, the honey haired beauty left to go search for Dawn.

"God, I can't stand him," Serena whispered to herself when she was a safe distance away. Ever since they became Chemistry partners, Calem would flirt with her anytime he could. Which included the times they would meet up to work together. How she wished that Dawn would have remained partners with them. Then, maybe she would have at least have a friend to act as a buffer to Calem's advances.

Serena sneered in displeasure. That guy just couldn't take no for an answer, no matter how many times she rejected him. Sure, he was probably the most handsome guy in school and was a star athlete, but still. He was an arrogant asshole that always would put people down. She could never date someone like that.

Serena suddenly shook her head and adapted a serious face. There was no point in worrying about Calem. Now, it was time to focus and do what she set out to do. Dawn won't be able to wiggle out of this one!

Meanwhile, Gary, like any good friend, was giving Calem a hard time.

"Ha ha," Gary laughed at his friend's misfortune. "She really shot you down good this time."

"Shut up," Calem said through gritted teeth. He just couldn't understand what he did wrong. He had good looks, money, was smart (school doesn't count because that's beneath him), athletic, and was good in the sack based on what the girls he slept with told him. What wasn't there to like about him?

"Cheer up man," Gary said as he put an arm around his friend. "Serena may be the best of the best, but there are still plenty of other fish in the sea." Gary quickly spotted a group a girls that were studying together. "Come on, let's go talk to those girls. We both know that library girls are the submissive type," Gary suggestively said, pointing out his next conquest.

"Been there, done that," Calem said as he removed himself from the womanizer. "Those type of girls don't interest me anymore. They can't even hold a candle to Serena's beauty."

"True that," Gary said, laughing lightly. "Even I will admit that Serena and her friends are way hotter than any girl I have been with." He then sent a smug grin towards Calem. "However, a bunch of small fries will always be better than nothing when fishing."

"Who do you think I am," Calem confidently responded. "I am Calem, the most popular guy in school and only the best girl around will do for me."

"You do you," Gary relented in disinterest. While he did agree that Serena was the most beautiful girl in town and he wouldn't hesitate for even second if she asked him to sleep with her, he firmly believed that no girl was worth that amount of effort. Plus, girls to him were a source of pleasure and entertainment, not something he would want to get attached to and date, unlike Calem. "Just keep in mind. . ."

The seriousness in Gary's voice made Calem pay close attention.

"You are really close to striking out for good with her."

"Then what do you suggest I do?" Calem responded while rolling his eyes.

"First," Gary started, making a surprised Calem hang off of every word. "You need to back off."

Calem expected Gary to respond with a joke as it was rare for the womanizer to give away his trade secrets. So, Calem soaked in the information like a sponge.

"Big prey like her will scatter before you have a chance if you make your move to early," Gary continued. "Instead, you need to be patient and let her come to you a little." He then smirked. "It also helps if you have some good bait that you can use to lure her in."

Calem would be a fool to ignore the womanizer's advice and he was no idiot. Gary has easily had the most successes bagging women. Therefore, for once, Calem would set aside his pride and follow Gary's advice, even though it was a little weird that he was comparing getting women to hunting.

"Shit," Gary suddenly spoke up. "Those girls got away."

Calem followed the womanizer's line of sight and saw that the girl's Gary pointed out earlier were no longer there.

"Hey," Calem said, lightly laughing at his friend's antics as he smacked him on the back. "Next time you need a wing man, let me know and I'll help you out."

"I might just have to take you up on your offer," Gary said, smirking right back at his friend. Having the popular boy backing him up always made the hunt much easier.

"Now," Calem said as his smile turned more sinister. "I think we both need a little something to cheer us up. So, let's go find that loser Ketchum."

Gary's smirk grew larger in response. "You took the words right out of my mouth."

Nothing interesting happens in this town without either of them hearing about it and the loser meeting up for the past few weeks at the library with the "queen" Dawn was noteworthy enough for them to take action. It sure was nice to be them!

Calem finally decided they stood around for enough time and began to move to look for the loser and "queen" pair. Soon after, his accomplice followed.

Their sinister smiles remained in place as they looked. Both were excited to indulge themselves on their favorite past time. Which was messing with Ash.


"Okay, Kenny, I put you on speaker phone so Dawn can also hear you,"Ash said as he and Dawn were crouched between some bookshelves with his phone held out between them.

"Mind telling me what's going on?" Dawn asked confused. She didn't know what Kenny said before to Ash. So, she didn't have any clue as why he would change his mind about hiding.

"Gary and Calem are also at the library," Kenny's voice spoke through the phone.

"Why would that be a proble-"

"Okay, we need a plan," Ash said, interrupting Kenny and Dawn's conversation. "And judging where they were last, we need one fast."

"I agree," Kenny said, fully understanding the situation. "We should of choose a more secluded spot. We were careless and it's going to cost us."

"Hey, what's goin-"

"Well there's no use in crying over spilled milk," Ash said while cutting off Dawn again. "Do you have any ideas?"

"Getting out undetected shouldn't be too hard," Kenny said as he put his big brain to use. "But we both know that it won't end here. They wouldn't let it go until they had their fun."

"Quit ignore-"

"Then, our best bet is too confront them here and now," Ash sighed while resigning himself to his fate, interrupting Dawn for a third time.

Kenny also sighed before saying, "Yeah, I reached the same conclusion. At least it will be here instead of at school."

Ash nodded his head in agreement. There would be fewer people to witness there humiliation here than at school. Suddenly, Ash started to profusely sweet as he sensed an angry presence beside him. Slowly, he turned his head to stare at a pissed off devil.

"Mind tell me what's going on," Dawn asked with a smile that was a little too sweet.

"Well. . .thats-s. . .Ash can explain!" Kenny said while quickly saying the last part. For reasons that science could never explain, Kenny could feel her anger radiating through the phone.

Ash quickly composed himself and hid his fear as he calmly spoke. "Calem and Gary are here most likely because they heard that we have been meeting up. So, they probably have come to confirm that rumor and to bully Kenny and me due to us 'having the luxury of hanging out with a beauty like Dawn.'"

Dawn's anger dispersed as she finally got answers and she thought rationally about what Ash said before speaking.

"Why is Kenny included in the so called bullying?" Dawn asked. She would hold off on any judgement until she got all the facts.

"Because he was seen with us," Ash stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"But he only said hi and then left. He never actually worked with us," Dawn said in confusion.

"Doesn't matter," Kenny said from the phone. "People have the tendency to exaggerate things so it will make a better story. So, I no doubtfully got clumped in with working with you because what's more interesting than one loser working with you? The answer would be two losers."

"Wow," Dawn said, taking everything in. She didn't want to believe it, but their argument was sound and she could definitely see herself stretching the truth if she saw two losers interacting with any of her friends. So, she accepted it.

"Then, what's this whole thing about confronting them?" Dawn said, asking her second question.

Ash rolled his eyes. "They came here to bully us. So, it's best to just get it over with or else they will make it worse later."

Dawn nodded her head and then stood up and paced back and forth in thought until she finally reached a conclusion.

"Alright, I believe you," she said as she crouched back down. Ultimately, hearing and seeing Gary and Calem bully Ash in the past swayed her to believe them.

"Good luck boys. I hope it works out for you," she nonchalantly said as she looked at her finger nails. Darn, she really needed to get a pedicure soon.

"What, your not going to help us?" Kenny surprisingly said. He thought for sure that she would volunteer to help them out after hearing their reason.

"What did you expect," Ash said, not surprised. "Like this devil would ever stick her neck out for us."

"Hey, don't paint me as the villain," Dawn responded, not appreciating the insult on her personality. "We both know that you would do the same if our roles were reversed."

"Well you got me there."

"Your not even going to try to deny it," Dawn shot back shocked. "Just how cold are you?"

"Not as cold to manipulate a person to fake confess to a person they hate," Ash responded, throwing down the gauntlet by bringing up what Dawn made him do in the past. "That's like me making you confess to Kenny."

Besides a short "Hey" from Kenny, everything became silent after that declaration.

"That's not fair," Dawn finally whispered after a couple of seconds. All of her fiery temper from before was now gone. "That's not fair and you know it," she spoke up a little bit louder.

"It's the truth no matter if it's fair or not," Ash said back, not feeling one bit guilty about what he said.

"I have every right to deny you help after you did the same with me," Dawn said as she fidgeted with uncertainty.

Ash rose an eyebrow. "And please due tell me when I did such a thing."

"You did it just a few minutes ago when I asked you to hide when I found out Serena was coming," Dawn responded, gaining back a little of her spunk. "You said, and I do quote, 'It doesn't effect me in the slightest. So, I say let her come.'"

"Why do you even care if she finds out that we are working together on a project?" Ash fired right back. "I thought you and her were besties for resties," he said while saying the last three words in a higher pitch.

"Did you even listen to a single word I said when I pleaded to you to hide?"

"Sorry," Ash said in answer to Dawn's question. "I don't listen to the words of a devil. You never know when they are going to trick you."

Dawn ignored the insult and said, "Fine, I'll tell you again. So, you better pay attention."

Ash was looking up at the ceiling, but slowly turned back to Dawn when it became silent. "I am sorry. Did you say something?"

"Serena has been pestering me for a while now because of how off I have been due to our little fiasco that led to us becoming Chemistry partners," Dawn said through gritted teeth, just barely able to contain her temper. "And of course I didn't want to involve her anymore than I already have because I feel like it's my problem that I need to deal with by myself." Dawn sighed and looked down. "But now she is here and she is for sure going to find out everything. I just don't know what to do," she said, looking back up. "Hey, were you even listening!"

Ash, meanwhile, had set his phone down and stood up to browse through the books nearby when Dawn looked down. "Look, I found something that may help," Ash said when she stopped talking, pulling out a book and showing her the title.

Dawn was silently fuming as she read the title out loud, "'Friendship for Dummies.'" She then also stood up and started to look through the books on the bookcase as she said, "I guess that's the best help you can give considering you don't have any friends."

Ash scowled at that insult.

"Ah," Dawn said as she showed Ash the book she picked out. "As your partner, I highly recommend this book to you."

Ash's scowled worsen as he read 'Handwriting for Dummies.' He then hastily started to look back through the books on the shelf to find something that he could retaliate with.

Kenny, from the other side of the phone, just shook his head as listened to the two partners argue and find book after book to insult each other with. Really, just how many absurd books were in the 'for Dummies' series?

Suddenly, Kenny stood up from his hiding spot from behind a bush. As soon as he spotted Serena, he made a bee line to the bushes in front of the library to hide and call Ash. However, now that she along with Calem and Gary now gone, he didn't see any more reason to remain hidden. Plus, his legs were starting to crap up from staying crouched for so long.

Kenny put his other hand that wasn't holding his phone up to his chin to think. Wether Ash meant to or not, he gave the auburn haired teenager a look into Dawn's real personality and it really made him think that Ash was right all along about Dawn not being perfect. He was just so sure that she would help them out. Also, he never once noticed her being out of it the past few weeks. Who knew she was having problems with Serena of all people.

Kenny, like most people at school, thought Serena was the most kind hearted person on the planet. Anytime that she would pass him in the hallway, she wouldn't just ignore him like most of the popular people, Dawn included. Instead, she always gave a smile and greeted him like they were friends. Of course, Kenny knew that she did that to everyone, but still. It spoke to her pure heart that Serena, the most popular girl in school, would take a few seconds out of her day to say hello to a nerd like him.

Suddenly, Kenny vigorously shook his head. No, bad Kenny. He liked Dawn, not Serena. He shouldn't betray Dawn by thinking of how wonderful Serena is!

Adapting a serious face, Kenny thought about what he should do in this predicament. He really wanted to help out his crush with Serena, but he also had to deal with Calem and Gary. Plus, he just didn't have the confidence to go up and talk to a girl like Serena. If only he was more like Ash. . .

"That's it!" Kenny shouted, causing Ash and Dawn to stop from trying to shove a 'for dummies' book in the others face.

"I just thought of the perfect solution to all of our problems!" Kenny's voice roared through the phone.

Silence soon followed for some seconds as Ash and Dawn moved to crouch by the phone and wait for Kenny to elaborate.

"Well, are you waiting for an invitation," Ash said, annoyed. He was still a little irritated from his argument with Dawn. "Just spit it out already."

"Alright, just hear me out," Kenny said. "Dawn doesn't want to explain the situation to Serena. Correct?"

"Yes," Dawn responded back while nodding.

"And Ash and I don't want to have to deal with Gary and Calem," Kenny continued. "Is that a correct assumption, Ash?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Ash grumbled out.

"Then the perfect solution would be for Dawn to get Gary and Calem not to bully us over this and for Ash to explain the situation to Serena," Kenny explained, laying down his plan.

"Hmm," Dawn said as she stood up and began to pace as she thought about it. Getting Gary and Calem to stop would certainly hurt her reputation and her social standing will suffer, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made. At this point of time, she was more worried about talking to Serena than her reputation. However, the big question was if she could trust Ash to handle the situation.

Dawn already knew that Ash hated Serena's guts. She also knew, based on their previous arguments, that he had a short fuse and could be very cold at times. In contrast, her friend thought that Ash had a crush on her and she was patient and warm like the sun. Certainly, their confrontation would be a like two opposite forces colliding with each other.

Now, that wasn't a bad thing. If Serena won Ash over, then her friend would stop bothering her and Ash would finally allow her to do something to dissipate her negative feelings. In retrospect, if Ash drives Serena insane, then her friend would see to the extent of how bad he actually is and Dawn could make him out to be the bad guy when she see's her best friend next time. Serena then could use her influence to force him to accept Dawn's kindness because if Serena was anything, she was extremely protective of her friends. It was a win-win situation for her that would solve all of her current problems and the only thing that she would lose would be a little of her reputation and her pride for relying on Serena again. This was the break she was hoping for!

"As long as I only have to stop them from bullying you guys because you two were meeting up with me, then you got a deal," Dawn concluded as she walked back to where Ash and his phone was.

"Great!" Kenny's voice came through the phone. He would get to help Dawn (it was his plan after all) and he gets to get out of bullying this time. Add in the fact that he found out a lot about his crush's personality and today was shaping up to be a great day!

Caught up in their excitement, they both forgot one crucial detail.

"I decline," Ash clearly said, grabbing both of their attention. "One time bullying is not worth talking to that heartless person."

"Come on," Kenny begged. "This is the one time where we can get out of those two humiliating us."

Dawn was silently cheering for Kenny to win the cold teenager over, but she could tell by the way his arms were across his chest in defiance, that he wouldn't budge. So, she would have to sweeten the deal a little.

"How about in exchange I stop them from bullying you two in any matter relating to us being partners for the duration of the Chemistry project," Dawn offered. This would hurt her social standing more, but it was still worth having all of her current problems solved.

Kenny couldn't believe his ears. He thought it was a pretty fair trade from the beginning. Now, it seemed that Dawn tipped the scale in their favor.

"I got a better idea," Ash countered with a smirk. "How about we forget the whole bullying thing and you agree to hang out with Kenny and I for a day instead."

Dawn's eyes widened. She thought for sure she had them. Darn, he was more shrewd than she thought. "Absolutely not," Dawn said while putting her arms up in an 'X'. Hanging out with them for a day wouldn't just hurt her reputation, it would completely ruin it. Plus, just the idea of hanging out with the loser Ash and the nerdy Kenny made her want to throw up. "Stopping them from bullying you in regards to me for the rest of the semester is my best deal and you better act fast because this deal won't last."

"I'll tell you what," Ash smoothly said right back. "I'll just make you go out with Kenny for the day. That is my final offer. So, take it or leave it."

"Then it looks like we reached an impasse," Dawn said, not backing down.

For a moment both stared each other intensely in the eyes with neither of them blinking or saying anything. It was a test of wills that neither wanted to lose.

Finally, Ash blinked and crouched down to pick up his phone.

"Does this mean that you accept my terms," Dawn said while smiling and holding back the urge to jump up in victory.

"Nah, I think I'll rather take my chances with Gary and Calem than strike a deal with a devil," Ash said as he began to walk off.

Dawn's smile instantly disappeared and a nervous expression took its place. This was her big break and it was falling apart fast!

With his back towards Dawn, Ash allowed a big smirk to appear on his face. He knew that he had her. It was obvious to him from the start that she wanted to use him in another one of her schemes that involved Serena. He did have to admit, though, she was good at this game, but it just so happened that he could read her like a book now. So, it will be his victory!

Soon she will call out to him to wait and reluctantly accept his terms with some minor adjustments. These adjustments would most likely include shortening the time of the meet up to a few hours and her choosing where to go so she could avoid as much people as possible. Nevertheless, he would get Kenny that date he promised and he would fulfill his part of the deal with the auburn haired teenager.

Ash was so happy that not even Serena could ruin his mood. He just completed his side of a deal that he thought would take him at least the semester to complete at the earliest. So, dammit, he deserves to feel a little bit of self satisfaction.

True to what Ash thought, Dawn was about to call out to her partner to stop. She just couldn't let this opportunity get away from her. So, even though the thought of spending time with Kenny made a shiver go up her spine and if word ever got out of there meet up (she refuse to call it a date), it would completely obliterate her social standing at school, Dawn would reluctantly concede to Ash.

However, before she could call out, a voice spoke up from Ash's phone. A voice that was previous left speechless at the series of events that occurred.

"Ash. . ."

It was so quiet that Dawn couldn't make out what Kenny said, but Ash heard it and just that single word spoken so desperately caused him to stiffen up and look at the phone in his hand.

Ash was so caught up in his success that he completely forgot about Kenny. For a moment, he just stared intensely at his phone and imagined that it was Kenny instead of an inanimate object. Ash's image of his tutor consisted of him having a defeated look and would be close to breaking down.

Just the thought of such a sight weighed on the cold teenager heavily and made him think if he could go through with this. Sure, he would technically give Kenny what he promised. However, it won't be like how the auburn haired teenager imagined.

He could already see it now. Kenny and Dawn sitting in a secluded park with Dawn dressed up with a big coat, sunglasses, and a hat while cautiously looking around making sure no one recognized her. Meanwhile, Kenny would be desperately trying to get his crush's attention to no avail while looking miserable as he ticked off the seconds to when Dawn would literally leave his life forever.

Ash clutched his hand that wasn't holding his phone. Could he really do this to Kenny just because it benefitted him the most? With his back still facing Dawn, Ash looked over his shoulder at the blue haired devil. More importantly, could he really act like Dawn and manipulate the situation to get what he wanted?

Ash allowed his hand as well as his body to relaxed as the answer was as clear as day.

"I'll accept your terms," Ash finally breathed out for all to hear as he turned his body back to face his partner. Kenny may have been a bastard who only saw him as a means to an end, but underneath it all, he wasn't such a bad guy. A prime example of this was his tutor taking the time to call him to warn him about Serena, Calem, and Gary. So, he just couldn't crush all of his hopes and dreams with Dawn.

Meanwhile, Dawn couldn't understand what caused the cold teenager to change his mind, but it seemed that the tide has turned and she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Not so fast," she said while holding out her hand and wiggling her index finger back and forth. "That deal has long since passed."

Ash's anger grew rapidly as his partner pressed her advantage. She just couldn't be satisfy with winning! She just had to squeeze out every drop out that she could!

"Don't give me that look," she smugly said. "I did say that deal wouldn't last forever."

Ash was desperately restraining himself from hurting the blue haired devil at this point.

Dawn was just smiling sweetly at the cold teenager as she said, "So, I stop them from bullying you guys just this one time and you will talk to Serena on my behalf." Dawn paused for a second for dramatic effect as her sinister smile widen even more. "Are these terms agreeable?"

"Fine," Ash hissed out.

"What was that?" Dawn taunted as she put her hand up to her ear as she faked being unable to hear him.

"I said yes!" Ash said with fiery as he ended his call with Kenny. He really didn't want his tutor to hear what he was about to do.

Dawn meanwhile stopped paying attention to the loser as she was internally celebrated her success. Sure, it may have been a bit rocky there for awhile, but it all worked out for her in the end!

Suddenly, she felt someone grab the front of her shirt and slam her into one of the bookshelves. A small "thud" was heard as her back collided and some of the books rattled from the force.

Dawn gasped as the air left her as she looked in shocked at a very angry Ash with his fist raised up to punch her right in the face. "Y-You wouldn't hurt-rt a girl-l. Would-ld you-u?" she just barely managed to get out. All of her confidence was gone and in its place was a scared little girl.

"What girl do you speak of," Ash responded back while glaring at his frighten partner. "I only see a devil in human skin."

Dawn could only stare back with wide, fearful eyes like a prey in the presence of its predator. So, sacred she was, that she didn't even think about screaming out for help.

"You know, I really did try to help you," Ash said with a slight edge in his voice. "I thought after our little chat that you would see the errors in your ways and really start to change for the better."

Dawn felt Ash tighten his grip on her.

"Instead, you became so focused on your delusion of somehow paying me back that you lost sight of yourself and wailed in self pity. Well, news flash you damn devil!" Ash shouted as he shook her a little.

"This world doesn't revolve around you!" Ash said while looking the scared girl in the eyes. "You may have been blessed with more than most people, but that doesn't give you the right to manipulate people to your heart's content!"

From the way Ash stared at her and from his words, Dawn could only think that he somehow knew about everything, including about her latest scheme.

Suddenly, Ash started to darkly laughed. "You know what, I think I'll give you a taste of your own medicine," he said as he felt Dawn start to shake in fear.

"We both know about my status at the very bottom of school. Right?" Ash expectedly said.

Of course, Dawn was too scared to answer back.

"Well the beauty of being at the bottom is that you can't sink any lower," Ash continued despite receiving no response. "Therefore, no one should be too surprised if say I hit a so called 'queen' right in the face now would they?"

The poor girl was now shaking like a leaf in the wind at the implication.

"In fact," Ash said as he cocked his fist back. "It would only be expected that the loser behaved liked this."

Dawn closed her eyes and turned her head away as she prepared for impacted. However, instead of the pain she expected to feel, she just heard the sound of wood and paper being struck.

Opening her eyes, Dawn saw that Ash's fist was implanted in the bookcase right next to her head.

Suddenly, without warning, Dawn felt herself collapsed on her butt in a pathetic manner as Ash let go of her. She then, while still shaking, looked up at her partner still in fear.

The cold teenager just sighed as he retracted his fist with his hat covering his eyes. All of his threatening aura was now gone as he said, "Now you know what it feels like when someone uses their status against you to get what they want. However, you were right from the beginning." Ash allowed a small smile to show. "No matter how much I wanted too, I could never hit a girl."

Not giving Dawn a chance to respond, Ash started to turn and walk away as he said, "As payment for what I put you through, just tell Calem and Gary that you have been hating every waking second working with Kenny and I and belittle us as much as you can. Plus, play up to their ego. Gary is a playboy so just do your little act that you did to Kenny when you first met him and you will have him practically eating out of your hand. Calem is an arrogant jerk with a head as big as this library. So, just suck up to him and you can get him to do anything. And one more thing."

Ash paused in his retreat and looked back with his hat still covering his eyes and with his small smile. "Don't be afraid to hold anything back when insulting Kenny and I because like I hinted at earlier." His smile grew just a bit wider. "People would only expect a 'queen' of the school to hate working with those so beneath her and would only think as these peasant to be barbaric idiots."

Ash once again faced forward as he collectively walked away with his hands in his pockets. "Follow my advice and you can maintain your reputation while also successfully fulfilling your part of our deal and don't worry about hurting Kenny and I," Ash spoke up one last time before leaving the aisle they were in. "We are used to people thinking about us in that way."

With her partner now gone, Dawn finally could begin to process all that happened in just a short time. One minute she was celebrating in victory of Ash accepting her terms. The next she was so scared that she thought that she might wet herself when Ash threatened her. Finally, she was left on the ground in bewilderment as the so called loser gave her advise on how to deal with the bullies without her social standing hurt. She really had a lot to sort through, but that would have to wait for now.

Dawn felt herself calm down and she used the bookcase that she was leaning on to help her stand back up. Time stopped for no one and she didn't have the time to sort through all that happened. As it stood now, she and Ash were already lucky as it is that no one found them especially after the ruckus they made.

Gracefully, Dawn wiped the dirt off that gathered on her skirt when she was on the ground and straighten up her white beanie. She then took a deep breath and lightly slapped both of her cheeks to help herself focus. Finally, when she felt she was ready, Dawn also went to exit they aisle that she and Ash took refuge in. Before she left, she did take notice of the little mark left on the bookshelf where Ash punched it.

With the size of that mark and with how her back didn't hurt from being pushed against the shelf, Dawn concluded that Ash really did his best not to hurt her. This was a fact that the blue haired teenager filed away for later. Tonight. . . Tonight she would reflect on all of this and maybe finally begin the process of settling her uneasy emotions. However, right now, she had a job to do.

Dawn soon disappeared from the aisle as she prepared herself to confront Calem and Gary.

Meanwhile, from not so far away, Ash was also preparing himself to have his first serious conversation with Serena since she ridiculed him in front of the whole school about him "pretending" to be her childhood friend.

Wow, that was a long one with plenty of things happening. Even I have to admit that it was a little cruel to leave you guys on a cliffhanger like this, but I felt like I would of rushed it if I didn't. Also, thanks for your support of this story! I know I haven't been the best with timely updates so it means a lot for people to still be into the story.

Until next time (hopefully, I would hate to leave you guys like this)!