I was so stupid.
That one thought ran through both of the two silent coordinators' minds as they walked alongside Paul. The two of them were looking blankly at the ground, absently shuffling their feet. There was an awkward silence between the three, however it was only noticed by the purple haired trainer. For, each of the other two were lost in their own thoughts.
How could I have been so cruel?
Dawn swallowed with a bit of difficulty as her heart began to beat faster. They were getting closer and closer to the Pokemon Center where May was. Yet, the bluenette has yet to sort out her thoughts. What would she say to May? What expression should she have on her face? How would she approach her? Should she beg for forgiveness? Should she calmly offer to to hear both sides of the story? What should she do?
Soggy, wet leaves seemed to squelch underneath her feet as Dawn's pink boots trudged through them. Rather disgusted with the view of the ground, her cobalt eyes glanced up towards the sky. It was covered in light gray clouds, swirling in this direction and that. They seemed to be drifting in all different directions; some went right, some went left, others forward, others backwards. If you asked Dawn, it was just a whole mess of clouds.
Just like the way I feel. Everything is just a whole big mess...
With a sharp shake of her head, Dawn looked straight ahead. Her eyes shone with determination, as well as a bit of worry. Nonetheless, she was still determined.
But the difference is, I can make things right.
Unfortunately, the confidence that was emitting from the blue haired girl could not be shared with Drew.
The trio grew closer and closer to the Pokemon Center (and to May) and all the feelings and strength in the grazzhead's legs began to dwindle away. He paled the slightest bit when they walked over a hill and caught sight of its giant red "P". He noticed that his arms were constantly shaking as he feebly reached up to flick his hair. He felt a sickening churning in his stomach when they reached the outskirts of the unknown town. And, when they arrived at the entrance of the center, he was absolutely petrified.
His complexion was sickeningly pale shade of white.
He was sweating like crazy, evident in the green hair that was plastered to his forehead.
His eyes were opened so wide that it seemed as if his pupils had shrunken.
His body was trembling so violently that he had to lean on the Pokemon Center's wall in order to remain upright.
And, most of all, he was refusing to go in.
"Drew?"
A feminine voice broke the silence. It was soft and tentative, just like the look on her face. Tucking a dark blue lock of hair behind her ear, Dawn bit her lip. Wringing her hands (which he noticed were shaking as well, though not as excessively as his) together nervously, she pursed her lips off to one side. Her cobalt blue eyes gazed at him with concern as they searched his face. She began to open her mouth cautiously. Then Dawn hesitated, and decided to melt her expression into a small smile. One Drew did not return. Closing his eyes, he turned away from her.
'Are you alright?' he thought, aggravated. That's what she'll say. That's what everyone always says whenever you look like shit. They ask that same shit even though they know the answer. Hell no I'm not alright. I'm scared. I am so freaking scared. But hell will freeze over before I'll admit that. So just shut up and leave me-
The grasp of a delicate hand snapped Drew out of his internal rant. Darting his eyes upward, his emerald orbs locked with Dawn's bright blue ones. Her smile was a bit wan and was wavering, however, for some reason, it made the usually arrogant coordinator feel reassured.
"Everything is going to be okay." Giving him a small wink, the blunette withdrew her hand.
"You don't have to be afraid."
Immediately, Drew opened his mouth to protest. Despite the fact that he truly was afraid, whenever it came to this matter, his pride always had to rebut.
"I'm not-"
Her long blue hair swished rather attractively as she turned, silently cut him off. Turning to face the glass door, she peered over her shoulder, sneaking a quick peek at the green haired boy. Offering one last smile, she took a step and was about to walk inside before-
"Hold up." A rough hand on her shoulder, with a hard voice to match, stopped her in her tracks. She froze momentarily, closing her eyes as she felt her blood turn ice cold. Pivoting ever so slowly, she peered through a tiny opening between her eyelids. Quietly, she inhaled deeply and took a glance at Paul. She met his deep onyx eyes for half a second, then immersed herself into studying his shoes. Her reply came out as a whisper, if its softness could even be classified as that.
"Yes?"
Though she was staring at the ground, through the corner of her eyes, Dawn could see Paul leaning in towards her ear. She could feel herself tensing up and she flinched away, smacking his hand away. Her eyes were wider than usual, though not entirely frightened. Her expression was portraying more skepticism instead. She eyed him warily, watching him as if she was worried that he may do something to her. After all, from all her past travels and experiences with Ash, she knew he was distant and emotionless; she believed he was cold at most. However, after the way he treated Drew, and the way he treated her, now, she viewed him as just plain cruel.
Rolling his eyes the slightest bit, Paul grunted and retracted his hand. Shoving his hands deep into his pockets, he shrugged.
"I just wanted to say," he muttered stiffly. "That you should go in first."
"..."
"..."
"...Paul? I know that you're not very talkative, but do you care to elaborate? Just a bit?"
Paul offered no response for a while, just staring at the blue haired girl. She appeared to have regained her composure. Her voice was cool and steady. She wasn't showing any emotions. She held her head up high. She was peering towards him through her eyelashes. Her hands were crossed over her chest.
Yet, something about her now was even more disturbing than when she was constantly sobbing.
"Paul...?"
Shaking off that odd thought about the troublesome girl, he glanced towards the green haired male.
"You go inside first. The two of us will be in shortly. Hayden and I need to have a talk."
There was something about the way Paul said that. There was something about his tone of voice that was off. Something about the harshness, the coldness, the edge that she could hear in his voice. It was just wrong.
And it was sure as hell pissing her off.
Who did he think he was?
Who was he to say whether or not she should leave the two of them alone?
Who was he to say that he and Drew were going to "have a talk" at all? Drew sure as hell didn't know about it. Dawn could tell that much from the look on his face.
Who was he to try to hurt Drew? Who was he to kick him while he's down?
Eying the purple haired trainer with cobalt eyes filled with animosity, Dawn huffed. Taking a step away from the center, she walked closer towards her new friend. Crossing her arms, she stepped in front of him. Mustering up all the sweetness in her body that she could (which was not very much,) she faked a smile.
"Why?" she asked, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "What do you have to talk about with Drew-" At this, she put her arm on his shoulder. "-that you can't say with me around?"
The way Dawn was acting, it was almost as if she was trying to protect the green haired teen from the wrath of Paul.
The operative word being almost.
He let out a frustrated growl, and moved towards the two coordinators. Squealing in fright, the young girl leaped behind Drew, attempting to avoid any physical contact with Paul. However, either the motion had went unnoticed by the growling trainer, or he didn't give a damn. He marched around a surprised Drew and grabbed Dawn's left arm.
Yanking her in front of him, Paul pulled her close.
"I told you to go inside!"
"No!"
The fear in her eyes was evident, however it was definitely outshone by her determination. She was set on staying outside with them. She was set on so-called protecting her friend.
Why does everyone see him as an ally?
She stubbornly stomped her foot as she rooted herself to the ground.
"I'm not going to let you do anything bad to Drew!"
She's willing to go through all this drama, to endure all my anger, to protect him!
The already-secure grip that Paul had on the girl's arm was unconsciously tightening as he grew more and more frustrated.
Why?
"H-hey! Why are you squeezing me harder?"
I'm just trying to help!
"Paul, it's really starting to hurt me now!"
Why do you have to fight me light this?
"Ah, ah, ow, Paul! Please stop! It hurts! It really hurts!"
And why are you starting to care so much for this bastard too?
"Paul!" A low, masculine voice, as well as a hard slap on the arm, brought Paul back to his senses. His eyes widened as he watch the blue haired girl cradle her arm while Drew rubbed it ever so gently. Then he leaned towards her ear, just as Paul had done before.
He waited for her to stiffen
He waited for her to flinch.
He waited for her to slap Drew away as she did him.
But her hostility never came. Instead, she leaned closer to Drew, to listen to what he had to say. She looked at Drew normally, with all the trust and innocence she possessed.
She looked him like a monster.
It was like a giant slap in the face for Paul, though he had absolutely no idea why...
My most sincere apologies. School recently ended and my teachers gave me a crap load of work (even though they didn't have any time to grade it -_-) and then I had all this stuff to do... I love you guys so much, please don't be mad! I'll try to update as soon as possible.
Love, xxtbrxx
