"What, what do we have to talk about..." Paul grumbled, annoyed that Ash was keeping him up so late, probably to talk about nonsense.
"You hit my friend and I don't take kindly to that sort of thing." Ash stated firmly and angrily.
"Yeah, what're you gonna do about it? Be a hero and save the day, as usual..." Paul groaned and Ash clenched his fists becoming frustrated.
"You didn't hit my friend, Paul, you hit a girl." Ash replied through his teeth.
"So? Get over it, you only care because you're dating her and you don't even want to." Paul replied.
"This has absolutely nothing to do with the fact on me dating Dawn this is about you hitting Dawn and leaving bruises on her eye! Didn't anyone ever tell you not to hit girls? Have you even seen what you've done to her not only physically but, emotionally? I don't even know the half of it by intend on finding out, Paul. When I do you can bet that you'll resent it, mark my words, Paul Veilstien, you stay away from Dawn and all of my friends. If I ever hear that you laid one finger on Dawn, Misty, May or any girl for that matter you'll be sorry. Do you understand me? Now, I'm letting you go with a warning, next time I won't be as easy, get it?" Ash yelled with an intimidating threat coming from the heart and Pikachu nodded.
"Whatever..." Paul replied glaring at Ash spitefully. Paul wasn't terrified of Ash or anything but the will he had, how angry he was because of the personal background of the situation was frightening. So, Paul decided it be best to keep quiet rather than begin an argument this late at night.
"Good. Come on, let's go to bed, Pikachu." Ash said deliberately avoiding eye contact with Paul.
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded. Over at the girls dorm Dawn walked upstairs cautiously alongside May and Piplup. She entered their dorm room exhausted and upset.
"Dawn, do you want some tea or coffee or something to calm you down?" May offered.
"No, no thanks." Dawn said as she just sat on her bed and clutched her skirt ruffles between her fists on her lap. She then through down her ice pack and started to cry.
"Piplup!" Piplup exclaimed, rushing to Dawn's side.
"Dawn! Hey, Dawn, come on, it'll be okay!" May said in comfort.
"I know, I know, it's just I thought that it was all behind me all this Paul stuff, I can't take it anymore!" Dawn cried.
"Things will get better! I hear you've got a date with Ash on Friday, that'll be fun Ash is a great guy I hope things go great for you two!" May said encouragingly.
"Yeah, you're right!" Dawn said wiping her tears away. "I've got Ash now! I shouldn't even bother with him!"
"That's the spirit! Now, why don't you get to bed?" May advised.
"I will, I just want to call my mother first." Dawn said.
"Okay, sounds like a good idea, I'm going to hit the hay now so, goodnight." May said.
"`Night, May." Dawn replied, yawning and then she walked over to the phone. Dawn punched in her home number and took a deep breath.
"Hello, Johanna speaking?" Johanna said answering the phone.
"Mom?" Dawn said.
"Oh, hello, dear, are you alright, how was your day?" Johanna asked her daughter.
"It started out good..." Dawn replied.
"Then what?" Johanna asked.
"Mom!" Dawn cried.
"What, what's wrong, sweetie?" Johanna asked concernedly.
"He's here, he]'s ruining everything!" Dawn cried.
"Who, Paul? Oh, no..." Johanna replied guessing correctly.
"Yes, Mom, and I-I don't know what to do, he hit me again tonight at a restaurant!" Dawn cried.
"Dawn, I am going to call up that boy's parents and the principal and have him expelled! How dare he! Why on earth was his reason this time as if there could be one for that-...whatever, to hurt my daughter!" Johanna yelled.
"I don't know? I was outside talking to Ash because he and I have a date on Friday and when Ash went inside he popped out of nowhere and started yelling! Oh, Mom, I was so scared!" Dawn yelped.
"You said you have a date with Ash, Ash Ketchum, right? " Johanna verified.
"Yeah, so, Ash is a nice guy!" Dawn said defensively.
"Oh, I know, I always liked that boy very good-natured, I was referring to Ash as why Paul hit you, he is jealous, simple as that."
"I know, I'm so excited I really like him! But, there's this other girl…Misty's her name she likes him too, of course if I can make Ash my boyfriend she'll be no threat!" Dawn said with a gleam in her eye.
"Now, dear, don't get carried away. I'm sure Misty's a nice girl she just likes Ash the same as you she just happened to get beat to him but, remember, it's up to Ash in the end. I'm not going to lie I don't see any reason why Ash wouldn't prefer you, dear." Johanna stated.
"I don't know…" Dawn replied.
"I do! Just don't use the boy like you did to that poor other boy, Conway, he really cared for you Dawn and the first time you used him to look cool with a boyfriend the second was to make Paul jealous, I hope your feelings for Ash are bona fide." Johanna explained.
"No need to worry, Mom! I do genuinely care about Ash!" Dawn said.
"I'm still going to report him to the principal and he's lucky I don't go the authorities!" Johanna yelled.
"No, Mom, please, don't…please." Dawn pleaded "It'll only make things more complicated and stressful."
"…All-alright, I won't… But! If it happens one more time that's it no ifs, ands or buts! Do you understand me, Dawn!" Johanna warned her vulnerable daughter.
"Yes, mom, I get it, no need worry!" Dawn assured.
"Okay, then, goodnight, honey." Johanna said.
"`Night, Mom!" Dawn said hanging up the phone and letting out a big sigh. "Wanna call it a day, Piplup?"
"Pip!" Piplup agreed.
"Me too!" Dawn said as she changed into her pajamas and plopped into the bed for the night. As all this was going on Misty also arrived at her dorm and walked in to find Iris already lying in bed but, not asleep.
"Hey, what took you so long?" Iris asked.
"I was helping out Ash with the clean-up." Misty replied as she sat down in front of the vanity and undid her ponytail and her red hair fell long over her shoulders. Misty stared intently at herself in the mirror as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Maybe, maybe if I were as pretty as her…" Misty said burying her face into her folded arms that were leaning on the table of the vanity.
"Pretty as who, Misty?" Iris asked. "And what does it matter?" Iris said sitting up from bed.
"All my sisters are gorgeous and look at me I'm just…plain. That's why it was always the sensational sisters and the one runt…because they all were talented and beautiful and I got…nothing, nothing but a bad temper and a plain face." Misty sobbed.
"Slow down, kiddo! I don't know your entire backstory, what's going on?" Iris said.
"I don't know, it-it's ridiculous, you wouldn't care I won't keep you up." Misty said.
"No, no it's fine, I'm curious, you're an interesting person or as my friend, Cilan, would say you have a unique flavor." Iris stated, quoting Cilan.
"Well, it's Ash, Ash Ketchum." Misty confessed.
"Yeah, Pokémon master, old pal of mine, he's a good kid, what about him?" Iris said.
"Remember I told you I traveled with him in the very beginning of his journey? Well, truth is I always had a crush on him and I haven't really ever let go…" Misty admitted.
"So, I don't blame you, Ash is a great guy, not that I like him that way or anything but, he is a nice catch, just go for it!" Iris said.
"He's going on a date with Dawn, I lost my opportunity…" Misty said sadly. "I should've known he'd choose Dawn over me, she's beautiful and I'm…not." Misty said, bashing herself.
"That's rough, I know. But, here's the deal it all depends on who asked who out. If Ash asked Dawn out then, well, sorry but you lost there but if it was vice versa odds are Ash was too nice to turn her down and it doesn't necessarily mean he has feelings for her, or it does, I'm no shrink I'm just saying what I infer from past situations." Iris explained.
"I-I'm not sure which way it was, but, thank you, Iris, you gave me hope, I appreciate it." Misty said.
"No problem, oh, and, Misty, I don't think you're plain, I think you're pretty and I wouldn't say that if I didn't think so. Well, `night!" Iris said curling back into bed with her Axew. Misty smiled with a new sense of confidence and hope reestablished in her mind. The morning came and everyone was seated in their first period class preparing to initiate the school day. May, Drew, Dawn, Ursula, Zoey and Kenny all had coordinating class first and were headed off to meet their coordinating teacher. As Kenny, Dawn, Zoey and Ursula walked in they paid no attention to their new teacher just taking a seat but, when Drew and May walked in last giggling behind the rest of the students they stopped dead in their tracks.
"Helloooooo!" The teacher squealed.
"Hey, Harley…" Drew mumbled unsatisfied with the teacher of his most important class.
"Ah, ah, ah, Mr. Davidson to you now!" Harley reprimanded Drew.
"…Well, Mr. Davidson, I suppose you still hold a grudge for me calling your poke' block, okay?" May said irritably.
"No, I've matured and gotten over that, May Maple." Harley stated. "Now, take your seat immediately you are tying up my super, fantabulous class!"
"He would be our teacher…" May groaned whispering to her boyfriend.
"I know, I know." Drew replied.
"Soooooooooo, everyone who wants to take a warm up class and show me all your spectacular combinations and I'll like rate them!" Harley said. "Everybody to the arena!" Harley said as he got up and walked in a girlish stride to the arena. "May, you first."
"Surprise, surprise…" May mumbled sarcastically.
"Don't use that tone with me, sister!" Harley said waving his hand while standing with a feminine posture.
"I'm sorry." May said insincerely. "Okay, Blaziken, let's show 'em what we're made of!" May exclaimed throwing out her poke'ball with flair as Blaziken popped out flamboyancy with fire spouting out from the poke'ball's blast due to the seal.
"What finesse in her combination, impressive! Something you lack, Dee-dee, panache." Ursula critiqued May's entering appeal while criticizing Dawn in the process.
"Oh, yeah, Ursula, if your élan is so marvelous why did I beat you in the grand festival?" Dawn replied.
"It was a mere coincidence." Ursula said flipping her hair egotistically.
"Dawn's a great coordinator and you have no right to insult her, Ursula, you weren't very good at all, relatively speaking." Kenny advocated.
"Why isn't that the pot calling the kettle black, Mr. Defensive?" Ursula chimed with a provoking tone as she sophisticatedly walked away with her high heals clicking in her stride.
"Why I oughta!" Dawn yelled. "Who does she think she is! She has such big head one day it'll explode!"
"If were lucky!" Kenny joked and got Dawn really chuckling.
"Fire spin then, use ember and flip through the ring of the fire spin!" May ordered and Blaziken did as instructed and concluded May's performance.
"Magnificent, May, bravo!" Drew said.
"Are you kidding? That was a joke! That was a horrendous manifestation of what a top coordinator's recital should appear, you need work!" Harley said and May scowled, knowing Harley's statement was made only out of resentment against her.
"She does not!" Drew said boldly as he flipped his hair.
"You dare defy, Harley Davidson, the astonishing!" Harley declared.
"The only thing astonishing was May's act, she should be teaching you, you've never become a top coordinator, you have no right to be instructing her, the only reason she's here is because of that dumb law!" Drew yelled.
"To the principal's office, Ladropple!" Harley ordered. "You little scoundrel!"
"Whatever…" Drew said as he picked up his books and left the classroom.
"Drew…It wasn't a big deal." May said with a sigh to herself. "Oh, Drew, I don't deserve you!"
"You sure don't!" Ursula said. "I should have him, he's cute."
"Excuse me?" May said.
"May, ignore her she's trying to make you mad on purpose." Dawn said. "Yeah, I know she's good at it…"
"Hmph, whatever, just stay away from my Drew!" May said.
"Someone's possessive!" Ursula retorted.
"Y'know what!" May began before Harley made an intervention.
"Ohhhhhhhhh, cat fight on aisle nine!" Harley purred and he received disturbed looks in return. "Save the catty stuff till after the bell ladies!" Harley said and coincidentally it rang moments after his statement and all the students darted for the door.
"Miss Zoey, I want to see your favorite combination tomorrow!" Harley cried out the door because he knew Zoey was also a top coordinator.
"Whatever!" Zoey called back and she continued chatting to Dawn. "So, I heard Ash accepted the date request!" Zoey said.
"Yeah, I'm psyched!" Dawn said.
"That's good and your swelling's gone down quite a bit!" Zoey said.
"I know, thanks to Brock!" Dawn said.
"Yeah, he'll be a great Pokémon doctor!" Zoey said.
"I know!" Dawn agreed as they walked to their next classes. The day continued pretty averagely and before everyone new it, it was the much anticipated Friday. It was the last class of the day and Ash was in history with Barry and Misty and he was sweating buckets.
"Ash, you okay?" The history teacher, Miss Clemets asked.
"Yeah…I'm cool!" Ash replied and Pikachu looked at him doubtfully.
"It's pretty blatant that you aren't cool. Do you need a drink?" Miss Clemets asked.
"I'm fine really." Ash assured.
"Okay, just raise your hand if you feel light-headed or something." Miss Clemets stated. "Now, class who can tell me what year the automatic Poke'ball was invented we already know that the turn-cap poke'ball was invented in 1939 but, what about the one we all use today?"
"It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday! Paryin', patyin', yeah! We so excited!" Barry sang in his seat loud enough so only Ash and Misty sitting on both sides of him could hear.
"Barry, I swear I'm going to rip your mouth off!" Misty muttered.
"Come on, Misty, yesterday was Thursday today it is Friday, tomorrow is Saturday and Sunday comes afterwards!" Barry sang.
"Barry, you're making me even more nervous, okay! Please stop with the singing!" Ash yelled loudly. "That was loud…" Ash mumbled and his face turned three shades red as the whole class stared at him.
"Ash, are you sure you're okay, you aren't acting like yourself? What's the problem?" Miss Clemets insisted.
"Barry won't stop singing Rebecca Black!" Misty snitched. "It's distracting and annoying!" Misty tattled.
"Barry, honey, don't sing that song, it could make someone go deaf, hun." Miss Clemets said and the class laughed.
"Sorry…" Barry apologized.
"It's alright, now we have five minutes left and it's Friday you can have the rest of period to yourselves!" Miss Clemets said and everyone cliqued together and began gossiping and chatting.
"Way to rad me out, Misty, I'm going to have to fine you for that! You've got ten seconds to pay up!" Barry yelled.
"Sorry, Barry, but that song's just too irritating, it's unbearable to listen to! The sad part is you sound better than her!" Misty stated.
"I do, don't I!" Barry said boastfully and Ash was still standing quietly with a nervous look to his face. "Ash, seriously, what's wrong with you, today?" Misty asked.
"Yeah, Ash you're being weird….well, weirder than usual." Barry commented.
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu agreed.
"Oh, it's no bid deal, I'm just a little stressed about my date with Dawn tonight, I've never been on a date before!" Ash said awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
"Don't worry, pal, I'll tutor you on all the basics!" Barry exclaimed and Misty just became saddened by jealously and started staring downwards and playing with her toes again.
"That's okay, Barry…" Ash said smiling.
"Nah, I owe it to you! Besides it'll boost my confidence!" Barry grinned.
"Why?" Ash asked.
"Cause you're a Pokémon master and it makes me feel good to be able to do something you can't!" Barry said.
"Gee…thanks…Barry. Trust me, there's probably a million things you can do better than me." Ash replied. "And, Barry, exactly how many dates have you actually been on?"
"…That isn't the point, Ash, my father is Palmer of the battle frontier so there!" Barry exclaimed.
"That's so irrelevant…" Ash said with a laugh.
"Whatever!" Barry said.
"Misty, you okay, you look upset?" Ash asked.
"Huh, oh, no, just tired!" Misty lied, faking a smile.
"Sure?" Ash asked and Misty nodded with her fake smile.
"Pikachu-pi?" Pikachu said.
"I'm good, Pikachu!" Misty said petting Pikachu's head.
"Okay class, see you Monday have a good weekend!" Miss Clemets said as she dismissed her class and everyone dashed out of school as fast as possible. Ash and Pikachu stepped inside their dorm, pleased to see it was empty and they prayed it would stay that way s Ash could have some privacy for his date preparation.
"Wonder where Paul's at, Pikachu?" Ash said. "Well, let's just say a prayer that he doesn't come back!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"I don't have any clue how I'm suppose to act on a date!" Ash exclaimed. "Maybe, Mom, can help? What do you think, Pikachu?" Ash said and Pikachu nodded happily. Ash picked up the phone and dialed home. Over at the Ketchums the annoying ringtone going: Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, phone call! Phone call echoed throughout the house.
"Hello, Ketchum's residence, Delia Ketchum speaking!" Delia said answering the phone.
"Hey, Mom?" Ash said.
"Ash! Hi, oh, honey how are you?" Delia asked enthusiastically.
"I'm good, just nervous." Ash replied.
"Oh, what about?" Delia said.
"Um…Mom, you see I kind of am going on a date tonight…" Ash replied, bracing himself for his mother's response.
"Oh, Ash! I've waiting for this day forever! Oh, sweetheart, I'm so proud of you! Oh, who is it? Who's this lucky girl who get's to go on a date with my Ash! Oh, my little baby's growing up!" Delia said.
"It's Dawn." Ash answered.
"Oh, she's cute!" Delia exclaimed. "Oh, Ash, it feels like only yesterday I was changing your diapers now, look at you going out on your first date, oh, my little boy!"
"Mom…" Ash replied as his mother was becoming emotional. "Mom, I need your advice, I don't know what to do!"
"Well, where are you going?" Delia asked.
"The movies." Ash replied.
"Oh, that's the first date your father took me on! Okay, what movie are you seeing?" Delia questioned.
"I don't know, I was going to let her pick when we got there." Ash said
"Oh, that's good see, Ash you don't need me to help you! You've already made a very gentleman-like choice!" Delia replied.
"But, Mom, I don't know what to say or do, it's like she's a whole another person now…" Ash replied.
"There's your problem! You just be yourself and maybe throw in a compliment here and there and it'll be fine it's just a first date and it's your very first date of your life, Ash, it isn't suppose to be perfect that's what makes it special." Delia said.
"Okay, be myself…Thanks, Mom! But, one more thing what am I supposed to wear?" Ash asked cluslessly.
"Hmmm, to the movies…Just wear a nice polo shirt and some nice corduroy pants and that'll do!" Delia said.
"Great, thanks a bunch, Mom!" Ash said.
"You're welcome, sweetie. Good luck, Ash, give me a call and tell me how it goes!" Delia said.
"I will, Mom, bye!" Ash said.
"Bye, honey!" Delia said and Ash hung up the phone.
"Okay, so here I go, Pikachu!" Ash said and began his predate preparations. Over at Dawn's dorm May was helping her get ready for her date too.
"So, May, what should I wear! Any thoughts, Piplup?" Dawn asked the advice of her friends.
"Don't ask Piplup it's a boy and a Pokémon!" May said and Piplup sulked. "I'll tell you, here, let me take a look at your wardrobe!" May said peering into Dawn's closet. "We want something that says; interested but not too interested, casual yet elegant!"
"What's that mean?" Dawn asked.
"It means you need something in the middle." May replied, dumbing it down. "Like a nice skirt and top! That's what I wore on my first date with Drew!"
"You and Drew get along so perfectly, you have such an ideal relationship!" Dawn said.
"Oh, it isn't always that way and it was so different as kids." May said. "We have our fights but, we always make up in the end…I don't know, because we really care about each other and in the end we know a silly argument isn't worth losing what we have."
"That's so sweet, I wish I had something like that!" Dawn replied.
"Maybe tonight's your chance to get it!" May said and Dawn picked out a pink short-sleeved shirt with a white lace jacket that went over it. To match the top she chose a black skirt and black pumps with rhinestones on the top. "You look great! Now all you've to do is wait for Ash here!" May said.
"Right, I can't wait! I haven't been on a date where I wasn't afraid of being smacked upside the head in over a year!" Dawn exclaimed and then they heard a knock at the door.
"That must be Ash, good luck, Dawn!" May said and with that Dawn opened the door to see Ash standing there with Pikachu ready to head off to the movies for their first date.
Ta-da chapter nine! Nothing impotant really happened so I guess you could call it a filler chapter, sorry about that!
Anyhoo, please, please, please review! I love feedback f all sorts so thanks so much!
And thanks to all my readers it's you who motivate me to write, thanks!
Update soon! Bon voyage for now! ;)