.
- Preparation -
February 26th, 2022. Morning. Hearthome City, Sinnoh.
The smell of strawberries filled him, lingering inside his head. Dawn pressed her handkerchief to his forehead, her breath warm against his skin. She looked into his eyes, and when she smiled at him, everything shattered to black.
Paul opened his eyes, inhaling as he gazed over to his alarm. Blinking the sleep away, he let out a sigh before looking through the blinds of his window.
It had been three weeks since he had gotten his Mega Stone. He had been training tirelessly, constantly working towards perfecting Mega Evolution's power. Now, the Champion title was almost in reach.
He had barely seen Dawn because of it. With him focused on training, and Dawn focused on her design, the two hadn't had time for much else. With their dreams right in front of them, it was time to take the final spurt.
Paul glanced to the calendar hanging on his wall. A red dot marked three days from now—the day of Dawn's fashion showcase in Nimbasa City. Closing his eyes, he recalled Dawn asking him to come only a week prior. He remembered the way she shifted her weight as she spoke, her voice sincere and oddly shy. He remembered the way her eyes shined in the sun when he said yes.
He exhaled in frustration. Somehow, his thoughts always came back to her. The smell of strawberries, the blue color of her eyes—no matter what he did, they wouldn't leave him. He thought of her when he was training, when it was inconvenient to do so—when he didn't want to at all.
Curling and uncurling his fists, Paul pulled his sheets away from him, sitting up as he ran his fingers through his tangled hair.
Catching sight of himself in the mirror, he stared with hard eyes. Clenching his jaw, he tore away from his reflection and rose to his feet before opening the drawer to his dresser.
Someone like him wasn't fit for someone like Dawn. His mind drifted to Lucas and Dawn talking in the aisle of the supermarket, Paul watching from a distance. He hadn't thought anything of it then, but now he felt an odd twist in his stomach when he remembered the way she laughed beside him.
He could never make her laugh like that.
Pulling a shirt over his head, he scolded himself with a huff. Going into the kitchen, Paul switched on the stove. He had never felt so pathetic. Now wasn't the time to let such inane thoughts cloud inside him—not when he and Dawn were right in front of their dreams. Not when he didn't want to have these thoughts at all.
Pouring himself a glass of orange juice, he glanced over at Torterra's Poke Ball on the counter. Slowly putting down the carton, he knitted his brows as he stared. He knew he couldn't meet with Dawn at the small café—not like this.
Putting the juice back into the fridge, he gripped the door before closing it shut. Glancing back at the Poke Ball, he slowly inhaled before releasing his grip on the handle.
But a battle was okay, right?
February 26th, 2022. Afternoon. Hearthome City, Sinnoh.
Dawn quickly folded a skirt, shoving it inside of her suitcase. Piplup and Lopunny watched on as she fumbled to fit whatever she could inside, cursing under her breath when realizing that she had forgotten something. Rising to her feet, she rushed off of the bed, grabbing some fabric before tossing it in with the rest.
Elesa's fashion showcase was only three days away, and Dawn seriously regretted not packing sooner. She reasoned that it wouldn't take her that long—but as soon as she started, her mind dizzied with questions: What would she wear on the plane? What make-up was she going to need for the show? Did she have all of her toiletries? What if there was snow?
She sighed, pushing a jacket into her bag forcefully. The competition was rapidly approaching, and Dawn had to constantly remind herself that she was ready—well, mostly ready. Lifting her head, she looked out the window.
Ever since that day on Mt. Coronet, she had been locked away in her workroom. Once inspiration had sparked inside her, her heart lit on fire as she burned through her work. She worked with her Pokemon by her side, them pushing her through every struggle and hardship. When she stepped away from her design with Lopunny, she could feel what it truly meant to have their hearts become one.
She still didn't fully know who she was as a stylist—but for the time being, that was okay. The design she had created was something only she could do; something that was born from the bond between her and her Pokemon. In the end, that was enough.
She caught sight of Piplup and Lopunny smiling at her in the reflection of the window, and Dawn felt some of her anxieties lift off of her chest. Her Pokemon and her friends—with everyone cheering her own, there was no way she could let them down. As long as she gave it everything she had, then she knew she wouldn't have any regrets.
She gripped the windowsill. Paul had been supporting her, too; if it wasn't for him, she might not even be standing where she was now. Glancing to the mountains in the distance, she lowered her hands. She hadn't seen Paul much since that day at Mt. Coronet. She knew he was pouring himself in his training, pushing himself as he took his final step towards becoming Champion.
She frowned.
Paul had stopped coming to breakfast, and Dawn barely saw him passing in the hall. But this was to be expected. Now that he had his Mega Stone, he didn't need her anymore. Once he achieved his dream, he would vanish from her life altogether.
Her heart ached, and she suddenly felt silly and selfish. Paul had his own dreams to focus on, and so did she. Sighing, she pressed a palm to her forehead, wondering how she could focus on anything with these feelings clouding her head.
She looked to the ceiling, closing her eyes as she heard May's voice.
February 5th, 2022. Night. Hearthome City, Sinnoh.
"Fallen for him!?" May gasped, her mouth hanging opening.
Dawn pressed her lips into a hard line, gripping the receiver. "I know—it's silly."
"I don't think it's silly at all!" May said seriously. "There's nothing silly about being in love!" Dawn twitched nervously at her usage of the word 'love', and May frowned. "Why would you think that?"
Dawn glanced down, anxiously gripping at her skirt. "…Because once he becomes Champion, he won't need me anymore." She averted her gaze. "And when that happens, we'll just go back to being strangers."
"But you don't have to," May said suddenly, and Dawn looked at her in surprise. "You love him, don't you?"
Dawn hesitated, not quite able to say it. "W-well…"
"If you do, you can't just let him walk away. If you don't want him to leave you, then tell him to stay." May tilted her head, smiling. "Besides, maybe he feels the same way."
Dawn gave a small smile. "I don't know about that," she said, averting her gaze. "His focus is on his Pokemon and his dream—he doesn't seem like the type to be interested in something like a relationship."
"You might be surprised. Love can work in funny ways," May said, giggling lightly. "Take it from me."
Dawn glanced to the screen. Shaking her head, she let out a sigh. "Still, the idea of telling Paul how I feel makes my stomach twist." She let out a small whine. "I think I might actually get sick."
"Then don't think about it now," May advised. Furrowing her brows, she leaned towards the screen. "Elesa's competition is less than three weeks away. You finally have your inspiration—so don't take time for granted." She clenched her fist, giving Dawn a determined smile. "Thinking about your feelings for Paul will only cloud your head with troubles. Keep chasing your dream and decide what to do next from there."
Dawn stared at the screen a moment longer, May's encouragement radiating through as she stared with unwavering eyes. She was right—there was no time to waste thinking about her feelings. For now, she just had to keep her eyes forward.
Taking a breath, Dawn smiled as she gave her friend a nod.
"Right!"
February 26th, 2022. Afternoon. Hearthome City, Sinnoh.
Dawn lightly slapped her hands against her cheeks, pulling herself together. May was right—she had no time to be worrying about Paul when Elesa's fashion showcase was less than three days away. She looked to Piplup and Lopunny, who both smiled encouragingly at her. Inhaling slowly, she perked herself back up before returning to her suitcase.
A loud crash from the living room broke Dawn from her thoughts, and she spun on her heel to face the doorway. The sound of two female voices bickering back and forth could be heard, and Dawn sighed as she entered the other room.
Zoey was crouched down on the ground, picking up a lamp that had fallen off of a nearby table. Candice stood several feet away from her, jumping up and down as she attempted to grab at Pachirisu who stood on top of a bookshelf. He snickered at her, a hat nestled between his paws.
"Give that back!" Candice snapped, trying to reach for him again. "I paid good money for that hat!"
Zoey lifted her head to look at Candice, unamused. "I told you not to let him out of his Poke Ball in the first place," she reminded, placing the lamp back on the table. "He's a troublemaker."
"I just wanted to say hi!" Candice whined, still trying to grab at Pachirisu. "I didn't think this would happen."
Zoey and Candice had arrived in Hearthome earlier that morning to stay the night with Dawn, planning to accompany her to the airport the following morning.
The two had agreed to come and watch Dawn in Unova a few weeks prior, wanting to offer their support. Candice insisted that it had been a longtime dream of hers to attend one of Elesa's fashion shows anyways, so this was the perfect opportunity. Zoey was lucky to be able to get some time off from work to attend as well. Candice had teased she was surprised that anything could pull Zoey away from her work now—her job was her new love, after all.
Noticing Dawn standing in the doorway, Zoey's face fell. "Ah, Dawn!" she started, getting Candice's attention. She laughed nervously, rubbing her head. "Sorry about the mess." She eyed Candice warily. "Candice wanted to say hi to Pachirisu."
Candice pouted, and Dawn's gaze shifted to Pachirisu perched atop the shelf. He tilted his head curiously as Piplup and Lopunny walked into the room as well. Piplup puffed his cheeks disapprovingly at Pachirisu, and Lopunny's face dropped at the mess. Dawn sighed, crossing her arms with a small smile.
"No need to worry," she assured, eyeing Pachirisu. "You'd be surprised how often stuff like this happens."
Pachirisu shifted uneasily as Dawn narrowed her eyes at him. "Pachirisu," she snapped, causing him to flinch. "Candice is a guest. Now have some manners and give her that hat back."
Piplup crossed his arms in front of his chest, nodding his head approvingly as Lopunny let out a sigh.
Pachirisu shifted his gaze towards Candice, who looked up at him warningly. He quickly looked back to Dawn. She didn't falter, and Pachirisu winced before letting out a sigh in defeat. Hopping off of the shelf, he reluctantly handed Candice her hat.
Candice let out a, 'hmph', snatching the hat from his paws. "Thank you," she sang, placing it back atop her head. Pachirisu looked away stubbornly.
Zoey shook her head, but Candice took no notice as she turned to Dawn, the mood completely changing as her face lit up. "So, are you ready for tomorrow?"
Dawn blinked, taken by surprise. She glanced back to the open suitcase laying on her bed in the other room, cracking a smile before looking back to Candice. "As ready as I'll ever be," she said, scratching her nose. "But I'm still a little nervous."
"Don't be," Zoey pipped up, stepping forward as she gave Dawn a reassuring pat on the back. "You're the best Poke Stylist I know!"
"Yeah!" Candice agreed, her eyes shining. "I'm totally jealous of all of the cute outfits you design!" She sighed dreamily, putting a hand to her cheek. "I would love to be able to make things like that for my Pokemon."
"Thank you, really," Dawn said, a blush dusting her cheeks as she shifted her weight. "And thank you for coming with me." She looked between the two. "It means a lot to have your support like this—I need it."
Zoey waved a hand dismissively. "It's nothing," she assured, winking at her. "It's not every day our friend gets to compete in the fashion capitol of Unova. Of course we'd come."
Dawn let a small smile show and Candice blinked, placing her hands on her hips. "Speaking of," she started, looking to Dawn. "Who else is coming besides us?"
Dawn raised her brows, putting a finger to her chin in thought. "My Mom said that she would meet us in Nimbasa, and Paul and Reggie will meet us at the airport tomorrow morning."
There was a spark in Candice's eyes as she put a hand to her mouth, smiling slyly. "Paul?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows. "As in, your boyfriend Paul?"
Zoey deadpanned and Dawn's face instantly began to burn as she held up her hands defensively. "W-what?" she stammered. "N-no, no! We're just… Well…"
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get it out, and Candice leaned in closer, her smirk widening. "What's this? You aren't denying it," she prodded. "Is he your boyfriend after all?"
"Of course not! It's nothing like that," Dawn managed, twiddling her fingers nervously. Zoey eyed her suspiciously.
"What is it, then?" Candice teased, poking Dawn's forehead playfully.
Dawn closed an eye as she pressed her lips into a hard line. Even if Paul wasn't her boyfriend, her feelings for him were still very much there, the thought of them causing her head to spin. She hadn't told anyone but May about them yet, and she couldn't help but wonder if maybe Zoey or Candice could offer her further advice.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, there was a knock at the door, and Dawn jumped in surprise.
Zoey blinked, looking to the door. "Who could that be?"
Dawn inhaled, collecting herself as she walked towards the door. "I don't know," she said, reaching for the knob. "I wasn't expecting any more visitors today."
But when she opened the door, Dawn reeled back in surprise to see none other than Paul looming over her. Letting out a squeak, she took a step back. "Paul…!"
It was unusual. Paul very rarely came to her apartment on his own—he only ever came when Dawn had invited him to do so. Candice's face lit up with delight, but Zoey's expression dropped into a cold stare.
Dawn shifted, shaking her initial shock away as she glanced up at her visitor; and yet, she couldn't seem to maintain eye-contact with him, constantly shifting her gaze and fidgeting her hand. The conversation that she had just been having with Candice and Zoey weighed down on her, and she suddenly felt embarrassed, her cheeks heating up. Taking a quick breath, she asked, "What are you doing here?"
Paul stared down at her before looking to Candice and Zoey. Their expressions hadn't changed, and suddenly Paul felt odd. Looking back to Dawn, he said, "I came at a bad time." Turning away from her, he started making his way back to his own apartment.
Dawn's eyes widened, and she hurriedly took a step forward, holding out a hand to stop him. "Now isn't a bad time," she said hurriedly, and he stopped, glancing over at her. When she noticed him staring, she began fixing the bottom of her dress. "I just… wasn't expecting you—that's all." Finally, her eyes met his. "Do you need something?"
Candice and Zoey peeked their heads out into the hallway, watching Paul expectantly. Piplup glanced out as well, glaring daggers. Paul glanced at them, seeming to ponder for a moment before turning to face Dawn fully. "I wanted to test Torterra's strength against another Pokemon that can use Mega Evolution," he explained simply.
Dawn's brows shot up, putting a hand to her chest. "You… want to battle?"
He nodded, and Candice deadpanned, disappointed.
Dawn glanced to the ground. She hadn't realized just how long it had been since she and Paul had a real battle. Even after he got his Mega Stone, she had been so busy with work, and he had been so busy training in the mountains, that their schedules just hadn't matched up.
"I thought it might be good for you," Paul added, pulling her away from her thoughts. He eyed Lopunny standing in her apartment. "To battle alongside Lopunny before your contest, I mean." Dawn paused, and he fell silent before looking to her and starting, "But I understand if you're too bus—!"
"I'd love to battle—now is perfect!"
She said it quickly—a little too quickly—and the group fell silent as they all looked to Dawn in surprise. Even Paul raised his brows, unsure of how to respond to her eagerness.
Dawn's gaze stayed focused on Paul's, her expression unwavering. Noticing she was being stared at, she came to the realization that perhaps she had sounded a little too eager, and she shut her mouth tightly in embarrassment.
Candice's smug expression returned, and Zoey couldn't help but roll her eyes. After a beat, Dawn collected herself, exhaling as she said more calmly, "Battling would be nice."
A small smile threatened to tug at Paul's lips as Dawn turned to Lopunny, asking, "You'd like that too, right?"
Lopunny's face lit up. "Lopunny!"
Piplup puffed his cheeks in annoyance as he exchanged glances with a clueless Pachirisu. Dawn ignored him as she turned to Paul with a nod. "Let's battle, then."
Paul felt a little lighter when she smiled at him, and he closed his eyes. "We can go to our usual spot."
"That's fine by me," Dawn said, approaching her coat rack by the door as she pulled her coat off and slid it on. She glanced to Zoey and Candice. "You'll watch the apartment for me while I'm gone, right?" she asked, slipping her boots on. "I won't be long."
"Of course!" Candice said excitedly, holding up a hand. "You can count on us!"
"Yeah," Zoey sighed, sliding her hands into her pockets. "Good luck out there."
Dawn flashed them a smile, holding up a hand. "Thanks, guys." She turned her head to Lopunny, waving a hand to her. "Let's go!" She flashed Piplup and Pachirisu a warning look, stating, "Behave," before walking out the door with Lopunny, closing it behind them.
A silence hung over the room for a moment before Candice cracked a smirk, crossing her arms in front of her.
"He's totally her boyfriend."
February 26th, 2022. Afternoon. Route 209, Sinnoh.
"High Jump Kick!"
Lopunny sped towards Torterra, leaping up into the air and extending her leg forward. She landed a direct hit square on his forehead, but Torterra seemed practically unfazed, darting his eyes up to Lopunny attentively.
"Giga Drain!" Paul ordered.
Letting out a grunt, the spikes on Torterra's back began to glow green. Beams of light emerged from them, and Lopunny stopped, unable to do anything as they wrapped around her body.
Lopunny yelped when Torterra sapped her energy, Dawn gritting her teeth as she watched. "Get out of there with Bounce, Lopunny!"
Lopunny winced, opening an eye as she glanced down towards Torterra. After a brief moment of struggle, she was able to squirm enough to press her feet onto Torterra's head and spring herself high up into the air, Torterra's beams of light breaking in the process.
Paul furrowed his brows, looking up to the sky as Lopunny make her descent back on to the ground, landing in front of her trainer.
Dawn watched as Torterra shook his head, ridding himself of the pain caused by Lopunny's Bounce. Her eyes then focused on Paul standing just behind him. He had gotten much stronger since their last battle. Paul and Torterra seemed to move and attack with a completely new sense of synchronization that Dawn hadn't seen from them before. Her heart raced when feeling their power and energy, and she smiled.
Extending her arm forward, she called, "Lopunny, use Fire Punch!"
"Lop!" Lopunny said, lighting her fists in flames as she made a direct charge towards Torterra.
Paul didn't falter. "Stone Edge!"
"Terra!" Torterra roared, two rings lighting up around his body. He shot the rocks forward, and Lopunny furrowed her brows, speedily dodging them and striking the ones that came too close with her Fire Punch. Small bursts of light and dust puffed into the air as Dawn watched with focused eyes.
Torterra continued his attack, narrowing his eyes on Lopunny. Paul cracked a small smirk as Lopunny drew in closer before calling, "Earthquake, now!"
Dawn gasped, her eyes widening as Torterra let out a loud cry. His stones continued to fire forward as he raised himself up onto his hind legs. Lopunny nearly skidded to a stop as he crashed back down onto the earth, unleashing powerful vibrations that caused Dawn to stumble.
The ground cracked, and Lopunny gasped as she fell, the rocks from Stone Edge still raining down on her. Letting out a pant, Lopunny mustered her strength, jumping backwards before the second wave of rocks could hit her.
When the dust cleared, Torterra was revealed to be unscathed, standing strongly on the other side of the battlefield. Paul stood just behind him, his eyes focused on Dawn as he waited for her next attack. Dawn pursed her lips, but nearly smiled—he had used a combination against her.
"Lopunny," Dawn started, catching her Pokemon's attention. She smiled down at her encouragingly as she curled her hand into a fist. "Let's finish this."
Lopunny blinked, staring at her trainer before giving her trainer a confident nod. "Lo!"
Dawn punched her fist forward. "Use Bounce!"
Obeying her trainer, the Rabbit Pokemon sprung high into the air. Paul shot his head up to watch as she dove towards Torterra, her leg extending outwards.
Right when Lopunny was close enough, Dawn opened her fist and said, "Now go into a nosedive with Ice Beam!"
With that, Lopunny spun around in mid-air so that she was directly facing Torterra dead-on as she fell through the sky. Her mouth swelled before firing a powerful ray of ice.
"Stone Edge!"
Torterra firmly stood his ground as Paul called out to him. Once the order was given, his body began to glow faintly as he surrounded himself with stones, shooting them directly into Lopunny's Ice Beam.
The attacks collided, consuming both Pokemon in a cloud of smoke. A powerful gust followed the clash of energies, and Dawn shielded her face from it. The entire area reverberated so loudly that a flock of Staravia flew out of their trees in fright.
Peeking out from over her arm, Dawn noticed the smoke beginning to clear. Her eyes widened when she saw that both Pokemon still stood firmly, their eyes locked intensely onto each other.
Paul remained silent, watching carefully to see if either Pokemon would falter. Dawn held her breath, her focus set on Lopunny. Seconds later, she saw Lopunny's legs wobble, and her figure crashed to the ground in exhaustion.
Dawn stared, stunned, as Lopunny's body burst with light and shifted back into her normal form. Paul and Torterra's power left her in awe—though after everything that they'd been through, she hadn't expected anything less.
Letting out a breath, Dawn cracked a smile and approached her collapsed Pokemon. Crouching down by her side, she gently pet her head, and Lopunny looked up at her with tired eyes. "Thank you for fighting so hard," Dawn said gratefully. Lopunny let out a content sound as Dawn stroked her ears. "Take a good rest." With that, Lopunny vanished into a red light and returned into her Poke Ball.
Lifting her head, Dawn watched on as Torterra let out a triumphant roar as his body flashed and turned back to normal. Paul walked up to his side, and after thanking him for a good battle, returned him to his Poke Ball as well.
Smiling, Dawn rose to her feet and approached Paul. "You and Torterra were really amazing," she said, and Paul looked to her. Once she reached him, she stopped, leaning forward with a small smile. "And I noticed you used a combination, too." She winked at him. "I guess I rubbed off on you."
Paul became a little flustered, closing his eyes. "You could say that."
Dawn giggled lightly as her eyes trailed down to the Key Stone that hung from a chain on his pocket. "I guess Mega Evolution has really paid off for you, huh?"
Paul blinked, glancing down to his Key Stone as well. Reaching his hand into his pocket, he pulled it out to look at it. "…Yeah," he said, curling his fist around the stone. He looked to Dawn. "Our battle with Cynthia is soon."
Dawn raised her brows. "When are you planning on battling her?"
"I made a call to the League last week," he said, closing his eyes as he slid his Key Stone back into his pocket. "The battle is scheduled for March 15th."
"March 15th?" Dawn repeated, reeling back just the slightest. "That's almost two weeks away. Are you ready?"
Paul nodded. "Yes," he said, turning his head to look at the horizon. He furrowed his brows. "I want that title."
Dawn's spirit fell just the slightest, her thoughts from earlier crashing back. She went silent, averting her gaze to the ground.
Paul took notice of this, glancing to her. "What's wrong?"
Dawn perked up and looked to Paul. Pursing her lips, she brushed her thoughts away and shook her head. "It's nothing," she assured, cracking a small smile. "You talking about your battle just reminded me that I'm a little nervous about Elesa's contest."
"I thought you said you were ready," he pointed out, remembering their conversation at Mt. Coronet.
"I am," Dawn said, scratching her cheek lightly. "But it's still kind of nerve-wracking to know how soon it is. I mean, I have no idea what the outcome will be—Elesa could totally hate my design."
Paul closed his eyes and let out an irritated huff. Turning to Dawn fully, he looked at her. "Do you like your design?" he asked firmly.
Dawn blinked, looking up at him. Furrowing her brows, she said, "I do."
Closing his eyes, Paul slid his hands into his jacket pockets. "Then that's what matters most," he said. "Have confidence in your design and in yourself as a designer—if you do that, then you'll be fine."
Dawn stared up at him, parting her lips just the slightest. Looking down, she let a smile show. "You're right," she admitted. "I just have to shake these nerves off."
"Is your design complete?" he asked, slightly shifting the topic.
Dawn looked back up at him. "Yeah," she said with a nod. "It still needs some final tweaks, but it's ready."
Paul looked towards the cityscape in the distance, nodding his head. "…I'd like to see it."
Dawn raised her brows in surprise. "Well, it's still at the shop right now," she mused, glancing up to the sky. "But I have to go pick it up before I go to the airport tomorrow." Her face lit up as she looked to Paul. "If you want, you could come with me."
Paul paused, staring down at her. He felt conflict being to stir within him. He told himself that he was only going to challenge her to a battle—nothing more. But the way she looked at him, her eyes shining and her smile lighting up her face, made it hard for him to say no.
The familiar smell of strawberries wafted to him, and he closed his eyes.
"…Sure."
February 26th, 2022. Late Afternoon. Hearthome City, Sinnoh.
The bell above the door gave a small ring as Dawn and Paul stepped into the boutique. Light from the setting sun outside seeped in through the large windows. The store was practically empty, and Dawn thought that Lila must have sent everyone home early—but when she looked to the counter, she paused.
"Ursula!" Dawn said in surprise, and Ursula looked over. "You're here late." She looked around the shop once more before returning her gaze onto her co-worker. "Are you the only one here?"
Ursula appeared less than thrilled to see Dawn as she rested her chin on the back of her hand. "That's right," she said, closing her eyes. "Lila put me in charge of closing up today." She sighed, stretching. "She wanted to head out early because of her flight to Unova tomorrow morning—so if you're looking for her, she's not here."
"Oh."
That was when Ursula's eyes flicked to Paul, and her lips curved into a mischievous smirk. "I see you've brought your boyfriend today."
Dawn's cheeks dusted red, and she waved her hands in front of her. "He's not my boyfriend!"
Paul turned his head away awkwardly, and Ursula glanced between them, unfazed.
Letting out a breath, Dawn gestured a hand to Paul. "This is Paul—he's just a friend." She then looked to Ursula. "And Paul, this is Ursula—my co-worker."
Ursula didn't appear convinced, saying, "Charmed," before focusing her attention back onto a magazine that she had been reading. Paul didn't seem bothered by Ursula's off-putting personality, and he focused his attention elsewhere as well.
Shaking off their conversation, Dawn looked back to Ursula. "I'm actually just here to pick up my design. It's still in the backroom, right?"
Ursula flicked her gaze back up onto Dawn, nodding. "Yeah, as far as I know."
Dawn gave a nod of thanks as she began to make her way into the backroom, but she stopped when Ursula suddenly asked, "Do you think you're ready?"
Dawn stopped in her tracks, surprised by the question. It took her a moment before she turned her head and offered Ursula a crooked smile. "...I've done all I can. All that's left is to give it everything I've got at the showcase."
"I see," Ursula said, lowering her voice as she returned her focus onto the magazine in front of her. There was a beat of silence before she admitted, "I stole a glance at it today."
Dawn tensed, gripping her fists by her sides as she braced herself for the critique that she knew was coming. Ursula had never been one to compliment Dawn's work, even in their time as coordinators. But she was taken aback when Ursula said, "It's not as tacky as your usual stuff."
Dawn blinked a few times, not sure if that was meant to be a compliment or an insult. "What?"
Ursula drummed her fingers irritably against the countertop, not taking her eyes away from her magazine. "Your designs are always bland or tacky—there's nothing special or elegant about them. But this one's different." Her voice had a tone of agitation to it as she spoke, as if it pained her to be saying these things. Lifting her head, she finally looked to Dawn. "It's unique. It's… you."
Dawn reeled back, not having expected Ursula to say anything like that. When Ursula noticed the shock on Dawn's face, she scoffed, picking up her purse from the chair behind her. "Just don't lose," she said sharply, putting the store keys down on the counter. "I can't be associated with a losing boutique, after all."
Dawn straightened out, looking to Paul before looking back to Ursula as she stepped out from behind the counter. It was a little backhanded, but it was still a compliment regardless. A small smile escaped her, and she bowed her head just the slightest. "Thank you—I'll do my best."
Ursula stared at Dawn a moment longer before closing her eyes and making her way to the door. "If you're going to be staying, then lock up for me—I'm heading out."
"I will."
Ursula stopped as she reached the door, her back turned to them as her hand rested on the handle. For a moment, it seemed like she was contemplating what to say, but then she turned her head with a smirk.
"Don't choke."
And with that, she was gone.
Paul craned a brow, and Dawn sighed. "She's always like that," she dismissed, pushing her way into the backroom.
Paul followed, glancing around the room. Unfinished pieces lay on the tables, Paul barely able to see them in the darkened light. Dawn led him to a table by the back, a string of orange light seeping in from the blinded window.
"Here we are," Dawn said, and Paul looked over, pausing.
Two mannequins stood side by side—one for Dawn, and one for Lopunny. The dresses were white, simple yet cut elegantly. The skirt puffed out like flower petals, with cream-colored fluff lining the hem that reminded Paul of Lopunny's fur. The dresses were tied together with thick sashes, Dawn's pink and Lopunny's blue, the sweetheart neckline flaring out to match the hem. They were sleeveless, Dawn's having a large puff of the same cream-colored lining flaring over her left shoulder.
"There are also matching accessories," Dawn spoke up, pointing to the clips on the table. "Lopunny will have her ears wrapped with beads, while I'll wear a necklace that matches the sash." She smiled. "And we'll both wear torn tights, I decided—you know, like Lopunny's Mega Form."
Paul listened, but his eyes kept focused on the dresses before him. He could see Dawn in every stitch, the dress pouring with life and heart. The dresses were the same, but different—each one having small details that complimented the other. They stood better together rather than each on their own—as if they were connected. Staring at the dresses, he remembered the moment Torterra Mega Evolved for the first time.
"What do you think?" Dawn asked a bit nervously. Paul hadn't said anything the entire time.
Becoming serious, Paul turned to her. "I like it," he said, and Dawn lit up. "Your hard work paid off."
Dawn's face heated up, giving a shy smile as she pulled a strand of hair behind her shoulder. "Thank you—but I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for you." She closed her eyes. "I can't express how grateful I am to you. It's because of the way you pushed me, because of the battles we shared—because of how you and Torterra Mega Evolved as one." She opened her eyes, looking up at him. "Because of you, my dream is right in front of me." She bowed her head, sincere, and Paul looked taken aback. "Thank you."
Clearing his throat, Paul glanced down at her. "I'm the one who should be thanking you," he began, and Dawn lifted her head. "It's because of you that I've gotten to where I am now." He closed his eyes with a huff. "…It's not easy for me to accept help. I like to be able to do things on my own." He looked at her. "Even when I was stubborn, you pushed me." He knitted his brows together. "…And it's because of you I realized why I want to be Champion at all." He took a pause. "You were right—you have rubbed off on me." This time, it was his turn to bow his head, and Dawn looked stunned as he did so. "…Thank you."
Dawn blushed, inhaling as she waved her arms frantically in the air. "A-ah, you're welcome," she managed, but she couldn't manage to stop the heavy pounding of her heart. Swallowing, she pressed her lips together. "…This is really it, huh?"
Paul lifted his head, and he nodded. Dawn took a breath, closing her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so nervous. The way Paul had just spoken to her—she felt herself melt, her heart fluttering as she began to feel sick.
Paul didn't say anything, and their eyes locked, his face dimly lit by the orange sun through the blinded windows. His expression almost looked like it had softened, and Dawn held her breath, her hand fidgeting by her side. For the first time, she had heard how Paul felt about her with his own words.
She didn't think about it. Pressing herself up with her toes, she leaned up towards Paul, her eyes closing in the orange light.
"You can't let your feelings cloud your head."
Dawn paused, her body suddenly freezing when realizing what she was about to do. Snapping her eyes open, she quickly leaned back, putting a hand to her mouth in embarrassment. When she caught sight of Paul, her heart dropped.
He simply stared at her, his mouth parted slightly open. The look in his eyes left Dawn with a sour feeling, and she sunk back, regret instantly washing over her. Taking a quick breath, she stumbled to speak.
"I-I—!"
"I have to go," Paul cut in suddenly, and Dawn stopped. He left without another word, and Dawn could only stand there, the sun already set and the room filled black with darkness. She stared at the door, unmoving. Her heart ached, and she inhaled, collapsing back into a chair as she pressed her head into her hands.
Everything was over.
February 26th, 2022. Night. Hearthome City, Sinnoh.
Dawn slowly walked down the hallway, the hall quiet and dimly lit in the night. After Dawn had left and closed up the shop, she found herself wandering to a nearby café. She needed some time to be alone, to mull in her thoughts. She had only planned to stay a few moments, but before she knew it, it was closing time and the manager was telling her to pack her things up and leave. Without anywhere else to go, she finally decided to trudge her way back home.
She stopped upon reaching her door, her gaze traveling to the closed door of Paul's apartment. She hesitated. Perhaps she should go over and knock, offer him her apologies for what happened—explain that she was just stressed and wasn't thinking straight. Shaking her thoughts away, she pursed her lips as she pushed open the door of her own apartment.
When she entered, she noticed all of the lights were off, and that Zoey and Candice were huddled together on her sofa, their eyes glued to the television screen in front of them. She watched as the masked man on the TV raised an axe held above a woman's head. She closed the door behind her, opening her mouth to speak—but just as the door slammed shut, Candice let out a loud yelp and nearly fell off of the sofa.
Piplup let out a cry of alarm as he jumped away from Candice, and Zoey glanced at her, unamused as she reached for the lamp on the table and clicked it on. Candice instantly sat up, turning her head to look at Dawn. Sighing, she put a hand to her chest, "Oh, Dawn. It's just you."
Dawn blinked, watching as Zoey paused the movie. "Sorry," she started, placing her garment bag down on the table before flicking her gaze back to Candice. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"I wasn't scared," Candice defended. "Zoe-Zoe's the one who's been shaking like a leaf since we put the movie on."
Zoey didn't appear fazed by her girlfriend's comment, saying, "I wasn't. You were, though."
Candice shrugged her off, propping herself up so she could see Dawn better. "So, you're back pretty late," she commented, shifting the topic with a sly grin. "Did something exciting happen?"
Piplup approached Dawn, offering her a greeting. She glanced down at him, her lips curving into a small frown before bending over to pick him up. "No," she dismissed, looking to Candice and faking a smile. "I just had to stop by the shop to pick up my design, and then I went to grab some coffee."
Zoey perked up. "You should have told us," she said. "We would have come along and treated you for letting us stay the night."
Dawn let out a small laugh, waving a hand. "It's not a big deal," she said. "I actually just wanted to be alone for a little while, that's all."
Candice raised her brows in surprise, exchanging glances with Zoey before looking back to Dawn. Narrowing her eyes, she hopped off of the sofa and raced over to her. "Did something happen with Paul?" she asked seriously.
Dawn's eyes widened, and her cheeks dusted red as she leaned away from Candice. "W-what?" she stammered, and Piplup looked up at her in confusion. "Why would you think something like that?"
Zoey's face deadpanned as she rose up from her spot on the sofa. "Yeah," she cut in, walking over. "She probably just wanted to be alone to calm her nerves before going to Unova tomorrow. You don't have to harp on her about boys."
"It's my intuition!" Candice explained, ignoring Zoey's comment and holding up a finger. "You seemed totally fine before you left today—I'd even say you seemed eager to go out with Paul." Dawn tensed as Candice zoned in on her. "The look on your face is telling me that this isn't nerves—it's heartbreak!"
Dawn's face flushed as Zoey dryly repeated, "Heartbreak?"
Pursing her lips, Dawn tightened her grip on Piplup. "I'm not heartbroken," she said simply. She could hear her heart pounding in her head, and she noticed how her palms were sweating. Swallowing, she added, "But…"
"So then this is about Paul!" Candice noted excitedly, not letting Dawn finish.
Dawn's breath caught. Candice continued to stare at her with shining eyes, and Zoey's jaw clenched as she waited for Dawn's answer. Swallowing, she caved.
"Yeah."
Candice let out a small squeal of excitement. "Oh, I knew it!" she said, rushing over to the sofa and sitting down. She patted the cushion beside her. "Sit and tell us all about it!"
Inhaling slowly, Dawn nodded and made her way over to the sofa, sitting down and placing Piplup beside her. He glanced at her warily as Zoey sat down next to them. As soon as Dawn sat, Candice leaned in eagerly with an expectant look in her eyes.
Dawn glanced between the two anxiously. She rubbed her hands together, unsure of what to say or where to start, the words tangled in her throat. Her face began to burn and her head spun. Not knowing what else to say, she took a quick breath, blurting out, "I'm in love with Paul."
Candice gasped, Zoey's jaw dropped, and Piplup looked utterly betrayed. Realizing what she had done and how it must have sounded, Dawn covered her mouth with her hands, wishing that she could take it back and word it better.
All Zoey could do was stare blankly as Piplup let out squeaks of surprise.
"I was right!" Candice squealed excitedly, shaking Zoey's shoulders. "I told you, Zoe-Zoe! I told you!" She then flipped her attention onto Dawn, leaning in close as she began to send rapid-fire questions her way. "So, does he know yet? Did you confess to him? Are you two dating? Did you tell your Mom?"
Dawn leaned back slightly, unsure of what to say, and every time she would attempt to start explaining, Candice would ask another question.
Finally sighing, Zoey grabbed onto Candice's shoulder, pulling her back and silencing her in the process. "Why don't we let Dawn do the talking, huh?"
Candice puffed her cheeks, sitting back down as she crossed her arms apologetically. Dawn let out a small, nervous laugh, her cheeks dusting as she shifted her weight.
Zoey looked to her, becoming serious. "How long have you known?"
"A couple of weeks," Dawn admitted, grasping the pillow from her sofa. "It was when we were on Mt. Coronet." She hugged the pillow to her stomach. "…But I think I've felt this way even before that."
"Then why do you look so glum?" Candice frowned, poking Dawn's cheek. Dawn closed an eye.
"Because once all of this is over, Paul won't need me anymore." She let out a breath. "I already talked to May about all of this. She told me to put it out of my head for now, and to leave all this figuring stuff out for afterwards. But…" Dawn then became visibly nervous, biting her lip, and Zoey and Candice exchanged glances before Zoey leaned in a little closer.
"But…?" she coaxed.
Dawn picked up a pillow and buried her face in it. "But I totally messed it all up," she muffled, and Zoey put a hand on her shoulder.
"What happened?" Zoey asked. Candice frowned, watching.
There was a long silence, Dawn keeping her face pressed into the pillow. Zoey almost thought that Dawn hadn't heard her, but then she gripped the pillow a little tighter and quietly muffled, "I tried to kiss him."
Zoey paused, and Candice gasped loudly, putting a hand to her mouth. "You did what?" she spat. "How did it happen? What did you say? Did he kiss you back? Did you—!"
"Candice," Zoey warned sharply, and Candice squeaked, shutting her mouth.
"I don't know," Dawn muffled, shaking her head against the pillow. "It just… happened." She squeezed the pillow tighter. "I'm so stupid."
"Dawn, please," Zoey said gently, lifting her head from the pillow. "Tell us what happened."
Dawn hiccupped lightly, rubbing her eye with her palm. "I wasn't thinking. I just leaned in, and…" She shook her head. "It was then I remembered what May said, and I stopped. But when I looked at Paul—" She paused, her grip on the pillow tightening. "—looking at him, I knew everything was over."
"Dawn…" Zoey said sympathetically, and Candice put a hand on her back and gave it a gentle rub.
"He left after that," Dawn continued, lowering her head. She closed her eyes tightly. "I'm so, so stupid…"
"You're not stupid!" Candice blurted, and Dawn inhaled as she lifted her head to her. "There's nothing stupid about acting on your feelings! What you did takes a lot of guts!"
Dawn frowned, averting her gaze. "…Maybe." She looked down. "But it doesn't change anything. I was already afraid of losing him to begin with—but now I've lost him for good."
"You don't know that," Candice pressed. "Unless he tells you himself, you don't know anything for sure."
Dawn didn't say anything, unconvinced, and Zoey watched on wordlessly. Inhaling, she opened her mouth to speak.
"I think May is right," Zoey said, and Dawn glanced at her. Zoey looked at her seriously. "Look at you—your fashion show is only two days away, and you're a total mess over this." She shook her head. "Forget about Paul. Regardless of his feelings, walking out on you like that wasn't right of him. He's not worth your tears." She put a hand on Dawn's shoulder, and Dawn's mouth parted open. "You need to just get all of this out of your head—at least for now. What you should be thinking about is how you and Lopunny are going to win."
Dawn let out a small sniffle, glancing down as she hugged the pillow to her chest. She let Zoey's words sink in, quiet as her heart began to slow.
"…Mm," she finally said. Her voice was quiet, and Zoey put on a smile for her.
"And after you win, then you can punch Paul in the face for leaving you like that."
Candice couldn't help but laugh, snorting as she covered her mouth. "S-sorry," she stammered. "I just pictured Dawn punching Paul and breaking her hand…"
Zoey shot Candice a dry look, but Dawn's lips curved into a small smile, a giggle escaping her. Looking back to Dawn, Zoey gave her a reassuring smile.
"You've still got us," she said, thumbing to herself and Candice. "And you've got all of your friends and Pokemon, too. No matter what happens, we'll all be there for you." She gave her a wink. "We'll all be cheering you on, so make sure you give it your all."
Dawn looked between the two. Candice's eyes shined, her smile infectious as Zoey looked at her with a soft expression. Inhaling slowly, Dawn suddenly perked up, jumping up from the sofa as she fisted her hands.
"You're right," she said, new energy filling her. "I have a contest to win, after all!"
"Yay!" Candice cheered, throwing her hands up into the air. Piplup also cheered, Zoey nodding in satisfaction as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"That's the spirit," she commented, and Dawn gave them a smile.
"If you need me, I'll be at my work desk," she informed them. Picking up her garment bag, she slung it over her shoulder.
"Good luck!" Candice chimed, and Dawn turned on her heel, giving her apartment door one last look as she did so.
"The flight is at 6:20, so I'll be leaving for Hearthome at…" Reggie paused in thought. "…No later than 4." He sighed. "And I thought this trip would give me the chance to sleep in." He laughed. "Oh well, I guess that's what the flight is for. Maylene is still pretty jealous—I think she wants to take a vacation, too. I promised all three of us could go somewhere once Joel is a little older."
Paul only half-listened, quiet as he held the receiver stiffly in his hand. He couldn't seem to bring himself to hear anything that Reggie was saying—he could only see Dawn in the backroom as she lifted her head up towards his.
He tried to shake it off, but he couldn't. Dawn had almost kissed him. He had shut down, his head static and loud.
And then she pulled away.
Gripping the receiver tightly, Paul glanced down. Reggie stopped, noticing Paul's behavior. Becoming more serious, he asked, "…Hey, is everything okay?"
Paul paused, glancing at the screen. He didn't say anything, and Reggie knitted his brows together as he stared at his brother with earnest eyes. Pressing his lips into a hard line, Paul opened his mouth before he even realized it.
"…Dawn tried to kiss me."
He didn't know why he said it, and he hated that he had said it at all. But it had been said, and it hung in the air, Reggie's mouth parting open as he could only stare.
"What?" Reggie asked, almost as if Paul had misspoke.
Paul knew there was no use turning away now. "…We were just talking. She showed me her design at her shop, and then…"
"She tried to kiss you," Reggie repeated when Paul hesitated, and Paul gave a small nod. Reggie leaned in closer. "What did you do?"
Paul closed his eyes. "Nothing."
Reggie frowned, but wasn't unsurprised. "Why?" he pressed.
Paul stayed silent for a moment. "…I don't know." He let out a huff, averting his gaze. "But it doesn't matter. She didn't do it."
"Maybe Dawn likes you," Reggie offered, and Paul tensed. "I mean—!"
"Stop," Paul cut in, frustrated. Reggie went quiet. "Let's just drop it."
"You were the one who brought it up," Reggie reminded him. His expression became softer. "So why didn't you do anything?"
Paul pressed his lips into a hard line. Knitting his brows together, he glanced down. "…Because Dawn deserves better."
Reggie nodded, seeming to have expected such an answer. "I see," was all he said. After a beat of silence, he looked at Paul. "But did you want to do something?"
Paul exhaled slowly, closing his eyes. "…I don't know," he admitted. He shook it off. "Either way, I've already messed everything up." He glanced out the window. "I don't think I can face her again after the way I walked out on her like that."
Reggie narrowed his eyes. "You're not missing anything," he scolded, and Paul looked at his brother warily. "You told Dawn you would come to her showcase, didn't you?"
Paul appeared frustrated. "But I—"
"Dawn needs you," Reggie interrupted, serious. "Forget about this mess. Right now, supporting Dawn is what's most important." He furrowed his brows. "How do you think she'll feel when she doesn't see your face getting on that plane?"
Paul didn't say anything, his eyes hard as he stared at the ground.
"You can't do that to her," Reggie continued. "Not after she's worked so hard—and not after everything she's done for you." He lowered his voice. "…And after everything is done, you and Dawn can figure out the rest."
Paul inhaled, closing his eyes as he gripped the receiver tighter in his hand.
February 27th, 2022. Early Morning. Hearthome City, Sinnoh.
The airport terminal was surprisingly quiet. Candice and Zoey sat beside each other as Candice flipped through a travel pamphlet of Nimbasa City. She would excitedly point at different places and attractions that she wanted to visit while they were there, and Zoey would nod in a silent agreement, clearly still tired from rising so early.
Dawn sat a few seats away from them, anxiously drumming her fingertips against her lap as she scrolled mindlessly through her phone. She looked for anything to distract her from the upcoming competition, but nothing seemed good enough, and her nerves weighed down on her. Somehow, she found her eyes shifting to terminal entrance.
No Paul.
"You look like you need a pick-me-up."
Dawn's head shot up from her phone as her gaze met Lila's. She stood before her with two coffees in hand, holding one out to Dawn.
Letting out a short breath, Dawn graciously took the coffee. "Thanks," she said, raising the rim to her lips. "I guess I'm just a little nervous."
"Funny for someone who's always saying 'no need to worry'," Lila remarked playfully.
Dawn laughed lightly before taking a sip of her drink. "You're right," she sighed, putting the cup down. "I think I just need to take some deep breaths or something."
"I think that's a start," Lila said with a wink, taking a sip of her own coffee. "But have a little more confidence in yourself, too. You're a skilled Poke Stylist, Dawn—and your design shows for that."
Dawn smiled slightly, but then averted her eyes to the ground, taking another sip.
"You know, I entered a big fashion competition like this once," Lila commented, and Dawn looked to her. "I was just as nervous as you are now—maybe more." She tilted her head, looking up to the ceiling. "So I just kept reminding myself that this was why I became a Poke Stylist in the first place—to pursue opportunities like this." She focused her attention back onto Dawn. "And that I wouldn't have been picked to enter if I didn't have at least some skill."
Dawn blinked as Lila put a hand on her shoulder. "Elesa wouldn't have picked you if she didn't think you stood a chance against the other competitors—so take this opportunity and have fun with it while you're there." Lila removed her hand from her shoulder. "That's why you're a Poke Stylist, after all."
Dawn stared up at her boss for a moment before taking a quick breath and smiling. "Mm. You're right."
Lila smiled, pointing a finger at her. "And don't forget—everyone at the shop is cheering for you. So don't let them down!"
Dawn's mind flashed to Ursula walking out of the store the previous day, her half-hearted compliment ringing in her ears. Her smile grew more confident, and she nodded. "I won't!"
"Hey! Hey! Dawn!"
Dawn's brows shot up in surprise, and when she turned her head to the sound of the voice, her jaw dropped in disbelief at who she saw bouncing her way.
"Barry?"
Barry held up a hand, skidding to a stop a few feet away from Dawn and Lila. "Yo!" he greeted. He then growled and ruffled his hair. "Man, you wouldn't believe how long it took me to get through security! I oughta fine them big time!"
Dawn continued to stare with wide eyes and she rose out of her seat, but then she broke into a smile. "I can't believe you came!" she said, wrapping her arms around him into a hug. "Thank you so much."
Lila glanced at Dawn, offering her a small smile and wave before stepping away to give the two friends some space.
Barry gave Dawn a pat on the back as he pulled away from her, grinning. "Of course I'd come!" he said, pounding a first to his chest. "I said I would, and Barry Pearl always keeps his promises! If I didn't then I'd have to fine myself!"
Dawn stepped back, putting her hand to her mouth as she let out a giggle. "That certainly sounds like you."
Putting his hands on his hips, Barry blinked. "Oh, oh, before I forget," he started, holding up a finger. "Lu wanted me to tell you that he's coming, too—he's catching a flight from Kalos tomorrow."
Dawn's brows shot up and she held up her hands. "Ah, Lucas doesn't have to do that!" she insisted, shaking her head. "I wouldn't want to pull him away from his work—I know how busy he is."
Barry grinned, waving her off. "No can do—his flight is already booked," he said, thumbing to himself. "He told me that he wouldn't miss it for the world!"
Dawn blinked. So many people were going out of their way to come to Unova to see her compete. Even those who couldn't make the trip still stood behind her. Her Pokemon, the girls at the shop, everyone here—they were all supporting her and cheering her on. She couldn't let them down.
Smiling, she nodded. "Well, in that case, I'll definitely have to win!"
Barry threw his fists into the air. "That's the spirit!" he cheered, but then he narrowed his eyes, putting a hand to his forehead as he began to look around. "Hey, hey—where's Paul? I heard from your Mom that he's supposed to be coming, too. So where is he?"
Dawn paused. At this point, she got the feeling that he wasn't going to come at all—not after yesterday. Pursing her lips nervously, she glanced to the ground. "I'm not sure if Paul is—"
"I'm right here."
The voice came from behind her, and she froze. Turning around she saw Paul approaching with Reggie trailing by his side. Her breath caught, but Barry didn't waste any time as he sprinted to Paul.
Paul reeled back slightly as Barry began to talk to him rapidly. His eyes flicked to Dawn, but then focused back to Barry. He would occasionally offer a small nod or grunt as Barry spoke. Dawn couldn't seem to move, her feet stuck to the ground as she kept her eyes on Paul.
He really came.
"How are you doing, Dawn?"
Pulled from her thoughts, Dawn turned to see Reggie standing before her with a bright smile. Shaking her thoughts away, Dawn offered him a smile in return. "A little nervous—but good," she said, straightening out. "Thank you for coming, Reggie—it means a lot."
Reggie laughed, putting his hands on his hips. "Hey, I've wanted to see Unova for a long time," he said, winking. "Plus, I'd like to see you win."
Dawn giggled lightly, and Reggie adjusted the strap on his bag. "Maylene and Joel are cheering you on from Veilstone, too—they told me to wish you the best of luck." Reaching into his bag, Reggie pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Dawn. "Joel made this for you."
Dawn blinked in surprise, taking the paper into her hands and carefully unfolding it. On the paper was a mess of colors and shapes, and Dawn couldn't quite make out what it was supposed to be—though it was clear that effort had been put into it, and she smiled.
"He said it's Piplup and Lopunny," Reggie added, raising a brow. "He's quite the artist, as you can see."
Dawn held the picture close to her chest. "It's perfect," she said. She gave Reggie a wink. "Tell him I said thank you."
"Will do."
Dawn's gaze trailed away from Reggie, focusing on where Barry and Paul had been standing previously—though now neither of them were there. Darting her eyes around, she noticed Barry now occupying himself by talking to Candice. When she looked around a little more, she finally caught sight of Paul standing in line at the coffee stand.
Her heart raced, and she swallowed. Glancing to Reggie, she excused herself and approached Paul. He had his back turned to her as he waited to be called to the counter.
For a moment, she hesitated, unsure of what to do or say. She had no idea if he was angry or not—but she knew that if she was going to get this off of her chest, she had to do it now.
"…You came," she finally said.
Paul stood still before turning to face her with a nod. "I did." He closed his eyes, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I said that I would."
Dawn stared at him, her eyes widening. Even after what happened yesterday, he was still willing to keep his word and support her. She smiled.
"…Thank you."
He opened his eyes, glancing at her, before averting his gaze again and nodding slowly.
A heavy silence fell between them, and Dawn shifted her weight nervously. "Look… about yesterday," she started hesitantly, catching Paul's attention. "I just want you to know that I—"
"It doesn't matter," Paul said suddenly, taking Dawn off-guard as she looked up at him in alarm. "The only thing that matters right now is you winning this contest." He looked at her firmly. "It's what you want, isn't it?"
She stared up at him, but her surprise became washed over with relief, and she smiled, offering him a confident nod. "Yeah. You're right."
Paul felt a little lighter looking down at her when she said that, and he closed his eyes, furrowing his brows. He took a moment before quietly saying, "…Once everything is over, we can sort out the rest."
Dawn paused, but before she had the chance to respond, the cashier called for the next person in line, and Paul turned away from her.
Dawn was left standing there, unsure of what he meant by what he had just said. The statement had been so vague that she wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Keep chasing your dream and decide what to do next from there."
May's words rang in her ears once more, and Dawn took a breath. She was right—everyone was right. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about that. For now, she would just keep her eyes forward.
…