Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews on my previous chapter! So here we go!

Previously:
"So...um, are you coming?" I asked giving him a sheepish smile.

"I don't see why not." He said. Um...that was, uh, easy?

"Oh yay! Thank you, Paul!" I said giving him a hug by wrapping arms around his neck while blushing furiously at our closeness. Then, I felt him wrap his arms hesitantly around me obviously surprising me. Paul Shinji hugging a girl is a rare sight.

We let go of each other and straightened our clothes in an awkward manner probably from embarrassment. I glanced up at him and gave him a smile.

"So see you tomorrow then. I gotta go! Bye!" I said and ran past the doors to my car still blushing madly. It's official, I was madly in love with Mr. Mystery. Tomorrow is going to be one awesome and awkward party though.

-xoOox-

FALLING CHAPTER 9
DAWN'S POV

September 24, 2010. (a/n: I don't really know her birthday so let's just assume that it's on September 24.) My birthday. I'm turning 18 finally! I celebrated last night with mom and Vince by going to some fancy seven-star restaurant. The food there was totally delicious! They even had to keep me from ordering everything even if it was my birthday. Right now, I'm preparing for my party. I've got exactly six hours left till it starts. I've already contacted the DJ, the caterers, and other stuff. All I've got to do is check everything if they're in position and wait.

Anyway, I wonder how this party will end up. I want it to be special. I know it's going to be loud like those dance parties I attend to but I want it to be something memorable to the people invited and of course, me. Turning from a lady to an adult is a big transition and a very big step in life. Maybe today, I'll have a chance with..you-know-who. Well come to think of it, I wonder if he really is coming. Paul isn't the type of guy who goes to parties like this one I'm holding even if it was for him. He fled the victory party last year for their football team before it even started...and to think that he was the one who made the team win. I'm starting to wonder, is he doing this for me or is he doing for the sake of it? That thought kinda bothered me.

I was deep in thought when the door bell rang all of a sudden. I was still wearing my nightgown so I decided to put a jacket on in case it was a boy who was outside. I opened the door which revealed a wide-smiling redhead and brunette.

"MISTY! MAY!" I said as I hugged them. "Look who's early" I told both of them.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We're your best friends of course we need to be early" They both said. What? Is this scripted or something?

"So are you ready for your party tonight?" May asked me. I nodded smiling widely as I led them to my backyard. They were both surprised with what they saw.

"No chairs?" Misty asked.

"When you're in a dance party, the only chairs you need is for the bar." I explained. They seemed to like the idea as they smiled widely. My backyard was big enough to hold a party. There were about 12 spotlights, which flash different colours like I said before, a table with all the food and at the leftmost corner was a counter which looks like the ones you see in a bar.

"I thought you didn't want alcohol?" May asked me as she saw the seemingly bar.

"We're not having alcohol. It just looks like we're having alcohol. Like I said before, we are not having alcoholic drinks here okay?" I said while May and Misty nodded.

"So where are the drinks, Dawn?" Misty asked as she searched for them over at the counter.

"I forgot to order." I said nervously while scratching the back of my head.

"I'll take care of that! Don't worry!" May said confidently.

"You would? Thanks May, you're the best!" I said while hugging her. She hugged back and patted me as if saying, 'you're welcome'. "NO ALCOHOL OKAY?" I warned her. "Yes ma'am!" She saluted me. The last thing I need is carrying drunk people out of my house.

"So is he coming?" Misty asked me as we headed upstairs to my room.

"Yes he is!" I said excitedly. Who wouldn't be excited?

"REALLY? HOW DID YOU CONVINCE HIM? I MEAN HE'S PAUL! HE STAYS AWAY FROM PARTIES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!" May squealed. Yeah, she's right about that.

"I was looking for him after school and when I was about to give up, he showed up. He was pretty much following me and he said that Ash told him about my party and that he'll come." I explained as if it was the obvious thing in the world.

"He likes you" was simply what Misty said. I widened my eyes at her staring in disbelief.

"NO HE DOESN'T" I denied sharply.

"Whatever you say. But come to think of it, Paul usually turns down these kinds of invitations and based on what I heard he even reminded you about it." Misty said casually. I am not getting my hopes up. Paul doesn't like me. We are opposites. We're better off as just best friends and that's it.

"I don't believe you." I told Misty who just shrugged as her and May walked to my room.

"So where's the dress you're supposed to wear?" May asked. I did some revisions to the dress, being the hoping fashion designer I am. I added more lace to hem of the dress to make it seem a little bit longer and added a sleeve that reached the left shoulder on one side while the other just hung loose. It looked great in my opinion.

"Here it is." I said as I showed them the dress.

"Okay, you are a much better designer than I am. No doubt about that!" May sighed as she took in the sight of the plain black dress in front of her. Yeah, I'm proud to call it a Dawn Berlitz dress.

"I can't wait to see you wear that! Dawn, you're the best!" Misty complimented.

"Thanks guys!" I said as I engulfed them both in a hug.

-xoOox-

PAUL'S POV

I don't know why I'm stressing over this. Stupid Ash and Gary just had to remind me to buy Dawn a present! Of course I know that. They just had to tell me that it's supposed to be 'special' and all those cute googly stuff. I am not going to buy her pink clothes. I will not go inside those stupid women's stores for clothes and I am NOT going for cute here.

"You dimwit! I am not going to buy her pink clothes for the last time!" I yelled at Ash as soon as we got out of that cute little women's store for clothes.

"Oh come on! Like you have anything better to buy her!" Ash retorted. He's right about that thing though. But how many clothes does Dawn need? She buys about a dozen clothes everytime she goes shopping which is often.

Then a thought came up to me!'

"Let's go there." I pointed at the Jewelry shop much to Ash's and Gary's disbelief. I shrugged and walked over there, as usual, hands in my pockets probably out of habit.

"What the hell are we doing in a Jewelry shop?" Gary asked me but I opt to ignore him.

"How may I help you sir?" The woman asked me. I glanced at my two companions. My look telling them to go outside which they obediently did.

"I need to buy a gift for some girl. I need it to be special. Her birthday's today." I said stoically.

"I see you're buying for you girlfriend. Well, you came to the right place." The saleslady told me quite cheerfully.

"Not my girlfriend." I said in an annoyed tone. Annoyed because I couldn't have the balls to ask her out.

"Oh..." She said as she trailed off to look at some charm bracelet made of gold.

"How much is that?" I asked her.

"$10, 000" She simply said. I nodded and handed her the money. I've been saving up and some of my blackmailing techniques on Reggie helped me get money too.

"Thank you and I hope you enjoy your day!" She said with a wink as I walked out. People are so weird nowadays.

"What did you buy?" Ash asked me. I shot him a look.

"It's none of your business!" I said as I walked down the alley and back to the parking lot. Troublesome better like this! It cost me a lot of money.

-xoOox-

DAWN'S POV

Current time: 9:30pm

The party started about thirty minutes ago and almost everyone was here. Misty, May, Gary, Ash, Zoey, Kenny and my other friends but one person. I can't believe Paul's late. Did he decide that this is just another one of those parties he could pretend to agree on and choose not to go when he doesn't feel like going? I can't believe him. Even Matthew was earlier than him. He was actually the fifth one to be here. I can't believe it! I just can't! My best friend hasn't arrived yet. He better not dish this party out. That cold, heartless, arrogant, selfish jerk! Of all the things he could just dish out, he decided to not arrive on my 18th birthday. I can't believe it!

"If you wanna get with me
There's some things you gotta know
I like my beats fast
And my bass down low
Ba-ba-bass, bass, bass down low
Bass, bass, bass down low
I, I, I like my beats fast
And my bass down low
(Drop it to the floor)
Bass down low
Bass, bass, bass down low

The loud music was rampaging from the huge speakers put up on each corner of my backyard beside leftmost corner where the "bar" was set up. Everybody except me is dancing to the music.

Everybody's having fun dancing like they're wild dogs on the loose. Misty and May were dancing like there's no more tomorrow while Gary and Ash were being as awkward as ever. My other friends are enjoying themselves while I'm here sulking because there's a big chance that Paul won't arrive. I can't believe him. After all the thing we've been through, he stood me up. That badass jerk stood me up. This is the worst birthday ev-DING DONG!

That sounded like the doorbell. No kidding. It's probably Paul but then I again, I don't want to get my hopes up. I opened the door which revealed a plumhead wearing a black leather jacket and a dark blue tee and a pair of pants and his black converse. Paul. I knew he'd come! My heart felt normal again as I breathed in a sigh of relief. He looked totally hot by the way. His eyes fell on me as he stared at me emotionless but his eyes were adoring. Paul adored? I was dressed in the same dress, I let my blue locks flow down my shoulders and I was wearing strapped high heels. From the peppy happy-go-lucky girl, I have now changed into a young woman.

"You, um..look beautiful tonight." He told me trying to hide the fact that he was nervous. Too late! I noticed.

"You look hot" I murmured not really expecting him to hear it.

"Huh?"

"You look handsome. That's what I said!" I replied nervously while letting him inside the house. Once we got inside, Matthew came up to me in the worst possible time.

"Hey Dawn!" He greeted while holding a glass on his hand then glared over at Paul, "I see you brought Paul here. Hello there" He said as he held out his hand to Paul who ignored it.

"Wanna dance with me?" Matthew asked as he held out his hand.

"Uhhh...Paul?" I asked him although I honestly don't know why.

"Why should I care?" He grunted as he placed his hands in his pockets and walked away.

"I guess I could, huh?" I smiled at him awkwardly as I took his hand. I can't believe I'm feeling too awkward in my own party. I guess inviting both Paul and Matthew wasn't one of my best ideas at all. There's just too much tension! I can't believe I really didn't think about that.

-xoOox-

"So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be
Anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
Won't you come on, and come on, and
Raise your glass "

The music continued to blare from the speakers as I continued to dance. I've been dancing for about an hour straight now but I still don't feel tired. Paul was sitting together with Ash and Gary being as quiet as he can be looking as if he was deep in thought. I wonder what he thinks of my party?

I saw Matthew over at the counter drinking whatever it was he's drinking so I decided to go over and talk to him. I struggled my way against those dancing or more like grinding people and made my way to Matthew.

"Matthew!" I smiled at him but it quickly frowned as I saw that he drank about ten glasses of whatever he was drinking. Good thing there wasn't alcohol in them or May is definitely getting it.

"Hi –hic- Da-hic-wn!" He said drowsily. Oh crap! He's not drunk, is he? May is so getting it this time! I stomped my way over to May and dragged her out of the dance floor.

"You ordered alcoholic drinks for the bar?" I shouted at her but she didn't seem to hear it since the music was too loud.

"WHAT?" She asked.

"YOU ORDERED ALCOHOLIC DRINKS? I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU THAT NO ALCOHOLIC DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THIS PARTY?" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Everything's gone wrong. VERY WRONG.

"OH WELL THEY RAN OUT OF NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SO I ORDERED THOSE 20% FULL ALCOHOLIC DRINKS! DON'T WORRY IT WON'T GET YOU DRUNK TOO EASILY!" she shouted while still dancing to the loud music.

"REALLY NOW?" I asked her angrily.

"BESIDES, WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN?" she shouted. Oh I'll tell you! Matthew is freaking drunk.

"MATTHEW'S DRUNK YOU MORON!" I said but she didn't seem to understand since the next song was louder this time. She probably thought I was saying 'see you later' to her since she went back to the dance floor.

This party is turning into a mess.

-xoOox-

NORMAL POV

"Matthew! You got to stop drinking! The last thing I need to be dragging drunk people out of this house!" Dawn shouted at the drunken Matthew who didn't seem to understand what she said.

She turned to face the bartender, "YOU BETTER STOP GIVING HIM HIS DRINKS WHETHER HE LIKES IT OR NOT!" Dawn said pointing squarely at the bartender's nose.

"Y-yes ma'am." The bartender nervously replied and proceeded to cleaning the bottles up.

"Matthew, I suggest you come home right now. It's probably not good for you to stay here much longer a-" But Dawn got cut off as Matthew walked over to DJ and grabbed the mic.

"Hey –hic- people! It's Dawn's –hic- 18th birthday! It's my girl-hic-friend's birthday so you better –hic- greet her! That sweet –hic- chick over there –hic- is my girl!" He said and stepped down from the small stage as the crowd roared in 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs' and some squeals.

"Come on people! This guy is drunk!" Dawn shouted but nobody seemed to hear her. She looked over to where Paul was sitting and surprisingly, he stared back and shook his head in a disapproving manner. Great! What else could go wrong? Dawn thought.

"Hey Dawn! –hic- let's go inside! It's –hic- freezing out here." He said and before Dawn could even reject his offer, he grabbed her wrist in a painful grip hurting her in the process.

"Let go!" Dawn shouted at him as she tried to wiggle my right arm free with the help of her left arm. But he was too strong as he already dragged her to the backdoor of the house and headed inside the guest room which was near the kitchen.

-xoOox-

Of course, everybody was busy having too much fun that nobody noticed Matthew dragging away the poor birthday girl to the room to do what he wanted to do. Everybody except a certain plumhead who wasn't enjoying the party at all. What's this guy up to this time? Paul thought.

All Paul wanted was to spend more time with Dawn since it was his birthday and to give her his gift but Matthew just had to come in the picture and ruin their moment together.

-xoOox-

"Matthew?" Dawn asked nervously. "W-what are you doing?" She asked as she slowly backed up while Matthew was slowly making his way towards her.

"I want –hic- you." Oh crap!

"You're drunk! You don't know anything that you're saying! Just...go home and take a rest!" Dawn shouted at him but he seemed to ignore her words. He trudged forward a little more until Dawn was backed up to the wall, her face inches away from Matthew's.

"Matthew, p-please I...l-let's just g-go outside." Dawn pleaded him but he was too drunk to even listen to a word she said.

Dawn closed her eyes as she was in the brink of tears. She felt something cold and rough caress her arms gently but roughly at the same time. Those certain pair of hands travelled down her waist and held them securely and soon she felt something hard against her mouth. She opened her eyes to see Matthew kissing her, much to her distaste. She, obviously, didn't kiss back. Her mind told her to push him away but her body was shivering from fright too much that it was hard for her to fight back.

She felt him force his tongue inside her mouth, exploring it. Her knees began to shake in fear and was prepared to collapse when suddenly she felt the same rough hand again hold her under her thigh caressing it roughly. She felt a moment of silence until she was forcibly pushed towards the bed of the guest room and Matthew started kissing her like there's no more tomorrow. She wanted to break free so much but Matthew was just too strong. She let out cries, not of pleasure but of pain as Matthew touched certain parts which should not be touched. One word immediately came up in her mind: RAPE!

She wanted to shake free but his hands were travelling down faster than it was a while ago and soon enough, his hands ripped the sleeve of her dress by accident bringing it back to its previous tube design.

She finally felt the strength and pushed Matthew as hard she could and tried to escape as soon as possible. "GET OFF ME MATTHEW! YOU'RE DRUNK! DON'T TOUCH ME!" Dawn cried. She tried to run out of the room but just as she was about to turn the knob on, she was yanked from the hair by her 'drunk rapist'.

"You are such a naughty –hic- kid." He whispered in Dawn's ear which sent shivers down her spine. He kissed her roughly again and zipped down her dress as fast as he could. Dawn banged the door once hoping that someone would hear her cries and help her.

"P-Please M-m-math-thew s-stop it-t" Dawn cried out. Matthew didn't listen as he began kissing her firmly on the neck while rubbing her sides gently. The door suddenly flew open and a purple blur attacked Matthew right on the face.

"GET OFF HER YOU IDIOT! I CAN SUE YOU FOR RAPING AN INNOCENT 18-Year old GIRL YOU BASTARD!" Paul shouted as he continued to punch Matthew on the face.

"Dawn over here –hic- has a great –hic- body." It took Dawn a while to register that Matthew had just zipped down her dress. She blushed furiously when she realized this and quickly wrapped a blanket around her to cover herself.

"HOW DARE YOU! YOU FREAKING SEX ADDICT! GET OUT!" Paul fumed angrily at him.

"Oh yeah, what are you gonna do?" Matthew taunted Paul whose hands were now clenched into fists, his fingers almost digging into his palms.

"What am I gonna do? WRONG QUESTION." Everything happened in a blur for Dawn. All she saw was Paul beating up Matthew and literally kicking him out of the house. The party stopped, the music went down and everybody rushed only to see a bruised Matthew running or rather, groggily walking away to his car.

"Party's over guys. I really enjoyed your company but I have to fix something right now. Thanks for coming and see you on Monday." Dawn said quietly clutching the blanket tightly around her, her face stained with unshed tears. There were a couple of "unhhs" and "awwws" but after a few moments, they left understanding Dawn's situation right now. Misty and May each gave her a hug and left.

Dawn went up to her room and sat on her bed crying her eyes out. She changed into a white pair of shorts and a blue tanktop.

"It's alright to cry from time to time." Dawn was startled and quickly looked up and saw the same lavender head who saved her a while back.

"P-paul. I-I thought you l-left." Dawn said wiping away her tears and tried to smile for him.

"You're faking your smile. There's nothing wrong with releasing your emotions. It's better than keeping them inside you and getting a heart ache." Paul explained quietly as he sat next to Dawn on the bed. Then, Dawn launched herself into Paul and cried on his chest while he awkwardly stroked her hair in an attempt to comfort her. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Dawn realized how awkward she's making Paul feel at the moment.

"Sorry, I had an outburst." She said with a light chuckle. "I-I just feel so violated. I feel disgusting. Letting a guy I don't even love kiss me like that and probably rape me was so much for me to tolerate." She ranted.

"It happens. You know how guys are when they're drunk." Paul grunted as he just shrugged and continued to hug Dawn.

"Thank you, Paul. For saving me a while ago. If you weren't there, I bet I'm still feeling the torture right now." She said while smiling up at him.

"You're welcome." Paul said and stood up about to leave when Dawn immediately grabbed his wrist pulling him closer into another hug.

"This is so far...one of the best birthdays ever. I think you have the right to know that." She mumbled on his chest as she hugged him again. Paul raised an eyebrow obviously confused. Who would want to be raped on her birthday?

"Really?" was all he said.

"Because tonight, my lifelong hero saved me once again. And I'm having a moment right now with the best person in the world that I could ever ask for." She said as she looked up at him.

"W-what do you mean?" It was Paul's turn to get nervous this time.

"What I'm trying to say is Paul, I-I..." She took a deep breath and continued, "love you" barely a whisper. "You're like the best happening that came to my life. I don't even know what I'd do without you! I've always felt this way Paul but I was just so afraid of rejection that I didn't tell you up to now. Paul, I've loved you for as long as I can remember and that's a very long time. You were always there to help me out, save me, you were always willing to protect me. Every time I'm with you, I feel safe and happy. I don't care if you don't feel the same way, the mere fact that you heard what I feel is enough." Dawn said.

"I love you too, Dawn. I don't think I'll need to explain that. I'm not that talkative." Paul said while he smirked.

"You love me?" Dawn asked in disbelief as Paul nodded.

"I have for a long time. Likewise, I'm afraid of rejection." Paul Shinji? Afraid? Of rejection? Well this is a first!

She smiled widely at Paul and leaned in to softly kiss him on the lips. He kissed back. Dawn nibbling on his lower lip while his lips were clamped on her upper lip. It may have been just a simple kiss but it was enough to fit all the emotions they have felt since they met each other. It was the kiss that signified a new beginning. The kiss, although simple, gave them a feeling of ecstasy and fulfilment. It gave them a sense of security and most of all, it gave them the assurance that nothing will ever tear them apart and that they can help one another in all challenges they will encounter.

After a few seconds or minutes, they broke away gasping for air.

"You're a good kisser, you know that?" Dawn told Paul who just nodded and said, "I know I am."

"Still arrogant." Dawn said.

"A reason why you love me so much." Paul smirked while Dawn just shoved him playfully. Paul dug through his pocket and took out a red velvet box and opened it revealing the charm bracelet he bought earlier.

"Happy Birthday, Dawn." Paul said gently putting the bracelet on her arm. "What do you think about it?"

"It looks beautiful and expensive!" Dawn said as her eyes glimmered in tears.

"I bought it especially for you." Paul said. And with that, the new couple shared another kiss more passionate than the previous one.

END OF CHAPTER

What do you guys think?

Please read and review and no flames. Thank you!